HomeMy Public PortalAbout1979_07_11 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL, JULY 11 , 1979 .
A regular meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held in 3
the Council Chambers, 10 West Loudoun Street, Leesburg, Virginia,
on July 11, 1979 at 7 : 30 P .M. The meeting was called to order by
the Mayor, with the invocation being given by Mr. Tolbert and fol-
lowed with the Salute to the Flag led by Mr. Cole. Present were:
Mayor Kenneth B . Rollins , Councilmembers Glen P. Cole, Stanley D.
Herrell, Jr. , Marylou Hill, Walter F. Murray and John W. Tolbert,
Jr. ; also Assistant Manager Jeffrey H. Minor, Director of Finance
Donald 0. Taylor and Town Attorney George M. Martin . Absent from
the meeting was Councilmember G. Dewey Hill, Jr.
The minutes of the regular meeting of June 27 , 1979 were ap-
proved as written.
PETITIONERS :
Mr. Woodrow W. Turner, Jr. introduced to Council Mr. John
Norcutt, President of Matrix Enterprises, Inc., along with Linda
and John Lubetkin, two of the owners of that company. Matrix
Enterprises, Inc. is a cablevision company which has been in
operation since 1974 and which has four companies already in opera-
tion.
CO
CO Mr. Norcutt, President of Matrix Enterprises, distributed to
N councilmembers a packet of information concerning cablevision pro-
grams , etc. He explained how a cablevision system works , along
with prepared exhibits . Matrix Enterprises , Inc . is proposing
Q a system for Leesburg that would carry all local channels (12 in
Q all from the District of Columbia and Maryland) . _ There tare .also at
least two, and perhaps more by fall, that can be carried off of
a satellite. They are now carrying on all of their systems re-
ligious and family programming from four networks located in
various parts of the country. Commercial independent channels
similar to Channels 20 and 5 in the District would come from At-
lanta, New York, Chicago and San Francisco and they have plans from
Los Angeles and Boston. A mix of these channels would be carried
on the cable system. The system would carry sports, entertainment,
children ' s programs, news, weather, educational public service and
consumer oriented programs. There would also be a local channel .
Pricing for such a system would be about $20 . 00 a month for full
service (25 to 30 channels) - basic service is $9 . 00 and the home
box office is another $9 . 00 . Full service includes second sets,
additional outlets and all other services. Mr. Norcutt also gave
a brief resume of Matrix Enterprises, which was founded in 1974 .
They have built all of their systems themselves - all of them in
Tennessee and all of them are franchises. They would locate and
operate an office in Leesburg. They are prepared to Eammit to a
rapid implementation if they are awarded a franchise7would begin
engineering within 30 days of a decision. They would provide
written progress reports to the Council and see that customer ser-
vice is provided within six months of the FCC and utility company
o.k. They would provide a written legally binding performance bond.
To Mr. Tolbert ' s question, Mr. Norcutt explained just what an "earth
station" is .
Mayor Rollins felt sure the Town staff is putting together a
proposed ordinance to be advertised.
MANAGER' S REPORT:
Mr. Minor reported that the equipment for the Myers Well is to
be picked up in Annapolis tomorrow. The well should be back in ser-
vice very quickly.
COUNCILMEMBER INQUIRIES AND COMMENTS :
Mr. Herrell commented that he was glad to see Town forces have
cleaned up the garbage and trash on Sycolin Road.
Mr. Tolbert complimented the Town forces on the good job on the
parking apron installed at the Vinegar Hill parking lot .
MINUTES OF JULY 11, 1979 MEETING.
34 POTOMAC RIVER WATER PLANT BIDS :
Mayor Rollins asked Mr. John Groschan, of the firm of Betz-
Converse-Murdoch, to report on the bids received for the Water
Treatment Plant and transmission main . Mr. Groschan reported that
the bids came in somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 , 000 , 000 over
the original estimate. Subsequent to opening of the bids, they
met with Mr. Niccolls on July 2nd, along with representatives of
Chantilly Construction and MCI (two of the consortium of four who
entered the only bid on the Plant) . They discussed various items
and listened to their suggestions, most of which were really in
the area of construction methodology. Mr. Neeson is meeting today
with the chief design engineer on the plant - they are evaluating
these suggestions, plus the options that may be available to pos-
sibly reduce the cost of the plant without any significant change
in the design and specifications. On today ' s market, they are
talking about one-half to three-quarters of a million dollars in
reduction. They feel that one of the main reasons for the high
bids is the fact that there is considerable construction work go-
ing on in the area. Seven prime contractors took out plans and
specifications - three of them did not bid and the other four went
together on the one bid they received. Another reason for the high
bid was that, at the time the original engineer ' s estimate was made,
the inflation rate was 66; percent, based on pricing over a two-
year range. The inflation rate was 14 . 2 percent the week the bids
were opened. Over a 24-month period, this makes a significant dif-
ference. He said they (Betz-Converse-Murdoch) are working closely
with Mr. Niccols and they hope to have a suggestion by next Council
meeting or sooner. Mr. Herrell commented that, even if they cut some
corners, they still won 't come anywhere near the $5, 000, 000 . Mr.
Groschan said this is an economic situation - a price situation.
He cited other examples of high bids over the estimates, with only
one or two bids - one in Fort Meade and the other in Fairfax. Mr.
Murray asked how they could justify the difference in .the bid on
the transmission main - it was double the estimate? He felt that
if this is no more than digging a ditch and putting in pipe, it
would look like the Town could almost subcontract it or' hire some-
body to put it in at cost. Mr. Groschan said Perry Engineering was
either the high or second high bidder. He felt this was certainly
an alternative and is one that is being looked at. Mr. Groschan
said the Highway Department requirement for maintaining traffic
on that road was $90 , 000 in one of the bids. Mr. Murray also re-
ferred to the Court Order requiring a hard-top road into the Plant,
a cattle guard and fencing the property. Perhaps they should go back
to the Court and discuss this with them or with the property owners.
Mr. Groschan said these items , along with other requirements , aggre-
gating possibly $120 , 000, are being discussed with Mr. Niccolls and
he is investigating them. Mr. Murray felt the State Water Control
Board and the EPA should tell us what we have to do to our Sewer
Plant before we build a $6 , 000 , 000 water plant. Mayor Rollins
said he would hope that, if it becomes necessary to reject this
one bid, Council would rebid it in the late fall or early winter
without any major changes in the plans . The bids were taken at a
bad time and it is certainly worth one more bid without any major
changes. We have some time - it is not an emergency situation -
and we should use it to the best advantage. All indications are
that the economy will slow down.
79-103 - RESOLUTION - MAKING APPOINTMENT TO THE LEESBURG AIRPORT
COMMISSION .
On motion of Mr. Murray, seconded by Mr. Tolbert , the fol-
lowing . resolution was proposed and unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, the Leesburg Airport Commission has endorsed the
following appointment:
THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg,
Virginia, as follows :
The following appointment is made to the -Leesburg Airport
Commission for the term indicated herein :
Carl W. Gregg for a term expiring June 30 , 1983 .
Aye : Councilmembers Cole, Herrell, M. Hill, Murray, Tolbert
and Mayor Rollins .
Nay : None.
MINUTES OF JULY 11 , 1979 MEETING.
35
79-104 - RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF POLICE PATROL
VEHICLE.
On motion of Mrs . Hill, seconded by Mr. Murray, the following
resolution was proposed :
RESOLVED by the Council for the Town of Leesburg, Virginia,
as follows :
SECTION I . The manager is authorized and directed to
enter into a purchase agreement with S & R Chevrolet-
"' Oldsmobile, Inc. , 320 Fort .Evans Road, Leesburg, Vir-
ginia 22075, for the purchase of one police patrol ve-
hicle meeting specifications issued by the police
chief at a cost not to exceed $6 , 821. 00 .
SECTION II . An appropriation is made from the General
Fund to Account No. 9010. 801, Police Automotive Equip-
ment, in the amount of $6 , 821 . 00 for the fiscal year
ending June 30 , 1980 .
Mayor Rollins asked why we no longer purchase police cars through
CD the State? Chief Kidwell explained that, even though they could be
CO bought for .$200 . 00 less , they are all large cars with heavy-duty
N equipment that we do not need here in town. The resolution was
W unanimously adopted :
C Aye : Councilmembers Cole, Herrell, M. Hill, Murray, Tolbert
Q and Mayor Rollins.
Nay: None.
79-105 - RESOLUTION - MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30 , 1979 .
On motion of Mr. Cole, seconded by Mr. Murray, the following
resolution was proposed:
RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia,
as follows :
An appropriation is made from the Utility Fund to Account
No. 20400 . 804-B Royal Street Wells, in the amount of
$7 , 976 . 00 , for the fiscal year ending June 30 , 1979 .
Mayor Rollins asked if this money has already been spent? Mr.
Taylor replied that it has - it was originally appropriated in
June of 1978 and the work did not take place until July or Aug-
ust, so it was felt that it should be reappropriated for the
fiscal year in which the work took place. It was for channeli-
zation of the creek by the wells . Mayor Rollins wished it made
clear that, when an initial appropriation runs out, there cannot
legally be any money spent until there is a supplemental appropria-
tion. Spending money over and above the appropriation and hav-
ing the Council appropriate it later is not proper - somebody could
be left "holding the bag. " The resolution was unanimously adopted :
Aye : Councilmembers Cole, Herrell, M. Hill , Murray, Tolbert
and Mayor Rollins .
Nay : None.
79-106 - RESOLUTION - MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30 , 1980 .
On motion of Mrs . Hill , seconded by Mr. Herrell , the follow-
ing resolution was proposed:
RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia,
as follows :
An appropriation is made from the General Fund to Account
No. 14020 . 282 Refund of Prior Year Revenue, in the a-
mount of $7 , 397 . 00 , for the fiscal year ending June 30 ,
1980 .
MINUTES OF JULY 11, 1979 MEETING.
36 On motion of Mrs. Hill , seconded by Mr. Herrell, Council voted
unanimously to amend the resolution by adding after Prior Year
Revenue the words "payable to Barber and Ross Company" :
Aye: Councilmembers Cole, Herrell, M. Hill, Murray, Tolbert
and Mayor Rollins .
Nay : None.
The resolution, as amended, was unanimously adopted and reads as
follows :
An appropriation is made from the General Fund to Account
No. 14020 . 282 Refund of Prior Year Revenue, payable to
Barber and Ross Company, in the amount of $7, 397 . 00 , for
the fiscal year ending June 30 , 1980 .
Aye : Councilmembers Cole, Herrell , M. Hill , Murray, Tolbert
and Mayor Rollins.
Nay : None.
79-107 - RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT AND APPROVING A CASH
PERFORMANCE BOND FOR INSTALLATION OF PUBLIC IM-
PROVEMENTS FOR PARKER SUBDIVISION, LOT 24 .
There being no objection to considering tonight, on motion of
Mr. Cole, seconded by Mr. Herrell , the following resolution was
proposed:
RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia,
as follows :
The town manager is authorized and directed to execute the
standard agreement, and the cash bond in the amount of
$5 , 654 . 11 is approved, both of which are to guarantee in-
stallation of public improvements for Parker Subdivision,
Lot 24 , all in accordance with plans approved by the Di-
rector of Engineering.
Mr. Terry Titus of Bengtson-DeBell & Elkin said that Randy DeHart
has contracted to purchase this lot and another one behind it. He
proposes to build a warehouse on this particular lot and this bond
is for the public improvements in South Street. He exhibited to
Council a plat of the property - he does not have a tenant at this
time, but it will be used for warehouse purposes . The trailer park
is immediately to the west of this lot - it is behind Southern
States in the open land. This would be a metal building approxi-
mately 12 to 15 feet high and 100 ' x 60 ' . The entrance would be
off of South Street. The resolution was unanimously adopted:
Aye: Councilmembers Cole, Herrell , M. Hill, Murray, Tolbert
and Mayor Rollins.
Nay: None.
79-108 - RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING A CONTRACT FOR LOG CABIN RESTORA-
TION.
There being no objection to considering tonight, on motion of
Mr. Murray, seconded by Mr. Tolbert, the following resolution was
proposed:
RESOLVED by the Council for the Town of Leesburg, Vir-
ginia, as follows :
SECTION I . The manager is authorized and directed to enter
into a contract in a form approved by the Town Attorney with
R. H. Russell , General Contractor, P. 0. Box 839, Leesburg,
Virginia 22075 , for renovations to the log structure on
West Loudoun Street in accordance with plans, specifications
and contract documents issued for the bid opening of May 22 ,
1979 for contract price of $64 , 000 . 00 less deductions of
$19 , 350 . 00
MINUTES OF JULY 11, 1979 MEETING.
31 ry
SECTION II . An appropriation is made from the General
Fund to Account No. 10210 , 802 , Log Cabin Restoration,
in the amount of $44 , 650. 00 for the fiscal year ending
June 30 , 1980 .
Mayor Rollins said this is $14 , 000 over the budget amount. Mrs .
Hill explained that, among the items removed from the contract,
the apartment upstairs and the elaborate fire control equipment
have been removed from the contract. The resolution was unani-
mously adopted:
Mrs. Hill suggested that Council revise the architect ' s
plan for the Council Chambers restoration project to not take
out the one window on the front of the building and put a larger
one on the other side - this in the interest of money. Mr.
Minor said the plans for this project are alreay out. Mayor Rol-
lins suggested that they let the bids come in, discuss it in
committee and bring it back in the form of a resolution to be
voted on by the Council. If Council does accept the bid, a
change order can be made with the successful bidder .
Mayor Rollins asked if the plans for the Fairview Street
CO project have come in yet? Mr. Minor was not sure.
CO
(v On motion of Mr. Murray, seconded by Mr. Tolbert, the meet
W ing was unanimously adjourned at 8 : 25 P .M.
C
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Mayor
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Clerk of Co:ncil