ROUND HILL TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING—September 15, 2005
Council Present: Frank
Etro, Mayor
Ivan
Clark
Scott
Ramsey
Mark
Albright
Phil
Bzdyk
Ken
Gicker
Council Absent: Mary Ann Graham, Vice Mayor
Public Attendees: Jennifer Jenkins 7 Main Street
Chris Hamilton 17197 Magic Mountain Drive
Sgt. Lockhart Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office
Carter Morrow Chairman Planning Commission
Jenny McMahon Planning Commission
Marybeth Mohr Jamestown 2007 Representative
Attachments:
Meeting Began: Mayor Frank Etro called the meeting to order at 8:01 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
Sergeant Lockhart with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office went over statistics from the month of
August, and then asked if council or the public had any questions. Mayor Etro voiced his concern over the
incident of indecent exposure that Sergeant Lockhart had addressed. Mayor Etro explained that there is a
heightened concern in that area due to all of the construction. In addition Mayor Etro voiced his concern
over the continuing speeding in the town and the need for constant help in that
area from law enforcement. Sergeant
Lockhart wanted the town to know, that while school is in session there is a
lot of manpower tied up in cross guard relief and school bus violations, which
are taken extremely seriously. He went
on to address the indecent exposure concern and to advise the Committee that
this issue is investigated very aggressively by the public attorneys. Council Member Ramsey wanted to make clear
that there has already been concern that the incident of exposure in Round
Hill, was not taken seriously. Sergeant
Lockhart wanted the council to know that exposure cases get turned over to CID
and, that he is certain they are followed up on and investigated very thoroughly. Commissioner McMahon wanted to know if
taking down plate numbers as it relates to speeding would be of any
assistance. The Sergeant explained that
this would be helpful as a lead but prosecution is difficult unless the driver
is identified.
Jennifer Jenkins- 7
Main Street- wished to update Council on the recent Planning Commission Meeting
and, the fact that almost all of the issues have been worked out. She then went on to respectfully request
that Council set a Public Hearing in October, as she believes that by that
time, she will be ready to submit the Proffers to the council. Mayor Etro stated that he will address this
later this evening.
Commissioner Carter
Morrow wished to thank the Council for coordinating the VDOT repairs in
town. He personally thanked Council
Member Ivan Clark for his instrumental role.
He then brought up the fact Mrs. Morrow has sent an email to the Town
Administrator regarding the flood insurance that their insurance company has
said they cannot get because, Round Hill is not on the FEMA map. He recognizes that the flood plan ordinance
was worked on, and does not understand why this problem exists.
Chris Hamilton addresses the council on his recent water bill. He is no longer certain what to do considering he has spoken to the Town Administrator requesting a second meter; he was told that at this time a second meter is not an option. Mr. Hamilton does not believe that he should have to pay sewer fees on water that is used for his sprinkler system and pool. He does not know if his meter has a problem, he has done what he can to determine this. Mayor Etro will put this issue on the agenda for the next meeting, considering the fact that it this problem continues to come up and any changes would need to be in the ordinance. Addressing the wells in Round Hill, the Mayor informs Mr. Hamilton that there is contamination in many areas. Fortunately with the Town, water is tested often, and treated. Of those wells that are in Round Hill, some have had to be abandoned. He assures Mr. Hamilton that Council knows there is a problem and it will be discussed in the next meeting. The ordinance will be in the packet for Council to discuss at the next regular meeting and the Mayor believes this to be such a continuous problem, that there will be follow through.
Motion made by
Council Member Albright to approve the agenda. Motion was seconded by Council
Member Gicker, with the following items added or deleted.
§ Strike Stormwater Management Plan.
§ Hurricane Katrina Drop off to be added as an action item.
Vote to approve agenda: 5-0-0
Aye: Ivan Clark
Scott Ramsey
Mark Albright
Phil Bzdyk
Ken Gicker
Marybeth Mohr addressed the council regarding The Jamestown 2007 Festivities. Jamestown 2007 is the commemoration of Virginia’s 400th anniversary. It is a program that encourages individuals and communities to make Virginia’s Quadra centennial commemoration, a success for generations to come. The mission of the program is to facilitate and support the effort to encourage new tourism, economic development and renew historical awareness. (See attached document) Mrs. Mohr informed the Council about the entire program, and the ways in which the Town could be involved.
IV. Action Items:
Vote to give approve minutes: 5-0-0
Aye: Mark Albright
Ken Gicker
Ivan
Clark
Scott Ramsey
Phil Bzdyk
Vote to approve Bills for
Payment: 5-0-0
Aye: Mark Albright
Ken Gicker
Ivan
Clark
Scott Ramsey
Phil Bzdyk
Council Member Scott Ramsey explains that this letter has been drafted to send to the development planner of Richmond American Homes. The letter indicates the Town’s intention to accept dedication of the public use and open space in the development. The Town will assume responsibility to maintain the properties which include:
Active Recreation Area (parcel A), Village Green (parcel C), Civic/Public Use Lot and Open Space (Parcels B, D, and E).
To have the re-zoning completed and a final approval, the town must agree to accept the property so that the proffers can be accepted by the County.
Vote to approve letter to be
sent from the Mayor to the Development Planner
subject to it being updated with
the acreage on the individual parcels:
4-0-0
Aye: Ken Gicker
Ivan
Clark
Scott Ramsey
Phil Bzdyk
Recuses: Mark Albright
Town
Council voted to use the Round Hill Town Office (23 Main Street) as a collection point for items Girl Scout Troop
3768 who is gathering for victims of Hurricane
Katrina. Items being collected include the following:
Donations
must be received by 2 PM September 20th. Items need to be dropped off during business hours (8:30 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday).
Vote
to approve allowing Girl Scout Troop 3768 to use Town Hall for gathering as
well as placing information on website to help publicize the effort:
Vote: 5-0-0
Aye: Mark Albright
Ken Gicker
Ivan
Clark
Scott Ramsey
Phil Bzdyk
V. Reports:
A. Administrator Report:
Mayor Etro spoke on behalf of Town Administrator Yost in his absence, regarding recent resignation of the Town Planner/Zoning Administrator. The resignation is effective September 27th and, the position will need to be posted and filled. Mayor Etro would like a committee in place to handle the interviewing process. He would like the committee to consist of a member from the Land Use Committee, Town Administrator Yost, Administrative Committee as well as a member of the Planning Commission. Council Member Albright wanted to say that Sarah Coyle Etro has done an excellent job for the Town. The ad will be placed in the paper and there will be a three week deadline. Council Member Ramsey volunteered to be the first member on the committee. There may need to be a temporary Zoning Administrator until someone can be brought on board.
Town Planner/ Zoning Administrator Sarah Etro will have a year end report that may be available next week.
Planning Commission Chairman Morrow expressed how Sarah Etro, Town Planner/Zoning Administrator has done a fantastic job and that it will be difficult to fill her shoes. He then asks if there are any questions regarding the previous public hearing and PC Meeting from September 13th, 2005 (see attached report).
Council Member Ramsey questions what the Planning Commission is asking that Council act on. Planning Commission Chairman Morrow explains that the Planning Commission needs to do a clean-up amendment on the zoning ordinance RSCOD for the purpose of fixing the references to FSM in the Loudoun County maps. Chairman Morrow believes that to clarify the process that it must start with the Council. The Commission will schedule a public hearing at the same time as the ZMAP hearing, sometime in December. Council Member Ramsey and Mayor Etro told Chairman Morrow that they would put this on the agenda for the next Council Meeting. Council Member Clark asks if the Sutor Site plan was complete. Commissioner Morrow feels that it is nearly complete and, that everything is finalized but is waiting to be signed off.
Council Member Ramsey asks if they can address the request by Jennifer Jenkins, while Commissioner Morrow is standing. Mayor Etro begins by saying that it is difficult to set a public hearing without having the recommendation from the Planning Commission, in front of the council to look at. The document needs to be written before the public hearing is advertised. Mayor Etro asks Commissioner Morrow when it will be done. Commissioner Morrow stated it would be complete by October 11, 2005, possibly earlier. Mayor Etro sets the public hearing for October 27, 2005 so long as the Planning Commission has completed their recommendation.
Mayor Etro introduces Maureen Payne (Home Town Coordinator), who explains her activity plans for the near future. Mrs. Payne stated that on October 7, 2005 there will be a movie night at the park. Mary Poppins will be shown and profits from the refreshments will go to the Volunteer Fire Department. Families will be invited to bring their children in their pajamas and take part in Movie Night. If the evening goes well, there will be a series of movie nights next summer.
Mayor Etro asked if anyone had any questions about the memo from the Town Attorney Maureen Gilmore (see attached). He made comment that item number four had progressed. The Virginia Outdoors Foundation Attorney has reviewed the document and they agree with the Town Attorney’s concept and approach, but stated that they may want to make some minor changes.
Council Member Clark asked if there is anyone dragging their feet on any of the legal items listed in the memo. Mayor Etro explains that Oak Hill is, on both item number one and two. Council Member Clark asks about item number seven. Mayor Etro states that this letter will be sent on Friday unless the Council directs otherwise.
Mayor Etro asks if everyone received the email from Vice Mayor Graham regarding information she learned in her training regarding FOIA. Mayor Etro is asking if the Administration Committee can draft some ordinance language or policy for all Council Members to follow. Town Administrator Yost is the FOIA representative for the Council.
E. Utility Operations, Public Facilities
and Projects Committee:
Nothing to report.
F. Administration Committee:
Council Member Scott Ramsey touched upon the last Administration Committee Meeting. The committee talked about the Utility pay scale and trying to make it more compatible with the way the budget trade process is done. Vice Mayor Graham and Kelly are working on this and will bring it back to the committee. Mr. Ramsey stated that Council Member Graham has already begun writing a FOYA policy.
Land Use Committee:
Councilman Ramsey discussed the Land Use Committee Meeting that met the previous evening. The main topic was the traffic survey, and what could be done about people’s comments.
· Intersection Safety
The committee feels that they need to look at these two concerns after the work has been done. High Street will be realigned if the Walraven Subdivision goes forward. Bridge Street will be having a sidewalk put in which will change the sight lines on that intersection.
·
Speeding
The committee really had no new ideas on this, except to continue to ask the Sheriffs department to continue to have a presence in the town. The committee did feel that the light going in on Evening Star Drive and the completed Creekside Project would most likely slow traffic.
·
Sidewalks and Crosswalks
Councilman Ramsey stated that there would be a list compiled of all those sidewalks and crosswalks that were requested in the traffic survey, as well as the ones that are on the Streetscape Master Plan. At the next Land Use Committee meeting, the list will be prioritized taking into consideration the sidewalks and crosswalks that will require maintenance as well.
·
Truck Noise and Truck Traffic
Council Member Ramsey will speak with Town Administrator Yost requesting to add an “engine breaking” to the town’s noise ordinance. This of course will need to come before the Council for discussion and approval.
The Storm water Master Plan has a lot of fresh material to incorporate into it, with feedback from both Frank? and Chairman Morrow. Council Member Ramsey will be producing the draft to come before the Council by the next Land Use Committee. The Committee also reviewed referral comments from the Town to the County, on the Creekside and Walraven Subdivisions. The Committee felt that these were good comments and complete. The next Land Use Committee meeting will be October 6, 2005 at 7:00 PM.
VI. Council Comments:
Council Member Clark made
mention of a Loudoun County employee, that was from the Frankfort Branch?
$450,000 to improve their sidewalk program
Council Member Clark feels that Town Administrator Yost needs to look into what happened to this
Mayor Etro addressed Chairman Morrow regarding his problem in seeking flood insurance. The Mayor does not understand why this has been a problem for the Morrow’s, but the Council will look into it and get back to Chairman Morrow.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at
9:26 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Gracie Miller
Approved Minutes are located in the Town Office.