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Home My Public Portal About2012_tcwsmin0312Council Work Session March 12, 2012 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street,7:35 p.m. Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd presiding. Council Members Present: David S. Butler, Thomas Dunn, Katie Sheldon Hammler, Marty Martinez, C. Terry Titus, Kevin Wright, and Mayor Umstattd. Council Members Absent: Vice Mayor Wright arrived at 7:45 p.m. Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Town Attorney Jeanette Irby, Deputy Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Senior Management Analyst Bob Berkey, Senior Management Analyst Annie Carlson, Director of Planning and Zoning Susan Berry Hill, Director of Human Resources Nancy Fixx, Economic Development Manager Marantha Edwards, Director of Public Works Tom Mason, Director of Parks and Recreation Richard Williams, Acting Director of Utilities Aref Etemadi, Director of Plan Review Bill Ackman, Director of Finance Norm Butts, Acting Director of Capital Projects Renee LaFollette, Acting Deputy Director of Capital Projects Tom Brandon, Chief of Police Joseph Price, Research and Communications Manager Betsy Fields, and Clerk of Council Lee Ann Green AGENDA ITEMS 1. Work Session Items for Discussion a. URAC Rate Study Scope of Work John Wells stated that URAC has not had a chance to meet to review the Scope of Work. He stated they have submitted some questions and suggested changes that have been included as attachments to the agenda item. Once they have a chance to meet, they will consolidate the comments and the Scope of Work will be brought back to the Council for review. There was discussion regarding vacancies on the URAC. It was noted that the vacancies have been advertised. b. Legislative Update Betsy Fields summarized the major issues that affect the town. She stated the General Assembly adjourned on Saturday without passing the budget, so they will reconvene on March 21. Highlights /lowlights include: • Town Charter change moving the elections to November was passed • Conditional Zoning Proffer Conditions Bill was approved • Stormwater Service Districts — if Loudoun County forms a stormwater service district, any of the revenue collected within the town goes to the town • Utility relocation — may not be compelling, but will help get utility companies to relocate their lines to accommodate capital projects 1 I Page Council Work Session March 12, 2012 • Urban development areas are now an optional part of comprehensive plans, rather than a required element • Changes to VRS — the town will have to start paying the 5 %, but may be able to phase in (possibly $42,000) • Eminent domain will go to voter referendum • Bill to narrow the instances in which a zoning administrator's decision can be corrected passed • Localities cannot prohibit employees from bringing guns and leaving them in their car • BPOL tax changes were defeated in the Senate finance committee • Bill to gut the ability to create or expand the historic district was amended in a satisfactory way • Bill to repeal the cigarette tax was defeated • Bill to exempt all structures within a cemetery from the site plan and building permit process was amended to continue to require administrative process with respect to additional structures • Bill to limit helicopters in town was amended to allow municipalities to prohibit helicopters in certain areas of town • Possible loss of law enforcement revenue if the currently proposed budget is passed Council Comments: • Women's and social issues are important considering the number of women in Leesburg but are more effectively dealt with more at the state and national level than the local level • Reporting format this year was very good • Need a work session on the impact of the eminent domain referendum • Need update on process to deal with changes related to zoning administrator opinions • Organizations like VML provide a necessary function • Eminent domain referendum could make form based code impossible • Senator Herring will try to convene a meeting to look at women's and social issues C. FY 2013 Budget Work Session Council Comments/ Questions: • Remove Wage /Anne Storm Drainage improvements for future years • Tax rate on aircraft is too low compared to the tax rate on automobiles • Can modest improvements at Georgetown Park be completed as part of the Bike /Ped plan? • Concern about the necessity of the Edwards Ferry Road right turn lane project. 2 1 P a ,c ZI Council Work Session March 12, 2012 Staff Answer: State funding was to provide the majority of the funds; however, the project has turned out to be more expensive than initially estimated. • Additional language for long term fiscal plan • Departments actions to implement the long range plan: • Submit realistic budgets • Not budget for the worst case scenario, but budget for the likely scenario • Extra money goes into the debt service reserve • Mechanics of vehicle replacement fund will be brought back to Council • Use of more fuel efficient vehicles, i.e. hybrids, electric, etc. • Replacement schedules • Possible removal of the Linden Hill Access Road from the CIP • Possible inclusion of the Morven Park Road sidewalk in the CIP • Possible delay of Edwards Ferry Road Right Turn Lane Project until additional funding can be identified • Consider consolidating some services with the County. • Consider contracting some services out rather than using town employees • Consider privatizing Balch Library 2. Additions to Future Council Meetings Council Member Titus: • Questions about the site plan for Loudoun Funeral Chapel with regards space needed to maneuver fire equipment around the building. • Support for Dulles Rail — but need information on how it will affect town revenue • Look at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel application with respect to future possible enactment of Form Based Code Council Member Hammler: • Review speed limit on Kincaid Boulevard Council Member Martinez: • Would like to see attachments put on Sharepoint 3. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Clerk of o it 2012 tcwsrni 0312 3 a