MINUTES PURCELLVILLE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING WORK SESSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025, 6:00 PM TOWN HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Christopher Bertaut, Vice Mayor Ben Nett, Council members Erin Rayner, Susan Khalil, Carol Luke, Caleb Stought, Kevin Wright STAFF PRESENT: Interim Town Manager Kwasi Fraser, Town Attorney John Cafferky, Assistant Town Manager Diana Hays, Director of Human Resources LaDonna Snellbaker, Town Clerk Kimberly Bandy CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bertaut called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. AGENDA AMENDMENTS Council member Rayner proposed to table agenda 10g. (Assessment of Staff Support Level and Value Proposition for Main Street USA Steering Committee), which is the assessment of staff support level and value proposition for the Main Street USA Steering Committee. She shared there is no staff reports or supporting documents, and it was a last-minute add after the agenda deadline. (Failed: 3-4, Stought: Aye, Khalil: Nay, Luke: Nay, Rayner: Aye, Wright: Aye; Nett: Nay, Bertaut: Nay) Council member Khalil moved to make an amendment to the February 25, 2025 agenda as follows; she moved to table agenda item 10d. (Police Chief Recruiting Process). It had come to the attention of the Town Council that a procurement is underway to hire an independent consultant to review the police department to include discovery of and recommendations for changes to staffing and structure. Council member Rayner showed concern regarding having a discussion on the interviewing process and question of the contractor. Council member Wright shared the item of hiring an independent consultant had come as a surprise and there was a need to discuss Police Chief hiring process. Council member Khalil questioned if Council even needed to approve for the Interim Town Manager to go forward to do good for the Police Department and she believed there was a need for this prior to hiring a Chief. Council member Stought emphasized there is a need to hire a Chief of Police prior to any assessment and this item should be left on the agenda. Council member Wright requested a point of order on Vice Mayor Nett's ability to vote upon this item. John Cafferky, Town Attorney, noted that this is not a vote or discussion of the substantive item and it is on configuration of the agenda. (Carried: 4-3, Stought: Nay, Khalil: Aye, Luke: Aye, Rayner: Nay, Wright: Nay; Nett: Aye, Bertaut: Aye) Vice Mayor Nett moved to make an amendment to the February 25, 2025 agenda as follows; He moved that item 11 be replaced with a closed session to discuss a personnel Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 2 of14 matter. (The motion was second with no vote.) He added "related to the Zoning Administrator." Council member Rayner and Wright were taken back with this motion, questioned transparency, and if the motion was sufficient. Council member Stought questioned why this item was being added now. Vice Mayor Nett added the attendees for the closed meeting would be "All Town Council and the Town Attorney". (The motion was second with no vote.) Counçil member Stought and Council member Rayner made points to further clarify the motion with the need to cite Virginia Code and questioned if the Human Resource Director or the Town Attorney were involved in any discussions. Vice Mayor Nett moved to make an amendment to the February 25, 2025 agenda as follows; He moved that item 11 be replaced with a closed session to discuss a personnel matter. He moved as authorized under section $2.2-3711.A.1 ofthe code of Virginia that the Town Council can convene a closed meeting to discuss and consider the personnel matter with all members ofTown Council and the Town Attorney in attendance. (Carried: 4-3, Stought: Nay, Khalil: Aye, Luke: Aye, Rayner: Nay, Wright: Nay; Nett: Aye, Bertaut: Aye) Council member Wright moved that we amend the agenda to replace the closed session due to lack of any information ahead of time. He didn't feel that there's a best use of time and the information is not there. So, he moved that the new item 11A, which was just replaced, be removed from the agenda. (Failed: 3-4, Stought: Aye, Khalil: Nay, Luke: Nay, Rayner: Aye, Wright: Aye; Nett: Nay, Bertaut: Nay) Council member Stought raised the question of why the Planning Update was removed from the agenda last Friday when it was on the agenda Thursday. Council member Stought shared the purpose of the item as originally discussed it, which was to have the Zoning Administrator present her recommendations on the zoning ordinance to the entirety oft the body SO that they could be discussed by the entirety of the body in public view for transparency's sake. Mayor Bertaut responded with further review of the state code for the development of the zoning ordinance the process is that any changes to the zoning ordinance should go through the Planning Commission, and be discussed by them. The Planning Commission have seen these changes and did not choose to include them in the zoning ordinance. Council member Stought moved to make an amendment to the February 25, 2025 agenda as follows; Add item 10h. Planning Update. (Failed: 3-4, Stought: Aye, Khalil: Nay, Luke: Nay, Rayner: Aye, Wright: Aye; Nett: Nay, Bertaut: Nay) Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 3 of14 ADOPTION OF MEETING AGENDA Council member Luke made the motion to adopt the February 25, 2025 Town Council Meeting Work Session agenda as amended. (Carried: 4-3, Stought: Nay, Khalil: Aye, Luke: Aye, Rayner: Nay, Wright: Nay; Nett: Aye, Bertaut: Aye) CONSENT AGENDA: a. Approval of January 14, 2025 Meeting Minutes Council member Luke moved that the Purcellville Town Council approve (the Consent agenda item 5a.) the. January 14, 2025 (Town Council) meeting minutes. (Carried: 7-0, Stought: Aye, Khalil: Aye, Luke: Aye, Rayner: Aye, Wright: Aye; Nett: Aye, Bertaut: Aye) CITIZEN/BUSINESS COMMENTS: Stanley J. Milan, Sr., 237 E. Skyline Drive, a former mayor acknowledged breaking their own promise not to comment on Town Council actions, changing their stance after hearing it was acceptable. He noted recurring concerns in citizen comments at recent meetings, stemming from the January 8th removal of the Town Manager and the rescinding of a Planning Commission appointment. He accused the Council of eliminating opposition to a hidden agenda and criticized the lack of transparency in selecting an Interim Town Manager. He questioned the sudden hiring process, the removal of a job requisition for a permanent Town Manager, and whether more qualified candidates had applied. Mr. Milan condemned the Council's actions as undemocratic and embarrassing and also questioned their moral character and accused a Council member of a conflict ofi interest in voting on the Interim Town Manager's contract. He claimed to have witnessed political alliances influencing decisions and equated the situation to an unethical quid pro quo that warranted al higher investigation. Mr. Milan criticized the Mayor for pushing through a flawed contract with a salary increase without Council consultation, calling it a misappropriation of public funds. Erica Stought, 210 Upper Brook Terrace, criticized several council members, calling their actions unethical and unacceptable. She defended past decisions to raise water rates, arguing they were necessary to maintain essential town services. She warned against funding cuts, particularly for emergency services, and expressed frustration over delays in capital improvement projects (CIP). Ms. Stought accused officials ofignoring expert advice, misrepresenting information, and failing to act transparently. She highlighted concerns about PFAS contamination in water, urging immediate action. She ended by referencing a counter tracking unresolved issues and noted her water rates remained unchanged. Becky Gardner, 410 S. Nursery Avenue, spoke about her concerns regarding local politics. She criticized Ben Nett, referring to him as a "town bully with a badge, 1 and called out divisive political tactics by local leaders and campaigners. Ms. Gardner recounted her introduction to Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 4 of14 Purcellville politics through Carol Luke, who warned her against a former mayoral candidate, Joel Grewe, using what she later perceived as manipulative tactics. She also described a concerning encounter where Council member Luke reportedly told her seven-year-old son that their family had the "wrong" campaign sign in their yard. Ms. Gardner emphasized the need for more ethical and respectful political discourse, urging the community to focus on constructive engagement rather than divisive rhetoric, especially when it involves children. Nicholas Pelchar, 530 South 20th Street, expressed disappointment in the audience's behavior at the meeting before addressing concerns over the town's water agreements. He criticized a past contract that has allegedly resulted in payments for water to a former mayor's family and now an unknown LLC for the past 16 years. Arguing that these contracts are legally invalid under Virginia law, they urged the current council to use condemnation laws to nullify them immediately. He warned that similar deals could put the town in further legal jeopardy and called for urgent action to end the agreements. Eric Zimmerman, 241 W. Main Street, a former Mayor, who has lived in the town for nearly 41 years, reflected on past challenges, particularly dealing with water and sewer mandates during his tenure. He emphasized the importance of integrity and transparency in governance, values he instilled in his children and upheld during his time in office. Expressing concern over recent events, he warned that the Town's leadership had lost its integrity and developed a bad reputation over the past two months. Beverly Chiasson, 110 N. 28th Street, addressed the Purcellville Town Council, drawing comparisons between Purcellville and Hopewell, Virginia, despite their demographic differences. She highlighted a series of controversies in Hopewell, including financial crises, conflicts of interest, and council disputes, noting striking similarities to recent events in Purcellville. Specifically, she pointed to concerns over conflicts of interest related to the termination of the former town manager and the hiring of his replacement. She emphasized that conflicts of interest can have serious legal and contractual consequences and urged the council to acknowledge these risks. Christy Morgan, 608 Greysands Lane, raised concerns about cronyism, conflicts ofi interest, transparency, and broken promises within the Purcellville Town Council. She criticized the appointment of Kwasi-Fraser as Interim Town Manager, arguing that he was unqualified and selected due to political loyalty rather than merit. She accused Council member Nett of failing to resign from his town position as promised and of not properly recusing himself from key votes. She also questioned whether the lawyer would address the issue of conflicts of interest in decision-making. Ms. Morgan alleged that Council members were avoiding transparency by using alternative communication methods and conducting unofficial discussions before being sworn in. She pointed out that promises to lower water bills lacked a clear financial plan, calling them misleading. She emphasized the need for impartiality and respect, particularly referencing how Summer Wilkes was treated in the Planning Commission meeting. Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 5 of14 Casey Chapman, 125 Hirst Road CaseCo LLC, criticized the Council for ethical and procedural concerns, particularly regarding the release oft the Interim Town Manager and hiring oft third- party consultants without transparency. He questioned the spending on a Police department evaluation instead of addressing critical infrastructure issues like water supply and fire safety. Mr. Chapman expressed frustration over the lack of Council attentiveness to major public concerns and condemned the last-minute closed session regarding the Zoning Administrator as inappropriate and unjustified. Brian Morgan, 608 Greysands Lane, emphasized the importance of transparent governance and expressed concerns about potential backroom dealings among town officials. He referenced an article suggesting that council members and the mayor: may have used the Signal app to conduct private, encrypted discussions, potentially circumventing FOIA regulations. He questioned whether this app was used to coordinate decisions, particularly regarding the replacement of the town manager and other major votes that frequently passed 4-3. Morgan raised concerns about possible FOIA requests to investigate these matters further and warned that town staff should prepare for increased scrutiny. Beth Goldsmith, 301 W. School Street,and Vice Chair of the Board of Architectural Review, spoke about her deep care for the town and her commitment to staying informed beyond social media and newspapers. She expressed disappointment in the town's current state and emphasized the need for a fresh perspective, advocating for a new town manager without past baggage. She urged leaders to act with integrity, suggesting that even if an action isn't technically a conflict of interest, officials should err on the side of caution and recuse themselves when appropriate. While acknowledging the efforts ofthose in leadership, she stressed that the town must do better and uphold higher standards. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS: Council Member Rayner expressed frustration with the lack of transparency and poor decision- making by the Interim Town Manager and some Council members. Council member Rayner criticized the last-minute changes to the agenda, which forced staff to work during their vacations and removed important items. She also condemned the lack of respect for staff, citing how a Planning Director's work was disregarded and changed without proper notice. Council member Rayner questioned the ethics ofi initiating a Police Department operations audit without Council discussion and pointed out the unnecessary costs involved, given that previous reports and studies had already been ignored. She called for better communication between the Town Manager and Council, citing lessons from past issues. She expressed hope that the Interim Town Manager had learned from past mistakes to avoid history repeating itself. Council Member Wright expressed growing frustration with the council's actions, calling them unethical and corrupt. He criticized the disregard for public input, stating that speakers at the podium are being ignored, and questioned the motives behind certain agenda items, including the town manager position. Wright warned that the situation could lead to further issues within the town, specifically targeting the police department and town staff morale. He implied that the current leadership's decisions were the root cause of these problems, leading to the department's Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 6 of14 struggles. Wright urged citizens to stay engaged and not to remain silent in the face of these issues, stressing the importance oft their continued involvement. Vice Mayor Nett chose not to address historical grievances, acknowledging that some individuals have not moved past, the past election results. Instead, he expressed appreciation for the Mayor and Council Member Luke attending the ribbon-cutting for Purcellville IHOP, as well as Councilman Stought, who joined later. Vice Mayor Nett highlighted the opportunity to meet the owners and operations manager of IHOP, learning about the challenges ofr running a restaurant and business. He concluded by expressing gratitude for the business being part ofthe community and thanking everyone for attending the event. Council Member Luke echoed Vice Mayor Nett's sentiments, expressing enthusiasm about the meeting with the IHOP owners. She noted that it was exciting to see the restaurant nearly filled, with about three-quarters of the seats occupied by regular customers during their first week of opening. Council member Luke also mentioned the positive activity at Panera, emphasizing how both businesses contribute to the Town's vibrancy. She concluded by expressing his pleasure in seeing these developments and thanking everyone involved. Council Member Khalil responded to Council Member Wright's comments by referring to recent discussions where two key staff members had suggested eliminating the police department. She then welcomed IHOP to the community, expressing her love for pancakes, and gave a belated welcome to Panera, noting the positive addition of dining variety in town. Council member Khalil also thanked (Interim) Town Manager Fraser for promptly providing requested information from the previous meeting, acknowledging it as a good start while indicating that there was still more information she hoped to receive. She concluded by expressing his appreciation for the quick service and stated that she was looking forward to reviewing the information further. Council Member Stought began by congratulating IHOP on joining the community, emphasizing the importance of a strong business sector for both town revenue and employment. He also thanked the Interim Town Manager for providing a detailed analysis on CIP deferrals, noting the Town's delay in addressing critical water and sewer needs, and stressing the duty of elected officials to resolve this issue during the budget season. Council member Stought raised concerns about a unilateral action by the Mayor to remove the posting for a new Town Manager, which contradicted a unanimous vote by the Council to begin the search. He emphasized that the will of the majority should be followed and no one member, including the Mayor, should direct staff against a Council vote. Council member Stought criticized the process surrounding agenda changes, specifically the late removal of items and the last-minute changes to the agenda, which caused unnecessary delays for staff. He apologized for the impact on staff and stressed the importance of respecting their time. He also expressed regret over the disrespectful treatment of staff members, particularly Summer WIlkes, at the meeting. Mayor Bertaut started by expressing excitement about the IHOP Grand Opening, highlighting that two of the owners have PhDs and that it's a great addition to the town's breakfast options. Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 7 of14 He also mentioned the upcoming basketball games for the Virginia Valley Vipers, encouraging community support. He emphasized the upcoming budget sessions scheduled for March 19th and 26th, noting the importance of carefully reviewing the CIP data to align the budget with the Town's essential services, including clean water and safe streets. The mayor also pointed out a minor suggestion regarding saving on office supplies but deemed it insufficient in addressing more substantial budget needs. Mayor Bertaut issued a public apology to Ron Rise, Chair of the Planning Commission, for the negative portrayal ofhis meeting conduct. He reviewed the meeting and confirmed that it was conducted professionally and in accordançe with bylaws and rules. The apology extended to the misrepresentation of the agenda-setting process, and the mayor reaffirmed that the Planning Commission has the authority to make changes to the agenda as needed. Mayor Bertaut concluded by praising Chair Rise's work on the Planning Commission and hoped for his continued contribution to the town. INTERIM TOWN MANAGER KEY UPDATES The Interim Town Manager shared several important updates. The 2026 Fiscal Year Budget has been successfully finalized, thanks to the collaborative efforts of staff across departments. The final budget will be presented to the Council for deliberation on March 19th. In response to the ongoing PFAS contamination issue, the Interim Town Manager will attend a meeting next week at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Lab in Maryland. The meeting aims to explore potential collaborations to address PFAS risks, with the goal of working alongside leading researchers to mitigate costs for municipalities. Additionally, concerns about high turnover in the police department, particularly with officers leaving shortly after being hired, led to the decision to conduct a police department assessment. Twelve applicants have been received for this assessment, and a decision will be made soon. Finally, the Interim Town Manager expressed appreciation for Andrea Broskevitch and Reza's efforts in launching the GIS Hub. This new tool will provide residents with easy access to zoning information and details about Verizon's fiber deployment throughout the town. ACTION: a. Removal of Community Policing Advisory Committee from Town Code John Cafferky, Town Attorney, gave the report. Mr. Cafferky provided an update on the Community Policing Advisory Committee, which was established by ordinance in 2020 but has remained largely inactive. The committee held some initial meetings, but its last meeting occurred in May 2022. As it has not functioned for nearly three years, Mr. Cafferky suggested that the section of the town code related to the committee be removed. He referenced the Code of Virginia, which mandates that the subject of an ordinance be removed by another ordinance. He presented suggested ordinance language for the removal ofthe committee from the town code and offered to answer any questions. Vice Mayor Nett confirmed with Mr. Cafferky there was no conflict in his participation with this item. Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 8 of14 Vice Mayor Nett moved that Town Council adopt Ordinance 25-02-02, removing and deleting from the Town Code those provisions pertaining to the establishment and maintenance of a Community Policing Advisory Committee. (Carried: 6-1, Stought: Aye, Khalil: Aye, Luke: Aye, Rayner: Aye, Wright: Nay; Nett: Aye, Bertaut: Aye) DISCUSSION a. Amendments to Sidewalk Clearing Ordinance John Cafferky, Town Attorney, gave the report. Mr. Cafferky discussed the need to update the town's sidewalk clearing ordinance, which is several decades old. Staff reviewed sidewalk clearing ordinances from other Virginia jurisdictions, including a recently amended ordinance from Leesburg, and also explored ordinances from outside Virginia. The update addresses concerns about differentiating between residential and commercial properties, especially regarding the potential for property owners to inadvertently incur fees or liens. Staff made efforts to revise the ordinance text based on these concerns, and while the revised version is not in the most user-friendly format, it is a redlined version of the existing ordinance with suggested changes. Council Member Wright expressed concern about the 24-hour timeframe for clearing snow from sidewalks, suggesting it might be too tight, particularly depending on when the snow falls and residents' work schedules. He recommended extending the timeframe to 36 hours to allow more flexibility and safety, as clearing snow in the middle of the night, especially during winter when days are shorter, could be hazardous. Mr. Cafferky acknowledged the 24-hour period was based on common practices from other ordinances but emphasized that the final decision on timing is up to the Council. Vice Mayor Nett questioned whether the proposed sidewalk clearing ordinance was addressing a real problem. He asked ifit would be permissible for Council members to communicate through the. Assistant Town Manager or Clerk to review the draft language and come to a consensus before the next meeting. Mr. Cafferky responded and highlighted that while individual communications are fine, caution is needed regarding multiple communications to all members of the Council to avoid violating FOIA regulations. It was suggested that edits could be shared with the Town Manager to create a revised draft for future discussion. Council Member Luke acknowledged that the sidewalk clearing ordinance had been improved since the last discussion. She noted that for commercial properties, the clearing duration was shorter. She expressed that the 24-hour timeline starting after the snow stops falling seems workable for most people. Council Member Khalil expressed agreement with the ordinance, emphasizing the importance of having a baseline rule. She acknowledged that exceptions may arise due to factors like physical ability to clear snow. She appreciated the efforts made to accommodate special circumstances, as reflected in Section D, and considered it a good starting point. Mayor Bertaut expressed gratitude to the Town Attorney and staff for their work on the ordinance. He emphasized the importance of moving forward quickly, suggesting that ifit is delayed until June, it may lose its urgency. He proposed that all Town Council members send Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 9 of14 their proposed edits to the Assistant Town Manager to finalize a version of the ordinance for the next Town Council meeting. b. (REVISED) Town Code Amendment, Article IV, Division 3-Economic Development Advisory Committee Mayor Bertaut introduced a discussion about an amendment to the Town Code aimed at preventing the possibility of an Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) where all the members reside outside ofthe town. Council Member Rayner expressed strong opposition to the proposed amendment, calling it unnecessary and petty. She argued that the change made last year to allow business owners who don't live in town to serve on the EDAC was a response to feedback from the business community. Council member Rayner pointed out that there is no issue with the current composition of the committee, as there are already several residents serving. She emphasized that the Town Council can control who serves on the committee, and if there are concerns about the number of residents, they can simply reject non-resident applicants. She believed that revisiting this issue was a waste of time since the problem doesn't exist. Council Member Wright expressed frustration with revisiting the issue, arguing that it highlighted a disconnect between the Council and those working in the community. He recalled the previous discussions and decisions about the EDAC, where it was agreed that the Council has the authority to choose who sits on the committee, including non-residents with expertise. Council member Wright criticized the idea of re-addressing this topic, calling it petty and a waste of time, especially since the Council had already vetted and voted on the matter. He also criticized the staff time spent on it and suggested that it reflected poorly on the Council's ability to do its job. Vice Mayor Nett stated that he is listening to all points of view and will take them into consideration if and when the council moves to an action item on the issue. Council Member Luke expressed support for ensuring citizen representation, stating that it's important to have a balance oft three citizens from the town. She also emphasized the value of having business owners, regardless of whether they are from inside or outside the town. She would vote in favor oft the proposal and Council member Khalil agreed. Council Member Stought raised concerns about limiting the Town Council's discretion in appointing members to committees, specifically regarding the proposed requirement for a minimum oftwo town residents on the EDAC. While he understands the intent of ensuring town residents have a voice, he worries that such a restriction could lead to issues, especially ifthere is insufficient interest or engagement from town residents. He emphasized the importance of maintaining flexibility to prevent committees from becoming underpopulated or inactive, as has been seen with other boards in the past. Mayor Bertaut explained that their intent in proposing changes to the town code is to ensure the EDAC remains reflective of the Town's citizens. He aimed to eliminate the possibility ofhaving a committee composed entirely of non-town residents, emphasizing that while business owners' input is valuable, the voices of town residents should take precedence. He found it unacceptable for the committee to consist solely of non-residents and planned to bring this forward as an action item at the next Town Council meeting. Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 10 of14 C. (REVISED) Town Manager Recruiting Process LaDonna Snellbaker, Director ofHuman Resources, addressed the Mayor and Council to provide an update on the Town Manager recruitment process, which she initiated following the Council's direction on January 28, 2025. She explained that she followed a standard executive-level search approach, including posting the position description and job advertisement to attract candidates. As oft that afternoon, approximately 60 qualified candidates had applied, with about half meeting the job requirements. Ms. Snellbaker expressed confusion over why a motion regarding the recruitment process was being discussed, given the progress made. She also conveyed frustration and offense, emphasizing her 30 years ofHR and recruiting experience. Concluding her remarks, she questioned how many Council members had experience in HR or recruiting. Snellbaker explained that the agenda includes the invitation to apply for the town manager position, which is largely the same as what Mr. Anzivino posted in March 2023, with minor updates to pictures and formatting. She included the Town Manager position description shared with the Council in January, along with a job advertisement that she personally mapped between the two. Additionally, she outlined the recruitment process, which mirrors the approach used by Mr. Anzivino in 2023, and provided a timeline from February 4 to March 4. Given the progress and effectiveness of the current approach, she expressed confusion over why the motion in the agenda packet was necessary. Council member Rayner asked the Mayor why this item was on the agenda. Mayor Bertaut responded that the agenda item was included to discuss why the job posting did not match the version circulated to the Town Council for comments on January 14. Mayor emphasized that the Town Council is the key audience for this hiring process and should be aware of and agree to the listed qualifications. Additionally, he pointed out that neither the Interim Town Manager nor the previous Town Manager would meet the qualifications outlined in the job posting on the Town website. Council member Rayner agreed and shared that that is why she did not vote for the previous Town Manager with a caveat, Mr. Bremseth proved to be a unicorn with government experience and a team leader, and she failed to see this quality in the Interim Town Manager. She shared the Town needs of someone qualified to be a Town Manager who is a member oft the ICMA and trained in managing dysfunctional towns, and leadership is needed quickly. Vice Mayor Nett referenced an email exchange between the Town Council, the HR Director, and the Assistant Town Manager, in which Ms. Snellbaker stated that Mr. Bremseth's hiring bypassed the usual recruitment and selection process. Nett noted that Mr. Bremseth's resume had been forwarded by the former Mayor to the then-HR Director. He then highlighted Mr. Fraser's qualifications, emphasizing his experience as a four-term mayor and deep knowledge oflocal issues. Vice Mayor Nett suggested that, ifthe Town Manager role were elected, Mr. Fraser would likely win. He criticized the current job posting, arguing that it was created without Council input and seemed designed to exclude the acting town manager. Vice Mayor Nett pointed out that Fraser had already identified over $1 million in potential savings in CIP projects. He further suggested that the Council should prioritize financial responsibility, particularly regarding proposed water and sewer rate increases of 18-22% for the upcoming fiscal year, following previous double-digit increases. Concluding his remarks, Nett introduced an alternative motion. Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 11 of14 Vice Mayor Nett moved that the Town Council vote to recognize and accept as presumptively qualified for aj permanent appointment as Town Manager any individual who currently serves or has served as Town Manager or Interim Town Manager, and propose with that we keep the vacancy announcement, with that caveat, consider all the people who have applied and who will continue to apply, presumably, until the close date, and then we can consider all the applicants, including the incumbent ifhe SO chooses to take on that responsibility, and offer himself for consideration before the body. Ms. Snellbaker shared that he should have to apply to follow proper process, and she would put together a matrix of all the applicants for Council review. She shared the differences seen between posting and documents are formatting only to make a more attractive posting. Council member Luke and Khalil agreed with the motion, and they would review all candidates who apply. Council member Stought did not understand the need for modification of the job posting for the current Interim Town Manager and referred to Vice Mayor Nett. Vice Mayor noted that the job posting differed from what was presented to some Town Council members. He only became aware ofthe January 14 version due to an email from Mayor Bertaut. Although the email thread showed him on the distribution list, he did not receive it in his inbox. Vice Mayor pointed out that the former Mayor remained on the distribution list after his term ended, suggesting this may have been an oversight. He emphasized that the Town Manager position is accountable to the Town Council, not the HR Director, and asserted that the Council has the right and responsibility to review the posting and consider all applicants before making an appointment. Ms. Snellbaker acknowledged that the Town Council appoints the Town Manager but emphasized the importance of following proper protocols as outlined in the handbook and standard recruiting processes. She shared while the Council ultimately decides on the appointment after reviewing candidates and conducting interviews, the selection process should follow established procedures and remain fair. Vice Mayor Nett shared this was not the most recently followed process and Ms. Snellbaker had been uninvolved at that time. Council member Stought still did not understand the need for the modification for the current Interim Town Manager to apply and needed clarification on the motion made. Council member Stought continued with the time line and how on the 28th of January the Human Resources Director was directed by Council to go forward with the job posting as shared. He addressed the previous comment on the appointment of the last Town Manager which was done under Kwasi Faser and Valerie Cury. Council Member Wright expressed frustration over the hiring process, suggesting that decisions were made behind the scenes before the meeting. He criticized the apparent pre-selection of a candidate, arguing that it undermined the recruitment process and disrespected the 60 other applicants. Council member Wright emphasized the importance of maintaining minimum qualifications for the Town Manager role, warning against lowering standards for political reasons. He questioned the ethics ofthe decision-making process and accused some Council members of prioritizing personal agendas over the Town's best interests. Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 12 of14 Council member Rayner confirmed with Ms. Snellbaker the time and costs accompanied by a hiring process and funds were spent on other applicants during Mr. Bremseth' s interview process. She suggested to not waste Town time and money, and Vice Mayor interjected to clarify if this was to appoint a permanent Town Manager this evening. Mayor Bertaut restated the job posting did not match the version circulated to the Town Council for comments on January 14th. The job posting that was presented to the Town Council for approval was not the same as the one that was ultimately posted. The changes made were more than just formatting adjustments; additional qualifications were added. Since the Town Manager reports to the Town Council, Council should have been consulted, as they are the ultimate decision-makers in the hiring process. The Town Council should always determine the minimum qualifications for the Town Manager position. However, the qualifications included in the final job posting were not detailed in the information provided to the Council before their vote. He continued because of this discrepancy, moving forward with the hiring process as it stands is not acceptable. Council member Wright requested proof of significant differences or given examples and suggested it could be included in the agenda packet. Council member Stought requested a difference be shared and Mayor referred to the previous emails. Vice Mayor Nett moved that the Town Council vote to recognize and accept as presumptively qualified for permanent appointment as Town Manager, is there any individual who currently serves or has served as Town Manager or Interim Town Manager. Council member Luke would like all to agree to follow the process. Council member Stought asked the Town Attorney ifit was legal to hire someone under conditions of the motion, the Town Attorney confirmed it was up to the Council for requirements of a Town Manager. He then confirmed with Ms. Snellbaker ifit were possible to include the new provisions and she responded positively and she would continue to move forward with the process with changes. He then apologized to Ms. Snellbaker for Council's actions on this item. (Carried: 4-3, Stought: Nay, Khalil: Aye, Luke: Aye, Rayner: Nay, Wright: Nay; Nett: Aye, Bertaut: Aye) d. (REVISED) Police Chief Recruiting Process (Removed from the agenda) e. Human Resources Manual Review Update LaDonna Snellbaker, Director of Human Resources, gave the report and shared the manual is with VRSA, and the timeline remains the same. Councilmember Khalil asked about the employee compliance training and whether it was handled through VRSA. Ms. Snellbaker Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 13 of14 clarified that the training was already in progress and had been sent out through the Neo-Gov system. All employees were notified, with a completion deadline by the end ofl March. f. Future Town Council Meetings and Agenda Topics Assistant Town Manager Diana Hays gave the report and requested input from Town Council. Council member Wright suggested doing away with this item concerning staff time and questioned the worthiness of this process. Mayor Bertaut asked Summer Wilkes, Director of Planning and Community Development, to expand on the March 11th agenda item "Fire Flow Standard". Ms. Wilkes provided an update on the Town fire flow standards' adoption. She shared working with the Town Engineer and Jordan Andrews to address the long-standing issue of meeting fire flow requirements and a consultant recommended adopting a local ordinance with clear standards to facilitate development. Ms. Wilkes shared the Town has received a report from the consultant and is ready to present the ordinance language at the next meeting. There was a Council discussion on fire hydrant testing and this is not a process. Mayor Bertaut tabled the next agenda item 10.g Assessment ofStaff Support Level and Value Proposition, for Main Street USA Steering Committee and Council member Stought requested a point of order that a vote needed to be made. Council member Rayner moved to table the agenda item 10.g Assessment of Staff Support Level and Value Proposition, for Main Street USA Steering Committee (Carried: 7-0, Stought: Aye, Khalil: Aye, Luke: Aye, Rayner: Aye, Wright: Aye; Nett: Aye, Bertaut: Aye) CLOSED SESSION As authorized by the Code ofVirginia $ 2.2-3711(A)(I) and 2.2-3711(A)8), Vice Mayor Nett moved that Town Council convene in a closed meeting to discuss the performance of an appointee oft the public body and consultation with legal counsel retained by the public body concerning the same. Specifically, the Town Council will discuss the performance oft the Zoning Administrator. The following are requested to attend the closed meeting: All Town Council members Town Attorney John Cafferky Council member Stought added a friendly amendment to include LaDonna Snellbaker, Director of Human Resources and it was accepted. (Carried: 4-3, Stought: Nay, Khalil: Aye, Luke: Aye, Rayner: Nay, Wright: Nay; Nett: Aye, Bertaut: Aye) Town Council Meeting Work Session February 25, 2025 Page 14 of14 CERTIFY THE CLOSED MEETING: In accordance with Section $2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia, Council member Luke moved that Town Council certify to the best of each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered in the meeting by the public body. (Carried: 4-3, Stought: Nay, Khalil: Aye, Luke: Aye, Rayner: Nay, Wright: Nay; Nett: Aye, Bertaut: Aye) Council member Stought requested an open discussion of matters in the closed session. Mayor Bertaut denied this stating it had occurred in a closed session. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, Council member Wright made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50PM. CLEL M1. A Christopher Bertaut, Mayor MmbalBandey Kimberly Bandy own Clerk Mayor Interim Town Manager Christopher Bertaut Kwasi Fraser Town of Assistant Town Manager Diana Hays Town Council Susan Khalil rceMille Virginia Carol Luke Ben Nett 221 S. Nursery Ave. Erin Rayner Purcellville, VA 20132 CalebJ. Stought Phone: (540) 338-7421 Kevin B. Wright wwwpurelvllevago TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE IN LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA ORDINANCE NO. 25-02-02 PRESENTED: FEBRUARY 25. 2025 ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 25, 2025 AN ORDINANCE deleting and removing Purcellville Town Code Chapter 2, Article IV, Division 10, comprising sections 2-365 through 2-370, inclusive, pertaining to a Community Policing Advisory Committee. WHEREAS the Purcellville Town Council on October 13, 2020 adopted Ordinance 20-09-01, adding to the Purcellville Town Code Chapter 2, Article IV, Division 10, comprising sections 2- 365 through 2-370, inclusive, establishing a Community Policing Advisory Committee; and WHEREAS since the creation of the Community Policing Advisory Committee, participation on and meetings oft this committee have been sporadic and limited, and the committee has been vacant and inactive for more than two years; and WHEREAS the Town Council has accordingly determined that the Community Policing Advisory Committee should be discontinued, and that the corresponding provisions of the Town Code should be deleted and removed; NOW, THEREFORE the Town Council of Purcellville, Virginia hereby ordains: Section 1: Purcellville Town Code Chapter 2, Article IV, Division 10, comprising sections 2- 365 through 2-370 shall be, and hereby is, deleted and removed from the Town Code. Section 2. This ordinance shall be effective upon its adoption. PASSED THIS 25TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025. CLLLM. 50 Christopher Bertaut, Mayor, Town o Purcellville ATTEST: KimbuMBauoy V Kimberly Bandy, Town Clerk