HomeMy Public PortalAbout2001_10_22
Council Work Session
October 22, 2001
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:00 p.m. Mayor Webb presiding.
Councilmembers Present: George Atwell, Mervin Jackson, David Schmidt, Kristen
Umstattd, Robert Zoldos and Mayor Webb.
Councilmembers Absent: Councilmember McDonald
Staff Members Present: Bob Noe Town Manager, William Donnelly Town Attorney,
Deputy Town Manager Phil Rodenberg, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom
Mason, Acting Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Lee Phillips, Chief of
Police Joe Price, Director of Finance Paul York, Deputy Director of Utilities Aref
Etemadi, Chief of Comprehensive Planning Randy Hodgson, Traffic Engineer Calvin
Grow, Capitol Projects Coordinator Nagi Elsewassi, Superintendent of Wastewater
Pollution Control Facility Steve Cawthorn, Budget Officer Mike Freda, Budget Analyst
Alison Wilbricht, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Management Intern
Larry DiRe, and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt.
AGENDA ITEMS
Councjlmember Zoldos advised that a 5-minute video on Traffic Signal
Violations would be shown at the conclusion of this meeting.
1. Agenda for Council Meeting of October 23, 2001
a. SE-2001-04 - Fahkra Khalid - Rise and Shine Day Care
Planner Nancy Costa stated there is no new information on this
application.
There was no further discussion.
b. Zoning Amendment, ZM-2000-0S, and Town Plan Amendment, TP-
2000-02 - Potomac Crossing PRC - Public Hearing
Randy Hodgson commented Council has requested a second public
hearing due to the significant changes in the application.
He outlined the changes to the Concept Plan and proffers as submitted by
the applicant on August 24, 2001. Mr. Hodgson added that because of these
changes, staff is now recommending approval of this rezoning and concept
plan and proffer amendment.
Mayor Webb asked if this application could only be considered in its
entirety? Mr. Hodgson stated that apartments are a very crucial part of this
application.
Doug Fleming, attorney for Arcadia Development, addressed Council. He
commented on how the Red Cross chapter house has become a part of this
application.
He added this application is a package, however, they would be willing to
discuss any specific scenarios from Council.
Town Council Work Session minutes for October 22, 2001
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c. Adopting a Legislative Program
Phil Rodenberg outlined the proposed legislative schedule and the VML
legislative priorities.
The legislative program was proposed as follows: (1) Charter Change to
remove Advice and Consent Requirement for the Appointment of a Police
Chief and Finance Director, (2) Making seat belt violations a primary offense,
(3) Use of photo monitoring system for red light traffic enforcement, (4)
Funding of transportation projects, (5) Bus Rapid Transit System connecting
Leesburg with Western Loudoun County, (6) Full voting member of the New
Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, (7) Funding a new Bridge Crossing
of the Potomac River, (8) Sharing Income Tax Revenue with Localities, (9)
Citizen's Tax Commission Recommendations regarding the state and local tax
structure, and (10) School Construction Funding and Comprehensive Services
Act Programs.
It was the consensus of Council to not remove the advice and consent
requirement for appointment of Police Chief.
The proposed legislative program will be prioritized and a resolution
brought forward at tomorrow night's council meeting.
2. Shellhorn Site Development Issues
Lee Phillips outlined a concept plan submitted for the development of the
Shellhorn property. He discussed three different land use options, which were
proposed, as well as several active recreation schematic designs.
Areas of concern discussed were the relation of the "burn building" location to
the airport and Crosstrail Boulevard, the relation of Crosstrail Boulevard alignments
and recreation field lights to the airport, development consistent with the Leesburg
Utility Master Plan, a commitment from Loudoun County to complete Crosstrail
Boulevard, and road construction improvements of Sycolin Road and Crosstrail
Boulevard during the initial phase of development.
It was determined by Council to transmit a letter to Loudoun County stating
the Town's concerns.
3. Quarterly Expenditures/Revenue Report
Mike Freda summarized the Town's expenditures from July 1, 2001 to
September 30, 2001. He explained the operating funds are expended as follows:
General Fund - 32%, Utility Fund - 18%, and Airport Fund - 30%.
He added there is insufficient information to provide meaningful revenue
projections until the 1st quarter revenues have been realized.
Mr. Freda suggested funding increases would be needed for the FY 03 budget
that due to the uncertainty of FY 2002 revenues and that we be careful about
additional expenditures prior to the FY 03 budget.
Councilmember Atwell added that we should be preparing for the impact of
what we don't know.
Town Council Work Session minutes for October 22, 2001
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Mayor Webb asked if Leesburg Police would get any assistance from the
Federal Government?
Joe Price stated that after discussions with FEMA it was determined that
monies would go directly to those who served at the Pentagon.
4. Bradfield Drive Streetlights
Calvin Grow related that no commitment to install streetlights on existing
Bradfield Drive was included in any condition of plat approval for Woodlea. However,
a resolution this year states that street lights will be installed along Bradfield Drive
subject to the granting of the necessary easements by the homeowners that reside
along Bradfield Drive.
Council discussed budgetary concerns with taking on new projects.
It was decided to pursue the granting of easements on Bradfield Drive and
then evaluating when the lights will be installed.
S. Request from Virginia Coalition for Safe Roads
Phil Rodenberg outlined a recommendation to support federal legislation
regarding a freeze on tractor-trailer lengths and weights and improved enforcement.
Mayor Webb expressed concern as to whether a bill would pre-empt truck
restrictions on Rt. 15 and force a weigh station on the Rt. 15 Bypass.
6. Community Notification System
Chief Joe Price discussed the purchase of a Community Emergency
Notification System. He stated he couldn't recommend funding this system.
Staffing is his number one priority due the support of homeland defense
requirements. He added that his department's workload has increased from 15 to
23% during the past month.
7. Northeast Leesburg Street Improvements
Nagi Elsewassi outlined the final phase design for the Northeast Leesburg
street improvements, which includes Catoctin Circle from Edward's Ferry Road to
North Street, Washington Street, Prince Street, Queen Street and Blue Ridge
Avenue.
Chuck Jones, 112 Prince Street, asked Council to please consider pedestrian
accommodations and enhancing and maintaining the integrity of the neighborhood
during the design of these improvements.
Mayor Webb added that pedestrian access improvements should be a priority.
Paul Crandall, Catoctin Circle, addressed Council asking for brick sidewalks
while maintaining the integrity of the neighborhood.
Mr. Elsewassi explained that curb and gutter are only proposed for Catoctin
Circle and Washington Streets.
Mayor Webb, Councilmembers Umstattd and Zoldos commented that
sidewalks are important for the entire neighborhood.
Town Council Work Session minutes for October 22, 2001
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Tom Mason stated that funding is not available for drastic changes to this
project.
It was the consensus of Council to have cost information provided for
sidewalks, curb and guttering for all streets in the Northeast Leesburg Street
improvement project.
8. Contract Award for Cardinal Park Drive Sewer and Phase II Sanitary
Sewer System Improvements
Aref Etemadi outlined a recommendation of a contract award to Perry
Engineering for construction of the Cardinal Park Drive Sewer and Phase II Sanitary
Sewer Improvements.
Councilmember Atwell verified the contract would have sufficient terms and
conditions to deal with liquidated damages.
9. Bearing Construction Final Payment for BNR Construction Contract
Steve Cawthorn outlined this recommendation for final payment to Bearing
Construction. He further explained the complexity of this project.
Bill Donnelly recommended Option No.1, which assesses no LDs for late Final
Completion.
Councilmember Zoldos questioned why we are not pursuing liquidated
damages to the full contract amount.
Due to the complexity of this contract, Council decided to defer this item to
the next Council meeting so that additional information can be obtained with
reference to liquidated damages.
10. Preview Items for Council Work Session Meeting of November 13,
2001
a. EnQineerinQ Services Contract Award for Water Tank SitinQ and
Low Pressure Studv
Aref Etemadi outlined a recommendation to award a contract for an
engineering services contract.
He stated a firm would be selected on October 26th with a
recommendation forwarded to Council on November 13th.
Councilmember Schmidt asked why the water pressure study was
delayed beyond its projected fall completion? Mr. Etemadi cited staffing
needs for the annexation study.
b. Tavistock Farms ConceDt Plan/Proffer Amendment - Public
HearinQ
Randy Hodgson discussed this request from Arcadia Corporation to
reduce the rear setback area in the townhouse sections to allow for
elevated decks.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd commented that most townhouse owners in the
development are not aware they cannot build a deck on their homes.
Town Council Work Session minutes for October 22, 2001
b. Bond Issue for Freedom Park Development
There was no discussion on this item.
11. Other Business
A video provided by Councilmember Zoldos on Automated Red Light
Enforcement was shown.
The meeting adjourned at 9: 55 p.m.
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