Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES January 16, 2024 The regular meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday January 16, 2024, at 7:00PM at Borough Council Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue Ambler, Pennsylvania 19002. Council President Siskind called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Ms. Siskind, Ms. Welch, Ms. Sheedy, Ms. Hughes Kelly, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Auerbach, Ms. Roecker Coates, Ms. Iovine, Mr. Orehek, Mayor Sorg, Police Chief Jeff Borkowski and Borough Manager Mary Aversa were also present Mayor Sorg spoke some words on the MLK Day of service throughout the Borough and the County. She advised to mark your calendars for next year because most of the events are annual. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Siskind made a motion to approve the Minutes of December 19, 2023, Council meeting. Seconded. Carried All AYE – 9 Finance and Planning Committee – Ms. Hayley Welch Chairperson, Committee Members: Ms. Karen Sheedy, Ms. Lisa Auerbach, Ms. Elizabeth Iovine. The Committee will consider no recommendations. 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 PM at Borough Hall for input from riders, residents, and businesses about the possibility for development of the underutilized areas of the SEPTA train station parking lot. 3. An update was provided on the Storm Water and Hydrant concerns in Haywood Park. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the report. Carried 9 -Aye Public Safety Committee: Ms. Amy Hughes Kelly – Chair, Committee Members: Jennifer Henderson, Nancy Roecker Coates, and Lou Orehek The Committee made no recommendations. 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. Committee comment: Ms. Henderson expressed concern regarding the increase in domestic violence reports. Chief Borkowski explained the increase could be due to the holidays. Ms. Henderson asked if the department had domestic violence training. Chief Borkowski explained that they utilize the training available to them. Ms. Henderson questioned the uptick in suspicious activity. Chief Borkowski explained that the term suspicious activity is an umbrella for a wide variety of calls. Ms. Henderson questioned the increase in vandalism calls. Chief Borkowski explained that nothing in particular stuck out as a reason for the increase in criminal mischief. Ms. Henderson remarked that there is a decrease in speeding with congratulations. Ms. Iovine asked if the clerical error in the prior month’s police report had been corrected. The Chief replied that it had. Ms. Siskind moved to accept the report. Carried All Aye – 9 Public Utilities Committee: Karen Sheedy - Chair, Committee Members: Haley Welch, Amy Hughes Kelly, Lou Orehek The Committee will consider the following recommendations. 1. Recommendation is requested to approve the Bid from Co-Stars for the UV system upgrade at the Wastewater plant. The bid for equipment and accessories was received from Kappe Associates Inc., breakdown is as follows: Trojan Technologies, London ON for $643,900.00 for the new ultraviolet disinfection system equipment and SWF Industrial Wrightsville, PA for the $91, 200.00 for the metal canopy. The Equipment total: $735,100.00. The bid for installation will be received in the coming weeks.  The following business was discussed: 1. The WWTP Engineers report was received. 2. System flushing continues; locations are posted on the Borough Website. 3. Dennis Rowan would like to make a presentation on the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) for PA program at the February 6 Committee meeting. Questions from the Committee; Ms. Welch asked is a presentation from CCA was already scheduled. Ms. Aversa answered yes, to further clarify the program. Ms. Welch asked which other municipalities were contacted. Ms. Aversa, Swarthmore, Narberth, and Media. Ms. Sheedy asked a question regarding the option of opting in or out. Ms. Roecker Coates clarified the process in the program. Discussion ensued. Ms. Siskind questioned the dollar currency for payment on the WWTP system. Ms. Aversa clarified. Mr. Evans from the Wastewater treatment plant gave an explanation of the Trojan U.V. System. Mr. Orehek questioned the installation process while utilizing the existing system. Mr. Evens outlined the plan in place. Discussion ensued. Ms. Aversa explained that she made Council aware of the power outage at the plant during the recent rainstorm. Mr. Orehek asked a question regarding savings on the electric bill with the new device. Mr. Evans explained that the savings will be significant. Recommendations: 1. A recommendation is requested to approve the Bid from Co-Stars for the UV system upgrade at the Wastewater plant. The bid for equipment and accessories was received from Kappe Associates Inc., breakdown is as follows: Trojan Technologies, London ON for $643,900.00 for the new ultraviolet disinfection system equipment and SWF Industrial Wrightsville, PA for the $91, 200.00 for the metal canopy. The Equipment total: $735,100.00. Carried All AYE – 9 Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Public Utilities report. Carried 9- Aye. Parks and Recreation Committee: Jennifer Henderson – Chair, Committee Members: Haley Welch, Nancy Roecker Coates, and Lisa Auerbach The Committee will make no recommendations. The following business was discussed:  1. An EAC/Ambler Borough self-guided litter clean up event was scheduled for Martin Luther King Day. Committee Comment: Ms. Roecker Coates gave the results of the clean-up. One family alone collected 4 bags of litter. Ms. Henderson thanked the EAC for the partnership with the Borough. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the report. Carried 9- Aye Salary & Personnel Committee: Chair – Lisa Auerbach, Jen Henderson, Karen Sheedy, Elizabeth Iovine. The Committee will consider the following recommendations: 1. An executive session was held this evening regarding a personnel issue. The following business was discussed: 1. Resumes are being accepted for the Water Department vacancy. Interviews were scheduled for the Maintenance Repairman and Wastewater vacancies. Recommendations 1. Recommendation to offer the position to the candidate for Maintenance Repairman. Carried All AYE – 9 Ms. Siskind made motions to approve the report. Carried All AYE – 9 *No Public Comment* There being no further public comment or other business, Ms. Siskind moved the meeting adjourned. Carried All Aye - 9 Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier Assistant Secretary Borough of Ambler