HomeMy Public PortalAbout1969_02_26`296
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL, FEBRUARY 26 , 1969.
A. regular meeting of the. Leesburg Town Council was held in the
Council Chambers , 12 W. Loudoun Street , Leesburg, Virginia , on Febru-
ary 26, 1969 at 7 :30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor
Rollins , with Councilman Howard offering the prayer. Those present
were : Mayor Kenneth B . Rollins , Councilmen C. Maloy Fishback, G.
Dewey Hill , Frederick R. Howard, Walter F . Murray and John W. Pumphrey;
also Town Manager James W. Ritter, Jr. and Town Attorney George M.
Martin. Absent from the meeting was Councilman Robert A. Orr.
The Minutes of the regular meeting of February 12 , 1969 were ap-
proved as corrected by Councilman Hill (Page 291 - S-II to read S-III)
Mr. James Truxel addressed Council on behalf of Leesburg Fliers ,
stating that he is President of the Group, and introducing Mr. Wayne
Reynolds , Vice-President , and Mr. William J. Grupe , Treasurer. He said
that Leesburg Fliers has been in operation for over five years and they
have flown over 6 ,000 hours ; all are active pilots and familiar with
the proceedings and what is required of aviation up to a point. There '
are 65 members in the group, most of them living in the Leesburg area .
The three present tonight are in the process of becoming associated
with Blue Ridge Aircraft . The proposed Board would consist of Mr.
Truxel as President , Mr. Marvin Wright as Vice-President , Mr. Wayne
Reynolds as Secretary and Mr. William Grupe as Treasurer. This group
would be interested in constructing T-Hangars on the land presently
leased by Blue Ridge Aircraft and they requested an extension of the
present Blue Ridge Lease, which has about 12 years to run, to 20 years ,
with an option to extend at the end of this time . He said they would
need a 20-year lease in order to secure the funds to construct these
T-Hangars . They would propose to construct 3 hangars , each to hold 10
- aircraft . These T-Hangars are very much needed at the Airport and there is
• a great deal of interest in seeing these constructed. He said he had
personally contacted a good many people who would be interested in rent-
ing space in these hangars . He also said this operation would in no way
conflict with the present or any future fixed base operator at the Field;
their sole purpose would be to provide space for aircraft. Prelimi-
nary plans for such construction have been presented to the Town Mana-
ger, these plans to conform with the Master Plan of the Airport and
the FAA and the Town Manager believes they would be approved. He said
he has also had several construction companies' contact them regarding
submitting bids for these hangars . He reiterated that their main pur-
pose in appearing here tonight is to request the extension of the Blue
Ridge Lease to a 20-year period in order that they might get their fi-
nancing for these hangars .
Mr. Reynolds also addressed the group, stating that he has contacted
and met with several contractors who would be interested in building
these hangars . He is in charge of design and negotiations with con-
tractors for the group. He exhibited pictures of the proposed hangars and
said they have cost proposals from $80,000 to $ 126 ,000, depending on the
style they select . This would include the completed buildings and paved
taxiways to same , although this latter is not a requirement, but would
make it better for the pilots and would eliminate the mud problem. This
would cost approximately an additional $ 10,000. He said he has also con-
tacted local insurance agents - they are trying to keep the business in
the area inasmuch as possible . He said if they can get the lease ex-
tended within a 60-day period, then they could go ahead on this basis .
Mr. Grupe , who is in charge of the financial end, said they have
the backing of about $ 100,000, but they would have to have a 20-year
lease for this financing to be advantageous to them and to the Town.
He also suggested that perhaps the lease could be renegotiable every
five years on the ground rent , since the average rise has been about
3 per cent per year.
This matter was discussed by Council and Town Attorney Martin
pointed out that they could operate under the old lease , which has
about 12 years to run, but any extension of time would have to be re-
advertised; then everyone would be allowed to compete on a competitive
basis . Mr. Grupe asked, if it were readvertised, would the lease include
29.7
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26 , 1969 MEETING.
the work they plan to do in building T-Hangars . Councilman Fishback
said he believed, if it were readvertised, it would be wise for Council
to consider in the bid the plans of the bidders , regardless of the fig-
ure bid. This would give Council a chance to compare one bidder against
another as far as what would be the most advantageous for the Town.
" Further discussion continued and Mayor Rollins asked this group of men
to determine by next meeting whether or not they want to extend the
lease and, if so, that they present Council with a request from Blue
Ridge to cancel their present lease. Then a special meeting could be
held to authorize the advertisement in order to speed up this matter.
He also suggested that the lease be changed to require T-Hangars to
be built within one year from the date of the acceptance of the lease.
Also, construction has to meet the approval of the engineer and the
Master Plan of the Airport.
Mr. Ronald David introduced himself to Council as being the writer
of a letter received several weeks ago by all Council members . He said
that he:believes Godfrey Field has a tremendous potential, but that it
has been badly abused. He said his letter of complaint was drafted
when he was angry after the incident referred to occurred in December
CV of lastyear, Out d•id not mail ituntil February when he found that
C'1 the Airport
ort wa ub 'ectbof more complaints
laints and after he found that he
CV had enough-money behind him to attempt to perhaps become a bidder
for the lease of the Airport . He said he sent the letter in order to
U "kindle a fire . " He said he seriously believes he could make the Air-
port a- lucrative proposition and would like to be considered for mana-
ger and would be interested in an interim lease , should the present
lease be cancelled. He would expect to move here with his family and
devote full time to the management of the Airport . Councilman Murray
questioned Mr. David about the incident referred to in his letter. He
also asked Council if they did not think all matters concerning the
Airport should be brought to the Town Manager first, then to the Com-
mittee and then to the Council. Mayor Rollins agreed with Mr. Murray
on this . Mr. David then said his main motive was to introduce himself
and to say that he would be interested in bidding ontheAirport lease
I •
if it is open, or as an interim operator. He was questioned by several
Council members as to his experience , etc .
Councilman Fishback said only a few complaints on the 'Airport have
actually come to the Council table , although there is constant grumbling.
Councilman Murray said he had been asked whether the 15-day period given
Chantilly Aviation would be determined by the end of the 15-day period
or by the next Council meeting on March 12th. He also said he thought
Council should hear all sides of this controversy and then decide what
• to do about the Airport . Mayor Rollins told Mr. David that, if the
lease is cancelled, he would be given an opportunity to bid on it and,
if a meeting is held, he would be invited to give his opinions . Council-
man Fishback said he would like to see more of these complaints in writ-
ing on the Council table . - -
Mr. John .Alderman, representing Virginia Village, asked Council
for permission to use an office trailer on the 'site of construction
of a new building on Catoctin Circle , such construction to begin in the
next 30 to 60 days and probably, to run for approximately 18 months .
He said this would be a nice looking trailer and they would keep the
surrounding area in better condition than it has been kept up to this .
time . He also pointed out that this procedure is used in Arlington and
Fairfax Counties . Council discussed this matter and Councilman Fish-
back said that these trailers are almost a necessity on construction
i
jobs-, however, he said he would like to 'see a permit issued for a
specific time and then have it renewed if the work is not completed.
Mayor Rollins deferred action on this matter until next meeting and
asked Councilman Murray to take up this matter with his Committee and
prepare an Ordinance covering all phases of such a permit , specifying
time, charge, etc .
Mr. J . Robert Hooe , Jr. , President of Cavalier Airways Co. , also
addressed Council- with regard to -the -Airport. He said he and a part-
ner- operate -flight schools from Dulles Airport and they presently use
the facilities at Godfrey Field in their training courses . They are
operating about $80,000 worth of equipment at the present time and have
298
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26 , 1969 MEETING.
plans for expansion and would like to expand to Godfrey Field. He said
he had seen the article regarding the possible cancellation of the
lease at the Airport and wished to throw his hat in the ring as being
interested in bidding as operator of the Airport, if the lease is can-
celled. Councilman Hill asked him if he would be interested in the
interim operation. He said he would have to have reasonable protec-
tion. However, he said he believes this Airport could survive with a
reasonable lease and that he could do a good job for the Town in pro-
viding aviation services .
Town Manager Ritter reported that progress on the new Council
Chambers at 10 West Loudoun Street has been rather slow - we are wait-
ing on the plumber to finish his work and the electrician to get
started. He said progress can be seen at the old Ford Garage . A 3-
inch concrete slab has been poured on the floor and we have signed a
contract for the acoustic ceiling and have picked out the sheet rock
for the walls and the tile for the floors . The electrician is coming in
tomorrow to get started on the wiring on the exterior walls, so that we
can go ahead and put up the sheet rock.
On the municipal bond situation, this is no better than it was .
Fairfax County sold $15 ,000,000 in bonds at 5 . 12 per cent and the State
Treasurer 's Office said nobody would even buy the bonds . The State is
still holding theirs .
Johnson and Williams have completed the survey for the water line
from the Potomac River. He said he has been in contact with the attorney
for the Rust family and they want no part of it . Mrs . Peter Speek, who
lives next door to the Rust property, takes the same position. However,
she did go down to the River bank with him and Mr. Bozel and helped
them locate the corner of the property line. The Rusts say we can go
east of the Speek property near the intersection where the road makes
a right angle turn and this may prove to be the best route after all.
It would be about half a mile further down than we had figured, and
this will be investigated.
Mr. Ritter also explained several items appearing on the Agenda .
Mr. Moody reported on progress on the Sewer Projects . On S-I,
weather has prevented them from accomplishing too much, but a lot of
the form work has been done and a little concrete poured. The wall
on Final Clarifier No . 1 has been poured, using the new mix design
approved by Johnson and Williams . Equipment to go in the clarifiers
is being received. Practically all of the pipe work has been com-
pleted and they should be ready to start on the roof deck by next week.
On S-II , they have cleaned the upper section and caught most of
the leaky joints and think infiltration requirements are ready to be
met on this project . They are now cleaning the mud and silt out of
the beginning of the project. He said it is hard to find someone to
do this work, since he must crawl through the pipe on his stomach, and
they have to pay $5 .55 per hour for this work.
They are still having difficulty with rock on S-III in back of the
' Firemen 's Field, they had to shoot 3 or 4 times today just to get one
section of pipe in. They are about ready to go under the old line ,
which is going to be a ticklish situation.
Mayor Rollins read several letters regarding the Airport and sub-
mitted them for the record. These letters were from Mr. Thomas W.
Zebley, President of Chantilly Aviation; Mr. Thomas L. Walthall of the
Sterling Flying Club. , Inc . ; Mr. B. W. Cochran, the latter two being
complaints about the services offered by Chantilly Aviation ; and a let-
ter from Mr. George Titus , County Treasurer, advising that Chantilly is
in arrears in County taxes for the years 1966 , 1967 and 1968. These
letters are on file in the Town Manager 's Office .
Councilman Howard said he understood from Mr. Armstrong of the County
Industrial and Economic Development Division that there is a possibility
of a light industry interested in locating in the Airport area paying
for a sewer line out to the property which would, in turn, be paid for
by others who would come in and pay hook-on fees .
299*
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 1969 MEETING.
Councilman Murray stated that he wished it to be a matter of record
that the Council would hear all complaints and other comments regarding
the Airport situation. He suggested that each one be given 5 minutes
to have their say, and then the Council would take some action on this
matter. He recommended that this be done at the March 12th regular
meeting. Councilman Hill said he would like to hear all the accusers
and Town Attorney Martin said he thought Mr. Zebley should be allowed
to answer the deficiencies cited in the Town 's resolution. It was,
therefore , the general consensus that all comments pro and con regard-
ing the Airport will be heard at the next regular meeting on March 12th.
.11 Mr. Ritter said he had written to Mr. Emory Plaster regarding the
position of Deputy Treasurer, but had received no reply from him. How-
ever, he said he understands he is away on vacation. He also said that
Mr. Plaster had said three weeks ago he could report for work on March
1st and the Council had told him to do so. He said he has no objec-
tion to the employment of Mr. Plaster as Deputy Treasurer.
On motion of Mayor Rollins , seconded by Councilman Murray , the fol-
lowing resolution was unanimously adopted :
V
NCq BE IT RESOLVED by the Council for the Town of Leesburg, that
the Council gives its advice and consent to the appointment
of W. Emory Plaster , Jr. to fill the position of Deputy
O Treasurer, and $2,000 is hereby appropriated for his sal-
ary from March 1st through June 30th.
On motion of Councilman Fishback, seconded by Councilman Hill, the
following resolution was unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, Johnson and Williams designed Projects S-II and S-III
so that a connecting link has to be built in order to connect
these two projects , and
WHEREAS, Johnson and Williams designed Project S-IV, which
would connect the two projects , and
WHEREAS , the low bid was received from Limbach Construction
Company on Contract S-IV in the amount of $35 ,042 .00, using
Class 4,000 asbestos cement pipe , and
WHEREAS, a section of 33-inch concrete pipe between Manhole
No. 28 and No. 29 on Contract S-II was eliminated, and
WHEREAS, 247 feet of 21-inch asbestos cement pipe was elimi-
nated between Manhole A (inside the old Plant) and Manhole
No. 1 on Contract S-III ,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council for the
Town of Leesburg , that Limbach Construction Company be a-
warded Contract S-IV on their low bid of $35 ,042 .00, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the section of pipe between
Manhole No . 28, Contract S-II , and Manhole No. 1 , Contract
S-IV, be built , using 33-inch concrete pipe (ASTM 361-65T,
Class C-25) , in accordance with Limbach 's proposal dated
January 22 , 1969, this being the only change to Contract
S-IV.
On motion of Mayor Rollins , seconded by Councilman Fishback, the
following resolution was unanimously adopted:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council for the Town of Leesburg, that
the action taken on January 27 , 1969 concerning the construc-
tion of certain sewer lines on Project S-IV be repealed.
300
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26 , 1969 MEETING.
On motion of Councilman Howard, seconded by Councilman Pumphrey,
the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg,
that the following appropriations be made :
•
$ 45 .00 - DeLashmutt Associates - Plat on Clay Road.
1967 Bond Issue .
10.80 - Reimburse Ted Moody for supplies purchased.
1967 Bond Issue .
1,402 .50 - Johnson and Williams - Engineering Services
on Contract S-IV . 1967 Bond Issue .
500.00 - Supplemental Appropriation - Repairs and
Supplies . Other Services & Supplies .
On motion of Councilman Pumphrey , seconded by Councilman Howard,
the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, Tuscarora , Inc . , in order to provide security for
the Performance Bond required under the Subdivision Ordinance
for the Town of Leesburg to insure the installation- of physi-
cal improvements in Leesburg Country Club Subdivision, Sec-
tion One , had a deed of trust executed and recorded on cer-
tain lands in Jefferson Magisterial District Loudoun County,
•irginia , to secure the payment of debt for $133,000.00, evi-
denced by a note payable to the Town of Leesburg, and
'WHEREAS, Tuscarora , Inc . has sold a series of lots in said Sub-
division to Paul E. Bradshaw, Inc . and, as part of the deferred
purchase price, negotiable notes have been executed by said
purchaser secured by a deferred purchase money deed of trust
payable to Tuscarora , Inc . , and
WHEREAS, the said deed of trust was executed by Winston M.
Crickenberger, et ux, who has entered into contracts to con-
vey certain portions of the land conveyed by said deed of
trust, and wishes to obtain a release of the lien of the deed
of trust from said lands, and has requested the Town to release
the lien and accept the notes in its place and stead, and
WHEREAS, Tuscarora , Inc . is willing to assign the said notes
totalling-'$56 ,000.00 to the Town of Leesburg in the place and
stead of the security of said deed of trust .
•
BE IT, THEREFORE, RESOLVED, that the request be, and the same
is hereby approved and, upon a proper assignment of the notes
of Paul E. Bradshaw, Inc . as a part of the security for the
said- Performance Bond, the Trustees in said deed of trust be,
and they are hereby authorized to execute a Deed of Release
of said deed of trust.
On motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Murray,
and there being no objection to considering this matter tonight, the
•
following resolution was unanimously adopted: •
•
BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg,
that Johnson and Williams be authorized to execute a Change
Order on Contract S-I , authorizing English Construction Com-
pany to install stair nosing on all concrete stairs for a
price of $401.35 .
On motion of Councilman Hill , seconded by Councilman Fishback, and
there being no objection to considering this matter tonight, the follow-
ing resolution was unanimously adopted :
BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg,
that an appropriation be made in the amount of $9,364.50 to
pay English Construction Company for Estimate #5 on Contract
S-III .
30 �.
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26 , 1969 MEETING.
On motion of Councilman Murray, seconded by Councilman Fishback,
the following resolution was placed on the floor for discussion:
WHEREAS, a special session of the General Assembly devoted
to Constitutional Revision begins today, and
WHEREAS , the Study Commission has proposed certain revisions
to the Constitution covering population requirements for
Cities under Art. 8, Sec . 1, which states that cities shall
have a population of 25 ,000, and is to be retroactive as of
January 1, 1969, and
WHEREAS, Art . 8, Sec . 1 of the proposed Revised Constitution
is detrimental to Towns , and is unfair and unnecessary and
would have the practical effect of prohibiting any new cities
for years ,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town
of Leesburg, that Lucas Phillips and Stanley Owens , representa-
tives to the General Assembly , be and they are hereby advised
Cq that the Town of Leesburg opposes the proposed Constitutional
C4 . Revision, Art . 8, Sec . 1, and
Cit
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council advises that an ac-
t...) ceptable population requirement for city status would be
15 ,000.
On motion of Councilman Howard, seconded by Councilman Hill, the motion
was amended to- read 10,000, but the amendment was defeated by a roll
call vote of 3 to 3 , with Mayor Rollins and Councilmen Hill and Howard
voting for it and Councilmen Fishback, Murray and Pumphrey voting against
it . The original motion was then adopted by a roll call vote of 5 to 1,
with Councilman Howard voting against it.
On motion of Councilman Murray, seconded by Councilman Howard, the
following resolution was unanimously adopted:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council for the Town of Leesburg , Loud-
oun County , Virginia , that the Town Manager be and he hereby
is authorized and directed to insert in the Loudoun Times-
Mirror for publication on March 6th and 13th, 1969, the fol-
lowing Public Notice :
NOT I C E
Notice is hereby given that on the 26th day of March,
1969, at 7 :30 P.M. , in the Council Chambers of the Town of
Leesburg at 12 West Loudoun Street , Leesburg, Virginia , the
Town Council of the Town of Leesburg will consider the mo-
tion of Parker Enterprises , Inc . that the Council pass an
Ordinance vacating a twenty-foot (20 ' ) easement for public
utilities on Lots 35 , 36 , 37 and 38 of the Division of the
land of L. W. Parker, as shown on plat recorded in Plat
Book 2 , at Page 141, and any portion of said easement on
Lots 24, 25 , 26 , 27 and 28, as shown on the plat of Resub-
division of a portion of L. W . Parker Tract , known as
PARKER SUBDIVISION, which plat is recorded in the land rec-
ords of Loudoun County in Deed Book 391, at Page 331.
A plat of the proposed vacation may be viewed in the
Office of the Town Manager at 12 West Loudoun Street , Lees-
burg, Virginia . At this hearing all persons desiring to
be heard will be heard as to said proposed vacation.
BY: Kenneth B . Rollins
Mayor
.302
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26 , 1969 MEETING.
Mayor Rollins called attention to the letter he sent to all
Council members concerning Leesburg ' s becoming a member of the new
State Planning District . He said there would be a Public Hearing on
March 3 on the composition of this Planning District and asked Council
to consider the three alternative methods of membership. He said he
had suggested that the Board of Supervisors and the Town meet together
to make a decision and it was the general consensus of Council that this
be done . Mr. Ritter was , therefore, asked to call tomorrow morning to
say that we are not prepared to give them an answer yet .
Mayor Rollins said that Leesburg is on record as being in favor.
of the route up the Railroad to Clark 's Gap for the- By-Pass . He
asked that copies of the previous resolution adopted be available for
the next meeting. _
, 1Mayor Rollins also said he had been approached with regard to
the sale of a portion of the old Sewage Treatment Plant property. A
commercial establishment would like to build on a site approximately
100 feet wide by 150 feet deep. The offer was $38,000. He said this
would improve the remainder of this property . This matter was discussed
and referred to the Utility Committee for study.
There being no further business , the meeting adjourned at 10: 25 P.M.
Mayor
Clerk of re Counc/il