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Home My Public Portal About2013_tcwsmin0422 Council Work Session April 22, 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 Hammier, Marty Martinez, Kevin Wright and Mayor Umstattd. Council Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Town Attorney Jeanette Irby, Deputy Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Director of Utilities Amy Wyks, Director of Public Works Tom Mason, Director of Planning and Zoning Susan Berry Hill, Director of Plan Review Bill Ackman, Director of Finance Norm Butts, Assistant Town Manager Scott Parker, Director of Capital Projects Renee LaFollette, Economic Development Director Marantha Edwards, Research and Communications Manager Betsy Fields and Clerk of Council Lee Ann Green AGENDA ITEMS 1. Work Session Items for Discussion a. Green Energy Partners Update John Andrews updated Council on the most recent developments regarding the Green Energy Partners project. Key Points: • Hope to be able to come to the town next month with a formal agreement for usage of water • VA DEQ has issued a draft air quality permit • Hoping to be able to start preliminary work on the site at the end of the year b. Legislative Wrap Up Betsy Fields noted two bills were passed which will require town code amendment. Initiation of these amendments is on the agenda for Tuesday night. Key Points: • Several bills are permissive and would require Council direction • A number of bills were amended at the last minute and now do not affect the Town of Leesburg • With respect to the transportation bill, it will increase the state sales and use tax on gasoline • Money will go to the state for distribution • Estimated increase in regional revenue is about$250,000,000. • Council Comments/Questions: 1 IPage Council Work Session April 22, 2013 • Does the bill allowing members to participate by electronic means allow electronic voting as well? Staff answer: Yes —still have to have a quorum physically present, but the person who will be absent needs to notify the chair why they will be absent, then the members present would have to vote whether or not to allow the person to participate electronically. The record must reflect the vote as well as the reason the person cannot be physically present and each member can only do this twice per year. • For which permissive bills does staff need Council direction? Staff answer: HB 1522 (personal property tax) —does Council want the town to continue to follow the county's lead? And the transportation funding bill. • Does the town have the means to participate in public internet auctions? Staff answer: Yes. • If localities elect not to charge/collect the additional taxes, will they be unable to participate in the revenue? Staff answer: That is unclear at this point—jurisdictions that collect more sales tax may get a higher percentage of the revenue • Do we know when and if the Board of Supervisors might decide to enact any of these new taxes? Staff answer: In the next few months, they will make determinations. County staff is preparing an estimate of revenues. c. Annexation Follow-up John Wells stated that this is the beginning of a series of discussions that will need to occur regarding the subject of annexation. Summary of Key Points: • Fiscal impact analysis has been provided • Work Session will be scheduled in May and will include minutes from previous AADP meetings to familiarize the new members with past issues • Possible joint meeting with Board of Supervisors to discuss annexation and the VRT bus issue • Committee on Local Government step helps localities work through the process amicably Council Comments/Questions: • What area is to be discussed? Same area as previously discussed, or an enlarged area? • What are the drawbacks to bringing these areas into town through Boundary Line Adjustment(BLA)? Staff answer: You cannot impose conditions on a BLA. Can be discussed before the Commission on Local Government 2IPage. Council Work Session April 22, 2013 • Cost of contested annexation would be financially unappealing • Would be helpful if Fiscal Analysis contained information on the possible costs of annexation • If areas 1 and 2 were annexed, would there be out of town utility customers? Council answer: Only a few. • By how many would the town's population increase? Council answer: Go from 44,000 to 58,000. • What are operating expenditures based on? Staff answer: Categories are listed on Page 28. Fiscal impact analysis is based on current levels of service anticipating proportionate revenues based on existing property values and existing tax rates. Does not anticipate an increased/decreased level of service • Council needs to reaffirm the area to be considered • Why are the estimated public safety costs so high for area 1? Staff answer: Assumptions were based on the additional residential uses included in the submission of Tuscarora Crossing to the county d. King Street Design Scott Parker gave a brief summary regarding the design submitted by Voices for an Amazing Place for a retractable curb for S. King Street between Market and Loudoun. Summary of Key Points: • Full analysis has not been done, but it will be more expensive and take longer to complete • Water and gas lines will need to be relocated—will cause the street to be torn up longer • Worker safety will be a major consideration during maintenance • Fence separating seating area from parking area will need regular repairs due to damage Council Comments/Questions: • Like the opportunity to extend the sidewalks • How long will the delay be for research and testing? Staff answer: Minimum of about 1 1/2 years • Must have an agreement as to the frequency of use • Where will the additional funds be found? • How much of the construction period will cause limited access to businesses on S. King Street? Staff answer: Construction mitigation plan has not been developed yet. • Prefer refreshing the bricks and streetlights only 31Page Council Work Session April 22, 2013 2. Additions to Future Council Meetings Vice Mayor Butler: Would like to discuss Garage signage. Too quick to shut off water and too hard to make payment without visiting town hall. Council Member Martinez: Discuss placing the town seal on the overpass bridge by Wegman's. Through truck traffic on Battlefield Parkway. Council Member Wright : Lot line vacation program to bring nonconforming lots into conformance. Council Member Hammier: Will need to advertise for a nominee for the Technology and Communication Commission. Council Member Dunn: Would like VDOT to paint the bridge at Rt. 7 and the Bypass. What is the possibility of an access road directly into the outlet mall parking lot? Consideration for having agenda item review on Monday nights before Tuesday meetings. 3. Closed Session None. 4. Adjournment On a motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member Wright, the meeting was adj ed at 9:32 p.m. it ( 9 L 41/ Clerk of Cou it 2013 tcwsmin0422 41Page