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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1999_06_15SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 15, 1999 A special meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held on Tuesday, June 15, 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers 25, West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia. Notice having been delivered to all members of the Leesburg Town Council prior thereto. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Uran gifts and to consider the appointment process for the Leesburg Economic Development Commission. Councilmembers present Frank Buttery Mervin Jackson (absent) Leonard McDonald Kristen Umstattd (absent) BJ Webb Bob Zoldos (absent) Mayor Clem Staff members present Acting Town Manager Paul E. York Deputy Town Attorney Deborah Welsh Assistant Town Manager for Economic Development John Henry King Chairperson of the Economic Development Commission Anne Gravely Discussion was held regarding the Uran gift of $100,000 for the needy, poor, sick and helpless. Vice Mayor Webb suggested funding the Daily Bread and Interfaith Relief, Salvation Army, Transitional Housing Facility and Center, and the Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter, at $25,000 each. Councilmember Buttery stated, he did not have any problem with Vice Mayor Webb's suggestions. He stated Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing made a presentation on how they spent the funds they received last year and it impressed him. He stated he does not have a problem if they were to receive additional funds this year as well. Vice Mayor Webb expressed concern with the percentage of clients based in Leesburg as opposed to the County. Mayor Clem stated, in his conversation with Mr. Uran, that additional gifts may be forthcoming that may address that area along with health. MOTION: On motion of Webb, seconded by McDonald, the town will fund the following four organizations at $23,750.00 the Daily Bread and Interfaith Relief, Salvation Army, Transitional Housing Facility and Center, and the Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter. The Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing clinic will be funded $5,000 specifically for the residents of Leesburg, and that all of these gifts be appropriate with the letter of Mr. Uran. VOTE: Aye: Buttery, McDonald, Webb, Clem Nay: None Absent: Councilmembers Jackson, Umstattd, Zoldos Discussion was held regarding the $100,000 gift received on October 30, 1998, for the juvenile detention system. Ms. Welsh stated, "there was some discussion about funding this directly to the juvenile detention center. Mr. Charles from the Social Services Department made an inquiry about why he had not been contacted directly. There appeared to be an issue, that he would rather set up a trust fund and have this go to a trust fund within the time frame that we were trying to work with before - that wasn't possible to set up that trust fund during that time period but obviously we haven't funded that yet. If you so desire and desire that the Department of Social Services set up a trust fund then it can be funded to that. There was some discussion about potentially funding with the probation department, but I don't think they are in a position that that is something they are interested in." Ms. Welsh stated, the Youth Shelter is now open again under a new management. The gii~ needs to be geared towards the criminal aspect or the delinquency aspect. Vice Mayor Webb stated she has concern with turning funds, that were given to the Town of Leesburg to be used for any specific group, over to a county agency to establish a trust fund. The gift was to the Town of Leesburg and for the town to help children within the juvenile detention system. "I don't think that says for us to turn it over to a bureaucracy to establish a trust fund." Councilmember Buttery stated, "the town could keep the money in an account that the town already has with the possibility that whether it be juvenile probation parole or the youth facility or any other facility or any other agency that comes under that umbrella within the parameters of what Mr. Uran wishes. Then they could approach us and simply we would make a decision as to whether or not to go into the corpus or just keep the $100,000 in the account and have approximately $4,000 or $5,000 a year dolled out." Ms. Welsh stated, the Council could contact Mr. Uran to find out if"at risk" children fall under the specifics of his request regarding juvenile detention system. Mayor Clem stated he will write a letter to Mr. Uran and ask this question. Ms. Welsh stated, the Council could ask Mr. Charles to provide the town with a specific list of things that are needed at the detention center that are not otherwise a county responsibility. The Council agreed to request a specific list from the County. The $100,000 gi~ for the needy policemen will be turned over to the police department to be placed in their budget as a windfall. The police department's budget is not to be cut by $100,000. Discussion was held regarding filling vacancies on various commissions, specifically the Economic Development Commission (LEDC). Mayor Clem stated, the LEDC has requested the opportunity to interview and select their own members to £fll vacancies. The Council would not participate in the interview process, however, the names would be submitted to the Council for approval and l~gislative action. Anne Gravely suggested the LEDC be given the opportunity to conduct the initial screening and interviewing of potential candidates, including re-appointments. The LEDC's recommendations would then be forwarded to the Council. The Council would have the option for additional interviews and final approval. Ms. Gravely also suggested the opportunity for the LEDC members to actively solicit potential candidates. Councilmember Buttery stated he is concerned with the possibility of a person, on a commission, who is up for re-appointment and who would like to be re-appointed, interviewing another commission member who is up for re-appointment, with there only being so many vacancies available. Ms. Gravely stated, a little competition is good. Requesting to be re-appointed is only one part of the process. They would also need to be able to answer questions about the commission and provide feedback. They are still members of the commission and would participate in the vote and would be encouraged to vote for themselves. Councilmember Buttery stated, the Council cannot divest itself of the final direction. Any Councilmember should also have the option of asking for interviews if they so desire. The Council agreed with the suggestions of Ms. Gravely and the LEDC, stating this new process would be a trial to see if it will work for the other commissions. On motion of, and duly seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m. Clerk of Council J~es E. Clem, Mayor