HomeMy Public PortalAbout2015_tcmin0512 COUNCIL MEETING May 12, 2015
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding.
Council Members Present: Kelly Burk, Thomas Dunn, Suzanne Fox, Katie Sheldon
Hammier, Marty Martinez and Mayor Umstattd.
Council Members Absent: David Butler. Council Member Martinez arrived at 7:32 p.m.
Staff Present: Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Deputy Town Manager Keith Markel, Town
Attorney Barbara Notar, Assistant Town Manager Scott Parker, Director of Economic
Development Marantha Edwards, Deputy Director of Planning and Zoning Brian
Boucher, Preservation Planner Tom Scofield, and Clerk of Council Lee Ann Green
AGENDA ITEMS
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION: Council Member Hammier
3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG: Mayor Umstattd
4. ROLL CALL: Showing Council Member Butler absent.
5. MINUTES
a. Regular Session Minutes of April 14, 2015
On a motion by Vice Mayor Burk, seconded by Council Member Hammler, the
Regular session minutes of Apri114, 2015 were approved by a vote of 6-0-1 (Butler absent).
b. Work Session Minutes of April 27, 2015
On a motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member Fox, the
work session minutes of April 27, 2015 were approved by a vote of 6-0-1 (Butler absent).
c. Regular Session Minutes of April 28, 2015
On a motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member Hammier,
the Regular session minutes of April 28, 2015 were approved by a vote of 6-0-1(Butler absent).
6. ADOPTING THE MEETING AGENDA
On the motion of Council Member Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Burk, the meeting
agenda was as presented, by the following vote:
Aye: Burk, Dunn, Fox, Hammier, Martinez, and Mayor Umstattd
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1 (Butler absent)
7. PRESENTATIONS
a. Certificates of Appreciation—Tree Commission Volunteers at Flower and
Garden Festival
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On a motion by Vice Mayor Burk, seconded by Council Member Dunn, Certificates of
Appreciation were approved for the following Tree Commission volunteers at the Flower and
Garden Festival:
May Stevens Jesslyn Manni
Katie Dunlap Rachel Frey
McKenna Kirby Matt Tobias
Ben Parsons Cody Moore
Connor Shields Jason Rosenthal
Shereen Awad Alec Schmitz
Teresa Norwalk Lian Joseph
Maddie Bowers Ashlyn Gill
Tyler Wolff Hailee Shockley
Hamaad Khan Hayley Wright
Alex Schoonmaker Sarah Gragan
Chad Sigmon Lyna Lam
Tina Pham Aditi Narvekar
b. Certificates of Recognition— Girl Scout Troop 1965 —Bronze Award
On a motion by Vice Mayor Burk, seconded by Council Member Dunn, the following
members of Girl Scout Troop 1965, were recognized for winning the Girl Scout Bronze Award
for their work organizing a fundraiser to raise awareness of childhood cancers:
Jane Cassidy Corinne Eisner
Sara Fedor Lily Fries
Gracie Hawkins Katie Heaver
Rachel Kelly Nina Segura
Leina Westberg
c. Proclamation—Tourism Week
On a motion by Vice Mayor Burk, seconded by Council Member Dunn, the following
was proclaimed::
PROCLANIATION
National Travel& Tourism Week
May 4-12th 2015
WHEREAS travel is among the largest private-sector employers in the
United States, supporting 15 million jobs in 2014 including 8 million directly in
the travel industry and
7 million in other industries; and
WHEREAS international travel to the United States is the nation's largest
single export industry—greater than the export of business services, machinery,
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computer and electronic products, motor vehicles and agriculture. In 2014, travel
generated more than $180 billion in exports creating more than$43billion in
balance of travel trade surplus for the U.S.; and
WHEREAS travelers' spending directly generated tax revenues of$141.5
billion for federal, state and local governments providing funds to support
essential services and programs; and
WHEREAS,the tourism industry contributes substantially to the Leesburg
community's cultural and social well being by way of the attractions, special events, arts,
shopping and dining opportunities; and
WHEREAS, travel is a pillar of economic growth with direct participation and
support from Visit Loudoun to spur health and wellness benefits, creativity, cultural
awareness, education, happiness and productivity; and
WHERAS,each Leesburg household receives more than$141.22 annually in
combined Town and County tax relief as a result of visitor spending; and
WHEREAS,43 group bookings were made in 2014 which alone generated more
than$2.5 million in direct visitor spending to the Town of Leesburg; and
WHEREAS,travel is a catalyst that moves the national economy forward.
THEREFORE,PROCLAIMED by the Mayor and Council of the Town
of Leesburg in Virginia that the week of May 4-12, 2015 is National Travel and
Tourism Week in the Town of Leesburg.
PROCLAIMED this 12th day of May, 2015.
d. Proclamation— Small Business Week
On a motion by Vice Mayor Burk, seconded by Council Member Dunn, the following
was proclaimed:
PROCLAMATION
SMALL BUSINESS WEEK
May 11th - May 17th, 2015
WHEREAS, the state of Virginia and the County of Loudoun recognize
May 2015 as Small Business Month and specifically the week of May 11 — 17, 2015;
and
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'WHEREAS, the growth of the Leesburg business community has been steady
and successful in attracting and retaining a diversity of quality businesses that have
proven their benefit to the Town's economy; and
WHEREAS, the Leesburg business climate is healthy in workforce,
infrastructure and entrepreneurs; and
WHEREAS, Leesburg is a AAA community and home to more than 2,500
small businesses; and
WHEREAS, Leesburg's small businesses provide a tremendous resource to a
variety of social and charitable causes that make a significant difference to the lives
of Leesburg residents; and
WHEREAS, a vibrant, healthy economic environment is the cornerstone to a
successful, thriving community where good jobs are easily accessible.
THEREFORE, the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Leesburg in
Virginia hereby proclaim the week of May 1 1th through May 17th as Small Business
Week in the Town of Leesburg and urge the citizens of Leesburg to support our local
business owners and do their part to support a vibrant, sustainable economic
environment for the Town of Leesburg.
PROCLAIMED this 12th day of May, 2015.
e. Proclamation—Mental Health Month
On a motion by Vice Mayor Burk, seconded by Council Member Dunn, the following
was proclaimed:
PROCLAMATION
Mental Health Month 2015
Friends of Loudoun Mental Health
WHEREAS, mental health is essential to everyone's overall health and well-
being; and
WHEREAS, all Americans experience times of difficulty and stress in their
lives; and
WHEREAS, prevention is an effective way to reduce the burden of mental
health conditions; and
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WHEREAS, there is a strong body of research that supports specific tools
that all Americans can use to better handle challenges, and protect their health and
well-being; and
WHEREAS, mental health conditions are real and prevalent in our nation;
and
WHEREAS, with early and effective treatment, those individuals with
mental health conditions can recover and lead full, productive lives; and
WHEREAS, each business, school, government agency, healthcare provider,
organization and citizen shares the burden of mental health problems and has a
responsibility to promote mental wellness and support prevention efforts.
THEREFORE, PROCLAIMED by the Mayor and Council of the Town of
Leesburg in Virginia that May 2015 is Mental Health Month in the Town of
Leesburg. Further, we call upon the citizens, government agencies, public and
private institutions, businesses and schools in Leesburg, Virginia to recommit our
community to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health, the steps
our citizens can take to protect their mental health, and the need for appropriate and
accessible services for all people with mental health conditions.
PROCLAIMED this 12th day of May, 2015.
8. PETITIONERS
The Petitioner's Section was opened at 7:56 p.m.
Donna Fortier, Mobile Hope, "I was here probably a year, maybe a year and a half
ago to give you all an update on Mobile Hope and what we have been doing. So, I wanted
to come before you this evening to provide you with another update and to give you an idea
as to our future goals and why we are here. Mobile Hope was established about four years
ago to help those kids in our community that are homeless, precariously housed or
struggling. We offer them everything my kids take for granted from clothes to hygiene
items, school supplies, prom fees, that type of thing. Over the last four years, we average
about 500 kids per month. We have a private shop in that happens on the fourth Thursday
of every month and we see anywhere from 100-200 children that come through. On
Wednesdays, we go out on our Mobile Hope bus to different locations throughout Loudoun
County. We go to Leesburg, Purcellville, St. Louis, and we have just added Dulles South
and we are looking at adding Lucketts. Then, we average about 50-80 kids that come on
board the bus every Wednesday. Then, on Sundays we provide kids the opportunity to
come get perishable items. We have a food distribution that occurs at our Leesburg site and
we serve really anybody in the community that is food insecure and we serve about 100
families or so. Mobile Hope is specific to kids 21 years of age and younger. We are looking
at increasing that to probably 24 years of age and younger because we are getting a lot of
individuals coming to us requiring help, but the reason why we are here—we have noticed
over the last four years that there is —there seems to be somewhat of a void in services as far
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as those kids who are 18-21 years old. We have a youth shelter. The kids age out of the
youth shelter, literally on their 18 'birthday. If they are lucky, they can go into the adult
side of things, but if they are not, often times they are left with no place to go. What we
would like to do is to build a life-skills facility at our current location. We are located by
Frederick Douglass Elementary School and down from Douglass Alternative in a quiet little
nestled area and we would like to build a life skills center that would be specific to these
kids, 18-21, where we would teach them not only life skills but how to balance a check
book, how to interview for a job, the possibility of going to college or trade school, dealing
with mentors, you know, that type of thing. A lot of the kids that we have been helping
over the last several years have been living in survival mode for so long that they are simply
just struggling to get through every day. What we would like to do is offer them an
opportunity to exceed and to become good stewards of our community. A lot of the studies
show that if we are able to offer something that is of no real time limit but about two years
seems to break the cycle of homelessness or struggling and that is what we would like to do.
So, I brought a few friends with me this evening who I would like also to speak with you,
but what we'd like—we have been meeting with members of the Board of Supervisors as
well as town staff to discuss issues surrounding zoning and the appropriate zoning needed
for our location. We truly like our location because there are no neighbors who could get
angry. It is right on the W&OD bike path. It is right next to public transportation and it is
right in the center of town. So, my understanding in meeting with the town staff is that we
would seek your assistance for a resolution to amend the zoning ordinance. We have
provided some information as to other services and like facilities across the county, so I will
yield the rest of my time to Kim so she can provide you with additional information. If you
have any questions, if you'd like to come out and see Mobile Hope and see all that we do, if
you want to volunteer, that would be great."
Andrew Borgquist, "I am here to speak about an issue I have spoken about several
times, so Madam Mayor and Council Members, I am here to speak regarding the matter
that I brought before the Council on numerous occasions. As you know, my particular
situation involves an encounter with Leesburg Police in which the Town of Leesburg
contends that it is appropriate and necessary to take adverse action against an employee
who has expressed concern regarding police action. So, it is with interest that I have read
about the recent events in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray that resulted from his
arrest. The police action that I was concerned about in Leesburg was of a far less serious
nature. So, my reason for being here actually has very little to do with actual actions of the
Leesburg Police but rather the reaction of management from my choice of saying anything
at all regarding the concern that I felt. Ironically, it was the town of Leesburg that first
approached me after I had made some comments regarding my concern. Mr. Williams, the
Director of Parks and Recreation was informed by Mr. Price, the Chief of Police, that I had
expressed disagreement with Leesburg Police. You see, I was employed by the Town of
Leesburg at the time within the Parks and Recreation Department. It is unclear exactly
what bearing the fact that I had expressed disagreement with the Town of Leesburg police
officer had on my employment with the town, but Mr. Williams asked to meet with me and
in this meeting alerted me to the fact that I was being suspended indefinitely, that I was not
going to be told why and that I would not be told how it was that he even knew that I had
expressed disagreement with the Leesburg Police officer. The fact that I know that it was
from Mr. Price, the Chief of Police, was actually information that I obtained through a
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FOIA request later down the road. Anyway, I expressed to Mr. Williams that this did not
seem right, but per Mr. Williams, I was a part time flexible employee and per Virginia
employment law, I could be fired for any reason, including no reason at all. That's
verbatim, how he stated it. I would like to point out that Mr. Williams' statement and
manner was hostile and not in accordance with the stated employment policies as detailed
in the employee handbook, which I understand is not a contract. Be that as it may, that is
the ideal that we seek to have. I think it is important to point out that if you are treating
someone fairly and reasonably, I fail to see why it would be necessary to point this out. I
understand the statement by Mr. Williams indicates that he was willfully and purposefully
acting in an unreasonable, unfair, and unjustified manner and that he knew it. Despite
every indication that I should have ended the conversation, I chose to explain to Mr.
Williams what had occurred, why I was concerned, and why I believe that my choice to
voice my concern to a Leesburg Police Officer was justified and necessary. Mr. Williams
reported nothing of this in his report, which is something I also obtained later through a
FOIA request. Literally, nothing. He recorded everything that put me in a negative light,
but the central and overriding issue over which I have had a contention with Leesburg
Police and which indicates that maybe they were not acting as they should, has been
completely and fully omitted. Let me say once more, Mr. Williams did not record the issue
over which I had expressed my concern. The closest thing he come to describing my issue
was that AB did not seem to agree with this and continued to express that he had been
wronged. In very simplistic so that you don't even know what the issue was. I would also
like to state for the record that Mr. Williams downplayed my concern regarding police
action to me by saying that maybe the officer was having a bad day. By this statement, he
indicates that he understood that the officer's action from my account was not right;
however, he brushed it aside as not relevant and as I have from the report, completely
omitted my concern from the report. Because I felt that Mr. Williams had acted in a
manner that was underhanded and unfair and not in accordance with the Town of Leesburg
policies, I contacted Mr. Dentler, who was then deputy manager to express my concern.
Mr. Dentler stated that he did not know the details and I quote, "Quite frankly did not want
to know". A while later, I decided to come and speak at one of these meetings, since Mr.
Dentler who was deputy town manager at the time was uninterested in learning the details.
Because I came and spoke, Mr. Wells, who was the town manager at the time agreed to
meet with me when asked; however, and I am just being honest, the meeting was awful.
Mr. Wells was hostile and unreasonable to the point of obstinacy. Furthermore, as was
observed by Mr. Wells, I should have come to him and say "I made a big mistake" and that
while admittedly the police may have went a bit too far, I should not have spoken up. Let
me repeat that in case you missed it. Mr. Wells told me that if I wanted my job back, I
should have come to him and said "I made a big mistake" and that while the police may
have went a bit too far, I should not have spoken up. I don't agree with this. I believe that
Mr. Wells was wrong to say this and take this position. He was also wrong in refusing to
reverse the adverse action that was taken against me by the Town of Leesburg for speaking
out regarding a concern that Mr. Wells admitted had merit. So, I guess my question to you,
Madam Mayor, that I would like to ask is do you believe that an employee of the Town of
Leesburg, if they believe that they have knowledge of the police going too far that they
should remain silent?
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Mayor: "Mr. Borgquist—you always have your first amendment right to speak your
mind and here we respect your right to speak your mind and I won't answer any further
questions."
Borgquist: "I believe that the answer to that question is no, that they should not
remain silent—that is good citizenship. Obviously, there are situations and factors that need
to be considered; however, the reasonableness and the manner in which things have
occurred, I believe that the evidence is very clear that this was an unreasonable action. So,
while I realize at this point having come to speak at meetings, there may be certain things
that occurred that the action will never be reversed. That being the case, I still believe that it
needs to be moving forward that this kind of thing does not happen as this is a very serious
issue and it sets a dangerous precedent that needs to be addressed."
Fred Williams, 21 Wirt Street. "I want to be clear that I am not the Mr. Williams
that was referred to by the previous speaker. No relation, nothing to do with that. I am
here tonight because I would like to respectfully petition the council to rescind the Noise
Ordinance initiation resolution. It was about a year ago that original resolution was passed.
Four months ago in January we each received a power point from Mr. Butler and the draft
noise ordinance. At the last Council meeting, we finally had a public hearing on it and I'm
not going to restate anything that was said in the public hearing, but we had a public
hearing. Mr. Butler at that time, despite the absence of a Council member, proposed a
motion to adopt what he had proposed. The ordinance did not receive a second. I would
say at this time, your time is really valuable. Mr. Butler's time is really valuable. The
resident's time, who are again here tonight, is really valuable. Staff s time is precious. You
have a lot to do. You have a lot on your plate. I think the time has come to end this. Put it
to bed and enforce the current ordinance".
Hobie Mitchell, "I reside in Loudoun County and have various properties in
Leesburg as well. I'm here tonight to talk about Mobile Hope. You heard from Donna
earlier speaking about it, but the program and the things that this organization does for our
young adults and teens is significant. It sort of catches—such an affluent area in the county
—it sort of catches the teens and young adults from falling into another area that we really
don't want them to go, so it is such an—I'll call it an umbrella—to make sure that they are
safe and get a new lead on life. What we are here tonight for is to ask you to look at a text
amendment. You will hear a little bit more about the location. Ultimately, what we want
to do is build a facility for these young adults and teens so that they can move forward in life
and start a new life. So, this is the first step in the process. We met—we have a site in
particular that we like and we met with the town staff—in fact I think we met with the entire
staff because it was a big room and we had everybody and their brother in the room, so we
had pretty good feedback about what was the right process and it came back to us and said
this is the right process to go to and go to the Council and ask for a text amendment. We
want to start that and ask for your support to start that process and instruct the staff to start
looking at that so that we can accomplish the end goal which is to put up a facility at the
right place with public input so that these young adults can move on with life and be a
positive influence on others as well. Nothing else to say, you'll hear more later. Thank you
very much for listening to us and I hope you'll proceed forward".
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Kimberly Hise, Walch Colucci, "We will be assisting with the zoning and the
processing of the zoning applications, if you chose to do the resolution, which I hope that
you do for such a worthy cause. So, anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself under my
name as Hise. I got married a couple of years ago and didn't change my name for a while,
so it used to be Cummings. It is very good to see you all and thank you for your
consideration."
The Petitioner's Section was closed at 8:14 p.m.
9. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
On a motion by Vice Mayor Burk, seconded by Council Member Hammler, the following items
were moved for approval as the Consent Agenda:
a. Appointment to the Thomas Balch Library Commission— Tom Jewell
RESOLUTION 2015-051
Making an Appointment to the Thomas Balch Library Commission
b. Appointment to the Economic Development Commission—Monifa Hamilton
RESOLUTION2015-052
Making an Appointment to the Economic Development Commission
c. Healthy Eating, Active Living(HEAL)Grant
RESOLUTION2015-054
Approving the Submission of a HEAL Grant Application
d. Certified Local Government Grant Application—Historic Survey Project and
Preservation Opportunity
RESOLUTION2015-055
To Support the Historic Survey Project and Authorization for Staff to Submit a Grant
Application for Matching Funds from the Virginia Certified Local Government
Program
e. Donation from Loudoun First Responders Foundation for Junior Police Camp
RESOLUTION 2015-056
Approving a Supplemental Appropriation of$300 to the Fiscal Year 2015 General
Fund from a Donation Awarded to the Police Department from Loudoun First
Responders Foundation, Inc.
f. Approval of the Next Town Hall Art Exhibit by Betty Ganley
RESOLUTION 2015-057
Approval of Art Exhibit by Betty Ganley in the Leesburg Town Exhibit Hall
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The Consent Agenda was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Burk, Dunn, Hammler, Martinez, Wright and Mayor Umstattd
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1 (Butler absent)
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. None.
11. RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
a. Appointments to the Diversity Commission—Initial Appointments
On a motion by Vice Mayor Burk, seconded by Council Member Martinez, the
following was proposed:
RESOLUTION2015-053
Making Appointments to the Diversity Commission
Council Comments:
• Burk: "This motion is simply to appoint the people to the commission. We
have all brought up names and it is the beginning of the process. I'm looking
forward to getting it all started".
• Fox: "I would like to say, reading over the resumes, I think there is a very
good and diverse group and I think they are going to do well".
• Dunn: "I just wanted to mention I did have the pleasure of going to my
daughter's graduation at the University of Mississippi this past weekend and
the speaker at her graduation was Rose Jackson Fennell. I'm probably
mispronouncing her name, but some of her accomplishments—she was a
graduate of the university. She was actually the first black female named to
the Student Hall of Fame and was chosen by Glamour Magazine as one of
the top ten college women in the United States. She is a top executive with
FedEx Global Citizens Group and has over 30 years of marketing and
corporate communications, 14 of those years with FedEx. She started with
IBM and the accolades go on and on. What she received the standing ovation
after she was done talking and the thing that I think I remember so much
from her speech was that she said when she was six years old, her father—
she had asked her father if she could stop and get an ice cream and this was—
I forget what town it was in Mississippi, but that they went inside and she—
her father was denied service twice. Even the father offered to go around the
back and get the ice cream and was still denied. It was hard for her father,
being college educated himself, to drive down the road in the car and tell her
that with hard work and God's blessing there is nothing on this earth that will
keep you back and she had proven that. I say that because it was very, very
discouraging to have us create a diversity commission, which I really feel
would be better served as more of a cultural awareness commission, but a
diversity commission that frankly, and I want to make sure this is very clear-
based on the statements by Council members, not the public, but by Council
Members who were responsible for creating this commission—that some of
the comments were basically untruths and insults to many people. There
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were comments that said that the town staff—by the Mayor, said that the
town staff bends over backwards for Americans. To me that's an insult to
staff to imply that they don't for other people, yet in her same comment she
turned it around and said that town staff did help out somebody with a
foreign language that had a hard time understanding things. To then
comments by Mr. Martinez who said that because of his Hispanic
background that he has been pulled over two to three times every year since
he has lived here by the Leesburg Police. I don't think that's true and I think
it's an insult to the Police Department. Then there is comments that Ms.
Burk said that Leesburg has not been open or unwelcoming to minorities
forever. That is an insult to all of us, both minorities and majority people.
And Dave, his comment was a little calmer. He said he hoped that we didn't
become Ferguson. To me, I feel that this is not the type of comments that we
should have by our public body to initiate a committee. I think we could
have done a better job at that. I put a name forward from somebody I hope
the commission does a good job. I'm still a little unclear about what it is. I
hope that your role— I hope you find your role and your place within the
town government and that we can move forward, but because of these
comments that established this commission, I am going to abstain on these
nominations,just as I abstained on the statute".
• Umstattd: Does Tom's nomination of Oliver Peters fail because he is
abstaining?
Staff answer: No.
• Burk: "I know you will be shocked, but I can't disagree with you more, Mr.
Dunn. I think this is a commission that is going to do a lot of good things. I
think it is an important commission. I think we heard from the community. I
think we are responding to the community, which is part of what our job is,
so I am very confident that this commission is going to come forward and
make a difference, so I'm very happy that we are at this point and that we are
finally putting those names forward and going to take the next step and get
that commission going".
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Burk, Fox, Hammier, Martinez and Mayor Umstattd
Nay: None.
Vote: 5-1-1 (Butler absent/Dunn abstaining)
12. ORDINANCES
a. None.
13. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Leesburg Noise Ordinance
There was no action at this time due to Council Member Butler's absence.
14. NEW BUSINESS
a. None.
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15. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Dunn "Monroe Technical School is going to be getting merged
with multiple technical schools outside of Leesburg. I was wondering if that was something
that we want to have staff look into and provide a letter to the county on our position on
that."
Council Member Burk "I want to thank the Girl Scouts for coming out tonight. It is
great to recognize all their hard work and I think we are going to have a couple of more
come out that helped picking up trash. My intent is trying to get recognition for the Girl
Scouts as they do work for the community. They learn so much in the process and I think it
is well worth recognizing their efforts. I want to congratulate Hershey's Shake Shop for
their ribbon cutting this month and congratulations to the farmer's market for opening. If
you don't know, the farmer's market is open here in Leesburg on Saturdays and they have a
small one on Wednesdays. It is one of the most successful markets in Loudoun County.
So, if you get the opportunity to stop by, it is well worth the effort. I want to thank Visit
Loudoun for their excellent award ceremony and ribbon cutting. That was a great event
and was wonderful to meet the Secretary of Commerce."
Council Member Martinez "I would like to ask the Planning Department if they
would look at the Mobile Hope property and see if we could have an idea of what the
zoning is, and what the zoning that they can move to. Also, how much of that area is
buildable because I know there is some flood plain in it. So, if we could get an idea since
they are going to be bringing it forward and I understand the Planning Commission is
working with Mobile Hope. But, if we can get the information, I'd like to know what the
current zoning is, what the zoning they are asking for and how much of that property is
buildable with the plat. Then, I want to congratulate all the Diversity Commission people
who showed up. Thank you for being part of it. I rarely get called a liar on the Council but
I guess I'm not surprised, Tom. Just for those who know,just because it wasn't recorded
doesn't mean it didn't happen. I'm just sad that somebody has to go on Council and attack
other people because they haven't got—you know. I'll leave it at that. I'm not going to do
anymore."
Council Member Hammier "I have a disclosure—I had a phone call with Bob Sevila
yesterday of Sevila, Saunders, Huddelston and White regarding the O'Connor's property
north of town. I attended a meeting with Donna Fortier from Mobile Hope and I too was
going to bring under New Business—because we don't have a work session in two weeks,
but appreciate Marty bringing forward that. If we can anticipate that we need that
information so that we can move forward, take action on whether it is a text amendment. A
couple of related things that came up at that meeting—I appreciate looking at. We are
looking at possibly working with the School Board and the Board of Supervisors on land
they may be willing to provide for a skate park. They need land for their facility for the Life
Skills building. They would love to be adjacent to the skate park. If we could take a look at
how these things interrelate relative to our current site and where and how even Douglas
could be used. I appreciate us also looking at that. Thirdly, could we take a close look at
where the HUB Zone boundaries are—if it could be somehow included, it seems very
relevant building skills and being able to leverage some of the new businesses. I'd
appreciate that. The other new business item I would appreciate consideration in light of
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COUNCIL MEETING May 12, 2015
Tom's comments in terms of even reflecting on the exact comments of individual Council
members and Lee Ann has initiated a new format for minutes. I think it is important for us
to look at the minutes from March 10 in that new format, Lee Ann. If you wouldn't mind
preparing those for Council's consideration to rescind the original minutes and then have
the new format reflected on March 10. Again, I would that might be—probably old
business, but again we don't have a work session so I could not bring that in that context. A
couple of things. I just wanted to let the public know that a small dog park is open and
ready for four-legged customers. They have done a lovely job. I know we will be getting
the word out about that. I wanted to mention that I unfortunately won't be able to attend
the business awards or Thursdays—I know Donna was just here, but there is a wonderful
Friends of Public Art event on Thursday— 5 x 7. I have a VML Executive Committee in
Alexandria on Thursday through Friday. Kathryn is coming home right at dinner
tomorrow night. I'd hate to leave just as she is walking in the door after her first year of
college. I will try to get over there, but I'm anticipating not. So, please send my very best
congratulations to all the nominees and award winners tomorrow night. I am looking
forward to the Chipotle ribbon cutting on Thursday at 11 o'clock as I'm sure most of the
community is as well as Bicycle Outfitters off of Catoctin on Saturday morning. And then,
finally I just wanted to say happy belated Mother's Day to all my colleagues on the dais and
all the moms out there."
Council Member Fox "Tom, I wanted to let you know your point is well taken.
Thank you. I was intrigued tonight by the concept of Mobile Hope and I'm looking forward
to learning more about it. I had the opportunity to attend the VML Dinner at Morven Park
—very enlightening. I like those opportunities to learn more, especially as they come up
from Richmond to help us understand some things. I did attend a ribbon cutting at
Hershey's Shake Shop. Very good people, but very good ice cream too. I really enjoyed
that. That, along with Chipotle, I'm going to be in big trouble. Actually, I'm not going to
be at the Chipotle cutting. I have some business I have to attend to pretty far away, so I will
not be here, but I will miss that big time. The last thing I wanted to mention, I was honored
this past week to be part of National Prayer Day that was held here at Town Hall. I felt a
good sense of camaraderie and I felt it was necessary."
16. MAYOR'S COMMENTS
"Two disclosures. Last Tuesday, I met with representatives of Mobile Hope about
their proposal to build a Life Skills Center. Today, I met with representatives of
Chesterfield Place. They, as you know, are converting their condo type ownership to
townhouse ownership and they were requesting the town waive the requirement that is part
of our regulations on subdivision for metes and bounds survey. My understanding having
discussed this with the town attorney is we really should not be waiving that kind of
requirement and that if we did, it would come back and bite any homeowners in that
development later on should they try to sell their homes, so I expect there may continue to
be some discussion on that issue. Finally, I would just like to say I got the opportunity to
participate in the Smashing Walnuts Walkathon out at Heritage over the weekend in
memory of Gabriella Miller, who died of a brain tumor when she was about 10 years old.
This was only a couple of years ago. Her parents, Mark and Ellen, have continued to keep
the fight that Gabriella started alive by raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for research
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COUNCIL MEETING May 12, 2015
to find a cure for childhood brain cancer. It was a very worthwhile event and if you need to
find out more about Gabriella's work and her parent's work, you can go to
www.smashingwalnuts.org. The reference to smashing walnuts is Gabriella asked her mom
how big the tumor was and her mom said it is about the size of a walnut, so the family
together would take frying pans or mallets and smash walnuts just to symbolize their battle
to cure this really horrible disease. I encourage people to find out more about what the
Millers have been doing and it was a great honor to be there."
17. MANAGER'S COMMENTS
Mr. Dentler had no comments.
18. CLOSED SESSION
None.
19. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member Dunn, the meeting
was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Kristen C. Umstattd, Mayor
Town of Leesburg
s T.
_A .....
Clerk of i 'cil
2015 tcmin l 12
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