HomeMy Public PortalAbout2008_03_24
Council Work Session
March 24, 2008
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding.
Councilmembers Present: Katie Sheldon Hammier, Susan Horne, Marty Martinez,
David Schmidt, Ken Reid, Kevin Wright, and Mayor Umstattd
Councilmembers Absent: None
Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Town Attorney Jeanette Irby, Deputy
Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Assistant to the Town Manager Kathy Leidich, Assistant
to the Town Manager Scott Parker, Chief of Police Joe Price, Director of Planning,
Zoning and Development Susan Swift, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom
Mason, Airport Director Tim Deike, Recreation Programs Manager Kate Trask, Zoning
Administrator Brian Boucher, Senior Planner Chris Murphy, Transportation Engineer
Calvin Grow, Economic Development Manager Marantha Edwards, Economic
Research Analyst Betsy Fields, and Clerk of Council Lee Ann Green
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Questions on Tuesday Agenda Items
Council Meeting of March 25, 2008
a. Approving Special Exception TLSE 2007-0005 Offices at
Georgetown Park LLC to permit a private structured parking
facility at the northeast quadrant of Wirt Street and South
Street, S.E.
Council Member Schmidt questioned whether the applicant had given
permission for an archeological dig. Ms. Gillis-Snow stated that the
archeologist who made the proposal does not have the necessary equipment
to perform the dig; however, they were not opposed to working with him.
b. Approving Special Exception TLSE 2007-0011 All God's Children
Daycare Center which seeks to amend the conditions of Special
Exception SE-2002-02 to permit children up to age 12 at the
facility
Jeanette Irby stated the applicant had voluntarily agreed to limit the
ages at the daycare center. She noted this is not a limitation the Town
Council has the authority to require and is, therefore, legally unenforceable.
Vice Mayor Horne confirmed that nothing else about the special
exception had changed and questioned what type of neighborhood outreach
had been performed.
Chris Murphy stated nothing else had changed except for the ages of
the children. He stated the required mailings and posting had been
performed.
Council Member Reid questioned whether 49 children could be
accommodated in the house.
Mr. Murphy stated the number of children in inside and outside play
areas are state regulated. He stated the daycare meets or exceeds current
Town Council Work Session of March 24. 2008
Page 2
parking standards. He stated there is a neighbor who has concerns about the
drop off of children; however, there has been no police reports for the facility.
Council Member Reid stated this location is not visible from King Street
but is still within the H-2. He stated he did not wish to absolve daycares from
special exception requirements.
c. Budget Public Hearing
Council Member Reid stated he was surprised that non-departmental
groups wanting to receive Town funding are sent letters inviting them to ask
for funds. He stated he was disappointed the only people who come to
budget public hearings are those that want money. He expressed his hope
that the public will come out and weigh in on the budget.
d. Making an appointment to the Planning Commission
There was no discussion regarding Council Member Martinez' nominee,
Doris Kidder.
f. Immigration Coalition
Council Member Reid his interest in this coalition is that it is a
clearinghouse for ideas. He stated joining this coalition does not commit the
Town to anything. He assured Council he did not support this group because
he disliked immigrants noting that he is a member of one of the most
mistreated immigrant ethnic groups. He stated illegal immigrants can bring
other illegal activities to Town. He noted there is a meeting on April 3.
Council Member Wright questioned whether there is an official
membership document of the Coalition.
Council Member Reid stated he would distribute a list of the members
of the Coalition to Council. He stated the membership lists Bruce Tulloch as
the member from the Loudoun Board of Supervisors, but he is no longer the
representative.
Mayor Umstattd stated she noted that the proposal is that Bruce
Tulloch be the executive director of the group.
Council Member Reid stated he did not attend the last meeting so had
no information on that.
g. Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Ritz Camera Contract
Jeanette Irby stated they are working on finishing up the final
negotiations. Tim Deike stated Ritz Camera was interested in a fuel farm in
conjunction with their new facility. This contract is for the Fuel Farm. He
stated Ritz Camera will install improvements to the Town's Fuel Farm in
addition to lease payments and a per gallon pumping fee.
Council Member Hammier questioned whether the Airport Commission
had seen the lease and had opportunity to comment.
Mr. Deike stated they are still negotiating the final points and expect
to have the final lease for the Council meeting on Tuesday night.
Town Council Work Session of March 24, 2008
Paoe 3
Mayor Umstattd clarified that this lease is only for the Fuel Farm area.
Mr. Deike confirmed it is only for the 2,000 square feet of the Fuel
Farm and the per gallon pumping fee.
Council Member Martinez questioned how much revenue the Town
could expect from the per gallon pumping fee.
Mr. Deike stated it would depend on the type of planes that refuel and
how often they refuel.
g. Request for Funding - Confederate Soldier Statue 100th
Anniversary
Becky Fleming stated the Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy have
raised over $10,000 for the restoration of the statue. She stated they will
have a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the statue on May 31. She
stated they were surprised by how much it will cost to close the streets for
their celebration. She stated they are $3,300 short.
Vice Mayor Horne questioned how much it would cost on the Town
side, including closing the street.
Kate Trask stated the Town services would be $1,930, which includes
closing the streets and providing police support. She stated use of the Citizen
Support Team would reduce the cost.
Mayor Umstattd stated Council can consider a seed money donation
much like that given Smart's Mill for their road race.
Council Member Wright questioned what the impact on the event
would be if the streets were not closed, utilizing appropriate crossing control.
Mayor Umstattd asked Ms. Fleming to consider not closing the streets
for their celebration.
2. Work Session Items for Discussion
a. Commission on Public Art Guidelines
Judy Craun stated the Guidelines would be used to accept public art.
She stated they had used Arlington's guidelines as a template, thus saving
the Town a lot of money. She stated that it took six years for Arlington to
develop their Guidelines and Master Plan. Further, she stated the next step is
to develop the Master Plan.
Council Member Hammier questioned whether current valuable artistic
assets owned by the Town are part of the inventory. She suggested adding
long term maintenance costs as part of the master plan.
Ms. Craun stated the inventory will be part of the master plan.
Council Member Wright questioned what efforts the Commission has
made in securing outside support.
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Page 4
Ms. Craun stated the outside support will come from a number of
areas. She cited the CIP, proffers, and private donations. She stated they
will need some seed money to get started.
Council Member Wright stated he was concerned that the scope of the
Commission seems larger than the original scope set out in the enabling
legislation, which gives him concern.
Ms. Craun stated these are the guidelines with which the Commission
will look at art.
Council Member Wright stated the review criteria do not contain
enough guiding principles to keep objectionable items from being put on
public display.
Ms. Craun stated a review panel would be created to make
recommendations, then the art will go to the BAR and Zoning Departments,
then the Commission and finally to the Council. She stated there are more
layers of control than in most jurisdictions.
Council Member Reid questioned whether Ms. Irby has reviewed the
Guidelines.
Ms. Irby stated she had reviewed an earlier version of the guidelines.
Council Member Reid stated Council should not act until the Town
Attorney had reviewed the current version.
Mayor Umstattd stated she felt that public art should not have to be
reviewed by the government, unless it is considered obscene by public
standards. She stated she shares Council Member Wright's concern about the
use of the word "shall". She stated when art is on public property, Council
should have the right for final approval on any project, but if the Town is
responsible for documentation, maintenance, conservation and restoration,
Council should have that information. Mayor Umstattd asked Jeanette Irby to
review the final version of the Guidelines and give Council her comments.
Council Member Wright asked for tangible examples of what is allowed
to be built under current zoning that would be considered art. He stated he
wanted to be assured that the Town would not be inserting a new level of
approval.
b. George Mason University Business Incubator
Mr. Wells stated a number of people in the Town and a number of
people at George Mason are working on the Business Incubator project.
Vice Mayor Horne stated George Mason University may be looking to
expand into this area of Northern Virginia.
Council Member Hammier stated she hoped working with George
Mason on this project could be a preview to a George Mason University
Campus in Leesburg. She stated a private sector leader would be needed.
Town Council Work Session of March 24, 2008
Page 5
c. Development Activity Report
Betsy Fields went over the most recent Development Activity Report.
She pointed out a number of things that had been changed and added to
make the report more understandable.
Council Member Schmidt thanked her for making the report easier to
u ndersta nd.
Council Member Hammier asked for a column for the timing process.
d. BAR Joint Meeting FOllow-up
Susan Swift stated her memo outlined suggestions on how to close the
enforcement loop.
Council Member Reid suggested only major projects go through
review. He suggested holding off on changes to H-2 Corridor regulations,
including administrative review of applications.
There was discussion over narrowing the H-2 Corridor to only include
parcels which are adjacent to Market Street or King Street.
Council Member Wright stated it would be helpful to have a map with
current parcels in the H-2 and what would be in the H-2 if the corridor was
na rrowed .
Council Member Schmidt stated he would be supportive of loosening
up either the regulations or narrowing the corridor.
Ms. Swift stated Council needs to be cognizant of the Planning
Department work plan. She stated work to narrow the corridor or change the
Guidelines may slow down work on the Crescent District Form Based Code or
changes to the Zoning Ordinance. She recommended waiting until the Form
Based Code is finished to make any changes to the H-2 Corridor.
e. Meade Drive Stop Signs
Council Member Schmidt stated he did not think this needs to go back
to the Standing Residential Traffic Committee.
Vice Mayor Horne stated she did not believe the five stop signs on
Meade Drive were the best approach to traffic calming. She stated this
caused a lot of negative behavior and feelings in both neighborhoods.
Council Member Reid noted that stop signs are not supposed to be
used for traffic calming.
Mayor Umstattd questioned the necessity of reopening this discussion
considering how divisive it had proved to be in the past.
Vice Mayor Horne asked staff for a recommendation at for the April 7
work session.
Town Council Work Session of March 24, 2008
Page 6
f. City Status
Mayor Umstattd stated the State has given a small window of
opportunity from July 2010 to December 2013. She stated this comes from a
discussion on how to lower the combined tax rate for Town property owners.
She stated Council needs to evaluate this from a financial standpoint noting
the Town may elect to pay the County to provide some services.
Council Member Schmidt stated he did not feel this was worth
pursuing.
Vice Mayor Horne stated she would not be opposed to looking at the
financial considerations.
Council Member Martinez stated he is interested.
Council Member Hammier stated she would be interested in an
analysis. She stated we have a lot of duplication of services that could be
eliminated.
Council Member Wright stated the window is small and we are still
unsure of whether the State would approve any conversion to City status. He
questioned whether the Town is in a position to acquire the school properties
and advised proceeding cautiously.
Council Member Reid stated he is against City status as the Town
would need to assume a large amount of debt to take over the school system,
but did not mind taking a look at it.
Jeanette Irby stated she would check into how receptive the State
would be to an application.
Mayor Umstattd asked for a preliminary financial analysis. Council
concurred.
g. Bluemont Concert Series Funding Request
Milt Herd, Peter Dunning, Bob Sevila and Jim Sisley spoke on behalf of
Bluemont Concert Series.
Mr. Herd thanked Council for the Town's part in the 27-year
partnership and asked them to renew their commitment to that partnership.
He asked that the definition of Bluemont Concert Series as a tourism product
be revised to something more general and inclusive.
Council Member Schmidt stated the reduction in funding was a
conscious effort to reduce funding of social services and tourism agencies that
should receive more funding from the County.
Mr. Dunning stated they were surprised by the reductions as they had
no warning.
Mr. Wells stated emails had been sent to all non-departmental
agencies who regularly request funding. He noted that Mr. Dunning had
responded to the email.
Town Council Work Session of March 24, 2008
Page 7
Vice Mayor Horne questioned whether Bluemont had made an effort to
get more private sector support since the downtown businesses receive
benefit from the concert series.
Council Member Martinez stated he has been trying to get the Council
to revisit the issue of funding for non-departmental agencies.
Council Member Hammier stated she fully supports Bluemont Concert
Series adding it is one of the reasons people love living here.
Council Member Wright stated it would be useful to understand what
level of funding Bluemont has received in the past, both in terms of money
and in-kind support.
Mr. Wells stated Bluemont receives in-kind support in the form of
storage for their equipment, public safety for their events, waived event fees,
and mailings.
staff.
Council Member Hammier stated Bluemont fills a need not provided by
Council Member Reid questioned whether Bluemont could be
considered a social services agency and thus receive Uran funds.
Mr. Dunning stated that many of the businesses downtown are closed
on Sunday evenings during the concert performances.
Mayor Umstattd stated it is difficult to keep the tax rate down. She
stated she is reluctant to diverge from a path that saves the taxpayers
money.
h. 250th Celebration Update
Kathy Leidich reviewed the plans for the birthday celebration. She
stated there would be an event on September 14 from 2-5 p.m., which is the
actual anniversary of the date the Town came into existence. She stated
Vintage 50 is going to commemorate a beer for the occasion and asked for
assistance in coming up with a name for the beer.
Council Member Reid stated Court and Market Days should be moved
to September to achieve an economy of scale by combining the two events.
i. Keep Leesburg Beautiful
Vice Mayor Horne stated that Supervisor Kelly Burk is the co-chair.
She urged the Environmental Advisory Commission to get involved. She
stated the event would kick off April 12.
Council Member Martinez volunteered to take the reins next year.
Council Member Hammier requested the SAGE program follow-up be
put on the agenda for a later meeting.
j. Council Liaisons
Town Council Work Session of March 24, 2008
Page 8
Council Member Schmidt stated he did not see a need for changing the
ordinance or policy.
Council Member Wright stated there is a misconception of the
definition of a liaison. He noted there are 50 Boards and Commissions on the
County side and attendance for the Board of Supervisors has not been
questioned.
Council Member Reid stated he liked the proposed language.
Mayor Umstattd stated her concern is that there is a continuing
perception that could be changed by amending the language in the ordinance.
Adjournment
On a motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member
Wright, the meeting adjourned at 12: 15 a.m., March 25, 20
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