Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES July 16, 2024 The regular meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday July 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. Auerbach, Ms. Sheedy, Ms. Hughes Kelly, Ms. Roecker Coates, Ms. Henderson, 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 June 18, 2024, Council meeting. Seconded. Carried 8 -Aye. Finance and Planning Committee – Elizabeth Iovine - Chairperson, Committee Members: Ms. Karen Sheedy, Ms. Lisa Auerbach. The Committee will consider the following recommendations: 1. That the June bills be paid in the amount of $890,107.58 as follows: General ($230,815.28); Street lights ($3,453.39), Fire (#1,605.71), Refuse ($70,916.97); Parks & Rec ($5,629.33); Water ($292,395.79); Sewer ($21,472.60); WWTP ($262,011.01), liquid Fuels ($1,807.50); Water Capital ($0.0); Voided checks ($0.0). 2. 219 HENDRICKS STREET SUBDIVISION presentation will be rescheduled. Ms. Roecker Coates asked a question regarding follow-up care. Ms. Hughes Kelly asked a question regarding the Colony Club & St. Johns development and parking 3. Bid results were received for the 2024 paving project. Recommending awarding to Gore Co, Inc. for all items included with the Base Bid in the total amount of $240,963.70, subject to review. Public Comment: Mary Spross 366 Forest Ave. thanked the Council. Neil Binchy 307 Trinity inquired regarding the trees Scott McCullen 312 Walker Rd expressed the opinion that trees are important and inquired about a shade tree Commission. Lindsay Daku 122 Greenwood Ave wanted the removal of trees to be further discussed.  The Following Business was discussed: 1. The Borough Engineer’s report was received. 2. The Montgomery County Planner will be doing a presentation at the August 6th Committee meeting to go over the proposed revisions to the Transit Oriented Development Ordinance that includes additional use, aesthetics, development bounces and architectural elements that the Borough planning Commission and County Planned have prepared. 3. An update will be provided for the Pickering field sidewalk improvement project. Recommendations: 1. Recommend that the June bills in the amount of $890,107.58 be paid. Carried 8-Aye. 2. Recommend awarding the paving bid to Gore Co, Inc. for all items included with the Base Bid in the total amount of $240,963.70, subject to review. Carried 8-Aye. 3. The 219 Hendricks Street subdivision proposal was tabled, the presentation will be rescheduled. Ms. Siskind made a motion to adopt the report. Carried 8-Aye. Public Safety Committee: Ms. Amy Hughes Kelly – Chair, Committee Members: Jennifer Henderson, Nancy Roecker Coates, and Lou Orehek The Committee will make 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. Public works and code enforcement reports were received. 5. The Butler Avenue Traffic Study is complete, and the proposed changes are being reviewed. Ms. Siskind moved to accept the report. Carried 8 - Aye. Public Utilities Committee: Karen Sheedy - Chair, Committee Members: Amy Hughes Kelly, Lou Orehek The Committee will consider the following recommendations. 1. Recommend approval of the proposal from Invoice Cloud to accept payments for water customers. 2. Recommend approval of the John’s Lane water extension agreement. The following business was discussed: 1. The WWTP Engineers report was received. 2. The Ambler WWTP is requesting quotes for the supply and installation of VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives) for ALL 5 as part of the digester conversions. Recommendations: 1. The approval of the proposal from Invoice Cloud was tabled for further discussion. 2. Recommend approval of the Johns Lane water extension agreement. Carried 8- Aye. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Public Utilities report. Carried 8- Aye. Parks and Recreation Committee: Jennifer Henderson – Chair, Committee Members: Nancy Roecker Coates, and Lisa Auerbach The Committee made no recommendations. The following business was discussed: 1. The new pad is being constructed at Knights Park for the new Ambler Rotary donated Pavilion. Representatives from Ambler Rotary will be at the Council Meeting on August 20, 2024, at 7PM to give an update on the project. 2. Committee would like to discuss the Ambler Farmers Market. 3. Open Gym will be held Mondy evenings from 6PM-8PM. The dates are July 15th to August 19th. 4. National Night out is August 6th. The committee would like to plan an event. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Public Utilities report. Carried 8- Aye. Salary & Personnel Committee: Chair – Lisa Auerbach, Jen Henderson, Karen Sheedy, Elizabeth Iovine. The Committee consider the following recommendations: 1. Resumes or letters of interest were accepted for the vacant Ward 3 Council seat. A vote will be taken. 2. A recommendation is requested to appoint Steve Welsh to the vacant Highway Loborer position. 3. A resume for the vacant Civil Service Alternate seat was received. 4. Resumes are being accepted for the vacant Finance Manager position. The following business was discussed: 1. An executive session is required for a Water Department hiring recommendation. Recommendations: 1. A recommendation was made to appoint Steve Welsh to the vacant Highway Laborer position. Carried 8 – Aye. 2. A vote was be taken for the Vacant Ward 3 Council seat. Carried 6 – Aye David Hui 2 - Aye Sal Boccuti 3. A recommendation was made to fill the Civil Service Alternate Vacancy. Carried 8 – Aye. Ms. Siskind made motions to approve the report. Carried 8 – Aye. Public Comment: Anna Lee Lapinsky 136 Rosemary Ave asked a question regarding the Boroughs financial contributions to Pen Ambler Park. Allison Wolf 318 Rosemary Ave. inquired regarding postponement of the required ewer lateral inspections until PA makes a ruling. The request will be put on the next agenda. There being no further public comment or other business, Ms. Siskind moved the meeting to be adjourned. Carried 8 – Aye. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier Assistant Secretary Borough of Ambler