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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1977_06_23 • 4a. 243 MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL, JUNE 23, 1977. A public hearing was held by the Leesburg Town Council on June 23, 1977 in the Council Chambers , 10 West Loudoun Street, Leesburg, Virginia. • The meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 7 : 30 P.M. Present were: Mayor Mary Anne -Newman, Councilmembers Glen P. Cole, Stanley D. Herrell, Jr. , James A. Rock, C. Terry Titus and John W. Tolbert, Jr. ; also Town 'Manager John Niccolls. Absent was Council- member Charles E. Bange. Mayor Newman stated that this ' is a public hearing called by the Council so that interested citizens might comment or ask questions concerning the proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, -111 1977 through June 30, 1978. The Notice of Public Hearing was read by the Clerk. • Mr. Edward Meade had a question concerning $284, 000 shown as a transfer under the Utility Fund for Expenditures, with the transfer to the General Fund showing only $224, 000, a difference of $60, 000. Mayor Newman explained that this $60, 000 is to cover the purchase of a portion of Harrison Street - it possibly would have been better to have shown the $284, 000 as a transfer to the General Fund, with an ' item under Expenditures for $60, 000. Several citizens have inquired about this. Mr. Meade also commented on the Airport Fund - The Town went in the hole last year except for a $70, 000 transfer from other funds. It is proposed to go $30, 000 in the hole this year. He did not feel r that a town as small as Leesburg can afford to subsidize an airport that is used by a very small percentage of the population at best. Mayor Newman said that not too much has been done in the way of mainte- nance at the airport. The Town has been successful in getting Federal and State grants and it is hoped that the airport can be upgraded, including what is out there now and, at the same time, they will ad- vertise for a new Fixed Base Operator. It is hoped that, with the items mentioned above, the Town will begin to show on the plus side. Mr. Meade asked if there is any document projecting this into the future. Mayor Newman said that, with a new FBO, services will be provided that are not now available. For example, there would be maintenance of aircraft, flight training and other needed services. By offering these services, it is felt that people will come back to use the airport again, thereby increasing revenues to the Town. Mr. Titus said there. are documents prepared by Town consultants that provide information concerning revenues and expenditures during the improvement period. Mrs. Frances Raflo, Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Com- merce, reported that visitors to the Museum have increased from 2, 000 in 1972 to 5, 550 in 1975, with approximately 12, 000 last year, the Bicentennial year. It has been necessary to have two people working seven days a week. In addition, there has been considerable cost in the printing of additional and new brochures, including a list of restaurants and motels. The Chamber is still in need of approximately $2, 500 to $3, 000 to cover these costs. She, there- fore, requested that Council consider appropriating the proposed $2, 500 proposed for Tourism in the Budget to the Chamber. Mayor Newman said that the Council met in seven different Budget work- shops and it was the consensus of the majority that this item be deleted. She asked that Council be furnished a copy of the new brochure on Leesburg and said that, if funds should be available later in the year, perhaps it might be able to participate in a portion of the cost of this brochure. Mr. Titus asked where their funds ' come from other than those from the County. Mrs. Raflo said they come from dues - they had about $500 from the Trade Fair last year and hope to have more this year. Mr. Herrell asked if anything is made on their dance. Mrs. Raflo said about $500. 00. They also do a busi- ness directory and community guide, which brought in about $1500 last year. They he about $34, 000 from the County for last fiscal year, but this only covers running the Museum utilities, salaries, etc. Mayor Newman felt one of the items for appropriation on the June 14 Memq for Wastewater Facilities Improvements, Phase II, could be deleted for the time being inasmuch as they are far from having even Phase I approved. Also, she felt that an appropriation for Airport Improvements might be held off since they have run into a snag on this . 244 MINUTES OF JUNE 23, 1977 PUBLIC HEARING. Mr. Niccolls said it is anticipated that the West Market Street sewer extension will not be completed in this fiscal year. He said an item for $13, 000 for this project should be included in the Bud- , get, but not be appropriated until a contract is ready. Mr. Rock asked if a dog proposed to be used by the Police De- partment is still included in the Budget. Mayor Newman said it has not been deleted. She had seen one of these dogs in 'action and was favorably impressed. However, the County was considering this but it has not been proven to them that they have a need for one - if the County does not need one, it would seem that the Town would not either. She understood that each State Police substation has avail- able two of these dogs and they would be available when and where needed, so perhaps this could serve our needs. Mr. Niccolls ex- plained that Chief Kidwell became interested in this program through literature and personal contacts . Mr. Herrell understood that the $1 , 000 appropriation would be for a cage and food for, the dog - the dog would be given to the Town and trained at no charge - the only cost would be for travel during the training period and the officer' s regular pay. This dog would be used in crowd control and for enter- ing buildings where there has been a break-in. Perhaps this dog might save an officer' s life - this is a pretty reasonable amount. Mr. Cole also felt that this is pretty good life insurance. Mr. Titus said it has not been proven to him that we need this kind of protection. He asked at what times do we have such a need. Mr. Herrell said there are at least two or three break-ins every week- end and most of them are gas stations. Mr. Meade asked if this would mean that every time there is a break-in the officer training the dog would be called out - he reminded that these dogs work only for their trainers. Mr. Rock said he would rather spend $1 , 000 for tourism promotion. Mr. Tolbert felt that you never know when you might need such protection - he felt that this money would not be wasted. Mr. Titus felt that the County police could be called for help if needed for crowd control . Mayor Newman cited a specific instance of excellent back-up from both County and State officers. Mr. Herrell was personally against spending money for tourism - this is using taxpayer' s money to promote business. A dog would be spending all the people' s money. Mr. Titus was 'concerned that Council is faced with spending in excess of $3, 000, 000 and only two people are interested enough to speak to this. Also, since the Budget was presented, in cold hard terms, there has been only slightly over 10 percent reduced from it. Mayor Newman felt that, if you don' t appropriate the money, it is pretty well cut off. Mr. Titus said that, excluding the Treatment Plant, there has been only $36, 590 ,deleted from the Budget. A memo has just been received from the Manager stating that the paving at the Airport is $30, 000 over the engineer' s estimate - where is this money coming from? It took seven sessions to cut the $36, 950 - how many will it take to find this $30, 000? He said he spent two hours and found he could cut another $68, 000 and nobody suffers. He said they borrow money from the Utility Fund, knowing full well that the $957 , 000 Grant will run out one of these days. Then the Town will be faced with extremely large increases in water and sewer rates. He felt the Town should increase these rates now and take care of some of the capital expenditures needed. Mayor Newman said she has urged that there be a year to get caught up - there have been added expenses on the storm drainage project. She feels that some of the items such as a sweeper, tractor, etc. should wait until they do get caught up. Mr. Titus referred to the renovation of the Hospital standtank, which needs to be done. It was, however, pointed out that this work cannot take place until the new elevated tank is filled. Mr. Rock suggested that, if the Council does not want to spend the money, then don' t put it in the Budget or, if concerned about the size of the Budget, amend it later in the year. Mr. Titus felt that there were no capital expenditures in the Budget. He spoke particularly of the "atrocious" condition of the sidewalk on the east side of King Street between Market and Cornwall Streets. Yet, there are items in the Budget for a new sweeper and a new snow plow. A sweeper couldn' t even be used with such walks, nor could a snow plow. MINUTES OF JUNE 23, 1977 PUBLIC HEARING. orW 245 Mr. Niccolls said that, until the money is appropriated, no pur- chase orders will be executed, nor any of these funds spent. No ob- ligation by .the Town for such items will be made until the money is actually appropriated by Council . Mr. Titus felt that it will be spent if it is left in the Budget. Mayor Newman said she had made up a list of items. She felt that only salaries, pensions and day to day operating expenses should be appropriated. She again em- phasized her position that there should be a year to get caught up. There are waterworks improvement projects to be .paid for and, al- though these are earmarked to come from another fund, it seems there are always unanticipated expenses. Mr. Titus said that, in the last three years, the Budget has almost doubled - Personal Services has increased 34 percent. What hurts is that nobody says anything about it - they aren' t interested. There was discussion concerning some of the equipment included in the Budget. Mr. Herrell felt that none of these items should be purchased unless they are needed, however, he could see no advan- tage to three or four men standing around while one man "tinkers" with a worn-out piece of equipment. Mayor Newman said that, in the last year or two, a lot of the equipment has been up-dated and the men are better equipped than they have been for years. Mayor Newman declared the Public Hearing closed at 8 : 20 P.M. She reminded :Council that there will be a Special Meeting on June 30th at 7 : 30 P.M. 47/1e2Mayor Cler o the Counci