Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES June 18, 2024 The regular meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday June 18, 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. 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. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Siskind made a motion to approve the Minutes of May 21, 2024, Council meeting. Seconded. Carried 9 -Aye. Finance and Planning Committee – Ms. Elizabeth Iovine Chairperson, Committee Members: Ms. Karen Sheedy, Ms. Lisa Auerbach, Ms. Elizabeth Iovine. The Committee will consider the following recommendations: 1. That the May bills be paid in the amount of $906,088.30 as follows: General ($113,421.86); Street lights ($6,174.96), Fire ($0.0), Refuse ($58,120.70); Parks & Rec ($5,125.90); Water ($359,244.02); Sewer ($4,337.00); WWTP ($174,045.52), liquid Fuels ($579.92); Water Capital ($4,337.00); Voided checks ($0.0). 2. A request was received to approve the 2024-2025 Head Start lease agreement. The Following Business was discussed: 1. The Borough Engineer’s report was received. 2. Wissahickon Valley Historical Society withdrew its request to put the Freight House building in the Borough lot. 3. The new ZHB notice for 27 Butler was received. 4. The list for the 2024 paving project list was received, the Bid will be advertised. Committee questions: Ms. Sheedy inquired when the paving is scheduled to begin. Mr. Dougherty answered 2-6 weeks. Recommendations: 1. Recommend that the May bills in the amount of $906,088.36 be paid. Carried 9-Aye. 2. Recommend that the Head Start lease agreement be approved. Carried 9-Aye. Ms. Siskind made a motion to adopt 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 will consider the following recommendations. 1. To approve the agreement for the Wissahickon School District and the Ambler Police to enter into the intergovernmental agreement with Bus Patrol America LLC to provide a stop alarm signal enforcement system on each bus to enforce violations outlined in the agreement. Committee Questions: Ms. Auerbach asked what the timeline is for the agreement. Chief Borkowski explained. Mr. Bresnan explained that the process can take a long time. Discussion ensued. The Committee will consider the following recommendation. 1. To approve the agreement for the Wissahickon School District and the Ambler Police to enter into the intergovernmental agreement with Bus Patrol America LLC to provide a stop alarm signal enforcement system on each bus to enforce violations outlined in the agreement. Ms. Siskind moved to accept the report. Carried 9 - Aye. Public Utilities Committee: Karen Sheedy - Chair, Committee Members: Amy Hughes Kelly, Lou Orehek The Committee will consider the following Recommendation: 1. That the change order for Eastern Environmental Contractors, Inc. for the sum of $120,00.00 be approved. The following business was discussed: 1. The WWTP Engineers report was received.  2. Ambler WWTP requested quotes for the supply and installation of VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives) for all 5 blowers as a part of the digester conversions. Committee Questions: Ms. Sheedy asked exactly what the devices are. Ms. Hughes clarified that they are for safety that the committee wanted to be addressed. Ms. Siskind asked if the $100,000.00 was in the budget. Mr. Evans explained that it was in the budget. Ms. Aversa clarifies that there was an overage in the initial project. Mr. Evans explained that the railings were in the budget and are needed for safety. That the VFD will control the odor in the air and save money on the electric bill. Ms. Sheedy asked if those items were budgeted. Mr. Evans explained that the start money was budgeted. Ms. Sheedy asked if an additional request was needed. Ms. Aversa explained that the process is ongoing. Public Comment: Bernadett Dougherty 338 Tennis Ave. asked that since the WWTP serves more municipalities that Ambler if the other municipalities shared in the cost? Ms. Aversa explained yes, the Borough is only responsible for 19% of the cost. Recommendations: 1. Recommend that the change order for Eastern Environmental Contractors, Inc. for the sum of $120,00.00 be approved. Carried 9- Aye. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Public Utilities report. Carried 9- Aye. Parks and Recreation Committee: Jennifer Henderson – Chair, Committee Members: Nancy Roecker Coates, and Lisa Auerbach The Committee will consider the following Recommendation. 1. That the open gym night on Monday nights at Borough Hall be approved. Committee Questions: Ms. Roecker Coates asked what the open gym entailed. Ms. Henderson explained a safe space to play basketball indoors. She added that she would be supervising. Ms. Aversa suggested that if needed and employee could assist. Ms. Siskind enquired about liability. Ms. Bresnan suggested a parent release. Ms. Auerbach inquired regarding child to adult ratios. Ms. Hughes Kelly explained that there were none at this age level. Ms. Henderson explained that it was an option. Ms. Aversa offered to reach out to DVIT for clarification. Ms. Henderson asked for any volunteers from Council for AYA, that to this date she was volunteering alone. The following business was discussed: 1. Yoga in the park will be June 29th at 10:00 AM in Knight Park. Recommendation: 1. Authorization was requested to host open Gym night on Mondays this Summer. Carried 9- Aye. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Parks and Rec. report. Carried 9- Aye. Salary & Personnel Committee: Chair – Lisa Auerbach, Jen Henderson, Karen Sheedy, Elizabeth Iovine. The Committee consider the following recommendations: 1. A Recommendation was requested to adopt Resolution 2024-8 in recognition of Haley Welch. 2. A recommendation was requested to fill the Highway Laborer position. 3. A recommendation to hire Keaton O’Brien for the vacant water Operator position was taken off the table. 4. Resumes were reviewed for the vacant Planning Commission seat a recommendation is expected. The following business was discussed:  1. Resumes are being accepted for the vacant Ward 3 Council seat until July 9th. A vote will be taken July 16th. 2. The Borough hired Matthew Marcelino for summer employment. A request to hire Keaton O’Brien for the vacant Water Operator position was taken off the table. 3. An executive session was held at 6:00 PM for an personnel issue, a recommendation is forthcoming. Recommendations: 1. A recommendation was requested to adopt resolution 2024-8 in recognition of Haley Welch. Carried 9 – Aye. 2. A recommendation was requested to fill the vacant Highway Laborer position. Carried 9 – Aye. 3. A recommendation to hire Keaton O’Brien for the vacant Water I position was taken off the table. 4. A recommendation was requested to appoint Theresa Clement to the vacant Planning Commission position. Carried 9 – Aye. Committee Comment: Ms. Auerbach gave the floor to Ms. Aversa to make an announcement. Ms. Aversa informed the group that she has been working with Borough Council to prepare for her retirement. She will be retiring from the Manager’s position January 31, 2025. Borough Council has hired a consultant to help find a replacement. Public Comment: Mary Spross 366 Forest Ave. inquired as to who was hired in the Laborer position. Mr. Bresnan replied that the information is not yet public. Ms. Siskind made motions to approve the report. Carried 9– Aye. 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