Minutes

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
February 4, 2008


The Town Council met in regular session on Monday, February 4, 2008, in the Council Room of the Town Hall, 127 Center Street, South. Mayor M. Jane Seeman, called the meeting to order with the following members of Council present: Laurie G. Cole, Daniel M. Dellinger, Edythe F. Kelleher, George E. Lovelace, Michael J. Polychrones, and Maud F. Robinson. Also present were John H. Schoeberlein, Town Manager; Steven D. Briglia, Town Attorney; and Carol A. Orndorff, Town Clerk.

The invocation was offered by Councilwoman Laurie G. Cole; followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.


APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 28, 2008 AND ONE PUBLIC HEARING OF JANUARY 28, 2008.

It was moved to defer approval of the Regular Council Meeting of January 28, 2008 and One Public Hearing of January 28, 2008, to the next Regular Council Meeting of February 25, 2008.

Motion: Cole
Second: Dellinger
Carried unanimously



RECEIPT OF PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.

Mayor Seeman at this time called upon the Officers and Members of the Board of Directors of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department to come forward. The Mayor thereafter, administered the Oath of Office to the Officers and Board Members elected to serve during the ensuing year, 2008-2009.

Mayor Seeman recognized in the audience a large contingency of Boy Scouts in the audience and asked them to come forward and introduce themselves. The Boy Scouts each introduced themselves and identified their Troop and the Merit Badge they were working on. The Troops represented were #73, #152 and #987 and the Merit Badges identified were Citizenship in the Community and Communication.


REPORT AND INQUIRIES OF COUNCIL MEMBERS.

Councilwoman Cole spoke on a news article regarding pursuit of bus rapid transit as an option in the region. She stated currently there are two bills before the State Legislature proposing the establishment of study groups on the feasibility of the bus rapid transit. She indicated these two bills should be monitored as this issue was of importance.

Councilwoman Robinson spoke of a sketch appearing in the Washington Post of the Dulles Corridor Metro Rail project. The development sketch depicts a beautiful landscape, however, it does not show the existence of the high-rise density that is planned along Route #7 going West. Councilwoman Robinson stated that if the developers wanted our support then they should present the entire picture as it will truly exist.

Councilman Dellinger indicated that he had been in the area of the Fire Department a few days ago, and several citizens approached him with the request that the TSC consider the implementation of striping at the opposite end of the existing striping, i.e. at Faith Baptist Church, as many children cross at this location going to Waters Field. He requested that the Transportation Safety Commission review the matter. Mr. Schoeberlein stated that he would have staff implement the suggestion as it would not have to go before the TSC.

Councilman Polychrones requested the Town Manager to have the Department of Public Works look at a huge pot hole on Cottage Street, between Kingsley and Tapawingo Streets.

Councilman Polychrones stated the Bill in the General Assembly that would force the Town to go to November Elections had failed in committee.

Councilman Polychrones announced that he would be a candidate for re-election to the Town Council in the May election.

Councilman Lovelace requested the Town Manager to have the Department of Public Works pickup the accumulated trash that has been left on Lewis Street, just before Windover Avenue. It appears that the resident has vacated the premises and left all of the discarded trash/materials.

Mayor Seeman stated the trash is blocking water runoff from the rain and has resulted in a large pond at the site.

Councilwoman Kelleher spoke of the number of leaf piles still requiring pickup and inquired of the Town Manager how many leaf pickups were existing. Mr. Schoeberlein stated that approximately sixteen (16) households still required pickup. He continued by stating the Town will pickup the existing leaf piles and the late residents will receive a special pickup charge.

Councilwoman Kelleher announced that she too is a candidate for re-election to the Town Council at the May Election.


REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER.

Mr. Schoeberlein spoke on the yearly crime report as developed by the Police Department and the fact the statistics indicate a decrease in crime incidents in most categories.

Mr. Schoeberlein stated the Bill before the General Assembly relative to payment of fees and dues to professional organizations had failed and was no longer an item for concern.


REPORT OF THE MAYOR.

Mayor Seeman spoke on the year-end report supplied by the Police Department and stated she felt it was a well drafted document with complete information. That it indicates that overall crime has generally decreased however, a few categories had not indicated a reduction. Mayor Seeman discussed with the Town Manager the two current Dispatcher vacancies and the method being utilized to cover these positions while recruitment takes place. Mayor Seeman also clarified with the Town Manager that the report was available on-line for citizen information.


PROPOSALS FOR ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO THE AGENDA.

None


REQUEST FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMISSION (T.S.C.) FOR GRABBER VERTICAL PANEL BARRICADES TO BE PLACED AT LOUISE ARCHER, MARSHALL ROAD AND CUNNINGHAM PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

Mayor Seeman stated the request had been received from the Transportation Safety Commission and thereafter, recognized Mr. Howard Springsteen, Commission Member, to come forward and present the item.

Mr. Springsteen stated the TSC had discussed the Vertical Grabber Panel Barricades at several of the Fall meetings, along with potential locations. It was the decision of the Commission the best place to utilize the panel barricades would be at the elementary schools, specifically Louise Archer, Marshall Road and Cunningham Park. He stated the vertical panel barricades are temporary barricades for use in pedestrian walkways; they are reboundable, reshapeable and will absorb repeated impacts; the base is made from one-hundred percent recycled rubber and weighs thirty pounds, and that a sixteen pound base is also available for lower speed situations. He then presented into the record informational samples of the crosswalk signs and discussed with Council Members quoted prices.

Mayor Seeman inquired if Mr. Springsteen had spoken with the crossing guards at the three schools regarding usage of the barricades, to which Mr. Springsteen indicated they had agreed the barricades would be of great assistance. Mayor Seeman indicated she felt discussion should be held with the schools and determination made as to the placement of the barricades when not being utilized. She was also of the opinion the Town itself could make the signs, as the Town-made sign at the Farmers Market has been very effective.

Mr. Schoeberlein stated that currently there is a Bill before the General Assembly which redefines pedestrian crossings, etc., and also establishes when a driver must stop; it appears this Bill will be enacted.

Councilwoman Cole suggested that we should wait until the General Assembly passes or defeats the Bill, as the signs may require a different design standard.

Councilman Lovelace discussed where he felt the signage would be effective and where it would not.

Mayor Seeman conveyed a suggestion which she had received from a citizen for a two-way stop at Church Street and Lawyers Road, to Mr. Springsteen, for consideration of the TSC.


It was moved for approval of the Transportation Safety Commission’s recommendation to place Vertical Grabber Panel Barricades or like signs, at Louise Archer Elementary, Marshall Road Elementary, and Cunningham Park Elementary schools, after consultation with those schools.

Motion: Cole
Second: Dellinger
Carried unanimously – Poll vote

Voting Aye: Cole, Dellinger, Kelleher, Lovelace, Polychrones,
Robinson, Mayor Seeman



APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR TO APPLY FOR UP TO $150,000.00 IN MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION’S REVENUE SHARING PROGRAM, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALKS, CURB AND GUTTER, STORM WATER DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, AND ON-STREET PARKING AT MEADOW LANE PARK.

Mrs. Cathy Salgado, Director of Parks & Recreation, was present along with Mr. Kevin Murray, Tri-Tek Engineering, the Town’s consulting engineering company. Mrs. Salgado stated the program provides local jurisdictions matching funds for short term projects that will be ready for construction within a two year time period. She indicated that the Department has been working with Tri-Tek Engineering to provide engineering services for the construction of sidewalks curb and gutter, storm water improvements and on-street parking improvements at Meadow Lane Park. The Tri-Tek construction estimate includes improvements around Meadow Lane Park from Frederick Street to Ware Street, from Ware Street to Courthouse Road and from Courthouse Road to the ramped asphalt connector sidewalk. Based on design and construction estimates the cost of both Phase I and Phase 2 of the project is $296,576.20. Mrs. Salgado stated that VDOT has indicated that jurisdictions may apply up to $1 Million in funds; it is based on a fifty-fifty matching grant.

Discussion ensued relative to sidewalk construction priority list, location of sites where engineering has been completed for sidewalks, CIP available funding, suggestion for application for multiple grant projects, along with funding availability by the Town. During this discussion it was suggested that in addition to the suggested application for Meadow Lane, S.W., that Talahi Road, S.E., and Knoll Street, S.W. be added to the project application for a total amount of $300,000.00.

It was moved for approval of a Resolution authorizing the Town of Vienna to apply for Virginia Department of Transportation-Revenue Sharing Funds in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 for construction of sidewalks, curbs and gutters, storm water drainage improvements and on-street parking for the Meadow Lane Park, S.W. project. I further move the Town Clerk certify such Resolution.

Motion: Cole
Second: Robinson
Carried unanimously – Poll vote
Voting aye: Cole, Dellinger, Kelleher, Lovelace, Polychrones,
Robinson, Mayor Seeman


I move for the approval of a Resolution authorizing the Town of Vienna to apply for Virginia Department of Transportation-Revenue Sharing Funds in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 for construction of sidewalks, curbs and gutter, storm water drainage improvements on Talahi Road, S.E. I further move the Town Clerk certify such Resolution.

Motion: Cole
Second: Kelleher
Carried unanimously – Poll vote

Voting aye: Cole, Dellinger, Kelleher, Lovelace, Polychrones,
Robinson, Mayor Seeman


I move for the approval of a Resolution authorizing the Town of Vienna to apply for Virginia Department of Transportation-Revenue Sharing Funds in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00 for construction of sidewalks and storm water drainage improvements for Knoll Street, N.W. I further move the Town Clerk certify such Resolution.

Motion: Cole
Second: Polychrones
Carried unanimously – Poll vote

Voting Aye: Cole, Dellinger, Kelleher, Lovelace, Polychrones,
Robinson, Mayor Seeman




PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF VIENNA, CHAPTER 10, OFFENSES-MISCELLANEOUS, ARTICLE 3, OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY: SECTION 10-20.1 NUISANCES-NOISE, SECTION (C), EXPANDING THE PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN NOISE ON SUNDAYS AND FEDERAL HOLIDAYS.

It was moved that a Public Hearing be conducted on March 17, 2008 to consider the adoption of the proposed ordinance to amend the Code of the Town of Vienna, Chapter 10, Offenses – Miscellaneous: Article 3, Offenses Against Property, Section 10-20.1 Nuisances – Noise, Section (c), Subsection 3, expanding the prohibition of certain noise on Sundays and federal holidays.

Motion: Dellinger
Second: Mayor Seeman
Motion carried



It was moved to adjourn.

Motion: Robinson
Second: Cole
Motion carried



The Regular Council Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.

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