HomeMy Public PortalAbout1984_09_13SPEC 217
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL, SEPTEMBER 13, 1984.
A special meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held in the Council
Chambers, 10 Loudoun Street, S.W. , Leesburg, Virginia on September 13, 1984
at 12 Noon, pursuant to waiver of notice signed by all councilmembers. Present
were: Mayor Robert E. Sevila, Councilmembers Charles A. Bos, Marylou Hill,
Brian T. Kelley, John W. Tolbert, Jr. and Charles J. Williams. Absent from
the meeting was Councilmember Arl Curry.
Mayor Sevila called the meeting to order, announcing that the purpose of
this meeting is to resolve a long-standing issue of considerable importance to
everyone in Leesburg - that is, to find a replacement to fill the position of
IITown Manager.
As of August 31st, the deadline for receipt of applications, 100 applica-
tions had been received from aspiring town managers from across the country.
Council created a committee and ultimately servedYa committee of the whole in
reviewing the applications-their review has been completed. They are pleased to
announce that the overwhelming and unanimous choice of all seven members of
this council is to appoint Jeffrey H. Minor, who has served as Acting Town Mana-
ger for the past two months, as Leesburg's new Town Manager.
Council met in executive session last night and discussed a number of things
with him, including the issues of adopting a formal employment agreement with him
and discussion of matters relating to philosophy, town government, his approach
N to handling delicate issues that come before the town. Council, without excep-
tion, was impressed with his answers. He has had a two-month trial period, dur-
W ing which he has had an opportunity, under difficult circumstances, to perform
CO these duties admirably and to the unanimous satisfaction of all councilmembers.
Mayor Sevila was personally pleased with the job Mr. Minor has done and
feels that, without question, of the 100 applicants he is the most qualified
man for the job. He looks forward to a very satisfying and rewarding relation-
ship with him as Council continues to attempt to provide the best possible govern-
ment to the citizens of Leesburg. He congratulated Mr. Minor.
A copy of the resolution adopted by Council last night, as well as a copy
of Mr. Minor's statement, is available to the media as well.
Mr. Bos believed the town is a winner three ways with Mr. Minor - his quali-
fications for one - he has a critical reservoir of experience with the town - this
will help the council, the staff and the constituents. The third would be a part-
nership (the most important) - it is important for the town to establish a work-
ing partnership and a sense of mutual trust that will benefit the whole town.
They are well on the way to establishing common goals and objectives. He wel-
comed Mr. Minor as Town Manager.
Mr. Williams has been impressed with his abilities to provide a unique ser-
vice to Council over the past two months . His goals and objectives are certainly
parallel with the Council's and in concert with what their ideas are for the next
period of time. He looks forward to working with him and welcomed him.
Mrs. Hill felt he has done an outstanding job as Acting Manager and looks
forward to working with him.
Mr. Kelley echoed the comments of his colleagues and added that Mr. Minor
has impressed him with his ideals and the thought that went into his application
for the position. He feels he is more than ready to handle the job and believes
it will be a fantastic relationship with the Council and the staff. He felt
they have made by far the best possible choice.
Mr. Tolbert could recall when there was no town manager here - there was
just a Mayor and the Treasurer running the town. We finally got to a town man-
agership and had some problems, but were always able to work them out. We have
been successful this time by not having to wait too long - we had to wait al-
most a year one time before we had a manager. We are lucky to have a man right
here - he is the man for the job. He recalled the following words of wisdom:
"If you want to plan for a year, plant rice - if you want to plan for a decade,
plant trees - if you want to plan for a lifetime, educate a person."
Mayor Sevila thought all the comments are an expression of unanimity with
which the Council made this decision. He presented the new Town Manager and
asked him to make some comments.
218
tiIL4 MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 13, 1984 SPECIAL MEETING.
Mr. Minor thanked everyone for their fine comments and read the follow-
ing prepared statement:
"The challenge and opportunity made available to me last night as
Leesburg's new town manager is very much appreciated. I want to
thank the mayor and each member of Council for the support that
has been given me and the rest of our staff during the last two
and one-half months. A large measure of any credit for our ability
to carry out the important business of the town during the major
transition that has occurred after July 1 must be given to the fine
staff that we have been privileged to employ.
I'm confident that our efforts to assemble a competent and profes-
sional staff will end this month and that the candidates selected
will be equal to the challenge placed before us by the Council and
the citizens of Leesburg.
Leesburg is blessed with an historic and architectural heritage that
few communities in Virginia can match. Our job is to preserve that
heritage and at the same time maintain our local economic vitality
through sound business retention programs, good planning and a strong
economic development effort.
I look forward to participating in an assessment of the important is-
sues that this Council plans to address within the next four years •
and I am eager to implement those programs the Council considers im-
portant to Leesburg's future."
He concluded by saying he is excited about it. It's a great town and he is
glad he is able to live here.
Mr. Bos commented that there has been a lot of focus in the last several
months on department heads leaving, resignations, etc. He felt the rest of the
staff has been sort of brushed aside. He reiterated his appreciation for the
high quality of the staff we have - the staff is the backbone of the town.
The Council will appreciate their continued hard work.
On motion of Mrs. Hill, seconded by Mr. Kelley, the meeting was adjourned
at 12:22 p.m.
Mayor
Clerk of the Council