HomeMy Public PortalAbout2005_11_21
Council Work Session
November 21, 2005
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:28 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding.
Councilmembers Present: Kelly Burk, Katie Sheldon Hammier, Susan B. Horne,
Melinda Kramer, Marty Martinez and Mayor Umstattd.
Councilmembers Absent: Bob Zoldos
Staff Members Present: Town Manager John Wells, Town Attorney Barbara Beach,
Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Assistant to the Town Manager Kathy
Leidich, Chief of Police Joe Price, Director of Capital Projects Management Nagi
Elsewaissi, Director of Economic Development Betsy Fields, Director of Engineering
and Public Works Tom Mason, Director of Finance Norm Butts, Director of
Information Technology Wendy Wickens, Director of Planning, Zoning and
Development Susan Swift, Director of Utilities Randy Shoemaker, Deputy Director of
Utilities Aref Etemadi, Zoning Administrator Brian Boucher, Chief of Current Planning
Lee Phillips, Planner Chris Murphy, Management Specialist Tami Watkins and Deputy
Clerk of Council Debi Parry.
AGENDA ITEMS
7:00 Presentation - Loudoun County Volunteer Rescue
Steve Porter, Loudoun County Volunteer Rescue Squad (LCVRS) President,
introduced David Weiss, head of the LCVRS Public Relations Committee.
David Weiss, LCVRS, showed a DVD of how financial and volunteer
contributions assist their efforts.
Councilmember Kramer expressed her support for the volunteers and thanked
them for their efforts.
Vice Mayor Martinez verified the next open house is May 6.
Councilmember Horne thanked them for their efforts.
Councilmember Hammier verified it is typical for this type of organization to
rely on fundraising efforts.
Mayor Umstattd asked for the annual expenses of the LCVRS.
Mr. Porter stated the squad operates on approximately $600,000 to $700,000
a year; however, that does not include capital expenses. He stated they are
currently paying $60,000 to $70,000 a year on building loans for renovation.
Further, he stated Loudoun County had recently changed the way the squad is
reimbursed so they receive a set amount and then will be forced to compete with
other stations for additional funds.
Special Recognition of Leesburg Police Officers
Chief Joe Price stated Tuesday evening officers and members of the Leesburg
Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire at The Glenn Apartment complex. He
stated while the firemen began to evacuate the front of the building, while the
officers moved to the back of the building and without protective equipment
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proceeded to evacuate the residents. Further, he introduced three of the officers
who responded that night; Officer Travis Lotz, Officer Joseph Marsten, and Officer
Robert Hall and stated Officers Marsten and Hall formed a human chain to rescue a
mother and small child from a second floor balcony, also evacuated were residents
and pets.
Council thanked the officers for their heroic efforts.
Councilmember Hammier asked if the displaced residents are in need of
assistance from the community.
Chief Price stated the Red Cross and Loudoun County Emergency
Management are working to find alternate housing for those individuals.
Council Meeting of November 22, 2005:
a. TLSE-2005-0004 Carr Tank #2 to permit a major public utility
(water storage facility) in the B-3 Zoning District - Public Hearing
Chris Murphy stated this special exception is for a 1.5 million gallon
water storage facility adjacent to the existing facility on Fort Evans Road. He
stated staff and the Planning Commission have recommended approval of this
application.
There was no Council discussion of this item.
b. Adelphia - Comcast Franchise Transfer Agreement - Public
Hearing
This public hearing was deferred to the next Council meeting.
c. Water and Sewer Rate adjustment - Public Hearing
Norm Butts stated we have identified approximately $94 million in public
improvements in the next 10 years with $78 million of that for projects in the
next five years. He stated the Town plans to fund 45 percent of the cost from
cash and 55 percent from bonds. Further, he stated staff' recommends that
the utilities rates be increased.
There was Council discussion regarding the cost of the water and sewer
rate increase to the out-of-town residents as compared to the cost of the
additional taxes paid by residents of the Town.
Councilmember Hammier asked what it would take to give the out-of-
town residents the option to receive their water and sewer service from the
Loudoun County Sanitation Authority.
Mr. Shoemaker stated the 1984 annexation agreement established the
areas for the Town to service.
Vice Mayor Martinez stated all money we get from water and sewer rates
goes into the Utility Fund. He stated the surcharge was implemented to
protect the Town's liability against the bonds we've taken out. Further, he
stated he could support increasing the surcharge if these residents had
another choice for service; however, they have no representation and we
need to remember they are our customers and we need to be fair to
everyone.
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There was further Council discussion regarding the timing and
necessity of the projects. There was also discussion regarding spreading out
the increases over time or implementing scale increases.
d. Approving amendments to the FY 2006 General Fund Budget by
authorizing an additional police officer position to fulfill the
department's obligation to the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice
Academy
Joe Price stated in the FY 06 budget staff requested funding to cover the
cost of a position at the academy because our number of officers had
exceeded the parameters set forth by the academy for staffing assistance.
He stated the Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors of the academy
voted to require departments to provide a sworn staffing position rather than
the cash contribution. Further, he stated there is no additional funding
required as the funds are already available in the contractual services budget.
Vice Mayor Martinez verified the Town will be required to fill the position
at the academy.
e. TLSE-2005-0002 - B8r.M Motor Cars special exception to permit
vehicle sales within the B-3 Zoning District
This item was deferred to the next Council meeting.
For consideration and discussion:
1. Information Technology Commission briefing
Sandy Smallwood, Chair of the Information Technology Commission, provided
a briefing of the activities of the Commission over the past year.
Vice Mayor Martinez commented on the tremendous efforts of the
Commission and all the professionals involved. He thanked them for their work on
behalf of the Town.
Councilmember Hammier asked about efforts to have the Information
Technology and Cable Commissions work together.
Ms. Smallwood stated they have discussed cross attendance at the meetings;
however, as Vice Mayor Martinez is the Council representative to both commissions
he provides reports on various activities to both groups.
2. Cornwall Campus Office Building
Lee Philips stated the Planning Department and Engineering and Public Works
Department have completed their first review of the project and the majority of the
comments can be easily resolved. He stated it appears the parking is inadequate;
however, there are no floor plans for the current structure to compare with the
proposed structure. Further, he stated many residents have expressed concerns
with traffic issues.
Vice Mayor Martinez verified this is a by-right application.
Councilmember Horne stated there have been concerns from the neighbors
regarding traffic and tree preservation.
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Mr. Philips stated a few residents were concerned with the preservation of
some street trees on Cornwall Street. He stated the regulations require that the
developer bring all affected streets up to current Town standards, which would
require that curb, gutter and sidewalk be installed along Cornwall Street. He stated
the applicant can request a variation from the Planning Commission to waive the
street standards.
Council member Horne stated the report calls for the installation of traffic
signals at the intersection of North Street and North King Street and at Memorial
Drive and West Market Street. She stated it also calls for further analysis of the
intersection at Market and King Streets and improvement recommendations;
however, that was just done by the school system for one of their sites.
Mr. Mason stated that analysis was done by the school system and it
indicated the level of service would be unacceptable. He stated the idea is to look
for assistance in finding a solution to the issue.
Councilmember Hammier asked who would be responsible for the cost of the
traffic signals.
Mr. Mason stated Loudoun County has proffered payment for the traffic signal
at North and North King Streets. He stated we would look to the applicant to resolve
the issue of who would pay for the other traffic signal.
Mayor Umstattd stated there has been discussion regarding alternate access
to the site from the rehabilitation center. She asked what would be required to put
that road through and would the Town need to buy property from homeowners.
Mr. Mason stated the Town's right-of-way ends at the hospital property. He
stated a transfer of right-of-way would be required to extend the road. Further, he
stated an entrance to the hospital property could be added there; however, that is
something else to be worked out with the developer.
Mayor Umstattd asked what the incentive would be to the applicant to save
the trees.
Mr. Philips stated staff could inform the applicant that a number of Council
members would like the trees preserved.
3. National Incident Management System
Joe Price provided a briefing of NIMS which was established as a the result of
a Homeland Security directive in 2003. He stated NIMS is intended to provide a
nationwide approach for all levels of government to work together to respond to
domestic incidents. Further, he stated Council is required to adopt NIMS by
resolution as proof of compliance.
Councilmember Horne asked if there is redundancy built into the radio system
should they go down.
Chief Price stated we would loose our ability to talk to other regions;
however, we would still have a level of communication within our geographic area.
Vice Mayor Martinez verified the only thing needed for 2005 compliance is the
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Council resolution. He asked if there are any instances where Council members
would be assigned duties.
Chief Price stated in our existing Town Emergency Plan Council's duties
involve helping to prepare for an emergency, reassuring the public during an
emergency and taking care of needs after the incident.
Mayor Umstattd asked if the Town's operations center could take
over for the County should their center be down.
Chief Price stated we would take over if no other center were available.
4. Loudoun Street Task Force report
Chuck Wilson, Loudoun Street Task Force Chairman, outlined the Task Force's
recommendation that Council initiate a review of setback requirements in the Town
as they could have a negative impact on some redevelopment projects. He stated
assuming the setback requirements are changed, the Town should have a detailed
appraisal conducted of the property in the present market. Further, he detailed the
process that should be directed by Council resulting in the sale and development of
the property on Loudoun Street.
Council member Horne thanked the Task Force for their efforts stating the
Town is very fortunate to have this level of expertise available.
Mr. Wilson thanked staff for their assistance in this process.
Councilmember Horne stated we need to maximize every square inch of this
land and address the setback requirements.
Council member Hammier asked what the cost would be to contract with an
outside party to provide the professional appraisal of the property and if the money
is available in the budget.
Mr. Wells stated the cost is not known at this time; however, staff will contact
a few firms to ask for estimates before awarding a contract for the appraisal.
Councilmember Hammier asked how the set back requirements would effect
the Crescent District proposal.
Susan Swift stated this will be handled differently than the Crescent District
as they will have their own set of dimensional regulations and set backs.
There was further Council discussion regarding parking requirements and the
availability of lease space for the Town.
For information only:
Preview items for December 12, 2005 work session
a. Channel 21 policies
There was no discussion of this item.
New Business
Mayor Umstattd stated Congressman Wolf held a press conference at the
Leesburg Executive Airport today to announce an additional $2 million in federal
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funding has been allocated for the instrument landing system. She stated he also
secured an additional $3 million for Battlefield Parkway for a total of $10 million in
federal funding for that project. Further, she stated he secured $500,000 to assist
with the preliminary engineering work to widen the Route 7/Route 15 bypass.
Closed Session
Barbara Beach stated the legal matters to be discussed involve ongoing
litigation with Dominion Virginia Power.
On a motion by Mayor Umstattd, seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez, the
following motion was proposed:
Pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia, I move that the
Leesburg Town Council convene in a closed meeting to discuss legal matters.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Burk, Hammier, Horne, Kramer, Martinez and Mayor Umstattd
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1 (Zoldos absent)
The Council convened in closed session at 9: 10 pm.
The Council reconvened in open session at 10:20 pm.
On a motion by Mayor Umstattd, seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez, the
following motion was proposed:
In accordance with Section 2.2-3712 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 approved by the following roll call vote:
Aye: Burk, Hammier, Horne, Kramer, Martinez and Mayor Umstattd
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1 (Zoldos absent)
Adjournment
On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Hammier,
the meeting adjoined at 10:21 pm.
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