Town Council Meeting

Town of Vienna Charles A. Robinson Jr. Town Hall 127 Center Street South Vienna VA, 22180 Meeting Minutes - Final Town Council Meeting Monday, June 2, 2025 7:30 PM Charles Robinson Jr. Town Hall, 127 Center St. South Invocation: Rev. Dr. Hope Lee, Vienna Presbyterian Church Mayor Colbert called on Rev. Dr. 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 2. Acceptance of the Minutes: A. 25-5118 Acceptance of the Work Session Minutes of May 12, 2025 and the Town Council Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2025 The Work Session Minutes of May 12, 2025 and the Town Council Meeting Minutes of May 19, 2025 were approved as submitted. approved 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 to the public for comment. Maryam Dadkah, 609 Alma St., SE Our yard is recognized by the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance as a certified wildlife sanctuary, by the National Wildlife Habitat Foundation as a certified wildlife habitat, by the Town of Vienna as an Eco Efficient House, and by the Monarch Watch Program as a certified Monarch waystation. I was also awarded the Town of Vienna volunteer recognition for 2024, and Friends of Trees by the Fairfax County Tree Commission for 2024. I am the administrator of Native Vienna, a group of 700+ people who encourage converting their lawn to native plants, the volunteer coordinator for Plant NOVA Native, a member of the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance advocacy committee, and vice chair of the Garden Club. Along with other volunteers, I am one of the people who, for the last two years, have worked with our state legislators to label invasive plants in nurseries. I also need to add that we do conservation landscaping to help with biodiversity, climate crisis and managing water problems on our property. We are the last house, down the hill before Wolftrap Creek and at the lowest point. We have four 55-gallon rain barrels and we routed our water to a 500-gallon cistern. We moved to our home, adjacent to Wildwood Park, next to Navy Federal, in the midst of COVID and saved an unprecedented number of deer, as I tried to follow conservation landscaping and convert our land to a homegrown natural park. According to the Town of Vienna zoning code sec. 18-410, fence height should be four feet maximum for corner lots and front yards. Unfortunately, our current zoning Town of Vienna Page 1 Printed on 9/22/2025 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 code does not consider the overpopulation of deer in the Town. This not only effects the parks but also any resident’s efforts to have conservation landscaping. Deer cause invasive plant spread, tick problems and loss of vegetation. Deer can jump over 8 feet but they have poor eyesight. We used this to our advantage and created a 6.5 ft. fence around our property using a see through netting that does not block the site but deer can feel it when touched. They don’t jump [because they can’t distinguish the height of the fence]. We built our fence leaving taller posts and running the netting in between. I’ve talked with the Zoning Chair, three CSC members and the Planning Commission. All agree that increased fence height using see through netting should be addressed. Our ask is that in the absence of a deer program, Council consider increased height for deer netting beyond the four feet for corner lots and front yards and include these changes in the zoning code. Thank you. Avril Garland, 917 Hillcrest Dr. I would like to support what was just said about deer fencing. Ms. Dadkah has a 4.5 ft. wood fence and the remaining is netting. It looks very nice. The code needs to be changed to allow for this. The other thing I’d like to bring up is [a request] to allow volunteers to use herbicide. I am a volunteer for Habitat Restoration Volunteers. We are allowed to use herbicide. It comes in a 4 oz. no spill bottle. It makes our work as volunteers much more efficient. A safety protocol training is required and it would cost very little to start. 4. Reports/Presentations A. 25-5096 7:40 p.m. - 8:10 p.m. New Website Update Mayor Colbert called on Karen Thayer, Director, Public Information, who, along with Mary Carmen Vargas, Granicus Project Manager, presented the revised website. Comments from Council included the following: • Alphabetizing categories would be helpful; • Website updates will be ongoing based upon feedback; • Target launch is July 1, 2025; • Departmental content manager is responsible for uploading content; • PI office is tasked with overall content review, etc.; • Assure that news and alerts can be accessed through cell phones. A. Report and Inquiries of Council Members Council Member Allen expressed condolences on the passing of two residents within the community. She also encouraged residents to attend, as she will, the Vienna Farmers Market. Council Member Brill remarked on the success of Viva Vienna, thanking all resident volunteers for their service. Council Member Ramakis thanked the Vienna Rotary for the success of Viva Vienna. She also noted and thanked volunteers at all level of commitment. She further thanked American Legion Post 180 and the Rotary Club for the Memorial Day observations. Council Member Baldwin applauded the success of Viva Vienna. He thanked the Girl Scouts, the Vienna band, and all veterans and families for the moving Memorial Day ceremonies. Congratulations were extended to Steve Briglia, Town Attorney, as the Town of Vienna Page 2 Printed on 9/22/2025 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 president elect of the Fairfax Bar Association. B. Report of the Town Manager Town Manager Payton called on Karen Thayer, Director, Public Information. The Town of Vienna received national recognition with two first-place, Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards from the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC), for the Town of Vienna calendar and the Vienna Voice newsletter. Town Manager Payton reminded Council of the Liberty Amendments celebration beginning Saturday June 14, 2025. The July 4th fireworks display is scheduled for July 2, 2025. C. Report of the Mayor James Madison High school held its baccalaureate ceremony at Vienna Presbyterian Church earlier this evening. Graduation will be held Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Mayor Colbert extended her congratulations to all graduates. Mayor Colbert continues to work with Town Staff to clarify a statement to Dominion Energy regarding tree replacement on the W&OD Trail. D. Proposals for Additional Items to the Agenda Council Member Ramakis requested that Consent Agenda Items A and B be moved to Regular Business. 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 June 2, 2025 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. 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 July 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM in accordance with Virginia Code, Section 2.2-3711, a(3) 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. Absent: Council Members Anderson and Springsteen. It was moved that Keith Aimone be reappointed to the Planning Commission for a two-year term. Said term to be effective 6/23/2025 and expire 6/23/2027. It was moved that Paul Layer be reappointed to the Windover Heights Board of Town of Vienna Page 3 Printed on 9/22/2025 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 Review for a two-year term. Said term to be effective 6/3/2025 and expire 6/3/2027. Motion, Council Member Ramakis; second, Council Member Baldwin. Motion carried unanimously. Absent: Council Members Anderson and Springsteen. approved 5. Public Hearings 6. 8:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. Consent Agenda It was moved that Item C (Request to adopt 2026 Town Council meeting schedule for inclusion in the 2026 Town calendar) on the Consent Agenda be approved. Motion Council Member Brill; second, Council Member Ramakis. Motion carried unanimously. Absent: Council Members Anderson and Springsteen A. 25-5066 FY 2026 funding of contracts issued by other jurisdictions under the Virginia Public Procurement Act cooperative procurement provisions. Mayor Colbert called on Brad Baer, Director, Public Works to present the Item for consideration. Town Manager Payton noted that all items have been approved by Council in the overall budget, as work to be completed. Each item has further been cleared through Jeremy Amacker, Procurement Officer and Steven Barlow, Director, Finance in accordance with the Virginia Procurement Act. Comments from Council included the following: • Represents existing contracts effective July 1, 2025; • Surplus funds, as of July 1, 2025 historically reallocated - 50% rainy day fund and 50% unfunded Council initiatives; • Can money saved from contracts that come in lower than budgeted be used to lower tax rate? Lowering tax rate must be considered in light of the entire budget; • New budget reflects actual amount required to fund each project in past year as a base for projecting spending; • Rideable contracts are used by the TOV and fall under the cooperative procurement provision of the Public Procurement Act; Not all contracts are rideable; Businesses of any size can offer a rideable contract; • Goal of cooperative procurement is to get the best price for the Town; • Council has discretion to bid out any contract rather than ride an existing contract; • Contracts are limited in number of renewal years; Assures that any company that wishes to bid is given the opportunity; • Obligated funds in the budget will be reviewed after June 30, 2025; Any open commitments for carry forward will come before Council later this fall. With no additional discussion, Mayor Colbert called for a motion on the Item. It was moved to continue utilizing municipal contracts as listed on the attached table and approve the corresponding $2,210,000 expenditure for FY 2026 from multiple department accounts as described in this report and attachments. Town of Vienna Page 4 Printed on 9/22/2025 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 Motion, Council Member Baldwin; second, Council Member Anderson. Motion carried unanimously Absent: Council Member Springsteen Mayor Colbert recognized Brad Baer, Director, Public Works to present the Item. Director Baer, in response to Council inquiry, noted that no Company who holds a warranty claim from the Town will have a contract renewed. It was moved to approve FY 2026 one-year contract renewals and expenditures not to exceed $9,025,000 from the listed account numbers as described in the report and attachments. Motion, Council Member Baldwin; second, Council Member Anderson. Motion carried unanimously. Absent: Council Member Springsteen. approved Aye: 6- Allen, Anderson, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis and Colbert Absent: 1- Springsteen B. 25-5067 FY 2026 funding and renewal of Town contracts approved Aye: 6- Allen, Anderson, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis and Colbert Absent: 1- Springsteen C. 25-5097 Request to adopt 2026 Town Council meeting schedule for inclusion in the 2026 Town calendar. approved Aye: 5- Allen, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis and Colbert Absent: 2- Anderson and Springsteen 7. Regular Business A. 25-5122 8:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Appointment of Town Officials for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Council Member Anderson joined the meeting at 8:20 PM. Mayor Colbert recognized Town Attorney Steve Briglia to present the Item for consideration. It was moved to re-appoint the following Town Appointed Officers for Fiscal Year 2025-26: Mercury T. Payton, Town Manager, pursuant to a contractual agreement; and Steven D. Briglia as Town Attorney, pursuant to a contractual agreement between the Town of Vienna and Steven D. Briglia for legal and prosecuting services; and Melanie J. Clark as Town Clerk; and Steven L. Barlow as Town Treasurer. Town of Vienna Page 5 Printed on 9/22/2025 Town Council Meeting Meeting Minutes - Final June 2, 2025 Motion, Council Member Ramakis; second, Council Member. Motion carried unanimously. Absent: Council Member Springsteen approved Aye: 6- Allen, Anderson, Baldwin, Brill, Ramakis and Colbert Absent: 1- Springsteen 8. Meeting Adjournment With no further business before Council, Mayor Colbert called for a motion to adjourn at 9:00 PM. Motion, Council Member Ramakis approved 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 6 Printed on 9/22/2025