Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout1969_05_28 35 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL, MAY 28, 1969. A regular meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held in the Council Chambers at 10 W. Loudoun Street , Leesburg , Virginia , on May 28 , 1969 at 7 :30 P.M. The meeting was called to order with a prayer by Mayor Rollins . Those present were : Mayor Kenneth B . Rollins , Councilmen G. Dewey Hill , Frederick R. Howard, Walter. F . Murray, Robert A. Orr and John W. Pumphrey ; also Town Manager James W. Ritter, Jr. and Town Attorney George M. Martin . . The Minutes of the meeting of May 14, 1969 were approved as written. Town Manager Ritter reported the following : (1) We have enough money to pay the contractors on the sewer pro- gram for another month. We have $193 ,385 on hand and estimates for the month of May are $145 , 242 . We , therefore ; won ' t have enough for the estimates in June , so we will have to go to the Banks in July. As- suming the bonds are sold in July , we should get the money in August . (2) We started pumping water from Scott Well into the system this morning . It is pumping 117 gallons per minute , or 168,000 gallons per day, which amounts to 26 per cent of our daily pumping. There is con- siderable more in the well because we pumped it to waste last week at CD the rate of 450 gallons per minute through a 6-inch pipe . After hook- ing it to a 2-inch meter, then through a 3-inch pipe and a 21/2-inch fire " hose , we had 200 gallons per minute . This morning we had to turn the pressure up to combat an existing pressure , so we have wound up with 117 gallons per minute . We have been pumping a total of around 650,000 gallons per day, which is running about 50 per cent more than in April . He explained a graph which showed the amount of water pumped in April, as against the amount pumped in May , and which indicated an increase of about 50 per cent after May 11th - or about 200 gallons more per day. He said he believes there is a bad leak somewhere and we are continually looking for such leaks . Paxton Well is pumping about 300 ,000 gallons per day , which is the most we have ever pumped from it ; Phillips-Nickels about 90,000 gallons per day and the Royal Street Wells 275 ,000 gallons . We are averaging about 665 ,000 gallons per day . He said some action should be taken tonight regarding Mr. Scott s letter, in which he requests pay- ment in the amount of $1,500 per month for the use of his well. We could get more water out of this line if we laid a 6 or 8-inch line from the well to Catoctin Circle , but it would cost $4 ,000 to do this . (3) He received a letter from the Bank in Richmond yesterday , and they sold two bond issues during the past two weeks - one at 5 .23 and one at 5 . 18% and both .of these were A-rated issues . In discussing this with the Treasurer 's Office today , the market is worse, if anything. Bonds sold for 5 .46% last week and we could expect to pay around 5 .5 . He discussed a selling date with that office today and they .said it would be about three or four weeks from now. (3) Regarding the resurfacing contract, six invitations were sent out and only one bid received. This was from Tri-County Asphalt at a price of $22 ,524 . We have $35 ,000 in the Budget , so this gives us about $12 ,500 for something else . We retained the right to vary the contract by 25 per cent plus or minus . (4) Regarding the rat situation, he has been in touch with Orkin and an appointment will be set up for next week to go over the situa- tion with them. It is possible that we may get some Federal assistance on this . (5) An interesting item on the Property Tax Revenue is the fact that we have collected $160 ,094 as of today - compared with a Budget figure of $160,400 . (6) Work on the new Town Office building is going slow. The drop ceiling has been installed and Payne is installing the duct work. Mr. Fishback is installing work around the windows and we are waiting for Hatcher 's to rough in the plumbing . (7) Mr. Bozel will report on the Edwards Ferry Road project - he has spent considerable time with two contractors on this . 86 MINUTES OF MAY 28, 1969 MEETING. Councilman Howard said Mr. Fisher had called him on the Edwards Ferry Road drainage condition, stating that the situation has worsened since Pocohontas Pontiac has been there . Mr. .Ritter said this was dis- cussed at Committee meeting last week and they will get to work on this • very soon now. Councilman Howard also asked if there was an Ordinance allowing unauthorized vehicles parked on a private Church parking lot to be towed away, and asked that this be put on the Agenda for study. Councilman Pumphrey said he had received a complaint regarding livestock on one man 's property eating the shrubs and flowers from his neighbor 's property . He said he believes our present ordinance should be reworded so that people who own livestock are responsible to their neighbors for damage done by them. Councilman Orr said he had received complaints about horses running up and down the sidewalks . Councilman Murray said the Committee did not have time to study the Northern Virginia Regional Planning Commission proposal and asked that the Planning Commission be given a chance to look at it . Councilman Orr said the Airport Committee met on the 20th of May, with all three members present , as well as representatives from Chan- tilly Aviation, Shenandoah Airlines and Transamerican Airlines . The transfer of stock ownership from Chantilly to Shenandoah was discussed at length with the various parties present and many aspects of Shenan- doah, or the stockholders individually, taking over the operation. Councilman Orr said the Committee was not making a definite recommenda- tion, but merely bringing back a report on the meeting. In the mean- time , an offer from Transamerican Airlines has been received and the Committee feels that this offer should also be studied before any de- cision is made . On motion of Councilman Murray , seconded by Councilman Pumphrey , the following resolution was placed on the floor : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that the request for transfer of majority stock ownership from Chantilly Aviation, Inc . to Shenandoah Airlines , Inc . be disapproved, and that a copy of this action taken by the Council be forwarded by registered mail to Chantilly Aviation, with a copy to Shenandoah Airlines , Inc . • Further discussion continued regarding the fact that Transamerican and Mr. Zebley of Chantilly have discussed a proposition, however, Mr . Zebley still maintained his stand that the stock ownership change to Shenandoah would clear him. Several Council members believed that another meeting should be held with representatives from Chantilly and Transamerican, but Mr . Zebley said it would have to be held some time other than during the working day and he would have to seek legal advice before he would be willing to go into any kind of proposition with Trans- american. A roll call vote unanimously adopted the foregoing resolution. Mr. John R. Williams and Mr. John Overend of Johnson and Williams presented to Council the preliminary layout of the water system and water treatment system from the Potomac River and they would like to get Council 's feeling . He said they are ready to move into the final stage if Council approves this plan. Mr . Ritter said Mr. Scheetz, who is handling the Rust interests , will not go along with the location of the Filtration Plant at the proposed location on this plan, nor is Mrs. Carr willing to have the tank on her land . Mr. Ritter asked, during discussion, how many gallons this plant is designed for. Mr. Williams said they are thinking in terms of about one million gallons per day capacity , however, the intake should be sized for three million gallons . He would suggest that the plant be built for 14 million gallons per day 37 MINUTES OF MAY 28, 1969 MEETING. now and then it could be doubled when the Town needs it . He said you would be talking about roughly 15 ,000 people , assuming that you would have adequate storage . Councilman Hill stressed the importance of mak- ing some real firm plans on this water program, particularly in the light of the last couple of weeks . Mr. Williams said it would take a minimum of - one and one-half years to complete this program. It was decided that the Town Manager would set up a meeting with Mr . Scheetz , either here or in Pittsburgh, if necessary , regarding this plan . Mr. Ritter asked Mr . Williams his opinion of retaining the site for a proposed water tank in Section 6 of Prospect Hills . Mr. Williams said he believed it a good possibility that this tank might be needed and suggested that this site be held in abeyance until a complete study could be made . Mr. Williams commented that, regarding the sewer program, he thinks English Construction is a very reliable corporation and he can appreciate the help problem - it is easier to find skilled men than laborers . Mr. Moody reported on the sewer program as follows : On S-I , they have just. about completed the work on the pumping sta- tions , all except the roof , and this will be done very shortly. They are getting the piping, fittings , etc . in now. All tank pours have been Ocompleted. They are working on the fine grading inside the digestor tanks . They have a full crew of men working now - the carpenters strike is still on in D .C . and this is a help to us . They hope to get started on the raw sewage pumping station this next week. The balance of the work left is on this and the control building . He has an estimate for a little more than around $69,000 . On S-II , they have completed their check list sheet on all manholes after the first inspection and will be ready for final inspection of the whole line next Tuesday. This will be a preliminary infiltration test . . It looks good now - looks like a good job on sealing joints . • On S-III , they are now working at the beginning of the line . They have finished across Route 15 and are working on Catoctin Circle . He said he told the contractor that we want the cuts on Route 15 and Dry Mill Road repaired right away . He said he had also told them to get all of the water out of the line along by Barber and Ross by next week. S-IV is entirely complete - all manholes are sealed and bolted down. He has their estimate in the amount of $42 ,000, which is over the esti- mated $38 ,000 for this project , but there was an over-runon rock. . On motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Murray, the following 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 $460 .00 to pay Johnson and Williams for Topographic Survey for Contract S-V, Tuscarora Interceptor Relocation, in the vicinity of Route 15 By-Pass . Utility Fund-Capital Outlay . • Mr. Ritter said we are still waiting for the plan from the Highway De- partment before this is put out to bids . If they don ' t build the bridge, we will have to place the line in our best judgment as to where the bridge will be . We should be in a position to advertise at the next meeting . On motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Hill, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that the Town Manager be authorized to. have the State Treas- urer prepare the necessary documents and make the necessary arrangements to advertise for bidsfor the sale of $600 ,000 in General Obligation Bonds for the Town of Leesburg at the earliest possible date . 38 MINUTES OF MAY 28 , 1969 MEETING. On motion of Councilman Pumphrey , seconded by Councilman Murray, the following resolution was placed on the floor for discussion : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that Tri-County Asphalt be awarded a contract for the placing of plant mix and surface treatment , in accordance with their bid of May 19, 1969, at the following unit prices : $10 .00 per ton for Plant Mix . 15 per gal. for RC-2 Prime . 22 per gal. for CAE-2 Asphalt 7 .00 per ton for #8 Stone Mayor Rollins asked what might be added or deleted from the proposed schedule . Mr. Ritter said it will be done in accordance with the schedule so far as he knows at this time . Mr. Bozel said Church Street is planned for surface treatment . Mayor Rollins believed this shouldbe plant mixed and suggested that plant mix be put on that portion from Cornwall to North Street . Mr . Frank Caldwell was in the audience and said this street needs something done to it in the worst way. Mr. Bozel said surface treatment was suggested until the jail construction is completed. The resolution was then unanimously adopted. Mr. Bozel reported on the proposed Edwards Ferry Road construction. . He said they started out with the possibility of the Town- leasing the equipment and the Town forces doing this work, but the Town does not have the personnel to do it, and he was unable to get a bid from the equipment owners on this . He has 'been talking with Tri-County Asphalt in the last few days and Mr. Wilbourn of Tri-County gave him a price today of $34 ,000, this eliminating the installation of the parallel storm drain and whatever else could be eliminated. Mr. Mason wanted a contract , rather than to lease equipment . Councilman Murray said he thinks this price sounds pretty good Mr. Ritter said Walter Phillips gave the Town an original estimate of $65 ,000, then we got a price of $66 ,000 from Tri- County sometime ago. He said it is hard to envision the two prices . If Tri-County is willing to do the job as we have it here and eliminate the parallel storm drain, he believes it would be the best $34 ,000 the Town ever spent . Mr . Bozel said this would be a 22-foot pavement , with no curb and gutter. Councilman Pumphrey said he would like to see a firm couuuitment from Tri-County and Mr. Ritter said we should have one . He said there is also another item involved - there are some power poles that will have to be moved, and the Power Company had originally said that, inasmuch as they had to get a permit from the Highway Department to put the poles in, they felt the Town would have to pay for moving them. Mr . Ritter said he does not agree with this , that it seems likely that we took on the same rights as the Highway Department when we in- herited this road. Mr. Bozel said he had gone over this with Mr. Lee Rodgers of the Power Company and they cannot find that VEPCO has any right-of-way on that road up to this time . On motion of Councilman Murray, seconded by Councilman Howard, the following resolution was adopted, with Mayor Rollins voting against it because he feels it could be done better financially next year: BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that bids be advertised for the construction of Edwards Ferry Road from its present terminal point to the By-Pass , in ac- cordance with plans and specifications' as provided by the Town of Leesburg . A letter from Mr. John L. Scott , setting forth>the terms of agree- ment he wishes for the use of his well , was reported on by Mr. Ritter. He said he believed the Town could and would comply with all of his terms , with the exception of the requirement of a payment of $1,500.00 per month for the use of this well. He said he had discussed this at length by phone with Mr. Scott and he insists that this well will pump 1,000 gallons per minute . Mr. Ritter said that , at best , it will pump only 450 gallons per minute . At our present rate of pumping 168,000 gallons per day, this would be 30 cents per thousand and this is cer- tainly in the high bracket . Mr. Ritter- said he told him he believed this should be based on the amount of water used, but Mr. Scott feels that he 39 MINUTES OF MAY 28, 1969 MEETING. is being taken advantage of - that we are using him as a convenience and he thinks this is worth something. Mr. Ritter said he did not be- lieve we have spent over $1,000 to put the well into operation, but we do have to pay the electricity , and he believes we should give Mr. Scott some arument on 'the amount , as well as on the commencing date - he doesn 't think we should pay 'him until the date we started pumping . We are actually helping his well by using it and, when we leave it, it will be in better ,condition than before . ' Councilman Pumphrey suggested that we pay him the same as we pay Paxton - 3 cents per thousand gallons . Mr. Ritter said we have not offered to buy this well because it has a high percentage of nitrates in it and can be used only on a temporary basis . Results on the first test from th`e Health Department show no bacteria , with no treatment whatsoever, however, we will have to chlorinate this water very heavily this is a requirement . A chemical test takes about 30 days and this test for nitrates was done by a man from the De- partment of Interior. After further discussion, it was decided that Mr. Ritter would make arrangements to meet with Mr. Scott and negotiate with him on a lower price . On motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Murray, the following resolution 'was adopted, with Councilman Howard voting against it : CD ^�^ WHEREAS, current information indicates that there is a real danger that Congress , in reworking the Federal tax structure, may eliminate in whole or in part , the present tax exemption cn which State , municipal and County bonds now enjoy , and WHEREAS , if such occurs , it would have the obvious effect of increasing the interest payments on the part of the localities and would prove costly to local budgets ; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that this resolution be forwarded to Honorable Wilbur D. Mills , Chairman of the House Ways and Means Com- mittee , opposing the 'removal of tax exemption for local and State bonds , and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be mailed to Senator Harry F . Byrd, Jr. , Senator William B. Spong , Jr. and 'Congressman William L. Scott. Mr. Frank Caldwell asked if the Town is going to take the W. & 0 . D. right-of-way for a through street . Mayor Rollins said that VEPCO owns the entire right-of-way . Mr. Caldwell thought the Planning Commission could consider this . Mr. Forbes said they had discussed it many times and it had been recommended to Council before the Railroad was abandoned. Mr . Frank Caldwell also asked if the Town is contemplating any im- mediate annexation . Mayor Rollins said it is not contemplated, but is entirely possible in about four years . There being no further business , the meeting adjourned at 9:35 P.M. /Clerk-of � _ Mayor K Clerk of the Council '