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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023_tcmin0711 COUNCIL MEETING July 11, 2023 Council Chamber, 25 West Market Street, 7:00 p.m. Mayor Kelly Burk presiding. ECouncil Members Present: Todd Cimino-Johnson, Zach Cummings, Kari Nacy, Vice Mayor Neil Steinberg, Patrick Wilt and Mayor Kelly Burk. Council Members Absent: Ara Bagdasarian. Staff Present: Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Town Attorney Christopher Spera, Deputy Town Manager Keith Markel, Director of Utilities Amy Wyks, Urban Forester Noble Atkins, Parks and Recreation Events Coordinator Lesley Green and Clerk of Council Eileen Boeing. AGENDA ITEMS 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. INVOCATION was given by Father Michael J.R. Kelly from St. John the Apostle Catholic Church. 3. SALUTE TO TILE FLAG was led by Council Member Cimino-Johnson. 4. ROLL CALL Council Member Bagdasarian absent. -- - _--Se_ ---MINUTES a. Work Session Minutes of June 26. 2023 MOTION 2023-127 On a motion by Vice Mayor Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the June 26, 2023, Work Session minutes were moved for approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk Nay: None Vote: 5-0-1-1 (Cimino-Johnson abstain, Bagdasarian absent) b. Regular Session Mmutes of June 27. 2023 ------ - --- - - -- - MOTION2023-128 On a motion by Council Member Cummings, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the June 27, 2023, Regular Session minutes were moved for approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk Nay: None Vote: 5-0-1-1(Cimino-Johnson abstain, Bagdasarian absent) 1 I Page COUNCIL MEETING July 11, 2023 6. ADOPTING THE MEETING AGENDA MOTION2023-129 On a motion by Vice Mayor Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Nary, the meeting agenda was moved for approval. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Cimino-Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk Nay: None Vote: 6-0-1 (Bagdasarian absent) 7. CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION a. None. 8. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS a. None. 9. PRESENTATIONS a. Independence Day Patriot Cup Winners The Independence Day Patriot Cup was presented to representatives of the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Executive Director Michael Meyer, along with Board Members Amy Ulland and Michael Sciortino, accepted the award and made a few remarks. b. Tree Commission—2021-2022 Annual Report Tree Commission Chair Earl Hower presented the annual Tree Commission report to Council. 10. REGIONAL COMMISSION REPORTS a. None. 11. PETITIONERS The Petitioner's Section opened at 7:14 p.m. Audrey Carpenter. Spoke to Council regarding maintenance of tall weeds affecting visibility near King Street and Clubhouse Drive; the status of Country Club Green's Adopt-a- Highway application; and, status of the requested improvements to the off ramp of Route 7 East at Clubhouse Drive to South King Street. Mayor Burk informed Ms. Carpenter that Mr. Derider would follow-up with her separately to provide an update. The Petitioner's Section closed at 7:18 p.m. 2 I Page COUNCIL MEETING July 11, 2023 12. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA MOTION 2023-130 On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Cimino-Johnson, the following consent agenda was proposed: a. Appointment to the Environmental Advisory Commission—Katherine Murphy RESOLUTION 2023-093 Appointing Katherine Murphy to the Environmental Advisory Commission The Consent Agenda was approved by the following vote: Aye: Cimino-Johnson, Cummings, Nary, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk Nay: None Vote. 6-0-1(Bagdasarian absent) 13. RESOLUTIONS /ORDINANCES / MOTIONS a. Sanitary Sewer Pump Station Upgrades Ms. Amy Wyks presented Council with the request to upgrade pump stations in Potomac Crossing and Old Waterford Knolls and approval of a supplemental appropriation to the Fiscal Year 2024 Utilities Fund Capital Improvement Program. MOTION 2023-131 On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Cimino-Johnson, the following was proposed: RESOLUTION 2023-094 Awarding the Construction Contract for Upgrades to Old Waterford Knolls and Potomac Crossing Sewer Pump Stations to Archer Western Construction, LLC in the amount of$3,286,500 and Approving a Supplemental Appropriation to Fiscal Year 2024 Utilities Fund Capital Improvements Program in the amount of$1,613,945 The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye: Cimino-Johnson, Cummings, Nacy, Vice Mayor Steinberg, Wilt and Mayor Burk Nay: None Vote: 6-0-1 (Bagdasarian absent) 14. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. None. 15. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. None. 16. NEW BUSINESS a. None. 3 1 Page COUNCIL MEETING July 11, 2023 17. COUNCIL DISCLOSURES AND COMMENTS / ADDITIONS TO FUTURE MEETINGS Vice Mayor Steinberg complimented staff on a well-executed day of festivities for the Fourth of July celebration. 18. MAYOR DISCLOSURES AND COMMENTS / ADDITIONS TO FUTURE MEETINGS Mayor Burk moderated a discussion with residents and author Kathleen Grissom about her book, Crow Mary Mayor Burk thanked Birch Tree Books for the invitation. Mayor Burk attended the retirement party for Officer Bill Wolff and wished him all the best. Mayor Burk attended a dinner for the Virginia Fine Arts Museum mobile staff hosted by Ms. Rita Sartori. Mayor Burk thanked Ms. Santori for the invitation and for hosting the dinner. Mayor Burk thanked the Town staff for a successful day of Fourth of July events and highlighted the amount of work that goes into the festivities. Mayor Burk and Council Member Cummings welcomed District Hemp Botanicals to their new location. Mayor Burk extended her sympathies to the Malone family and noted that Mr. Kevin Malone was a pioneer in bringing a high-end restaurant to Leesburg. Mayor Burk said she was fortunate to have known him and that he will be missed. Mayor Burk reminded everyone that there is music on the Town Hall Green every Saturday night during the summer. Mayor Burk noted that the Anchor Bar will be opening m Leesburg on July 22 in the Villages at Leesburg. Mayor Burk noted there are 30 days left to get Waldo sightings signed by the 25 participating businesses. Mayor Burk thanked Birch Tree Books for coordinating the program and to the businesses for participating. 19. TOWN MANAGER COMMENTS Mr. Dentler thanked staff for their efforts m executing a successful day of Fourth of July activities and reminded Council that the Swearing-in Ceremony for new Police Chief Thea Pimat is planned for Thursday, July 20, at the Birkby House. 20. CLOSED SESSION a. None. 21. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Vice Mayor Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m. Kelly urk, or Town of Leesburg ATTEST. Clerk of Council 2023_ttmm0711 4I Page July 11, 2023—Leesburg 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: I would like to call to order the Town Council meeting of July 11 h, 2D23 If anyone in the room needs hearing assistance, please see the Clerk Council Member Wit was set to give the invocation, but he has invited Father Kelly from St John Apostle Church to give the invocation tonight The salute to the flag is by Council Member Cimino-Johnson Father Kelly, please join us Father Michael J. R. Kelly. Thank you, Council Member Wilt and Mayor, thank you Thank you to all the Council for having us over Greetings from our parish, from Father Kevin, our senior pastor, and everybody who works at St John's thank the city for their support Almighty, ever-living God, we ask you to bless this Council and this Town We ask for your spirit to fall upon these members and upon our city Protect it from danger, protect it from hardship, and give us all a sense of community, a sense of trust in one another Protect our first responders and all of their emergencies that they must handle, and Lord, give us your spirit of counsel that we may know what is true and lust and follow after the ways in which you lead us Amen Mayor Burk: Thank you Council Member Cimino-Johnson Council Member Todd Cimino-Johnson: I pledge allegiance- All: -to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible,with liberty and justice for all Mayor Burk: All right Thank you, Father Kelly I appreciate you being here We do not need to have electronic participation I do have Work Session minutes from June 261h, 2023 Do I have a motion? Vice Mayor Neil Steinberg: So moved Mayor Burk: Vice Mayor Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Nacy All in favor indicate by saying aye Members:Aye Mayor Burk:That's 5-0-1-1 Regular Session minutes of June 24'h, 2023 Do I have a motion? Council Member Zach Cummings: So moved Mayor Burk: Council Member Cummings Second? Council Member Kari Nacy: Second Mayor Burk: Council Member Nacy All in favor indicate by saying aye Members: Aye Mayor Burk:Abstain? Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Abstain Page 11July 11, 2023 Mayor Burk: Nay? That's 5-1-1 Do I have a motion? 5-0-1-1 Do I have a motion to adopt the meeting agenda? Vice Mayor Steinberg: So moved Mayor Burk: Second? Council Member Nacy: Second Mayor Burt You're playing that role tonight [laughter] Council Member Nacy Is there any additions or deletions?All right All in favor indicate by saying aye Members:Aye Mayor Burk: Opposed? That's 6-0-1 We have one presentation tonight and that is the Patriot Cup winners are here I will read this and then move to the floor This is a certificate awarded to Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy in recognition of the most patriotic parade entry in the Leesburg Independence Day Parade Let me go down and present the cup to them Thank you Hello, how are you? [laughs] Nice to see you all again Here is your cup Unceremoniously at the parade I gave it to you and took it away again and the reason that it does not have its little plaque is because it is out there being-- the plaque is not here because it's being engraved Your recognition will be on there the next tune you come to the Town Council meeting Michael Myers: Great Mayor Burk: That was a tremendous float, that was really neat Whose idea was it? How did you get it all done? Michael Myers: Our volunteers One of our volunteers, Natalie Manzanares, has been helping us with our marketing plan She's like, "We got to get in these parades" She made it happen and we rallied some volunteers. Then one of our board members had a trailer available and a truck, then we had some artistic volunteers who pulled it all together We got a sponsorship for it which helped cover some of the supplies and banners and everything and then just had a vision come to life, so it's really the work of our passionate volunteers Mayor Burt That's wonderful At this point, would you like to introduce yourself and everybody that's here and talk about what is Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy? Michael Myers: Sure I'm Michael Myers I'm the executive director of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Amy Ulland is one of our board members and also our stream monitoring program coordinator, and then Michael Sciortino is our treasurer on our board as well and he volunteers in a vanety of aspects as well Loudoun Wildlife, we are a non-profit organization We inspire, motivate, and engage people to preserve, protect, and restore wildlife habitat here in Loudoun County We do that through forming program areas, advocacy, education, citizen science, and habitat conservation projects We have over 400 volunteers who last year contributed over 12,000 hours We are a membership-based volunteer-driven organization here in Loudoun County doing a lot of different programs and a lot of different work Mayor Burk:That's very true As a disclaimer, I am a member Michael Myers:Wow,thank you very much Mayor Burk: I didn't vote for the thing I didn't give a vote Yes, thank you very much for coming and thank you for participating, and thank you for what you do, truly It makes a difference here in Leesburg and we are very grateful for that Michael Myers:Well, thank you We're honored to have this award Page 2IJuly 11, 2023 Mayor Burk: Okay Did you get a picture?Would you mind taking a picture so that-- [background conversation} Mayor Burk: I'll trade you this- Michael Myers: Sounds good Mayor Burt-and give you that Again,thank you very much Michael Myers:Thank you Mayor Burk:All right,very nice to meet you [clapping] Mayor Burk: All right, now we have a presentation from the Tree Commission Tree Commission chair, Earl Hower, is here to present She's setting the clock for 10 minutes Earl Hower: Understood Waiting for the presentation to queue up Mayor Burk: Poor Eileen, we give her multiple things to do and she's--[chuckles] Eileen Boeing: All right Earl Hower: Perfect Thank you, ma'am Madam Mayor, Council, and staff, on behalf of the Tree Commission, I hope that you will please accept this combined two-year report. Our mission is clearly stated here as we have committed to provide advice to all regarding Leesburg's most valuable resource In our mind, is our trees It's no secret that many of our lives suffered during the pandemic and in the months following into 2021, that included our ability to conduct meetings and conduct out there-- Excuse me, education outreach, participate in school learning, and public events were obviously impacted One other setback on a unique situation, one of our specimen trees located in the previously established "Tree Walk of Historic Leesburg"tour trail had to be removed due to the damage caused that occurred during the February 2020 tornado that struck both northwest and northeastern parts of the Town We are currently working with the cemetery trustees to replace this tree in the near future On a related subject, due to the high demand and use of this brochure to-- actually during COVID, a lot of people were taking their time and going outside and use the brochure We also had this brochure, which is available on display at the Town Hall, the Loudoun Museum, the County Visitor Center in Balch Library We actually ran out and had to reprint the brochure On another note, commissioners are currently working with the Public Information Office to develop an online app version of the same Tree Walk After a year off and a modified venue with a limited crowd capacity at Ida Lee Park,we were able to provide the tree care information and distribute about 750 tree seedlings to the public during the Flower Garden Festival Still not able to gain access to schoolyards, so we planted the 2021 Leesburg Arbor Day Tree along the Battlefield Parkway Trail, would be just in the northwest corner of the quadrant of the bypass in Battlefield Parkway Although we didn't plant it during the normal Arbor Day time period in April, but in October, it was due to the cicada invasion that impacted tree planting locally if you recall Another 2021 accomplishment is, of course, we've added a few more Tree City USA signs along the roadways, the three major gateways here at the Town Perhaps we'll have a few more to come in the next fiscal year Of course, we continued to earn the Tree City USA designation in 2021, that would be the 32nd annual consecutive year that we received that recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation Page 31July 11, 2023 The year 2022 brought us all back to some sense of normalcy Wth the festival returning downtown, we were able to meet and greet many, many more visitors and distributed a greater number and variety of tree seedlings Plus,we were able to return our annual published and online public service announcement This year, the topic was The Many Benefits of Trees, and as you can see, it was widely distributed throughout the region and particularly in the Town of Leesburg We were allowed back into the school to plant the Arbor Day Tree We returned, this time to the Leesburg Elementary School up in the Plaza Street here, northeast We also, at the same time, conducted the return of the Fourth Grade Forester Program,which is a educational process for young people to learn about the importance of trees In fact, these 80 or so students helped plant the tree, and they are supposed to be taking care of it, although a lot of them have moved on to the middle school Anyway, it was a good experience for everybody to get back and be with young people again and educate them on trees Nature can certainly take its toll on our trees Not long ago, it was the emerald ash borer Next, it was the more recent tornado, followed by the cicada outbreak Then a new surprise, an invasion of the spotted lantern fly It has been an all-out effort to combat this pest in the region, and that same effort continues today Initially, we had initiated a plan to study the tree canopy loss from 2010 to 2020 However, due to the limited access to much-needed satellite telemetry imaging, we were forced to change the focus to the tree canopy conditions We did a study We focused the study on 2005 and 2015 Recently, the Town's newly-hired Urban Forester, Noble Atkins, and the other Department of Public Works and Capital Project staff completed its first 10-year tree canopy study We experienced one and one-third percentage loss of the total tree canopy during that time period However, based on more recent observations of land development within the Town, we anticipate increased tree canopy losses for the next 10-year study, which will be focused on the time period between 2015 and 2025 While there is an ongoing effort to plant more trees in roadway medians, parks, schools, and public places, you can expect that also in the near future, you'll be seeing coming from the commission a promotional plan to encourage more private tree plantings within the Town Lastly, again, in 2022,we've earned the recognition of Tree City USA designation this time for the 33" consecutive year On a more memorable but sad note, the Town of Leesburg lost a valuable asset with the unfortunate death of Tyler Wright Tyler Wright, who brought significant knowledge and dedication to the promotion of a healthy, diverse tree canopy for the Town of Leesburg will be missed To the Council, I thank you again for your support, and to the dedicated citizens willing to serve on the Tree Commission, I thank them as well Thank you Any questions? Mayor Burk: Thank you Thank you very much We appreciate you bringing this forward I do have to tell you that the brochure when I go out to events, that brochure, the tree walk is the most popular piece of literature I give out Thank you very much for being here We really appreciate it Earl Hower All right,thank you Mayor Burk: All right That takes us to our petitioner section Anybody have any regional commission reports? I meet with COLT tomorrow but I don't have anything at this point Anybody else? Okay Petitioner section, 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 and if comfortable doing so, give your address for the taped record Any public speaker will be requested to state their name and spell it for the purpose of closed captioning In the interest of fairness, we also ask that you observe the three-minute time limit The green light at 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 bell indicates your time is expired Under the rules of orders adopted by this Council, the time limit applies to all Our first speaker tonight is Audrey Carpenter Audrey, hello? Audrey Carpenter Hello everyone Hello, Mayor Kelly I'm going to go in reverse order because 1 know I only have-- I have three things I'm going to go from least important to most important There Page 4IJuly 11, 2023 are tall weeds right in that double-stop sign intersection area that are about six to eight feet high and are causing a major blind spot When people turn from King Street onto Clubhouse Drive SW, that culvert area that's right where the stop signs are, its making it even harder now for people to see I did reach out to Chris Kohr He did say he was going to put it on the maintenance schedule, but I just wanted to point that out The second thing was the Country Club Green has submitted to Niraja a Adapt-a-Highway application, and we have not heard back on that I'm not sure, I've never applied for that before I don't know how long it takes to get approval, but if we could get some sense of that, that would be appreciated. Then the last thing is the double signage I know there was a conversation had this afternoon I was wondering if you could update so we can all be on one accord as to where we go from here, Kai? Mayor Burt Generally, we don't have the petitioner's address individuals, but I'm sure that Mr Dentler would be happy to send you the information you're asking for tomorrow Would that be sufficient for you? Audrey Carpenter: Yes I think the last word I received was the transportation staff is going to make a presentation to the Council on August 7'^ I've been very vocal about this issue, not because it's the height of importance to the Town, but because of the length of time it's taken for a simple fix What I would consider to be a simple fix I just want to continue again and just keep bringing that up Mayor Burk: Of course, and you do a good job at it Audrey Carpenter:Thank you all Mayor Burk: You'll hear from Mr Dentler tomorrow Audrey Carpenter: Okay, thank you all Mayor Burk: All right, thank you Are there any speakers in the audience that did not sign up that would like to speak at this point? There being nobody I will close the petitioner section We have one item on the consent agenda It is an appointment to the Environmental Advisory Commission of Katherine Murphy Whose appointee is this? Eileen Boeing: Mr Bagdasanan Mayor Burk: Okay Is there anything anybody wants to take off the consent agenda? [laughter] Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Lets talk about this Mayor Burk: In that case, do I have a motion to accept the consent agenda as is? Council Member Nacy: So moved Mayor Burk: Council Member Nacy Second Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Second Mayor Burt Council Member Cimino-Johnson All in favor indicate by saying aye Members:Aye Mayor Burk: Opposed? That's 6-0-1 All right The next thing we have is a resolution Do I have a motion so we can start the discussion on it? For the sanitary sewer pump station upgrade, I won't ask for a vote I'm just asking for the motion Page 51July 11, 2023 Council Member Nacy: So moved Vice Mayor Steinberg: So moved Mayor Burk: Moved by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Vice Mayor Steinberg All right We have a presentation and I assume everybody would Ike to hear the presentation from our director Vice Mayor Steinberg:Absolutely Mayor Burk:All right I know [laughs] I know she'll be so disappointed Amy Wyks: Good evening, Madam Mayor, Vice Mayor, Members of Council I'm Amy Wyks, Director of Utilities Here to give a presentation related to the contract award for sanitary sewer station upgrades I'm here tonight to request approval of a resolution awarding a construction contract for upgrades to Old Waterford Knolls and Potomac Crossing pump stations to the contractor Archer Western Construction, LLC in the amount of $3,286,500 Also, approving a supplemental appropriation to the Fiscal Year 2024 Utilities Fund Capital Improvements Program in the amount of $1,613,945 A little background Both of these pump stations were built over 20 years ago when the subdivisions were being built Obviously, after 20-plus years, the equipment and infrastructure are nearing the end of their useful life Their construction upgrades include mechanical and electrical rehabilitation, replacement of the pumps, new standby generator power systems in the event of electrical failures, and then removal of underground storage tanks This is an approved CIP It's sanitary sewer pump station upgrades It's an ongoing Town-wide project These are the second and third pump stations that are being completed, Cattail pump station, which is our largest one located outside the Town's corporate limits in the Lansdowne Potomac area is currently under construction with the final two pumps We'll move on to the other pump stations in the coming years The Potomac Crossing pump station is located in Potomac Crossing, which is the subdivision across the street from Exeter as you go out of Town off of the bypass As you can see where the star is there it Is adjacent to the bypass just north of Battlefield Parkway and the bypass off of Barksdale Drive There're a few pictures there that show the interior of the pump station that will be rehabilitated and replaced Old Waterford Knolls pump station is off of Old Waterford Road across the street from what is known as the Mulch Fields by Ida Lee and near the Equine Center for Virginia Tech Again, I'm here tonight to request approval of a resolution awarding the contract to Archer Western, as well as approving a supplemental appropnation to the capital projects Mayor Burk: Thank you, appreciate the presentation Is there anyone who has any questions on this" Mr Wilt' Council Member Patrick Wilt: Just a clarification on the numbers The $3 2 million is for the two pump stations and that's in the CIP currently' Amy Wyks: Correct Council Member Wilt: The $1 6 million supplemental, that's a supplemental that's above and beyond the approved CIP, I take it What is that about" Amy Wyks: Correct It's to include the 25% contingency in the event of any overruns within the project[crosstalk] Council Member Wilt: For the same pump project" Amy Wyks: For the two pump stations Council Member Wilt:This is a contingency that wasn't included in the original CIP Page 6IJuly 11, 2023 Amy Wyks: Correct Council Member Wilt: Normally,a contingency is budgeted Amy Wyks: Correct Council Member Wilt: It just wasn't this time This is an oversight that's been corrected Amy Wyks: Yes, and the bids did come in a little higher than originally anticipated because this project has been on the books for four years Council Member Wilt: Understood Thanks,Amy Amy Wyks: Thank you Mayor Burk:Anyone else have any questions? Do we have a motion? Christopher Spero:We had one Vice Mayor Steinberg: [inaudible] did the motion. Mayor Burk: Oh, I did already Sorry Yes, we do [laughs] It was Council Member Nacy and Vice Mayor Steinberg All in favor of awarding the construction contract for the sanitary sewer pump station upgrades indicate by saying aye Members:Aye Mayor Burk: Opposed?That passes 6-0-1 Amy Wyks: Thank you Mayor Burk: Thank you That takes us to future Council Member meetings and agenda topics Mr Wilt? Council Member Wilt: None Mayor Burk: Ms Nacy? Council Member Nacy: None Mayor Burk:Vice Mayor? Vice Mayor Steinberg: No disclosures. I just wanted to congratulate staff, I'm sure you will as well, on another wonderful 41" of July day this last week starting with the parade downtown and continuing with the banners for Town heroes, which I know the Mayor worked a great deal on Then wrapping up with all the activities at Ida Lee It was quite a day and it was extraordinarily well run Kudos to both the parks department and LPD, thanks Mayor Burk: Mr Cummings? Council Member Cummings: Nothing Mayor Burk: Dr Cimino-Johnson? Council Member Cimino-Johnson: Nothing Mayor Burk: Okay I just have a couple things I want to recognize June 2911, I moderated a discussion with residents and Author Kathleen Grissom about her book, Crow Mary Thanks to Birch Tree Books for inviting me to this very interesting discussion It's a very good book, and the Page 7IJuly 11, 2023 discussion was truly interesting, her process and how she does it it is wonderful to have local authors that are willing to come and talk to the public The room was packed So I really want to thank Ms Grissom for being willing to do that The 30th was Officer Bill Wolff s retirement party This gentleman was a very dedicated police officer, and he will be very, very, very much missed We wish him all the best. July 1T, Rita Sartori had a dinner for the Virginia Fine Arts Museum mobile staff We had the mobile exhibit all day here on Saturday the 1St It's not your mom's stuffy old museum It's really interesting There's lots of things to touch and move around and lots of very fascinating information on the artists I want to thank Rita for being so gracious to invite the FAM staff Council Member Cummings and his wife were also there It was great It was a lovely dinner and great conversations July 4th, again, I want to reiterate what Vice Mayor said, thanks to the Parks and Rec event staff, another amazing event from the parade in the morning to the ceremony at the Veterans' Freedom Park for the Veterans Flag and Banner program to the fireworks show They make it look so easy and it's not, they put so much effort into it The Police Officers that were there, the Parks and Rec staff that was there, the Streets staff that was there Two hours after the parade, the streets were totally clean The work that they do behind the scenes, it's so amazing and we don't give them enough credit I want to make sure that the population in Leesburg realizes what a tremendous staff we have and what dedicated employees On the Th, ribbon cutting Council Member Cummings Joined me in welcoming the District Hemp Botanicals to their new location They've been here for a little while, but they moved to a new location. Its a lovely store, and the owners and workers were very knowledgeable It was Just a very nice event My sympathies go to the Malone family Kevin Malone was a pioneer in bringing high-end restaurant to Leesburg and to make it a place where people wanted to be The food was great, the service was great The atmosphere was great He and his family put a lot of work into it and have made an establishment that is almost an institution here in Leesburg I've said before, I feel very lucky to have known him We most certainly will miss him Don't forget the Town Hall holds. We have music on the Town Hall every Saturday night during the summer Come and Join the fun It's bring your lawn chair and enjoy the music It's great I want to let all New Yorkers, and there are many of them here in Leesburg, know that Anchor Bar will be opening here in Leesburg on July 22n° in The Village I'm sure that many of you will come Join us, but please do We will have a ribbon cutting at that point Then finally, I want to let everybody know that you still have 30 days to get your Waldo's sightings in There's 25 businesses here that you go to and you look for Waldo, then they'll sign it when you have it This is being run by Birch Tree Books, and they have done Just a phenomenal job It was a lot of fun going around to all the different businesses and talking to them and to the customers I want to thank Birch Tree Books and all of the businesses that participated It was really great That's it that I've got today Town Manager, you have anything you want to share with us? Kaj Dentler Just to first thank you for recognizing the efforts of the staff, Parks and Recreation, Police, Public Works for putting on all the July 4t festivities that we could enjoy Second, a reminder that next Thursday is the swearing-in ceremony for our new Police Chief, Thea Pirnat, at the Birkby House at five o'clock I believe the gathering is at 4.30 We will send you a reminder but it is next Thursday the 20'^, hopefully, you can make it Thank you Mayor Burk:All nght Is there a motion? Vice Mayor Steinberg: So, moved Mayor Burk: Second? Council Member Nacy: Second Mayor Burk:All in favor? Page 8IJuly 11, 2023 Members: Aye Mayor Burk: Opposed?All right, we are adjourned Page 9IJuly 11, 2023