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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002_09_23 Council Work Session September 23, 2002 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding. Councilmembers Present: Frank Buttery, Mervin Jackson, Melinda Kramer, David Schmidt, and Mayor Umstattd. Councilmembers Absent: Marty Martinez Staff Members Present: Town Manager Bob Noe, Deputy Town Manager Phil Rodenberg, Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Susan Swift, Chief of Police Joe Price, Director of Utilities Randy Shoemaker, Airport Director Doug McNeeley, Director of Human Resources Dona Wolf, Deputy Director of Utilities Aref Etemadi, Acting Director of Economic Development Marantha Edwards, Chief of Comprehensive Planning Randy Hodgson, Zoning Administrator Brian Boucher, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Traffic Engineer Calvin Grow, Budget Officer Mike Freda, Management Intern Adam Brown, and Assistant to the Clerk of Council Deborah Parry. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Agenda for Council Meeting of September 8, 2002 a. Awardina a contract to Maximus, Inc. for a comDrehensive user fee studv for an amount not to exceed $43,935 Bob Noe outlined this request for a user fee study. He stated Maximus, Inc. would only be concentrating on the General Fund's direct and indirect costs and comparing those costs to other jurisdictions. 2. Citizen Corps Jacqueline Snelling, Chairman, Arlington County Citizen Corps, spoke of the processes they have implemented since 9/11 and what has now become their own chapter of the Citizen Corps. She discussed the major objectives of the program: (1) improving business/community partnerships, (2) improving emergency notification systems, (3) identifying your educational message and getting it out to the public, and (4) coordinating volunteers. Ms. Snelling further stated that the Citizen Corps coordinator for Loudoun County is Kevin Johnson. Councilmember Buttery asked what Arlington found to be their biggest area of concern when implementing this program? Ms. Snelling stated the biggest area of concern was the ability to communicate with the public in an emergency situation. Mayor Umstattd suggesting inviting Kevin Johnson to the next Council meeting to discuss how the Town can assist in the County's efforts. Town Council Worksession Minutes for September 23. 2002 Page 2 3. Council Resolution No. 2002-112 regarding Citizens Task Force Councilmember Zoldos asked Council to delay this item, stating other options could arise from discussion with the Board of Supervisors. Councilmember Schmidt stated he would like to see Council address this item, but will defer to the annexation negotiation team's recommendations. Councilmember Kramer asked for Mr. Zawacki's patience stating the annexation proposal has progressed from its original form. 4. Expansion of Town Hall Bob Noe asked if Council would like to begin where the previous Council left off or would they like to interview the applicants again? Councilmember Schmidt stated he would be willing to go ahead with the staff recommendation of Bowie Gridley Architects. Councilmember Zoldos stated he supports the expansion, but has concerns with parking and how long the expansion would meet staff needs. Mr. Noe stated staff would most likely need to revisit the space issue six to eight years after the new expansion. He added staff members are now required to park on the upper level of the Town parking garage. Council member Zoldos stated the Town Hall expansion fits with the Loudoun Museum's expansion plans. Vice-Mayor Jackson stated the additional space is needed now. Councilmember Buttery asked if the plans would include moving the log cabin? Mr. Noe stated the cabin would not be moved, the Town is confined to the space it currently owns on Loudoun Street. Councilmember Buttery asked how the Town plans to repay the Utility Fund for the expansion costs? Mike Freda stated the money would be repaid over a 20-year period at a rate of $200,000.00 to $240,000.00 per year depending on the current interest rates. Councilmember Kramer stated she supports the Town Hall expansion efforts, but believes Council would benefit from meeting with both architects. 5. Shellhorn Property Update Randy Hodgson reviewed the County's master plan for the Phillip Bolen Park. He stated a bus lot has replaced the practice fields, and Crosstrail Boulevard has been relocated fu rther south. He further stated the Town's proposed water tank was not shown on the plan. Town Council Worksession Minutes for September 23. 2002 Page 3 Councilmember Schmidt asked what is the County's objection to the water tank? Mr. Hodgson stated he believed the County thought it was too tall and would be visible above the trees. Aref Etemadi stated the average person would not be able to see the tank from the fields. Mr. Hodgson stated the FAA had approved the tank site. Councjlmember Buttery asked the height of the tank? Mr. Etemadi stated the elevation of the hill is 400 feet and the tank is 144 feet. Councilmember Zoldos stated the tank site is critical to the Town and is required under the UGA agreement. Councjlmember Zoldos suggested meeting with the Board of Supervisors to discuss this matter. Councilmembers Buttery and Kramer stated their concerns with the removal of the tank site. Mayor Umstattd stated the water tank site could have been removed in error and asked staff to formally ask the County for their position. Bob Noe suggested an AADP meeting should be called to discuss the matter. Mayor Umstattd stated she would like to set up a meeting to discuss this issue and the $300,000 for the school site. Councilmember Zoldos asked the status of the Old Waterford Road tank site? Mr. Noe stated staff would have a report at the next worksession. Councilmember Zoldos asked that an expiration date of the special exception for the tank site be provided to Council tomorrow night. 6. Boundary Line Adjustment Update (Councilmember Zoldos) Councilmember Zoldos explained the Boundary Line Adjustment proposal and stated the boundary line would shift slightly to the east to eliminate the Greenway property. Councilmember Zoldos further stated he has been working with Siemen's and Hunter-Dowdy regarding their property and they would consider eliminating the power plant area. Doug McNeeley outlined the protected area around the airport including the current runway and proposed expansion, the runway protection zone, and the object free zone. Town Council Worksession Minutes for September 23, 2002 Page 4 Councilmember Zoldos discussed Supervisor Herring's questions. The next step will be a Board of Supervisors meeting on September 30th. Councilmember Jackson asked that a copy of Supervisor Herring's letter be provided to Council. 7. Water System Improvements in Woodlea Manor Subdivision Randy Shoemaker stated staff began to look into this issue as a result of resident complaints. He further stated the Woodlea Manor water pressures have tested within the Virginia Department of Health standards. Mr. Shoemaker discussed the results of the Town's survey of Woodlea residents. He stated 437 surveys were sent with 70% of the residents responding. He further stated that 62% of those surveyed stated their water pressure was not adequate. Aref Etemadi discussed staff's recommendation for a mini-booster station to be constructed, as approved in the budget, and outlined the three possible locations. Councilmember Schmidt asked how certain staff is that a mini-booster station on one of these sites will help, since residents who experience most problems live near the mountain. Mr. Shoemaker stated any of these locations would provide relief to the entire subdivision. Council member Zoldos asked for a timeline on the project. Randy Shoemaker stated staff would need six months for the design process and construction could begin in early spring. Councilmember Kramer suggested getting community input on which site to use. Brian Inello, acting President, Woodlea Manor HOA, stated the pressure in Woodlea Manor is bad and thanked Council for the survey and the ability to provide their input into this process. Mayor Umstattd verified the next Woodlea Manor HOA meeting would be September 24th at 6: 30 p.m. Aref Etemadi stated staff would attend the meeting and provide information on the project to the residents. Council member Schmidt asked if there was staff preference to either site? Mr. Etemadi stated there are issues with sites A and B, which will require Planning and Zoning review. 8. Virginia Department of Transportation addition of certain streets for maintenance payments Town Council Worksession Minutes for September 23. 2002 Page 5 Calvin Grow stated this addition of certain streets is a result of the Boundary Line Adjustment for the County school site. He further stated this resolution is to inform the Virginia Department of Transportation that this section of Dry Hollow Road is now within the Town boundaries and will be eligible for maintenance payments. Council member Schmidt asked if this addresses the issue of whether or not to pave this section of Dry Hollow Road? Councilmember Zoldos stated Council should adopt this street and suggested asking the County to share in the cost of operation and maintenance of the road. Councilmember Jackson verified the payment from the Virginia Department of Transportation would be approximately $3,000 a year. Councilmember Buttery asked if this section of the road would extend to the Rt. 15 By-pass? 9. Preview Items for October 7, 2002 Town Council Worksession a. Proposed schedule for completion of Draft Zoning Ordinance Councilmember Zoldos stated his appreciation for staff distributing the Draft Zoning Ordinance in electronic form. b. SE-2001-09, Parker Court No comment 10. New Business: Bob Noe stated that the completion of the projects with in the Parks & Recreation 20-year Master Plan would depend on the current debt situation of the Town. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. /'1 L~l tJ, aU Ctyk of Council