HomeMy Public PortalAbout1996_02_19SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 19, 1996
A special meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held on Monday, February 19, 1996 at 9:00
a.m., in the Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street. Notice having been delivered to all
Councilmembers priorthereto. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the siting of the Main Zone
Tank No. 1. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Clem.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers present
George F. Atwell
J. Frank Buttery, Jr.
Jewell M. Emswiller (departed at 10:30 a.m.)
Joseph R. Trocino
Kristen C. Umstattd
William F. Webb
Mayor James E. Clem
Staff members present
Town Manager Steven C. Brown
Director of Utilities Randolph W. Shoemaker
Assistant Director of Utilities Aref Etemadi
Deputy Town Attorney Deborah Welsh
Mr. Brown and Mr. Shoemaker provided the staff report.
Mr. George Rust and Mr. Bob Dudley, representing the Town's consultants O'Brien & Gere were
present and provided additional comments.
Ms. Umstattd pointed out that $1.9 million has been budgeted for this water tank and asked if this will
be a one-time cost or will the town have to issue a bond or finance it in someway?
Mr. Brown stated as of this time there are no plans for a bond issue for providing this facility.
Availability fees have been collected over the years to help fund this project.
Mr. Webb asked, if the hospital site was chosen and the existing tank brought off-line, how long would
the existing tank be off-line and what would this do to the pressure in this area?
Mr. Shoemaker explained that the existing hospital tank is 16 feet lower than the existing Cart tank. The
Carr tank is 1.5 million gallons and the bowl height is 30 feet. The Carr tank is typically operated within
the upper 15 feet. One of the critical factors in the operation of the town's water system is the fact that
the Water Treatment Plant currently operates 12 hours per day. There is some reserve run capacity
which means the Water Plant can be brought on-line within one hour anytime it is needed. The system
is essentially operated with the Carr tank. The hospital tank is not in use. Water is not withdrawn from
the hospital tank because it is at a lower elevation. No problems are anticipated with the operation of
the town's system while the hospital tank is being demolished and the new tank constructed during the
one year construction period.
Mr. Webb asked, if the tank were replaced in its existing location at the hospital site would there be
adequate pressure for normal daily use and emergencies once build-out occurs in the northeast quadrant?
Mr. Shoemaker answered yes. The Carr tank, hospital tank and the third main zone tank are constructed
at an elevation which anticipates growth within the town's service area.
Mr. Webb asked if there is any problem with obtaining existing right-of-way during construction fxom the
hospital site?
Mr. Shoemaker explained the existing hospital tank site is owned by the town. He has met with hospital
staff who have expressed several concerns. Such as the loss of the parking area. The town proposes to
allow parking on Old Waterford Road. Construction noise is a concern. Uninterrupted water pressure
and water flow are concerns.
Mayor Clem asked, what would happen if the town had a problem on the river and needed the water in
the hospital tank? Would the town's wells take care of this concern?
Mr. Shoemaker stated, if the town experienced a problem with the river, the town would have to revert
to some type of mandatory restriction of water usage. If the water plant is taken off-line, the most
capacity the town could produce is approximately 1 million gallons which would be less than 50 percent
of the town's needed capacity. The town's current storage capacity is about 1.5 million gallons. The town
would be in a critical situation if there was an oil spill upstream and the plant had to remain off-line for
an extended period of time.
Ms. Emswiller asked, if another site is chosen other than the hospital site, what will happen to the tank
at the hospital site?
Mr. Shoemaker stated the tank will be demolished.
Mr. Buttery asked, if this is a storage problem or a pressure problem in this quadrant of the town?
Mr. Shoemaker stated it is a storage concern. There is adequate pressure and flow in this area. There
are areas in the downtown that are compromised from the standpoint of fireflows.
Mr. Kent Stevens, a resident of Exeter, addressed the Council opposing the Exeter site citing costs,
environmental impact as concerns.
Ms. Kate Burns, a resident near the hospital, addressed the Council opposing the hospital site citing the
impact of parking and construction. She asked if it has been determined the distance of the closest
residents from each of the proposed locations and the impact during the construction period.
Mr. Doug Landall, opposed the Exeter site, with regard to the negative impact on Ida Lee Park.
Mr. Jeff Crawford, a resident of Exeter, opposed the Exeter site.
Ms. Barbara McDermott, a resident of Exeter, submitted a petition of over 400 signatures opposing the
Exeter site.
Mr. Brett Fairfield questioned the composites.
Mr. Gary Edwards, a resident of Exeter, opposes the Exeter site stating that the tank will ruin the beauty
of Exeter.
Mr. Max Peterson,a resident of Exeter, opposes the Exeter tank site citing that Route 15 is an
entranceway to the Town of Leesburg.
Mr. Bruce Winkle, a resident of 409 Tudor Court in Exeter, opposes the Exeter tank site.
Ms. Patty Snow, a resident of Exeter, opposes the Exeter tank site.
Mr. Eric Kaplinger, resident of Exeter, opposes the Exeter tank site citing aesthetics as a reason for not
wanting the tank located at Ida Lee Park.
Mr. Patrick Atcheson, a resident of Cornwall Street, opposes the hospital site.
Ms. Patty Young, a resident of 110 Elkridge Way in Exeter, opposes the Exeter tank site and encouraged
other alternatives.
Mr. Randy Smith, a resident of Exeter, stated he does not have a problem with the tank site being
located at Ida Lee Park.
Mr. Peter Hoffman, a resident of Kincaid Forest, S.E., opposed the northeast quadrant tank site.
Mr. Marlo Font, a resident of Exeter, opposes the Exeter tank site and asked what the next steps are to
the location of a tank site?
Mayor Clem explained that this matter will be forwarded to the Finance Committee agenda of March
5, 1996 for further consideration then forwarded to the full Council for a vote.
Mr. Webb asked if there is any concern from the FAA about the additional height of the proposed tank?
Mr. Shoemaker stated no, that none of the proposed sites are within the approach angle of the Leesburg
Airport. The height is also not severe enough to warrant lights, however we do have an application
,~fore the FAA for review and approval.
Mr. Atwell stated there are alternatives that have not yet been explored. He asked, however, that
everyone keep in mind that there is a price tag attached to most everything. He pointed out that he is
the Chairperson of the Finance Committee where this matter will receive extremely close scrutiny. He
stated he has serious doubt that it would be forwarded out of committee tomorrow. "This is an issue that
needs a great deal of discussion and it will get that before a final vote is taken."
Mayor Clem agreed with Mr. Atwell's comments. He thanked everyone for their comments and
participation.
On motion of; and duly seconded, the meeting was adjourned.
Clerk of Council
o eS E. Clem, Mayor
of Leesburg