HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023_tcmin0213 COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2023
Council Chamber, 25 West Market Street, 7:00 p.m. Mayor Kelly Burk presiding.
Council Members Present: Ara Bagdasarian, Todd Cimino-Johnson, Zach Cummings, Kari
Nacy, Vice Mayor Neil Steinberg, Patrick Wilt, and Mayor Kelly Burk.
Council Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: Deputy Town Manager Keith Markel, Town Attorney Christopher Spera, Director
of Finance and Administrative Services Clark Case, Director of Public Works and Capital Projects
Renee LaFollette, Acting Chief of Police Vanessa Grigsby, Director of Utilities Amy Wyks,
Director of Economic Development Russell Seymour, Deputy Director of Utilities Brian Stone,
Leesburg Police Captain Jaime Sanford, Leesburg Police Captain Dan Troxell, Leesburg Police
Sgt. Ryan Martin, Management and Budget Officer Cole Fazenbaker, Senior Management Budget
Analyst Holland Schellhase, Transportation Engineer Niraja Chandrapu, and Clerk of Council
Eileen Boeing.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION was given by Council Member Cimino-Johnson.
3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG was led by Council Member Nacy
4. ROLL CALL
a. Electronic Participation for Council Member Cummings
Council Member Cummings requested to participate electronically in the February
13, 2023, Council Meeting for health reasons. Council Member Bagdasarian, Council
Member Cimino-Johnson, Council Member Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Council Member
Wilt, and Mayor Burk were physically present at the meeting.
MOTION2023-026
On a motion by Vice Mayor Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Nary, the following was
proposed:
To allow Council Member Cummings to electronically participate in the February 13, 2023,
Town Council Meeting.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cimino-Johnson, Nary, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1(Cummings abstain)
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2023
5. MINUTES
a. Town Council Retreat Minutes of January 21, 2023
MOTION2023-027
On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Cimino-Johnson, the
Town Council Retreat Minutes of January 21, 2023, were moved for approval.
Council Member Wilt was absent from the retreat and abstained from the vote.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cimino-Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, and Mayor
Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1(Wilt abstain)
b. Work Session Minutes of January 23, 2023
MOTION2023-028
On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Bagdasarian, the Work
Session minutes of January 23, 2023, were moved for approval.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cimino-Johnson, Cummings, Nagy, Vice Mayor Sternberg, Wilt and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
c. Regular Session Minutes of January 24. 2023
MOTION 2023-029
On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Bagdasarian, the
January 24, 2023, Regular Session minutes were moved for approval.
Council Member Cimino-Johnson was absent from the January 24, 2023, Council
Meeting and abstained from the vote.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 6-0-1(Cimino-Johnson abstain)
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2023
d. Special Meeting Minutes of February 2, 2023
MOTION2023-030
On a motion by Vice Mayor Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the revised October
25, 2022, Regular Session minutes were moved for approval.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cimino-Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
6. ADOPTING THE MEETING AGENDA
MOTION2023-031
On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Cimino-Johnson, the
meeting agenda was moved for approval.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cimino-Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor
Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
7. CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION
a. None.
8. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS
a. Black History Month
Mayor Burk read the proclamation in celebration of Black History Month. Friends
of the Thomas Balch Library Black History Committee Member Mr. Derrick Clark made a
few remarks.
b. Motion to Approve Read Across America Proclamation
MOTION2023-032
On a motion by Council Member Cimino-Johnson, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the
following was proposed:
I move to approve the Read Across America Proclamation to be proclaimed at the February 28,
2023, Town Council Meeting.
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2023
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cimino-Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
9. PRESENTATIONS
a. Town Manager's Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Budget
Deputy Town Manager Keith Markel presented the Fiscal Year 2024
Proposed Budget. Mr. Markel reviewed the annual operating budgets for the
General Fund and the Utilities Fund and the Six-year Capital Improvements
Program for Fiscal Years 2024-2029 Highlights of the presentation included:
• Strong Financial Portfolio
o AAA Bond Rating
o Healthy Reserves
o Positive Real Estate Growth
o Positive Consumer Tax Revenue
• Uncertain Economic Headwinds
o Inflation
o Potential Recession
• Proposed Investments
o Capital Infrastructure
o Public Safety and Workforce
o Technology
o Parks and Open Space
• Tax Rates
o No Change
Mr. Markel reviewed the budget development schedule. Council asked a few
brief questions. Mayor Burk noted that discussions will continue during the budget
work sessions. Staff advised that a summary of questions and answers related to the
budget would be prepared and disseminated to Council weekly and publicly available
on the Town's Web site.
10. REGIONAL COMMISSION REPORTS
Mayor Burk shared the news of the passing of the Virginia Municipal League President.
11. PETITIONERS
The Petitioner's Section was opened at 7:34 p m.
There were no Petitioners wishing to address Council.
The Petitioner's Section was closed at 7:35 p.m.
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2023
12. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION2023-033
On a motion by Vice Mayor Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the following consent
agenda was proposed:
a. Town Hall An Exhibit by LCPS Art Students ofDeborah Tripp
RESOLUTION 2023-024
Approval of Town Hall Art Exhibit by Loudoun County Public School Art Students of
Deborah Tripp
b. Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Review and Adoption Schedule
RESOLUTION2023-025
Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Review and Adoption Schedule
c. Appointments to the Town's Other Post-Employment Benefits(OPEB)Finance Board
RESOLUTION 2023-026
Appointment of New Members Added to the Town's Other Post-Employment Benefits
(OPEB)Finance Board and Reappointment of the Citizen Board Member
d. Digester Boiler Services at the Water Pollution Control Facility
RESOLUTION2023-027
Approving a Change Order for Additional Services for the Replacement of the Digester Boiler
at the Water Pollution Control Facility to FJ Industrial in the amount of$91,765
The Consent Agenda was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cimino-Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
13. RESOLUTIONS /ORDINANCES / MOTIONS
a. Water and Sanitary Sewer Service Extension Request for Loudoun County Fire and
Rescue Basic Training Facility
MOTION2023-034
On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Bagdasarian, the
following was proposed:
RESOLUTION 2023-028
Conditional Approval of Water and Sanitary Extensions for Loudoun County Fire and
Rescue Basic Training Facility
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2023
Ms. Amy Wyks provided an overview of the request. Council and staff discussed
the item. Ms. Wyks also noted a revision to the draft resolution made at the County's
request to give them additional time to do the decommissioning of the pump station.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cimino-Johnson, Cummings,Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
b. Water Service Extension for Titan Virginia Ready-Mix LLC
Ms. Amy Wyks provided an overview of the request. Council and staff discussed the
item including temporarily providing water service to the property until Loudoun Water can
serve the property Council requested the item be deferred until the February 28, 2023,
Council Meeting to allow for additional discussion with the property owner and staff to
explore some of the proposed options
MOTION2023-035
On a motion by Council Member Bagdasarian, seconded by Council Member Cimino-Johnson,
the following was proposed:
To defer action on item 13.b. Water and Sewer Sanitary Service for Titan Virginia Ready
Mix, LLC, to February 28, 2023.
The motion as approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cimino-Johnson, Nacy, Wilt
Nay: Cummings, Vice Mayor Steinberg and Mayor Burk
Vote: 4-3
c. 2023 Council Planning Retreat-Work Plan
MOTION2023-036
On a motion by Council Member Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Cimino-Johnson,
the following was proposed:
RESOLUTION 2023-029
Approval ofa Work Plan and Authorizing the Town Manager to Proceed with Action Steps
from the January 2023 Council Planning Retreat
Mr. Markel advised that the plan was developed based on the topics discussed
at the Council Retreat in January Council Member Bagdasarian asked that the
trolley section not be specific to only the downtown and that Council consider a
circulator throughout the Town. It was the consensus of Council that this be
expanded in the work plan.
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2023
The motion was approved by the following vote.
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cimino-Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
14. PUBLIC BEARINGS
a. None.
15. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. None.
16. NEW BUSINESS
a. None.
17. DISCUSSION
a. Downtown Speed Limit Study
Ms. Niraja Chandrapu reviewed the Downtown Speed Limit Study and her
recommendations as to where the speed limit should be lowered.
Council and staff discussed the item. At the request of Council Member
Bagdasarian, Ms. Chandrapu agreed to modify her recommendation to lower the speed
limit to 20 mph on King street as it approaches the W&OD Trail. In response to the
Mayor's request to lower the speed limit on Market Street near Morven Park Road,
additional traffic calming measure will be discussed with the Residential Traffic
Commission in this area opposed to lowering the speed limit.
It was the consensus of Council to bring this item forward to the February 28, 2023, Council
Meeting for a formal vote.
b. Public Parking Signage
Ms. Renee LaFollette reviewed the current public parking signage in Leesburg and
provided suggestions for updated signage and additional locations.
Council and staff discussed the item.
It was the consensus of Council to bring this item forward to a future meeting to approve a new
updated sign package including additional sign locations.
18. COUNCIL DISCLOSURES AND COMMENTS / ADDITIONS TO FUTURE
MEETINGS
Council Member Cimino-Johnson disclosed he had a meeting with Mr. Matt Leslie, Ms.
Tara Craven, Mr. Tom Jordan, Mr. Jack Williams and Ms. Sashenke Brauer regarding the
Hamblet Property Dr. Cimino-Johnson also disclosed he met with Mr. Kevin Ash along with
Council Member Ara Bagdasarian.
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2023
Council Member Cimino-Johnson requested a proclamation for Mayors and Town
Council Day of National Service.
It was the consensus of Council to add this proclamation to a future meeting.
Council Member Cimino-Johnson requested a Work Session discussion for a text
amendment to allow congregate housing. Mr. Markel offered an informational memo in advance
of the discussion.
It was the consensus of Council to add this to a future meeting for discussion and for staff to prepare an
informational memo in advance of the discussion.
Council Member Cimino-Johnson requested a Work Session discussion for a text
amendment regarding the maximum number of rooms at an inn.
It was the consensus of Council to add this to a future meeting for discussion.
Vice Mayor Steinberg disclosed he met with Mr. Peter Burnett, Mr. Kim Hart, Mayor Burk
and Town staff to discuss the Liberty Lot/Wirt Street possibilities.
Council Member Cummings disclosed that he me with Mr. Kevin Ash and Town staff.
Council Member Wilt disclosed he met with Mr. Peter Burnett regarding the response for
the Liberty Street Lot Request for Proposal.
19. MAYOR DISCLOSURES AND COMMENTS / ADDITIONS TO FUTURE
MEETINGS
Mayor Burk disclosed she met with Council Member Cummings and Mr. Kevin Ash
regarding his Loudoun Street Project. Mayor Burk also disclosed she met with Mr. Kim Hart, Mr.
Peter Burnett, Mr. Don Knutson, and Vice Mayor Steinberg on the Liberty Lot proposal. Mayor
Burk said she attended an instructional meeting with local residents and developer Mr. Chuck
Kuhn regarding the Westpark Commercial Development project. Mayor Burk attended the
Leesburg Volunteer Fire Department's Pancake Breakfast noting it is held the last Saturday of the
month and is a great value for a good cause. Mayor Burk attended the Ice Carving Show at the
Village at Leesburg and thanked the organizers for inviting her. Mayor Burk attended an
informative meeting regarding the Hub Zone changes and what it means to local Leesburg
businesses. Mayor Burk was escorted by Tuscarora High School Senior Mr. David Seekford, also
known as Mr. Mayor, to the school's Best Contest where they won the student government
fundraiser event. Mayor Burk and Supervisor Kristen Umstattd attended a meeting with the
residents of the Leesburg Apartments to discuss ongoing issues experienced by the residents.
Mayor Burk welcomed Ms. Leslie Kay and Leesburg Beads and Studio to Leesburg. Mayor Burk
noted that the recent earthquake tragedy in Turkey and Syria has revealed that buildings in those
countries may not have been built in accordance with the requirements of the government. Mayor
Burk said this resonates the importance of local government ensuring that regulations are followed
here in Leesburg so that nothing like that ever happens here despite pressures by some developers
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2023
that following the regulations may be too costly or restrictive. Mayor Burk wished everyone a
Happy Valentmes Day
20. TOWN MANAGER COMMENTS
a. None.
21. CLOSED SESSION
a. Pending Annexation with respect to the Joint Land Management Area (JLMA)
MOTION2023-037
On a motion by Mayor Burk, seconded by Vice Mayor Steinberg, the following was proposed:
I move pursuant to Va. Code Section§2.2-3711(A)(8)and§2.2-3711(A)(3)of the Code of
Virginia that the Leesburg Town Council convene in a closed meeting for the purpose of
consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members regarding specific legal matters
related to the pending annexation in the JLMA where such consultation in open session would
adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the Town.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cimino-Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
Council convened in a dosed session at 8:56 p.m.
Council convened in an open session at 10:17 p.m.
MOTION2023-038
On a motion by Mayor Burk, the following was proposed:
In accordance with Section§2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia, I move that Council cent J to the
best of each member's knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open
meeting requirements under Virginia Freedom of Information Act and such public business
matters for the purpose identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were
heard, discussed or considered in the meeting by Council. (ROLL CALL VOTE)
Wilt—aye, Bagdasarian—aye, Nag—aye, Vice Mayor Steinberg—aye, Cimino-Johnson—
aye, Cummings—aye, Mayor Burk—aye. Vote 7-0
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COUNCIL MEETING February 13, 2023
21. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Vice Mayor Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Nary, the meeting was
adjourned at 10:•18 Ain.
Kelly k, Mayor
Town of Leesburg
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February 13,2023—Town Council Meeting
(Note: This is a transcript prepared by a Town contractor based on the video of the meeting. It
may not be entirely accurate. For greater accuracy,we encourage you to review the video of the
meeting that is on the Town's Web site—www.leesburgva.gov or refer to the approved Council
meeting minutes. Council meeting videos are retained for three calendar years after a meeting
per Library of Virginia Records Retention guidelines.)
Mayor Kelly Burk:All right I would like to call to order tonight our February 131h, 2023 Town Council
meeting and work session combined If anyone in the room needs hearing assistance, please see the
Clerk, Council Member Cimino-Johnson will be giving the invocation followed by the pledge of
allegiance by Council Member Nacy Council Member Cimino-Johnson
Council Member Todd Cimino-Johnson: We take a moment to acknowledge that Leesburg is
situated on ancestral,traditional,and contemporary lands that belong to the Piscataway and Manahoac
tribes I would like to acknowledge their ancestors who lived in what we know today as Leesburg and
acknowledge that they were driven out by European colonists As someone who lives on this land, I am
obligated to recognize their presence was here before Europeans These tribes cherished and
protected these lands We are honored and grateful to be here today on their traditional lands
Mayor Burk: Ms. Nacy'
All: .States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation [inaudible] indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all
Mayor Burk: I need a motion to allow Council Member Zach Cummings to participate electronically
tonight
Vice Mayor Neil Steinberg: So moved
Mayor Burk: I'm looking for my pen Sorry Moved by Vice Mayor Steinberg Seconded by Council
Member Nacy All in favor indicate by saying, aye
Members:Aye
Mayor Burk: Opposed? Mr Cummings, you are now a part of the meeting I need a motion to accept
the Town Council Retreat of January 21, 2023
Council Member Kari Nacy: So moved
Mayor Burk: Moved by Council Member Nacy Second?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Second
Mayor Burk: By Council Member Cimino-Johnson Mr Wilt, you were not present for that, so you will
abstain AU in favor indicate by saying aye
Members:Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed and abstained Mr Wilt Thank you The work session minutes of January 23rd,
2023
Council Member Nacy: So moved
Mayor Burk: Council Member Nacy Second?
Council Member Ara Bagdasarian: Second
Mayor Burt Council Member Bagdasarian All in favor indicate by saying aye
Page 1 I February 13, 2023
Members:Aye
Mayor Burk: Opposed?That passes 7-0 Next one Regular session minutes of January 24ir Council
Member Cimino-Johnson, you are not present for that one Do I have a motion?
Council Member Nacy' So moved
Mayor Burk: You've got them all tonight Second
Council Member Bagdasarian: Second
Mayor Burk: Second, Council Member Bagdasarian All in favor indicate by saying aye
Members:Aye
Christopher Spera: Six Nay?Zero
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Abstain
Mayor Burk:Abstained Special Meeting Minutes of February 2nd, 2023
Vice Mayor Steinberg: So moved
Mayor Burk: Vice Mayor Steinberg Seconded by Council Member Nacy.All in favor indicate by aye
Members:Aye
Mayor Burt Opposed?That passes 7-0 Do I have a motion to adopt the meeting agenda
Council Member Nacy: So moved
Mayor Burk: Council Member Nacy Seconded by Council Member Cimino-Johnson. Is there any
amendments or deletions that anyone would like to take off the agenda at this point? All right All in
favor indicate by saying aye
Members: Aye
Mayor Burt Opposed?That passes 7-0 We have no certificates, but we do have a Proclamation for
Black History Month Mr Clarke from the Black History Committee will be accepting it I'm going to read
it forward, and then I will need a motion to approve the Read Across America Proclamation The
Proclamation for Black History Month February 2023,'Whereas in February of 1926, 61 years after the
ratification of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, Dr Carter Woodson, a noted
historian, desired to recognize the contributions of the African Americans in this country
Whereas, the month of February was appropriately chosen to recognize the success of the African
Americans as it contained the birth anniversaries of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass
Whereas, during Black History Month, we celebrate the many achievements and impacts made by the
African Americans to our economic,cultural, spiritual, and political development Whereas, in 2023,the
Black History Month theme is Black resistance as established by the Association of African American
Life and History, which can take many forms, including partaking in the arts, driving political actions,
supporting Black authors and entrepreneurs and by honoring and making visible Black histories,
communities, and cultures through celebrations
Whereas, Leesburg residents are encouraged to celebrate that Black History Month and share with
others the influences and accomplishments of the African Americans throughout the history of our
nation Therefore,proclaimed that the Mayor and the Council hereby recognize February 2023,as Black
History Month in the Town of Leesburg To commend the Friends of Thomas Balch Library Black History
Page 2 I February 13, 2023
Committee for its efforts to preserve, collect, promote and share the history of the African Americans
who contributed to the emergence development of Loudoun County,Virginia Proclaimed this 13'h day"
Before I go down, may I get a motion to approve the Proclamation for Read Across America?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: So moved
Mayor Burk: Council Member Cimino-Johnson Is there a second?
Council Member Nacy: Second
Mayor Burk: Council Member Nacy All in favor indicate by saying aye
Members:Aye
Mayor Burk:Opposed?That's 7-0. Let me go down and present this to Mr Clarke [silence]Mr.Clarke,
thank you very much for being here today and for accepting this proclamation You,as a member of the
Balch Library Committee there, Black History Committee have been a substantial contributor to things
that are going on here in Leesburg and the history and the education of our citizens here We really
appreciate all your efforts and everything that the committee is doing Would you like to say a few
words?
Derrick Clarke: I do Thank you to everyone in Town Council and attendees here I moved to this part
of Virginia from New York City 1995 I came here thinking this is going to be a big difference than New
York City, which is very eclectic I have been wrong about that Loudoun County is a wonderful, very
diverse location Its growing in many different ways As an engineer, I'm getting a chance to participate
in all of the activities from the Town Council to the Heritage Commission and soil and water activities
This is an honor We at the Black History Committee are very proud of the work that we do and where
we share and collaborate with all in and around Loudoun County Thank you On behalf of this,we will
continue to add value where we can Have dialogue where we can and learn Thank you
Mayor Burk:Thank you very much We truly do appreciate all your hard work Thank you [applause]
Mayor Burk: That takes us now to the presentation This is the Town Manager's Fiscal Year 2024
proposed budget Unfortunately, Mr Dentler had a family situation and could not be here tonight. His
assistant. You're not assistant
Keith Markel: Deputy
Mayor Burk: Deputy What's the title? Deputy Town Manager
Keith Markel: [inaudible]
Mayor Burk: I was working on it You're filling in,and you have asked for 30 minutes?
Keith Markel: I think we can do it in 20
Mayor Burk:That would he even better You got a couple of points
Keith Markel: Try to keep a move on I may be able to do even better than that
Mayor Burk: Does anybody have any problems with the addition of the 20 minutes?
Keith Markel: Vice Mayor, so it would be fine if its about two and a half hours?
Mayor Burk: He'd be so proud of you
Keith Markel: Great. well, thank you, Mayor and Council Good being with you this evening and on
behalf of the Town Manager and the Budget Team sitting here on the front row, I'm very pleased to
Page 3 I February 13, 2023
share with you our proposed budget for FY 2024 Along with the CIP, the six-year plan for fiscal years
'24 through '29 As you heard just a few weeks ago from your financial advisor with the Town,
Davenport,the Town is in an excellent financial shape,and we are very strong on all financial indicators
Thanks to your consistent leadership, the Town continues to grow and has very strong economy in
which we'll go through and touch on those here in a moment
We're all positioned going into this new budget scheduled discussion as well as going into the'24 year
All this can be represented in the strong financial portfolio of the Town. Again, we have the highest
municipal bond rating of any Town, any time it could have in the nation, a triple AAA bond rating We
have healthy reserve funds We have positive real estate growth You can see that throughout the
Town,lots of good things happening We have positive consumer tax revenue coming in and exceeding
even our expectations as we recover from the pandemic All of this, though, is tempered with the
economic headwinds that have been driving inflation We've seen the impacts of that on our Town
capital projects
We've seen that with our operating costs,the cost of materials,the cost of goods,as well as the cost of
that taking care of our Town employees and keeping up with the salary demands of this inflation
economy Again,there's also discussion of a recession looming on the horizon Thankfully,we haven't
seen any strong indications out here in the Town, but that's always a real present threat This budget
you'll see this evening proposes several things,our investment in capital infrastructure,our public safety
and workforce investments, as well as technology and our IT infrastructure needs, as well as
maintaining and enhancing our quality parks and open space
I'm happy to report this evening that there are no proposed new taxes nor any increases in our current
taxes that are currently levied in the Town All of this is done with an eye towards your strategic initiatives
that were outlined and developed within your work session when you all got together to meet last year
Those five initiatives are economic development, implementation of the Town's Legacy of Leesburg
Plan, a commitment to environmental sustainability and stewardship, Information Technology
investments, and investments in emergency preparedness As an overview here, just quickly to go by
the high numbers, you'll see that the proposed 2024 budget for the general fund operating is proposed
to you at$77 9 million
This is an increase of$5 2 million over last year's budget The Utility fund operating budget is proposed
at $29 5 million, which is an increase of $1 8 million over last year's budget Going to the Capital
Improvement side, you'll see $38 9 million proposed for the General Government Capital Projects, an
increase of$11 2 million, and you'll see a decrease on the Utilities Capital Improvement Program due
to just the types of projects working on here and proposed for the coming year proposed for'24 of$11 1
million, a decrease of$13 9 million over last year This all tallies up to $157,490,000 in the proposed
FY budgets, both capital and operating
You say, 'Where do these dollars go to work"These dollars that we have for Town investment You'll
see that a dollar broken down, you'll see that 260 there about goes towards public safety in the form of
our Police Department The second largest use of our tax dollars is Public Works that 22 5¢ on the
dollar for all the things,trash, recycling, snow, brush, paving, all those things that are very public facing
to our community The third largest expenditure for the Town is Capital Projects This includes debt
service cash and debt financing as well, 20¢ on the dollar Then the remainder is made up from the
smaller projects, Economic Development, Balch Library, administrative, legal cost, and internal use
The Town is very fortunate to have a very healthy and diverse source of revenue streams Only 25%of
the Town's revenue streams are made up by a real estate tax that comes in at$19 5 million You'll see
a number of other revenue sources What we've been most impressed with is the success of the
consumer taxes, and those are those discretionary taxes from the public, so meals tax, sales tax, hotel
lodging tax, all those things have come in very strong As we know, are most susceptible when the
economic indicators start to move in the wrong direction and the economy starts to slow. We must be
mindful of that as we look at how strong they've been performing recently They are most susceptible
during a downturn
To give you an idea of some of the key revenue estimates here,you can see on the screen all in green
on the increase side,which is very good news We've seen very healthy recovery since the pandemic
Page 4 February 13, 2023
All of these categories are outperforming our estimates and in many cases, outperforming inflation You
can see there meals and beverage coming in, $1 4 million we're proposing over last year's adopted
budget Transient Occupancy,$127,000 over last years budget A lot of good things to see here Sales
tax still remains strong Even our Parks and Recreation Department is seeing increased membership
and visitation,which is driving those numbers up The tennis bubbles have been very successful
The proposed real estate tax rate is being proposed to be maintained at the 17 74¢on$100 of assessed
value If you went with an equalized rate,that number would drop to 16.5¢on$100 For the first time in
the Town's history,each penny is valued at over a million dollars for FY'24 If you did choose to go with
the equalized rate, you would need to reduce $1 1 million out of this proposed budget How does this
impact the Town's residential population when it comes to the tax bill?What we've seen is an increase
in overall home assessments Overall assessments for all categories are up 8 9% this year Existing
units have increased by 7 3%,just a little less
New home builds and new construction has driven up the overall number to 8 9% What does this mean
for the average single-family home? If you look at the average single-family detached home, the
average assessed value is $728,347 This equates out to an annual average tax bill of$1,292 If you
broke that out, that's an increase of$80 over last year's assessed value If you broke that out over a
12-month period, they'd be looking at a$6 67 increase on their taxes for this year Keeping the same
tax rate For townhomes, you'd be looking at a$58 increase to the tax bill, and for condominiums, $29
increase for an overall average of$64 increase over last year's same tax bill
Looking at how we compare within the region, Leesburg residents on average have the lowest tax bill
of our regional peer group You can see that at 17 70 significantly below our neighboring peers here
providing similar services.When you combine our tax rate with the average home assessed value,you'll
see that Leesburg residents are paying the lowest tax bill in the region lower than Purcellville, Herndon,
and Vienna Something to be very proud of there I'd like to talk now about four key enhancements that
are outlined in your budget The first and largest enhancement is a Police compensation initiative
We've been talking about this for months now,the need to recruit the best and the most talented Police
force that we can and to stay competitive within the region We know these are challenging times to
hire anyone, especially policing and law enforcement is extremely challenging In this budget, we are
proposing a 5% increase for all officers and dispatchers,a 5%increase in their salary beginning July 1
An additional 5%for officers and dispatchers with at least two years of service with the Town beginning
on July 1, and an increase of a starting salary from$62,000 to$65,000 Again, that's a 5% adjustment
to attract new talent and new officers to the force
All this would be above and beyond any adjustments made to other compensations for Town-wide
employees The second enhancement, again,falls to the Police Department This would be a new staff
position, an IT systems administrator with the cost of $129,000 investment As you all know, we've
made significant investments in the past few years with our upgraded CAD, the computer-aided
dispatch With our records management system,we have, as you can imagine, a tremendous amount
of pieces of technology,laptops,cameras,radios,all these things require a lot of care and maintenance
We only have one person doing that work right now
This new position would create redundancy,as well as additional capacity,so that we do not get behind
with our updates with technology The third enhancement is another position This would be a safety
and risk manager.Again, around$130,000 mark with benefits included Right now, we contract out all
of our safety inspections and training programs, and we just feel that the time has come for us to bring
that in house.We have many professions here within the Town workforce that work in high risk areas
You think of the confined spaces,the sewer plant,the water plant,working in trenches,all these things,
high-risk areas
Bringing in that support staff to provide the training and the inspections, all is going to benefit the Town
and provide a greater level of safety We would focus this effort primarily in the first year on Utilities
operations 60%of the funding would come from the Utilities Department, and the remainder would be
made up from the general fund The fourth enhancement is for the Veterans Park staffing and
equipment Veterans Park is the park that'll be coming online hopefully here in the next year This was
land that was purchased many years ago adjacent to Ball's Bluff and against the Potomac River This
Page 5 I February 13, 2023
new Veterans Park will provide a lot of passive recreational uses and access down to the river once
fully completed
We need to have more staff to take care of the space as well as all those commissioning costs The
park benches,the trash cans,the pickup trucks,all those things we need to get the park up and running
This will be shared partly through the general fund as well, as a portion being funded by the unassigned
fund balance,$213,000 from the unassigned fund balance This is non-reoccurring costs because we're
not going to have to keep buying trash cans and park benches frequently Beyond those enhancements,
we do have several issues with our general operating budgets major increases just due to factors
outside of the Town's control
First, the price of gasoline and diesel We all know what that's done to our budgets That's an increase
of$125,000 for the coming year Our refuse and recycling contract going up, $720,000 This accounts
for new home constructions,the new properties coming online that we're servicing, as well as increased
tipping fees at the Loudoun County landfill, recycling cost, and contract escalation just based on the
overall cost of doing business The third operational major adjustment is for IT department for online
and cloud technology services All of these enhancements, all this migrating things over to the cloud
with service contracts comes with reoccurring costs and significant costs
We're looking at $455,000 to keep up with those additional costs On the personnel side, we're
proposing a 4% average for pay for performance Employees can earn up to 5% at the exceptional
level, but the average will be 4% 3% cost of living across the board for all employees,then we have a
mandated retirement contribution of$439,000 that we must account for When our revenues outperform
our estimates,we have the benefit of those dollars that we save into our unassigned fund balance, and
we're able to use those strategically for those one-time costs You'll see on this screen that we have a
number of projects we're proposing
These are six projects in the'24 budget that we would recommend using unassigned fund balance for
at these one-time costs Again for those Veterans Parks fixtures and equipment We also have some
needs for some plan updating that just cant be done in house with our staff resources being stretched
too thin We'll be looking at contracting out an update to our subdivision and land development
regulations at $50,000. The Design and Construction Standards Manual, which hasn't been updated
for many,many years,a$275,000 cost there A very long overdue update to our Old and Historic District
Survey for$75,000 to support our BAR and our Planning Department
As well as the purchase of six new Police cars to support and enhance take home vehicle policy Then
we've got $75,000 to rent office space to accommodate the third floor, which makes up our Capital
Projects and Public Works staff as we wait for the expansion out of the Town Shop They're in need of
space so that we can move staff around here in this building, which is at capacity All those uses total
up to lust over a million dollars in use of unassigned fund balance.The budget has grown roughly$5 2
million over last year We've just touched on those enhanced positions, the Police Compensation
initiative,those base increases,overall personnel cost increases, and those one-time expenditures just
outlined
All this can be accommodated with the increase of consumer taxes,the personal property tax increase,
real estate tax increase, and then the use of those savings that we've had the benefit of Even with all
those enhancements and uses of unsigned fund balance, there is still much more that Directors would
like to accomplish Just to give you an idea, these are 21 unfunded requests,totaling$2 8 million, and
they run the gamut of staff positions to equipment to other technology here Certainly always more to
do and more than our budget can allow We'll shift over to talk briefly about the capital improvements
program
There are 86 projects proposed in this six-year plan totaling $415 million in change, and part of that
cost is driven by some fairly expensive road projects Nine projects are new projects to the plan this
year Six fall into the general government category,three under Utilities For fiscal year'24,that funding
totals over$50 million for those 46 projects,and of that, 22%fall to the Utility fund To give you an idea
of those nine new projects, we have a rehabilitation projects scheduled for the Thomas Balch Library,
and that would be fixing drainage issues and basement moisture issues due to the rubble foundation
Page 6 February 13,2023
We have an investment in Parks and Recreation to support an update to the locker rooms that haven't
been touched in many years at the Ida Lee Recreation Center, pool renovations,as well as playground
resurfacing and equipment replacements Fieldstone Drive and Battlefield Parkway scheduled to get a
new traffic signal The Airport has several paving projects in the south hangar,the north terminal hangar,
as well as preparing the south end for future development Then Utilities has three projects,an aeration
improvements, underdrain improvements at the Water Plant, as well as [unintelligible] has one of the
most unique names, the gravity thickener replacement at the Water Plant also needs to be addressed
Over the last 10 years,you can see the trend in projects It's hard to believe that 10 years ago,we had
under 30 projects on our CIP We're coming in this year again at 82 projects
As the Town continues to grow, the needs continue and these projects expand We do have streets
and highways making up the majority of these projects 57% of these projects would be street and
highway funded Two of our largest construction projects are our project for our Police Station
expansion. We anticipate the award of this contract to happen later this spring with construction starting
in the fall with completion in the winter of'25, '26
This is a very expensive project for the Town We're estimating$26 5 million The Town Shop expansion
is another significant project Recently, in the past few years. you all approved a purchase of the land
adjacent to the Town Shop,which is great Obviously,we are woefully out of space at that location that
was developed back in the early'80s This project is a $15 5 million cost to construct new facilities for
office space to accommodate those staff that are currently residing on the third floor of this building, as
well as more parking areas and other facilities to help take care of the growing Town street network
For the Utility fund overview, the'24 budget calls for$40 6 million in expenses,of that,$29 5 million for
operations, $3.6 million for capital asset replacement or what they call 3R, and then Capital Projects of
$7 5 million Utility fund overview has several projects to be accomplished in '24, which is the Utility
Storage Facility adjacent to the Utility Maintenance Facility on Russell Branch Parkway Facility for
solids improvement processing at a million dollars Recoating and rehabilitation of storage tanks of the
wastewater plan, a million dollars, and a full redo of our Town's SCADA system That's the computer
brains that control our water and sewer operations at just under a million dollars
It's hard to believe, but we are coming to the close of our five-year rate plan This July 1 will mark the
fifth year of that rate plan, which calls for a 4 5% increase in Town rates with two enhanced staff
positions accommodated within that rate study One for a Plant Engineer and one for an IT Analyst.
Again, all these calculate together to take us to that$157,490 number for the overall budget proposal
All of this is done to be consistent with the Town's Fiscal Long-Term Sustainability Plan Unassigned
fund balances must be at or above the 20% of general fund You can see on the chart to the left, we
meet and exceed that It's a very strong indication of a healthy Town economy
We also have debt service cannot exceed 15% of the general fund expenditures You can see, again,
we don't touch that red line on the right graph We are staying within all the parameters of the long-term
financial sustainability plan As I wrap up here, again, we are in very strong financial shape going into
this budget period We,again,are Triple AAA rated,meet all of our Town base needs within this budget
We are consistent with your priorities We're maintaining the 17 740 tax rate We have a strategic use
of these reserves to help with those one-time costs, and we're making significant investments in our
capital infrastructure parks, public safety, and our human capital, our most valuable asset
Turn quickly to the schedule As we move through the next few months here as we go through this
budget deliberation tonight, the 131^, we're presenting, and you'll receive your copy here just in a few
moments You can begin the reading of this Then we'll come back together here on February 2711 for
our first budget work session You'll see a number of work sessions in public hearings leading up to our
planned adoption on March 28th when all is concluded. We want the public to be able to participate in
this process, and we'll be posting tonight the Town proposed budget along with this presentation
We'll have an ask a budget question form that the public can submit questions to the Town to be
answered We do want their participation online and at our upcoming public hearings Finally, I do want
to thank our great staff, Cole Fazenbaker, who led this major task here, and is our Budget and
Management Officer We've got Holland Schellhase, who's just back here with us, our Senior Budget
Page 7 I February 13, 2023
Management Analyst Lisa Haley and Clark Case leading out the team as well Thanks to their help and
all the Directors'support for pulling together all of these numbers We'll be handing out the budget here
this evening and look forward to talking to you within just a few weeks Thank you
Mayor Burt[chuckles]Are you taking any questions tonight, or do you want the process to be that we
look them over, and then at the next meeting we ask questions?
Keith Markel: I think that's our plan is we'll hand out If you have anything immediately on your mind,
we're happy to answer those, but we'll get into it in detail here in two weeks
Mayor Burt Can you just take a couple of overview questions? We are not going to really get into
specifics until we start talking about it The CIP, you said there's nine new projects
Keith Markel: Correct
Mayor Burk: In actuality,those projects have been in the waiting queue for quite a while Even though
they're new in that we're actually going to do it, most of them have been in queue and have now come
due?
Keith Markel: Those are nine brand new projects that may have been in the priority futures I'll ask
Renee to back me up in case I get this wrong None of those nine existed in the six-year plan up until
this year
Mayor Burk: They have been waiting?
Keith Markel: Either on the priority future list or they are brand new They weren't on the list before, or
they weren't in the six-year plan
Mayor Burk: I would be interested in Renee when it comes time,what are the ones that didn't go in the
waiting list?What did we kick off if we bring those forward?
Keith Markel:A number of those projects that have been in the six-year plan continue to move forward
Those that went out the previous years,we do have a number,40-some projects that will be addressed
in 2024 Those nine are just specifically those new projects, new to the plan
Mayor Burk: I want to understand what the new means
Keith Markel:Absolutely
Mayor Burk:We will not have a single Saturday meeting-
Keith Markel:There will be no Saturday--
Mayor Burt -by our schedule. Everybody should be happy Yay No Saturday meeting Then people
will be writing in comments There is an opportunity for people to comment on the budget and make
suggestions and ideas Those suggestions and ideas will be shared with Council
Keith Markel: Yes We'll track all those questions in a public document, so everybody can see the
answers to that Questions you all pose, we'll combine those so that everyone will have access to that
information[crosstalk]question
Mayor Burt Does the Airport cover its own cost? It's not an enterprise anymore
Keith Markel:It is not an enterprise fund,and that's a good,detailed discussion Day-to-day operational
costs, it does fully cover itself
Mayor Burk:Then my last question to you, it's not really a question is,Veterans Park is another one of
those things that we've had We bought that years and years and years
Page 8 I February 13, 2023
Keith Markel: 20 years ago
Mayor Burk: It's been sitting there Now, we're moving forward with it It's great that we're moving
forward, but it also means we have to hire people, so it's going to start costing money Thank you Vice
Mayor,you had a question
Vice Mayor Steinberg:Thanks for the presentation It was clear and concise Thanks for not going the
two hours By the time we get into the discussion, will we have clarity, or is there now clarity regarding
the BPOL discussion at the state level?
Keith Markel:As to whether or not localities would be restricted from levying the tax?
Vice Mayor Steinberg:Yes
Keith Markel:Absolutely Yes
Vice Mayor Steinberg:Thank you
Mayor Burk:Anyone else at this point?All right
Council Member Bagdasarian: Several questions, no The budget and the ask a budget forum, that
will be live tonight, is that the deal?
Keith Markel: Yes
Council Member Bagdasarian:All right I lust want to make sure
Keith Markel: The budget will be loaded up there as well, so people can start reading this evening
[laughter]
Mayor Burk: He's going to be writing in there
Council Member Bagdasarian: Get ready
Mayor Burk: All right Thank you very much We do appreciate it As I said, we'll get the actual
documents for our next meeting, we'll start going by all the different new things that we're bringing
forward, so people will have a chance--
Keith Markel:Absolutely We'll have the line item details and all the specifics that we couldn't get into
this evening Thank you
Mayor Burk: Thank you very much If you can't sleep Thank you Does anybody have any regional
reports? I have one The organization that represents us, the Virginia Municipal League, lost their
President She died of cancer two weeks ago The vice president will be moving up It's a very sad thing
to happen to the organization She was quite a dynamic,wonderful person, and it was a shame to lose
her Petitioners is our next one One of the first orders of business is to hear from the public All members
of the public are welcome to address the Council on any item, matter,or issue Please identify yourself,
andaf comfortable in doing so, give your address
Any public speakers are requested to state their names and spell it for the purpose of closed captioning
We all think our names are very easy, but sometimes they come up really strange up on that closed
captioning If you could spell it, it'd be very helpful In the interest of fairness, we also ask that you
observe the three-minute time limit The green light on the timer will turn yellow when you have one
minute remaining At that time, we would appreciate your summing up and yielding the floor when the
bill indicates your time has expired Under the rules of orders adopted by this Council, the time limit
applies to all
Page 9 I February 13, 2023
There is nobody who has signed up in the petitioner section Is there anybody in the audience that
would like to speak that didn't get a chance to sign up? Nobody coming forward I then will close the
petitioner section That will take us to the approval of the consent agenda, and there are four items on
it The first one is the Town Hall Art Exhibit by Loudoun County Public School Art Students of Deborah
Tripp. B is a Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Review and Adoption Schedule That's the one that's in your
packet C is the Appointment to the Town's Other Post-Employment Benefits Finance Board and C is
the Digester Boiler Service at the Water Pollution Control Facility
Is there any item that anybody would like to have removed? Is there a motion to accept the consent
agenda?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: So moved
Mayor Burk:Vice Mayor Steinberg
Council Member Nacy. Second
Mayor Burk: Seconded by Council Member Nacy All in favor?
Members:Aye
Mayor Burk:Opposed?Passes 7-0 That takes us now to our resolutions Do I have a motion to discuss
the Water and Sanitary Sewer Service Extension Requests for Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Basic
Training Facility?
Council Member Nacy: So moved
Mayor Burk: So moved by Council Member Nacy Second?
Council Member Bagdasarian: Second
Mayor Burk: Second by Mr Bagdasanan Do we have a presentation on this?
Amy Wyks: We do Good evening, Madam Mayor, Vice Mayor, Members of Council I'm Amy Wyks,
Utilities Director for the Town Tonight,I'm here to give you an overview on the requests that we received
from the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue for proposed basic training facility Tonight, we're here to
ask you to approve the request for extension of Town water and sanitary sewer services with conditions
to the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue proposed basic training facility A little bit of background, as
you may know, the existing training facility is off of Sycolin Road in the Joint Land Management Area
The Loudoun County's engineer, Timmons, requested it through the Town Manager's office for the
facility
This is a example or aerial map here that shows where the Airport, Sycolin Road, and then the County
existing fire facility It's a aerial that gets a little closer here related to theirs, and they're proposing to
put the basic training facility in the center there They're requesting about 2,500 gallons per day Based
on our review of plant capacity at both plants, there is no need to expand based on their request of the
2.500 gallons per day As you may know, in Chapter 341-114 Section, there is extension of water
services that outside of the Town corporate limits.they must receive Council approval for such requests
Then the sewer section is 34 1-216
In the event that Town Council does approve the extension,the proposed facility will be required to pay
all the applicable fees, including sanitary sewer and water availability fees and connection fees Just so
you're aware,there are public facilities permits to date for a flow of 5,000 gallons Wth the burn building
and other uses, they are exceeding that, so additional availability fees will be due if you approve the
training facility We are recommending some conditions with the approval for the training facility We're
recommending that Loudoun County vacate existing water easements and fire hydrants as well as
water lines that are behind the meter at the facility
Page 10 I February 13, 2023
They are strictly for training purposes only Those fire hydrants would not be used unless the burn
building's on fire,which obviously is their training operations Those fire hydrants receive more use than
a normal fire hydrant when they're out there for training From that perspective, it's not Town
infrastructure We are proposing to vacate the easements for that infrastructure We also want the
County to confirm that when they are using the burn building, that discharge from the burn facility does
go into the Town's sanitary sewer system We want to make certain that they're not using any FOAM
or PFAS fast that we don't want in our sanitary sewer system
Another one that we're asking from the County to do is to make certain there's a vault out there that
diverts the flow depending on if they're using the burn building or not If they're using the burn building,
the water comes to the sanitary sewer If they're not, it's able to go to the storm We want to make sure
that we have unlimited access to that to confirm prior to a hurricane or whatnot to make certain that
we're not getting rainfall Finally, as you may know, at the Adult Detention Center, there's a temporary
pump station that needs to be decommissioned and the County needs to take ownership of
Its another condition of the approval that we're asking for With that tonight,we're hereto see if Councils
willing to approve the extension of the Fire and Rescue proposed basic training facility with those
conditions
Mayor Burk: Thank you Does anybody have any questions on this, Mr Steinberg?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Thank you Thanks, Amy On page 115, the staff report, I just need a
clarification It says the existing facilities use 5,050 gallons per day,the availability paid,excuse me, but
the actual average current use is 4,000 gallons more than that How does that work?
Amy Wyks: Related to the additional payment or why they're using more?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Both, I guess
Amy Wyks:When they originally proposed the burn facility and the other facility, they underestimated,
and so they're using more than what they had paid for based on their original estimates
Vice Mayor Steinberg: How does the Town recover the difference it uses versus what's paid for
Amy Wyks: They will be charged the difference on their public facilities permit to make that parcel for
that use up to date on what they're using
Vice Mayor Steinberg:Thanks
Mayor Burk:Anyone else at this point?Thank you
Amy Wyks: Thank you
Mayor Burk: Is there a motion that--
Christopher Spera: Madam Mayor, you've already made the motion, has already been seconded
before the presentation I would just note, Amy, you might want to just mention that you revised the
resolution slightly at the request of the County
Amy Wyks: Correct Loudoun County staff did reach out The way we proposed the conditions was
related to having them completed before they would get a building permit with the County They reached
out to state that with their projects,their goal is to always have the building permit before it goes out to
bid As a result,they won't be ready to decommission the pump station that I spoke about,so we revised
the resolution to give them additional time in order to do the decommissioning
Mayor Burk: They are going to do it
Amy Wyks: Correct
Page 11 I February 13, 2023
Mayor Burk: Good
Christopher Spero: It's really just the sequencing Madam Mayor, we wanted to have the resolution
match their procedure It doesn't substantively change the terms
Mayor Burk: Council Member Nacy and Council Member Bagdasanan made the motions If there's no
more questions, all in favor indicate by saying aye
Members:Aye
Mayor Burk: Opposed?That passes 7-0 Next one is you, too That is the water service extension for
Titan Virginia Ready-Mix LLC
Amy Wyks:This is another request for extension outside the Town's corporate limits Tonight,we need
action by Council to either approve or deny the request for extension There is a third option that is
included in the packet and that the applicant could request temporary service, and we'll go over that
further in the presentation A little bit of background, Titan has existing operations that it's our
understanding will be redeveloped into a data center As a result,they purchased land that's next to the
Goose Creek Quarry at Luck Stone near Cochran Mill Right now, they are currently only asking for
water only The parcel is outside the Town's corporate limits but within the Joint Land Management
Area
We currently serve water and sanitary sewer to Goose Creek Club, which are single-family and
townhames down Cochran Mill Road However, we want Council to be aware that this parcel is not
contiguous with the existing Town's corporate limits According to Titan, Loudoun Water will be
extending into the JLMA, but they do not meet their timeline for getting their concrete plant relocated
and back up and running A little bit of reference here, you can see the quarry, and then the existing
Titan location, and then the proposed location is more adjacent to the existing quarry, and then near
the homes up there where Dream Finders is building Goose Creek Club, and then at the top there you
can see Wegmans
This is the site that they're looking at relocating to Their request is for about 11,500 gallons per day
Again, based on the semi-annual report that we provide Council, there wouldn't be an extension
required in the event that you approved that Similar to what I was just telling you, there are two Code
sections that require Town Council to approve any requests for out-of-Town water and sewer service
In this case, they are currently only asking for water service Again, if Council were to approve this,
water availability fees would be due As you know, there's typically conditions when we ask for such
utility extension approval
Typically, developers need to provide computations, pay the applicable fees, and typically, there's a
consent to boundary line adjust into the Town's corporate limits However, as I've noted, the parcel is
not contiguous with the Town's corporate limits The quarry makes it difficult to come into the Town
Our staff recommendation right now is to not approve it since they are not contiguous Then however,
we want to note that we are willing to discuss temporary water service until Loudoun Water would be
able to serve the parcel In the event that the applicant is interested,we would work with them,complete
an evaluation and come back to Council for approval Wth that, we leave it to Council to determine if
they want to approve, deny,or request if the applicant's interested to work further with that
Mayor Burk:Generally,when we extend water to a location,part of the conditions are that we will bring
you into the Town, and that would not be able to happen with this because it's not even close to the
Town It's way up on Cochran Mill I'm not sure how the other development got the Leesburg Water
extension because that can't possibly come into the Town either
Amy Wyks: That parcel, Goose Creek Club, is close to the land bays that are in Town further upward
Mayor Burk: Good That makes me feel better All right Does anybody else have any questions on
this' Mr Cimino-Johnson
Page 12 February 13, 2023
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Thank you Thank you for your presentation My question is
usage If we were to approve this in the prior project, how's that take our total usage per day like at the
very highest?
Amy Wyks: The usage from the Fire Rescue that was just approved at the 2,400,that's the equivalent
of 8 single-family home so not significant from that perspective. It's pretty much an office building with
them having locker rooms for the candidates, the Fire and Rescue students that are there from that
perspective, so not significant there The 10,000 gallons per day that there are 11,500 proposing for
this use here, for making the concrete, it's not significant from that perspective We don't see any
concern related to the Town capacity at either plant
Council Member Cimino-Johnson:Thank you
Mayor Burk: Ms Nacy
Council Member Nacy: Thank you I'm sorry, I may have missed it How did they get their water now
where they are--
Amy Wyks: Its my understanding,they have a well
Council Member Nacy: If we did a temporary, how would that work? It would just literally be an
agreement that was in place until Loudoun Water took over
Amy Wyks:Yes Staff would need to evaluate We're not certain depending on how long the waterline
would need to be if they would have adequate pressure It would have to be evaluated to make certain
that we could provide it to them on a temporary basis Yes, as part of the conditions in the event that
they were interested and Council approved it,then we would have conditions on when it would have to
be, as soon as Loudoun Water would be in the area, what's the time for them to disconnect? We
wouldn't want it to be a temporary connection that lasts for 20 to 30 years
Council Member Nacy: Basically,they're getting kicked off of their land where they are now was sold
and so its trying to find a new place
Amy Wyks: That is our understanding, yes
Council Member Nacy:Thank you
Mayor Burk: Mr Bagdasarran
Council Member Bagdasarian:Yes,thank you Piggybacking off Ms. Nacy's question, so what would
be involved as far as cost to extend the infrastructure to provide a temporary connection to the site?
Amy Wyks: In the event that their applicant was interested and Town Council approved it, it would all
be on their expense The Town would not be responsible to do any construction, no design. and then
obviously,to do the decommissioning when it was time to disconnect them because they could connect
to Loudoun Water, again, nothing that the Town would do that would be part of the conditions
Council Member Bagdasarian: Then you mentioned that the original plan for JLMA for providing
utilities water to an external site that would be annexed into the Town or brought into the Town, and
that is clearly not the case here. I just want to make sure,you mentioned that this would not put a strain
on our existing infrastructure,the capacity would fit within what we currently have?
Amy Wyks: Correct
Council Member Bagdasarian:Thank you
Mayor Burk: Vice Mayor Steinberg
Page 13 I February 13, 2023
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Out of curiosity, what does this set any kind of precedent were we to agree to
provide them the service, or is this on a case-by-case basis?
Amy Wyks: I would defer that to Mr Spera
Christopher Spera: I will present case-by-case basis where this is not binding on if it's in the interest
of the Town, and the applicant can come to conditions acceptable to utilities,that would be what would
govern the temporary connection We wouldn't be obligated to do it going forward with anybody else
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Were the Town to agree to provide the services, but the property remains in
the County, what happens should the use change or the zoning change on the property?
Amy Wyks: I think those are all points we would want to put within the conditions itself, that it would
remain as a concrete plant from that temporary connection only That would be staff recommendation
Vice Mayor Steinberg: If we somehow managed to bring the property into Town, would we have to
pipestem in some ways,so there was at least a sliver of land touching this property Then what services
would we perhaps be expected to provide were it actually be in the Town?
Christopher Spera: I don't think there's a way by either annexation or boundary line adjustment to
bring in a non-contiguous parcel I think that is against the law I quickly[crosstalk]
Vice Mayor Steinberg: That's out of the question Good to know I think you answered the question
Currently, is the Town serving Luck Stone and the residential development then?
Amy Wyks:We are providing to the Goose Creek Club,which is the residential singles and townhomes
that are what was the previous golf course, we are providing there Luck Stone, I think they are sewer
only They do not have water with us They have a well, still
Vice Mayor Steinberg:Cement plant is asking for water only,then what are they doing? How are they
providing for sewer services, or they just doing porta-Johns?
Amy Wyks: At the existing?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: No At the new site?You're saying they asking for water only?
Amy Wyks: I assume they're only wanting the water for the concrete plant operations They're not
asking for office buildings I envision that they probably have porta-potties like they have today from
that perspective
Vice Mayor Steinberg:There are no other wastewater considerations?
Amy Wyks: No
Vice Mayor Steinberg:The real question is if we want to agree to a temporary You would be coming
back to us then with how that would exactly happen
Amy Wyks:We would work with the applicant in the event that it seems feasible and the conditions are
agreeable, then we would bnng it back Similar to what we're doing now, we would explain that its a
temporary and outline all the conditions
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Thank you
Mayor Burk: Mr Wilt
Council Member Wilt: Something about background question on the joint area On the background
This sounds like it's teed up a bit because it says Loudoun Water utility extensions,which I assume are
planned for that area don't meet the timeline Is there something of a holistic plan between the County
and the Town in terms of geographies within that area that are planned for water extensions?
Page 14 I February 13, 2023
Amy Wyks: Loudoun Water is in the process of designing their water and sanitary sewer system that
will come into this area, the Joint Land Management Area They have a CIP right now that they're
working on We've requested to understand what their infrastructure will look like, but we've not seen a
master plan quite yet
Council Member Wilt: Some of these are coming upon a case-by-case basis, which might actually at
least on a temporary-- conflict with that CIP plan of Loudoun. For example, if we did extend into this,
they're already planning to do capital improvements to cover that geography
Amy Wyks: Correct
Council Member Wilt: That would have to be reconciled at some point
Amy Wyks:Yes This would just be a temporary connection until if they're a couple of years out before
they would get that infrastructure there,that's what the temporary connection would be for
Council Member Wilt:The general practices for these requests is a case-by-case basis?
Amy Wyks: Correct
Council Member Wilt: All right Thanks,Amy
Mayor Burk: Not to go back in history, but I remember being on the Board of Supervisors, and there
was a house that did not have water It was provided temporarily by Loudoun Every five years it came
back and said Loudoun Water wasn't ready to provide the water It got extended and extended and
extended, and it was 20 years when I left,and it still hadn't I'm concerned that we're setting something
up to do that same thing where there'll be so many extensions until Loudoun Water gets out to that
area, that it could be a problem
I don't know how you keep that from happening because when you provide them the water, and they
don't have another choice, five years from now, you can't say, "Too bad" You'll have to give them
another extension until it--
Amy Wyks: We could ask Chris if there would be a way to tell them that it wouldn't be more
Christopher Spera: I think there is a way to sunset it If you do that upfront to say, "This is for this
period of time, you're not to exceed" We've already talked about one of the potential triggers being a
sale or conveyance or change in use You could also put a date-specific sunset,an outside date Again,
going in, it acknowledges a temporary connection It's a business risk
Mayor Burk: I don't see how another business couldn't come in or another development couldn't come
in and say, "You need to provide us water, too, because you provided it for them, and they're not
contiguous Why don't you provide it for us until we can get Loudoun Water in there?"
Christopher Spera: Again, it's case by case We are not the primary provider It's your discretion
whether or not you choose to provide service.This is a commodity that is useful in the community. It is
something inherent in any construction that takes place here There is some potential public benefit to
having a product like this nearby There's a whole bunch of reasons why it's not precedential
Mayor Burk: Mr Cummings, did you have something you wanted to ask?
Council Member Cummings: I did What is the cost to extend to this potential user
Amy Wyks: The cost would be zero for the Town It would be for the applicant to be responsible for
design construction,as well as the decommissioning when the temporary had to be disconnected from
the Town system
Mayor Burk: Do you have any estimate?
Page 15 I February 13, 2023
Amy Wyks: I do I would estimate probably $300 a foot, but I don't know where they would connect
and how that would look like Obviously, the Town, we would have staff time related to reviewing the
plans and understanding the connection and coordination with them
Mayor Burk: Mr Cimino-Johnson?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: I have another follow-up question If we were to give them
temporary water and say they went out of business, went bankrupt, who would decommission at that
point?Who would pay for that? 0 are they on a bond?
Amy Wyks: We probably would recommend a bond at that point If that was to happen, then those
funds would be called and pay for it
Mayor Burk: What do you mean at that point?
Amy Wyks: He's saying if they went bankrupt
Mayor Burk:Are you going to require that they have a bond? Because you're going to assume they're
not going to go bankrupt
Amy Wyks: No,we would not assume Part of the condition, I think we would have them bond not only
putting the line in, but when the time comes in the event something was to happen, bonding is not
unusual for such projects
Mayor Burk: Mr Cummings, sorry, did you have another question?
Council Member Cummings: I just was trying to try to determine, for lack of a better term,what's the
return on this?Do we have a sense of how much the utility fund would make on selling this water to this
user compared to,say, a redevelopment within the Town limit that's of similar size or usage?
Mayor Burk: I don't know how you compare that
Amy Wyks: From a temporary standpoint, if they're 5 million gallons a year--Do you have a calculator
real quick?
Council Member Wilt:Are you're asking the in-Town versus out-of-Town water differential benefit?
Mayor Burk: No, he's asking the comparison--
Amy Wyks: I think he was asking what the total bill would be
Council Member Nacy: How much [inaudible]—
Mayor Burk: How much the bill With all they would have to do, how much would we estimate it would
cost them to do everything they had to do for this temporary service?
Amy Wyks: I thought he was asking the revenue,we would know
Mayor Burk: No Did I get that wrong, Mr Cummings?
Council Member Cummings: I'm just looking at, what's the return to the Town? Obviously, this is a
user outside of the Town limits that can't come into the Town because it's not a contiguous property
We're talking about a limited amount of water that we have I know we're not near the cap at all, but I
just want to make sure we're not extending this even temporarily, and then in a couple of years, we
have another project that pops up within the Town that we have to worry about expanding service I just
want to keep an eye on making sure we're serving the residents and the taxpayers with our water and
sewer
Page 16 l February 13, 2023
Amy Wyks: I don't believe the 10,000, 11,500 gallons that they're asking for is significant in the grand
scheme of redevelopment, say, in the Crescent District
Council Member Cummings: Ok
Mayor Burk:All right Mr Writ
Council Member Wilt: I think it was asked earlier, what this company is doing in its current site for
water, and it was,they're on a well
Amy Wyks:That's our understanding Yes
Council Member Wilt: Is there a reason that a well might not be their answer for their new site?
Amy Wyks: I think, since they're so close to the quarry, they did do some exploratory dnlling and they
were unable to locate water
Council Member Wilt: Thank you
Mayor Burk: Mr Bagdasanan
Council Member Bagdasarian: I'm just wondering if it would be appropriate to defer this vote since
we are discussing the JLMA and utilities in closed session this evening Because, obviously, the Town
takes the JLMA seriously. It's been planned for, what? Almost 50 years. I think that we're in a smiler
situation.We need to discuss that situation
Mayor Burk: Are you making a motion?
Council Member Bagdasarian: I would make a motion to defer the vote on this particular case until
after our closed session this evening, so our next meeting
Mayor Burk: Is there a second?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: I second
Mayor Burk: Council Member Bagdasanan made the motion, Council Member Cimino-Johnson
seconded Any discussion on this?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Yes
Mayor Burk: Yes, sir
Vice Mayor Steinberg: First of all, I would not favor this motion in other areas of the JLMA All those
properties have the potential for coming into the Town, which this particular site apparently does not If
I understand the Town Attorney, we're not likely to acquire the quarry any time in the near or distant
future for that matter, nor the residential development that is just north of this proposed site I think
deferring the decision is unfair per the business making the request That would be my comment about
deferring the vote
Mayor Burk: That's what we're discussing right now Anyone else at this point?We do have a motion
made by Council Member Bagdasanan and seconded by Council Member Nacy that this motion be
deferred to the next meeting All in favor, indicate by saying aye
Members:Aye
Mayor Burk: I'm going to have to ask Council Member Wilt?
Council Member Wilt: Yes
Page 17 I February 13, 2023
Mayor Burk:Council Member Bagdasaran,Council Member Nacy, Council Member Cimino-Johnson?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson:Yes
Mayor Burk: Council Member Cummings?
Council Member Cummings: No
Mayor Burk:The nos would be Council Member Cummings and Council Member Steinberg and myself
so that does pass We will defer this and discuss it at the next meeting All right Thank you The next
item we have for tonight is the Council's Planning Retreat Work Plan and your backup
Keith Markel: All right You have in your packet the work plan from the Council retreat that took place
on January 21" You all identified six core areas, arts and cultural entertainment, community
development and land use economic development, environmental stewardship, government
performance,and transportation Those are the major umbrella categories With each one of those,you
had a number of initiatives that you had put into the work plan
We've developed that into the plan that you have in your packet which has target dates specified for
those which have future action to be taken as well as a staff contact position. If you'd like we can go
through those one by one or if you've read through them, and you know that you're comfortable with
them you can approve the resolution [crosstalk]--
Mayor Burk:I would just ask does anybody have any questions on these,any issues?To me,it seemed
pretty straightforward What?
Participant: [unintelligible]
Mayor Burk: Oh, yes [chuckles] I think we're good Do you need a motion for us to accept this?
Keith Markel:There's a resolution in your packet
Mayor Burk:There is a resolution?I don't see it in my--in the agenda?Okay, sorry Do I have a motion
to--Mr Bagdasarian
Council Member Bagdasarian: I just have one comment The section about the trolley is so specific
to the downtown I think the idea is to have a circulator throughout the Town, multiple sites, just the
update
Keith Markel: To expand that out Okay,we can capture that
Mayor Burk:Do I have a motion to Approve the Work Plan and Authorize the Town Manager to Proceed
with Action Steps from the January 2023 Council Planning Retreat?
Members: So moved
Mayor Burk: Well, everybody got on that one Vice Mayor Steinberg got on that one and Council
Member Cimino-Johnson All in favor indicate by saying aye
Members: Aye
Mayor Burk: Opposed? That passes 7-0 Thank you Now we're going to our discussion section and
we are going to discuss the Downtown Speed Limit Study Hello?
Niraja Chandrapu: Good evening, Madam Mayor, and Council Members My name is Niraja
Chandrapu I'm the new Transportation Engineer who replaced Calvin Grow in the Department of Public
Works and Capital Projects I'm here to present and discuss the findings of the Downtown Speed Limit
Study Into this presentation, we will discuss about what is the background Does local government
have the authority to lower the speed limit?
Page 18 1 February 13, 2023
Vvhat are the findings of the engineering study and what are the recommendations of the staff and
RTC? Coming to the background, the Town residents located along the Memorial Drive raised a
concern about speeding in the area and that got to the attention of RTC Town Council requested that
the staff and RTC to research the issue and evaluate the possible solution Virginia law allows the local
jurisdictions to lower the speed limit in their business and residential districts provided such decrease
in their speed shall be based on engineering study
We have asked the Wells and Associates, the traffic consultant, to do the study of the downtown The
main purpose of this study is to find three things which is what are the current operating speeds, what
is the pedestrian activity in the area,and review the coalition data and then determine if it is appropriate
to lower the speed limits The study area map includes the Market Street, Loudoun Street in the east-
west direction and King Street in the north-south direction
The posted speed limit in the area is 25 miles per hour There is a curbside parking pretty much on all
the streets The streets are in grid-like structures and there are historic buildings that may limit the sight
distance for the posted 25 miles per hour You can see the boundary of the study area in the map The
methodology included collecting the speed data and ADT at 13 locations Five locations were selected
along Market Street,four locations along the Loudoun Street,three locations along King Street and one
location along Harrison Street In addition to that we collected the data for pedestrian and turning
movements at seven locations in the core downtown area Obtained the collision data from VDOT for a
three-year period
The collected speed data showed that the 85th percentile speed for the whole study area is about 26
miles per hour 85'h percentile speed is the speed at which 85% of the vehicles travel at or below that
speed,which is what is used as a measure for when posting a posted speed limit sign on the roadways
The average speed of the entire study area is 21 miles per hour As you can see on the map that the
faster speeds are recorded on the outmost areas,and lower speeds are recorded when it is in the core
downtown
As I mentioned the pedestrian counts were collected at seven locations and in the chart the numbers
that you see is the total number of pedestrian crossing all approaches The data shows that Market
Street and King Street, Loudoun Street and King Street, and Loudoun Street and Church Street has
recorded the highest pedestrian activities among the seven collected locations I just want to make a
note that there are two projects that are under construction.
The Courthouse Expansion Project and the Church and Market development.We anticipate that these
two developments would increase the pedestrian activity in the area We reviewed the collision data,
which the collision data was obtained from Nov 2018 to August 2021, which includes the years when
we were going through COVID The total number of collisions during that time period was recorded as
60 out of which three are pedestnan collisions and two are speed-related collisions
Since those years included COVID years,we even got the data for the pre-COVID years from July 2014
to September 2017 and the total number of recorded collisions were 87, and the pedestrian collisions
were three The speed-related collisions were one The data shows that fewer crashes were related to
pedestrian and/or higher operating speeds in the area The study recommended a 20 mdes per hour
area as you can see on the map inside the green boundaries
The blue boundaries are the speed transition zones for reducing the speed limits for entering into the
core downtown area Coming to the summary of the study,the 8501 percentile for the entire study area
is 26 miles per hour Average speed is 21 miles per hour,and the collision data does not Indicate a high
number of collisions related to pedestnan or high operating speeds The data that has been provided
in the safety studies that was done by National Highway Traffic Administration and US Department of
Transportation, shows that the severity of the crashes would be lower,with lower speeds
The updated Virginia Code 46 2-1300 allows the Town to set the speed limit in the business district and
residential district to 20 miles per hour,with an appropriate sign placement and an adopted ordinance.
Coming to the recommendations,staff supports reducing the speed limit in the core downtown Leesburg
area from 25 to 20 miles per hour, as we expect to see a high pedestrian activity with the recently
approved and under-construction projects
Page 19 I February 13, 2023
The Police Department does not oppose and agrees that lower speeds should result a decrease in both
property damage and the seventy of the injuries,in the event of pedestrian crashes RTC recommended
reducing the speed limit from 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour, with the speed transition zones
on streets entering and exiting the core downtown area With that,I will now open the floor for questions
Mayor Burk: Does anybody have any questions at this point?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson:Yes, I do
Mayor Burk:Yes, sir
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Hello
Niraja Chandrapu: Hi
Council Member Cimino-Johnson:Thank you for your presentation and welcome
Niraja Chandrapu:Thank you
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: I didn't know Calvin, but I'm sure you have some big shoes to fill
from what I hear My question is, you mentioned that Virginia law stated that the speed limit could be
25,20, or 15 Is that the only three options?
Niraja Chandrapu: Yes, but if you are going lower than 25 miles per hour, the Virginia law allows the
local governing body to change the speed limit, but it has to be supported by an engineering study.You
can go up to 15, but our results show that 15 is not the nght speed limit because the 85'h percentile
speed recorded is 26 and average is 21
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Got you Thank you
Mayor Burk:Yes, Ms Nacy
Council Member Nacy: I Just have a quick question Would this be a public hearing process because
it's quite a large change, [unintelligible]or how would that work?
Christopher Spera: I'm sorry I don't think the speed limit is in the Town Code, so I don't know that
there's a--It's not an ordinance, I don't believe I don't see that speed limit within our section, so I'm not
sure that we'd have to have a public hearing associated with the ordinance because there's no
ordinance
Mayor Burk: Mr Wit
Council Member Wilt:Well,thanks A couple for my education We're saying the 85th percentile for the
study here is 26 miles per hour, and the average speed is 21 miles per hour, and that's at a posted
speed of 25 Wth the recommendation to lower to 20,what do we expect the behavior change to be in
those averages in the 85th percentile?
Niraja Chandrapu: If I understand your question, you're asking if we lower the speed will the 85h
percentile be lowered, right?
Council Member Wilt: Right What would the impact be?What's the projected--
Niraja Chandrapu: I think it will be lower, maybe 24 or something, but usually 85th percentile is used
for posting any speed limit, and you can have within the 5 miles per hour, like 26, you can go up to 20
miles per hour I think it'll be around 20 to 23 It will be lowered 85th percentile will also go down
Council Member Wilt:The driver's behavior,as they see posted 25,85%are driving up to 26 so they're
Just in that ballpark
Page 20 I February 13,2023
Niraja Chandrapu: If we lower the speed--Yes,within the ballpark Within the[crosstalk]—
Council Member Wilt: It's what we'd expect Now,just in terms of the projection, collision data doesn't
indicate a higher number of collisions related to speed or pedestrian activity
Niraja Chandrapu:There were only three pedestrian crashes that have been recorded in the last three
years,and only two crashes were related to speed,so the data does not indicate that you need to lower
the posted speed limit in order to--
Council Member Wilt: The next bullet point then indicates safety studies indicate that the risk of
fatalities would be reduced What is it?
Niraja Chandrapu:What is d?
Council Member Wilt: In your summary, your bullet point says that safety studies affirm that the risk
of fatalities would be reduced.
Niraja Chandrapu:Yes There are studies that are done by the National Highway Traffic Administration
and the US Department of Transportation where they show that with lowering the speed, the severity
of the crashes would be reduced as well as the property damage This is like in a general statement
Council Member Wilt: Just in general
Niraja Chandrapu:Just in general
Council Member Wilt: We don't have an experience of fatalities in this case
Niraja Chandrapu: No This is in general studies that have been done
Council Member Wilt: Okay All right Thank you
Mayor Burk: I was at the number of meetings that the residents came to the Residential Traffic
Committee on this issue,and one of the things that they expressed their great deal of concern about is
the traffic going out of Town from Memorial Drive towards Morven Park Road, that's when the traffic
really begins to pick up and increase, and also coming back in Your data supports that because the
85%chart shows that that's in green That's 30 to 35 miles per hour that people are going and nowhere
else is it quite that high, yet in your proposed 20-mile-per-hour area you don't include that area for
Morven Park?
Niraja Chandrapu: Yes, we can put speed transition zones, but usually the roadway design is what
dictates and at what speed the drivers are driving We have to look at another study on looking at the
measures of traffic calming in that for the drivers entering and exiting
Mayor Burk: Yes, but you're looking at the speed of the whole area? I guess I'm confused because
you're looking at the speed of the whole area and that's the area that has the highest rate of traffic going
over the speed limit and yet we're not going to lower the speed limit there?
Niraja Chandrapu: We are not going to lower the speed limit, but we are going to put signs that you
are entering into the downtown to lower the speed That might reduce some speeds in that zones We
are also looking at other traffic calming measures that could be implemented with pavement markings
or something like that in order to have people-- drivers entering and exiting to travel with the lower
speeds There is another study that we may have to do it in order to see what measures we have to
take in order for drivers to go with the lower speeds
Mayor Burk: I guess I don't understand why that area wouldn't be the area that you would really pick
upon and say this should be the lower speed limit area I don't understand why that's not—I know you're
saying that there needs to be another study I'm not quite sure why when we know that that's the area
that's got the 30 to 35 miles per hour speed going in I'm missing something Why wouldn't we include
that in the 20?
Page 21 1 February 13, 2023
Niraja Chandrapu: We would not be including for 20 miles, 25 miles per hour because already the
drivers are driving at 30 miles, 35 miles per hour Lowering that speed the drivers may disregard that
speed limit[crosstalk]--
Mayor Burt Oh,you're saying it's posted 30 to 35?
Niraja Chandrapu: No, posted is 25, but the drivers are driving at 30, 35 If you lower further to 20,the
drivers may not pay much attention to the posted speed limit We have to look at other measures rather
than putting a reduced speed zone We may have to get that speed down to 25 and make it safe by
implementing some traffic calming measures Pavement markings or something that would force them
to change their behavior for entering and exiting
Mayor Burk:You still don't have me on board yet,[laughs]and I've seen people walking across Morven
Park Road across Loudoun Street, and then they have to go across Market Street to get to the other
side of Morven Park Road It's a real danger because the speed limits are-- people are going so high
there I guess I Just don't understand why you wouldn't make that also a 20-mile area and then make
the transition area further up the road.
Keith Markel: Mayor, if I may add to this,we do have representative of the Police Department here if
you want to talk about enforcement or other aspects of this, which 1 know this is an area where--
Mayor Burk: No, I want them to make it 20 miles an hour
Keith Markel: There are other design considerations I think that go into this as far as pedestrian,
conflicts, the way the road is designed, line of sight, those things There are a number of different
factions that come into play here, which support the 25-mile-per-hour speed limit Now, if people are
speeding through that area that's a different story Then they are tools used to address that.
Niraja Chandrapu: In the core downtown area, there are more pedestrians That was creating an
environment that drivers are acknowledging that they are in the core downtown area and they're
lowering their speeds, whereas exiting and entering to the boundaries. they don't realize yet that they
are in the core downtown area, so they're traveling at higher speeds
Mayor Burk: I don't agree with it, but okay Thank you. Thank you very much Anybody? Oh, Mr
Bagdasanan
Council Member Bagdasarian:Yes I know personally that the intersection you're talking about or the
crossing, I think there should be a better pedestrian solution for that intersection Just overall some sort
of crosswalk or something because people do cross that all the time It is a very--
Mayor Burk: Very dangerous
Council Member Bagdasarian: Yes One other quick point as far as similar to the Mayor, but on the
other side of it, the transition area South King by the W&OD, I would think that that would also be well
suited at having the speed limit drop before the--
Niraja Chandrapu: W&OD.
Council Member Bagdasarian: The W&OD because most people don't slow down or anything at the
W&OD,Just for safety
Niraja Chandrapu: I think we can extend that boundary further south to the W&OD on King Street to
encourage, yes
Mayor Burk: So you got it extended
Niraja Chandrapu: Because for that the data supports a little bit so we can--that data approaching a
pedestrian activity zone, so that will encourage drivers to slow down, but whereas to the boundaries on
Market and Loudoun and they don't see that much pedestrian activity Drivers tend to speed up in those
Page 22 I February 13, 2023
areas We have to look at some traffic calming, like pavement markings or something differently to
change the behavior of the drivers that the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour
Mayor Burk: Vice Mayor
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Thank you Well, actually, I agree with you If we look at the very successful
traffic calming measures that we have seen taken in Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville, and you're
talking about on a roadway that runs up to 55 and then has to step down to the posted speed limits in
those three towns, I think actually traffic calming is probably more successful than simply posting speed
limits because those measures actually cause the drivers to look and realize where they are
Plus, there are a variety of physical measures you can take that will cause them to have to slow down,
even if the posted speed limit isn't something they agree with I think the traffic calming measures are
a really good approach. Thanks
Mayor Burk: Is there a motion for tonight? I know, I mean not tonight, to bring it forward, do I need to
have four people to bring it forward?
Christopher Spera: [unintelligible]four head nods to bring it forward
Council Member Cummings: Mayor?
Mayor Burk: Yes, sir Would you like to speak? I keep forgetting you
Council Member Cummings: That's okay agree with you, so you want me to speak No I do, am
concerned with the boundary of Loudoun and Market, I understand what the traffic engineers you're
talking about,and that you have to use traffic calming measures to slow the traffic entering and exiting
in Town to downtown My question is, what are the next steps that we need to take, especially for that
Loudoun and Market Street corridor there of entering and exiting the Town to begin the process of
getting traffic calming or slowing items in place?
Mayor Burk: His question, could you understand his question?
Niraja Chandrapu: Yes What traffic calming measures that could be done for entering and exiting?
Renee LaFollette:The RTC
Niraja Chandrapu:Yes We'll work with the RTC on determining what measures we could take in order
to—we will determine what action should be taken in order to change the behavior of the drivers entering
and exiting
Mayor Burk: Does that answer your question, Mr Cummings?
Council Member Cummings: It does Thank you
Mayor Burk: Okay Do I have four people that want to bring this to the next meeting for a vote?
Members:Yes
Mayor Burk: All right Do you need everybody's name? Everybody but me Okay Thank you very
much
Niraja Chandrapu:Thank you
Mayor Burk:Appreciate it Public parking signage, one of my favorite topics These signs
Renee LaFollette: The fact that's your favorite
Mayor Burk: [crosstalk]You have to know how much I like signs
Page 23 I February 13, 2023
Renee LaFollette: Question on the crosswalk on Morven Park Road there at Loudoun and Crossing
Loudoun and Market
Mayor Burk: I'm sorry, I didn't hear the beginning
Renee LaFollette: The question about the crossing of Loudoun Street and Market Street to get to the
north side of Market Street,we are adding that crosswalk to the Morven Park Road sidewalk project
Mayor Burk: That's good That's a start, but I don't think that's going to be sufficient
Renee LaFollette: It includes the advanced warning signs and the rapid flashing beacons for the
crossing and some traffic calming
Mayor Burk: That's good to hear
Renee LaFollette: Yes.We'll start with that traffic calming for the balance
Mayor Burk: Okay
Renee LaFollette: Tonight, public parking signage We've had a lot of different conversations on
signage in the downtown, so this one is specific to the parking signage We'll look specifically at what
signs we already have in the field, the wayfinding, and the standard green on white, which are the
standard Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Device signs, the green on white Where are the signs?
What are some potential areas to add additional signage and what could some of our next steps be?
What would Council like to see staff begin to work on?
Our current signs,we have our branded Wayfinding Signs that are the burgundy and blue signs Those
were installed in the 2001, 2002 timeframe They're starting to fade,they're starting to age out, and not
look real great Most of those had directional public parking signs They also included lot-specific
names, Pennington, Semones, Liberty Street Lot, and Town Hall Parking Garage Those were all
installed, some of which have been removed through various construction projects at the Town Hall
garage sign on the Loudoun Street side When we did the entrance rehabilitation added the street
lighting
There were site distance issues with putting that sign back We've also lost some of the signs to rusting
bases and have not been able to get the metal pieces back in to reinstall those signs Then the standard
MUTCD signing, we've added three or four of those over the last few years You can see an example
of this in the bottom here,which is the light pole at King Street at Loudoun as you're coming southbound
Some of the current locations that we have signs, most of them are centered around direction to the
Liberty Street Lot and Pennington and a couple direct to the Town Hall garage There are a couple of
signs on Loudoun Street, and we also have some signage that directs people to the County parking
garage currently We've looked at what proposed signage we could add with the opening of the courts
complex, and we would suggest adding some directional signage to the Pennington Lot on Edwards
Ferry Road, Harrison Street, and North Street
As we know that those will be some traffic areas where the public will be coming in for the courthouse
We would recommend putting some additional signage there As part of any of our next steps, I'd
recommend that Public Works staff work with Economic Development and the Public Information Office
to get an idea of where they're hearing businesses say they think they need signs Take an overall look
at the Downtown Signage Program to get an idea of where we should put signs because we know if we
go too far and we have a lot of sign duller,you can't see the signs
We've got to be conscious about where we put the signs and what is going to be the best option for
installing those signs As part of the 24 budget in capital studies budget,there is dollars associated with
looking at the Wayfinding Sign Program that has been something that's been on the topic for a while
Do we need to rebrand? Do we need to change colors? Do we need to do something to draw that
program out and make the signs easier to see and be better directional signs?With that short and sweet
presentation on what we have in the field currently and what we could potentially do
Page 24 I February 13, 2023
Mayor Burk: I do have to chuckle on this sign
Renee LaFollette: The current signs
Mayor Burk: Because those are both on the same street
Renee LaFollette: Yes, they are
Mayor Burk: One is further down from the other One is pointing straight and one is pointing to the
other--
Renee LaFollette:Actually the Wayfinding Sign is on Loudoun Street and the parking sign is on King
Street
Mayor Burt Oh, okay. I'll give you that because I can see Delirium there
Renee LaFollette: They are both pointing towards either the Town Hall Garage or the Liberty Street
Lot
Mayor Burk: It does--having them be so different is problematic
Renee LaFollette: Yes
Mayor Burk:All right Anybody else?Yes, Council Member Wilt
Council Member Wilt: Okay, so a couple of questions On the type of signage here
Renee LaFollette:Yes
Council Member Wilt: I know the Wayfinding Signs that we're calling them versus this MUTCD
signage Each one of those has different instances of saying parking Does that seem--is that clear for
visitors, or is that a little confusing?
Renee LaFollette: That's part of the question with the Wayfinding Signs Program, that was a branded
program, color scheme
Mayor Burk: Design
Renee LaFollette: Design-type font all of that was designed specifically for the downtown to be visible
yet subtle enough that it blended into the Historic District When those signs first went up and they were
brand new you could see them They were retroreflective, they stood out because they were different
Now we've added so many other signs for loading zones and curbside pickup,and,and,and,that some
of them now are hidden It does become what is the most visible for the driver
Council Member Wilt: I'm wondering if the wayfinding at least by that concept is you want to find your
way to certain landmarks
Renee LaFollette:That's exactly what it is
Council Member Wilt:Rather than mixing into it now Parking is in this direction because then we have
the green and white parking signs which leave—there may be some user confusion.
Renee LaFollette: With the Wayfinding Program, when it was done in 2001 and 2002 one of the
destinations was public parking to draw people into downtown That's why the specific lot names were
on the signs because they were considered destinations as part of that original program
Council Member Wilt: Okay Just a question on the green and white signs,just seem to recall other
places I've traveled I've seen these just very bright,white,and blue P for public parking signs,what are
those used for?Are they in otherlunsdictions?
Page 25 I February 13, 2023
Renee LaFollette: The blue has a connotation for ADA-available parking There is a lot of different
color combinations in the MUTCD for parking The standard general parking sign is green on white but
there are numerous color combinations
Council Member Wilt: Okay Its just I know that very large white P on the blue is very easy to spot as
you're driving through a locality We've ever considered that it's just an open question The other not in
part of this presentation but in the parking,in general,there's a Liberty Lot There was an offline question
I'd asked Kaj about in terms of the Liberty Lot It's designed to have one entrance point for visitors and
two egress points?
Renee LaFollette: Yes
Council Member Wilt: Is there any basis for that or does it make sense to have two ingress points and
one egress point?
Renee LaFollette:The challenge we have with the egress point on the south onto South Street is the
width of that access point The site distance coming up from South Street into the Liberty Street Lot
when you crest you can't see there. Under the Liberty Street Lot is the old Town dump To excavate,to
eliminate that site distance concern coming up off of South Street and/or widening that road, we don't
know what the depth is on the cover of that landfill We have not wanted to disturb what's under the
asphalt there
Mayor Burk: Really, we need to stay with the public parking signage That's another whole topic we
haven't advertised so we need to stay with the sign for this discussion
Council Member Wilt: I was bringing that up because if that became an access point because that's
entering the perimeter of the Town from the south and parking is an access point right there at that
portion of the Town, I think could be beneficial Direct some people's right to that Liberty Lot
Mayor Burk: That's a whole nother topic
Renee LaFollette: That signage could be put up at Royal Street to direct people down Royal Street to
Liberty to that access point
Mayor Burk: Mr Bagdasarian Thank you, Mr Wilt
Council Member Bagdasarian: Okay Thank you and I appreciate the presentation Did you see the
presentation I sent over with some examples, a couple of things--I know back when I was on the EDC
in 2004 or'05, we did the whole parking summit This ties into the whole perception of parking Do we
have enough parking? I challenge this Council to be the Council that solves the challenge here. I think
that taking a holistic approach and it struck me over the break, the lack of signage The P parking on
the lamppost I think that is perfect The context,the location of that is where somebody is when they're
contemplating where to park they're at a red light or approaching the red light,they see that I can make
a right-hand turn The branded signs look beautiful but like that one contextually that's in the middle of
the block
You've people just drive right by that and don't—like when I saw you the other day I didn't even realize
there was a sign there because it's in the middle of the block From a location perspective if that parking
sign to go straight for the Town garage was at that intersection and you saw all the mockups I did of all
the different locations Even at the Liberty Street on South King Street directing people when they come
into the Town, at the South King headed towards Loudoun Street
I think having a left turn parking sign there too would be a relevant way to drive people to the parking
garage is because it's one of those things where if you don't know where the parking is you just assume
that there's none there Also on the signage front, I know the Council approved this in our last year's
budget but having a counter at the garage just to even further the maximization of all available parking,
just to let people know that there's parking on the third floor,second floor,how many spots are available
Page 26 1 February 13,2023
I think that'll help alleviate all that but its one of those things where the green sign obviously it's
universal People recognize the P I would ask that we look at additional locations especially at
intersections that direct people to the Town parking garage, Liberty Street Parking Lot, and then the
other ones that you mentioned that you've outlined,which I appreciate
Mayor Burk: Mr Vice Mayor
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Thanks Actually, since Mr Seymour walked back into the room, I wonder as
we get involved in the Main Street Program,is it possible that within this program,we might be informed
or better informed with different approaches to this particular topic?
Russell Seymour: Yes, sir In addition to that I'll mention that Wayfinding Signs are one of the things
that we can apply for loans or not loans I'm sorry, grants through the Main Street Program In
coordination with, as Renee was talking about, those signs could be covered under a larger grant for
the Town
Vice Mayor Steinberg:Also we might see some design concepts that offer consistency throughout the
area covered?
Russell Seymour: Correct What they'd want to do is something consistent so that you knew you were
in the Main Street area
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Okay Thanks
Eileen Boeing: Mr Cummings
Mayor Burk: Pardon? Oh, thank you Mr Cummings
Council Member Cummings: I'm good thank you
Mayor Burk:All right Thank you very much Appreciate the report that takes us to the Council Did you
want to make a motion?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: No [inaudible]
Keith Markel:Are you asking for any further staff action on this?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Yes I guess having had the report then what are the next steps? How might
we coordinate with the Main Street Program to actually push this forward in an expeditious manner?
Keith Markel: I guess it matters about timing because I don't know if the Main Street organization is
going to be set up in time I don't know if you have a sense of how long it would take before they'd be
organized well enough to provide that official recommendation versus if you wanted staff to move
forward with what we've outlined here is additional signage to the Pennington Lot which is really the
great resource that's underutilized
I think that's a quick win for us if we wanted to move forward with that signage as you all contemplate
additional signage and then you get into the discussion of what type and locations and all of those
details there if that's something you
Mayor Burk: Do we have any Idea of knowing what signage the County's going to pull up?
Keith Markel:We do not We do know that the Wayfinding Signs to the Pennington and Semones Lot
are Town owned and installed, so we'd be going in and adjusting those We were making plans to
modify those but we don't want to modify them if you have different thoughts as to how you'd want to--
if we want to have the name of the lots as we'd done in the branding years ago or if we want to take the
lot names off and just direct them using the traditional MUTCD park signs, we can do that It's really
down to your discretion and preference
Page 27 1 February 13, 2023
Renee LaFollette: I am not aware of a signage plan as part of the courthouse expansion to add parking
directional signage to the Pennington Lot
Vice Mayor Steinberg:Was there any further input here?
Russell Seymour Well, other than just following up on what Renee was talking about, we can pull
examples right now, Main Streets Wayfindmg Signs are pretty consistent around the state, so we could
provide examples of what those signs look like right now
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Okay
Mayor Burk: Mr Bagdasaran?
Council Member Bagdasarian: Yes In regards to the crude mockups that I created, the locations of
the parking signs, what are your thoughts on that as far as location feasibility, clutter, et cetera?
Renee LaFollette: I haven't gone out in the field and actually looked to see related to clutter There are
a couple that I would have to work with my traffic signal technician on, to see if I would be able to put
the signs on the mast arms, or the signal poles, just based on visual cues, are they looking at that, or
are they looking at the traffic signal kind of thing? Where you're looking, and where you're wanting to
direct traffic. I don't know if they're exactly the right spots,so we'd have to look and see what they would
need to be
Council Member Bagdasarian: To the Vice Mayor's question, what would the logical next step be as
far as you're concerned?
Renee LaFollette: I think myself,and my traffic engineer need to look to see what locations that have
been proposed make sense, don't add to the sign clutter, the signs for the Pennington Parking Garage
I think can be installed before the courthouse project opens Reasonably, each sign is about $263
installed,so for these small changes,we would be able to cover most of that in our departmental budget
this year I can look at this over the next couple of weeks with my traffic engineer, and then get
something back to Council The first meeting in March would be doable
Council Member Bagdasarian: Okay, great
Keith Markel: So you would be looking for us to bring back a formal recommendation on new sign
locations, updates to existing signs, new signs total package, is that what I'm heanng?
Mayor Burk: Is there four people that that's what they would like to have happen?
Council Member Bagdasarian: I would
Mayor Burk: Okay
Renee LaFollette: Or just have us install them
[laughter]
Keith Markel: That's the other option too, if you want Do you just want to do this, or do you want to
look at the vote?
Mayor Burk: I don't know You two were pushing it, so what do you want?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: I would take Council Member Bagdasanan's point,the simpler the sign can be,
the better, and when you have a driver who's navigating perhaps unfamiliar territory, if it's a P with an
arrow, I think that probably serves the purpose as well as anything Even if you had Pennington Lot up,
they're going to read it, or it's going to mean much to them As long as they know where to go for some
kind of parking, it seems that would be the--
Page 28 1 February 13,2023
Mayor Burk: The question is, do you want it to come back to Council, or do you want—
Renee LaFollette: Or do you want us to install them?
Vice Mayor Steinberg:Well, go ahead and put them up
[laughter]
Mayor Burk: Mr Bagdasarian, your light is still on
Council Member Bagdasarian: I don't know if we need to come back to Council as a whole, but I
wouldn't mind being part of the process, or just seeing that I would like this to come back to Council
just one last time to move forward
Keith Markel: All right That's what we'll do Well work with the Economic Development staff, Public
Works staff and pull this together and come back to you here in the next few months with a proposal
Council Member Bagdasarian:That'll be great Thank you Appreciate it
Mayor Burk: All right Mr. Wilt, do you have anything for future Council meetings? Mr Wilt? [silence]
Mr Wilt, did you have something for future agendas?
Council Member Wilt: No, not tonight
Mayor Burk: Mr Bagdasarian?
Council Member Bagdasarian: No, nothing Thank you
Mayor Burk: Ms Nacy? Mr Cimino-Johnson?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Yes I have three items I would like to bring up The first is a
Proclamation for Mayors and Town Council Day of Recognition for National Service, I would like to have
that added to the future agenda
Mayor Burk:Are the four people that would be willing to support that? Mr Cummings?
Council Member Cummings:Yes, I'll support that
Mayor Burk: Okay, go ahead
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Second item I would like to have a text amendment to add
congregate housing to the Zoning Ordinance and a discussion with staff with their input
Mayor Burk:You would like to have a discussion about a text amendment for congregate housing? Is
that what you're asking?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson:Yes
VicoMayor Steinberg: I'm not familiar with the term congregate housing, is that what we're saying?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Yes, there's a potential for a women's shelter to be placed in the
Town of Leesburg and right now the Zoning Ordinance doesn't speak anything to it
Mayor Burk:We're asking for a discussion at this point?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson:Yes
Mayor Burk:Are there four people that are interested in having that discussion?
Page 29 I February 13, 2023
Keith Markel: Would you like an information memo beforehand or go right into discussion? Maybe I'll
answer some of your questions with info memo
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Yes, I'd like to have that beforehand
Mayor Burk: That's an information What's the third thing?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson:Third is a text amendment and discussion to increase the number
of guest rooms allowed to the Zoning article 18 1-86
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Referring to what?
Mayor Burk: What are you referring to a hotel, inn?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: It's considered inn right now
Mayor Burt Are there four people that want to have that discussion? Mr Wit, Mr Bagdasanan, Ms
Nacy, Mr Cimino-Johnson
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: What about Mr Cummings?
Mayor Burk: Mr Cummings?
Council Member Cummings: Sure
Mayor Burk: Okay, and again this is a discussion
Eileen Boeing: Mr Mayor I'm sorry I have a disclosure form from Mr Wit, so you need to disclose
that at the meeting You need to say what?
Council Member Wilt: I had a meeting with Peter Burnett about proposal for a response to an RFP for
the Liberty Street Light Development
Mayor Burk: Mr Bagdasanan
Council Member Bagdasarian: Yes Just on the note, Mr Cimino-Johnson With that I think it would
be worthwhile to have I won't say a staff report or not a staff report but just the justification where the
number has been set as far as the maximum number of rooms what the justification is and the
implications for that
Mayor Burk: I'm sure they'll put that in there for you Thank you Mr Vice Mayor?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Thank you Nothing for future meetings, a disclosure meeting with Peter
Burnett, Don Knutson, and Kim Hart regarding projects on the Liberty Street Lot and W rt Street
Mayor Burk:All right Mr Cummings?
Council Member Cummings:Just one--nothing for future work session Just a disclosure I was a part
of aneeting with Kevin Ash and Town staff
Mayor Burk:All right I also had that meeting with Mr Cummings and Kevin Ash,on his Loudoun Street
Project On the February 2nd, I also met with Mr Hart and Mr Steinberg and Mr Burnett, and Mr
Knutson, on the Liberty Lot proposal On the 25w, I attended a very instructional meeting with the
residents interested in the Westpark Commercial Development Mr Kuhn was in attendance who was
the developer of that site and the residents were very interested and very pleased that he was there to
answer their questions
On the 28°, I visited the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Department for their Pancake Breakfast It is every
last Saturday of the month and I recommend if you're hungry for breakfast it's a great place and it's a
Page 30 I February 13, 2023
good cause$10 you'll get as much food as you can possibly eat I participated in the Ice Carving Show
with the Village at Leesburg It was probably the warmest it's ever been since I participated in these,
but the carvings were terrific and the kids all loved it
Thanks to the Village at Leesburg who always invites me to join them to their public events On the 319'
I attended a very informative meeting with the local businesses of the Hub Zone changes Our Hub
Zone is going to be made smaller which is very good for us because it means that things are going well
but it also means that the zone which is very popular is will be somewhat smaller
On the 2otl, David Seekford, a senior at Tuscarora High School invited me to be his escort at the
Tuscarora Best Contest All the boys got nicknames and he was Mr Mayor He thought it would be fun
to have the mayor escort him to the competition which I did By the way he won It was a fundraiser for
their student government I want to thank him very much for allowing me to join him It was great fun
On the 10'^ I attended a meeting with the residents of the Leesburg Apartments along with Supervisor
Umstattd There are many problems in those buildings and the lack of maintenance is horrible We had
some suggestions for the residents,but it's a really difficult situation and to hear the conditions some of
them live in is just very sad
I want to welcome Leesburg Beads and Studio Leslie Kay has retired from our government service and
taken on this great new career path It's a great place. Lots of fun and a great addition to the Town
businesses Finally, I have been recently very touched by what's going on En Turkey and Syria The
suffering of what's going on with the people there has been really tough to watch Recently I saw a
video of a gentleman sitting in the rubble holding his dead daughter's hand while the rest of her laid,
buried under the rubble It was very,very heartbreaking
They're now saying that a number of those fatalities are because buildings and developers were not
following the requirements of the government How that plays out, we'll see, but it really infuriated me
as 1 thought about all the meetings I've sat in with developers and that who have said things like,"I don't
want the public to weigh in I don't want staff nitpicking my project.This rule that you have, it's going to
cost me too much or that rule is going to cost me too much I won't be able to do the project"
The Town knows that it's not easy to develop in Leesburg Redevelopment is always tough, but I don't
ever want to ever hear of a father whose daughter has not survived because of a building that was not
built correctly It really struck me that we need to recommit ourselves to making sure that staff input is
valued, that we listen to the developer, but we also realize that the public is very important part and that
we need their input I will always ask for the public, I will always expect the public to participate and to
give us input
I don't want us to forget that While we may not be in a quake zone,we must be sure that any building
built in Leesburg has the standards that makes it safe and that people will not be in a desperate
situation I want to wish everybody a very happy Valentine's Day, and Town Manager, Deputy Town
Manager, do you have a report?
Keith Markel: No comment
Mayor Burk:All right
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: I have two disclosures
Mayor Burk: You have two disclosures? Okay
Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Yes. The first is on the Hamblet Property I met online with Matt
Leslie, Tara Craven, Tom Jordan, Jack Williams, and Shashika Braver Then the second is a short
meeting with Kevin Ash and Ara Bagdasanan
Mayor Burk:All right That means that we are now going into a closed session Do you want to stay in
here or go in the other room? Stay here? Okay I will move pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2 2-
3711(A)(8) and 2 2-3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia that the Leesburg Town Council convene in a
closed meeting for the purpose of consultation with legal counsel and briefing by staff members
Page 31 I February 13, 2023
regarding specific legal matters related to the pending annexation and the JLMA, where such
consultation in open session would adversely affect the negotiating and litigating posture of the Town
Do I have a second?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: Second
Mayor Burt Second by Vice Mayor All in favor indicate by saying aye
Members:Aye
Mayor Burk:We're missing one?
Christopher Spera: No, he voted
Mayor Burk: Were you in? Ok, that's 7-0 Alright, I am afraid some people will have to leave at this
point
COUNCIL CONVENED IN CLOSED SESSION FROM 8:56 PM—10:17 PM
Mayor Burt Are we ready?All right, In accordance with Section 2 2-3712 of the Code of Virginia, I
move that Council certify to the best of each members knowledge only public business matters lawfully
exempted from the opening meeting requirement under Virginia Freedom of Information Act and such
public business matters for the purpose identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was
convened were heard, discussed, and considered in the meeting by Council Mr Witt? Mr
Bagdasanan? Ms Nacy?
Council Member Nacy Aye
Mayor Burk: Vice Mayor Steinberg.
Vice Mayor Steinberg:Aye
Mayor Burt Mr Cimino-Johnson?
Council Member Cimino-Johnson:Aye
Mayor Burk:And,Council Member Cummings?
Council Member Cummings: Aye
Mayor Burk: And Mayor Burk, aye Is there a motion to adjourn?
Vice Mayor Steinberg: So, moved
Mayor Burk: Moved by Vice Mayor Steinberg
Mayor Burk: Second?
Council Member Nacy: Second
Mayor Burk: Second by Council Member Nacy
Mayor Burk: All in favor?
Members:Aye
Mayor Burk: Opposed?This passes 7-0 Hope you're feeling better, Mr Cummings
Page 32 I February 13, 2023