Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES January 21, 2025 The regular meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday January 21, 2025, at 7:00PM at Borough Council Chambers located at 131 Rosemary Avenue Ambler, Pennsylvania 19002. Mayor Sorg had a mayor’s moment which she yielded to Bob King Ambler Main Street Board President to recognize Manager Mary Aversa and her 23-year commitment and contributions to the success of the Borough as it is today. Council President Siskind called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. Present: Ms. Siskind, Ms. Sheedy, Ms. Hughes Kelly, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Roecker Coates, Ms. Iovine, Mr. Orehek, Mr. Brubaker, Mayor Sorg, Police Chief Jeff Borkowski and Borough Managers Mary Aversa and Kyle Detweiler were also present. Mr. Hui was absent. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Siskind made a motion to approve the Minutes of December 17, 2024, Council meeting. Seconded. Carried 8 -Aye. Salary and Personnel was discussed first. Finance and Planning Committee – Elizabeth Iovine - Chairperson, Committee Members: Karen Sheedy. The Committee meeting was held on January 7, at 7:00pm. Elizabeth Iovine - Chairperson, Committee Members: Karen Sheedy Redmond Brubaker. The Committee will consider the following recommendations: 1. That the December bills be paid in the amount of $1,890,133.21 as follows: General ($225,207.42); Street lights ($11,429.42), Fire ($1,965.00), Refuse ($65,472.75); Parks & Rec ($9,527.59); Water ($233,574.67); Sewer ($35,182.57); WWTP ($1,076,609.19), liquid Fuels ($241,164.32); Water Capital ($0.0); Voided checks ($0.0). 2, Please see the following request from the Tax Collector: The certification charge is $15 for the current year and $10 for each additional year. The request is to increase the charge to $25 for the current year, keeping the additional years at $10. There is currently no rate for interim bills that need to be printed, mailed, and collected and the cost is about $4.25 per bill. The duplicate bill is currently $5 the request is to increase this to $10. The deadline for the proposed changes must be voted on at the Committee meeting in February. The following business was discussed:  1. The Borough Engineer’s report was received. Application for Payment No. 1, payable to Gorecon, Inc., for the 2024 Road Program has been included and has been recommended for payment by our Engineer. 2. The Borough Planning Commission will be hosting an open house regarding the comprehensive plan on Tuesday, January 28th 6pm - 8pm. This event will introduce the public to the planning process of the Comprehensive Plan and request input on the current state of Ambler as well as its vision for Ambler in the next 5, 10, and 20 years. Survey and marketing materials were mailed. Recommendations: Recommendations: 1. That the December and January bills be paid in the amount of $1,890,133.21. 2. Recommend the Solicitor prepare a resolution setting the Tax Collector fees. 3. Recommend the approval of Application for Payment No. 1 – 2024 Road Program. 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 meeting was held on January 7 at 7:00pm. Committee members: Amy Hughes – Chair, Jen Henderson, Nancy Roecker Coates and Lou Orehek. Absent - Mayor Sorg and Chief Borkowski. The Committee will consider the following recommendation. 1. The Police Department would like to purchase a Ford Interceptor at a cost of $44,200, attached. There is a separate charge for the vehicle’s upfitting of $18,714.38. Total cost does not exceed $65K for vehicle and upfitting. This was approved in the 2025 budget. 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 Borough Engineer provided a quote for upgrades along Butler Avenue between Race Street and Bethlehem Pike. Borough Council will recommend improvements in the coming months. Ms. Huges Kelly thanked the Public Works Department for all their hard work during the snow removal. Recommendations: 1. Authorization is requested to purchase a new 2025 Ford Interceptor with upfitting at an anticipated total cost of $63,004.38. for the Police Department. Ms. Siskind moved to accept the report. Carried 8- Aye. Public Utilities Committee: Karen Sheedy - Chair, Committee Members: Amy Hughes Kelly, Lou Orehek, David Hui The Committee meeting was held on January 7at 7:00pm. Committee Members: Karen Sheedy - Chair, Amy Hughes, Lou Orehek, and David Hui. Absent - Mayor Sorg and Chief Borkowski The Committee will consider the following recommendation: Authorization is requested to advertise public bids for the furnishing and delivery of poly- aluminum chloride (PAC). The bid will be posted on Penn Bid and advertised twice in the Ambler Gazette. Bids will be opened at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 The following business was discussed: 1. The WWTP Engineer’s report was received. Recommendations: 1. Authorization is requested to advertise public bids for the furnishing and delivery of poly- aluminum chloride (PAC). Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Public Utilities report. Carried 8- Aye. Parks and Recreation Committee: Jennifer Henderson – Chair, Committee Members: Redmond Brubaker, Nancy Roecker Coates and David Hui The Committee meeting was held on January 7, at 7:00pm. Committee Members: Jen Henderson - Chair, Nancy Roecker-Coates, David Hui and Redmond Brubaker. Absent - Mayor Sorg and Chief Borkowski. The Committee will make no recommendations.  The following business was discussed: 1. The lawn maintenance contract expires at the end of the year. A new Bid Document was prepared. 2. The Ambler EAC Spring Tree Planting Information was received. Orders are due by February 10, 2025. Ms. Siskind made a motion to accept the Parks and Rec report. Carried 8- Aye. Salary & Personnel Committee: Chair –Glynnis Siskind, Jen Henderson, Karen Sheedy, Elizabeth Iovine. The Committee meeting was held on January 7, at 7:00pm. Committee Members: – Chair, Jen Henderson, Karen Sheedy and Elizabeth Iovine. Absent – Mayor Sorg and Chief Borkowski The Committee will consider the following recommendations. 1. The current volunteer positions that expired in 2024 were received. 2. Recommend Kyle Detweiler be named Borough Secretary and Agency Open Records The following business was discussed: 1. Resolution 2025-1 was requested to Honor Mary Aversa for her service to the Borough upon her impending retirement. Recommendaitons: 1. Recommendations will be presented to fill the Vacant Committee Seats. 2. Recommend Kyle Detweiler be named Borough Secretary and Agency Open Records Officer. Ms. Siskind made motions to approve the report. Carried 8 – Aye. 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