HomeMy Public PortalAbout1993_03_03SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF THE LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL
MARCH 3, 1993
A special meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held on March 3, 1993, at 5:30 p.m., in the first
floor executive conference room, 2~ West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia. Notice having been delivered
to all members of the Council prior thereto. The purpose of this meetingwas to discuss downtown businesses.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Clem.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT
George F. Atwell
Georgia W. Bange (Absent)
Ronald W. Blake
Joseph R. Trocino
Kristen C. Umstattd (Absent)
William F. Webb (Absent)
Mayor James E. Clem
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Town Manager Steven C. Brown
Mr. Brown stated that there was a tremendous amount of work that went into the packet of information being
distributed. He stated that there was no inventory of downtown businesses readily available. The information
provided is solely the result of some tremendous effort of Louis Cable, Sue Webb, Kevin Lawlor and the
clerical staff including Della Clark. He cautioned the Council that this information is the first inventory for
downtown and there are some errors, however, the errors should not be substantive. Staff will continue to
refine the document because it is a very useful document. Mr. Brown briefly summarized the document.
Mr. Frank Ratio made the following suggestions:
Town business, town people and town government should follow the lead of the Mayor in opposing
the moving of the hospital.
The town should approach the county with regard to the Thomas Balch Library and if the
county does not want it then the town should take it. Taking the library should consist of
helping the library become the genealogy center and moving the tourist information center
to the library.
· A group should visit Fredericksburg to see what they have done to revitalize their downtown.
Appoint a committee of three business people to see what kinds of businesses the town
wants. Begin an area-to-area canvas.
· Adopt and make realistic the slogan "the friendliest shopping center in Northern Virginia."
Police officer's should wear buttons that say "your friendly cop." The police should be given
the history of what is interesting in the town.
· No charge for overstaying with regard to parking.
The town manager should contact the NVRPA to have a dedication of Balls Bluff Cemetery
before May 1. Move the marker sign so that it is easily identifiable.
· Once a month hold a downtown Leesburg day for Ashburn Village and Ashburn Farms.
Buy an ad in the Weekender of the Washington Post with an 800 number which says "if you
,,,.,~ to kn,,,, ,,-,~ is happening in Lecsbusg this week call "
· Make the statement to the county that the town is not going to become a city.
Mayor Clem stated that this meeting was a workshop to discuss the Council's actions with regard to downtown
businesses. He stated "the town needs to find out what the landowners can do for the town to help fill the
vacancies. The Council has to decided whether it wants to do anything. Do we let the marketplace find itself
or do we want to go on an aggressive campaign and incorporate some of the remarks of Mr. Raflo's to try to
fill a percentage of the stores. Unfortunately, right now, the town does not have a lot to offer and it is
embarrassing to see visitors on the weekends looking and there is nothing to sec. Our windows arc bare. II
the Council decides to market Leesburg, then we need to know the types of stores that Leesburg wants.
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Mayor Clem stated that staff needs to look into signage, BAR approval of signage, parking garage fees and
advertising. We need to have EDAC's input - they need to let Council know what they are doing to ensure
that the present businesses are being serviced and taken care of.
Mr. Trocino stated that one of the best things the Council can do is to stay out of the way of the private
market. %Ve have such a high capitalization cost that the town's water and sewer fees are at record levels.
Sometimes these very small businesses run a foul of a bill. If the Council does not actively discourage
businesses - with only minor involvement from the government our downtown will prosper.
Mr. Trocino stated that Dr. Travis Sample, of Shenandoah University, will be making a presentation before
the Council along with downtown development people from all over the state to help the town develop
suggestions.
Mr. Atwell agreed that it is the governments job to assist and not do everything for everybody but at the same
time not getting in the way or impede the opening of business. Mr. Atwell asked that the Council consider
a full-time; paid staff person to take charge of whatever the Council wants done. This person should act as
the town's representative to all bodies, groups, committees, commission that are involved with promoting the
best interest of the Town of Leesburg. This person will coordinate activities of those groups as they may
involve the town to provide impetus to get some action going and try to bring plans and proposals to fruition.
Mr. Atwell asked that the town's Personnel Committee evaluate town staffs position to find a slot in our staff
for this kind of position. "We need somebody that can give orders at the direction of the Council and
somebody that can take orders from the direction of the Council."
Mr. Blake concurred with Mr. Atwell. The town needs a coordinator to put the picture together. The
appointment of this position could take a lot off of the Council and a lot off of the problems of the town.
Mr. Atwell stated that there is a need for one member from all of the various groups in town to come
together, forget about the turf business and say what is my function. What is the best thing I can do to be
a piece of this picture. Define what the picture is.
Mayor Clem asked Mr. Brown to set up an appointment with Town Attorney George Martin regarding city
status. He stated city status is not something the Council is interested in. The Mayor asked that Stilson
Greene begin preparing an ad of the Town of Leesburg for publication.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
E. Clem, Mayor
Town of Leesburg
Clerk of Coun~ ~
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