Town Council Meeting

Charles A. Robinson Jr. Town Town of Vienna Hall 127 Center Street South Vienna VA, 22180 Meeting Minutes Town Council Meeting Monday, February 27, 2023 8:00 PM Vienna Police Department, Community Room, 215 Center St. South Invocation: Pastor Hope Lee, Vienna Presbyterian Church Mayor Colbert called on Pastor Hope Lee, Vienna Presbyterian Church to provide the evening’s invocation. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America 1. Roll Call Present: 7- Council Member Chuck Anderson, Council Member Ray Brill Jr., Council Member Nisha Patel, Council Member Steve Potter, Council Member Ed Somers, Council Member Howard J. Springsteen and Council Member Linda Colbert 2. Acceptance of the Minutes: A. 23-3625 Acceptance of the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of January 30, 2023 and February 6, 2023 and the Conference Session Minutes of January 23, 2023, January 30, 2023 and February 6, 2023. The Regular Council Meeting Minutes of January 30, 2023 and February 6, 2023 and the Conference Session Minutes of January 23, 2023; January 30, 2023 and February 6, 2023 were approved with as presented. A motion was made that the Action Item be approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7- Council Member Anderson, Council Member Brill, Council Member Patel, Council Member Potter, Council Member Somers, Council Member Springsteen and Council Member Colbert 3. Receipt of petitions and communications from the Public that are not on the Agenda. (Limited to 3 minutes per issue and no formal action can be taken this evening) Mayor Colbert called for comments from the public. Avril Garland, 917 Hillcrest Dr. read into the record comments submitted by Christopher Hogan, 226 Glen Ave., SW. With regard to the sidewalk plan for Hillcrest Dr. the Town has conflicting goals. One is the desire for a complete sidewalk network as stated in the Pedestrian Master Plan; the other is to stop the critical loss of tree canopy as has occurred over the last decade and documented in the Town ‘s 2022 Urban Tree Canopy Assessment Report. In the last decade Vienna has lost one fourth of its tree canopy, falling from 52% to 39%. This loss shows up clearly in the Town’s own statistics and the ever decreasing volume of leaves collected each fall. How did this happen? It happens when the Town decides that their priorities are more important than worrying about the tree canopy. And what’s the loss of another tree, right? When you developed your new Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 3/21/2023 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 27, 2023 list of sidewalks and stated curb and gutter existence as important to assure that the money would be spent in the allotted five-year window, there was little formal consideration given to the impact on canopy. This is a serious planning omission in a Town that bills itself as a “tree city, USA”. How many trees is the Town willing to kill per square foot of sidewalk? You can fix this right here, right now and demonstrate that you would live up to your tree city designation by reviewing your list of planned projects and removing those with the lowest number of cars per hour and the highest expected tree loss canopy. Place some upward limit on the number of trees willing to sacrifice. Take the highest numbers off the list. And yes, I would hope my street would be one spared. My suggestion is that you systematically evaluate all remaining projects in this way. Tree canopy should have been considered as part of the planning process. 4. Reports/Presentations A. Report and Inquiries of Council Members Mayor Colbert opened the floor for comments from Council. Council Member Springsteen indicated that he will be absent for the meeting of March 6, 2023. He also requested that the Town proactively establish a no parking/resident parking only plan for areas of construction throughout Town. Council Member Patel shared that Taste of Vienna is scheduled for April 29, 2023. Council Member Potter voiced support for Council Member Springsteen’s no parking/resident parking only plan, especially as development begins at 444 Maple Avenue. He requested a follow-up on this as well. Council Member Brill remarked that he saw John Morrison as a volunteer providing assistance in Turkey and applauded Vienna’s dedication to service. He further reminded all that the tree canopy issue is one of the Council’s four priorities for the year. B. Report of the Town Manager Town Manager Payton shared that he attended the BLGMA Winter Conference where Natalie Monkou, Director, Economic Development participated in a panel discussion. C. Report of the Mayor Mayor Colbert remarked that the first Mayor and Chief at Your Service, with a topic of Vehicle Tampering and Theft, was well attended. A second event is planned for May 9, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room of the Police Station. The Mayor’s Volunteer Awards event is scheduled for April 18, 2023 at 6:00 PM at the Fire Station. Nomination forms can be found in the Vienna Voice as well as on line. D. Proposals for Additional Items to the Agenda E. Closed Session Report It was moved that the members of the Vienna Town Council be polled to affirm that a Closed Session was held on February 27, 2023 in accordance with Virginia Code, Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 3/21/2023 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 27, 2023 Section 2.2-3711.A.(1), and the Town of Vienna’s Continuity of Government ordinance, for discussion or consideration of personnel matters, specifically the discussion of appointments to Town Boards and Commissions. It was further moved that the Certification Resolution be adopted in accordance with State Statutes, and that the Town Clerk is authorized to execute the Certification. And it was further moved that the Closed Session be continued to Monday March 6, 2023 at 7:00 PM in accordance with Virginia Code, Section 2.2-3711.A.(1), for discussion or consideration of personnel matters, specifically the interviewing of individuals for consideration of appointment and/or reappointment to Town Boards and Commissions. Motion, Council Member Somers; second, Council Member Springsteen. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved that Roy Baldwin be reappointed to the Board of Architectural Review for a two-year term. Said term shall be retroactively effective beginning February 7, 2023 and expire on February 7, 2025. It was moved that Angela Sorrell be reappointed to the Transportation and Safety Commission for a two-year term. Said term shall be effective beginning March 13, 2023 and expire on March 13, 2025. Motion Council Member Somers; second Council Member Springsteen. Motion carried unanimously. E. Closed Session Report 5. Regular Business A. 23-3619 Update Investment Policy Mayor Colbert recognized Marion Serfass, Director Finance to present the Item for discussion. It was moved to approve changes to the investment policy to allow investments consistent with the Virginia Investment in Public Funds Act, including legal investments with maturities of over one year. Motion, Council Member Somers; second, Council Member Anderson. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Council Member Somers, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that the Action Item be Failed. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7- Council Member Anderson, Council Member Brill, Council Member Patel, Council Member Potter, Council Member Somers, Council Member Springsteen and Council Member Colbert B. 23-3620 Approve Second Year of Changes to Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Code of Vienna Chapter 6, Section 6-4.2 Mayor Colbert once again called on Director Serfass to present the Item for consideration. It was moved to approve changes to Chapter 6, section 6-4.2, Tax Relief for the Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 3/21/2023 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 27, 2023 Elderly and Disabled as proposed; and it was further moved to direct the Town Clerk to advertise a Notice of Adoption. Motion, Council Member Somers; second, Council Member Anderson. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Council Member Somers, seconded by Council Member Springsteen, that the Action Item be approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7- Council Member Anderson, Council Member Brill, Council Member Patel, Council Member Potter, Council Member Somers, Council Member Springsteen and Council Member Colbert C. 23-3648 Stop further engineering studies for final design of the sidewalk project on the even side of Melody Lane, SW. Mayor Colbert called on Council Member Patel, agenda item proposer, to present the Item for consideration. Council comments included the following: • Emotional issue – staff determination removes that element; • Drainage is similar on both sides of street; • Sidewalk on odd side would directly connect to Symphony Circle; • Deciding factor was typography of the land; Additional factor was tree loss – odd side placement would affect thirteen trees; • Consider the potential impact on relationship with trustee. A motion was made to suspend further engineering studies for final design of the sidewalk project on the even side of Melody Lane, SW. Motion, Council Member Patel; second, Council Member Springsteen. Motion failed in a 6-1 vote. A motion was made by Council Member Patel, seconded by Council Member Springsteen, that the Action Item be Failed. The motion failed by the following vote: Aye: 1- Council Member Patel Nay: 6- Council Member Anderson, Council Member Brill, Council Member Potter, Council Member Somers, Council Member Springsteen and Council Member Colbert 6. Meeting Adjournment Mayor Colbert called for a motion to adjourn at 9:05 PM. Motion, Council Member Anderson 6. Meeting Adjournment Aye: 7- Council Member Anderson, Council Member Brill, Council Member Patel, Council Member Potter, Council Member Somers, Council Member Springsteen and Council Member Colbert Town of Vienna Page 4 Printed on 3/21/2023 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes February 27, 2023 THE TOWN OF VIENNA IS COMMITTED TO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STANDARDS. TRANSLATION SERVICES, ASSISTANCE OR ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS FROM PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE TO BE REQUESTED NOT LESS THAN 3 WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE EVENT. PLEASE CALL (703) 255-6304, OR 711 VIRGINIA RELAY SERVICE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED. Town of Vienna Page 5 Printed on 3/21/2023