MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2007, AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE STRASBURG TOWN HALL.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation was given by Pastor Stephen Grimes of the Strasburg Assembly of God church.
ROLL Called with the following members present: Mayor Crisman, Vice Mayor Taylor, and Council Members Le Vine, Mauck, Nicholson, Rinker, Terndrup, and Whittle. Absent: Council Member Wallace.
Minutes of the May 8, 2007 Town Council meeting, the May 8, 2007 Public Hearing, and the June 5, 2007 Public Hearing were approved as presented.
Mayor Crisman welcomed all in attendance and said all communications had been directed toward the appropriate committees. He then thanked all that were involved in the Mayfest celebration and added he thought this was the largest crowd ever that attended the event. He also thanked the Staff for all the work done for the Employee Picnic.
Introduction of Visitors and Guests:
Mayor Crisman welcomed the Strasburg High School baseball team and coaches to the meeting and read and presented a Resolution of Recognition (attached here-to) for their recent State Championship win.
Citizen Comments:
Non-Action Items:
Kim Bishop, 728 Crystal Lane, Strasburg, VA: Started by saying she really enjoyed Mayfest this year with the exception of the political dissenter and hopes in the future permits will not be given for this type of exhibit.
She thanked Mr. Fauber for keeping her informed of the Utilities Committee meetings. She said she has heard rumors there might be a 30% increase in water and sewer rates and she thinks this is excessive. She knows the water plant needs to be built, but she thinks this increase will be especially hard on citizens on fixed incomes. She shared some of the things she has done in her yard to help with run-off. She has planted trees and bushes in “water management type areas” to help with erosion and to collect water. This has increased her water rate or water usage which she feels is acceptable, but she thinks the sewer rates really need to be addressed, especially for the summer months. Water that is going into lawns, etc., is helping the sewer system by absorbing lots of negative things that would go into the river and other water supplies. She knows it would be a difficult task to put in outdoor meters, but maybe it could be looked at as to how much a property uses in the winter and bill according to that with maybe a small increase. Much of the water increase is going into the lawns and trees which keeps things out of the river and if plants start dying, then you will have even more problems from the run-off. She concluded by repeating she thinks a 30% increase is too much and somehow the Town needs to find a way to have the sewer rates of the summer match what the people are using with their water.
Reports and Communications from Town Officers:
Town Attorney Neal: Said the draft copy of the PPEA was taken from the County’s draft with a few corrections, clarifications, and changes. Any comments on this document can be emailed to him so he can incorporate them into the language.
Concerning the easement with the Shenandoah County School Board, he has talked to the School Board’s attorney and they wanted many changes, one costing $4,500 on the plat. Director of Public Utilities told him this change to the plat was to the school system’s benefit and so if the changes are to be made, the School Board can pay for them. But, they are moving forward with this.
The Crowder easement is with Mr. Arthur and when he gets his comments back on this, it will be ready to go before a Public Hearing.
Town Attorney Neal said he has had several discussions with Planner Amos about a blight ordinance. This is a difficult issue and there was a Supreme Court case where the out come was that you can take private property in effect for private purposes as long as there is a public connection. This decision was met with much outrage and Virginia has acted upon it. You just can’t do something with a blight area because something looks ugly or unsightly. Property almost has to be condemned and so he is waiting to see what other changes are being made to this ruling.
He also talked to Planner Amos about an ordinance to deny submissions when developers come in and they already have outstanding issues. He drafted such an ordinance and put it out on the web for comments from other attorneys. Some responses have been that it is crazy and others have been that some localities would like to do the same thing. He is going to research this further to see if the Town can actually do this.
As far as the Voices of Strasburg suit, he has filed a motion to dismiss this suit outright, as has the other defendant. The court has not scheduled a date for a reading on that motion.
Lastly, he has had a request to prepare a release on the flag design.
Town Manager Fauber: He just received communications from First Bank concerning their 100th Anniversary Celebration (additional information attached here-to). This will be held on July 2 on the bank parking lot and they are also requesting permission to block off Holliday Street from King Street to Washington Street for a street dance. If he doesn’t hear any objection from Council, he will work with the Police Department and the Public Works Department to make this possible.
Town Staff is continuing to work on the July 4th Celebration to be held at the Town Park.
The Town Pool has opened and not many major problems have been reported. The baby pool has been re-surfaced and a step added to this. The president of the company who did the refurbishing is going to come and make sure he is satisfied with the work.
Work is continuing on the Walking Trail plan and the archeological studies involved with this.
Town Manager Fauber said he has been working with the Strasburg Midget Football League in trying to find an area for practice fields. Council Member Mauck will be reporting on this further as there have been some changes in plans since the last Recreation meeting.
Director of Finance Mullins: Reported the office had survived June 5, the day taxes were due and she is now busy getting ready for the end of the fiscal year.
Town Clerk Keller: Highlighted the VML Conference material that was included in the final agenda packet.
Director of Public Utilities Tewalt: On Wednesday, June 6, Mr. Tewalt and Chief Operator Ritenour met with the engineers of R. Stuart Royer to go over some preliminary plans for the Water Plant. They talked a lot about treatment processes, chemicals, and flotation at the plant site. They also talked about the river pump station and the in-take structures. The engineers will be getting back with them and providing them with some more details. They are also waiting for documentation so as to proceed with the upgrades at the Wastewater Plant.
Director of Public Works Rhodes: Before Mr. Rhodes began his report, Mayor Crisman thanked all Town employees for the work done to make Mayfest a success. He knows much effort and hours was put into this and he wanted all to know how much he appreciated this.
Director of Public Works Rhodes said the Bowman Mill Road VDOT project has started. He is not exactly sure how fast this will go, but it has started. He added people have probably noticed sidewalk work on East King Street between Massanutten Street and Acton Place. This section of sidewalk was replaced several years ago, but the concrete used was bad and so the concrete company is replacing it with “stamped brick” sidewalk. Council Member Mauck asked if conduit was going under the sidewalk and Mr. Rhodes said it was not.
Police Chief Sutherly: Reported the first annual Marshall Robinson Award was given on Sunday, June 3, 2007, to Justin Laidlaw.
He also said the benches were painted even though they do not look painted; they were clear-coated with water preservatives to keep the natural look of the wood.
Town Planner Amos:
Action Item: Half-Moon Beach Agreement
Planner Amos said this action item has come through the Recreation Committee who is recommending the Council accept the agreement offered by Strasburg Land, LLC, for the Dunmore project. The offer is that the parcel containing the quarry will not be separated off at this time. The owners have agreed not to offer the lake to the Town prior to February 1, 2008, and the parcel will have road access before being offered to the Town. This means the Town will have at least 120 days to review the quarry property. The owners of the property will sign the agreement once the Town accepts it.
This agreement has been discussed by both the Recreation Advisory Committee and the Recreation Committee of the Comprehensive Plan. Pam Sheetz, Director of the Shenandoah County Parks and Rec, is also looking into this and Planner Amos said this might be a better option to let the County take it over.
Council Member Mauck moved to accept the Strasburg Land, LLC, agreement; second by Vice Mayor Taylor.
Discussion:
Council Member Le Vine asked if this is the same agreement as was offered in February, 2007; Planner Amos answered that it was the same. He then asked if any progress had been made on the liability issues. Planner Amos said they are working on this currently and added Planning Commissioner Dean is heading the Recreation Committee and it working on this issue.
Mayor Crisman asked Town Attorney Neal if he had any problems or concerns with this agreement and Mr. Neal said he did not and was glad to hear Mr. Dean is working on this.
The motion passed unanimously.
Planner Amos introduced the intern in the Planning Department, Jessica Putman. Jessica is a Political Science major at Shenandoah University. One project she is working on is a re-cycling program.
Planner Amos and Town Manager Fauber met with Strasburg High School Principal Dorman and government teacher, Larry Vance. They are trying to get a 12th grade intern for the next school year to work in the office. Mr. Dorman and Mr. Vance feel this would best be done during the second semester.
Planner Amos discussed the registration for the VML Transportation and Land Use Summit. Council Members are to let Planner Amos or Clerk Keller know if they are planning to attend.
Standing Committee Reports:
Public Safety Committee: Vice Mayor Taylor said the committee met on May 22, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. Lantz Construction Company brought in a team of individuals to present a program on the PPEA and how the Town might utilize this. This meeting turned into an open discussion about a public safety building in general. What was decided was to have a feasibility or needs study done to see exactly what the Town has and find out exactly what needs to be built. Once it is decided what is wanted, it can be decided if the Town wants to go through the PPEA process.
Vice Mayor Taylor thanked all the public safety departments for the work done during Mayfest.
Vice Mayor reminded Council to let Town Attorney Neal know of their comments concerning the PPEA agreement. A Public Hearing will be held on this at a future date.
Personnel Committee: Council Member Whittle said the committee did not meet and there is no scheduled meeting in June. The next meeting will by on July 25 where the committee will be working with Town Staff to update the Personnel Manual and employee evaluation process.
Public Utilities Committee: Council Member Nicholson said the committee did not meet.
Recreation Committee: Council Member Mauck said the committee met on May 22, 2007. Discussed were the rate increases at the Strasburg Town Pool and the consensus was to go forward with the changes in prices as proposed. The Dunmore proposal was also discussed and the recommendation was to bring the proposal before Council. It was agreed to allow Staff to move forward with plans for a biking-camping weekend scheduled for the last weekend in July at the Town Park. There will be a bike marathon from Strasburg to New Market.
She continued her report saying the Strasburg Midget Football League was given permission to establish two temporary sports fields that are adjacent to the Strasburg High School. This was approved at the committee meeting, but since then some new developments have taken place. Town Manager Fauber explained he met with Mr. Norris, a representative of the football league, on June 11, and due to some of the future plans of the high school for the fields immediately below their new practice field, the plans for the new water treatment plant and an intake structure, and a road leading to this, it became apparent this area was not going to be able to be utilized for football fields. He and Mr. Norris went and looked at the field immediately below the Wastewater Treatment Plant and they think the use of this field is doable. Town Manager Fauber said he has not had the opportunity to discuss this with Director of Public Works Rhodes how access can be gotten to this field. Mr. Norris feels he will be able to get two practice fields in this location and said they will have six or seven football teams and are in critical need for these practice fields. Town Manager Fauber will keep Council posted on the developments of this. Council Member Mauck added the two fields will be temporary fields.
Council Member Mauck said the baby pool resurfacing was approved and has since taken place. The final item discussed was the review of the master plan for the recreation areas that were designated on the Richards farm and this does include the Walking Trail. She will be meeting with Planner Amos to discuss this before the next Recreation Committee meeting.
Finance Committee: Council Member Le Vine began by saying he was invited by the Strasburg Rotary Club to present a program on the proposed budget; he spoke at that meeting earlier in the day. Director of Finance Mullins accompanied him to this. He praised Mrs. Mullins on her work on this budget.
He continued by saying the inspection fees suggested by Director of Public Works Rhodes were not completed in time for the Public Hearing held on the budget so these fees are not a part of the budget now, but will go to a Public Hearing next month and be voted on following that. The Finance Committee will not be meeting in July, but items on the August agenda will be:
1) Insurance for the Town – might be able to obtain cheaper rates and so has invited Mr. Hank Dean, of Crawford Insurance, to come and discuss this.
2) Woodstock has increased their lodging tax 5% and they have agreed to give 1% to the County for tourism. When Strasburg voted on the Transient Occupancy Tax, it was agreed this issue would be re-visited if other localities started contributing. This will be looked into.
3) Freezing of availability fees – anyone who has been annexed and the Town has not brought water and sewer lines to the property within five years, the resident will not have to pay the increase in availability fees.
Council Member Le Vine then highlighted some changes in the proposed budget from the current budget.
1) 4% pay increase for all 63 employees.
2) Provides for two new hires – a police investigator and the summer intern in the Planning and Zoning Department.
3) LEOs which will begin on January 1, 2008
4) Explicitly provides a line item for a 5% reserve for emergencies or unexpected contingencies.
5) Department Heads have prioritized needs and the Finance Committee has chosen the one or two top requests for capital improvements.
6) The budget assumes the Town will have to borrow ~$30 million. Currently Council will not be voting on borrowing the money now or on the terms of the borrowing, but the committee has looked at borrowing $30 million for 30 years at ~4.25%. This will be voted on at a later time.
7) There is no provision for a new Public Safety building in the proposed budget.
8) There will be no general increase in taxes at this time; this includes real estate, personal property, meals, or lodging taxes. The Ordinance Committee will be looking into a tobacco tax.
9) Availability fees will increase from $5,500 to $8,000 for both water and sewer.
10) Minimum rates of water and sewer will increase 10% to $23.65 (minimum is the first 2,000 gallons used). For each additional 1,000 gallons of water used, the rate will increase $1.10 or 24.5%. Sewer rates will also increase $1.10 or 22% for each 1,000 used over the minimum. He further explained that if the Town does borrow $30 million, then these rates will have to go up 15% to 16% in subsequent years --- if more revenue is gotten, the rates will be less; less revenue, the rates will be more. This will help to pay for the new water plant and the wastewater upgrades. Also included in the $30 million is $3.1 million for Public Works to upgrade existing infrastructure --- water and sewer lines, roads, sidewalks, etc.
Council Member Le Vine moved to adopt the FY2007-2008 budget and schedule of fees in the amount of $8,749,260; second by Vice Mayor Taylor.
Discussion:
Council Member Rinker said in all the years he has served on the Finance Committee and worked on the budget, it seems every year it is getting harder and harder to balance a budget in this Town. He thinks this year is one of the harder ones considering the Town is being faced with water and sewer major debt of $30 million. “Yes, Mrs. Bishop, you did hear the number right – the 30% possible increase is not an anomaly it is not something that someone reached up in the air and pulled down; that number has been flying all over the Finance Committee. 30% every year times 10 years would amount to 300% increase in your water and sewer rates in this Town. I suggested at that time that we possibly consider borrowing the money over a 40 year period; I kind-of got blown out of the saddle on that one…The budget itself, in my opinion, is one that I’m not really happy with, especially the 4% across the board increase for employees in this Town. I have gotten a horrendous amount of calls from employees and different people in this Town about this. The biggest thing about this is it shows a large disparity. Someone making $70,000 gets a 4% raise; that amounts to about $3,000 increase a year in their pay. Somebody making $20,000 gets a 4% increase, they get a meager $800. Now, you say there is a large disparity there because the person who gets the $3,000 does a lot more and their responsibility is a lot greater than the person who maybe gets the $800 increase in their salary. Well, I tend to disagree with that wholeheartedly. There is a lot of soul, hard-working individuals in this Town who are out here everyday giving their heart, soul, sweat, and blood to keep this Town going all day long. There are also police people out here day and night that keep this Town going. There’s a large, when I say disparity, there’s a large disparity in both ends of this thing and what the answer is, I’m not 100% sure, but for years the Finance Committee has been wrestling with merit raises versus percent raises; I’m not happy with across the board percent of raises. When I posed this to certain members of the committee, they said ‘well, we didn’t have time to fool with this, this year.’ Well, we had about eight to ten months to fool with it; we could have gotten into it and we could have very well have studied it and gotten it through by the time this budget year came around. I don’t accept that as an excuse. To me that is ‘hogwash.’ Anyway, I think that this year’s budget is, when it comes to employee raises, is kind-of really lopsided. What it does, it takes the poor performers and it rewards them with 4%; it takes the good performers and it rewards them with 4%. Some of the real good performers ought to be maybe 5%, 6%, or 7%; some of the poor performers ought to be 2%, 1%, no percent. I think it sends a very bad signal to hardworking individuals in this Town that, ‘hey, you don’t have to do anything in this Town, just go out everyday, do your thing, and you’re going to get a 4% increase in your salary or in your hourly rate and in my opinion, that’s a very poor way of doing business...I’m very upset about that. I’m also very upset about the fact that every year we are going to give all these employees 4%. Well, we already have some employees in the high $70,000 range; we’re going to have employees in the next few years that are going to be $80,000 and $90,000 and $100,000 in the small town of Strasburg. You want to know where your money goes? You want to know where your tax money goes? That’s were it goes! That’s where it goes and I say that every year, folks, we cannot continue to give 4%, 6%, 8% raises to people that there is a large disparity in. It has got to be closely looked at and there has to be something done. I’m very upset about this budget this year.” He concluded by saying he would be voting against it and would be voting his conscience and his conscience is that all who elected him to look after the funds of the Town, he doesn’t think Council is taking that into consideration. “We are not good stewards of the funds of this Town to keep on going in this direction with this large disparity.”
Council Member Mauck said she, too, looked at the budget and she, too, feels “a 4% raise for most of the employees, it’s a boost, it’s adequate; we have 10 or 11 positions that are $50,000 or more and I feel that a 2% raise is in line for those. It is a generous raise and with our economy the way that it is, it is something to be considered.”
Council Member Mauck moved to amend the proposed budget with a 4% raise for employees and salaried positions to a 2% raise which would save the Town between $13,000 and $15,000; it is a cost-of-living raise, not a merit raise; seconded by Council Member Rinker.
Mayor Crisman said he had an amendment on the floor to give some employees a 4% raise and others a 2%.
Discussion:
Council Member Nicholson said he has looked at both angles of the 2% and the 4% and it is a tough decision. “I hear Mrs. Bishop talk about these increases and I’m looking at 10%, 24.5%, and 22% and I know Department Heads have cut their budget to the bone. And, I hear Mr. Le Vine tell me that even though these rates are going up, nothing is going to my water and sewer fund to go to the water and wastewater treatment plants and I am trying to figure out why.”
Council Member Le Vine said he would discuss the motion on the amendment first. He accepted that maybe he wasn’t clear on …Mayor Crisman interrupted and said before he begins that the motion on the amendment is on pay increases only. Council Member Le Vine asked to defer his comments on other items until after the vote on the amendment. In discussing the motion on the floor he said, “if I understand the motion, everyone making $50,000 or less, it is 4%, and if you are making $50,001 and above, it is 2%. Is that correct; did I understand the motion?” Council Member Mauck said that was correct. Council Member Le Vine continued by saying this was a very contentious issue at the Finance Committee and was discussed a great deal. “The way I view this is in a sense there was a compromise made.” The Town has and is going through changes and it is not the same Town it used to be. The budget is larger and more complicated and we (Council) doesn’t have a lot of experience with it. “I thought it was a fair compromise that we give everyone essentially a cost-of-living increase of 4% across the board with the proviso that Mr. Whittle as the Personnel Committee, who has already said earlier tonight that he is starting this process, make a thorough study of what I would call personnel problems or issues, compensation, so that next time, to paraphrase Mr. Rinker comments, that when we get to do the budget we will have thought through the issues of merit increases. Do we have the right evaluations in place; the right criteria to evaluate people and have our Department Heads been trained to make sure they can understand this legally and defensively to distinguish merit from cost-of-living and do this appropriately. This is not a simple transition. Any of us who work for companies know about merit increases, know it is a contentious issue. I thought what we were agreeing to was one more year.” The budget will have a full review in December and Mr. Whittle will be able to give the Finance Committee an update at that time to discuss this issue so as not to wait until the last minute. “This is too important of an issue to do it at the last minute. This is my concern on Mrs. Mauck’s motion is that I think this is not the kind of thing you do at the last moment. It takes thought; it takes consideration and I would rather err on the side for one more year of doing this thing and maybe having some inequalities, that’s understandable, but make sure we do it correctly with the commitment that we will spend the time during the next 12 months to look through this thoroughly and then when the next budget cycle comes through, we will have, I am sure, a very heated, a very lively debate, rightfully so; this is a difficult issue. I am going to vote against the amendment because I think it is not something we should do on the spur of the moment. It is going to need a lot more consideration and thought.”
Council Member Mauck said originally the Finance Committee had discussed a 2% raise before the last Finance Committee meeting. There was a lively discussion at the last Finance Committee meeting and “when I went over the numbers, a person making $32,000, gets a $1,200 cost-of-living raise; a person who is making $60,000 at 2% raise would get a $1,200 nominal raise. The cost of insurance has gone up, this can help offset the cost of insurance.”
Council Member Nicholson said he has thought about giving everybody a set amount to make it fair for everybody.
Mayor Crisman reminded Council the motion before them was a change in the structure for $50,000 above and $50,000 below.
Council Member Terndrup said, “I think we probably spoke well over an hour on this topic at the Finance Committee meeting which is where these discussions take place, where people put out their viewpoints. We talked about, or I talked about, how do you measure productivity in the public sector, in the government, because our employees do not work for profit; we are not here to make money; that is not our function as a government agency. We are here to serve the people of this community and the employees who work for this Town do not get merit increases because they put more money into the cash register; we are not a private business. So to take a private business incentive which is a merit and to apply it to our employees is in a way, unfair to everybody. I think what Kevin (Town Manager Fauber) pointed out is that there is a certain merit built into any public system when they earn certifications or step increases or when their skill levels are increased when they get certain certification so there are step increases in the salary scale itself and that is why employees are at different levels, as well as experience, working with the Town, number of years of employment. I think all those things were factored in with the fact that we have these upcoming debts with water and sewer and at the same time wanting to reward our people who every single month we commend for the excellent job they all do; I don’t think we have anybody slacking out there. I think the 4% was at least agreed to by the great majority of the committee as the best we could do and the most fair and equitable thing we could do at this time and that certainly we would continue to look at it through Mr. Whittle’s committee, but at this particular time, in this particular budget, and we even wish we could do more, but the 2% was just not right and that we needed to do this 4% and still not raise taxes. As I understand it, this was the consensus of the committee of the people who were at that committee.”
Council Member Rinker said, “I would take issue with what Mr. Terndrup said. If you are in industry, private sector, public sector, government sector, an employee is an employee. Whether he or she works their heart out, it makes no difference where they are employed at, none whatsoever. The type of compensation that they receive may vary from place to place --- some are salaried, some are hourly, some are bonused, but there is all kinds of compensation that can occur. I don’t find a whole lot of difference in the public and private sector. I’ve worked in both so I know. I’ve worked out of the box; I’ve worked for the largest corporation in the world and I’ve worked for a large non-profit organization years ago so I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum, a lot of ends of the spectrum. Having been an employer myself I see the disparity is here; it’s very real. I talked to an employee as late as this evening while I was having my dinner in Hi-Neighbor Restaurant about this very thing. We had a conversation, he sat right across from me, and we talked about this very thing. Our employees are not happy with the disparity here. For us to turn our heads, I think is being remiss and we’re trying to shovel it under the table, slide it down the coal shoot, throw a little water on it and dampen it down and it is going to go away. No, it really isn’t going to go away; it is going to get progressively worse. So we better as ladies and gentlemen step up to the plate here and do something now. We can say we are going to study it on down the road in this coming fiscal year. That is all good and well, but that doesn’t do anybody any good right now. Quite honestly, Sarah (Council Member Mauck), I like your motion very much; it takes a lot of the differential between the two and it becomes a balance. We did talk about a 2%, and in fact Chairman Le Vine came to the last meeting with a 2% increase on his plate; just a 2% for everybody. I don’t know what happened to that. We all got into a large discussion; it became heated at some times; Mr. Taylor threw out a 4% and the next thing I knew it had gone from a 2 to a 4 and I don’t know how that happened. I was against it; I’m still against it. I think until we get this disparity out of this thing, folks, we’ve got a major problem on our hands here.”
Council Member Le Vine said for clarification that the proposal he brought was for “2% cost-of-living; 1% merit for a total of 3% and that 3% got converted to 3% and then to 4%, but the first budget was for 3% net. This is just a point of clarification. I think this discussion here proves my point that Mrs. Mauck, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Rinker, Mr. Terndrup all have very good points; they are all legitimate in many ways; and it proves my point we need to discuss this thoroughly as there is no obvious answer. We cannot make judgments on the instant; we need to thoroughly consider this. There are ramifications for all of this, there are lots of good ideas, but unfortunately, and that may be my responsibility as Finance Chairman, given the other things we had to do with the budget, we didn’t get to our raises and the equitable raises soon enough to have a discussion. As Mr. Terndrup said, we talked an hour, but we should have had more time doing it. I will take responsibility for that – we didn’t have enough time. But, the discussion here tonight proves the point that we have to consider this thoroughly and equitably so that next year we have a process in place that is fair to everyone and that we can live with next year and in the future years rather than making instant decisions. While I hear Mrs. Mauck and Mr. Rinker, that is why I intend to vote against the motion and I have to make the statement that I think there is no attempt on my part nor anyone else on this Council that I have talked to to have this problem go away. Mr. Whittle has taken on the responsibility to look into this. I think no one is asking for it to go away. It is a difficult issue and it is not easily solved and should not be frivolously dealt with; we have to think it through and unfortunately that means we will have to suffer some consequences for a year until we sort this out, but we have to sort it out correctly so we don’t have to come back and re-visit it.
Council Member Whittle commented by saying “we definitely have to look at this. We’ve had multiple opinions going around the room here and what we’ve got to do is come to a consensus and move forward. There are a lot of challenges with the review process and diving in there and I’m committed to do that over the next couple of months. The other key is how to come up with the consensus on how we want to go forward and get that out to the employees so they are aware of it before we come and vote on it next year. We can present it to them so they have a good understanding of it. I know there were a lot of employees who were concerned when there were a lot of numbers flying around the air. We have a lot of concern with the employees and we want to try to keep them as happy as possible. We also have the Town, the voters, we have to look at and what is fair to everybody who is involved in that. We have looked at this and it is lower than it has been probably the last 5, at least the last 2 or 3 years, they have had 6% increases and please correct me if I’m wrong on that.” He feels the Council is making a commitment to lowering the raises. He wants to get a better idea of the merit system that has been used and the levels where employees can move up and how that can be used as merit. This will be different for him as he is used to the business world. He knows there will be some employees who are upset over the 4% when they are used to getting 6%. There are some challenges for Council on this and he is in support of the 4% raise and he thinks it will be a challenge to the Personnel Committee to iron out the details of the merit increases and present it to the employees so they know what will be expected of them. In conclusion, adjustments have been made and he would have liked to have kept it at 6%.
Council Member Nicholson added to the discussion that the people he works with in another jurisdiction would be happy to receive 4% as he doesn’t remember them ever getting that much in the last five years and it is a public entity.
Vice Mayor Taylor said he did throw out the 4%; cost-of-living increase is 4% and he feels anything less than that is crazy. He didn’t feel comfortable with anybody getting 2%. He is willing to look at it again later as he has been through this many times with the School Board. He knows the employees are evaluated now, but has no problem with looking into this further. He does have a problem with the 2% versus the 4%. He is fine with keeping it at 4%
Council Member Rinker said in conclusion, “if the economy dictates and says the cost-of-living goes up to 12%, are we going to go up to 12%? That is one thing to think about. Second thing is, if Woodstock gives their employees 7%, are we going to give ours 7? If Middletown gives theirs 10%, are we going to give ours 10? We’re Strasburg; we’re a community all of its own; we can only afford so much.”
Mayor Crisman re-stated the motion and Council Member Rinker called for a roll call vote with the following results:
Council Member Le Vine No
Council Member Mauck Yes
Council Member Nicholson Yes
Vice Mayor Taylor No
Council Member Rinker Yes
Council Member Terndrup No
Council Member Wallace Absent
Council Member Whittle No
The amendment fails.
Discussion on the original motion:
Council Member Le Vine made some points on clarification. The minimum water rate is going up 10%. He was surprised, but 40% of users only use the minimum. The additional increases on the water and sewer rates for each additional 1,000 gallons used is 24.5% and 22% respectively; this is not a 30% increase. The increases in water and sewer fees are partially built in to start the process of getting sufficient funds to pay back the $30 million. He said this is why he mentioned roughly 16% increases in subsequent years, but that is assuming $30 million is borrowed at ~4.25%. If less is borrowed, the rates are lower so the increases will be lower. This is their best estimate to pay back and also to have the 5-year capital improvement plan. Not included in this budget is anyway to pay for a public safety building.
Council Member Rinker said he had a way to pay for the public safety building and that would be to borrow $30 million for 40 years. Mayor Crisman said this is not a part of the motion. Council Member Rinker said if a reserve fund is established and the reserve fund continues to build up and the debt is financed over a longer period of time, the principal can be paid off from the “rainy day fund” and you will have the money to build another building.
Council Member Nicholson said he looks at this as a “rainy day fund” because he hopes there are some grants that will reduce the amount to be financed.
Council Member Rinker called for the question. The vote was taken on a roll call vote with the following results:
Council Member Le Vine Yes
Council Member Mauck No
Council Member Nicholson No
Vice Mayor Taylor Yes
Council Member Rinker No
Council Member Terndrup Yes
Council Member Wallace Absent
Council Member Whittle Yes
The motion passed.
Council Member Le Vine moved to appropriate $8,749,260 for the FY2007-2008 budget; second by Vice Mayor Taylor. The motion passed on a roll call vote with the following results:
Council Member Le Vine Yes
Council Member Mauck No
Council Member Nicholson No
Vice Mayor Taylor Yes
Council Member Rinker No
Council Member Terndrup Yes
Council Member Wallace Absent
Council Member Whittle Yes
Ordinance Committee: Council Member Terndrup said the committee met on June 6, 2007. Attending the meeting were: Vice Mayor Taylor, Council Member Terndrup, Planning Commission Chair Smith, Town Planner Amos, and Planning Intern Jessica Putman.
Council Member Terndrup said he had four action items from the Public Hearing.
6.3 Parking lot landscaping requirements. Copies of all the ordinance changes/additions were included in the Council Packet. He continued by saying this is the third month of considering this ordinance. It has been through revisions with the Planning Commission and he has not received questions or comments.
Council Member Terndrup moved to accept 6.3 as a new ordinance; second by Council Member Le Vine. The motion passed unanimously.
2-8.2 (b) (c) – special uses permitted under C-2. Council Member Terndrup explained this is just completing the revisions from last month regarding special used in the highway commercial district.
Council Member Terndrup moved to accept the revisions to 2-8.2(b) (c); second by Council Member Le Vine. The motion passed unanimously.
M-1 , 2-9.3 which would just add the phrase “other uses by review”. This would give the Planning Commission additional flexibility on special use permits under this zoning.
Council Member Terndrup moved to accept 2-9.3; second by Council Member Le Vine. The motion passed unanimously.
Section 5.2 – new wording would replace the existing language in 5.2. The intent of the new language is to provide notice of appropriate uses before expenses occur to developers, as well as ensuring all new uses conform to local ordinances.
Council Member Terndrup moved to accept Section 5.2; second by Council Member Le Vine. The motion passed unanimously.
Council Member Terndrup said also discussed at the meeting was a citizen request for an animal occupancy standard. Chief Sutherly will look into this and report to the committee in July. They are looking at a increase in revenue by imposing a 25 cent tax on tobacco products. This is in line with Woodstock and Mt. Jackson. They are waiting for further review on spot blights. Included in tonight’s Public Hearing was portable storage units and there were no comments on that so this will be discussed further at the July meeting. Planner Amos will be reviewing submission of minor subdivisions in July. Crosswalk safety will also be discussed in July and Staff will look at Signal Knolls to see how things are going in this area. Bed and Breakfast establishments will be looked at further as well as an ordinance concerning tall grass.
Buildings and Grounds Committee: no report
Streets Committee: Council Member Rinker said the committee met on May 14, 2007. Representatives of the Strasburg Fire Department and Strasburg Rescue Squad attended to discuss the changing of the one-way section of Washington Street. Mr. Ron Cromer said there are 13 fire department members, 3 rescue squad members, 4 Virginia State Troopers, and 1 Fairfax County investigator who depend on this one-way section. It was decided to leave it as it currently is. Director of Public Works Rhodes will be placing a “No U-Turn” sign on Lincoln Street. The committee is still waiting on quotes for the drainage problem behind the Strasburg Theatre and the surrounding area. He concluded by saying he would not have a meeting in the next month unless there is a request for one. Planner Amos said she has received a vacation request for Hiden Street behind the Hupp Street townhouses. Council Member Rinker said this will be discussed following the next Council meeting.
Special Committee Reports:
Strasburg Heritage Association: Council Member Whittle recently sent out a newsletter. The Association was at the Hottle-Keller homestead for a meeting on June 10. The group’s next event will be on September 16 for Strasburg Family Day where families can come in and learn about researching ancestry.
Chamber of Commerce: Clerk Keller reported the Chamber met on June 12. Margaret Struder told about the bike event that will be held at the Strasburg Town Park in July. The Chamber will be having a fundraiser during football season where they will be selling tickets much like they did during March Madness. Oktoberfest will be held on October 6 and it was discussed having Brian Mitchell attend this as he missed Mayfest and also having the Street Dance in conjunction with this.
Hometown Strasburg: Mrs. Carla Wallen thanked Council Member Rinker for donating a survey on the property to be used for a pocket park at the Fire Department. They are currently working on the site plan.
New Christmas ornaments have been picked out for the light poles. These will be interspersed with the wooden ornaments. The remaining ornaments will be used from the railroad bridge out toward I81.
Welcome Baskets will be delivered this Saturday, June 16, and the group will probably be giving 20 baskets this month.
Ms. Margaret Struder has much grant writing experience and will be helping the group with their grant proposal. Mrs. Wallen attended a VDOT workshop for groups wanting to submit a grant by November 1, 2007, and she was told Strasburg would have been the next grant approved if the money would have been there.
Several members of the group went to the Living Towns seminar in Sperryville. Attending were: Mrs. Wallen, Jeff Taylor, Linda Carver, and Vice Mayor Taylor. They learned that it is thought the network computer will have a bigger impact on the world than either the automobile or jet airplane.
Mayor Crisman reported the three new committees have been busy. The Economic Development Committee is still working with the Planning Commission on the Comprehensive Plan. The Cultural Initiative Committee will be working with Oktoberfest. And, the Communication Committee is working on several different ideas – interconnection between websites, a comprehensive community calendar, and placing a sign in front of the Town Hall announcing meetings, etc.
Old Business:
New Business:
Council Member Mauck thanked Director of Public Works Rhodes for a great monthly report given in the final agenda packet
Council Member Rinker said he understands there has been a stop work order issued on the Island Farm. He understands there was work being done that violated the permits they had received. Town Manager Fauber said no action will need to be taken by Council at this time and no stop work order was given. Planner Amos has sent a certified letter to the owner, but the receipt has not been received yet on this. Town Manager Fauber and Mr. Hepner are monitoring the situation. Town Attorney Neal explained a rezoning was done and it stands rezoned. If they want the status-quo to be maintained, something else will have to be filed. He is doubtful this will happen due to the cost. There is nothing stopping the developer from presenting plans, but they will have to go through all the processes. They would be doing this at their own risk and cannot claim undue reliance. They have met and discussed the soil stockpiling. It was not decided where the soil came from, but Mr. Hepner had a concern about this as he thought it might have come from off-site. Planner Amos said the soil can be taken to the site from the current Oxbow development.
Council Member Rinker said he had received a call that the developers permit to cross the stream has expired and he wanted to know if anyone had looked into that. Planner Amos said the person who handles these permits had stated she was coming to do an inspection and so she will check back with her on if the permit has expired.
Committee Dates:
Public Safety Committee TBA
Personnel Committee Wednesday, July 25 7:30 p.m.
Public Utilities Committee TBA
Recreation Committee Monday, July 9 6:30 p.m. (there will be a presentation by the Cedar Creek/Belle Grove Advisory Group)
Finance Committee
Ordinance Committee Tuesday, July 3 4:30 p.m.
Streets Committee Monday, July 16 7:30 p.m.
Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.