Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES March 19, 2024 The regular meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday March 19, 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. Welch, Ms. Hughes Kelly, Ms. Roecker Coates, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Auerbach, Ms. Iovine, Mr. Orehek, Mayor Sorg, Police Chief Jeff Borkowski and Borough Manager Mary Aversa, Solicitor Joe Bresnan were also present. Ms. Siskind and Ms. Sheedy were absent. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Welch made a motion to approve the Minutes of February 19, 2024, Council meeting. Seconded. Carried 7 -Aye. Finance and Planning Committee – Ms. Hayley Welch Chairperson, Committee Members: Ms. Karen Sheedy, Ms. Lisa Auerbach, Ms. Elizabeth Iovine. The Committee will consider the following recommendations: 1. That the February bills be paid in the amount of $210,737.78 as follows: General ($210,737.78); Street lights ($5,554.82), Fire ($0.0), Refuse ($63,316.36); Parks & Rec ($9,408.27); Water ($313,651.11); Sewer ($267,954.11); WWTP ($441,00739), liquid Fuels ($25,331.71); Water Capital ($0.0); Voided checks ($0.0). 2. To authorize advertisement of the transfer of the liquor license # R-15892 for Cantina Feliz to the former Lucky Well property located at 111E Butler Avenue. 3. Authorization is requested to send zoning suggestions from the Montgomery County Planning Commission to the Planning Commission to revise the Trans Oriented Development Ordinance to include additional Uses, Aesthetics and Architectural Elements. The Following Business was discussed: 1. The Borough Engineer’s report was received. 2. Drew Shaw and Erin Landis of the Wissahickon Clean water partnership made a presentation on the Water Quality Improvement Plan and discussed adopting Resolution 2024-3. Committee questions: Ms. Auerbach asked when the group was formed and what was the time frame for realization that the TMD levels were high and questioned what actions the Borough had taken to combat the high levels. Mr. Shaw explained the main cause and offered ideas to get the issue under control. Ms. Aversa further explained the path forward for the Borough and offered that we meet our number requirements. Discussion ensued. Mr. Brown the Borough Engineer gave further explanation. Ms. Roecker Coates asked a question regarding existing basins. Mr. Shaw explained, and Ms. Landis clarified further clarifying sediment and storm water. Ms. Roecker Coats asked a question regarding the RF 100 and Solar farms and the location at the Wastewater Treatment plant. Ms. Aversa clarified the procedure. 3. A list providing updates on current projects was received. 4. An updated summary was provided for the RF 100 project. Recommendations: 1. Recommend that the February bills in the amount of $1,336,961.71 be paid. Carried 7-Aye. 2. A hearing was held at 7:00 this evening to consider Resolution 2024-3 for a liquor license transfer from Carrett LLC d/b/a Cantina Feliz in Ft. Washington to 109-115 East Butler Avenue. The hearing concluded at 7:10 PM. Request to adopt Resolution 2024-3 Carried 7-Aye. 3. Authorization to send zoning suggestions from the Montgomery County Planning Commission to revise the Transit Oriented Development ordinance to include additional Uses, Aesthetics and Architectural Elements. Carried 7-Aye. 4. To adopt Resolution 2024-4 to adopt the partnership with the Wissahickon Clean water Partnership to improve water quality. Carried 7-Aye. Ms. Welch made a motion to adopt the report. Carried 7-Aye. Public Safety Committee: Ms. Amy Hughes Kelly – Chair, Committee Members: Jennifer Henderson, Nancy Roecker Coates, and Lou Orehek The Committee will consider the following recommendation. 1. Recommend the Solicitor prepare a Resolution to offer a stipend for gas and vehicle reimbursement for the Fire Company members that meet certain criteria. The amount will be 4500.00 for 2023 and $1,000.00 for future years.  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. 5. A memo was received from the Solicitor providing details on the current gaming machine laws. Ms. Welch moved to accept the report. Carried 7 - Aye. Committee comments: Public Utilities Committee: Karen Sheedy - Chair, Committee Members: Haley Welch, Amy Hughes Kelly, Lou Orehek The following business was discussed: 1. The WWTP Engineers report was received. The Committee made no Recommendations. Ms. Welch made a motion to accept the Public Utilities report. Carried 7- Aye. Parks and Recreation Committee: Jennifer Henderson – Chair, Committee Members: Haley Welch, Nancy Roecker Coates, and Lisa Auerbach The Committee will consider the following recommendations. 1. Adopt Resolution 2024-2 suspending the open container ordinance in Ambler for the Arts and Music Fest and Oktoberfest. 2. An Ordinance permitting dogs in Riccardi Park a motion to advertise was requested. The following business was discussed: 1. The details of the No Mow May program for 2024 are posted on the Borough website. 2. The plastic ban ordinance has a date of March 1, whereas establishments are prohibited from providing Styrofoam food service products either directly at the establishment or through delivery. Recommendations: 1. Recommend adopting Resolution 20024-2 suspending the open container ordinance in Ambler for the Art and Music Fest and Oktoberfest. Carried 7- Aye. 2. Recommend adopting an Ordinance permitting dogs in Riccardi Park. Carried 7- Aye. Ms. Welch made a motion to accept the report. Carried 7- Aye. Salary & Personnel Committee: Chair – Lisa Auerbach, Jen Henderson, Karen Sheedy, Elizabeth Iovine. The Committee consider the following recommendations: 1. Resumes were accepted for the Planning Commission vacancy. The following business was discussed: 1. Resumes are being accepted for the Highway Superintendent position. 2. An offer of employment was made for the vacant WWTP Mechanic position. 3. Resumes are being accepted for the vacant Assistant Water superintendent position. 4. The current committee vacancies are as follows: Zoning hearing Board - Seat (Alternate) Civil Service – 1 Seat (Alternate) Appeals Board – 1 Seat Recommendation: 1. Resumes were accepted from the planning commission vacancy. A recommendation was made by roll call, Mary Spross was elected to the vacant seat 5- Aye. Ms. Welch made motions to approve the report. Carried 7 – Aye. Public Comment There being no further public comment or other business, Ms. Welch moved the meeting adjourned. Carried 7 – Aye. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier Assistant Secretary Borough of Ambler