Town Council Meeting

Town of Vienna Charles A. Robinson Jr. Town Hall 127 Center Street South Vienna VA, 22180 Meeting Minutes Town Council Meeting Monday, May 15, 2023 8:00 PM Charles Robinson Jr. Town Hall, 127 Center St. South Invocation: Noah Yazdani, Baha'i Community of Vienna Mayor Pro Tem Ed Somers called on Noah Yazdani, Baha'i Community of Vienna to provide the evening’s invocation. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America 1. Roll Call Present: 6- Council Member Chuck Anderson, Council Member Ray Brill Jr., Council Member Steve Potter, Council Member Ed Somers, Council Member Howard J. Springsteen and Mayor Linda Colbert Absent: 1- Council Member Nisha Patel 2. Acceptance of the Minutes: A. 23-3782 Acceptance of the Regular Council meeting minutes of April 24, 2023, Regular Council meeting minutes of May 1, 2023 and Conference Session minutes of May 1, 2023. The Regular Council meeting minutes were accepted as presented. A motion was made that the Action Item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Council Member Anderson, Council Member Brill, Council Member Potter, Council Member Somers, Council Member Springsteen and Mayor Colbert Absent: 1- Council Member Patel 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 Pro Tem Somers opened the floor for comments from the public. Ken Reid, Leesburg, Virginia introduced himself as a Republican candidate for State Senate (37th District). He opened his comments by condemning the attacks on the Staff of Congressman Jerry Connelly. Mr. Reid also greeted Mayor Colbert who he knows from the VML meetings he attended as a six-year Leesburg, Virginia Town Council member. He spent an additional four years as a member of the County Board of Supervisors. 4. Reports/Presentations A. 23-3798 National Gun Violence Awareness Day Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 6/6/2023 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 15, 2023 Mayor Pro Tem Somers read into the record a proclamation declaring the first Friday in June as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. A. Report and Inquiries of Council Members Mayor Pro Tem Somers opened the floor to Council for comment. Council Member Springsteen noted that mopeds associated with the pilot program have not been picked up on a regular basis. He asked that Public Works Staff look into this issue. He noted an especially bad water and sewer line in the area of 210 Maple Avenue that highlights why the Town has committed ARPA funds to the replacement of these old lines. He also remarked on the beautiful new IT space in Town Hall. Council Member Springsteen further remarked that Westwood, New Jersey has a program in place where, at the request of any resident, a tree will be planted in the green space between the curb and the sidewalk (Shade Tree for Your Curb). It would be nice if Vienna had that capacity. Lastly, he thanked Leslie Herman and Staff for their attention to a failing tree on John Marshal Dr. Called in by a resident, the tree may need to be removed. Council Member Anderson reminded Council that the kick-off to the third annual Liberty Amendments celebration is less than a month away. He provided a brief summary of the program schedule which includes Juneteenth, Library Day, Round Robin Reading and many more. Council Member Potter asked about the status of the retail space at the Vienna Market, indicating that three different residents have inquired. Council Member Anderson volunteered that it is his understanding there is outstanding work to be completed by the developer so no occupancy permit for the retail space has been issued. Christine Horner, Acting Director, Public Works, indicated that she is working with Town Attorney Briglia to review terms of the bond and all possible options available to the Town. Conversations have been initiated with the developer, who appears responsive. Mayor Pro Tem Somers requested a timeline for resolution and date for initiation of Town action, if necessary. Council Member Potter requested an update on this issue to include language to share with residents. Council Member Brill remarked on his “first hand” experience with street repaving. He noted that Arthur Construction, Inc. has done excellent work in a timely manner and that the crew have been considerate of effected neighbors. Mayor Pro Tem Somers remarked on the incident at the district office of Congressman Jerry Connelly, noting that this highlights the issue of safety in the workplace (and at Council meetings). B. Report of the Town Manager Town Manager Payton shared that in May 2003 his first cousin was murdered while at work in his Alexandria office. Given that this is National Gun Violence Awareness Day he felt it was appropriate to share. Town Manager Payton called on Michelle Crabtree to introduce the interns taking part in the 2023 Madison High School WINGS program. There are seven interns working throughout various departments in Town Hall. Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 6/6/2023 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 15, 2023 Town Manager Payton recognized Jim Morris, Chief, Vienna Police Department to introduce the newest member of the Vienna Police Department. Town Manager Payton called on Marion Serfass to introduce the new Deputy Director of Finance, Steve Barlow. C. Report of the Mayor Mayor Colbert reminded Council of the VBA Fitness Expo Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Community Center. The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department will hold their spaghetti dinner on May 20, 2023 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. The Bicycle Advisory Committee will lead tours of Vienna on Sunday, May 21, 2023 beginning at 10:00 PM. D. Proposals for Additional Items to the Agenda 7. Regular Business A. 23-3774 Request to set a public hearing to consider permit parking on Millwood Court, SW. Mayor Pro Tem Somers called for a motion on the Item. It was moved to set a public hearing on July 10, 2023, to discuss establishing permit parking on Millwood Court, SW, and to instruct the Town Clerk to advertise a notice of a public hearing. Motion, Council Member Potter; second, Council Member Springsteen. Mayor Pro Tem called on Jim Morris, Chief, Vienna Police Department, to present the Item for further consideration. Comments from Council are summarized as follows. • Request from residents of Millwood Ct., SW first made in November 2021 in effort to resolve parking taken up by construction workers and employees of nearby businesses; No action has been taken to date; Issue must now be resolved; • Current ordinance does not allow Council to be proactive; Would like Council to consider whether there should be a change to the existing ordinance to allow Council the legislative authority to restrict parking before it becomes a problem; • Code under consideration for Millwood Ct. issue doesn’t necessarily fit issues related to temporary parking around construction sites; • If considering change in Code must have Conference Session; • Item under consideration does not necessarily require a Conference Session; If there is cohesive thought on the subject Council can move forward with a decision. Action Item: Request Staff to provide information on current Council authority to legislate on this issue. Mayor Pro Tem Somers called for a vote on the motion. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Council Member Potter, seconded by Council Member Springsteen, that the Action Item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Council Member Anderson, Council Member Brill, Council Member Potter, Council Member Somers, Council Member Springsteen and Mayor Colbert Absent: 1- Council Member Patel Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 6/6/2023 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 15, 2023 B. 23-3778 Request approval for spending $192,753.94 with Arthur Construction Co., Inc. for construction of Robinson Trust Sidewalk Projects on Oak Street, SW, and Moore Avenue, SW. Mayor Prom Tem Somers recognized Marion Serfass, Director, Finance to present the Item for consideration. Mayor Pro Tem Somers called for a motion on the Item. It was moved to approve the spending of $192,753.94 with Arthur Construction Co., Inc. for construction of sidewalk improvements for the Oak Street, SW, project and for the Moore Avenue, SW, project as described in the report. Motion, Council Member Springsteen; second, Council Member Potter. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Council Member Springsteen, seconded by Council Member Potter, that the Action Item be approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Council Member Anderson, Council Member Brill, Council Member Potter, Council Member Somers, Council Member Springsteen and Mayor Colbert Absent: 1- Council Member Patel C. 23-3777 Intent to Adopt Real Estate Tax Rate for FY2023-24 Mayor Pro Tem recognized Marion Serfass, Director, Finance to present the Item for consideration. It was moved to approve a resolution setting tax rates for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 as follows: • Real Estate Tax Rate of $0.1950 per $100 of assessed valuation • Bank Net Capital Tax Rate of $0.80 per $100 of valuation • Residential Utility Tax Rate of 20% of the first $15 • Commercial Utility Tax Rate of 15% of the first $300. It was further moved that the Town Clerk be directed to advertise a Notice of Adoption. Motion, Council Member Anderson; second, Council Member Springsteen. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Brill, that the Action Item be approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Council Member Anderson, Council Member Brill, Council Member Potter, Council Member Somers, Council Member Springsteen and Mayor Colbert Absent: 1- Council Member Patel D. 23-3779 Intent to Adopt FY2023-24 Water and Sewer Rates Mayor Pro Tem Somers again recognized Marion Serfass, Director, Finance to present the Item. It was moved to adopt an ordinance setting water and sewer rates for fiscal year 2023-24, beginning July 1, 2023, as presented. It was further move to direct the Town Clerk to advertise a Notice of Adoption. Motion, Council Member Springsteen; second, Council Member Potter. Motion carried unanimously. Town of Vienna Page 4 Printed on 6/6/2023 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes May 15, 2023 A motion was made by Council Member Springsteen, seconded by Council Member Potter, that the Action Item be approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Council Member Anderson, Council Member Brill, Council Member Potter, Council Member Somers, Council Member Springsteen and Mayor Colbert Absent: 1- Council Member Patel E. 23-3781 Intent to Adopt FY2023-24 Budget Mayor Pro Tem recognized Marion Serfass, Director Finance to review the Item. It was moved to adopt the $50,011,750 operating budget. It was further moved that of the said total, $31,542,700 be appropriated for general fund expenditures; $5,470,020 be appropriated for debt service fund expenditures; $12,246,990 be appropriated for water and sewer fund expenditures; and $752,040 be appropriated for stormwater fund expenditures. Motion, Council Member Potter; second, Council Member Anderson. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Council Member Potter, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that the Action Item be approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Council Member Anderson, Council Member Brill, Council Member Potter, Council Member Somers, Council Member Springsteen and Mayor Colbert Absent: 1- Council Member Patel 8. Meeting Adjournment Mayor Pro Tem Somers called for a motion to adjourn at 9:20. Motion, Council Member Anderson; second, Council Member Potter. A motion was made by Council Member Chuck Anderson, seconded by Council Member Steve Potter, that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried by the following vote: 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 6/6/2023