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Home My Public Portal About2013_tcwsmin0107Council Work Session January 7, 2013 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, Kevin Wright and Mayor Umstattd. Council Members Absent: Marty Martinez. Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Town Attorney Jeanette Irby, Deputy Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Director of Finance Norm Butts, Assistant Town Manager Scott Parker, Director of Planning and Zoning Susan Berry Hill, Deputy Director of Planning and Zoning Brian Boucher, Zoning Administrator Chris Murphy, Director of Economic Development Marantha Edwards, Research and Communications Manager Betsy Fields, Deputy Director of Finance Kim Williams, and Clerk of Council Lee Ann Green AGENDA ITEMS 1. Work Session Items for Discussion a. FY 2012 Auditors Report Will be taken up with Item lb. b. FY 2012 Year End Financial Report Kim Williams presented the Year End Financial and Auditor's Reports. Key Points: • Town received an unqualified opinion, which is the best type of opinion possible. • Internal control is an ongoing project • Abolishment of the Airport Fund into the General Fund eliminates accounts payable and accounts receivable between the two funds • Establishment of Debt Service Reserve can be seen. Mike Garber stated his company merged with another large audit firm. He discussed the two reports with Council. Key Points: • Noted their were two comments in the CAFR • Big change will happen in June 2014 — GASB 68 covers unrecognized liability with Virginia Retirement System • Should not affect bond ratings • Only four significant journal entries Council Comments/ Questions: • Is the auditor comfortable with all responses? Answer: Yes. IIPage Council Work Session January 7, 2013 • Drop in number of adjustments is impressive C. Crescent Design Zoning District Discussion Brian Boucher gave an update of the code amendments for the Crescent Design District. Key Points: • Several alternatives have been discussed • Corridor would be 300 feet from the centerline • One alternative would allow by -right up to five stories for non- residential uses only • Residential uses would have to apply to Council for additional stories • Could include an option to revise the building height map to include an area where four stories would be by -right • Residential would have to come before Council • Cannot ask for proffers with special exceptions Council Comments/ Questions: • Where is residential allowed by- right? Staff answer: Demonstration on map of by -right residential areas and their density. • Barber and Ross property has a proffered rezoning, so Crescent Design District will have no impact on this property. Staff note — there is no other proffered land in the proposed district • Development spurs economic development in an area • Want to make sure town plan is worded to give Council maximum flexibility • Why is corridor width 300 feet? Staff answer: Some of the lots are very deep and this is an effort to give the street some uniformity • Would prefer only design planning • Understand the need for increased density to entice developers to develop projects downtown • Pushed for rezoning aspect to mitigate impact to taxpayers • Density increase is too great • Initial premise to expand the ambience of the downtown has been lost • Need more commercial space vs. retail d. Legislative Updates Betsy Fields stated that the filing deadline is January 18. She noted that VML Day is January 31. She distributed a spreadsheet showing the legislation that Leesburg has specifically requested. Key points: 21Pa e Council Work Session January 7, 2013 • New bill allowing localities to offer discounted water and sewer fees to disabled or low income customers • New bill prohibiting any committee of the general assembly from reporting any bill impacting localities that does not fully fund the net expenditures that would otherwise have to be paid by localities • New bill would require every school board to provide one SRO for every public elementary, middle and high school funded by the general appropriation act • Several bills would open new revenue streams Council Questions/ Comments: • How would Council communicate desire to support some of the new bills? Staff answer: Could add items to the Positions Statement • Fire Marshall is frustrated by the fact that funding for fire /rescue /EMS has been cut for the past several years Staff comment: Would be a budget amendment issue e. Youth Job Fair Marantha Edwards stated she has been in communication with ProJet and they will offer their facility from 12 -3 p.m. on March 16. She stated she will be working to solicit employers for the job fair. Council Comments/ Questions: • What will be the town's responsibility? Staff answer: No estimates yet. Parks and Rec staff will be working with Economic Development to scope out the event specifics • When done at the county level, the county did not have to pay for anything except advertising — it was all donated • Benefits the community — keeps youth busy during the summer months and they spend the money they earn in town • Would like to see a job fair for adults and full time employement • Congressman Wolf and Senator Warner already host job fairs for adults, which they want to continue f. Initiating an Amendment to the Zoning, Ordinance — Uses Permitted in Neighborhood Retail Convenience Centers Vice Mayor Wright stated this would update the ordinance to reflect current business conditions. 2. Information Items a. Tax Bill Follow -up Council Comments/ Questions: What are the costs associated with these errors? 3 1 P a g e Council Work Session January 7, 2013 Staff Answers: There are still unresolved issues in one of the areas — follow -up will be provided 3. Additions to Future Council Meetings Newtown Memorial Tree Planting — proposal is to plant a tree on Ida Lee Property near the playground and Rust Library. There was consensus for Council support. White Oak was selected as the tree type. Vice Mayor Wright asked for public notices on the website to include public hearings including those to be heard before the Board of Architectural Review. Council Member Butler asked for additional information for the public with respect to the Vulture relocation program to be performed by the USDA. Mr. Wells stated he would draft a response to be sent to all who expressed interest in the safety of the vultures. It was decided to put all appointment resolutions on the Consent Agenda for Tuesday night. Council Member Butler asked for a Council liaison to the Friends of Leesburg Public Art non -profit organization. Council Member Butler asked to form an ad -hoc Large Business Attraction Committee. It was decided to discuss this further. Council Member Dunn asked to discuss the organization of Boards and Commissions. 4. Closed Session None. 5. Adjournment On a motion by Council Member Butler, seconded by Mayor Umstattd, the meeting was adj grneA at 9.-A p. m. Clerk of CeSu 2013 tcwsmin0107 4 1 P a g e