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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2013_tcwsmin1021 Council Work Session October 21, 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, Marty Martinez and Mayor Umstattd. Council Members Absent: Council Member Dunn arrived at 8:04 p.m. Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Town Attorney Jeanette Irby, Assistant Town Manager Scott Parker, Director of Public Works Tom Mason, Director of Finance Norm Butts, Director of Economic Development Marantha Edwards, Transportation Engineer Calvin Grow and Clerk of Council Lee Ann Green AGENDA ITEMS 1. Work Session Items for Discussion a. Utility Fund Cash Analysis by Davenport David Rose, Davenport& Company, reviewed the cash analysis of the Utility Enterprise Fund. Key Points: • Continue to maintain the Utility Fund as a strong, self-supporting fund independent of the General Fund • Utilities Fund undesignated fund balance at the close of each fiscal year should be equal to no less than 100% of Operating Revenues • Repair, Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund should be funded at 1% of net assets annually • Rates and Charges are set so that Net Revenues at least equal 1.25 x Annual Debt Service • Usage is trending downward • Aging infrastructure requires increasing funding/investment to maintain • New connections are declining • Rate increases will be necessary Council Comments/Questions: • Spike in debt service causes the deficit Consultant answer: Debt restructuring can even out the spike. • Would like Council to remain informed as the process progresses • Have TMDLs been factored in? Staff answer: Included in the Capital Needs Assessment • Is it possible to break out chemical costs? Staff answer: Yes, it is a line item in the budget. Major factors in the budget are personnel costs and operating costs • Can we break out the cost of unfunded federal and state mandates? Staff answer: Yes, rate consultant will be helpful with that. 1iPage Council Work Session October 21, 2013 b. VDOT Six-Year Plan Statement Calvin Grow stated that the public hearing will be held on Tuesday at the Fairfax VDOT office. It was Council consensus to have Mr. Grow represent the town. Council Comments/Questions: • What are the county's plans for congestion north of Leesburg? Staff answer: The county's long range plan shows widening of Rt. 15 south of Tutt Lane, but not north towards Maryland. The problem is too many cars/lanes feeding into a two lane road c. Traffic Improvements for Route 15 North Business & Bypass Calvin Grow discussed the requested transportation issues. Key Points: • Town staff has met with School Board officials regarding Tuscarora High School—the northern entrance has been opened. Flow is much better • Don't block the box signs are not enforceable, but serve as a reminder Council Comments/Questions: • Need targeted enforcement for failure to obey signs/signals • Need to think about short and long term solutions to lessen cut through traffic • Need to work cooperatively with county and Maryland/West Virginia legislators • Can the taper to one lane occur earlier • Would like to get General Assembly legislation to make blocking the box illegal • Need to know what budget implications are for additional police officers • Can a police officer direct traffic at key intersections to keep traffic flowing • Need to work with the state legislature to get agreement with Maryland d. Hope Parkway and Related Proffers Susan Berry Hill stated this is an information item requested by Council. Key Points: • The section of Hope Parkway addressed by the proffers is a four lane road section • Two lanes are in Oaklawn Phase II, western two lanes are in Phase III • Development on surrounding land bays triggers construction of road 2IPage Council Work Session October 21, 2013 • Can be constructed, or bonded for construction • The town cannot require Oaklawn to construct Hope Parkway prior to the trigger being met • If the town constructs Hope Parkway, it cannot be reimbursed by Oaklawn Council Comments/Question: • Can the town open a dialogue with Oaklawn to be compensated for constructing at least two lanes of Hope Parkway? Andy Shuckra: Oaklawn would be interested in discussions. It is an expensive roadway. e. Crosstrail ZMAP to Board of Supervisors Susan Berry Hill discussed review comments going to the Board of Supervisors for this rezoning application. Key Points: • Not in conformance with the County's general plan • Not in conformance with the town plan • County staff recommends denial • Plan is dependent on the town to provide utilities • County staff recommends regional impact contribution for impacts to Evergreen Mill Road Council Comments/Questions: • Major utilities and stormwater issues with this plan • Land use issue is also significant • Do utilities standards need to be addressed prior to approval of this plan? Staff answer: They have proposed something that Utilities staff is not comfortable with • Support this project because it will help finance them building out the office sections • Developer would be more open to Boundary Line Adjustment if the town is willing to help them through the land development process • Don't know what the impact will be to the utility fund of change from predominantly office to predominantly retail • Question whether this would be more beneficial to the Town of Leesburg Council consensus was to bring this item back for an additional work session so that utilities and stormwater issues can be addressed. 31Pape Council Work Session October 21, 2013 f. Downtown "Open for Business" Plan John Wells stated that this is the approach Council has asked staff to take with respect to the remainder of the Downtown Improvements. Key Points: • Work with individual businesses • Develop an aggressive marketing and construction program • Can be brought back for further discussion Council Comments/Questions: • "King Street Improvements: Your Questions Answered" needs to be posted on the website g. Comprehensive Parking Program John Wells stated this is a timeline with a set of objectives that Council has shown interest in dealing with between now and next May. Key Points: • No action is required this evening • Council will need to decide priority of some things • Some things will need to be included in the budget Council Comments/Questions: • Do not want the meters reinstalled on Loudoun Street until a centralized parking system or chalking tires can be implemented • There are apps that allow drivers to locate vacant spaces in the garage • Staff takes up spaces in the parking garage • Staff should be considered a group of consumers that patronize the downtown 2. Additions to Future Council Meetings Council Member Burk asked for a discussion of portability of availability fees within shopping centers and capital intensity factors. Council Member Wright asked for an initiation of a Town Code amendment dealing with electronic participation by Council Members in meetings. Council Member Hammler asked for a discussion of a healthy, active living program and requesting a color change for the Home Depot roof. Council Member Dunn asked for work session discussions of large rezoning projects in addition to public hearings. He also asked for a discussion of conflict of interest disclosures. 41Fage Council Work Session October 21, 2013 3. Closed Session On a motion by Mayor Umstattd, seconded by Vice Mayor Butler, the following was proposed: Pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(7)of the Code of Virginia, I move that the Leesburg Town Council convene in a closed meeting for the purpose of receiving information and discussion regarding: a. Green Energy Partners The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Burk, Butler, Dunn, Hammler, Martinez, Wright and Mayor Umstattd Nay: None Vote: 7-0 The Council convened in closed session at 10:31 p.m. The Council reconvened in open session at 10:50 p.m. On a motion by Mayor Umstattd, seconded by Council Member Martinez, the following was proposed: In accordance with Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia, I move that Council certify that to the best of each member's knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered in the meeting by Council. The motion was approved by the following roll-call vote: Aye: Burk, Butler, Dunn, Hammler, Martinez, Wright and Mayor Umstattd Nay: None Vote: 7-0 4. Adjournment On a motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Vice Mayor Butler, the meeting was adjourned. l:50 p.m. �.' 60• Clerk of Cou 201 3 tcwsmin 1021 5I Page