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, September 9, 2024 7:30 PM Charles Robinson Jr. Town Hall, 127 Center St. South Invocation: Councilmember Ray Brill Mayor Colbert called on Council Member Ray Brill to provide the evening’s invocation. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America 1. Roll Call Present: 6- Sandra Allen, Chuck Anderson, Roy Baldwin, Ray Brill Jr., Jessica Ramakis and Linda Colbert Absent: 1- Howard J. Springsteen 2. Acceptance of the Minutes: 2. Acceptance of the Minutes: Aye: 6- Allen, Anderson, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis and Colbert Absent: 1- Springsteen A. 24-4617 Acceptance of the Work Session Minutes of July 8, 2024 and the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2024 The Work Session Minutes of July 8, 2024 and the Regular Council Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2024 were approved as submitted. 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 opened the floor for comment from the public. Matt DiFiori, 207 Owaissa Ct., SE. Good Evening. I’d like to comment on an item brought forth during the August 26, 2024 Town Council Meeting and the aptly titled article in the Vienna Voice “Of Bambi, Bamboo and Bittersweet” offered by Council Member Anderson. Both of the items have been articulated to Council before by multiple residents, particularly invasive species. If surrounding jurisdictions have deer management programs and policies in place, why doesn’t Vienna? When is Vienna going to develop a program? It seems as if, with the newly approved tree ordinance, the Conservation and Sustainability Commission (CSC) and associated Tree Board should be tasked collectively with adding this topic as a work priority this fiscal year and this topic should be added to the Town Council top four priorities. For deer population control I believe deer culling using bow and arrow as the primary means of control may be the best and most economical method to control the deer population. Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 10/1/2024 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes September 9, 2024 Perhaps some culling could be done this fiscal year with a formal program initiated by the Town during the 2026 process. Maybe Fairfax County/Fairfax City programs can be adopted with modifications. This would significantly reduce the time required to develop a program. An associated matter involves residents tasked with removing dead deer and other wildlife from private property. I understand the Town has a contract. Maybe it would be feasible for the Town to pay for removal up front and then bill the resident at the Town rate. Given the investments the Town will be making on planting public trees, controlling deer population can improve new tree planting survivability, particularly in the tree lawn. Regarding bamboo, the Town does not have language in its Code that addresses the control/spread between adjacent properties and onto public areas. This too should be added to the Town Code and given to the CSC for action. Finally, I note that the Town Service Request system has had a recent uptick in reporting of invasive plantings, particularly along sidewalks, and I suspect that this has kept Parks and Recreation/Public Works Staff busy. Bob McCahill, 429 Center St., NE As president of the NE Vienna Citizens Association (NEVCA) I would like to speak regarding the invasives issue. NEVCA holds quarterly meetings for its Boards and Committees. At the July meeting the topic of invasives arose. One of our members has been working regularly at Northside Park to help remove invasives (primarily Wineberry, etc.) Also, Beulah Rd. leaf collection station has an issue with climbing ivy that needs to be addressed. We appreciate and thank the Town Staff (Jeremy Edwards) for their hard work in this area. We as volunteers, would like to tackle these invasives but it’s very difficult and believe a professional effort is needed. My suggestion would be to try, as mentioned by Council Member Anderson, to tackle the issue now in a Work Session or through the CSC, in order to get the initiative rolling. We fully support the effort by the Town. Sun Yumei, 614 Echols St., SE I would like to speak to you about the water and sewer programs – price and service. Water is expensive and the price continues to go up. I found out today from the Deputy Director of Finance that Vienna compares with neighboring Towns; but the data doesn’t support this. Vienna is the highest and projected to be higher still in the long term. I don’t understand this and would like an answer. Secondly, Town Council is to represent the people but when my sewer backed up, I called the Town. They came immediately and was told the problem was with my section of piping. I called a private company who snaked 100 yards of my line (to the street) without finding any obstruction. I was told that the problem may be an obstruction in the middle of the street. I was told by Public Works staff that the resident is still responsible for this. I hope that is not true. Finally, I am charged $3.00 each time I pay my bill without using a check/cash. I have neither. I live on a fixed income and every expense, no matter how small, matters. Mala Persaud, Conservation and Sustainability Commission As a member of the Conservation and Sustainability Commission I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the compost program and for funding its extension. I hope you have received positive messages from residents. I’d like to share some numbers with you. In the first week participation doubled and has seen a steady increase since that time. To date we have collected over 6,000 pounds of food scraps. I am also participating as a business owner. The County is pushing toward zero waste in the next ten years. It’s an ambitious goal and one that cannot be reached without our attention and participation in a composting program. All Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 10/1/2024 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes September 9, 2024 global impact starts local. I’d like to thank you again. Our goal is to see a permanent drop off location, but realize these efforts take time. Avril Garland, 917 Hillcrest Dr. I’d like to thank Council Member Anderson for the accuracy of his article in the Vienna Voice. Jeremy Edwards indicated to me that there is to be a meeting on this issue, September 13, 2024. Now I am told the meeting has been postponed until February, by which time the deer population will have doubled. I currently have a yard filled with political signage that I’m actually using to protect my plantings from deer. I suggest that the Town start small. Start at Northside Park with sharp shooting program (which is judged the most efficient and human method for culling deer). 4. Reports/Presentations C. 24-4618 7:45 p.m. - 7:50 p.m. - Proclamation for Suicide Prevention Week Mayor Colbert read into the record a proclamation declaring September 9 – 15, 2024 as Suicide Prevention Week. She also reminded residents of the Mayor and Chief, At Your Service event this Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 7:00 PM. The topic for discussion will be Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for our Youth. Council approved the proclamation as read. 24-4632 7:50 p.m. - 7:55 p.m -Proclamation for 9/11 Mayor Colbert read into the record a proclamation memorializing those whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001. A commemoration will be held this Wednesday at the Vienna Community Center starting at 9:00 AM. Council approved the proclamation as read. Mayor Colbert recognized Town Manager Payton. He called on Brad Baer, Director, Public Works to introduce the newly appointed Deputy Director of Operations, Public Works Marvin Lawrence. A. Report and Inquiries of Council Members Mayor Colbert opened the floor for comment from Council. Council Member Baldwin reiterated the information on the commemoration of 9/11/2001. He thanked the American Legion for organizing the remembrance. Council Member Allen wished to draw attention to the fact that the Council is an elected body. She stressed that she is on the Council to do a job and that she represents the peoples voice. Council Member Anderson reported that his recent article in the Vienna Voice has thus far generated 15 emails. The response suggests that the topic has hit on a keen area of interest to residents. He expressed hope that Council will address this sooner rather than later. B. Report of the Town Manager None Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 10/1/2024 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes September 9, 2024 C. Report of the Mayor In addition to Items already noted, Mayor Colbert reminded Council of the CSC sponsored native plant sale September 14, 2024 at the Community Center. D. Proposals for Additional Items to the Agenda None E. Closed Session Report 5. 8:10 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Consent Agenda Mayor Colbert called for a motion on the Consent Agenda. It was moved to approve the Consent Agenda, Items A-C, as presented. Motion, Council Member Anderson; second, Council Member Ramakis. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Colbert called for a recess into Closed Session at 8:05 PM. 5. 8:10 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Consent Agenda Aye: 6- Allen, Anderson, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis and Colbert Absent: 1- Springsteen A. 24-4602 Approval request for spending $209,000.00 with A&M Concrete Corporation for construction of a Robinson Trust Sidewalk Project on Frederick Street, SW, from Tapawingo to Kingsley roads. B. 24-4603 Approval request for spending $363,500.00 with Sagres Construction Corporation for construction of a Robinson Trust Sidewalk Project at Kingsley Road, SE from De Sale Street to Park Street. C. 24-4612 Request to approve Freeman Store & Museum and Little Library Museum Lease Renewal Agreement 6. Regular Business None 6. Regular Business Aye: 6- Allen, Anderson, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis and Colbert Absent: 1- Springsteen None E. Second Closed Session Report Town of Vienna Page 4 Printed on 10/1/2024 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes September 9, 2024 Mayor Colbert reconvened the meeting at 8:10 PM. It was moved that the members of the Vienna Town Council be polled to affirm that a Closed Session was held on September 9, 2024 after the Regular Meeting in accordance with Virginia Code, Section 2.2-3711.a(7), for consultation with legal counsel and briefing by Staff where such consultations or briefings in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating posture of the public body. 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 Monday September 24, 2024 at 6:30 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 Ramakis; second, Council Member Baldwin. Motion carried unanimously. 7. Meeting Adjournment Mayor Colbert called for a motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM. Motion, Council Member Baldwin. 7. Meeting Adjournment Aye: 6- Allen, Anderson, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis and Colbert Absent: 1- Springsteen Adjourn into Work Session 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 10/1/2024