Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout2006_08_08 COUNCIL MEETING August 8, 2006 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding. Councilmembers Present: Kelly Burk, Kathryn Sheldon Hammier, Susan Horne, Marty Martinez, Ken Reid, Kevin Wright, and Mayor Kristen Umstattd. Councilmembers Absent: Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Assistant to the Town Manager Kathy Leidich, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom Mason, Sgt. Vanessa Grigsby, Director of Economic Development Betsy Fields, Management Specialist Tami Watkins and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt. AGENDA ITEMS A. Invocation by Council Member Wright B. Salute to the Flag was led by Council Member Burk C. Roll Call showing Council Member Martinez arriving at 8: 10 p.m. D. Minutes a. June 16, 2006 Work Session On a motion by Vice Mayor Horne, seconded by Council Member Burk, the minutes of the June 16, 2006 work session was approved by a 4-2-1 vote. (Council Members Hammier and Reid abstaining and Council Member Martinez absent) b. July 11, 2006 Work Session On a motion by Vice Mayor Horne, seconded by Council Member Wright, the minutes of the July 11, 2006 regular session was approved by a 5-0-1-1 vote. (Council Member Hammier abstaining and Martinez absent). E. Presentations a. Certificate of Appreciation - Dulles Greenway On a motion by Vice Mayor Horne, seconded by Council Member Burk, a Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the Dulles Greenway. b. Certificate of Appreciation - Public Arts Task Force On a motion by Council Member Burk, seconded by Council Member Hammier, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the Public Arts Task Force. F. Petitioners The petitioners section opened at 7:47 p.m. Claire DeAngioletti, Georgetown Court, addressed Council regarding the proposed outdoor pool at Ida Lee Park. She asked Council to keep the planning of the pool in the forefront stating the demand for simplicity of the pool and not to overbuild it. Town Council Minutes for August 8. 2006 Page 2 Dan Tevis, 544 Crestwood Street, addressed Council stating that some view him as a threat. He stated he was here tonight to get justice done. He stated he has made repeated calls to Chief Price to discuss the investigation, but they cannot be given out since they are internal documents. He asked if an investigation can be made through the State Police since Chief Price gives the impression that he is answerable to no one. He asked the Chief to deliver the internal reports to the Mayor Umstattd by close of business tomorrow. Mayor Umstattd she would take the request under advisement. Sandy Kane, 815 Kenneth Place, SE, addressed Council. She ask the status of the Park and Ride Lot and whether the County's decision is etched in stone. She stated Sycolin Road and Evergreen Mill Road cannot handle additional traffic from a park and ride site. Waterford Homes. Susan and Jorge Melo asked Council if there were questions regarding the property they would like to purchase on Cedar Walk Circle? Vice Mayor Horne verified Waterford Homes wishes to build a single-family dwelling on the property. Councilmember Reid asked that work force housing be considered on the site. The public hearing closed at 8:01 p.m. G. Public Hearing a. All way stops at Woods Edge Drive - Public Input Session The public input session opened at 8:22 p.m. Sharon Wright. 1806 Woods Edge Drive, stated she represents 20 homeowners and the safety of the children should be the number one priority in considering the stop signs. Liz Whiting, Chair Standing Residential Traffic Committee, stated the Committee's recommendation is to install all way stops at the intersections of Woods Edge Drive and Tinsman DrivejPowhatan Court and at Woods Edge Drive and Lackawanna Way. She added staff conducted special studies, performed public education and enforcement followed by studies and concluded that perceived high vehicular speed and the large population of young children in the neighborhood confirmed the need for protective measures. Further, the studies determined that cut-thru traffic is also a problem. Town Council Minutes for August 8. 2006 Page 3 Laura Kite, 1811 Woods Edge Drive, stated the second study still shows the speed did drop off, but the April study showed 60% of the vehicles were speeding. The public input session closed at 8:27 p.m. On a motion by Council Member Reid, seconded Council Member Wright, the following motion was made: 2006-144 RESOLUTION Establishing all way stops at Woods Edge Drive Council Member Hammier stated we learned from the Meade Drive stop signs that running the stop signs was an issue. Liz Whiting added four way stop signs have to be looked at individually and stop signs do initially reduce traffic speeds. Council Member Hammier stated she would like feedback in three months. Council Member Burk stated we should not become complacent because the stop signs are installed. Council Member Martinez verified the signs could be installed tomorrow. The public hearing closed at 8:34 p.m. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Burk, Hammier, Horne, Martinez, Reid, Wright and Mayor Umstattd Nay: None Vote: 7-0 b. Dangerous and Vicious Dog Ordinance The public hearing opened at 8:35 p.m. Town Attorney Beach stated this Ordinance will bring the Town into compliance with the State Code and protect other cats and dogs. She added the Town and Animal Warden will now enforce the same code section. Mary St. Clair, 14 Phillips Drive, thanked the Mayor, John Wells and Barbara Beach for getting this matter resolved. The public hearing closed at 8:39 p.m. Town Council Minutes for August 8. 2006 Page 4 On a motion Vice Mayor Horne, seconded by Council Member Burk, the following motion was proposed: 2006-0-15 ORDINANCE Repealing Section 4-17 (Dangerous and Vicious Dogs) of Article II (Control of Dogs and Domestic Cats) Chapter 4 (Animals and Fowl) of the Code of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, 1976, as amended. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Burk, Hammier, Horne, Martinez, Reid, Wright and Mayor Umstattd Nay: None Vote: 7-0 H. Legislation I ORDINANCES None CONSENT AGENDA On a motion by Vice Mayor Horne, seconded by Council Member Burk, the followi ng consent motion was considered: 2006-145 RESOLUTION Awarding Phase I Perimeter Fencing Construction at Leesburg Airport 2006-146 RESOLUTION Approving a supplemental appropriation for the reimbursement of $15,000 for the negotiation of the Verizon Cable Franchise The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Burk, Hammier, Horne, Martinez, Reid, Wright and Mayor Umstattd Nay: None Vote: 7-0 REGULAR AGENDA On a motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member Wright, the following motion was made: 2006-147 RESOLUTION Authorizing the Town Manager to initiate the process of sale of public property and authorizing the advertisement of a public notice and public hearings regarding the sale of Cedar Walk S.l PCL.B 879-947, .10 acres of vacant land in Leesburg, known as PIN 188-18-4063-000. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Burk, Hammier, Horne, Martinez, Reid, Wright and Mayor Umstattd Town Council Minutes for August 8. 2006 Page 5 Nay: None Vote: 7-0 The following motion by Vice Mayor Horne failed for the lack of a second. RESOLUTION Authorizing the Town Manager to initiate the process of potential sale of public property and authorizing the advertisement of public notice and public hearings regarding the sale of Andover Meadow S.2 PCL.A 743-546, .59 acres of land in Leesburg, known as PIN 230-15-1394-000. On a motion by Council Member Hammier, seconded by Council Member Burk, the following motion was proposed: Note: This item was discussed out of order. 2006-148 RESOLUTION Town Sponsorship of the Medical Automation International Conference Vice Mayor Horne asked the Town's return on their investment for our use of public funds. Betsy Fields stated Loudoun County will be hosting the Medical Automation International Conference at Lansdowne Resort, annually for the next five years. The conference organizers represent a significant opportunity to showcase Leesburg as a business location to the decision makers (C-Ievel executives). She stated this will give the Town an opportunity to network and possibly have some say on choosing venues. Vice Mayor Horne asked if we would have access to names and addresses of attendees. Ms. Fields stated we will be able to access attendee list and have two conference registrants. She stated the EDC recommends the Town sponsor the Gala Dinner which would allow the Town to send up to 16 representatives to the Gala Dinner and two representatives to the full conference. Further, sponsorship of the dinner is $8,000 which is proposed to be funded from the Town Manager's contingency fund. Council Member Martinez stated he looks forward to the Economic Development Commission taking a proactive roll in this event. Council Member Hammier thanked Dr. Terry Sharrer for briefing the Economic Development Commission. She stated this international event will be an opportunity for Leesburg to be marketed as the global destination for biotech companies. She stated Dr. Felder has a proven track record for medical automation patents which spawn new companies. This will become an enormous catalyst that will spark Class A Office to come on line. She also stated that Howard Hughes has jump started this, Town Council Minutes for August 8. 2006 Page 6 but we need the translation piece. Howard Hughes Research but we need the piece that will truly drive the economic development and key opportunities. Council Member Reid stated this would be the first step to bringing biotech interests to Leesburg. He thanked Council Member Hammier for bringing this conference to the attention of the Town. Vice Mayor Horne stated given the effectiveness of commercial real estate in the Dulles Corridor, hopefully we could get some of the biotech companies to locate in Leesburg. Council Member Martinez stated he fully endorses this item. However, he has concerns with the dwindling contingency fund and suggested funding in the Economic Development budget or budget for in the future. Council Member Hammier asked that the verbatim comment from the EDC Chairman Ara Bagdasarian be made part of the public record as follows: "The EDC endorses and recommends the sponsorship of the Medical Automation Conference by the Town of Leesburg. There is an old saying that "Luck occurs when preparedness meets opportunity." The EDC believes that the town is prepared and the opportunity is now here. The Town has identified its growth sectors of the future that can leverage the assets the town possesses ultimately creating more employment in the town as well as increasing the commercial tax base. The opportunity to stake a leadership role in an emerging economic sector has arrived, and we have can take the first step today by sponsoring the Medical Automation conference. Medical Automation is an emerging discipline in the world of healthcare and life science and an emerging sector in the world of innovation and high growth business. Medical Automation is a sector that Leesburg is uniquely positioned to leverage as a means of economic development locally that can have outcomes globally. The unique assets that Leesburg has to offer a fertile environment for Medical Automation are: 1. Howard Hughes Medical Institution 2. George Mason University 3. Inova Health System 4. Telecommunications Infrastructure Medical Automation brings together the best innovations in Information Technology, Biotechnology, and even Nanotechnology to deliver new devices, methodologies, and services that enhance the quality of our lives and decreases the cost of healthcare. By sponsoring the Medical Automation conference, we are not only showing the world that Leesburg is taking a leadership role in this emerging sector, but it also plants a seed for Leesburg's future that Leesburg us pro-business advocating growth while sustaining and enhancing a quality of life. Town Council Minutes for August 8. 2006 Page 7 Leesburg, VA will be the first region in America to develop an environment to nurture the Medical Automation sector providing the resources for new ventures to emerge from the technology transfer from research and collegiate innovation. We, the EDC, strongly encourage the Leesburg Town Council to support the Medical Automation Conference and business community by approving our request in the amount of $8,000.00 to sponsor the Medical Automation Conference at Lansdowne on November 1, 2006. We appreciate your support, consideration, and cooperation during this business endeavor." The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Burk, Hammier, Horne, Martinez, Reid, Wright and Mayor Umstattd Nay: None Vote: 7-0 MOTION Crosstrail follow-up On a motion Council Member Hammier, seconded by Council Member Reid, Council proposed to send a letter to Chairman York requesting the Joint Policy Committee be convened as established in the Annexation Agreement and AADP's and a second letter addressed to the Loudoun County Planning Commission Chair Whitmore, responding to questions directed to the Town with regard to the Crosstrail application. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Burk, Hammier, Horne, Martinez, Reid, Wright, and Mayor Umstattd Nay: None Vote: 7-0 On a motion by Vice Mayor Horne, seconded by Council Member Martinez, the following motion was approved: 2006-150 RESOLUTION Making an appointment to the Environmental Advisory Commission - Steve Hauptman The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Burk, Hammier, Horne, Martinez, Reid, Wright, and Mayor Umstattd Nay: None Vote: 7-0 I. Boards and Commissions a. Airport Commission Council Member Horne stated the Commission is in the process of reworking their ground and office leases. b. Thomas Balch Library Commission Council Member Burk stated the Commission has not met this month. Town Council Minutes for Auqust 8. 2006 Page 8 c. Board of Architectural Review Council Member Reid stated he attended the National Preservation Conference in Baltimore and the Town is much further ahead of other jurisdictions. d. Cable Television Advisory Commission No comment e. Commission on Public Art Council Member Burk stated the Commission had their organizational meeting. f. Economic Development Commission No comment g. Environmental Advisory Commission Council Member Burk stated there had not been a meeting this month. h. Information Technology Commission Council Member Martinez stated a survey will be conduced... i. Parks and Recreation Commission Council Member Wright stated the Commission will meet this coming Saturday. Mayor Umstattd asked if the new plans for the pool at Ida Lee include a picnic area. j. Planning Commission Council Member Wright stated officers were elected at their last meeting; Chairman Ted Kalriess, Vice Chairman Earl Hoovler, Parliamentarian Brett Burk. k. Tree Commission No comment I. Standing Residential Traffic Committee Council Member Reid stated the Committee will meet Monday. J. Old Business a. Charter Bill Town Attorney Beach stated Council and staff is reviewing proposed Charter. K. New Business a. Freedom Park - Park and Ride A motion was proposed by Council Member Reid to send a letter and resolution as drafted by staff to the Loudoun County Board Chairman, Scott York. The motion failed for the lack of a second. Town Council Minutes for August 8. 2006 Page 9 Council Member Martinez made a motion to forward a resolution to the County to consider an alternate back up park and ride site or other alternate locations within the Leesburg corporate limits. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Horne. Further discussion ensued regarding the location of a park and ride site. Council Member Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Horne, made a motion to table this discussion. Vice Mayor Horne added we should direct correspondence to Leesburg's Supervisors Clem and Kurtz. Council Member Wright stated the Barber and Ross special exception should be processed first. After further discussion it was determined this issue would be revisited at the next Council meeting. b. Anti-hate Crime Resolution On a motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member Hammer, the following motion was proposed: 2006-151 RESOLUTION Reaffirming the Town's commitment to inclusion as a fundamental aspect of our community. Council Member Reid stated this intent was to reference the specific incident in Aldie and wished to propose that as a friendly amendment. Council Member Hammier expressed her desire to keep the resolution as is. Vice Mayor Horne stated she needs more time to look at the information provided on this subject. Council Member Reid, seconded by Vice Mayor Horne, made a motion to table this action until the next Council meeting. The motion to table failed by the following vote: Aye: Council Member Horne and Council Member Reid Nay: Council Members Burk, Hammier, Martinez, Wright and Mayor Umstattd Vote: 2-5 The original motion was approved by the following vote: Town Council Minutes for August 8. 2006 Page 10 Aye: Burk, Hammier, Martinez, Reid, Wright and Mayor Umstattd Nay: None Vote: 6-0-1 (Vice Mayor Horne abstaining) Vice Mayor Horne suggested considering another resolution eliminating the reference to the National League of Cities. A motion was proposed by Council Member Wright, seconded by Vice Mayor Horne, to consider another resolution delete the mention of the National League of Cities. 2006-149 RESOLUTION Reaffirming the Town's commitment to inclusion as a fundamental aspect of our community. Council Member Reid asked that reference be made of the Aldie Hate Crime incident. Council Member Burk stated it should reference all hate crimes. Council Member Martinez stated the resolution should reflect our community. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Burk, Hammier, Horne, Martinez, Reid, Wright and Mayor Umstattd Nay: None Vote: 7-0 L. Council Comments Council Member Burk stated the EPA recently awarded the Piedmont Environmental Commission a grant to look at the Tuscarora Creek watershed. She mentioned ways to prevent watershed from our homes. She stated First Friday this month was fabulous and wished good luck to a new hair salon, Hair for Me. Vice Mayor Horne echoed her colleague's comments regarding First Friday. She disclosed a meeting with Beck Dickerson on August 2 regarding a disconnect between the Historic District Guidelines and Zoning with regard to parking. She congratulated Brenda from Serependity on the Vine for the wonderful relationship she had with the Town and hopefully she will continue to be involved in Town matters. Vice Mayor Horne discussed the problems with young people and the downtown merchants. She asked the young people to step up and demonstrate maturity as the citizens in the downtown don't want to be terrorized. Town Council Minutes for August 8. 2006 Paoe 11 Council Member Martinez stated it has been a long summer for children and they get bored and have no place to go. He asked the parents to step up and be aware of where their children are and what they are doing. He stated he met with Liberty's Promise and they will give a presentation at the next Council meeting. He stated he also met with Beck Dickerson regarding downtown parking. Further, he stated he is looking forward to the Medical Automation Conference. Council Member Hammier stated she talked with Pat McKinney about the issue with children teens at her coffee shop. She thanked the Economic Development Commission and Betsy Fields for their involvement in the Medical Automation Conference and hopefully the excitement will become contagious. Council Member Wright stated Council feels strongly and will not tolerate hate crimes or crime of intimidation. Council Member Reid thanked Council Member Martinez for saving the park and ride and hate crime resolution. He stated the Sterling Players will be performing the musical 1776 and encouraged Council to attend. M. Mayor's Comments Mayor Umstattd stated Council Member Wright made a good point regarding condemning hate crimes. She stated her appreciation for National Night Out held in Virginia Knolls as well as the support of the Police Department and their Support Team. She thanked Target for their contribution and sponsoring the event. She stated she heard a lot of positive feedback about Town staff. She welcomed "Hair for Me", a hair studio located at 18 Royal Street. Mayor Umstattd thanked Stilson Greene, Pat McKinney and Jim Sisley for working to resolve the issues with teens at the Crossroads event. N. Manager's Report John Wells stated on Thursday, August 10 the Health Department will be discussing the Pandemic Flu issues. For more information visit www.loudoun.gov/flu. O. Adjournment On a motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Horne, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Town Council Minutes for August 8. 2006 Page 12 2006_tcmin0808 ~