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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