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, January 8, 2024 7:30 PM Charles Robinson Jr. Town Hall, 127 Center St. South Invocation: Mercury Payton, Town Manager Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America Present: 7- Sandra Allen, Chuck Anderson, Roy Baldwin, Ray Brill Jr., Jessica Ramakis, Howard J. Springsteen and Linda Colbert 1. Roll Call 2. Acceptance of the Minutes: A. 24-4181 Acceptance of the Council Meeting Minutes of December 4, 2023 and the Conference Session Minutes of December 4, 2023. A motion was made that the Minutes be accepted. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7- Allen, Anderson, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis, Springsteen and 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. Lee Giovanniello, 317 Broadleaf Dr., NE I’d like to say thank you to Allen Chen, Water Resource Engineer, Town of Vienna, who responded immediately to my concern regarding the stream erosion at Northside Park. He observed the issues involving property owned by Fairfax County as well as property owned by NOVA Parks. It’s a complicated issue but I wished to bring it to the attention of Council. The stream erosion is effecting trees along the banks as some simply fall into the stream. I have many many photos and have sent these to the department of Parks and Recreation as well as to Council. I would also like to ask about the evasive cutting on Town property. As an example, if a tree stands on Town property and the vines are encroaching on private property, does the property owner have the right to cut back the vine to its source (it is killing the tree)? 4. Reports/Presentations A. 24-4165 7:45p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Mid-year Financial Review, FY 2023-24 Mayor Colbert called on Marion Serfass, Director, Finance to present the Item for consideration. Director Serfass noted that current financial conditions are good in both the general and the water and sewer funds. It is important to note that the meals tax Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 2/12/2024 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 8, 2024 fund is slightly under budget but expected to improve as new restaurants come on line. Interest revenue is favorable to budget in all funds. A. Report and Inquiries of Council Members Mayor Colbert called on Council for comments. Council Member Brill welcomed the new Council Members. He reflected on the outstanding preparation of former Council Member Potter, noting that his input will be missed. B. Report of the Town Manager Mercury Payton, Town Manager welcomed the new Council Members. Town Manager Payton introduced Leslie Herman, Director Parks and Recreation to provide a report on a request from the Vienna Pickleball Club to extend play one additional hour on Saturdays at Glyndon Park. The 32 resident households surrounding the Glyndon Park court were surveyed. Of the eleven responses, six approved the request and five disapproved. Based upon the responses received, picklball play will be extended on Saturday’s for one additional hour through the month of February. Beginning in March, Saturday pickleball hours will return to a 9:00 AM -1:00 PM schedule through the month of November . Town Manager Payton reported on the hiring of a new Director of Public Works. He thanked Acting Director Christine Horner for her assistance in the hiring process and for her work as interim director. Michele Crabtree, Director, Human Resources provided background on the new Director noting a start date of January 29, 2024. The January 29, 2024 Town Council Meeting will include a new start time for Town Council meetings. Steve Briglia, Town Attorney confirmed the need for an intent to adopt. It was noted that the start time change will accommodate those Council Members with full time jobs as well as Staff who must attend the meetings following a full day of work. C. Report of the Mayor Mayor Colbert reported that Council was sworn into office on January 2, 2024 followed by a session on parliamentary procedure. The Vienna police were commended for their continued efforts to keep the community safe. Mayor Colbert noted particularly the apprehension of suspects involved in the robbery of a local postal carrier. D. Proposals for Additional Items to the Agenda E. Closed Session Report A. 24-4182 Closed Session It was moved that the members of the Vienna Town Council be polled to affirm that a Closed Session was held on January 2, 2024 in accordance with Virginia Code, Section 2.2-3711(1), for discussion or consideration of personnel matters, specifically discussion of Town Council annual appointments to local committees. And it was further moved that the members of the Town Council be polled to affirm that a Closed Session was held on January 8, 2024 in accordance with Virginia Code Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 2/12/2024 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 8, 2024 2.2-3711(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. 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 Resolution. And it was further moved that the Closed Session be continued to later this date, January 8, 2024 at the conclusion of the regular meeting in accordance with Virginia Code, Section 2.2-3711(1), for discussion or consideration of personnel matters, specifically Boards and Commissions interaction with Staff and Chairs knowing parliamentary procedures. Motion, Council Member Ramakis; second, Council Member Anderson. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved to reappoint Linda VanDoorn to the Board of Architectural Review for a two-year term. Said term shall retroactively commence December 11, 2023 and expire December 11, 2025. It was moved to reappoint Patty Hanley to the Board of Architectural Review for a two-year term. Said term shall retroactively commence December 12, 2023 and expire December 12, 2025. It was moved to appoint Douglas Noble to the Planning and Zoning Commission to complete the term of Jessica Ramakis. Said term shall be effective January 9, 2024 and expire October 12, 2025. Motion Council Member Ramakis; second Council Member Springsteen. Motion carried unanimously. It was moved that the following members of Council be appointed to the specified local committees for fiscal year 2024-2025: Northern Virginia Regulatory Commission – Mayor Colbert; Town Employee Retirement Committee - Council Member Springsteen; Representative to Fairfax County Board of Supervisors - Council Member Anderson; Representative to Hunter Mill Land Use Committee - Council Member Ramakis; Representative to the Hunter Mill Budget Committee – Council Member Allen; Representative to the Northern Virginia Park Authority – Council Member Anderson; Liaison to the Fairfax County Park Authority – Council Member Ramakis; Representative to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority – Council Member Baldwin; Representative to the PCAC for Northern Virginia Transportation Authority – Mayor Colbert; Representative to the Hunter Mill District Transportation Advisory Council – Council Member Springsteen; Greater Tysons Citizen Committee (GTOC) – Council Member Brill; Tysons Partnership – Mayor Colbert. It was further moved that Council Member Anderson be appointed as Mayor Pro Tem for the first year of this Councils term and that Council Member Ramakis be appointed as Mayor Pro Tem for the second year of this Councils term. Motion, Council Member Ramakis; second, Council Member Springsteen. Motion carried unanimously. Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 2/12/2024 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 8, 2024 5. Consent Agenda It was moved to accept the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion, Council Member Springsteen; second, Council Member Brill. Motion carried unanimously. Town Attorney Briglia reminded Council that the Consent Items are motions for an Intent to Adopt. A vote to approve will be on the agenda at a later date. A. 24-4167 Minor Amendments to the Town Code (Change Time of Council Meetings to 7:30 p.m.) Agenda B. 24-4168 Minor Amendments to the Town Code (Change the Title and references to “conference session” in Town Code Section 2-19, to “work session”) 6. Regular Business A. 24-4172 8:15 p.m. - 8:20 p.m. -Town Council Memorandum on Swearing in Date for Incoming Town Council Mayor Colbert called on Town Manager Payton to present the Item. A brief discussion was held with one Council Member noting the value in an earlier swearing in to allow for additional time to review materials prior to the first Council Meeting in January. A motion was made that the Town Council Swearing in Ceremony will be held in January, after the preceding November election, on the first business day of the New Year at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. The Swearing in Ceremony for Special Elections will happen on the day of the Town Council meeting in which the new Councilmember(s) takes office. Motion, Council Member Springsteen; second, Council Member Anderson. Motion carried in a 6-1 vote. A motion was made by Springsteen, seconded by Anderson, that the Action Item be approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Anderson, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis, Springsteen and Colbert Nay: 1- Allen B. 24-4174 8:20 p.m. - 8:25 p.m. - Set Meeting Dates for Strategic Plan Update and Town Council Priorities Mayor Colbert called for discussion on the Item. A motion was made to set a meeting for the purpose of updating the Strategic Plan and 2024 priorities on January 31, 2024 at 6:00 PM. Motion, Council Member Springsteen; second, Council Member Allen. Motion passed unanimously. Town of Vienna Page 4 Printed on 2/12/2024 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes January 8, 2024 Council Member Brill distributed an information sheet providing background on the establishment of Council priorities. Council is asked to submit suggested priorities for the year to Town Manager Payton on or before January 15, 2024. Discussion and establishment of 2024 priorities will be held on January 22, 2024. Meeting recessed into Closed Session at 8:45 PM. A motion was made by Springsteen, seconded by Allen, that the Action Item be approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7- Allen, Anderson, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis, Springsteen and Colbert Closed Session C. 24-4183 8:25 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.- Second Closed Session Report Meeting resumed at 9:00 PM It was moved that Boards and Commissions interaction with Staff and Chairs knowing parliamentary Procedure. 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 Resolution. And it was further moved that the Closed Session be continued to January 29, 2024 at 6:30 PM in accordance with Virginia Code, Section 2.2-3711(1), for discussion or consideration of personnel matters, specifically Boards and Commissions interaction with Staff and Chairs knowing parliamentary procedures. Motion, Council Member Ramakis; second, Council Member Springsteen. Motion carried unanimously. A motion was made by Ramakis, seconded by Springsteen, that the Action Item be approve. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7- Allen, Anderson, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis, Springsteen and Colbert 7. Meeting Adjournment Mayor Colbert called for a motion to adjourn at 9:05 PM. Motion, Council Member Springsteen; second, Council Member Anderson. . 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 2/12/2024