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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2001_06_25 Council Work Session June 25, 2001 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:00 p.m. Mayor Webb presiding. Councilmembers Present: Mervin Jackson, Leonard McDonald, David Schmidt, Kristen Umstattd, Robert Zoldos and Mayor Webb. Councilmembers Absent: George Atwell Staff Members Present: Bob Noe Town Manager, William Donnelly Town Attorney, Deputy Town Manager Phil Rodenberg, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom Mason, Director of Finance Paul York, Director of Parks and Recreation Kaj Dentler, Director of Information Technology Michel Agujia, Director of Personnel Nancy Fixx, Chief of Police Joe Price, Deputy Director of Utilities Aref Etemadi, Capital Improvements Manager Nagi Elsewassi, Tourism Coordinator Marantha Edwards, Budget Officer Mike Freda, Budget Analyst Andrew Russell, and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Northern Virginia Transportation Issues - Mayor John Mason (Fairfax City) Mayor Mason outlined the transportation issues facing Northern Virginia. He discussed the Core Area (DC), which has the majority of the jobs, and the Outer Area, which has the most growth. He outlined the challenges: road capacity increases, the hub and spoke design system, air quality, aging infrastructure and funding. Councilmember Zoldos asked if there are any federal funds available? Mayor Mason stated that the charts he has shown account for federal funds. Councilmember Schmidt asked if the tech-way river crossing is still alive? Mayor Mason said he did not know if they have been successful with the Transportation Planning Board. Mayor Webb discussed the issue of Loudoun County's lack of planning for transportation improvements west of Leesburg. She suggested the possibility of a rail stop. Vice-Mayor Umstattd proposed park and ride/metro buses. la. John Groothuis - Leesburg Tree Commission Chairman Mr. Groothuis presented a letter to the Town Council with reference to the Leesburg Plaza Office Building and asked that it be made part of the official record. He read it as follows: Town of Leesburg Planning Staff Planning Commission Town Council Mayor Of Leesburg Town Council Work Session Minutes for June 25. 2001 Paqe 2 RE: Leesburg Tree Commission and the Plans for the Leesburg Plaza Office Building During the June 18, 2001 meeting of the Leesburg Tree Commission eight homeowners from Edwards Ferry Road, brought forward an issue of great concern to their neighborhood, as well as the Town of Leesburg. Currently, the Town Planning staff is reviewing the plans for Leesburg Plaza Office Building to be constructed on the property located at Catoctin Circle and Edwards Ferry Road. Their appearance at the Tree Commission meeting was precipitated by the current development plan, which removes most if not all of the trees on the property. There are trees, which greatly enhance the tree canopy coverage along that stretch of Edwards Ferry Road that will be removed. The Tree Commission requests that the Planning Staff, Planning Commission, Town Council and Mayor of Leesburg make every reasonable effort to negotiate with the developer to retain as many of the existing trees as possible, particularly those located in the landscape buffer. The developer should be encourage to save as many of the trees as possible bordering the homes on Edwards Ferry Road. The loss of a mature tree canopy from within an older section of town is not a prudent way of obtaining fill in growth. Please make an effort, so that those bringing projects into Leesburg will take the time and effort to respect their surroundings and neighbors and will propose developments, which compliment and enhance the existing community. Sincerely, John Groothuis Chair, Leesburg Tree Commission 2. Agenda for Council meeting of Tuesday, June 26, 2001 a. Amendino Chaoter 10, Article VI, Division 3, Sections 10-187 & 10- 188, of the Town Code for hours of free oarkino and for oarkino fees for soaces rented on a monthly basis in the oarkino oaraoe. Andrew Russell outlined the proposed Town Code amendment to limit the time for weekday free parking from two hours to one hour, increase the monthly rental fees to $50, and a rental discount for at least eight spaces. Councilmember Schmidt expressed concern with an incentive for renting eight spaces. Councilmember Zoldos disagreed with reducing the free parking to one hour and suggested the Town look at further use of the Wirt Street parking lot. Mayor Webb added that merchants are utilizing a great number of the spaces in the garage. b. Aoorovino Dominion Telecom Franchise Aoreement Bill Donnelly made a recommendation for approval of the Dominion Telecom franchise agreement. He stated they have proposed a five-year, non-exclusive franchise agreement, offered an economic development incentive plan and discounts to qualified people. Town Council Work Session Minutes for June 25. 2001 Paqe 3 Vice-Mayor Umstattd asked if the Town has businesses that would qualify for the discounts? Tom Hogg, with Dominion Telecom, stated he did not know. Mike Rogers, with the IT Commission, added this franchise would attract small users. c. Amendino the Pay and Classification Plan and Imolementino the Hendricks and Associates Study. Bob Noe outlined the highlights of the new pay and classification plan and the implementation of such. He added the Employee Advisory Committee has endorsed this plan. Councilmember Zoldos suggested the date to terminate overtime should be October 1, 2001 instead of January 1, 2002. d. Adootino the Fiscal Years 2002-2006 Caoital Imorovement Prooram and authorizino an aoorooriation for the Everoreen Mill Road sewer force main oroiect in FY 2002. Andrew Russell stated that Council adopted the FY 2002 budget, which included funding for all of the capital projects, except the Evergreen Mill Road Sewer project. Council member Schmidt asked that the Harrison Street (FY-2003) project be moved ahead of the South King Street (FY-2005) project. Mayor Webb concurred with moving the S. Harrison Street sidewalk forward. Vice-Mayor Umstattd asked about the cost of the Harrison Street sidewalk? Kaj Dentler stated the proposed 2005 funds reflect design and construction from the W&OD Trail to Catoctin Circle. e. Aoorovino a Soecial Event Permit Policy Kaj Dentler outlined the proposed special event permit policy stating the Economic Development and Park and Recreation Commissions have endorsed the policy. Mayor Webb commented that a Downtown Historic District Residents Commission is being formed. Vice-Mayor Umstattd verified that notification of events would be made by certified mail to specific street addresses. Councilmember McDonald suggested streets not be closed for restaurant events. Town Council Work Session Minutes for June 25, 2001 Paqe 4 f. Awardino contracts for orooerty, casualty, and liability insurance coveraoe for the Fiscal Year beoinnino July 1, 2001. Paul York advised that Hartford Insurance Company would no longer be offering public entity insurance coverage through its PENCO program. VML has provided a quote for less than we are currently paying and with an increase in our liability coverage. Therefore, staff recommends awarding the town's property, casualty, and liability insurance coverage for fiscal year 2002 to the Virginia Municipal League. Vice-Mayor Umstattd asked for an explanation of the umbrella clause from the VML representative. g. Amendino Resolutions 91-172, 92-21 and 98-117 relatino to water connection ororata fees for annexed homes with failino wells. Bill Donnelly explained this amendment would eliminate water connection pro rata fees for homes annexed into town in 1984 and with a failing well. Further, he will check with the School Board in reference to whether a sewer waiver can be granted through the terms of our agreement with them. h. Economic Develooment Commission Sionaoe Recommendations Councilmember Schmidt stated the $50,000 slated for a fiber optic study has not been expended. The Economic Development Commission has passed a resolution asking that those funds be reallocated to fund a comprehensive signage study directing visitors to the downtown area. Marantha Edwards, Tourism Coordinator, read that resolution into the record. Bob Noe verified that the County has postponed their fiber optics study. Council member Jackson added that a study by the Board of Architectural Review has been completed and could be incorporated into this project. It was the consensus of Council that the majority of the funds should be spent on the actual signage and that legislation would be provided at tomorrow night's meeting. 3. Staff Office Space Options Phil Rodenberg presented a comparison of the options: (1) renovate the Inglenook, (2) lease finished office space, and (3) construct the Loudoun Street addition to Town Hall. There was discussion on the Tally-ho Theatre and use as a cultural arts center with second floor office. Mr. Noe added that Council would have to decide whether they want to lease or construct a building addition. Vice-Mayor Umstattd suggested using the basement of Town Hall or leased space at the airport. Town Council Work Session Minutes for June 25, 2001 Paqe 5 Mayor Webb asked staff to check on current lease rates in Town. It was the consensus of Council to terminate the lease agreement at the Inglenook site. Vice-Mayor Umstattd expressed concern with lack of parking with the other options. Mayor Webb asked staff to continue evaluating lease purchase options and refining numbers for a Loudoun Street addition. 4. Preview Items Mayor Webb suggested the elimination of agenda preview items. Councilmembers Schmidt, and McDonald suggested just listing the items. Vice-Mayor Umstattd likes the current system. Councilmember Zoldos agreed with the current system and suggested providing a one-page synopsis of each preview agenda item. Council did not reach agreement on this item, thus the current system will remain in place. Mayor Webb added that any items council members would like on the agenda would have to be provided to staff by Wednesday morning prior to Council meetings. 5. UGA Annexation Study - Special July Work session date Council decided on July 17th p.m. at 7:00 p.m. for a closed session to discuss the UGA Annexation Study. 6. Preview Items for the Town Council Meeting of July 10, 2001 a. Real estate tax relief for certain elderly and handicaooed oersons Council had no comment. b. Amendment of Town Code Sections 15-12 and 19-21 reoardino water and sewer connection fees. Council had no comment. 7. Fairview Street Improvements Mayor Webb talked about a proposed meeting with citizens to discuss options for the Fairview Street improvements. Vice-Mayor Umstattd stated she would like Council to be informed when meeting will take place. She added Mr. Elsewassi has prepared a report of different options to present to the citizens. Vice-Mayor Umstattd verified that Mr. Elsewassi couldn't bind the Town to any ag reement. Mr. Noe stated that staff does not have the prerogative to bind Council. He can negotiate and make a recommendation to Council. Town Council Work Session Minutes for June 25. 2001 Paqe 6 Bob Noe commended Tom Mason and Nagi Elsewassi for their hard work on providing alternatives to the Fairview Street improvement issues. Mayor Webb asked staff to take a look at the DCSM with reference to street widths in older neighborhoods. 8. Chancellor Street Councilmember Zoldos stated he plans to bring forward a motion tomorrow night to vote on rescinding the resolution for an engineering study on the Chancellor Street access road. Councilmember McDonald suggested waiting until all councilmembers are present before voting on Chancellor Street. Councilmember Zoldos commented on the motorcycle noise from a downtown restaurant during the Bluemont Concert Series. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. ~~d