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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1973_01_24 MINUTES- OF -REGULAR MEETING OF -LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL, JANUARY 24 , 1973 A regular meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held in the Council Chambers , 10 West Loudoun Street, Leesburg, Virginia on Janu- ary 24, 1973 at 7 :30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by the Mayor, with Councilman Pumphrey offering the prayer. Those present were : / Mayor G. Dewey Hill, Councilmen Walter F . Murray, Robert A. Orr, John W. Pumphrey, Herbert L. Ridder, C. Terry Titus and John A. Wallace, Jr. ; also Town Manager James W. Ritter, Jr. The Minutes of the regular meetings of December 13, 1972 and De- cember 27 , 1972 were approved, as corrected by Councilman Titus . The Minutes of a Called Meeting of January 8, 1973 , the regular meeting of January 10, 1973 and a Special Meeting of January 15 , 1973 were approved as written. • Mayor Hill welcomed Councilman Herbert Ridder as a new member: Town Manager -Ritter reported as follows : (1) The first item on the Agenda had been tabled from the Decem- ber 27th meeting because of a difference in acreage on the plat and the e, application. This has now been corrected. (2) He explained that the supplemental appropriation for mainte- nance of prisoners is due to the fact that the County upped their price last July (after the Town Budget was adopted) from $2. 50 a day to $5 .50 per day. The Police radio was authorized sometime ago and is in ser- vice . The appropriations for the Billing Clerk and Receptionist-Clerk should carry us through June 30th. (3) Item 5 pertains to a proposed spur line off of King Street and running between Caulkins Jewelers and Leesburg Hardware to pick up water from the Town Parking Lot. This will be a part of the downtown storm drainage layout . (4) Item 6 is at the other end of this drainage system. The ease- ments are necessary to provide for drainage from the Francis property down to South Street and a future enclosed system. (5) Item 7 would tie in with the Route 7 Urban Project, which is • now being designed. Hopefully , this would be constructed at the same time as the Urban Project . (6) •The February 7thLdate for answering Mrs . Carr 's annexation suit has -been continued until February 16th, which is agreeable to both sides . (7) Items 9 and 10 for approval of the Performance Bond and Water and Sewer Extensions in Exeter Hills, Sec. 3 , do not commit the Town for water and sewer connections . (8) He talked with Mr. Alberts at Westinghouse again about a site for the water tank. He is ready to give a report to Mrs . Carr and they hope to meet this Friday . Mr. Alberts would rather not have the tank but sounded rather favorable , although there is a height limit that we would have to stay under. (9) Johnson and Williams has completed its report to the State Water Control Board for their meeting in Richmond next Monday and Tues- • day. The report was delivered to him Monday night and taken to Rich- mond Tuesday morning by the Chief of Police. The Water Control Board staff wanted this report a week before the Board meeting. In this re- port, Johnson and Williams explained that infiltration is one of our big problems and pointed out that we have already corrected about 8500 • feet in the past two years and have another 7500 feet under contract. As an interim measure , they are proposing the addition of coagulats to reduce suspended solids and BOD. He explained how this would be done. The report also points out that they have been authorized to proceed with plans for enlarging the present plant and gave a list of design criteria for the new plant. We are the fifth item on Monday 's Agenda of the Water Control Board meeting in Richmond. Bob Sayre of the En- forcement Staff called - this morning and read the report which they are presenting to the staff for Monday s meeting. There is a copy before you. They are not making a recommendation to the Board, merely a report. He said we are welcome to come to the meeting, but he did not believe it would do any good. Southern Line Cleaning has not started yet, they are waiting for the fields to either dry up or freeze up so they can run trucks over the ground. 2;58j MINUTES OF JANUARY 24, 1973 MEETING. - Mayor Hill appointed Councilman Ridder to the Street Committee. He said he would continue to work closely with this Committee. He also said that, along with this seat, goes his seat on the Northern Virginia ; Planning District Commission, however, he will attend this month 's meeting and probably next month - he will be glad to help , in this re- gard. He explained that it takes about six months to get oriented be- fore you feel you can accomplish anything . Also, in connection with this appointment, he is on two other committees , the Environmental Ad- visory Committee and the Executive Committee , in other words , three meet- ings a month in this connection. Councilman Ridder said he attended the Street Committee meeting the other day and is glad to accept this ap- pointment, realizing that it is going to be a handful. It was his hope that the NVPDC might meet the same night as the Environmental Advisory Commission, of which he is already a member. Councilman Pumphrey s id the next meeting of the Street Committee will be held on Monday, AkHiii5th at 4:00 P.M. Councilman Wallace asked if anything has been . done with regard to acquiring the right-of-way for Morven Park Road to cross Market and Loudoun Streets . Mr. Ritter said it has been in the discussion stage with Mr. Babson and he understand; he is willing to donate it to the Town. It is a matter of having the plan drawn and presenting it to him. He said he would put it on the Agenda for the Street Committee. Councilman Titus also, welcomed Mr. Ridder to Council, although he regretted the fact that he will no longer be a member of the Plan- ning Commission. Mr. Titus asked if we have heard anything about the sidewalk C & P destroyed on King Street the other side of the Railroad tracks . Mr. Ritter explained that they will replace , it with a concrete walk. Mr. Chaves explained that they are waiting for the Town to do the curb and gutter work and the price we have received from Perry Engineering is high . - he believes we can get a better price . Mr. Titus also asked about the directional signs to Loudoun Count High School . Mr. Ritter said they have been ordered - they are a special design from a private company . He has written a letter to the Highway Department and it is hoped we will be reimbursed for the signs . Mr. Titus also said he understands we are to have a proposal from Johnson and Williams on interim treatment at the Sewage Treatment Plant before any work is done . He, believes we should have this on a contract basis , rather than a percentage basis . Mr. Ritter said the interim treatment proposed is in Mr. Williams ' report to the Water Control Board. Councilman Titus also believes that all resolutions on water and sewer extensions should include the fact that there is no guarantee of water and sewer to any lot . Councilman Pumphrey welcomed Mr. Ridder to Council and to his Committee , stating that he believes him to be one of the best qualified in the County. He said he feels the Committee has gained a member since he knows Mayor Hill will attend the meetings as time permits . Mr. Pumphrey said he had received a complaint from Mr. John Berry regarding the situation on Old Waterford Road where the cemetery is located - cars have to park out in the road when they have a funeral. He said Mr.rBozel had suggested putting gravel along there. Mr. Ritter said this can be done and the ditch can be set further back. It is too wet now, but will be done as soon as it dries up. Councilmen Orr and Murray both welcomed Mr. Ridder to Council. Mr. Murray said he hopes he will relate to the Finance Committee as well. He also commented on the newspaper articles and stated that, any time the Town can make as much money without taking any more chance than they took, he would be most welcome to hear it - he believed this a very fine decision and, had he been a party to it , he would have been taking plaudits . Mayor Hill commented that there is an answer to the first article on the third page of today ' s paper. Mr. Murray commented that he is tired of a certain newspaper taking "pot shots" at the Town, he was amazed that this article was written, printed and on the first page. 259. MINUTESOFJANUARY 24 , 1973 MEETING. - On motion of Councilman Wallace, seconded by Councilman Orr, the following was referred to the Planning Commission : Application for Rezoning from R-2 to R-3 by Alpha Associates, Inc. , property located on north side of Fort Evans Road, bounded by John A. Wallace, H. E. Carr, Roger Hough, Pat- rick Fischer and G. U . Carneal, containing 10.0445 acres . On motion of Councilman Wallace, seconded by Councilman Ridder, the following resolution was offered : WHEREAS, Henningson, Durham & Richardson has prepared Phase I , Airport Requirements for Leesburg Municipal Airport, in accordance with their agreement with the Town of Leesburg , NOW, THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg , that the Town of Leesburg hereby accepts this report , and they are authorized to proceed with .the preparation of- Phase II . VP Councilman Wallace explained that his Committee met with Mr. Bourne of 0 Henningson, Durham and Richardson, who presented the preliminary plan, ,..4 which seems to meet the requirements for this phase. He does not be- L1.4 lieve any judgment can be made until the whole plan is done , so it is a "full speed ahead. " Mayor Hill asked if we applied for additional aid C for the aprons . Mr. Ritter said we have to draw sketches of what we plan to do first - the money is based on the plans . He understood Mr . Bourne to say they would draw these up at no charge , however, Council- man Wallace said he was not sure about the plans , although he knew he did say they would prepare the application for the grant at no charge. Mr. Ritter said he had been trying to contact Mr. Bourne about this, but he has been out of the office. Councilman Titus asked about the Federal Grant funds for this project . _ Councilman Wallace said the Grant was ap- proved, but .we have to be reimbursed. Mr. Ritter said the entire Master Plan is to cost the Town only $5,000 . Councilman Titus suggested that I Mr. Bourne look into the Loudoun County booklet, which contains infor- mation on the Town and the County which is reasonably up-to-date. The above resolution was then adopted by a vote of 6 for and one abstention, that being Councilman Titus . On motion of Councilman Titus , seconded by Councilman Pumphrey, the following resolution was offered: BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that the following appropriations be made : $1,000 .00 - Supplemental appropriation - Maintenance of Prisoners . $1,500 appropriated in Budget . 1,607 .50 spent to date . 970.00 - New Police Radio. Authority to buy has been approved. Radio is installed. 397 .5.0 - George Martin - Professional services rendered on Elder Case . 2,610.55 - Reed, Hoyt, Washburn & McCarthy . Services on $1,500,000 Bonds . 1972 Bond Issue Fund. 2 , 900.00 - Billing Clerk - Treasurer 's Office. ' 3, 200.00 , - Receptionist-Clerk. There was some discussion regarding the rise in cost of prisoner mainte- nance, with Police Chief Kidwell explaining the type of prisoners the Town has in the jail, how . long , they are kept there , etc . The resolu- tion above was then unanimously adopted. 260 MINUTES OF JANUARY 24, 1973 MEETING. On motion of Councilman Wallace, seconded by Councilman Murray, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : WHEREAS, Blue Ridge Aircraft was permitted to place a trailer on their land for a 6-month period, beginning May 25, 1972, • NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by -the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg , that this privilege be renewed for an additional 6 months . There was some discussion regarding the location of this trailer and 'it was felt that the permanency of same should be determined. Also, Mayor Hill brought out the fact that it appears that Blue Ridge is apparently operating under the same conditions as the fixed base operator and paying only about $65 .00 a month. This is in direct competition with the fixed base operator and perhaps some adjustment should be made in the Lease with Blue Ridge, which is for a 20-year term. Councilman Wallace said Mr. Rawls is drawing up a resolution for consideration regarding this, -however, he feels the Council should have an Airport Commission to advise it. Mayor Hill also pointed out that the fixed base operator is responsible for keeping the grounds clipped, the lights on the runway in working order, etc . - all addi- tional responsibilities that Blue Ridge does not have . Councilman Titus said he understood there is somebody in Richmond to contact about this . - Mr. Ritter said he would check into this . • On motion -of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded b9 Councilman Titus, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that Dewberry, Nealon & Davis be authorized to proceed with design of drainage facilities to collect storm water from .1%) the Town Parking Lot , in accordance with their letter of January 10, 1973 , at an -estimated cost of $2,000 .00. On motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Titus , the following resolution was unanimously adopted : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg , that Dewberry, Nealon & Davis be authorized to continue with the engineering necessary to prepare drainage easement plats between Joe Francis property and South Street , in accordance with their letter of January 10, 1973 , at an approximate cost of $2,000.00. On motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Titus , and after lengthy explanation by Town Manager Ritter of all the details in- volved • in this project, along with the -Route 7 Urban Project, the fol- lowing resolution was unanimously adopted : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg , that Dewberry; Nealon & Davis be authorized to proceed with detailed construction plans on Catoctin Circle , between Par- ker Court and 200 ' south of old Railroad (VEPCO property) , in accordance with their letter of January 11, 1973 , at a cost of $5 ,000. On motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Titus , the following resolution was offered : • BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg , that Performance Bond on Exeter Hills , Sec . 3 , be approved for 21 single family dwellings . Both Mr. Les Sorensen and Mr. Robert Michael Sorensen of Sorensen Con- struction • Corporation were present. Mr. Les •Sorensen said he knew this would be held up until a report is received from the State Water Control Board, but, hopefully , these restrictions will be lifted after this re- port. Councilman Titus pointed out that tha7in the Town Manager 's dis- cretion. Mr. Sorensen said they are working on house plans right now and hope to go before the Planning Commission for final plat approval at its March meeting . The above resolution was then unanimously adopted. MINUTES OF JANUARY 24, 1973 MEETING.- (, On motion of Councilman Pumphrey , seconded by Councilman Murray, the following resolution was offered: BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that request by Exeter Hills , Sec . 3 , to extend water and sewer be approved. On motion of Councilman Titus , seconded by Councilman Pumphrey, this was unanimously amended to add the following : 11 "but that it be understood that this does not guarantee water and sewer to any lot. " The resolution, as amended, was then unanimously adopted. On motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded- by Councilman Titus„ the following resolution was unanimously adopted : WHEREAS, the term of office of C . Stanley Reed as a member of the Leesburg Planning Commission did expire on December CP 31, 1972 , and O 1 -I WHEREAS; it is the duty of the Council for the Town of Lees- burg, Virginia to appoint or reappoint members to the said Commission, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg , Virginia , that C. Stanley Reed, a freeholder and otherwise qualified citizen of the Town of Leesburg , Virginia be and he is hereby reagninted a member of the Leesburg Plan- ning Commission for a term of four years , to expire on Decem- ber 31 , 1976. 4; On motion of Councilman Titus , seconded by Councilman Wallace, Council voted unanimously that the appointment of a member to fill the unexpired term of Herbert L. Ridder on the Planning Commission be deferred. Councilman Titus commented on the article in today 's paper regard- ing Mrs . Carr ' s annexation suit, particularly with respect to remarks by the Parks and Recreation Department concerning the lack of parks and recreational areas within municipalities . He did not feel that this charge should be made in connection with an annexation suit. He also commented that we were not asked if we would like to spend $100,000 a year for parks , this being taxpayers ' money in the Town, as well as the County. Councilman Murray said the Parks and Recreation Depart- ment would never amount to anything until it is made an Authority, which requires that it make its own money. Mayor Hill commented that this article also quoted the Sheriff 's Department as saying this would in- crease the workload of its Department. Mr. Murray said the burden of Police protection and maintenance of streets would be on the Town, not the County. There was further discussion regarding parks and recreational areas . The question arose as to what had ever ,been done with the land deeded to the Town by Mrs. Robert Fletcher for such purposes . Mr. Ritter ex- plained that this was to be a Rotary Club project and he had gone over.: the plans with Mr. Jack Howard, Chairman of the Committee. The Town cut the weeds and cleaned up the lot , but the Rotary Club has done nothing about it . Also, as he understood it, under the stipulation in the deed, if it was not used as a recreational facility in a year, it would revert to either the Rescue Squad or the Fire Department. There- fore, it would be in violation now. Mayor Hill asked Mr. Ritter to contact Mr. Stup of the Parks and Recreation Department and see if he would like to work out something for this lot . There was further dis- cussion regarding the need for parks and recreational facilities in the area, with several locations mentioned as possibilities for locat- ing same , but a question as to where the money would come from. Mr. Titus said it is hoped that developers might give this as an incentive:. for a nice area in which to live , as well as hoping that this would be included in the Comprehensive Plan. 2;62 MINUTES OF JANUARY 24, 1973 MEETING. Councilman Titus said there was a letter from Mr. Forbes at- tached to the last Council Agenda concerning Zoning Application LI-11, Frederic;. Spain, this letter citing the fact that the Planning Com- mission had recommended denial of this rezoning due to lack of utili- ties, etc. . He understood that it was now up to Council to set a date for Public Hearing on this matter. Mr. Forbes explained that, accord- ing to the Zoning Ordinance requirements , the Planning Commission must hold a Public Hearing on Zoning Map amendments . They then give their recommendation to the Council. Only if Council desires to actually amend the Ordinance is a Public Hearing required. If Council decides to uphold the recommendation of the Planning Commission, he does Apt believe a Public Hearing is necessary. Councilman Pumphrey said he would like to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission, however, - on motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Titus, Council voted unanimously to refer this matter back to the Utility Committee . On motion of Councilman Orr, seconded by Councilman Murray, the meeting was adjourned at 8 :45 P.M. �� May e i 11/.6 -4 /. .LE27 : - xtrlerk of/the Council