Summary

Winchester City Council meeting summary

WinchesterMay 26, 20263 min read

At a glance

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Council approved several fiscal and operational measures including an additional FY2026 appropriation, authorization to issue up to $15.5 million in general obligation bonds and the related bond sale resolution, and amendments to the city procurement code. The council also approved a revised intermunicipal wastewater agreement, a conditional use permit for an auto sales business at 2500 Valley Ave, transit fares for riders aged 12–17 (school trips exempt), installation of additional speed tables and raised crosswalks, and multiple board appointments.

Committees mentioned

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City Council

Topics discussed

TransportationBudget & TaxCommerceUtilities

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What this means

The City Council authorized funding and bonds to pay for city projects and approved changes to purchasing rules, which enables the city to move forward on planned capital work. Transit riders aged 12–17 will now generally pay fares unless the trip is to or from school or related to school activities. Traffic calming measures (speed tables and raised crosswalks) were approved for installation in targeted locations. A permit was approved allowing an automobile and truck sales business at 2500 Valley Ave subject to conditions, and several local board appointments were made.

Key decisions

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Approved minutes of the May 12, 2026 regular meeting.
Approved R-2026-20: modifications to the Articles of Incorporation and appointments related to the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority.
Approved O-2026-15: additional appropriation of funds for necessary FY2026 expenditures.
Approved O-2026-20: authorization to issue and sell general obligation public improvement bonds up to $15,500,000.
Approved R-2026-25: resolution providing for issuance and sale of General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds, Series 2026.
Approved O-2026-18: amendments to Chapter 21 (Purchases) of the Winchester City Code.
Approved R-2026-19: revised intermunicipal agreement for wastewater treatment.
Approved CUP-25-235: conditional use permit for an automobile and truck sales establishment at 2500 Valley Ave, with conditions.
Approved R-2026-23: transit fare policy charging fares for riders aged 12–17 except for rides to/from school or school activities.
Approved R-2026-28: installation of additional speed tables and raised crosswalks.
Approved R-2026-24: amendment to contract general terms and conditions.
Reappointed John Willingham to the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority and appointed William Truban, Jr. and B. Scott Arthur to the Handley Board of Trustees.

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Meeting information

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City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM - May 26 2026

May 26, 2026, 6:00 PMcompleted

Agenda

Minutes of the City Council - Regular Meeting on May 12, 2026. City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM - May 12 2026 - Minutes - Pdf 5 - 11
4.1
Decision: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
R-2026-20: Resolution Approving Modifications to the Articles of Incorporation of the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority and Appointments to the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: Councilor Bell, Chair of Finance Committee / Perry Eisenach, Public Services Director Council Action Memo - Resolution Approving Modifications to the Articles of Incorporation of the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority - Pdf 12 - 18
9.1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Second Reading of O-2026-15: AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR NECESSARY EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2026 ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: Celeste Broadstreet, Finance Director Council Action Memo - AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR NECESSARY EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA F - Pdf 19 - 28
9.2
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Second Reading of O-2026-20: ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS OF THE CITY OF WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA, IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $15,500,000, TO FINANCE THE COSTS OF CERTAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: Celeste Broadstreet, Finance Director Council Action Memo - ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS OF THE CITY OF WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA, - Pdf 29 - 33
9.3
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Second Reading of O-2026-18: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21, PURCHASES, SECTIONS 21-15, 21-25, 21-30, AND 21-44, OF THE WINCHESTER CITY CODE ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: Melisa Michelsen, City Attorney Council Action Memo - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 21, PURCHASES, SECTIONS 21-15, 21-25, 21-30, AND 21-44, OF THE WINCHESTER CITY CODE - Pdf 34 - 44
9.4
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public comments received online prior to deadline. Public Comments for Council Meeting on May 26, 2026 45 - 62
10.1
Decision: PUBLIC COMMENTS
R-2026-19: A Resolution Approving a Revised Intermunicipal Agreement between the City, Frederick County, Frederick Water, and the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority for Wastewater Treatment Presenter: Councilor Bell, Chair of Finance Committee / Perry Eisenach, Public Services Director Council Action Memo - A Resolution Approving a Revised Intermunicipal Agreement between the City, Frederick County, Frederick Water, and the Frederick - Pdf 63 - 111
11.1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to re-appoint John Willingham to the Frederick-Winchester Service Authority for an unexpired term ending August 30, 2028. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to appoint William Truban, Jr. to the Handley Board of Trustees for a six-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2032. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.3
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to appoint B. Scott Arthur to the Handley Board of Trustees for a six-year term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2032. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.4
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
CUP-25-235: A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REQUEST BY STEPHEN PETTLER ON BEHALF OF LANZETTA PROPERTIES, LLC. TO OPERATE AN AUTOMOBILE AND TRUCK SALES ESTABLISHMENT AT 2500 VALLEY AVE (MAP# 270-01-8-A) ZONED NDD - NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN DISTRICT. ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: Alfredo Gutierrez-Velasquez, Zoning Administrator, and Stephen Pettler, Applicant Council Action Memo - CUP-25-235 A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REQUEST BY STEPHEN PETTLER ON BEHALF OF LANZETTA PROPERTIES, LLC. TO OPERATE AN AUTOMOBILE A - Pdf 112 - 151
12.1
Decision: AGENDA
R-2026-23: Resolution Approving Transit Fares for Riders Between 12 to 17 Years Old Presenter: Councilor Bell, Chair of Finance Committee / Perry Eisenach, Public Services Director Council Action Memo - Resolution Approving Transit Fares for Riders Between 12 to 17 Years Old - Pdf 152 - 172
12.2
Decision: AGENDA
R-2026-28: Resolution Approving the Installation of Additional Speed Tables and Raised Crosswalks Presenter: Councilor Tagnesi, Chair of Public Health & Safety Committee / Perry Eisenach, Public Services Director Council Action Memo - Resolution Approving the Installation of Additional Speed Tables and Raised Crosswalks - Pdf 173 - 177
12.3
Decision: AGENDA
R-2026-25: RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 2026, OF THE CITY OF WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA, IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $15,500,000, HERETOFORE AUTHORIZED, AND PROVIDING FOR THE FORM, DETAILS AND PAYMENT THEREOF Presenter: Councilor Bell, Chair of Finance Committee / Celeste Broadstreet, Finance Director Council Action Memo - RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS, SERIES 2026, OF THE CITY OF WINCH - Pdf 178 - 247
12.4
Decision: AGENDA
R-2026-24: A RESOLUTION AMENDING CONTRACT GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS Presenter: Councilor Bell, Chair of Finance Committee / Melisa Michelsen, City Attorney Council Action Memo - A RESOLUTION AMENDING CONTRACT GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS - Pdf 248 - 263
12.5
Decision: AGENDA
April 2026 Communications Report April 2026 COMMS MONTHLY REPORT 264 - 268
13.1
Decision: MONTHLY REPORTS