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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2000_07_05COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING Lower Level Meeting Room, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 a.m. presiding. July 5, 2000 Mayor Webb Councilmembers Present: George F. Atwell, Mervin Jackson, Leonard McDonald, David Schmidt, Kristen Umstattd, Robert Zoldos and Mayor Webb Staff Members Presesnt: Bob Noe, Town Manager, Phil Rodenberg, Deputy Town Manager, William E. Donnelly, Town Attorney, John King, Director of Economic Development and Judy Ahalt, Clerk of Council. AGENDA ITEMS 1. l~layor's Greeting Mayor Webb called the meeting to order thanking Council for coming out to the 4th of July Celebration and their attendance at the swearing-in ceremonies. She commented today is a new chapter for the Town and reminded that they are working as a team for the community. Legislation A. On a motion by Councilmember Schmidt, seconded by Councilmember Jackson, the following resolution was proposed and unanimously adopted. 2000-126 - RESOLUTZON APPOZNTZNG A VTCE MAYOR RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg as follows: Kristen Umstattd is appointed Vice Mayor for the term beginning July 1, 2000 and expiring on June 30, 2002. VOTE: Aye: Councilmember Atwell, Jackson, McDonald, Schmidt, Zoldos and Mayor Webb Nay: None B. Making Councilmanic appointments to the Town's Boards and Commissions. Council discussed the possibility of combining the Tree Commission and the Environmental Advisory Commission. Councilmember McDonald stated the EAC does not get notice from the Planning Commission on environmental issues in new developments. Councilmember Zoldos suggested input from the Tree Commission on combining the two Commissions. Councilmember Jackson stated that the Tree Commission staff member, Jay Banks, does review plans that are going to the Planning Commission. Mayor Webb suggested that the issue be discussed with the Tree Commission and report back to the last workshop in July. Town Council Minutes for July 5, 2000 Paqe 2 On a motion by Vice Mayor Umstattd, seconded by Councilmember Jackson, the following resolution was proposed and unanimously adopted. 2000-:L26 - MAKTNG COUNCTLMANZC APPOZNTMENTS TO THE TOWN'S BOARDS AND COMMZSSZONS RESOLVED, by the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia as follows: The following councilmanic appointments are made for the terms beginning July 1, 2000, and expiring on .lune 30, 2002, and coterminous with their terms of office. Airport Commission Mayor B..1. Webb Balch Library Commission George F. Atwell Board of Architectural Review Mervin Jackson Cable Commission Leonard McDonald Economic Development Commission David Schmidt Environmental Advisory Commission l~nformation Technology Commission Robert Zoldos Parks and Recreation Commission Robert Zoldos Planning Commission Kristen Umstattd Tree Commission Dulles Area Transportation Association David Schmidt Residential Transportation Task Force Mervin ,lackson Northern Virginia Regional Commission Kristen Umstattd Loudoun Tourism Oversight Leonard McDonald TCC Mayor B..1. Webb Annexation Area Development Policy Mayor B..1. Webb, Vice IVlayor Kristen Umstattd, Alternates - Leonard McDonald and George Atwell VML/NLC Voting Rep: Mayor or Vice-Mayor or Councilmember Attendinq VOTE: Aye: Councilmembers Atwell, Jackson, McDonald, Schmidt, Umstattd, Zoldos and Mayor Webb. Nay: None C. Discussion on Boards and Commission Appointments Mayor Webb discussed that boards and commissions should mirror the philosophy of the elected body. Councilmember Atwell suggested meeting with boards and commissions to discuss their duties and responsibilities. Vice Mayor Umstattd added she would have no objection to changing our system to appoint the members who reflect the philosophy of council and the public. Councilmember Zoldos suggested the Councilmanic representative monitor conduct and attendance and report inappropriate behavior to Council. He also suggested limiting the number of times a member could be reappointed. Town Council Minutes for July 5, 2000 Paqe 3 Councilmember McDonald suggested attendance problems be taken into consideration. Councilmember Atwell discussed the interview process and suggested incumbents be interviewed for reappointment as well as new candidates. Councilmember Jackson stated attendance is a problem on some boards. Councilmember Schmidt agreed the boards and commissions should reflect the philosophy of the community and council members and each councilmember should be accountable for monitoring their appointee. However, he would not be in favor of a term limit. Councilmember Atwell stated that he could not support less than a four-year term time limit. Councilmember Umstattd suggested possibly still advertising and appointments would be made from the pool of applicants. Councilmember Zoldos stated that he could not support a change at this time, he would like the full council making appointments. It was decided that this decision would be deferred to the next council work session. Mr. Noe and Mr. Donnelly will evaluate the logistics of a change. Mr. Donnelly verified with the Mayor that her proposal would be to have a nominee from the councilmember and then a vote by full council. D. On a motion by Councilmember Zoldos, seconded by Councilmember McDonald, the following resolution was proposed and unanimously adopted. 2000-127 - RESOLUTZON SETTZNG THE TOWN COUNCZL CALENDAR WHEREAS, the Town Council traditionally meets in formal session at 7:30 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday in each month and sits as a "committee of the whole" convening at 7:00 p.m. on the Monday preceding the regular council meeting in the Council Chambers, 25 West Market; and WHEREAS, the Town Council traditionally cancels the last Council meetings in August to observe summer vacation; and WHEREAS, the Town Council cancels the last Council meetings in December to observe Christmas vacation; and WHEREAS, the Town Council adopted Resolution No. 2000-35 on February 8, 2000 rescheduling the October 9 and October 10, 2000 Town Council meetings to October 16 and October 17, 2000 to eliminate a conflict with the observation of Columbus Day; and WHEREAS, Section :~5.2-14:[6 of the Code of Virginia requires that Council set its calendar at its first meeting in July. THEREFORE, RESOLVED, by the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia as follows: The Town Council shall meet in formal session at 7:30 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday in each month and shall sit as a "committee of the whole" convening at 7:00 p.m. on Monday preceding the regular council meeting in the Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street or at such time and place as Town Council Minutes for .luly 5, 2000 Page 4 the council may determine from time to time, except there shall be no meeting on Monday, August 21, Tuesday, August 22, 2000, December 25, 2000 and December 26, 2000 and the meeting on Monday, October 9, 2000 will be rescheduled to October 16, 2000 and the October :[0, 2000 meeting will be rescheduled to October 17, 2000. VOTE: Aye: Councilmembers Atwell, .lackson, McDonald, $chmidt, Umstattd, Zoldos and Mayor Webb. Nay' None 3. Councilmember Comments Councilmember McDonald commented on a call from a gentlemen interested in the Airport Commission vacancy. He discussed the County and Town relations. Councilmember Zoldos commented that he would recommend reappointment of Mr. Laycock and Mr. Lord to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Further, all three Tree Commission members are seeking reappointment. He discussed Shellhorn stating we have to be critical with the Loudoun Board of Supervisors. He added, they have violated their written agreements with reference to the UGA and we should consider legal action. Also, we should consider annexation of the urban growth area. Councilmember Atwell commented that he shares the concerns of Councilmember McDonald and Zoldos. He stated we should consider a liaison from the Town to attend the Board of Supervisor's meetings. He added that he is not sure annexation is the answer and questioned how big a town do we want to be? He stated with the present zoning and density the town will build out at about 42,000 people. Councilmember Jackson commented on the recent resignations in the Planning Department and expressed concern with what will happen to the Leesburg Commons application. Vice-Mayor Umstattd questioned whether we would want to annex and increase our size. She stated her concerns about the growth implications of annexation. Further, she asked Bill Donnelly what would be involved in annexation? She also expressed concerns with the loss of personnel in the Planning Department. Councilmember Schmidt commented that he would be participating in an orientation for Council and attending the VML orientation for new Councilmembers. 4. I~la¥or's Comments Mayor Webb commented on the UGA area around the Leesburg Airport. She added that when we meet with the County they should be reminded they will be in Town Council Minutes for .luly 5, 2000 Paqe 5 violation of their comprehensive plan and Leesburg's comprehensive plan by moving forward with Shellhorn. Mayor Webb stated she is convinced that the Board of Supervisors wants to eliminate the urban growth areas entirely in each and every town in the County. She expressed concern with Shellhorn's impact in ten years. 5. Manaqer's Comments Mr. Noe congratulated all of the newly elected officials. 6. New Business Mr. $chmidt discussed a Council liaison with the Loudoun County School Board. He stated that he is willing to be that representative. Councilmember $chmidt made a motion that the Town Council adopt an official liaison role with the Loudoun County School Board. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Umstattd and approved. Councilmember Zoldos recommended a staff member considering Council meetings are at the same time. Councilmember Atwell suggested that we get on the School Board agenda and attend the work sessions. Councilmember Umstattd suggested that the liaison could be done outside the meeting times. Councilmember Jackson agreed. Councilmember Atwell suggested that Mr. Noe appoint a staff member to request and review the School Board agenda. The motion was amended to say Councilmember Schmidt will serve as the official liaison to the Loudoun County School Board with staff being responsible for reviewing the agenda and bring to the attention of the Council. The motion passed on the following vote: Aye: Councilmember Atwell, Jackson, McDonald, $chmidt, Umstattd, Zoldos and Mayor Webb Nay: None Councilmember Zoldos made a motion asking the town attorney look into the legal implications concerning $hellhorn and what is required to move toward annexation. The motion was seconded by Councilmember McDonald clarifying the annexation to include the Urban Growth Area east of the Greenway with geographical boundaries of Goose Creek and Potomac River. Councilmember Zoldos clarified that his original motion was to include the entire UGA. Mayor Webb asked about the progress of a study prepared by the staff on the annexation area? Mr. Noe replied that it has been completed by has not gone out. Town Council Minutes for July 5, 2000 Paqe 6 Hr. Donnelly commented he didn't know if he has enough information without having the urban growth area annexation study completed. He can look at the physical, planning and legal impact of annexation. Councilmember McDonald said that the issue of annexation should be a topic of discussion for their retreat. Vice Mayor Umstattd commented that it might be an assumption that Shellhorn was intentional. She suggested that we keep a friendly dialog with the Board of Supervisors. There was further discussion as to the intended use for Shellhorn. Mayor Webb reminded that the Town still controls the water and sewer for the site. Councilmember McDonald commented that Loudoun County is paying an excessive amount more than the assessed value for the Shellhorn site adding, the County needs to realize that 24% if the population they serve is in Leesburg. Mayor Webb called for a vote on the motion for an assessment of the impact of annexation of the Urban Growth Area. The motion was approved with the following vote: Aye: Councilmember Atwell, Jackson, McDonald, Schmidt, Umstattd, Zoldos and Mayor Webb Nay: None Mr. Noe reported that the AADP meeting would take place ~luly 11, 2000 at 3:30 p.m. Mayor Webb reported the California conference focused on how governments are changing the way they do business. Councilmember Atwell added there was a lot of discussion on citizen involvement, changing the way council meetings and agendas are conducted. Mr. Noe added that this was his third time to the conference and he will provide an in-depth report to staff and Council. Councilmember Atwell commented on the large number of staff resignations. He suggested conducting exit interviews to get an idea of why they are leaving. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m. lerk of Council