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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2001_11_26 Council Work Session November 26, 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: None Staff Members Present: Town Manager Bob Noe, Town Attorney William Donnelly, Deputy Town Manager Phil Rodenberg, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom Mason, Acting Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Lee Phillips, Finance Director Paul York, Director of Utilities Randy Shoemaker, Chief of Police Joe Price, Airport Director Doug McNeely, Chief of Comprehensive Planning Randy Hodgson, Traffic Engineer Calvin Grow, Budget Officer Mike Freda, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Tourism Coordinator Marantha Edwards, and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Agenda for Council Meeting of November 27, 2001 a. ProDosinQ the annexation of certain areas within Loudoun Countv and aDDointinQ a sDecial committee to neQotiate with the Board of SUDervisors of Loudoun Countv. VirQinia. This item was deferred until such time that all Council members were present. b. MakinQ an aDDointment to the Cable Commission Councilmember Schmidt stated he would have a new business item for the November 27th meeting. He will be asking Council to appoint Michael Glennon to the Cable Commission. 2. Loudoun Museum Lease Douglas Foard, Executive Director, of Loudoun Museum and Art Richmond, Chairman of the Museum board, addressed Council. Mr. Foard discussed the Museum's desire to extend their lease with the Town of Leesburg for a longer term. A long-term lease would permit them to move forward with a capital campaign to expand its existing facilities. Mr. Richmond proposed a 50-99 year lease with an option to shorten the lease if the capital campaign to expand is unsuccessful for any reason. Councilmember Atwell stated he is an advocate for a long-term lease and suggested that the proposed construction drawings be reviewed to assure that the streetscape is not compromised. Council decided to review the lease criteria for the museum again at their first meeting in February. Town Council Work Session minutes of November 26, 2001 Page 2 3. Shellhorn Update Randy Hodgson discussed an additional concept plan for the Shellhorn property, which differs from the plan seen by Council at the October 22nd meeting. The major difference is that Crosstrail Boulevard is moved to the north of the property so that it no longer bisects the active recreation area. Councilmember Zoldos confirmed the footprint for the Shellhorn property consists of 60 acres. Councilmember McDonald expressed concern that the Crosstrail realignment may affect the proposed airport expansion. Councilmember Atwell expressed concern with the need to possibly realign Sycolin Road and whether that would involve the need for acquisition of additional property by the Town. He also stated that he is pleased with the proposed realignment of Crosstrail Boulevard. Doug McNeeley commented the realignment of Sycolin Road would be further east from the airport. Mr. Hodgson reminded Council that the Shellhorn consultant will conduct a public meeting to discuss the study on November 29, 2001 at 6 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers. 4. Office Space/Inglenook Phil Rodenberg advised Council that the meeting with Steve Price, Marshall Fund president, has been postponed until next week. Consequently, there is nothing new to report on the proposed lease termination. Mr. Rodenberg proceeded with a comparison of the Tally-ho lease space and a West Loudoun Street addition. Mike Freda, budget analyst, provided a cost comparison of the two options. Mr. Rodenberg recapped that the West Loudoun Street addition would be the most feasible solution to office space. He recommended financing the construction from the Utility Fund as they would occupy a portion of the space. Other departments using the space would reimburse the Utility Fund through annual payments from the General Fund. Karen Jones, representing the Economic Development Commission, commented that the EDC would discuss this issue at their next meeting. She added the report parallels the commission's past consensus that the Loudoun Street option makes the most sense. Further parking would be a concern and she would like to see the remainder of the Loudoun Street block finished. Council expressed concerns that the Inglenook lease be resolved before proceeding with these options. Further concerns were parking for the expansion and interim use of conference rooms and meeting space in town hall. Council member Atwell questioned whether office space and economic development should be two separate issues. Town Council Work Session minutes of November 26. 2001 Paqe 3 Councilmember Schmidt stated he prefers the Tally-Ho option as it has economic development implications. Especially since Mr. Devine has made an offer to sublet the Inglenook. Councilmember McDonald had concerns with borrowing from the Utility Fund and annexation implications. Councilmember Atwell verified that the Utility Fund would construct the addition and we would lease back to them. Councilmembers Zoldos and Atwell expressed concerns with the lack of parking spaces. Mr. Rodenberg stated that the feasibility study for the Liberty Street parking lot is due in approximately 30-days. Councilmember Schmidt suggested that the Tally-Ho be looked at along with Loudoun Street as a long-term solution. Bob Noe asked Council to consider the following points: (1) building the most space possible on Loudoun Street, (2) what if we exercise the Tally-Ho option and the theatre doesn't make a go of it, and (3) how do we fund. s. Request from Clerk of Circuit Court to extend the lease for juror parking. Gary Clemens, Clerk of the Circuit Court, was present to discuss the extension of juror parking in the Town parking garage. Mayor Webb advised that she would be meeting with Loudoun County this week to discuss other options for juror parking and that possibly this issue could be resolved at that time. 6. Precinct Polling Places Betsy Mayr, Secretary to the Electoral Board addressed Council in reference to reducing the number of town polling places for local elections. Ms. Mayr suggested the following 4 polling places: (1) Oakcrest (St. John's Church, (2) Balls Bluff (Balls Bluff Elementary School), (3) West Leesburg (Leesburg Firehall), and (4) Evergreen Mill (Simpson Middle School). Council expressed concern as to how changes would affect voters and how they would be notified of any changes in their voting location. It was decided to give this decision further consideration and discuss again at the December 10th worksession. Ms. Mayr reminded any potential council candidates they would now have to file campaign finance reports. 7. Proposing the annexation of certain areas within Loudoun County and appointing a special committee to negotiate with the Board of Supervisors of Loudoun County, Virginia. (Agenda Item la.) Town Council Work Session minutes of November 26. 2001 Paqe 4 Phil Rodenberg advised that Carter Glass, annexation attorney, and Kenneth Poore were present to answer any questions. Bob Noe advised there are three issues before Council: (1) rejecting the O'Connor tract, (2) what areas proposed for inclusion, and (3) appointment of a negotiating committee. Council concurred with the proposed resolution to reject the O'Connor petition, the appointment of a negotiating committee consisting of Mayor Webb, Councilmembers Atwell and Zoldos and Bob Noe and the proposed map of areas to be included. Vice-Mayor Umstattd verified with Carter Glass that the level of specificity and detail of the map would be adequate at this time. Mr. Glass added that a metes and bounds description of the area will be required when filing with the Council on Local Governments. 8. Parking restrictions in parking meter zones on Church Street and Harrison Street Mayor Webb advised that Loudoun County has requested deferral of the Harrison Street permanent no parking signs. Tom Mason advised that Loudoun County has requested removal of parking on the east side of Church Street. He added that Council would need to take action on removing the meter zones. Mayor Webb introduced Jim Raugh, Loudoun County's coordinator for court parking. Chief Joe Price added that the proximity of the jail to the Judge's chambers is the greatest security issue. Vice-Mayor Umstattd asked if the County would still need our commitment of parking spaces in the town garage? Mr. Raugh commented the County is working on opening other parking areas in the downtown. There was a discussion as to why the County is not making use of their Pennington lot for county parking. Mayor Webb clarified that Saint James funeral parking on Church Street would be coordinated through the Leesburg Police Department and that the Town should notify St. James Church. Council concurred to designate Church Street between East Market and Cornwall Streets as a no parking zone. 9. Permit Parking Zone on West side of Liberty Street between North and Cornwall Streets - Public Hearing There was no discussion on this item. Town Council Work Session minutes of November 26, 2001 Page 5 10. Main Street Loudoun Program Marantha Edwards addressed Council on behalf of the Towns' Team stating that they recommend a resolution in support of the Main Street Loudoun Program in concept but reserve participation until such time that the staff and volunteer base effort is stronger. The Town's team members were introduced. Council had questions as to what the cost would be to the Town. Charles Hargrove, Co-Chairman of Main Street Loudoun, addressed Council asking for conceptual support adding that financial figures would be available in February or March. Councilmember McDonald questioned how much authority the Town would turn over to the Advisory Team? Ann Hennessey, Towns Team member, explained the authority of the Advisory Team stating the Town comes up with the project and the Main Street Loudoun Program provides assistance. Councilmember Zoldos verified that 5 Loudoun towns have supported a resolution in concept. Mayor Webb asked that the Leesburg Economic Development Commission be consulted for a recommendation. She further voiced concern with a continued burden on staff through the conceptual process. Linda Callagy responded that volunteers would like to be involved at least in this second stage. It was decided that conceptual support language would be provided at the next Cou nci I meeti ng. 11. Leesburg Executive Airport Rezoning Application - ZM-2001-02 - Public Hearing Randy Hodgson outlined this rezoning of an 8.6 parcel from 1-1 to MA to allow for the expansion of the Leesburg Executive Airport. He added that staff and the Planning Commission have recommended approval of this rezoning request. Mayor Webb suggested that if there were no public comment on this issue at the public hearing, that Council would proceed with action that night. 12. Amendments to the Personnel Manual for Work Hour Change Joe Price discussed the recommended changes to the Personnel Manual to incorporate the changing of certain employee's workweek from 36 hours to 37.5 hours. He added there would be no cost involved, however, some adjustments of leave balances will occur. There was no further discussion. Town Council Work Session minutes of November 26, 2001 Page 6 13. Preview Items for Council Work Session Meeting of December 10, 2001 a. Amendments to the Pay and Classification Plan for Police Career Development Program There was no discussion on this item. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. aJ.tI~ lerk of Council