HomeMy Public PortalAbout2001_12_10
Council Work Session
December 10, 2001
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:00 p.m. Mayor Webb presiding.
Councilmembers Present: George Atwell, Mervin Jackson, Leonard McDonald,
David Schmidt, Vice-Mayor Kristen Umstattd and Mayor Webb.
Councilmembers Absent: Robert Zoldos
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 Finance Paul York, Chief of Comprehensive Planning Randy
Hodgson, Chief of Police Joe Price, Budget Officer Mike Freda, Assistant to the Town
Manager Nicole Ard, Tourism Coordinator Marantha Edwards, Management Intern
Larry DiRe, and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Agenda for Council Meeting of December 11, 2001
a. Main Street Loudoun Program - Economic Development
Commission report
Lamott Smith, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission,
addressed Council. Mr. Smith stated the Commission recommends conceptual
support of the County Main Street Program. He added that the County
committee would be reviewing the availability of funds.
Council member Jackson recommended approval in concept only.
Councilmember McDonald expressed concern with the Advisory Team
Committee clause and how much representation the Town would actually
have.
Marantha Edwards, Tourism Coordinator, added there would be a group of
volunteers on this committee representing the Town.
2. Extension of lease for juror parking.
Gary Clemens, Clerk of the Circuit Court, was present to update Council on
the juror-parking situation. He advised he would be meeting with County staff to
discuss a solution. He asked that the lease be extended through February to allow
for juror summonses already sent out.
Mayor Webb asked for this item to be deferred until January.
3. Precinct and polling places.
Betsy Mayr, Secretary to the Electoral Board, provided Council with cost
figures per election.
After discussion, it was the consensus of Council to reduce the number of
polling places to no more than four.
The Mayor recommended moving forward with a public hearing on the change
in polling places.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for December 10, 2001
Page 2
3A. Trees in Woodlea
Councilmember Schmidt introduced a new agenda item with reference to
trees in the Woodlea Manor subdivision.
Steve Dale, 508 Brumsey Court, discussed trees slated to be replaced by the
developer, Winchester Homes. Mr. Dale stated he learned from Bob Lilly in the
Public Works Department that the bond has been released without the trees being
replaced. He added that according to the Town Arborist the trees in question were
not on the approved list in the Zoning Ordinance.
A report will be forthcoming from staff at the next Council meeting.
4. a. Economic Development Commission Report on Office Space
Economic Development Commission Chairman, Lamott Smith, addressed
Council stating that Loudoun Street development has always been a priority
with the Commission.
He recommended moving forward with the development of office space on
Loudoun Street to serve the needs of the Town, the enhancement of Loudoun
Street, and to provide retail space.
Councilmember Atwell stated he is pleased the EDC separated the office
space issue from economic development.
There was also a discussion on parking space availability at the Liberty
Street lot.
Councilmember Atwell recommended moving forward with the Loudoun
Street office space, stating he likes the idea of funding through the Utilities
fund.
Councilmembers McDonald and Jackson concurred.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd expressed concerns with using the utility funds.
Mike Freda assured Council that the Utility Fund is economically sound and
an appropriate use of funds.
Mayor Webb asked staff to move forward with design plans for the
Loudoun Street expansion.
Councilmember Schmidt asked that a Tally-Ho option be further explored
as we proceed with Loudoun Street.
b. Inglenook
Bob Noe stated he has met with Steve Price and the Marshall Foundation
is insisting that the Town find a suitable tenant.
He added the Town has removed all of their materials from the site and is
withholding the rent for November and December.
Mr. Noe added that Rich Vaaler is pursuing a lease for the Town.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for December 10. 2001
Paqe 3
s. Parking restrictions in the parking meter zones on Harrison Street
Mayor Webb stated she has met with County officials and they would like all
parking spaces eliminated on Harrison Street in front of their building.
She added there was another option by the County that Harrison Street is
made one-way with angle parking in front of the building.
Tom Mason cited opposition from the Town Traffic Engineer because of site
distance problems and removal of the bus stop. He also discussed a letter from the
owners of the adjoining Amoco gas station in which they identified a problem with
County customers parking in their lot.
Mayor Webb urged Loudoun County to use their Pennington Lot for parking as
their lack of visitor parking in their garage is causing citizens to park in private lots.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd said she could not support the County's request stating
she does not believe there is a security issue. She suggested better signage by the
County directing people to other lots.
It was the consensus of Council to move forward with metered parking on the
eastside of Harrison Street and a bus stop and one handicapped space on the west
side.
6. Shellhorn Update
Randy Hodgson gave an overview of the County meeting on December 4th.
He said that modeling results were presented and how they would affect the
Leesburg Airport. He added the modeling only addressed health issues.
The next burn date has been scheduled for December 16th.
He added there was discussion on Crosstrail Boulevard, Cochran Mill Road and
a new alternative footprint for a high school.
Councilmember Atwell asked whether the School Board has had input on
these meetings?
Vice-Mayor Umstattd clarified that Crosstrail Boulevard has been replaced
with Cochran Mill Road on the Shellhorn site only.
Mayor Webb added that the County does not want to construct the 6-lanes of
Crosstrail.
Mr. Hodgson stated the County is looking to realign Sycolin Road to allow for
the airport runway expansion.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd added the Parks and Recreation Director for Loudoun
County commented that at least four lanes of Crosstrail Boulevard are need to access
the park site.
7. Council goals for the coming months.
Mayor Webb suggested a priority list of goals for the Council during the
coming months.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for December 10, 2001
Paqe 4
Council discussed these goals and agreed on the following priority list:
(1) annexation - with public input, (2) tax rate - capital projects and impact on
operating budget, (3) downtown/downtown traffic and parking, (4) elementary
school site, (5) space needs for the Town, (6) zoning ordinance review and
adoption, (7) organizational culture, and (8) relationship with the County.
8. Consideration of December 24th closing.
Bob Noe advised the State of Virginia and Loudoun County are closing their
offices all day on December 24th.
Mayor Webb added they are also closing on December 31st.
It was the consensus of Council to follow the County and State policy for
these dates.
9. Conservation Water Rates
Mayor Webb discussed drought issues and water availability within the Town.
She further discussed the peak usage by citizens receiving Town water in the
Urban Growth Area. She added the Town has more than enough water, but the
community should be educated on conservation.
Councilmember Schmidt suggested involving the Environmental Advisory
Commission.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd expressed concerns with the potential power plant water
usage.
It was decided to ask the EAC to look at the issues and have the Utilities
Department provide data on average usage per home.
10. Catoctin Circle widening project concerns.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd discussed concerns from Bobbie Elliott owner of Healthy
by Nature on Catoctin Circle. Ms. Elliott has experienced a drop in business since the
construction began on Catoctin Circle.
The Vice-Mayor added that Mr. Elsewassi has met with Ms. Elliott in an effort
to solve the problem.
Mayor Webb added that other residents along Catoctin Circle have not
experienced a drop in business. She and Councilmember Schmidt further suggested
a crosswalk at the post office.
Tom Mason stated a crosswalk with flashing signs is not a good idea during
the construction period as it may endanger citizens.
Councilmember McDonald suggested that drop-off boxes be installed at the
Virginia Village Shopping Center.
The Town Manager will call the Postmaster to facilitate the installation drop-
off boxes.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for December 10, 2001
Paqe 5
11. Preview Items for Council Work Session Meeting of January 7, 2002.
a. Mid-year Budget
There was no discussion on this item.
b. Creation of sewer prorata - Xerox/Potomac Station
There was no discussion on this item.
12. New Business
The Clerk of Council advised of a request from the Jamestown Compact to use
the Council Chambers on January 2, 2001 for a public hearing.
This request will be considered for action at tomorrow night's meeting.
Closed Meeting
The following motion was presented by Mayor Webb, seconded by
Council member Jackson:
Pursuant to Section 2.1-344(A)(7) and 15.2-2907(D), of the Code of Virginia,
I move that the Leesburg Town Council convene in a closed meeting for discussion of
legal and annexation matters.
The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Atwell, Jackson, McDonald, Schmidt and Mayor Webb
Nay: Umstattd
Vote: 5-1-1(Zoldos absent)
Council adjourned into a closed meeting at 9:05 p.m.
Council reconvened in an open session at 10: 15 p.m.
On a motion by Mayor Webb, seconded by Vice-Mayor Umstattd, the following
motion was proposed:
In accordance with Section 2.1-344.1 of the Code of Virginia, I move that
Council certify that to the best of each member's knowledge, only public business
matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia
Freedom of Information Act and such public business matters as were identified in
the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed or
considered in the meeting by Council
The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Atwell, Jackson, McDonald, Schmidt, Umstattd, and Mayor Webb
Nay: None
Vote: 6-1 (Zoldos Absent).
Mill ?f
erk of Council