HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002_02_25
Council Work Session
February 25, 2002
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.
Staff Members Present: Town Manager Bob Noe, Town Attorney William Donnelly,
Deputy Town Manager Phil Rodenberg, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom
Mason, Interim Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Lee Phillips, Director
of Information Technology Michel Agujia, Chief of Police Joe Price, Finance Director
Paul York, Airport Director Doug McNeely, Deputy Director of Utilities Aref Etemadi,
Chief of Comprehensive Planning Randy Hodgson, Capital Projects Administrator Nagi
Elsewaissi, GIS Coordinator John Callahan, Planner Nancy Kitchens, Capital Projects
Engineer Renee Lafollette, Tourism Coordinator Marantha Edwards, Assistant to the
Town Manager Nicole Ard, Management Intern Larry DiRe, and Clerk of Council Judy
Ahalt.
AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Webb added item 1.c. - Loudoun County Tax Rate for discussion.
Further, two additional agenda items will be Water Restrictions and a Tractebel
update.
Councilmember Schmidt asked for a follow-up on the Brumsey Court tree
issue and for litter on highways to be addressed at the March 11th work session.
1. Agenda for Council Meeting of February 26, 2001
a. Jerry's Chevrolet/Oldsmobile - Special Exception - Public Hearing
Nancy Kitchens outlined this application for an auto sales/rental! and
service facility for Jerry's Chevrolet/Oldsmobile at 618 E. Market Street.
Ms. Kitchens stated staff is recommending approval subject to the
inclusion of 16 conditions.
Richard Lessard, architect for the applicant, addressed Council stating that
his client is agreeable to the conditions of approval but would like some
flexibility with condition #16.
Mayor Webb raised the issue of a right-in and right-out turn only from
Market Street.
Ms. Kitchens stated Calvin Grow is recommending a right-out turn only
from of the site.
Councilmember McDonald expressed safety concerns with persons trying
to make a left turn out of the site.
Councilmember Schmidt questioned whether stacking would be a problem.
Town Council Work Session minutes for February 25. 2002
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b. Amending Town Code Section 11-32 to allow for property owners
to designate the Police Department as a "Person Lawfully in
Charge of" as required by State Code Section 15.2.1717.
Joe Price explained the barment program, which allows property owners to
designate police officers to serve as their agent in banning people who do not
have legitimate business on their property.
He added Town Code Section 11-32 must be amended to become
compliant with the requirement of the Virginia State Code.
c. Requesting Loudoun County to roll back the tax rate
Mayor Webb discussed the huge real estate assessments sent to Loudoun
County residents and proposed the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION: REQUESTING THE LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS TO ROLL BACK THE TAX RATE
WHEREAS, the County of Loudoun has just completed mailing
assessments to residents of the Town of Leesburg; and
WHEREAS, the average assessment increased 17% and some
increased as much as 300%; and
WHEREAS, the Country is still struggling from an economic downturn;
and
WHEREAS, the County Administrator has presented a budget that
reflects no reduction in the tax rate despite the dramatic increase in
assessments.
THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg in
Virginia as follows:
That the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors realizes that many of
our citizens have lost their jobs or suffered dramatic pay cuts.
That our citizens need relief from staggering increases in their County
tax bills.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Council of the Town of Leesburg formally
asks the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to roll back taxes at a rate
equal to the average increase in property assessments - 17 percent. The
Loudoun County Board of Supervisors be responsible for all costs for services
to Leesburg residents and businesses that Loudoun County provides to the
non-incorporated urban areas of the County.
Councilmembers Jackson, McDonald and Zoldos expressed support for this
resolution.
2. Request for Water and Sewer - Phillips
Aref Etemadi stated that Mrs. Clara Phillips has requested the extension of
water to her property, which is not in the town limits.
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Mr. Etemadi explained the different options for the extension of water to this
property and the obstacles associated with each, such as private easements. Further
the Town Code prohibits providing easements for private property unless there is a
public benefit.
Town Attorney Bill Donnelly added the extension of water to a private
property in the County would set a bad precedent.
After further discussion it was decided this issue would return to Council when
the Phillips family can be present.
3. Loudoun Museum Lease Renewal and Extension
Larry DiRe addressed Council requesting authorization to continue to
negotiate a long-term lease with the Loudoun Museum.
Mr. DiRe stated staff's recommendation of a five-year milestone to allow the
museum to make substantial progress towards fundraising for expansion of the
museum and to become accredited by the American Association of Museums. If the
specified terms were not satisfied within the first five years of the lease, the Town
would have the option to terminate the lease.
Town Attorney, Bill Donnelly, added that if Council is comfortable with the
concept, negotiations would continue. A draft lease will then be forwarded to
Council for approval.
Douglas Foard, Executive Director for Loudoun Museum, addressed Council
stating they have already taken steps toward meeting some of the terms of the
proposed extended-term lease.
Vice-Mayor Umstattd discussed the benefits of accreditation with Mr. Foard.
It was the consensus of Council to continue with the lease negotiations.
4. Information Technology Commission report
Information Technology Commission members Michael Rogers, James Russell,
Alex Fogelson, Ichiro Hoshiyama, David Audi, and Robert Brewer were present.
James Russell outlined the Commission's priorities and how their focus will
benefit the citizens of Leesburg. There was a discussion on what is needed to
ensure continued progress of the infrastructure.
John Callahan discussed the Geographic Information System (GIS) and
upgrades that are beneficial to citizens, staff, commissions and Council.
Commission member Alex Fogelson outlined an assessment of records
management and solutions to becoming compliant with State mandates and
implementation of a town wide records management system.
Commission member Mike Rogers outlined how eGovernment applies to us
and the electronic services that can be provided to citizens thru a website. He also
discussed the extension of the Town of Leesburg intranet.
Town Council Work Session minutes for February 25. 2002
Page 4
Further there was a discussion on the need for an integrated Finance and
Human Resource System. The IT Commission at no cost to the Town will develop
this project.
Bob Raybold stated that the Town of Leesburg is behind in technology and
needs to make an investment in the future.
s. Leesburg Town Code Attendance Policies for Boards and Commissions
Council discussed the need for consistence in attendance policies for all
boards and commissions.
There was a brief discussion on a review of attendance and compensation
policies for commission members provided by Planning Commission member Bill
Zawacki.
It was the consensus of Council to standardize the language for attendance to
say three consecutive missed meetings could be cause for removal of a commission
member.
6. Agreement with Virginia Energy Purchasing Governmental
Association
Paul York recommended the town enter into an agreement with the Virginia
Energy Purchasing Governmental Association for the procurement of electric power
service. Mr. York said this agreement is needed as a result of deregulation in the
electric power generation market that will require the town to competitively procure
electric power services.
This item will require an ordinance amendment that will be forwarded to
Council at its next meeting.
7. S. King Street Audit
Nagi Elsewaissi, Capital Projects Administrator, provided a post project audit
for the South King Street Improvements. He requested approval of change orders
for this project that exceed 25% of the original contract.
Mr. Elsewaissi discussed the lessons learned from this project and how they
will assist in the effective management of future projects.
Council thanked Mr. Elsewaissi for his excellent report stating the lessons
learned from this project will be beneficial in establishing new policies for future
capital projects.
8. Awarding of contract to Campbell and Paris for engineering services
at Leesburg Executive Airport
Airport Director Doug McNeely advised Council that grants money has been
received that will allow the construction to start on the new terminal building.
Mr. McNeely is recommending award of a five-year contract to Campbell and
Paris Engineers for architectural, engineering and projects management services at
the Leesburg Executive Airport. This contract is needed to keep current and future
capital improvements on track.
Town Council Work Session minutes for Februarv 25. 2002
Page 5
Councilmember Zoldos asked that historical information and an hourly rate for
the past contract be provided to Council.
Councilmember Atwell verified that these services are being procured through
the appropriate procedures.
9. Transdominion Express
Bob Noe recommended the Town support rail and transit projects.
It was decided that a letter of general support would be written to the
Committee to Advance the TransDominion Express.
10. Water and Sewer Restrictions
Mayor Webb suggested imposing voluntary water restrictions within the town
limits.
She discussed the abusive water usage by county residents receiving town
water, specifically the River Creek area.
Aref Etemadi advised that the Council of Governments has issued a drought
watch for the local areas.
Council discussed implementing conservation measures, education of the
public, and the installation of voluntary conservation signs. If these measures fail
and the drought continues, mandatory restrictions may result.
11. Tractebel
Bill Donnelly reported that Tractebel is reconsidering building in Loudoun
County and has filed a motion to suspend the SCC proceedings.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
~&d. d a:t<liL
dith W. Ahalt
Clerk of Council