[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6683244,"mediaKeyId","2159116-2f7231d4fe1cca256d84d127395e59ec","parentId",2159116,"title","Council adopts traffic-code updates, adds table of fines for clarity","audioSeconds",90,"startMs",192000,"endMs",282000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159116-2f7231d4fe1cca256d84d127395e59ec&start=192&end=282","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159116-2f7231d4fe1cca256d84d127395e59ec/thumbnail_192000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6683244/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Council-adopts-traffic-code-updates-adds-table-of-fines-for-clarity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683244-23637f7d4c2e5d9a2c84c8f9370b5bf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436916&Signature=W8KsY5l4RjfbjqFfohWwaZ3II0CO-Qfg2Y1lnYJgIShq8QG1~K0A8UWwzzm74EE5u4qy-ctA5ZygR14KC1OKwwU6STFZNmJteN1SUw1tWG0z4FdUeIJ5gpOXUiGekk1Vq9W2qYPH7jp6NWVvAWN1gKuFIPXNeTToiCaA-kGOdV-6Tj8QQ4LpHAxOc7bcw3r0X6xonmuomx9s1FXC7TK5voqGhWvDE8xX4K3KstSz5VuwgSy9RKvLIJXYn-nyqqdZgDkNi-5G1JIX5~Frp92-GSBDacopzMZQQOvCg9cTqRA4jAASLgZ-6ciFZtNWC9uCji7O7lb7cLjJZSmijBIV-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winchester","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Winchester City Council unanimously approved Wednesday an ordinance amending sections of chapter 14 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) of the Winchester City Code and adding a table of fines to clarify penalties.

Corey McKnight presented the ordinance at second reading and said the only change since the prior meeting was to add the table of fines so that readers could more easily locate penalty amounts. The amendments affect sections 14-1, 14-50, 14-55 and 14-77 of the code, according to the item title on the agenda.

No members of the public spoke to the ordinance during the council’s public hearing. The motion to approve was made by Councillor Bell and seconded by Councillor Herbstrup; the roll-call vote recorded the ordinance as passing 8-0.

Councilors did not discuss substantive policy changes at the meeting; staff characterized the ordinance as an organizational and clarity update. The ordinance will be codified in the city code as presented.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winchester - City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM - Jan 28 2025 - Jan 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Winchester City Council gave second reading approval to an ordinance amending several sections of chapter 14 of the Winchester City Code related to motor vehicles and traffic and added a table of fines to the code; the ordinance passed unanimously.","taxTitle","Winchester City, Frederick County, Virginia","taxId",5107,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6683247,"Council authorizes purchase agreements for two downtown parcels",58,2285000,2343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159116-2f7231d4fe1cca256d84d127395e59ec&start=2285&end=2343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159116-2f7231d4fe1cca256d84d127395e59ec/thumbnail_2285000.jpg","/articles/6683247/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Council-authorizes-purchase-agreements-for-two-downtown-parcels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683247-2536272534df637778b388134e0bbfea/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436916&Signature=dLPCtktd1PRWfTiYi6-8cepMEYRoNLQxdFjy40mJB42mtB2OdkoCQCBxlg4olbNb-yw1PypT759rPEjcyqnxpRygUxuAOhYDZB8XouZmnn3dsTizjc1Uf58qtskseGiYOQYuMyf~MxUG8KVic9rTXHj-pIYE~cApXXAxXfcmhu5qrw0bqr97evjMCaqd2X~NxVXMuX3h2gUqzepglc3VjcLat-tWqkSrf4SMZrltsWUl7X6aS1KrKEZdyvzDs7LTt11T5RnR5SGuiCS7Gl-tM00a0GYAIKzU7-6QovkhAwf97erH19mv4Tlkjwjz0vA3oxDF0NZ60ee4u41avXCADQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winchester City Council voted Wednesday to authorize the city manager to execute purchase and sale agreements for two properties: 419 North Cameron Street and 3 Battle Drive.

Councilor Wendell presented the item, describing the parcels as the same properties discussed at an earlier meeting and noting council previously instructed staff to proceed with purchase negotiations. Councilors moved and approved the resolution (R-2025-4) by voice vote; the motion was made by Councillor Bell and seconded by Councillor Neukom, and the vote carried without recorded opposition.

The council packet contains the transaction details; the motion before council authorized execution of purchase agreements and did not include sale prices or closing dates during the meeting discussion. Staff offered to answer questions and Councilor Wendell said information was “fairly straightforward.”

With the vote, staff may proceed with finalizing purchase documents under the authority given by the council resolution.","Winchester City Council authorized purchase and sale agreements for 419 North Cameron Street and 3 Battle Drive; details were in the council packet and presenters said council had previously directed staff to proceed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6683250,"Winchester approves up to $14 million in water and sewer bonds; residents ask about PFAS and microplastics",1974,297000,2271000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159116-2f7231d4fe1cca256d84d127395e59ec&start=297&end=2271","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159116-2f7231d4fe1cca256d84d127395e59ec/thumbnail_297000.jpg","/articles/6683250/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Winchester-approves-up-to-14-million-in-water-and-sewer-bonds-residents-ask-about-PFAS-and-microplastics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683250-13bbb05db5e969551495e886dbca1fc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436916&Signature=kcEQh4-tBX8qYsX87LJLb7sn1a0s7uGucbdQ25K4J1upsm6~XToiIRt0HqOTxrKhQPl2k4W8MLA~4l9XhwzKmMv41Tjoq5TeD5tXCkEh5eR1rRRyyFQIfj5Ev1zTeqeGJJHrlFDPz0JZKdS~6xpfYf3nPTNae7W-P5vpkvfUnKUDUSoP2DwD37p53RikI7OmQggv0M374eYAxABgzZUyM3dzPFnW-8RM8mgcJG5cVA2W5W2EOHN88HzYXiUA0AMQZs6w4Ht98E3wKk5oNUi9egLWR5JGgry6b-p~Jso5cvO5VhtArgWJOCLPviGWI3gFQtSTUY4J49xCvIK3h0~f5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winchester City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to approve an ordinance and companion resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of water and sewer system revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $14,000,000 to finance capital improvements to the city’s utility system.

Councilors took final action at the Jan. 28 meeting after a public hearing that included one resident’s questions about the composition of sewage lines and potential environmental risks such as microplastics and PFAS. Jack Dansley of ZIP code 22603 asked whether the sewer lines were made of materials that could pose long-term contamination risks; staff offered to discuss technical details after the meeting.

Harry Eisenach and Councilor Bell presented the ordinance at second reading and described it as unchanged from the first reading. Councilors noted the ordinance and the resolution are procedural pairings: council must adopt an ordinance authorizing the borrowing and a resolution setting form details for a given series of bonds. The related resolution providing for taxable water and sewer bonds, series 2025, was presented later in the agenda packet as a separate item but tied to the same financing.

Motion to approve the ordinance was made by Councilor Tagnisi and seconded by Councilor Newcomb; that motion carried by roll call 8-0. The separate resolution (R-2024-42) authorizing the form and sale of taxable bonds was moved by Councillor Herbst and seconded by Mayor Beach; that vote also passed 8-0.

City staff clarified during questions that the bond proceeds are for water and sewer system projects and do not fund stormwater projects or stormwater fees. The loan structure and repayment are to be secured by utility system revenues, per the documents included in the council packet. No change in the ordinance or resolution language was reported at second reading.

After adopting the ordinance and resolution, councilors directed staff to finalize the sale documents and proceed with the financing for the utility capital program.","Council approved an ordinance and accompanying resolution to issue and sell water and sewer system revenue bonds not to exceed $14 million; speakers asked about environmental risks to sewage lines.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6683251,"Winchester council drops hourly cap, restores 3-minute public comment after hours of testimony",624,2366000,2990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159116-2f7231d4fe1cca256d84d127395e59ec&start=2366&end=2990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159116-2f7231d4fe1cca256d84d127395e59ec/thumbnail_2366000.jpg","/articles/6683251/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Winchester-council-drops-hourly-cap-restores-3-minute-public-comment-after-hours-of-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683251-8f2155d4b3850ef4f63b1cd45c65f379/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436916&Signature=DAximk7HUsflmAM2KozMUgBjd6ZJ4pkGXJfxJqK~aeK7b~zWJBeu3-PFmux7U6hEPk9dUs5LWTAwuaTeuFa7n46JmnUc7M61ruQ-a23XyHaCeep7KUrsWOnJZH77nPy2s~H68k8hkgVJ0pKfFBB7ZlcI8-WWThKLoFcvKGkfQsEIg6jFbDIRq2IskGgKtq6W7NUnW5ocoY3RMZxfckgJqQM-G4b4S8dHmQ~1b0l5eYbTVz5JLtRL0l1zbEDoWKTJKmx~D4M-HRuFPGQzPWYbZfGeZzePruuOfWPGIlpursANaFSlS9yPWWEU0KXdkwH8esUdQ39oAOjn5TpbaZ7Ipg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winchester City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a revised public comment and public hearing policy that restores a three-minute time limit per speaker, removes a proposed one-hour maximum for the public comment period and clarifies that speakers may provide a ZIP code instead of a full street address.

The change followed more than an hour of public testimony at the Jan. 28 meeting in which dozens of residents urged councilors not to restrict public participation. The council approved the policy by voice vote after a friendly amendment to let speakers state their name and address or ZIP code and an explicit statement that the presiding officer will provide reasonable accommodations, which can include additional time or other measures.

Council action came after multiple speakers criticized an earlier draft that would have shortened speaking time. Jay Richardson, who gave his address as 106 Greenwood Avenue, told the council cutting comment time was “an attack on our freedoms” and said reducing public comment was “lazy” and “cowardly.” Rodrigo Ydaita Leon, who gave his address as 359 Kinske Lane, praised the council’s rollback of a proposed 90-second limit and urged officials not to ban applause or signs during meetings, saying solidarity gestures are part of protected expression.

Advocates who testified said the stricter draft would have chilled participation by people with childcare or work constraints, by vulnerable residents who asked that addresses not be recorded publicly, and by groups that rely on collective displays during meetings. Several speakers referenced legal and safety concerns about requiring full addresses; councilors said the city attorney confirmed speakers are not legally required to give a local address.

During the council’s deliberations, City Attorney Melissa Michaelson described two similar policy drafts previously circulated: one that included a one-hour cap and one that did not. Councilors debated the one-hour cap’s pros and cons, with several members saying it could invite repeated votes to extend the period and complicate implementation. Councilor Chibizi said he felt “uncomfortable with restricting it to the 1 hour.” Mayor Beach moved to forward the version without an hour cap; the motion was seconded by Councillor Herbstreeck and passed by voice vote.

The adopted language retains a three-minute-per-speaker standard, removes the 90-second language from earlier drafts, adds a provision allowing people who did not sign up in advance to speak, and instructs the presiding officer to provide reasonable accommodations. The policy also clarifies that recorded audio and video of meetings are public records and speakers may request access.

Supporters of the change said it preserves residents’ ability to engage with local government without imposing arbitrary time limits that could suppress dissent. Opponents of unfettered public comment did not prevail in council debate; the final vote was unanimous, 8-0.

The council voted to adopt the policy during its regular meeting; the vote was recorded as passing with all members present.","After extensive public comment, Winchester City Council approved a revised public comment and public hearing policy that restores a three-minute speaker limit, removes a proposed one-hour total cap and allows speakers to give a ZIP code instead of a full address; council also confirmed reasonable-accommodation language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts traffic-code updates, adds table of fines for clarity

Council authorizes purchase agreements for two downtown parcels

Winchester approves up to $14 million in water and sewer bonds; residents ask about PFAS and microplastics

Winchester council drops hourly cap, restores 3-minute public comment after hours of testimony