Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES December 19, 2023 The regular meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday December 19, 2023, at 7:00PM at Borough Council Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue Ambler, Pennsylvania 19002. The meeting was proceeded by an Executive Session 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 Kelly, Ms. Auerbach, Ms. Iovine, Ms. Henderson, Mayor Sorg, and Ms. Welch, Mr. Orehek and Ms. Roecker Coates Police Chief Jeff Borkowski, Solicitor Joe Bresnan, and Borough Manager Mary Aversa. Finance and Planning Committee – Chair, Haley Welch, Committee Members: Karen Sheedy, Lisa Auerbach, Elizabeth Iovine The Committee will consider the following recommendations: 1. That the November 2023 bills be paid in the amount of $1,063,587.91 as follows: General ($600,730.79); Street lights ($3,778.47), Fire ($25,348.00), Refuse ($61,396.75); Parks & Rec ($20,790.02); Water ($179,617.33); Sewer ($32,344.97); WWTP ($139,545.58), liquid Fuels ($0.0); Water Capital ($0.0); Voided checks ($0.0). 2. Adopting Budget Ordinance 1137 fixing the real estate tax rate for 2024. 3. Adopting Resolution 2023-16 appropriating specific sums for the 2024 budget The Following Business was discussed: 1. The Borough Engineer’s Report was received. 2. Septa will be hosting an open house for the Ambler Station Area Concept Meeting on January 30th at 6:30 M at Borough Hall for input from riders, residents, and businesses about possibility for development of the underutilized areas of the SEPTA train station parking lot. Ms. Aversa clarified that SEPTA will pay for the mailing to Borough Residents. Ms. Siskind clarified the scope of the study. Recommandations : 1. That the November bills be paid in the amount of $1,063,587.91 Carried All AYE – 9 2. Adoption of Ordinance 1137 fixing the real estate tax rate for 2024. Carried All AYE – 9  3. Approval of Ordinance 1137 fixing the real estate tax rate for 2024. Carried All AYE – 9 4. Approval of Resolution 2023-16 approving specific sums for the 2024 budget. Carried All AYE – 9 Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Finance and Planning agenda. Carried All AYE - 9 Public Safety Committee: Amy Hughes Kelly – Chair, Committee Members: Nancy Roecker Coates, Jennifer Henderson, Lou Orehek The Committee considered the following recommendations. 1. Approving the Verizon GPS contract. 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. Mr. Orehek questioned the quantity of the fleet at 28? Ms. Aversa confirmed the number. Recommendation: Approving the Verizon GPS contract. Carried All AYE – 9 Ms. Welch asked Chief Borowski a question regarding the high car mileage in October on Explorer 43-5. The Chief explained that it was a clerical mistake. Ms. Sheedy asked a question regarding traffic complaints and if they occurred in a specific area. The Chief explained the coding system. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Public Safety agenda. Carried All AYE - 9. Public Utilities Committee: Chair: Karen Sheedy Committee Members: Amy Hughes Kelly, Lou Orehek and Haley Welch The Committee will make the following recommendations. 1. Adopting Ordinance 1136 increasing the sewer fee from $6.50 per thousand gallons to $7.50 per thousand gallons.  2. To request bids from Co-Stars for the UV system upgrade at the Wastewater Plant. The following business was discussed: 1. The WWTP Engineers report was received. 2. System flushing continues; locations are posted on the Borough Website. Ms. Sheedy asked whether The Borough had received any news on the M.I.R.A. Grant. Ms. Aversa confirmed that notification was received today that the Borough was granted $3.5 million. Recommendations: 1. Recommend adopting Ordinance 1136 increasing the sewer fee from $6.50 per thousand gallons to $7.50 per thousand gallons. Carried All AYE – 9 2. Recommend accepting bids for the UV system upgrade at the Wastewater Plant. Carried All AYE – 9 Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept The Public Utilities agenda. Carried All AYE – 9 Parks and Recreation Committee: Chair, Jennifer Henderson, Committee members: Lisa Auerbach, Haley Welch, Nancy Roecker Coates The Committee made no recommendations. The following business was discussed: 1. Consideration was given to the requested free pantry. The Borough is unable to keep the Community pantry int the Borough building due to liability concerns. 2. Liz Wahl Kunzier gave an update on the 2024 Ambler Main Street events. Ms. Henderson questioned the availability of Frost Bite Run route signs for the upcoming run in February. Ms. Henderson requested an MLK clean up day on the Saturday of MLK Day weekend. Ms. Henderson asked if the Borough could host a national night out in August – an “Ambler Day”. Ms. Siskind made a motion to approve the Parks and Recreation agenda. Carried 9-AYE Salary & Personnel Committee: – Chair: Lisa Auerbach, Committee members: Karen Sheedy, Jennifer Henderson, Elizabeth Iovine. Recommendations: 1. An Executive session was held this evening. The following business was discussed: 1. The current expiring volunteer positions were reviewed, letters of interest are being accepted. 2. Resumes are being accepted for the Water, Maintenance-Repairman and Wastewater vacancies. The Committee made no Recommendations. 1. A recommendation is expected a personnel issue. Ms. Henderson asked for requirements for the positions available. Ms. Aversa explained that the D.E.P. licensing is the hold up on hiring. Administration is working on the Water Department vacancy. Ms. Huges Kelly asked a question regarding outsourcing. Ms. Aversa explained. Ms. Siskind made a to approve the agenda for Salary & Personnel. All Carried All AYE – 9 *Public Comment* Annalee Lapinski, 136 Rosemary Ave. asked a question regarding the status of the bus stop on Butler. The Chief commented that he thought the issue had been resolved and the children were waiting at their assigned stop. Ms. Henderson clarified that the children were still crossing Butler. Discussion ensued. The conclusion is that the issue is a WSD issue not an Ambler Borough issue. There being no further public comment or other business, Ms. Siskind moved the meeting adjourned. Carried 9-AYE Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier Assistant Secretary Borough of Ambler