Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES November 21, 2023 The regular meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday November 21, 2023, at 7:00PM at Borough Council Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue Ambler, Pennsylvania 19002. The meeting was proceeded by a special public Municipal 2024 Budget Meeting at 6:30 PM Council President Siskind called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Ms. Siskind, Ms. Welch, Ms. Sheedy, Ms. Hughes, Ms. Auerbach, Ms. Iovine, Ms. Henderson, Mayor Sorg, and Ms. Welch Police Chief Jeff Borkowski, Solicitor Joe Bresnan, and Borough Manager Mary Aversa were also in attendance. Mr. Orehek and Ms. Roecker Coates were absent. Finance and Planning Committee – Chair, Karen Sheedy, Committee Members: Lisa Auerbach, Elizabeth Iovine The Committee will consider the following recommendations: 1. That the October 2023 bills be paid in the amount of $1,434,223.23 as follows: General ($424,091.95); Street lights ($10,205.70), Fire ($172,535.95), Refuse ($66,545.24); Parks & Rec ($12,519.76); Water ($172.704.96); Sewer ($181,940.29); WWTP ($389,999.89), liquid Fuels ($634.49); Water Capital ($0.0); Voided checks ($0.0). The Following Business was discussed: 1. The Borough Engineer’s Report was received. 2. The 2024 Budget is prepared. Public meetings were scheduled for December 5th at 6:30 PM and November 28, at 10:00AM. 3. Attached is the Montgomery County Planning Agreement for approval. 4. The Borough Meeting Calendar will be advertised. Recommendations: 1. That the October bills be paid in the amount of $1,434,223.23 Carried All AYE – 7 2. That the 2024 Budget Ordinance be advertised for adoption. Carried All AYE – 7 3. That the County planning contract be approved. Carried All AYE – 7  4. That the 2024 Borough Meeting Calendar be advertised. Carried All AYE – 7 Ms. Siskind asked a question regarding changes to the budget and advertisement. Mr. Bresnan clarified. Ms. Welch asked if advertising as is was an adoption. Mr. Yaghooty clarified. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Finance and Planning agenda. Carried All AYE - 7 Public Safety Committee: Amy Hughes – Chair, Nancy Roecker Coates, Jennifer Henderson The Committee considered the following recommendations. 1. Recommend approving Resolution 2023-14 application for a Grant for the Wissahickon Fire Company – Ambler Station renovation be applied for through Local Share Account Grant Program “Projects in the Public Interest – Projects that improve the quality of life in the community.” The following business was discussed: 1. The police department report was reviewed. 2. The Community Ambulance report was reviewed. 3. The Fire Department report was reviewed. 4. The Public Works and Code Enforcement reports were reviewed. Recommendation: A motion to approve Resolution 2023-14 to submit an application for a Grant for the Wissahickon Fire Company – Ambler Station renovation be applied for through Local Share Account Grant Program “Projects in the Public Interest – Projects that improve the quality of life in the community.” Carried All AYE - 7 Ms. Sheedy asked a question regarding the fire house renovation. Mr. Kucher explained. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Public Safety agenda. Carried All AYE - 7 Public Utilities Committee: Chair: Karen Sheedy Committee Members: Amy Hughes, and Haley Welch The Committee will make the following recommendations.  1. Recommend advertising an Ordinance to increase the sewer fee from $6.50 per thousand gallons to $7.50 per thousand gallons. The increase is for the Ultraviolent Disinfection System and other capital improvements totaling $2.6 million in 2024. 2. To decline participation in the 3M and DuPont class action settlement. The following business was discussed: 1. The WWTP Engineers report was received. 2. System flushing has begun; locations are posted on the Borough Website. Recommendations: 1. Recommend advertising an Ordinance to increase the sewer fee from $6.50 per thousand gallons to $7.50 per thousand gallons. Carried All AYE – 7 Recommend declining participation in the 3M and DuPont class action settlements. Carried All AYE – 7 Ms. Sheedy asked a question regarding a study on a fee impact to residents. Ms. Aversa answered the cost is projected to be $9.00-$10.00 per household at the most. Ms. Sheedy asked a question regarding the procedure in declining the lawsuit. Mr. Breslin clarified. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept The Public Utilities agenda. Carried All AYE – 7 Parks and Recreation Committee: Chair, Jennifer Henderson, Committee members: Lisa Auerbach, Haley Welch, Nancy Roecker Coates The Committee made no recommendations. he following business was discussed: 1, Consideration was given to the requested free pantry. Ms. Sheedy asked a question regarding research on the refrigerator. Ms. Aversa answered. Ms. Siskind made a motion to approve the Parks and Recreation agenda. Carried 7 -AYE Salary & Personnel Committee: – Chair: Lisa Auerbach, Committee members: Karen Sheedy, Jennifer Henderson, Elizabeth Iovine. Recommendations: 1. Resumes were reviewed for the planning commission vacancy; a vote is requested. The following business was discussed: 1. The current expiring volunteer positions were reviewed, letters of interest are being accepted. 2. An executive session was held before the meeting. Recommendations 1. A vote was taken to appoint Lee Meinicke toto the vacant planning commission. Carried - 6 AYE, 1 NAY Ms. Siskind made a to approve the agenda for Salary & Personnel. All Carried All AYE – 7 *Public Comment* Annalee Lapinski, 136 Rosemary Ave. asked a question regarding snowflake height. Ms. Wahl Kunzier explained. Sal Boccuti 300 Rosemary Ave asked a question regarding Planning Commission vacancies. Ms. Aversa explained. Ms. Sheedy asked a question regarding Hendricks Street Bridge opening. Mr. Dougherty explained. There being no further public comment or other business, Ms. Siskind moved the meeting adjourned. Carried 7-AYE Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier Assistant Secretary Borough of Ambler