HomeMy Public PortalAbout2001_04_09
Council Work Session
April 9, 2001
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.
Council members Absent:
Staff Members Present: Town Manager Bob Noe, Town Attorney William Donnelly,
Deputy Town Manager Phil Rodenberg, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom
Mason, Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Michael Tompkins, Director of
Utilities Randy Shoemaker, Director of Finance Paul York, Director of Parks and
Recreation Kaj Dentler, Chief of Current Planning Lee Phillips, 'Chief of
Comprehensive Planning Randy Hodgson, Contracts Administrator Naji Elswassi,
Planner Nancy Costa, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Budget Officer Mike
Freda, Budget Analyst Andrew Russell and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Agenda for Council Meeting of April 10, 2001
a. ZM-2000-06 - Richlynn Rezoning - Public Hearing
Randy Hodgson presented this rezoning application for two proffer
amendments to ZM-58, Richlynn Development, Inc. by the Ward Corporation.
Mr. Hodgson reviewed proffer 7 and 9, which are proposed for
amendment. He added the Leesburg Planning Commission has voted 6-1 to
recommend approval of these amendments as outlined in the staff report.
Mr. Hodgson verified that a traffic light at Tavistock Drive and Sycolin
Road is not proposed in the CIP; however, the Town Traffic Engineer is
recommending that a southbound left turn lane be constructed with the
widening of Sycolin Road.
b. FY-02 Budget Public Hearing
The presentation for this item will be tomorrow night.
c. Endorsing the comments of Councilman George F. Atwell regarding
the redistricting of Loudoun County Supervisor election districts
Councilmember Atwell commented that when he made his statements to
the Board of Supervisors he had the opinions of 5 members of Council and
the verbal concurrence of the sixth member substantiating his remarks.
2. Policy regarding filling of pools from hydrants
Randy Shoemaker discussed this policy stating the Town Code is specific as to
who can operate fire hydrants. He outlined the three ways by which a private
swimming pool can be filled.
Mayor Webb asked if this would take care of the problem we have had in the
past with the fire department? It was decided to send a letter to the fire department
outlining our policy on the filling of pools.
Town Council Worksession Minutes for April 9, 2001
Paqe 2
It was decided that information on the policy for filling private swimming
pools would be made available to citizens through public information.
3. Fairview Street improvements
Nagi Elsewaissi reported that the design for the Fairview Street improvements
has been completed. Also, twenty-two of the temporary construction easements
have been agreed upon, an RFP will be out by the end of April, with an award of
contract by July. He added that Virginia Power would pay for relocation of power
lines.
Dan McAuliffe, 8 Fairview Street, NW, addressed Council requesting that
power lines be buried while they are in the process of making the improvements on
their street. He also voiced concern with the new policy for placing overhead utility
lines underground and the fact that it only includes the historic district corridors.
Mr. McAuliffe presented a petition signed by his neighbors in support of this issue.
Councilmember Schmidt commented the historic district is the town's priority
for under ground utilities as they are trying to attract tourists and have limited
funds.
Councilmember Zoldos asked staff to obtain estimates from the utility
companies to do the work on Fairview Street.
Councilmember McDonald reminded that the S. King Street had the benefit of
grant funds.
Kathv McAuliffe, 8 Fairview Street, addressed Council stating their
neighborhood has been promised since 1990 to have road improvements. They had
to petition Council to get a stoplight and were told that when Old Waterford Knoll
was developed there would be road improvements.
3. Update on accelerating the Bradfield Drive connection
Tom Mason advised Council that he has contacted Beazer Homes with
reference to the status of the traffic light at Meade Drive and Rt. 15 South;
Winchester Homes to get a more specific schedule for the completion of the Bradfield
Drive connection; and Virginia Power about the installation of streetlights on
Bradfield Drive. Thus far this information has not been supplied to the Town.
Lee Phillips advised that enough homes are under construction in Woodlea
Manor to reach the 95% occupancy as outlined in a Town Council resolution. The
95% occupancy would probably occur in July.
Council member Atwell stated that as far as he was concerned the 95% is an
arbitrary figure.
Mr. Phillips further stated that a letter has been received from the County
stating they are proceeding with the traffic signal at Woodlea Drive and Rt. 15 South.
Councilmember McDonald stated that 95% is irrelevant and suggested a
resolution be considered at tomorrow night's meeting to accelerate the Bradfield
Drive opening.
Town Council Worksession Minutes for Aoril 9. 2001
Paqe 3
Councilmember Schmidt agreed to proceed with the proposed resolution but
the elimination of Section 2 and without a contingency of the light at Country Club
Drive.
Councilmember Zoldos reminded the Country Club Drive traffic signal is in the
2004 CIP. Mayor Webb suggested discussions on this issue during the budget
process.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd questioned whether it is legal to eliminate the Planning
Commission conditions.
Tom Mason advised that the plans are approved for the light at Meade Drive
and after a meeting tomorrow with Beazer Homes he will have a time schedule for
the installation of the light.
Dawn Barrett, President of the Greenway Farms HOA, addressed Council
advising that she would talk to Beazer Homes to see if she could expedite the light at
Meade Drive.
Councilmember McDonald asked staff to advise Council of the outcome of the
meeting with Beazer Homes tomorrow.
Dawn Barrett once again expressed concern with the traffic from Woodlea
continuing through their neighborhood throughout the summer.
Mayor Webb stated the Town is working on traffic enforcement issues.
Lee Phillips commented on the request by citizens to reinstall the barricade on
Meade Drive stating that the fire Marshall would not allow such a barricade.
Mayor Webb suggested that citizens call the police department with the tag
numbers of speeders.
Hub Turner addressed Council suggesting that Bradfield Drive not be opened
until the light at Woodlea Drive is operational, the developer has constructed the
light at Meade Drive, and stop signs installed on Bradfield Drive.
It was the consensus that a resolution will be returned for the accelerated
opening of Bradfield Drive to Council tomorrow night.
5. Special Events Policy
Councilmember Atwell asked that Section 10e be more specific on policy with
the names of organizations which may have fees waived.
Bill Donnelly stated he has reviewed the events in the resolution and they
meet the test for exemption as their net proceeds go to charitable organizations.
Councilmember Schmidt asked if input has been obtained from the downtown
merchants?
Mr. Dentler stated they have only received input from the Economic
Development Commission and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission.
Town Council Worksession Minutes for Aoril 9. 2001
Paqe 4
Mayor Webb asked that the downtown merchants and the Downtown
Committee be provided a copy of this policy for their input.
Councilmember Schmidt asked that downtown merchants be allowed to bid
on providing food for these special events. Councilmember Atwell suggested that
the Town, County and Virginia be given preference as suppliers of food. Further he
directed the Town Manager to review how far in advance the streets are closed for
special events.
6. Preview Items for the April 24, 2001 Agenda
a. Sewer extension to lots along Evergreen Mill Road
Randy Shoemaker outlined the issue with the eleven residents on
Evergreen Mill Road who are on private wells and septic drain fields. He
stated the Town has had two neighborhood meetings to discuss alternatives
for providing sewer to these properties.
George Titus, homeowner on Evergreen Mill Road, addressed Council
stating that he has concerns with the maintenance of the proposed pump
stations.
Mike Phillips, homeowner on Evergreen Mill Road, addressed Council
stating the pump stations should not be a permanent solution and questioned
the amount of fees proposed.
Bill Donnelly disclosed that Councilmember Atwell has filed a Declaration
of Interest with reference to this issue stating he is a property owner along
Evergreen Mill Road; however he is able to participate in this transaction
fairly, objectively and in the public interest.
Council member Zoldos discussed the cost of the pro rata and other fees
related to the extension of sewer to these properties.
Mayor Webb verified the cost of availability fees for 1984 as being $1,750
for water.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd asked if the 1984 fees could be applied since of
these residents could not afford the current connection fees.
There was further discussion on how to alleviate the burden of these fees
on homeowners, such as using state loans, a special tax district or
grandfathered availability fees.
Mr. Donnelly was instructed to provide language for the next meeting
that would create a class that would provide some accommodations for these
homeowners.
Mr. Shoemaker advised that it would be early fall before sewer lines could
be installed since the roadwork and force main have to be completed.
b. SE-2001-02 - Loudoun Country Day School Special Exception
Mayor Webb recused herself from discussion on this application, as she is
a member of the Board of Directors for Loudoun Country Day School.
Town Council Worksession Minutes for April 9. 2001
Paqe 5
Nancy Costa outlined this special exception for construction of two
classroom buildings and a gymnasium. She stated the lighting issue has
been resolved and other staff concerns are being addressed.
c. 2001 street maintenance program, annual renewal contract
Tom Mason advised Council approved this street resurfacing last August
and they rebid the contract for the 2001 resurfacing and milling. They will
return to the next council meeting for an award of contract for this job.
7. Other Business
Vice-Mayor Umstattd recommended that Council eliminate the current after
hour building sign-in policy. She added it is being inequitably enforced and
suggested the security guard alone could provide the desired security requirements
of the Town.
Mayor Webb advised the current policy was a decision made by the
administrative staff, not Council. She added that most public buildings require
visitors to sign in to assure the safety of staff, citizens and public officials.
Councilmembers Zoldos, Atwell and Jackson concurred stating the sign-in
policy is an administrative decision.
Councilmember Schmidt concurred suggesting the Chief of Police provide a
briefing on building security issues.
Mayor Webb asked that this issue be returned to Council after further review.
Mayor Webb reminded that a budget worksession is scheduled for April 19th
followed by a performance review.
There was further discussion on setting the tax rate in a timely manner to
allow for the mailing of tax bills.
It was decided the groundbreaking ceremonies at Ida Lee Recreation Center
be scheduled for April 28th at 10:00 a.m.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
/'1 kd d aU
(/:rk of Council