Borough Council

AMBLER BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES February 18, 2025 The regular meeting of Ambler Borough Council was held Tuesday February 18, 2025, 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. Hughes Kelly, Ms. Henderson, Ms. Roecker Coates, Ms. Iovine, Mr. Orehek, Mr. Hui, Mr. Brubaker, Police Chief Jeff Borkowski and Borough Manager Kyle Detweiler were also present. Ms. Sheedy and Mayor Sorg were absent. Approval of Minutes: Ms. Siskind made a motion to approve the Minutes of January 21, 2025, Council meeting. Seconded. Carried 8 -Aye. Comments from the Public: Bernadette Dougherty 138 Tennis Ave. questioned the new agenda format. Mr. Detweiler explained the new process. Ms. Dougherty asked about the traffic safety study done for Butler Avenue. Ms. Hughes Kelly explained the will be no rumble bars in the short term, she further explained the process of implementation of the study. Anna Lee Lapinski 136 Rosemary Ave. expressed her dislike of the new Public Comment placement on the agenda. Finance and Planning Committee – Elizabeth Iovine - Chairperson, Committee Members: Karen Sheedy. The Committee meeting was held on February 4, at 7:00pm. Elizabeth Iovine - Chairperson, Committee Members: Karen Sheedy, Redmond Brubaker. Absent Chief Borkowski The Committee will consider the following recommendations: 1. That the January bills be paid in the amount of $1,361, 009.94 as follows: General ($167,414.15); Street lights ($4,237.46), Fire ($0.00), Refuse ($61,548.20); Parks & Rec ($5,337.83); Water ($130,758.98); Sewer ($186,515.18); WWTP ($561,913.96), liquid Fuels ($243,284.18); Water Capital ($0.0); Voided checks ($0.0). Recommendations: Recommendations: 1. That the January bills be paid in the amount of $1,361,009.94 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 February 4th at 7:00pm. Committee members: Amy Hughes – Chair, Jen Henderson, Nancy Roecker Coates and Lou Orehek. Absent - Chief Borkowski. The Committee considered the following recommendations. 1. A motion authorizing Gilmore and Associated to proceed with bidding the East Butler Traffic Calming Project. 2. A motion authorizing the advertisement of an ordinance amending the existing code of the Borough of Ambler, adding an article on the removal of residential heating oil tanks. Committee comments: Ms. Roecker Coates thanked Council for considering recommendation of an oil tank ordinance. 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. Recommendations: 1. Authorization is requested to authorize Gilmore and Associated to proceed with bidding the East Butler Traffic Calming Project. Carried 8- Aye. 2. Authorization is requested to advertise an ordinance amending the existing code of the Borough of Ambler, adding an article on the removal of residential heating oil tanks. Carried 8- Aye. 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 February 4th at 7:00pm. Committee Members: Karen Sheedy - Chair, Amy Hughes, Lou Orehek, and David Hui. Absent - Chief Borkowski The Committee considered the following recommendations: 1. A motion is requested authorizing notice of intent to proceed with rebuilding pump #14 to Geiger Pump & Equipment Co. 2. A motion is requested authorizing notice of intent to award the Poly Aluminum Chloride (PAC) bid to Univar Solutions USA LLC. Committee Comments: Mr. Orehek asked a question regarding the bid. Mr. Brown explained that it did follow the inspection. The following business was discussed: 1. The WWTP Engineer’s report was received. 2. The WWTP Superintendent’s Report was received. Recommendations: 1. Authorization is requested to give notice of intent to proceed with rebuilding pump #14 to Geiger Pump & Equipment Co. Carried 8- Aye. 2. Authorization is requested authorizing notice of intent to award the Poly Aluminum Chloride (PAC) bid to Univar Solutions USA LLC. 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: Redmond Brubaker, Nancy Roecker Coates and David Hui The Committee meeting was held on February 4th, at 7:00pm. Committee Members: Jen Henderson - Chair, Nancy Roecker-Coates, David Hui and Redmond Brubaker. Absent - Chief Borkowski.  The Committee will make the following recommendations. 1. A motion is requested to confirm Rob Cardillo to fill the current vacancy on the Environmental Advisory Council. Carried 8- Aye. No New business was discussed. 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 February 4th, at 7:00pm. Committee Members: – Chair, Jen Henderson, Karen Sheedy and Elizabeth Iovine. Absent – Chief Borkowski The Committee will not consider any recommendations. The following business was discussed: 1. The Borough Manager’s report was received. Ms. Siskind made motions to approve the report. Carried 8 – Aye. Public Comment: Anna Lee Lapinsky 136 Rosemary Ave. mentioned that she was not fond of the new agenda format regarding public comment. She was also very thankful to Ambler PD for her tour of the new police truck. Bernadette Dougherty 338 Tennis Ave. questioned cars being parked in the former McDonald’s lot. 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