HomeMy Public PortalAbout1972_08_09 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL, AUGUST 9, 1972 .
A regular meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held in the
Council Chambers , 10 West Loudoun Street , Leesburg, Virginia on Aug-
ust 9, 1972 at 7 :30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by the Mayor,
with the prayer by Town .Manager Ritter . Those present were : Mayor Ken-
neth B. Rollins , Councilmen G. Dewey Hill, Walter F. Murray, Robert A.
Orr, C. Terry Titus , John W. Pumphrey and John A . Wallace, Jr. ; also
Town Manager James W. Ritter, Jr. and Town Attorney George M. Martin.
The Minutes of the regular meeting of July 26 , 1972 were approved
as written.
Town Manager Ritter reported as follows :
(1) The proposed new bookkeeping equipment will probably cost
about $2,600 by the time we get the necessary forms , etc . We will buy
an.addressograph to send out the water bills on post cards . We will
also buy a graphotypeto type the plates . We will rent a National Cash
Register bookkeeping machine for $500 a year. He explained that he and}
Mr. Plaster have gone over all of this with Mr. Bryant and7Hagerstown -
Cash Register representative . Much time and money will be saved in this
e new procedure.
(2) On the drainage easement needed from the Joe Francis property
Gz. to South Street, we. have an easement prepared by Walter Phillips some
O years ago when we constructed theA & P Storm Sewer, however, this plat
shows part of this easement going under the Saffer Mill, which is not
satisfactory at all . Joe Francis is constantly after us to open up the
ditch. This easement would be so located that a storm drainage pipe
could be put in at some future date .
(3) Item 4 on the Agenda is in line with the recent meeting held
with the Highway Department in Richmond on the Urban Project .
(4) The second payment in the amount of $28 ,666 to Martin and Gass,
Inc . , along with the firstpayment in the amount of $23 ,623, will make
a total of $52 ,289, or 527, of their bid of $98,000 on the Douglass Re-
lief Trunk Sewer. They ran into a telephone duct. on Rt. 7 yesterday -
the information from the Telephone Company was wrong . They, therefore,
had to relay about 60 feet of pipe , which could be done with no prob-
lem. However, there will be. a slight increase in cost of about $1,200.
He said the total cost of the project should be much less than the esti-
mated cost - it should be in the $80,000 due to the fact that they have
not hit as much rock as anticipated.
(5) Bids were opened today on the street resurfacing, with Tri-
County Asphalt being the low bidder by $3 ,627 .00 . Sam Finley was the
only other bidder. There is $23 ,000 set up for the entire schedule
and it will cost about $27 ,000, acroding to the unit prices . It looks
like Old Waterford Road may not be done due to the fact that there are
VEPCO poles to be moved before we put plant mix on this street. It would
not make sense to plant. mix it before the road is widened and the ditches
setback.
(6) We have invested $63 ,000 of the "Availability Account" in
Certificates of Deposit for one year at 51/270.
(7) The Highway Department advises that they are making surveys .
on Rt. 15 and they should be complete by about the first part of Octo-
ber.
They want the layout of the Crestwood Subdivision so that they can_
coordinate the two projects .
'(8) He wrote to Mr. Perkins again about the fence in the Trailer
Park, but he has not received an answer from him.
(9) Hetvhas been in touch with Mr. Babson regarding the proposed
sanitary sewer to serve West Market Street from Ayr Street to Morven
Park Road, however, he wants anengineer to go over the_ project with him.
(10) Southern Line Cleaning began work today. They started at Wood-
berry Road and will come down through Bill Harding ' s on Prince Street ,
then on to Rt . 7 .
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MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 1972 MEETING .
(11) Dewberry, Nealon and Davis has worked up the cost to move
the storm sewer closer to the Bishop 's property line . This cost will
be $3 ,610.00 and would take about 80 feet extra of pipe . The Bishops
will be informed of this and, if they want the line shifted, they will
have to pay the cost. We have received none of the other easements on
this • line , although all have been contacted again.
(12) We are making some progress on securing the land from Phillips
66 needed to widen the road at this location. The Town Attorney sent
the Deed and the Deed of Release about a week ago.
(13) Carroll Concrete Construction Co. has completed most of the
curb and gutter and sidewalk work and they are doing a good job.
(14) The Storm Sewer construction is about to begin between King
Street and Church Street. The VEPCO pole has been moved and Perry is
moving the C & P duct .
(15) We have not yet received the easement from Hazel, Beckhorn
and Hanes on the Dry Mill Sewer. We had been trying to delay securing
this easement in the hope that they would present their final plat for
their subdivision, but it will be another four weeks before the Plan-
ning Commission meets . We hate no assurance they will present the plat
so we will proceed to try to get this easement .
(16) S. 0 . Jennings is doing a good job on the Dry Mill Sanitary
Sewer - they have broken the water line three times, but this has not
really been their fault . They are interfering very little with golf
play. We also have a good contractor on the Douglass Relief Sewer.
He said it makes a difference to have a good contractor on these jobs .
Councilman Hill stated that he thought we should absolutely. require
"as built" drawings from the utility companies and he does not believe
we should issue a permit until we have these drawings . He believes this
should• be enforced in some way or other. He thought it inexcusable to
have to delay the job , as was done in the case where a telephone duct
was found in the way yesterday . "As built" drawings would have pre-
vented this sort of thing . Mayor Rollins agreed with this and does
not think the Town should have to put out more money because the Utility
• Company gave us the wrong information. Councilman Titus said it has been
requested that this be made a part of the underground utility ordinance,
but they have no certified surveyors who can certify these plans. It is
a matter of having the developers pay for it . Councilman Hill reiterated
that he thinks the Town should have some criteria for this and Councilman
Titus said he would like the Planning Commission to be advised that this
should be included in the Ordinance. Mr. Frank Caldwell, Manager of the
local Telephone Office , was present and said this was all news to him.
Mr. Ritter and Mr. Chaves explained exactly what happened in this instance .
Mr. Caldwell was very much surprised that the Telephone Company could not
furnish drawings of the major cables and conduits . There was further
discussion regarding this problem, with Mr. Caldwell stating that he will
do his best to furnish these drawings , however, he pointed out that they
cannot guarantee anything with regard to subdivisions where the lines
are underground. It was also the general consensus of Council that Mr.
Titus take back to the• Planning Commission the Council 's wish that this
requirement be written into the underground utility ordinance.
Mr. Caldwell also explained to Council that the C & P Telephone
Company is asking for a rate increase and the Corporation Commission will
hold hearings on this during the last two weeks in September. This will
amount to about 70 cents per individual residence phone in Leesburg.
They asked for $50 million last year and this year they are asking for
$34 million, however, he said it should be remembered that the Government
takes $17 million off of the top of this . Also, the Town is going to grow
both east and south and they are suggesting what they call a base rate area,
which will extend out Route 15 south and across to Evergreen Mill Road,
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then down Rt. 654 across the By-Pass . He said heunderstands the Stowers
land is to be subdivided and, if the Town is considering annexing this
area, he would appreciate knowing it . Councilman Hill asked him about the
VEPCO poles on Dry Mill Road. Mr. Caldwell said the Telephone Company will
move the cable when they move the poles . .
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MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 1972 MEETING . -
Councilman Wallace asked if the $63 ,000 invested with North American
Bank and Trust was put out for bids . Mr. Ritter said it was not due to
the fact that the money had just been placed in this Bank in a new ac-
count. He said perhaps he misunderstood the Committee . Mr. Wallace and
Mayor Rollins both said thete was no resolution authorizing this invest-
ment and Mr. Wallace believed all money should go out for bids before it
is invested, even on a 90-day investment.
Councilman Titus reported that he and Mr. lbrbes talked with Les
King about extending the flood plain study on out Dry Mill Road and met
with no success . They feel this is a matter of storm sewer problem,
rather than flood plain and they do not expect to go any further with
their study.
Councilman Titus also asked if the Reynolds-diZerega drainage
problem had been resolved. Mr. Ritter said it has not - Mrs . Reynolds
is not satisfied with what we found and still thinks there should be a
ditch through the diZerega land. He said it has fall , but it does have
to be opened up at times . He wrote to the Highway Department to get
plans at the time that Route 7 was widenedtin this area to see if an
Q' easement was gotten at that time .
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Councilman Titus asked who orders the stakeout work on the construc-
Ls, tion jobs . Mr. Chaves said the contractors usually contact us when they
are ready and we ask Dewberry, Nealon and Davis' to schedule it . Mr.
Titus said he noticed they were staking in the Dry Mill Subdivision
Saturday and he knows they are not ready for this work yet, besides the
fact that the grass needs to be mowed, which will destroy the stakes .
It appears to him that they are too far ahead in view of the fact that
we do not even have the easement yet, and he would hope for tighter con-
trol on this . He also asked if Route 7 was re-staked. Mr. Chaves said
Dewberry, Nealon and Davis did this at no charge.
Councilman Pumphrey asked if there has been any progress report
from Mr. Rawls onthe cablevision. Mr. Ritter said he met with the Com-
mittee several months ago and, at that time, he said they were in the
process of putting cablevision in Leesburg Gardens Apartments . Mr.
Pumphrey said they hadcalled him three months ago and said they were
going to put it in his home for a free month 's trial, -but he has heard
nothing more . Mr. Wallace said he wrote a letter stating they had con-
nected a certain number of homes and this would -extend his franchise
for 60 days . Mr . Ritter said he would check on this .
Mayor Rollins asked if the Highway Department plans on the Rt. 15
dual lane have been completed. Mr. Ritter said they are making surveys ,
which should be completed by the first of October, however, they want
the plans on the Crestwood Subdivision so they can tie the two together.
On motion of Councilman Wallace, seconded by Councilman Murray, the
following resolution was unanimously adopted, after explanation by Mr.
Ritter that we are keeping our old compressor, the little bit of trade-
in would not justify it :
BE .IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg,
that the following -appropriations -be made :
$ 50.00 - Wendell Kline - Reappraisal of Rust property.
1971- Bond Issue . -
4,699. 98 - Perry Engineering Co. for lowering water line
in Loudoun Street on Hospital Project. 1971
Bond Issue.
4,895 :00 - Gardner-Denver Air Compressor. $5 ,000 in Budget.
Utility Fund - Capital Outlay.
On motion of Councilman Wallace, seconded by Councilman Orr, the
following resolution was offered :
BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg,
that the Town Manager be authorized to proceed with the pur-
chase of new Bookkeeping System Equipment , at an approximate
cost of $2 ,600.
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MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 1972 MEETING.
Councilman Wallace said he understands the Auditor has recommended
this system. Mr. Ritter said he worked with them and agreed that this
is what we need. Councilman Titus asked if we have personnel to oper-
ate this sophisticated system. Mr. Ritter said Yes , but it is not that
sophisticated. He said this will put the utility billing on practically
an automated system. The resolution was then unanimously adopted.
On motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Hill, the
following resolution was offered:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg,
that Dewberry, Nealon & Davis be authorized to prepare a
drainage easement plat from the Joe Francis property to South
Street .
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Mr. Ritter explained that an easement is needed from the back property
line of the Francis property across the old Max Davis property and the
Saffer property to connect into the box culvert constructed at Saffer 's
Mill several years ago. The old line will then be abandoned. The reso-
lution was then unanimously adopted.
On motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Hill , the
following resolution was proposed:
WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg adopted a
resolution on September 22 , 1971, directing the consulting
firm of Dewberry, Nealon and Davis to proceed with the de-
sign of four-laning Route 7 from Catoctin Circle to Sycolin
Road, to include the transitioning of pavement on each end,
together with the widening of Catoctin Circle, and the design
of storm sewer facilities in the above-described area , and
WHEREAS, there is an urgent need for this project, due to the
congestion of traffic at the intersection of Route 7 and Ca-
toctin Circle, and the continuing increase of traffic .on
Route 7 , and
WHEREAS, a meeting was held in Richmond on July 18, 1972 with
L. 0 . Bolton, Urban Engineer, with representatives of the Town
being present, to discuss with the Highway Department the plans
being developed by Dewberry, Nealon and Davis for the widening
of Route 7 , and
WHEREAS, the Town was told at this meeting that the Town Coun-
cil should pass a resolution requesting Virginia Department of
Highways assistance, and that the Town must assure the State
that the Town will provide 15% of the total cost of the project,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town
of Leesburg, that the Town hereby requests Virginia Department
of Highway assistance, and that the Town will provide 157 of
the total cost of the project , and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Dewberry, Nealon and Davis shall
continue the design under the supervision of the Virginia De-
partment of Highways , taking into consideration the 90 foot
ultimate right-of-way width, with curb inlets and other storm
structures so located so that there would be a minimum of relo-
cation required when the road is widened.
Councilman Hill was quite elated over this , even though it appears we
are going after this in segments . When the total project is done,
there will be a minimum amount of lost effort involved. They feel that
85% by the Virginia State Highway Department is quite an accomplishment.
He said the Committee further agreed to make application for this part
now and, in the very near future, to make application for Phase 2 from
Loudoun Street to the By-Pass . This should go a long way toward reliev-
ing the traffic problem at Catoctin Circle. He emphasized that nothing
was said about one-way streets as a condition to this project. Council-
man Pumphrey agreed that this is the answer to the traffic problem at
Catoctin Circle and Rt. 7 and it will give us a traffic light and elimi-
nate a policeman. Mr. Hill said the funds are immediately available .
Mr. Ritter said that normally the Highway Department does all the engi-
neering on an Urban Project and he understands they will reimburse us
for the part we have already done. The resolution was unanimously adopted.
MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 1972 MEETING:
Mayor Rollins asked how near these plans are completed. Mr. Ritter said
Dick Blackwell advises they have some more work to be done on the storm
drainage, but they are not too far away from completion. We still have
to acquire the land from Phillips 66 - they are willing to sell it for
a price . We are trying to get the Deed straightened out now. Phillips
66 owns the Station, but there was a dower right prior to their buying
it. Town Attorney Martin said their legal division will get this
straightened out . Councilman Titus reminded that we will have to get
additional 5-foot easements on the Fisher-Bishop easements .
On motion of Councilman Murray, seconded by Councilman Wallace,
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 $28,666.00 to
pay Martin & Gass for construction of the Douglass Relief
Trunk Sewer, representing Request No. 2 , to be paid from the
1971 Bond Issue .
A Public Hearing was held at this time with regard to three amend-
ments to the Leesburg Subdivision Ordinance. There was no-one present to
O speak either for or against any of these amendments . Councilman Titus
explained briefly what these amendments entailed, as follows :
(1) If there is a public street in the highway system or proposed
by the comprehensive plan of either the County or the Town, the developer
or subdivider will be required to dedicate half the right-ofSway , or up
to the full width of the right-of-way, for vertical and horizontal align-
ment .
(2) A developer will be required to conform with Town of Leesburg
Standards and to construct street improvements , storm drainage, curb and
gutter, etc . on the one-half of the street that his project abuts .
(3) Mr. Forbes has requested that final plats be presented to him
two weeks -prior to the Planning Commission meeting.
Mr. Titus added that the first two are, generally speaking , required in
most jurisdictions and should improve the Town 's appearance, as well as
having been needed for some time .
On motion of Councilman Titus , seconded by Councilman Pumphrey, the
following amendments to the Leesburg Subdivision:Ordinance were unani-
mously adopted:
Amend Section III "Design Standards and Requirements . "
A. Streets and Alleys - 5 (b) by deleting the second paragraph
and inserting in place thereof the following :
"When a subdivision abuts one side of any public street
which is in the state highway system and/or maintained by the
Town of Leesburg or which is proposed by the comprehensive
plans of the Town of Leesburg or Loudoun County, the subdi-
,:pvider shall be required to dedicate one-half of the right-
of-way necessary to make said street conform to said compre-
hensive plans ; in addition, the subdivider may be required to
dedicate more than one -half, including the full width of right-
of-way necessary to make horizontal and vertical adjustments
to such street. '
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Amend Section IV "Physical Improvements or Facilities ."
A. Improvements or Facilities Required.
Add at the end of Paragraph 2 . the following :
"Such improvements shall be. in conformance with the cur-
rent design and construction standards of the Town of Leesburg."
Add the following immediately after the above amendment to
Paragraph 2 .
'2 . 1 When a subdivision abuts one side of any public street
which is in the state highway system and/or maintained by the
Town of Leesburg , the subdivider shall be required to construct
street improvements , storm drainage facilities, pavement, curb
and gutter, and sidewalk on the one-half of the said existing
streets abutting said subdivision as may be required by the
Director of Public Works of the Town of Leesburg .
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MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 1972 MEETING. - -
Such facilities shall be constructed in all subdivisions
in the Town of Leesburg 's subdivision jurisdiction in the County
of Loudoun where any parcel or parcels subdivided will be one
• acre or less , the foregoing requirement may be waived by the
Planning Commission of the Town of Leesburg . "
Amend Section II ,B . by deleting the first sentence in the
last paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following :
"The original drawing and four blue-line prints of the
Final Plat shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Planning
Commission at least two weeks prior to a regularly scheduled
meeting of the Commission for checking of adequacy, and by him
to the Planning Commission for approval . "
Councilman Titus said these proposed amendments will have to go before
the County Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors and he would
appreciate any help Council members can give when they go before these
two bodies .
On motion of Councilman Orr, seconded by Councilman Wallace, the
following resolution was unanimously adopted:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg ,
that Resolution adopted on March 12 , 1969, designating Peoples
National Bank as depository for account in the name of "Town of
Leesburg, Virginia , ' be amended to show the Deputy Treasurer as
Virginia R. Embrey , effective August 7:; 1972 .
On motion of Councilman Orr, seconded by Councilman Wallace, the
following resolution was unanimously adopted :
BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg,
that Resolution adopted on December 22, 1971, designating
First & Merchants National Bank as depository for certain ac-
counts of the Town of Leesburg , be amended to show the Deputy
Treasurer as Virginia R. Embrey, effective August 7 , 1972 .
On motion of Councilman Orr, seconded by Councilman Wallace, the
following resolution was unanimously adopted :
BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg,
. that Resolution adopted on January 14, 1970, designating First
National Bank of Purcellville , now known as First Virginia
Bank-First National, as the depository for the :"Airport Fund, "
be amended to show the Deputy Treasurer as Virginia R. Embrey,
'effective August 7 , 1972 .
Mayor Rollins said he believes the Council should confirm the ap-
pointment of the Deputy Treasurer, as well as the Treasurer, which is
required by the Charter, and asked the Town Attorney for an opinion on
this . Town Attorney Martin said he did not see any necessity for this ,
but it would not hurt. Councilman Wallace suggested that the Laws and
Administration Committee discuss this matter.
The rezoning application presented by Lesluke Corporation for re-
zoning of property located on the north side of Edwards Ferry Road was
discussed at this time . Town Attorney George Martin asked if this is
the only plat to be presented with the application - he believes the
County requires a metes and bounds description. Councilman Titus said
he understood this had been spelled out completely . On. motion of Mayor
Rollins , seconded by Councilman Titus , Council voted unanimously that
this application be referred to the Planning Commission for their con-
sideration and recommendation.
Onmotion of Councilman Murray, seconded by Councilman Orr, the fol-
lowing resolution was unanimously adopted:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg,
that Tri-County Asphalt Co. be awarded a contract for street
resurfacing , in accordance with the unit prices submitted in
their bid of August 9, 1972 .
Councilman Hill suggested .that bids go out after this so that they can
be opened at the Street Committee meetings . Councilman Titus asked why
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MINUTES OF AUGUST 9, 1972 MEETING.
more people do not show interest in our bids . Mr. Ritter explained
that, in this particular instance, Tri-County Asphalt is located right
here. In the case of the sanitary sewer projects , they were advertised
at a time when the contractors were busy and not interested in any more
• work at that time. It was noted that Honicon Court was not included in
this -resurfacing. . Mr . Ritter said we are •still waiting for a price on
this from Perry Engineering - Tri-County will not do this.
Mayor Rollins asked if the water lines were being replaced in Honi-
con Court in connection with the Hospital Project. Mr. •Ritter said they
are replacing them to all seven houses from the main line to the meter
with copper. They were not leaking that he knows •of, however, they were
galvanized lines and the life of a galvanized pipe is only about 20 years.
Councilman Orr asked when they will finish the road to the Hospital.
- Mr. Ritter said -this will be the last thing - it will be at least another
two or three months - it depends on the progress on other items . Council-
man Pumphrey asked when they anticipate crossing Route 7 . Mr. Chaves
said they will cross it with the sewer line tomorrow night - they will
block off one block in order to do it.
Councilman Titus asked the status of the storm sewer on Loudoun
rr Street to Ayr Street . Mr. Ritter said Dewberry, Nealon -and Davis has
not made the survey yet.
C There being no further business , on motion of Councilman Murray ,
seconded by Councilman Wallace , the meeting adjourned at 9 :05 P.M.
itSd /5/2---/ May or
Clerk of t} Council
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