[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6613349,"mediaKeyId","2871614-767d030131b0971b2c40a4bcb8e84433","parentId",2871614,"title","Votes at a glance: April 3 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting","audioSeconds",3192,"startMs",5661000,"endMs",8853000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871614-767d030131b0971b2c40a4bcb8e84433&start=5661&end=8853","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871614-767d030131b0971b2c40a4bcb8e84433/thumbnail_5661000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6613349/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-April-3-Montgomery-County-Board-of-Commissioners-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613349-dc97f6b915df35e21fff933818c3d002/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433589&Signature=moc2Q5q64LBN1FDtvvVlQ7I1o9hu2PbXmxLRcDkIvz75LjEeYICiPr1KX3Z7N4-y2-nr5pRfzEZU1zlbtVT5QoEuRsDJJ8JNhCOyQMTUBMMYlWGFfKdyBLXNBMGiLkYpbixCe23go81xd-SI4oRZGlbRM-EKgmOLHGncFnm6etT3CB-lEfTZuf3X0hcsDy8OjkWF~cwICRqw1qowHFVDOZAIEsQeQCPDaKcSGlA4dHWalOJb-Nebby4pNr8QpdBYmQvepqpi~YYVV1~X0eLBwE0~Qzd7p0lfBfbxgmqDOw6mO4suaGEaMsr2pRJ8IeT4OOFLmDzndlW4v6QfbX-MyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County, PA","date","2025-04-04T00:53:22.817Z","article","The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners approved a series of resolutions, appointments and routine administrative items during its April 3, 2025 meeting. The board recorded motions and voice votes on the items below.

Votes and key outcomes

- Open Space grant to Riverbend Environmental Education Center (Resolution Number 1): Approved. Motion moved by Commissioner Winder; second by Commissioner De Bello. (See separate article for details.)

- Establish Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence for Public Good (Resolution Number 2): Approved. Motion moved by Commissioner Winder; second by Commissioner De Bello. The resolution authorizes forming a 7–15 member external advisory council and an internal county working group to recommend use cases, governance, and training for AI in county operations.

- Appointments to Montgomery County Planning Commission (Exhibit G3 / Resolution Number 3): Approved. Motion moved by Commissioner Winder; second by Commissioner De Bello. Commissioners approved the slate of appointments described in Exhibit G3.

- Personnel list (Commissioners’ Department personnel list dated 04/02/2025): Approved. Motion moved by Commissioner De Bello; second by Commissioner Winder. The board approved the personnel transactions presented by the county’s HR officer.

- Advertisement of bids and RFPs (Exhibit A): Approved. Motion moved by Commissioner De Bello; second by Commissioner Winder. Exhibit A included an RFP for contract optimization and cost savings to review vendor contracts and identify procurement efficiencies; the board authorized advertisement of bids and RFPs.

- Awards of contract, amendments and renewals (Exhibit B): Approved. Motion moved by Commissioner Winder; second by Commissioner De Bello.

- Southeast PA Regional Task Force contracts (Exhibit C): Approved. Motion moved by Commissioner Winder; seconded by Commissioner De Bello.

- Salary Board actions (separate Salary Board meeting following commissioners’ meeting): Approved. Motion moved by Commissioner Winder; seconded by Controller Bob Hart. The Salary Board approved the April 3, 2025 salary board list; a separate motion to separate new positions failed earlier in that session.

How the votes were taken: Most items were approved by voice vote; specific roll‑call tallies were not recorded in the public transcript for routine items. When a mover and a second were recorded, they are noted above.

Why it matters: The approvals advance the county’s routine procurement, personnel management, and public‑safety mutual aid agreements, while establishing governance for AI and preserving local open space. The RFP for contract optimization signals the county’s intent to review vendor spend and seek cost savings.

Provenance: Each listed item and its motion were presented on the April 3 meeting agenda and described in the public transcript; staff presenters and mover/second names are recorded in the transcript excerpts below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Meeting - April 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Resolutions, appointments and routine items approved by the Board of Commissioners on April 3, 2025, including planning commission appointments, personnel actions, advertisement of bids and RFPs, contract awards, and the salary board list.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Pennsylvania","taxId",3511,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613353,"Commissioners create Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence for Public Good",432,5163000,5595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871614-767d030131b0971b2c40a4bcb8e84433&start=5163&end=5595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871614-767d030131b0971b2c40a4bcb8e84433/thumbnail_5163000.jpg","/articles/6613353/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Commissioners-create-Advisory-Council-on-Artificial-Intelligence-for-Public-Good","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613353-fccdb54d02a3bcbcd5555cc0a98efc94/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433589&Signature=cvOr3KsYA6hf1USswvNXK3ZNYrrul0voOAUFPeM~9XA3UciXoV82knI97veHng1j4AdiWWM-UXi2hwyFaG5HXuqdZu7lWw3TKedSiemlzEwAES7t8dYP7WMfqJuOx6ArqnvTI0ijQCT5ALNxAzW5YtB4f5d1kJ3jpoTNcP2L78CGBkMEufca~YL7jzP8X00aMs0H6rimAmckQ1~1lSQQFnhWc7UTZ1c7tV4Ylp~MF~AYh3JWLUf6BcwoQovow~wGDzHm2OnY6beApbEt-HwovdKC-AxUlv-CScqs6cHJ6uzZyhfoG2Aspi4~8OUCtXEihNVAY6RhTVJFhwzCDpB09A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners voted to establish the Montgomery County Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence for Public Good and an internal county working group to guide ethical, equitable and practical uses of AI in county operations.

Stephanie Tipton, deputy chief operating officer, presented the resolution and described the council’s proposed role: a 7–15 member outside advisory body drawn from academia, industry and the public, paired with an internal county working group of staff and stakeholders to pilot AI use cases. Tipton said focus areas include smart governance and open data, finance and procurement (fraud prevention and contract reviews), health and human services (risk‑flagging and coordination), public safety (data analysis and resource deployment), and legal/ethical/regulatory compliance.

Tipton told the board the council will recommend use cases, advise on bias and privacy safeguards, and help design training and communications. She requested the board approve opening applications for council members and to authorize county staff to set up the working group and focus teams.

Commissioner Winder moved the resolution and Commissioner De Bello seconded. The board approved the council by voice vote.

Why it matters: County staff said the effort will let Montgomery County test AI tools while building transparency, accountability and protections to limit bias and misuse. The resolution pairs outside expertise with internal staff expertise so recommendations can be operationalized in county departments.

Next steps: If the resolution stands, the county will open applications for council members, form the internal working group and begin piloting priority use cases and training plans.","The Board approved a resolution creating a 7–15 member external advisory council and an internal working group to guide county use of artificial intelligence in government operations, open data, HHS, public safety and procurement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613358,"Lower Merion officials brief Montgomery County on local sustainability work and planned senior affordable housing",613,2939000,3552000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871614-767d030131b0971b2c40a4bcb8e84433&start=2939&end=3552","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871614-767d030131b0971b2c40a4bcb8e84433/thumbnail_2939000.jpg","/articles/6613358/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Lower-Merion-officials-brief-Montgomery-County-on-local-sustainability-work-and-planned-senior-affordable-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613358-a71c6a80a5620a563fd4b7baf2a6a17c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433589&Signature=kvgRXFIAkHc4y1xsHEnsalaTgopq6MikgpCydbAwOB-t3kfoQSjrcqIYIzB6jAgqTcy0x-Iikch29Q-EPAu8ZL0t-Tf6NnTz5yA0AN-aREICYCjAMVjY2AH-rkFDNiOi~Ro1p0qJV7uDBZyQPP25cmh3X9RcdgPsczezQT1jRizWGARJU~hriviHNdSebK4PQJQPeAv5crc7i2kUmBSde4hp7Wn036XFSbEhQGrdQN7ZZx-icLl~UqwLQEnhDDiA5xXypT7SqgwpWd~Kd96UOJXu2ZfyGa1YgrmaFZfP9yDURITEg60n7CAfcPQxvYM1JiDgD2jFcY004h8eziTJwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lower Merion Township officials briefed the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners on the township’s sustainability program and on local affordable housing efforts, including an update on Ardmore House 2, a 48‑unit senior affordable housing project planned in Ardmore.

Paloma Vila, sustainability manager for Lower Merion Township, described the township’s sustainability program, which was informed by a greenhouse‑gas inventory and developed with county planning staff assistance. Vila said the township has integrated sustainability into its capital improvement program and listed projects including rooftop solar on township buildings, electrifying fleet vehicles, installing public electric‑vehicle charging, and a compost pilot.

Charlie Doyle, assistant director of building and planning for Lower Merion Township, briefed the commissioners on the township’s ad hoc affordable housing committee and priorities. He described Ardmore House 2 as a four‑story, 48‑unit building for seniors aged 64 and older with one‑bedroom units targeting households from roughly 20% to 60% of area median income. Doyle said the project is roughly a $20 million development that includes a total of about $5 million in county contributions (the county portion includes a prior ARPA seed and an additional county allocation), approximately $13.2 million in Low‑Income Housing Tax Credit financing from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, $1 million in township ARPA funds, and $700,000 from the township housing trust.

Doyle said construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2025 and that the township has reserved units for the county’s Your Way Home program. He also summarized zoning incentives and recent negotiated developer contributions that produced units for moderate and workforce housing in other local projects.

Why it matters: County leaders said Lower Merion’s zoning reforms and development in walkable nodes like Ardmore serve as a model for other municipalities seeking to expand housing supply near transit. County staff credited collaboration between the county planning commission and the township for advancing both the sustainability plan and housing projects.

Questions from commissioners covered covenant length for affordable units (Doyle said affordability covenants are recorded with the deed and run with the life of the building) and traffic impacts; Doyle said increased density brings more trips but that many residents are expected to use transit and mixed‑use development can reduce vehicle miles.","Lower Merion Township presented its sustainability program and an update on Ardmore House 2, a planned 48‑unit affordable senior housing project that includes county funding and reserved units for county housing programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613362,"Montgomery County approves $400,000 open‑space grant to help Riverbend buy adjacent 4.2‑acre parcel",711,4377000,5088000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2871614-767d030131b0971b2c40a4bcb8e84433&start=4377&end=5088","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2871614-767d030131b0971b2c40a4bcb8e84433/thumbnail_4377000.jpg","/articles/6613362/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Montgomery-County-approves-400000-openspace-grant-to-help-Riverbend-buy-adjacent-42acre-parcel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613362-5e8650527bfa3d5d9424b36de5d315c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770433589&Signature=Szyt7ZBSCFyeNC~7uzfw-JzyE6N~RPT4vjdQy2XsvZNflbAPeKZ7UHhjaKdkGos0e7kuktfr5f1cBZu5iDw4qFGUg~42-icWtYEOa4IK3i2E3Uq3FMeUej3AKQ~iNZihjb50cI1ImD4mPQAxYEqlm1WMOQfcntcLjq-0EmixDyiH36CONudL8OssLG3elI6EhD4eA8OeGPEzGEtpAYWv9la~CnPUse9rBiMLGC32zhvX6bQbLmOBiUyXCgJUbGfxiMXGZep-78eksDECdTsN4ruNWBaXq0VMvYsLUHIUiy9y1QcHM5WUQapUu2OszzPNSURQb2mahO3F8mN0ypIfsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize a $400,000 open‑space grant to Riverbend Environmental Education Center to help the nonprofit acquire an adjacent 4.2‑acre parcel on Sawmill Run in Lower Merion Township.

Bill Hartman told commissioners the county Open Space Board unanimously recommended the award at its February 26 meeting to assist Riverbend’s purchase of the privately owned parcel. The parcel contains about 175 linear feet of Sawmill Run that Riverbend uses for environmental education and was appraised at $1.2 million, Hartman said. Riverbend is seeking roughly $1.4 million to buy and begin ecological restoration of the site.

Erin Riley, executive director of Riverbend Environmental Education Center, told the commissioners, “Riverbend has been in Lower Merion 50 Years, and, we serve 10 to 12,000 children a year.” She said the parcel’s stream segment is core to the organization’s programming and that acquiring it would allow ecological restoration and preserve outdoor teaching space.

The grant award was presented as part of a funding package that includes Riverbend’s fundraising, an application to the Pennsylvania DCNR C2P2 grant program, and other private and public sources. Hartman said the Open Space Board conditioned its recommendation on Riverbend receiving DCNR funding or similar support from other sources.

Commissioner Winder moved approval of the grant and Commissioner De Bello seconded. The board voted in favor; the resolution passed.

Why it matters: Riverbend is the county’s largest environmental‑education provider for schools; county staff noted nearly 12,000 student visits in 2024, about 70% from low‑income schools. Losing access to the stream segment would reduce Riverbend’s ability to run hands‑on outdoor STEM education that county and township officials described as valuable to student learning and to local conservation goals.

Next steps: Riverbend will continue fundraising and await the county’s grant execution pending DCNR or other funding sources. County staff and the township said they will update the commissioners as the acquisition and restoration plans proceed.","The Montgomery County Open Space Board recommended and the Board of Commissioners approved a $400,000 grant to Riverbend Environmental Education Center to help acquire and restore a 4.2‑acre parcel that contains 175 linear feet of Sawmill Run and is used in Riverbend’s school programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: April 3 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting

Commissioners create Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence for Public Good

Lower Merion officials brief Montgomery County on local sustainability work and planned senior affordable housing

Montgomery County approves $400,000 open‑space grant to help Riverbend buy adjacent 4.2‑acre parcel