Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout2000_11_13 Council Work Session November 13, 2000 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:00 p.m. Mayor Webb presiding. Councilmembers Present: George Atwell, Mervin Jackson, Leonard McDonald, David Schmidt, Kristen Umstattd, Robert Zoldos and Mayor Webb. Staff Members Present: Bob Noe Town Manager, William Donnelly Town Attorney, Deputy Town Manager Phil Rodenberg, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom Mason, Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Michael Tompkins, Deputy Town Manager for Economic Development John Henry King, Director of Information Technology Michel Agujia, Budget Officer Mike Freda, Planner Delane Parks and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt. AGENDA ITEMS Mayor Webb added 24 Church Street as Item C to be discussed. 1. Agenda for Council Meeting of November 14, 2000 a. Residential Traffic Task Force The following Residential Traffic Task Force members were present: Elizabeth Whiting, Susan Horne, Wayne Henderson. Councilmember Zoldos complimented the task force on their report. Mayor Webb asked that the pilot projects recommended by the Residential Traffic Task Force be included in budget discussions. The task force commented they would be available to assist Council in whatever way they could to implement their recommendations. Mayor Webb stated this report would be on tomorrow night's agenda for acceptance and thanked the task force for their outstanding work. b. Loudoun SDort and Health Club Public Hearina Delane Parks outlined this application. He explained that part of the parking at the proposed building expansion at 131 Fort Evans Road NE requires a special exception since it is in the R-6 zoning district. Mr. Parks further stated that the Planning Commission has recommended approval with conditions. Randy Minchew, representing the applicant, addressed Council stating that his client will support the conditions recommended by the Planning Commission. c. 24 Church Street Michael Tompkins stated the applicant has submitted revisions to this application since the agenda was published. Randy Sutliffe, representing the applicant, addressed Council. He stated to address the concerns with development of the eastern end of the property, they have incorporated a note on the concept plan stating "this portion of the Town Council Work Session Minutes for November 13, 2000 Page 2 property may not be developed without approval of a amended concept plan by the Town Council." This is also stated in the existing language in the proffer #3D. Councilmember Jackson expressed concern with the applicant deferring the sidewalk improvements. Mr. Sutliffe reiterated that any requested use would be returned to Council. Councilmember Umstattd asked that an alternative resolution be provided for tomorrow night's meeting. 2. Downtown parkina John King reported on the issue of whether the Town should make changes to the parking policy. Two hours free parking on weekdays, free parking on weekends and the issuance of free parking pass for visitors. Mr. King stated the Economic Development Commission and the Downtown Committee recommend that parking remain as is and no free parking during the holidays. 3. Retail and Office in B-1 Proaress ReDort John King stated a detailed scope of work and project will be provided on January 8, 2001. 4. Technoloav for Council Chambers and Packet PreDaration Mayor Webb stated that she would like to discuss this matter so that new technology could be a consideration in the budget process if Council wishes to consider such an option. Michel Agujia, Director of Information Technology, addressed Council in reference to technology available for the chamber. Some options would be to have laptops or pc's at council seats, receive council packets via e-maiI.Mr. Agujia stated that he is currently meeting with audio-visual companies. He added another alternative would be a wireless system. Mayor Webb stated that if the agenda were prepared for downloading for council; it would allow the public to see the information at the same time. Councilmember Zoldos stated it would be his preference to have a monitor at each station controlled by the clerk. Councilmember McDonald asked for clarification on the price of a laptop. Mr. Agujia stated it would be approximately $3,408. Mr. Agujia stated we would like to have staff load the web items. Town Council Work Session Minutes for November 13, 2000 Page 3 Council member Atwell expressed concern with the idea of purchasing best money can buy, our goal should be to increase and approve our efficiency. Council member Schmidt stated he would like this to be a slow process. He is not sure we are ready to go high tech; he still has problems getting his e- mails to the town. We are in need of a better projection system for the meetings, but not necessarily laptops for each member. Mayor Webb suggested that Councilmembers go the Board of Supervisor Lovettsville Room to see their system. Councilmember Zoldos said the idea is not the sky is the limit, but a monitor at each station that would allow the clerk to make changes for all to view. Mayor Webb clarified the consensus of Council on this issue. First the interest in monitors and Council being able to download the agenda via internet or via CD so that it is not a paper document. She added that with all the light problems in the council chambers; it is not a room that is functional in the 21st century. Councilmember Zoldos suggested that the IT Commission and Director of Information Technology gather information for presentation to Council with some proposals. 5. Federation for American Immiaration Reform (FAIR) advertisements Mayor Webb discussed FAIR advertisements in the local newspapers. She is concerned that FAIR implies there is a link between immigration, and rapid population growth. The ads are distasteful and give the false impression that Loudoun County government officials may support these ads. Vice-Mayor Umstattd suggested that a resolution be sent to this organization in opposition to these ads. She further asked that the local press be provided a copy of this resolution along with a cover letter. It was the consensus of council that this action be taken. Mayor Webb asked that the resolution be brought forward tomorrow under new business. 6. Rt. 15 BVDass from Edwards Ferry Road to Fort Evans Road Mayor Webb discussed the issue of pedestrians attempting to cross the bypass at Fort Evans Road and Edwards Ferry Road. Tom Mason referenced Appendix F in the Residential Traffic Task Force Report that lays out the Loudoun Transit routes proposed for 2001. He stated there is a route planned that will transport people from within the bypass to outside the bypass. It would pickup pedestrians from area apartment parking lots. Mayor Webb added that the long-term resolution is the completion of the interchange at the bypass, but that is 10 years away. Council member Zoldos stated he likes the idea of a shuttle service across the bypass. He suggested this should be a public/private partnership partially funded by businesses. Town Council Work Session Minutes for November 13, 2000 Page 4 Mayor Webb referenced the updated memo provided by Calvin Grow that shows a Level D of traffic on the bypass. Councilmember McDonald suggested educating the citizens of the alternatives available to them. Mayor Webb we need to look at the funding issues. Councilmember Umstattd asked that we look at what other communities have done to solve this problem. Tom Mason suggested that we hear from Loudoun Transit first as they have done research on this issue. Councilmember Zoldos suggested researching whether there are grants available. 7. CountY/Town Health and Safety Issues Mayor Webb reported that she met with Rodney Huebbers, CEO of Loudoun Hospital Center on October 31st concerning the lack of flu vaccine available to citizens and the burden this will put on their emergency room. She stated last year the rescue squad had to bypass Loudoun Hospital Center several times a week. The hospital is asking the town and county to help them expedite a Certificate of Need for additional beds. The mayor referenced a memorandum she has provided Council on the current and future health care needs since she feels there are serious health care issues in Leesburg and Loudoun County. With the consent of Council she plans to ask the Loudoun Coalition of Towns (COLT) to join in establishing a Loudoun Mayors Healthcare Commission. Vice-Mayor Umstattd and Councilmember McDonald voiced support of the mayor's endeavor. Mayor Webb stated this item would come forward under new business tomorrow night and that she will be asking for a resolution of support from council. 8. Council Work Session/Reaular Meetina Schedule Vice-Mayor Umstattd stated she would like to retain the committee of the whole system. What is not working well is Monday agenda items discussed for the first time and then slated to be voted on the next night. She prefers discussion for the first time on Monday night; and forwarding to the next meeting in two weeks. Councilmember Schmidt stated that he would like to remain on the same schedule and would be in favor of delaying votes for two weeks. Town Council Work Session Minutes for November 13, 2000 Page 5 Councilmember McDonald stated that he likes the Council of the Whole. He would be in favor of waiting two weeks for voting on an item after it appears the first time on an agenda, unless it is an emergency situation. Councilmember Jackson said he has no problem with how it is working now. Councilmember Zoldos agreed with the Council of the Whole. He would like to have public hearing items voted on two weeks following the hearing, unless there is an emergency. Mayor Webb clarified the process as discussed thus far. A report will be provided Council two weeks prior to the public hearing; Council will have the option to vote on a routine matter the night of the public hearing or forward to the next meeting in two weeks for action Councilmember Jackson verified that a public hearing at the Council level is not under any time constraints with the exception of one year from the filing of the application. Mr. Donnelly stated he would advocate a flexible approach. Councilmember Atwell stated that he agrees with Councilmember Schmidt that some of these things need more time. Things of substance that come before the Council should not be considered on a consecutive night's; he would like to have the items returned in two whether it is routine or not. His opinion of the change in meetings was to give staff more time to respond to Council questions. Items on a Monday night's agenda would not be voted on until the two weeks following unless there was a good reason to vote on the next night. A majority vote at the worksession could possibly move an item forward. But Monday/Tuesday of the same week for voting on legislation is not acceptable. Mayor Webb stated if there is an issue brought forward to the worksession it will not be voted upon at the upcoming Tuesday meeting unless there is some time urgency. Webb said she would ask council it's preference to take action on this item or at the following council meeting? Councilmember Umstattd stated her preference would always to not vote on public hearing the same night unless there is an emergency. Councilmember Atwell suggested giving staff an opportunity to comment. It was decided that the next council agendas would be available on the 22nd. Mayor Webb reported that a lot of correspondence has been coming in on the Hawkins property. Mike Tompkins provided council with a report on this project. The meeting adjourned 8: 50 p.m. Town Council Work Session Minutes for November 13, 2000 ck:i w. a:l1d Page 6