HomeMy Public PortalAbout2012_tcwsmin1022Council Work Session October 22, 2012
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street,7:30 p.m. Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd
presiding.
Council Members Present: Kelly Burk, David Butler, Thomas Dunn, Katie Sheldon
Hammler, Marty Martinez, Kevin Wright and Mayor Umstattd.
Council Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Town Attorney Jeanette Irby, Director of
Public Works Tom Mason, Research and Communications Manager Betsy Fields,
Director of Parks and Recreation Rich Williams, Transportation Engineer Calvin
Grow, and Clerk of Council Lee Ann Green
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Work Session Items for Discussion
a. Battlefield Traffic Light
Liz Whiting, Chair of the Standing Residential Traffic Committee
(SRTC), gave a presentation on the issue of a light at the intersection of
Battlefield Parkway and Plaza Street.
• Feedback received from Loudoun County Public Schools
• Software modeling shows reduction of 124 school trips will not have a
significant impact on traffic
• Intersection meets the warrants for a signal
• SRTC recommends advancement of installation of the light
Council Comments/ Questions:
• Would like installation as soon as possible
• Ask County for use of gas tax funds
• Light cycle should be set by sensor or timer
b. Loudoun Street Parcels
Council Comments/ Questions:
• Put a bench, tree and a pet waste station on each of the vacant parcels
• Could be expanded into a full park or removed to locate a building
• Land is a valuable asset to the community and should be used to realize
its maximum benefit
C. Izaak Walton Proposed Telecommunications Site
Rich Williams gave a brief report on the proposal to locate a
telecommunications site at Izaak Walton Park.
• Site would consist of an antenna located on an existing Virginia Power
pole
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Council Work Session October 22, 2012
• A 17 x 40 foot fenced enclosure to hold equipment for the antenna — to
be located at the base of the pole
• A 12 foot wide gravel maintenance roadway
• Proposal is for western -most power pole in the park
• Property owner has given permission and will not receive any of the
revenue generation from this proposed telecommunications antenna
Council Comments/ Questions:
• No interest in pursuing this since the town does not own this property
• Earlier discussion about allowing antennas on poles on Clubhouse
Drive was very contentious
• It was decided not to move forward with this proposal
d. Legislative Package
Betsy Fields went over the revised Legislative Agenda and Positions
Statement.
Highlights include:
• Requests changes allowing localities to demolish derelict temporary,
non - residential structures and place liens on property owners for
removal
• Tree save efforts have been restored — granting localities the authority to
require private construction projects save existing trees
• Clarified Lyme Disease eradication — support for legislation addressing
eradication of deer ticks that carry Lyme Disease as long as appropriate
measures have been taken to avoid the unintended eradication of non -
harmful insects
• Approximate cost for acquisition and demolition of the property at the
corner of Tavistock Drive and Sycolin Road is estimated to be $900,000
to $1 million
Council Comments/ Questions:
• Not interested in spraying programs for deer ticks as there is no
confirmation that it reduces tick populations but may be harmful to
beneficial insects — take out of the Legislative Agenda
• Should pick one transportation improvement as a priority focus
• Keep both transportation statements as sub bullets
• Change interest rate cap to 18% above prime
• Change wording on transportation
Ms. Fields reminded Council that the Legislative Dinner is tentatively
scheduled for November 27 at 6 p.m.
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Council Work Session October 22, 2012
2. Additions to Future Council Meetings
Council Member Dunn asked for a discussion regarding the process of
allocating funds from the Arcadia settlement for park land.
Council Member Butler asked that safety issues along the stretch of N. King
Street trail near Bridgette Place and Battlefield Parkway be examined. Further, he
asked for an extension of the 25 mile an hour speed limit north towards Tuscarora
High School.
Council Member Hammler stated the safety features on North King Street
need to be thought about in terms of the vista. Further she asked for a statement
regarding the possible move of the Parks and Recreation Department from the Depot
Court offices.
Council Member Burk requested a discussion of the signs in the garage.
Mr. Wells noted Bluemont Concert Series has notified the Town that they will
be unable to continue with First Night activities.
3. Closed Session
None.
4. Adjournment
On a motion by Vice Mayor Wright, seconded by Council Member Butler, the meeting
wa�djourned at &51 p. m.
Clerk of
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