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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1999_01_12TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 1999 A regular meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held on Tuesday, January 12, 1999 at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20178, Municipal Government Center. The meeting was called to order by Mayor James E. Clem. COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT Frank Buttery Leonard McDonald (arrived at 7:40 p.m.) Joseph R. Trocino Kristen C. Umstattd B. J. Webb Bob Zoldos (absent) Mayor James E. Clem STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Town Manager Steven C. Brown Director of Finance Paul E. York Director of Engineering and Public Works Thomas A. Mason Director of Parks and Recreation Kaj Dentler Public Information Officer Susan Farmer Assistant Town Manager for Economic Development John Henry King Town Attorney George Martin Clerk of Council Barbara Markland 1. INVOCATION was given by Councilmember Joseph R. Trocino. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG was led by Councilmember Kristen C. Umstattd. 3. ROLL CALL all members of the Town Council were present except Councilmember Robert Zoldos. Councilmember McDonald arrived at 7:40 p.m. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: On motion of Vice Mayor Webb, seconded by Councilmember Buttery, the special meeting minutes of November 30, 1998, December 1, 1998, December 15, 1998, December 23, 1998, January 5, 1999 and the regular meeting minutes of November 24, 1998 and December 8, 1998 were approved as written and as amended by Councilmember Buttery of the special meeting minutes of December 15, 1998. VOTE: Aye: Councilmembers Buttery, Trocino, Umstattd, Webb, and Mayor Clem. Nay: None Absent: Councilmembers McDonald and Zoldos 5. CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION: Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the winners of the 1998 Town of Leesburg/Middleburg Bank Holiday Decoration Contest. 6. PETITIONERS Ms. Cindy Welsh, Director, Loudoun County Parks and Recreation addressed the Council providing a summary of the alternatives to the Banshee Reeks Park Master Plan. Chuck Thornton, representing the Leesburg Economic Development Commission (LEDC) requested the Council's support in ensuring that the proposed Route 7 bus and rail plan terminate in the Town of Leesburg. He reported that the LEDC unanimously supports the plan with a termination point in Leesburg and asked the Town Council to be involved as this project moves forward 7. ~UBLIC HEARING: TO CONSIDER THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS - Mr. Brown provided the staff report. Mr. Ja.rnes P. Lucier, Chairman of the Thomas Balch Library Advisory Commission, addressed the Council requesting the support of the Council with regarding to the renovation project. -2- Mr. Chuck Thornton representing the Leesburg Economic Development Commission (LEDC) requested the Council's support in several projects, including the installation of a public restroom and water fountain, four automated information/kiosks, purchase of approximately 550 acres for office and industrial uses, and the design and improvements of roads within the town. FAA asked to review the site plan for the proposed project. Mr. Mark Humphries, President of First Night Leesburg, thanked the Council and staff for their continued support of First Night. Mr. Humphries also expressed support in the proposed design and renovation of the Thomas Balch Library. Mr. DougGoolsby, a resident of Chancellor Street, addressed the Council in opposition to the proposed Chancellor Street Bike path connection. Ms. Sandy Smallwood, a resident of Chancellor Street, addressed the Council in opposition to the proposed Chancellor Street Bike path connection. The public hearing was closed. This matter was referred to the Finance Committee of January 19, 1999 for further consideration. 8. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS Councilmember Buttery_ attended the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company:s (LVFC) annual banquet and thanked all the volunteers of the LVFC. Councilmember Umstattd thanked all the speakers for attending tonight's meeting and expressing their opinions. Councilmember Trocino stated, with regard to Banshee Reeks Park, the program that the Council and Leesburg Parks and Recreation Commission has been asked to review is an admirable one. It is in the greater interest of Loudoun County that there is a regional park system. The Town of Leesburg is 20 percent of the population of Loudoun County and is serviced, almost entirely by the efforts of ourselves and yet the residents pay taxes to the County of Loudoun. There are 1500 acres of park land in Loudoun County of which only 11 acres are located in Leesburg. A total of .87 percent of the total County's effort. Mr. Trocino stated he hopes a member of the Board of Supervisors will speak on behalf of the Town of Leesburg. Vice Mayor Webb attended the annual LVFC banquet. She reminded the citizens of Leesburg that without the volunteer services of both the fire and rescue squad companies - should the town have to go to a professionally paid system, the tax bills will duly increase. Ms. Webb encouraged the town's residents to give a donation to these volunteer organizations. Ms. Webb attended the Senior Caf6 and witnessed the demonstration of equipment, provided by the Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing, courtesy of Mr. Uran's gift. This equipment has made a sound-field available so that all the participants in the Senior Caf6 can hear what is going on at the facility. This will benefit over 200 senior citizens. Ms. Webb, had the honor of introducing Board of Supervisor Joan Rokus at her press conference where Ms. Rokus announced that she will not seek another term as a Supervisor in the Leesburg District. Ms. Webb thanked Ms. Rokus for her hard work as a Board of Supervisor. 9. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Clem Echoed Vice Mayor Webb's comments regarding Board of Supervisor Joan Rokus. Mayor Clem asked that a meeting be scheduled to discuss the letter received from the Loudoun County School Board regarding the high school site. Mayor Clem asked that police officers begin walking the beat in the downtown area. Mayor Clem thanked the public works and utility crews for their hard work during the cold weather, as well as commented on the town's state of the art treatment plant facilities. He pointed out that the town's bond rating is up and thanked Mr. York and town staff for their hard work in this matter. Councilmember McDonald thanked everyone for the cards and flowers he received during his illness. He echoed Ms. Webb's comments regarding the volunteer fire and rescue companies and urged all households to give a minimum of $50.00 each to these organizations. Mr. McDonald stated he looks forward to the upcoming budget deliberations. -3- 10. MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Brown reported from the written Activity Report and thanked the Council for their comments regarding the town's employees. Vice Mayor Webb reported on the Courts Complex Advisory meeting. Bids are due on January 18, 1999. The award of contract should be around the 15th or 17th of February and construction is proposed to begin 30 to 60 days after contract award. This project continues to move forward. 11. LEGISLATION CONSENT LEGISLATION: (a), (b), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) MOTION: On motion of Vice Mayor Webb, seconded by Councilmember Trocino, the following resolutions were proposed as consent items and adopted. 99-1 - RESOLUTION - REQUESTING THE COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO ESTABLISH AN ENHANCEMENT PROJECT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL PARK LAND FOR THE BALL'S BLUFF CIVIL WAR SITE 99-2 - RESOLUTION - REQUESTING THE COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO ESTABLISH AN ENHANCEMENT PROJECT FOR THE BURYING OF UNDERGROUND UTILITIES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF LEESBURG 99-3 - RESOLUTION - REQUESTING THE COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO ESTABLISH AN ENHANCEMENT PROJECT FOR THE NORTH KING STREET/IDA LEE PARK TRAIL 99-4 - RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING TASK ORDERS #4 AND #5 TO THE CH2M HILL GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT 99-5 - RESOLUTION - ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, RELEASING THE PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE AND APPROVING A MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AT TAVISTOCK FARMS SECTION 5 99-6 - RESOLUTION - REQUESTING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S SUPPORT FOR THE USE OF LASER SPEED DETECTION DEVICES 99-7 - RESOLUTION - RE-APPOINTING THREE MEMBERS OF THE GILGORP BOARD OF DIRECTORS VOTE: Aye: Councilmembers Buttery, McDonald, Trocino Umstattd, Webb and Mayor Clem Nay: None Absent: Councilmember Zoldos 11. (c) MOTION: On motion of Vice Mayor Webb, seconded by Councilmember Buttery, the following resolution was proposed and adopted as amended by Vice Mayor Webb. 99-8 - RESOLUTION - REQUESTING THE COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO ESTABLISH AN ENHANCEMENT PROJECT FOR THE CHANCELLOR STREET TRAIL WHEREAS, in accordance with the Commonwealth Transportation Board construction allocation procedures, it is necessary that a request by resolution be submitted in order that the Virginia Department of Transportation establish an enhancement project in the Town of Leesburg; and WHEREAS, the Town of Leesburg requests the Commonwealth Transportation Board to establish a project for the acquisition of additional land and construction of the Chancellor Street Trail. -4- THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia as follows: SECTION I. The Town of Leesburg hereby agrees to pay twenty percent of the total costs for acquisition of this project. SECTION II. The Town of Leesburg hereby agrees to reimburse the Virginia Department of Transportation, if cancellation of the project occurs, for the total amount of costs expended by the Department through the date the Department is notified of such cancellation. DISCUSSION: Councilmembers Buttery and Trocino and Vice Mayor Webb suggested the project be completed from Chancellor Street to the W&OD Bike Trail. Councilmember McDonald expressed concern with how people are going to get to the Chancellor Street trail, in that, they may be driving their vehicles and p~rking their cars on Chancellor Street. Mr. Dentler pointed out that if the Council desires to complete the trail from Chancellor Street to the W&OD Bike Trail then the estimated cost would double. The project cost would be $420,000 and the town's share would be $84,000. VOTE: Aye: Councilmembers Buttery, Trocino, Umstattd, Webb, and Mayor Clem Nay: Councilmember McDonald Absent: Councilmember Zoldos 12. NEW BUSINESS: The Council asked that the Information Technology Committee be advertised. Councilmember Trocino suggested that a member of the LEDC serve on this committee. Discussion was held regarding the Fort Evans Road agreement. A response from KSI is expected by January 14, 1999 at 3:00 p.m. On motion of, and duly seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Clerk of Council J . Clem, Mayor