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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1965_08_11 126 • MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL, AUGUST 11,- 1965. A regular meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held in the Council Chambers, Leesburg, Virginia on August 11 , 1965, the meeting being called to • order by the Mayor and a prayer by Councilman Pumphrey. Those present were Councilmen C. A. English Cole, C. Grey Dodd, C. Maloy Fishback, Maurice R. Lowenbach, Jr. , Robert A. Orr and John W. Pumphrey; also Town Manager James W. Ritter , Jr. Town Attorney George M. Martin joined the meeting later in the even- ing. The Minutes of the meeting of July 19, 1965 and the Minutes of a Special Meeting of August 4, 1965 were approved with general consent. Mr. Robert G. Sharp addressed Council, stating that he understood the ' Council was to consider a proposal to increase the width of streets in sub- divisions from 30 feet to 36 feet. As a developer, he objected to this propo- sal on the basis that by increasing the width of the street by 20%, this would increase the cost to construct the street on an average of about $3.00 per lineal foot , thereby increasing the cost to subdivide land and making the sales price of the houses higher , which would certainly be detrimental due to the economic . pressure that has existed on housing in Leesburg within the past 12 months. He also pointed out that , although Leesburg is now a Town, it will very soon be- come a city and when it becomes a city, the responsibility for maintenance of streets within the Town will be the Town 's. The State 's contribution to cities for streetmaintenance is based on a per mile basis, so if the width of the . streets is increased by 20%, then maintenance costs will increase by that amount also. Mr. Sharp pointed out that the standard width in Fairfax County is 30 feet and they do not contemplate increasing theirs, and he urged that Council give consideration to the above facts when they consider this proposal. Mr. James Kinne, President of Blue Ridge Aircraft Corporation, addressed •i Council , expressing the desire of his corporation to lease an acre of land at the Airport. He stated that the group he represents is known as the Catoctin Flying Club , with a membership at present of 12 and the Club owning 2 airplanes:, they being Cessna models, which model Chantilly Aviation does not handle, and which he stated is in demand by some flyers. He said that they planned to limit their membership to 15 to 20 members and would eventually put up their own han- gars on this land and that they would like a place to do their own maintenance work. He said they were not in competition with Chantilly Aviation. It was explained that this would mean 100 feet of frontage on the taxi-way, which, according to plats, would leave enough space to lease to one more organization if desired. Mr. Caulkins of the Airport Commission was present and said there was room for this Club to operate out there. Mayor Rollins asked Mr. Kinne to have a lease drawn up and present it to Council and Councilman Cole asked that a statement of financial responsibility be presented at the same time. Mr. Stanley Caulkins of the Airport Commission was asked by Mayor Rollins to explain which is the most feasible , to buy the Murray tract of land or to get an airspace easement over it. Mayor Rollihs said that it is now the opin- ion of the FAA that the Town can condemn the airspace easement without buying the property. Mr. Caulkins asked if the Council was aware of Mr. Murray 's pro- posal to the Town. He said that at the beginning, there were several trees topped out there but that it was debatable as to whether they were on Mr. Mur- ray 's land or on the fence line, but that there would be no necessity for removing any other buildings. Nothing could be built on this land that would be any higher than 41 feet. Mr. Caulkins said that, since word has been received from Mr. Greve of the FAA that the airspace easement could be condemned by the Town, he would think that would be the avenue to take. He pointed out the following • facts: (1) This is a navigation easement, which is a requirement for the proper and safe operation of the Airport ; (2) the FAA's final grant payment will not be forthcoming until this easement has been cleared up; and (3) the Airport Commission previously laid the groundwork for continued expansion and financial improvements to the field without cost to the Town. The Commission is on the appropriations list for next year from the FAA and would lose their place on the list if the Town is negligent in clearing up this airspace easement so that the final payment can be made on Project No. 1. The new project would in- volve the extension of the north taxi-way. The State would match half the funds and the FAA one-half . This would not only improve the site tremendously, but would complete the Airport; it would make available the land that is now in the gully that could be used for rental purposes by the Town.- The gully will be filled in and will open another approximately 1800 feet of access to the runway that will be leasable. Mr. Caulkins explained that the funds which come from 127 MINUTES OF AUGUST 11, 1965 MEETING. the State are funds that come out of automobile gas taxes. These taxes are charged to the airplane user, as well as the automobile user. The State Cor- poration Commission says these funds can only be used to improve aviation fa- cilities in the State. Mr. Caulkins urged that the Town try to expedite this matter of the Murray easement. Councilman Cole asked how this all came about , that this easement was not covered in the original plans. Mr. Caulkins explained that between the time the project was initiated and the time the Master Plan was submitted to the FAA, the FAA came out with different criteria. He explained that the FAA allows a 10% error in the project , so that they will pay 10% of the error. The appraisals on this property were also discussed and it was explained that they were ap- praisals on the land, which were done earlier on the basis that the Town could not condemn for an airspace easement. Upon motion of Councilman Orr, seconded by Councilman Pumphrey, the follow- ing resolution was adopted by a unanimous roll call vote. See Insert Town Manager Ritter reported that the contractors have started on the storm drainage projects, Perry Engineering starting a few days ago on Edwards Ferry Road and Tri-County Asphalt to start on Loudoun Street, they having been held up until the Telephone Co. and the Gas Co. can adjust some of their ducts and lines. 00 He reported that the contracts have been signed , the Insurance Certificates and Performance Bonds received and everything is all set to go on these projects. C) An appropriation is still needed for the easement on the Stewart property. Mr. Ritter also reported that.-two bids were received on the Riley water line exten- c) • sion, . one from Perry Engineering in the amount of 31,846.30 and one from Mary- land Excavators in the amount of $2,750. Colonel Riley has been given this in- formation, but we have not heard from him yet. The stopped up catch basin at New- _ ton & Kaufman has been opened up by Town forces. Mayor Rollins reminded members that the Finance Committee would meet at 10:30 next Tuesday morning and asked that machinery be set up to borrow the 3475,000.00 by that time. He also reminded the Utility Committee that an offer has to be made to John Wallace, et als for the storm drainage easement across their property. Upon motion of Councilman Orr, seconded by Councilman Pumphrey, the follow- ing resolution was placed on the floor : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that an appropriation be made in the amount of $1,080.00 for 60 new Parking Meter , and that the Mayor be authorized to sign the Lease Agreement with Duncan Parking Meter Corp. After a great deal of discussion, Councilman Orr withdrew his motion, and moved that this resolution be sent back to the Finance Committee for further study. This motion was seconded by Councilman Lowenbach and unanimously carried. Upon motion of Councilman Fishback, seconded by Councilman Pumphrey, the following resolution was unanimously adopted by roll call vote : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that $1 ,215.00 be appropriated to pay Johnson and Williams for surveys and plans on Harrison and North Street Relief Sewer. Upon motion of Councilman Lowenbach, seconded by Councilman Fishback, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that an amount of $2,500.00 be appropriated for test borings and soil analysis at the site of the proposed Holding Pond, such site having been selected as the lower site oh the Kincaid land. Mr. John R. Williams of Johnson and Williams was present and stated, upon question from the Mayor , that he felt they could work up the information needed for the bond referendum in about 3 weeks, in order that this bond referendum can be held along with the November election. He stated that his firm is working on the plans for' improvements to the present sewage treatment plant. Mayor Rollins asked- if these plans included a vacuum drying filter. Mr. Williams stated that they planned to 'put this in and explained the operation of this filter and what an improvement it would be over the methods presently being used. M 1 INSERTT • rn U BE IT RESOLVED, by- the Council that a public necessity requires that a clear zone easement for the Leesburg Municipal Airport on the Mur- ray property be acquired; that George M. Martin and Richard E. Hill be and they are hereby appointed attorneys to institute the necessary condemnation proceedings on behalf of the Town of Leesburg to either acquire the requisite clear zone easement as shown on copy of ease- ment attached, or the fee simple , whichever is necessary from James W. Murray and Bernice F. Murray whose land is situate in Leesburg Magisterial District, and to obtain emergency entry thereon; that the Mayor is empowered to sign any and all pleadings on behalf of the Town of Leesburg, and employ Wendell Kline and John William Clemens as appraisers and expert witnesses and the sum of $1500.00 is hereby appropriated from the general fund to provide the deposit L--- for the emergency taking and other costs at this time. I.2 8. MIISUTES OF AUGUST 11, 1965 MEETING. He stated that they were working on the water study and that they felt one of the moat important sources is Big Springs and they want to observe the per- formance of this spring very carefully before making any recommendation. Mayor Rollins read a letter from the Water Control Board, which stated that they approved of the Town 's plans for sewage treatment facilities. Upon motion of Councilman Fishback, seconded by Councilman Cole, the follow- ing resolution was placed on the floor : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that an amount of $300.00 be appropriated for the purchase of a Sony Tape Recorder, which amount includes the purchase of one dozen Scotch Tapes. After discussion, Councilman Orr moved that this motion be tabled. Councilman Lowenbach seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Upon motion of Councilman Fishback, seconded by Councilman Dodd, the fol- lowing resolution was placed on the floor : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town' of Leesburg, that the Manual entitled "Design & Construction Standards, Town of Leesburg, " be adopted, and shall be .the Standards used for Public Works Construc- tion. After a great deal of discussion, Councilman Orr moved that this be tabled and referred to the Laws and Administration Committee for their consideration. Councilman Cole seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. • Town Manager Ritter explained to Council that this matter of widening streets to 36 ' is not anything new, that the Highway Department told the Town in August',4 1963 that they would prefer a 40 ' width, however , a 36 ' minimum between curbs would be acceptable, and it was only after a great deal of argument that the Highway Department finally consented to 36 feet. Letters were sent at that time to all developers in the area, advising them that henceforth streets would have to be 36 feet wide between curbs. Upon motion of Councilman Fishback, seconded by Councilman Dodd, the fol- lowing resolution was unanimously adopted by roll call vote: BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that an offer of $5,000.00 be made for the purchase of the Phillips-Nickels Well. Upon motion of Mayor Rollins, seconded by Councilman Cole, Council voted unanimously thatan amount of 85,000.00 be appropriated in the event this offer is accepted. Upon motion of Councilman Off , seconded by Councilman Pumphrey, the follow- ing resolution was unanimously adopted: BE IT' RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that an amount of $2,000.00 be appropriated for Inspection Services on the two Storm Drainage Projects, such expenditures to be repaid at such time that funds are gotten for the financing of the Storm Drainage Projects. Upon motion of Councilman Fishback, seconded by Councilman Pumphrey, the following Ordinance was unanimously adopted : Sec. 20-1.1 Permit prerequisite to building. A permit shall be obtained from the Town Manager before any entrance is built to serve a building or a vacant lot: Where' exist- ing sidewalks are removed for the purpose of providing an entrance or crossover, the entrance over the sidewalk portion shall be of the same type of material as the existing adjacent sidewalk. Any devia- tion from this policy shall be subject to Town Council approval. 1'2 9 MINUTES OF AUGUST 11, 1965 MEETING. The Mayor stated that a request had been received from a Mr. Roy E. Lucas of Brunswick, Maryland for permission to use a Public Address System on the A & P Parking Lot on August 14 to advertise Brunswick's Diamond Jubilee. Council discussed this matter at great length and then decided that Mr. Lucas ' request should be granted and. that the Town Manager should so inform him. Upon motion of Councilman Fishback; seconded by Councilman Orr; Council unanimously voted that $2,600.00 be appropriated to pay Mi-s. Grace L. Stewart for the storm drainage easement across her property. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned with geheral consent • ' at 9:45 P.M. A00110 , ► . ` ' S Mayor Clerk f the Council 00 In O U • • • • V I