Public Meetings - Leesburg, Virginia

The Thomas Balch Library Commission held its regular meeting on May 14, 2026, to review April activities, receive reports from library staff and affiliated boards, and discuss upcoming programs including the Virginia 250 celebration. The meeting was held in person with one commissioner attending virtually. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes of the April 8, 2026 meeting. - Approved Commissioner Scott Billy Meyer to attend virtually. Discussion Items - Introduction of New Commissioner: Chimlu, Director of Loudoun County Public Libraries, was welcomed as a new commissioner (resident appointee). Her term expires in November 2026; appointments by the mayor are two-year terms, while council member appointments are four-year. - Library Director's Report (Chimlu): - April attendance: over 4,000 visitors. - New exhibit: botanical world pop-up created on short notice for Flower and Garden Show. - Educational program: 180 fourth graders from Elaine Thompson Elementary School visited for field trips (triangle tour with Loudoun Museum and walking tour). - Staff training: visit to Library of Virginia; discussion with Virginia Newspaper Project to digitize more Loudoun papers. - Volunteer appreciation gathering: 25 volunteers attended. - Collections: 258 local holdings records added; gift of Edgar Thornton papers (WWI soldier). - New sculpture in the garden (Leesburg Town Heart with Heart project). - Staffing: still need a Saturday worker; using flex staff from town hall reception. - Off-site storage: space rented from FAA facility; materials being moved for processing. - Building maintenance: ceiling repaired in Clark room; addressing cracking plaster; painting scheduled for May. - Friends of the Library Report: - Book sale held April (Flower & Garden weekend) made $375. 13 boxes of leftovers will be discarded. - Friends board meeting on May 26; annual fundraiser moved from June to November. - Foundation Board Report: - Taxes being finalized; budget for investment income being created with town. - Pennsylvania trust funds ($200,000) now invested; additional bequest of $60,000 and donation of $12,000 received. - Foundation passed $1 million milestone. - Old and Continuing Business: - St. James Cemetery: exhibit at Flower & Garden show; ground-penetrating radar found 400 graves (only 100 marked); $10,000 left for garden work. Preservation trust pending state legislature. - Virginia 250 Events: Revolution on Film program (Book of Negroes) had 15 attendees and engaged discussion. Upcoming: Outlander talk (May), Hessian presentation on YouTube (Travis Shaw). - July 4th plans: courthouse exhibit, reading of Declaration of Independence, bell tolling at 2:50 p.m. (13 tolls). Tree planted at Idley. Mobile museum from Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will be present. - Fall speaker series being planned. - Boards and Commissions meeting: well attended; cross-communication with Parks and Rec, Performing Arts, and Technology commissions. - New Business – Program Planning: - Discussion on reviving a literary festival (panels on historical fiction/nonfiction). Previous event had low attendance. Exploring committee formation and outreach to bookstores (Birch Tree) and poet groups. Possible winter timing. - Concern expressed about Friends of the Library: aging membership, daytime meetings (10 a.m. weekdays) difficult for younger generations. Efforts to involve new people have had limited success. Key Outcomes - Minutes of April 8, 2026 approved. - Scott Meyer approved for virtual attendance. - Library director to continue off-site storage setup and processing. - Foundation board to finalize budget and fund disbursement mechanics with town. - Next meeting scheduled for August 2026 (not July, as initially confused; also no meeting in December per usual schedule). - No formal votes taken on other items; plans and reports were received for discussion.

The Leesburg Executive Airport Commission met on May 14, 2026 (per the provided meeting date; the raw transcript opens with 'Wednesday, May 13th, 2026'). The meeting was called to order with a quorum, all members present except Ryan. Commissioners approved the agenda and prior minutes, heard staff and committee updates, and voted unanimously to recommend to the Town Council that Leesburg pursue a conventional physical air traffic control tower as the preferred long-term solution, with a remote tower only as a fallback if physical-tower funding cannot be secured. Call to Order and Announcements - The chair announced that Kuhn Jet Center/Kuhn Training Center is partnering with Nova Pilots as the field’s newest flight school; UAVINX received the Leesburg Business Award for innovation; and Smokehouse celebrated nine years, with more than 8,000 pilots trained in Leesburg and activity reaching all 50 states and three countries. Consent Calendar - Agenda adopted by voice vote. - Minutes from the previous meeting approved by voice vote. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were offered. FAA Remote Tower Program and Control Tower Recommendation - Scott briefed the commission on a meeting that followed the mayor’s introduction to Paul Fontaine, FAA Deputy Administrator for NextGen. Fontaine met with Scott, Neil Steinberg, and the mayor to update Leesburg on the FAA remote-tower program. Frequentis has installed a remote tower at the Atlantic City test bed; it has been tested for more than a year and is not yet approved. The FAA anticipates approval by September if remaining check marks are completed, and has roughly $50 million for remote-tower deployment. Winter Haven and Bartow, Florida, are already installing/operating the Frequentis system, with both airports controlled from one facility. Fontaine expressed interest in Leesburg and visited the old tower site, but said there is no pressure on Leesburg to choose a particular system. - Travis presented a comparison of physical and remote towers. The earlier Saab remote tower at Leesburg was installed in 2016, was operated 10 hours a day, and was deemed operationally viable by the FAA in 2021 at about 75,000 annual operations. After the FAA imposed new certification/software requirements, further software work was deemed not technically feasible and the FAA terminated the program. The risk assessment showed remote-tower technology is mature and the vendor is established, but certification stability, program stability under a future administration, and high-complexity airport operations are high risks. JYO is currently about 95,000 operations per year, inside a CIFRA and under Class Bravo, and is roughly the third-busiest airport in Virginia and second for general aviation; the Florida comparison airports are not similarly complex. - Concerns raised during discussion included single-vendor dependency on Frequentis, cyber dependencies, and an outage risk illustrated by a lightning strike that took a deployed remote tower out of service. The FAA RFP appears to cover only delivery, not long-term sustainment costs, and the FAA as of April 23 did not yet have an acquisition model in place. Commissioners also noted a broader industry trend toward centralized remote-tower centers, which could make a single-airport remote tower less sustainable. Council’s interest in remote towers was speed, but staff warned that FAA approvals and required studies may still make a remote tower no faster than a physical tower. - The commission passed a motion recommending that the Town Council pursue a conventional physical air traffic control tower at Leesburg as the preferred long-term solution, that a remote tower be supported only as a fallback if physical-tower funding cannot be reasonably secured, and that long-term reliance on non-tower fallback operations is not appropriate for JYO. The vote was unanimous, with no opposed votes and no abstentions. Staff will send a formal letter to council, timed ahead of council’s expected June discussion. Town of Leesburg Zoning Rewrite - Scott briefed the commission on the town’s zoning rewrite. The Airport Impact Overlay District, about one mile around the airport noise contours, prohibits land uses that obstruct or hazard navigable airspace and addresses lighting, glare, smoke, particles, and radio/reflection interference. The ordinance does not allow residential use in the 65+ noise contour, includes airport imaginary-surface protections, and requires notification language on site plans and subdivision plats. Airport property remains zoned A1 with setbacks, building heights, a control-tower breakout, and allowances for sites on the FAA-approved airport layout plan/master plan. Permitted uses were expanded to include aerospace manufacturing, aeronautical uses, UAS, and commercial space vehicle operations. The 43-page draft was reviewed with no concerns identified by the commission. It has been approved by the Planning Commission and is expected to go to Town Council in 2026. Scott noted that local zoning enforcement, not the FAA, is the mechanism for enforcing obstruction rules, citing a crane example and a proposed cell tower near the Walmart parking lot. Committee and Staff Updates - Rules, Regulations, and Minimum Standards: Walter reported the working group is still reviewing the document; the goal is to finish before the next meeting, make it ready for public review, and potentially send it to an outside aviation attorney for review. - Master Plan: Council was briefed and voiced unanimous support for working with Delta to begin master-plan studies. Stakeholder engagement will begin after the purchase order is in place, and the economic development director has been asked to participate. - RNP/Runway Noise Approach: A first draft of an RNP 3.5 approach has been produced. Version-two feedback would move waypoints slightly north to give more spacing for runway 30 departures. Potomac controllers and Dulles Tower were reported to support the design, and it is moving into formal review. The design was described as compatible with straight-out runway 30 noise-abatement departures. Additional runway/waypoint lighting was discussed, but cost, land constraints, and FAA guidance remain open questions for the consultant. - Observation Deck, Playground, and Mural: COPA received no mural responses and will extend the artist call after the posting issue was corrected; artists asked about onsite painting space, insurance, and scaffolding. The Parks and Recreation Commission formally endorsed the observation deck/playground concept and sent that endorsement to council. Splash pad and a playground tower with piped-in tower audio were popular ideas. Funding strategy remains the main open issue. - Economic Impact and Leasehold Taxes: The Virginia aviation economic impact study released in February includes a Winchester-specific section; staff will refresh the airport’s economic-impact presentation using that data. On leasehold interest taxation, the Loudoun County Attorney General’s opinion is being forwarded to the Virginia Attorney General. Staff submitted five follow-up questions about whether hangars/tie-downs are taxable leasehold interests, month-to-month/sub-year rentals, mid-year termination abatement, and hangar versus tie-down treatment. Another draft is expected before state review. - Unleaded Fuel Legislation: Bipartisan federal legislation, the Unleaded Act, would require the FAA to create an education program on the GA transition to unleaded fuel, with a stated goal of lead-free by 2030. - Airport Operations: Runway construction begins July 6. Environmental approval was received for the south-end site, and the taxiway design is removing taxiway outputs 4 and 5 so aircraft must use a taxiway to enter the runway—a safety enhancement. A security incident occurred while the old fence was down: a pedestrian following Google Maps walking directions crossed the runway and was stopped by the tower calling operations; the new fence is complete and Google Maps has been corrected. Budget figures were reported as favorable, roughly 2 percent under plan. Aircraft operations rose 6 percent in April and 12 percent year-to-date; fuel sales are up 13 percent year-to-date. There were 10 noise complaints this month, seven from Evergreen Meadows, one from Country Club, one new complaint from Tavistock Farms, and one Black Hawk transition complaint not attributed to Leesburg Airport. - FBO and Tower Staffing: The FBO will offer $4 avgas on May 29 and 30 for based aircraft. A controller transferring from Phoenix is expected in mid-June, bringing the contract tower to five controllers, described as full staff. A nationwide FAA hiring effort drew about 8,500 applicants, but commissioners noted those are FAA federal hires; there was discussion about risks of training inexperienced controllers and about whether remote towers would make it harder to attract and retain controllers. Key Outcomes - Unanimously approved the agenda and previous meeting minutes. - Unanimously recommended that Town Council pursue a physical tower as the preferred long-term solution for JYO, with remote tower only as a fallback if physical-tower funding cannot be reasonably secured; staff will transmit a formal letter before council’s June discussion. - Received the zoning rewrite update with no commission objections; staff will continue monitoring. - Learned that Parks and Recreation has endorsed the observation deck/playground concept and forwarded it to council. - Confirmed next meeting date of Wednesday, June 10, at 6 p.m.

The Leesburg Town Council met on May 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. All council members were present. The meeting included approval of minutes, a presentation on the Keep Leesburg Beautiful event, discussion and votes on several resolutions and contracts, and council disclosures. Consent Calendar - Minutes: Work session minutes from April 27, 2026 (approved 6-0-1, Council Member Nacy absent) and regular session minutes from April 28, 2026 (approved 7-0). - Agenda Amendment: Unanimously suspended rules to add a new business item adjusting August meeting dates (from August 10–11 to August 20 and 25) due to school calendar changes; passed 7-0. - Consent Agenda Approval: Items 12A (audit services contract), 12B (FY2026 local law enforcement block grant), 12C (FY2026 HEAT training grant funds), 12E (variable frequency drive replacements), 12F (natural gas contract), and 12G (emergency communications co-location MOA) were approved 7-0. Item 12D (data analytics software contract) was removed for separate discussion. Presentations - Golden Grabber Award Winners: Sustainability Manager Ran Hassel presented the results of the 2026 Keep Leesburg Beautiful event. Volunteer participation: 261 registered, 166 reported. Total trash weight increased. Winners: Staff group Public Works Admin (8 people, 277 lbs), small group Mark Newton (1 person, 80 lbs, absent due to becoming a grandfather), large group Potomac Crossing HOA (20 people, 180 lbs). Next year's kickoff is April 3, 2027. Discussion Items - Data Analytics Software Contract (Item 12D): Council Member Cummings questioned the chief about potential AI analysis, license plate reader integration, predictive policing features, data ownership, and risks of AI-generated reports. The chief clarified that AI tools are optional, data remains town-owned, and no autonomous predictive policing is proposed. The contract is for two years funded by a grant. Council Member Cummings expressed safety and bias concerns and voted against the item. - Performing Artist Selection for Capstone Recital Event: Commissioner Miriam Kalyani presented the Performing Arts Commission's selection of Ali Stepro, a graduating senior dance student, as the featured artist for a June 12 recital. Originally planned for up to six artists with $3,000 total, only one applicant applied. The commission proposed a revised plan with a single $3,000 artist fee plus $800 for catering. Council members raised concerns about using the full amount for a 10-minute performance and the event date (last day of school). After discussion, a motion was made to approve $500 for the artist stipend and $400 for catering/setup, which was accepted and passed. Resolutions / Ordinances / Motions - Awareness Display Flag Raising for Juneteenth: Approved 7-0. - Special Event Fee Waiver – Crossroads Music Festival: Motion to waive full special event fees for the 2026 festival. Council Member Steinberg advocated for sticking to the existing policy of $5,000. The motion passed with Council Members Steinberg and Wilt opposed, resulting in a 5-2 vote in favor of full waiver. - Performing Artist Selection (Capstone Recital): The council approved a revised motion to provide $500 to the artist and $400 for event support, totaling $900. The vote was unanimous. Key Outcomes - Approved adjustments to the August meeting schedule (7-0). - Approved the data analytics software contract for the police department (6-1). - Approved the Juneteenth flag raising resolution (7-0). - Approved a full fee waiver for the Crossroads Music Festival (5-2). - Approved $500 artist stipend and $400 event support for the capstone recital (unanimous). Council Disclosures and Comments - Council members reported on recent community events, ribbon cuttings, meetings with the FAA, and other engagements. No further decisions were made.

The Leesburg Town Council held a work session on May 11, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. The agenda included four discussion items: a special event fee waiver request for the Crossroads Music Festival, a memorandum of agreement for co-locating the Emergency Communications Center with Loudoun County, a feasibility study for adding a parking lane on Trailview Boulevard, and a strategic plan for developing the west side of the Leesburg Airport. Council also discussed future meeting topics and entered closed session for personnel matters. Special Event Fee Waiver Request – Crossroads Music Festival - Kate Trask presented a request from Benefit, the nonprofit producing the Crossroads Music Festival, for a $5,000 fee waiver (total fees $10,451). The festival plans to close one block of North King Street for the first time, requiring increased town resources. Staff recommended deferring the discussion on legacy fee waiver status until after the 2026 event, no later than the December 7 work session, to allow staff and Benefit to assess logistics. - Councilmember Cummings expressed support for fully waiving fees now and for all future events, arguing the town should treat all organizations equally. Other council members, including the Mayor, preferred to wait until after the event to evaluate the scale and costs, citing the policy and the potential for the festival to grow beyond one block. The item will be on the May 12 meeting agenda as legislation for the $5,000 waiver; council members may make a motion to change the amount. Emergency Communications Center Co-Location MOA - Thea Pirnat (Chief of Police) presented a proposal to co-locate Leesburg’s Emergency Communications Center (ECC) with Loudoun County’s facility. Currently, 911 calls from Leesburg are handled first by Loudoun County, then transferred, causing delays and duplicate call handling. Co-location would allow Leesburg dispatchers to work in the county center, use the same CAD and RMS systems, and adopt universal 911 call taking. This would reduce call transfers, improve coordination, and provide scalability during major incidents. - A $1 million state grant (VDEM Public Safety Answering Point Consolidation Grant) has been applied for; the grant would cover integration costs and five years of operating expenses. Staff estimated cost avoidance of $844,000 over five years. The project would be phased: first moving staff with current systems, then integrating systems and cross-training. - Council members expressed strong support, calling it a “slam dunk” and a benefit to public safety and response times. Questions about employee impacts, space use at the police station, and post-grant funding were addressed: the county would cover costs after the grant period, and the current ECC would become a warm backup or a real-time crime center. No concerns were raised about co-location. Council agreed to move the item to the consent agenda for the May 12 meeting. Adding a Parking Lane on Trailview Boulevard - Niraja Chandrapu presented findings on converting a travel lane on Trailview Boulevard (between Cardinal Park Drive and Battlefield Parkway) to regulated overnight parking. The request came from residents of nearby townhomes. Staff evaluated safety, enforcement, and development constraints. Only one short segment (about 10 spaces) might meet sight distance requirements; the road is not yet accepted by the town (under developer bond), and surrounding development is incomplete. - Staff recommended deferring consideration until after road acceptance and full development, citing safety risks, enforcement challenges, and potential for unintended truck parking. The Residential Traffic Commission had no recommendation. Councilmembers noted the limited benefit (10 spaces) and safety concerns with blocked sight lines. The consensus was to accept staff’s recommendation to wait. Strategic Plan for the Airport West Side Land Development Phase I - Scott Coffman (Airport Director) presented a proposed $150,000 contract with Delta Airport Consultants (Davenport as sub) to develop a strategic plan for the last 40 developable acres on the airport’s west side. The plan would include data collection, benchmarking, site planning, financial modeling, and a development strategy (town-led, private, or hybrid). The airport’s east side is nearly built out; a taxiway relocation will displace 42 aircraft storage spots in about two years. - Councilmembers supported the plan, noting the need for data-driven decisions to maximize economic impact and taxpayer return. Questions addressed funding (airport CIP supported by airport revenue, not general taxes), the airport’s limitations (single runway, no commercial airline service), and future technologies like electric aircraft. The town manager noted he had authority to sign the contract but brought it to council for input. Council indicated support (four votes in favor); the town manager will sign the contract. Additions to Future Meetings - Councilmember Steinberg requested a work session to discuss the possibility of a virtual tower at the airport, following recent discussions with the FAA. Council members supported the request (7-0). Closed Session and Adjournment - Council moved into closed session under Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(1) for personnel discussion related to the hiring of the town manager. The motion passed 7-0. After closed session, council certified the meeting and adjourned.

On May 7, 2026, the Leesburg Planning Commission held a work session focused primarily on the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite. The meeting began with routine consent items, a petitioner comment, and then a detailed discussion of nine decision points related to the rewrite. The commission voted 7-1 to forward the rewrite to Town Council with specific directions and also passed four concurrent recommendations for further council action. Consent Calendar - Agenda and Minutes: The agenda was adopted as submitted, and the minutes of the April 16, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously without changes. - Disclosures: Commissioner Tuck disclosed a meeting with Molly Novotney two weeks prior. Other commissioners had no disclosures. - Chairman’s Statement: Chairman reported on a Loudoun County Chamber housing summit attended by the Vice Chair and Director David, noting discussions on affordable housing challenges and a suggestion to eliminate parking regulations. Public Comments & Testimony - Suzanne Larkins (3 Royal St SE) spoke against the removal of B-1 residential use protections in the draft zoning ordinance. She argued that staff’s claim of difficulty providing protections contradicts earlier statements, that residential uses are primary in B-1, and that deleting safeguards harms historic preservation and property rights. She requested continued support for B-1 residential primary users. Discussion Items - Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Work Session (23rd meeting): Staff presented nine decision points derived from public and commissioner comments. Key discussions included: - Decision Point 1: Merging Division 10 (limited use) and Division 11 (special exception) into one division. The commission agreed to merge. - Decision Point 2: Changing permissibility in use tables (Division 9). The commission decided to keep the tables as proposed. - Decision Point 3: Modifying special exception standards for places of worship and public assembly. The commission voted not to modify. - Decision Point 4: Raising maximum building height in the mixed-use district from 60 to 70 feet. The commission decided to keep 60 feet but included in the resolution a direction to ensure provisions for council to allow additional building height via legislative process. - Decision Point 5: Eliminating minimum parking requirements for residential uses in the downtown district. The commission voted not to eliminate, noting it should be left for council consideration. - Decision Point 6: Eliminating the on-street parking credit in the Crescent District. The commission voted 4-0 to keep the credit. - Decision Point 7: Eliminating public utility major in all Crescent subdistricts. The commission decided to eliminate it in activity center, commercial corridor, and residential neighborhood subdistricts, but keep it as a special exception in the government center subdistrict for consistency. - Decision Point 8: Limiting the Board of Architectural Review's authority to grant alterations. The commission voted to keep the BAR’s authority as is. - Decision Point 9: Additional changes. The commission discussed application inactivity timelines and other minor issues, resulting in no further changes. - Concurrent Recommendations: The commission debated and later approved four recommendations to Town Council: (1) conduct a comprehensive traffic study of intersection level of service including peak usage; (2) consider accepting town plan or zoning amendment recommendations only once per quarter; (3) review the attainable housing policy and request a Community Development staff member serve on the Loudoun County Affordable Dwelling Unit Advisory Board; (4) align the work of the Residential Traffic Committee with the Planning Commission. Key Outcomes - Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Resolution: The commission adopted a resolution (7-1) forwarding the rewrite to Town Council with a recommendation of approval, subject to the following staff directions: - Correct scrivener’s errors, faulty hyperlinks, and map designations (e.g., parcel PIN 230-18-3563-000 to RH). - Correct old historic and gateway overlay district boundaries, including Spring Farm Meadows area. - Add references to state enabling legislation. - Amend regulations to comply with Virginia House Bill 655 (manufactured housing). - Make public utility major prohibited in Crescent District subdistricts CDA, CDC, and CDRN. - Merge Divisions 10 and 11 into one consistent section for use standards. - Ensure provisions for council to allow additional building height via legislative process. - Concurrent Recommendations: Passed unanimously by voice vote to forward the four recommendations to Town Council. - Schedule: The May 21 meeting was cancelled. The next meeting (June 4) will include the Liberty Hotel rezoning and a lessons learned discussion on the zoning ordinance rewrite. - Comment on Specific District Changes: A symbolic protest vote was noted by Commissioner Barnes, who opposed the short-term rental residency requirements and the rezoning of several parcels (Meadowbrook Estates lots) from R1 to commercial neighborhood (CN) with multiple by-right commercial uses.

The Leesburg Sustainability Commission met on May 6, 2026, at 6:33 p.m. Vice Chair called the meeting to order in the absence of the Chair. The meeting covered staff updates, a string light recycling program, a running bamboo ordinance, a Keep Leesburg Beautiful debrief, and other business. Consent Calendar - Agenda Approval: A motion to approve the agenda for the meeting carried unanimously. - Minutes Approval: The minutes from April 7–26 were approved as amended (a typo was corrected), with a motion to approve as amended carried unanimously. Discussion Items - Staff Items: - The 2025 annual sustainability report is now live on the town website; it was presented to council and received well, though coverage in the Loudoun Times-Mirror focused on lost federal funding. - An air excavation trial used to protect two 100-year-old spruces during sewer line work was highlighted. - The commission has approximately $1,800 remaining in its budget for the fiscal year ending June 30. Purchasing decisions (e.g., tent rain protectors) may be voted on at the next meeting. - Staff is meeting with the Diversity Commission to explore environmental justice collaboration, including low-income energy cost offset and a community orchard. - Two additional Level 2 EV charging stations will be installed on the third floor of the parking garage within about a month. - A stormwater resiliency study kickoff meeting is scheduled for May. - The Public Works Utilities Open House is Saturday, May 9, 2026, featuring energy-focused giveaways (coloring books, surge protectors, home energy checklists). - String Light Recycling Program: - A proposal for a seasonal string light recycling program (October to January) was discussed. Locations considered include Town Hall, Ida Lee, Tuscarora Creek Park, Greenway Farms Park, and Liberty Lot. A roll-off dumpster at Liberty Lot and purchasing labeled receptacles (possibly yellow) were preferred. Staff will refine the proposal, including an early outreach component, and present it to Town Council on June 10, 2026. - Running Bamboo Ordinance: - The commission discussed a proposed ordinance to regulate running bamboo, based on state authority. The ordinance would allow the town to enforce mitigation on town property and provide a mechanism for neighbor-to-neighbor disputes, but not mandate abatement methods. A motion to support the town instituting the ordinance passed unanimously (5-0). - Keep Leesburg Beautiful (KLB) 2026 Debrief: - Volunteer statistics: 153 volunteers reported (compared to 177 in 2025, using a refined reporting method; 261 registered under the old method). Total weight of trash collected increased significantly. - Golden Grabber winners: Mark Newton (individual, 80 lbs over 7 outings); Public Works staff group; large group (20 people, 180 lbs). Winners will be presented on May 12. - Improvements for next year: Enhance the kickoff event with a structured program, microphone for the mayor, music, food/coffee (budgeted), a printed site map, labeled grabbers (e.g., "Property of Town of Leesburg"), and a grabber return station. A costume contest was also suggested. - Support from businesses: Staff will work to improve business outreach via multiple channels. - Flower & Garden Festival - Leaf Collection: - Approximately 200 leaves were collected at the festival, with 48 organized into categories (most common: planting/landscaping). A commission member volunteered to create an infographic summarizing findings and quotes, to be presented at the next meeting. Raffle tickets with personal information will be shredded. - Compost Tour: - A tour of the composting facility in Manassas will be scheduled on a Tuesday or Thursday at 10 a.m. Options include May 14, 19, 21, June 4, or June 14. The tour is limited to 10 people (commission first, then council/staff). A Doodle poll will be sent to choose a date. - Meeting Schedule: - The commission deferred a decision on canceling either the July or August meeting due to members' availability (July 7 missed by one member). The matter will be revisited. Key Outcomes - Approved the agenda and minutes. - Voted unanimously (5-0) to support the town instituting a running bamboo ordinance. - Directed staff to continue developing the string light recycling program, with a proposal for Town Council on June 10. - Noted KLB improvements and golden grabber winners for the May 12 presentation. - Budget items (e.g., tent accessories, KLB supplies) will be voted on at the next meeting. - Compost tour date to be determined by poll; up to 10 participants from the commission.

The Leesburg Traffic Commission met on May 6, 2026, to discuss a range of traffic and pedestrian safety concerns, primarily focusing on speeding on King Street, selective enforcement results, and potential traffic calming measures. Public comments were heard from residents, and the commission reviewed data from the Leesburg Police Department (LPD) and speed studies. Public Comments & Testimony - Jason and Kevin (residents on King Street): Expressed strong concern about speeding on King Street, particularly near the W&OD trail crossing. They argued that the 20 mph speed limit is not effectively enforced until well after the Safeway intersection and noted the increasing pedestrian and cyclist activity in the area. They proposed a raised crosswalk at the W&OD trail as a traffic calming measure to slow vehicles and improve safety. - Carla (resident of Kenneth Place): Reported speeding in her residential cul-de-sac neighborhood, noting poor sight distance at a stop sign and near-misses. She requested police enforcement and potential all-way stop signs. The commission directed staff to add Kenneth Place to LPD's selective enforcement list. - A visitor (candidate Brendan Murphy): Raised the topic of speed cameras on North King Street. The commission clarified that Virginia state code only permits speed cameras in school zones and construction work zones, and that Leesburg currently has cameras at three school zones with plans to expand to three more. - Another speaker: Supported the idea of a raised crosswalk or speed table on North King Street near the church, but was cautioned by commission members based on past experiences with such measures in residential areas. Discussion Items - Hope Parkway Item Postponed: The commission voted to postpone agenda item 4 (Hope Parkway) to the June meeting to allow time for LPD's sergeant to attend and provide selective enforcement feedback. A resident who signed up to speak on Hope Parkway was encouraged to stay and voice concerns, but no testimony was given on that topic. - South King Street Speeding and Pedestrian Safety: Extensive discussion on speeding between W&OD trail and Catoctin Circle. LPD data presented: - Selective enforcement (South King St at Bridget Place): 39 hours, 48 contacts for speeding. - Speed study (Westbound entering town): Average speed 28 mph, 85th percentile 32.71 mph, volume 2,726 vehicles per day (5 days). - West Market St at Trinity Church: Average 22.16 mph, 85th percentile 31.85 mph, volume 7,000 per day (5 days). - Plaza Street (near police station): Average 21.63 mph, 85th percentile 26.93 mph (23 days). - South King Street between Royal and W&OD (2025 study): 85th percentile 26 mph, average 20 mph. - Smart trailer data (13 days southbound): 85th percentile 23.7 mph, average 18.6 mph. - Crash history (2017-2025): One pedestrian crash at South King & W&OD (bicyclist at fault); one at South King & Royal (details unknown). - Commission debated whether a raised crosswalk or speed table was appropriate. Staff noted that such measures can cause drainage issues, snow plow problems, and may lead to vehicles speeding up after the bump. It was agreed that staff would present criteria for traffic calming tools at a future meeting, including raised crosswalks, speed tables, and other measures. - North King Street Speeding: Discussion focused on the stretch from Ida Lee to North Street. LPD selective enforcement there showed 48 contacts in 39 hours, indicating speeding is an issue. A consultant study was proposed to evaluate the entire corridor from the bridge to North Street, but funding and staff workload are constraints. The commission will add this as an outstanding issue and explore options. - Fairview Street Concerns: A resident requested all-way stops at two locations on Fairview Street Northwest and raised concerns about a traffic signal at West Market Street. Staff responded that a capital improvement project (CIP) adding a sidewalk and left-turn lane is planned for 2032, but no short-term measure is feasible without compromising pedestrian safety. The commission will seek more information from the resident on the specific issues motivating the request. - Budget and Expenditures: The commission learned that its budget can cover four locations for speed studies. Staff committed to sending out funding codes and processing purchase orders by the June 10 cut-off. - Morgan Park Road Sidewalk Project: The project is nearing completion; a handrail is needed to close out with VDOT. The West Green HOA requested that the sidewalk not connect to their private walkway due to liability and ADA concerns, which town staff are considering. - Bike Bus and Safety: Commissioner Ray reported distributing 40 bike lights to the Bike Bus program and hopes to obtain flags for increased visibility. - Diversity Commission Meeting: Several commissioners described a meeting with the Diversity Commission where the agenda shifted from pedestrian safety to driver education and flag crossings. The commission will follow up and may invite Diversity Commission members to a future meeting. Key Outcomes - Hope Parkway postponed to June 2026 meeting (motion passed unanimously). - LPD requested to add Kenneth Place to selective enforcement list for speeding concerns. - Traffic calming criteria presentation: Staff will prepare a presentation on the appropriate use of raised crosswalks, speed tables, and other tools for a future meeting (likely June or July). - South King Street pedestrian/bike counts: The commission will consider conducting speed and pedestrian counts between Fairfax Street and the W&OD trail, pending budget availability (new fiscal year starting July 1). - North King Street consultant study: Added as an outstanding issue; cost estimate to be obtained before further discussion. - Fairview Street all-way stop requests: Commission will seek clarification from the resident on the specific problem (speeding vs. sight distance) before proceeding. - Budget: Four locations selected for speed studies; staff directed to expedite purchase orders.

The Leesburg Public Arts Commission met on May 5, 2026, at 4:00 PM. The meeting opened with approval of the agenda and the minutes from the April 2026 meeting (Kira abstained). The commission then heard a presentation from Mike May of the Airport Commission regarding the proposed airport mural and observation area. A formal request for a $500 donation to Crossroads was voted on and approved. Updates were provided on several ongoing projects including the Paint the Plow initiative, Art Sparks sculptures, the Hearts Project, and plans for the VMFA visit and Love Your Mother event. Consent Calendar - Approval of the agenda: Motion and second, all in favor. - Approval of the April 2026 meeting minutes: Motion and second, all in favor, with Kira abstaining. Discussion Items - Airport Mural and Observation Area: Mike May presented plans for a mural on the maintenance shed at the north side of the airport, along with a proposed observation area and playground. The call for artists had closed with no submissions because it was not widely promoted. The commission agreed to reissue the call with a new deadline of May 29, 2026, and to promote it broadly. Discussion included logistics for artists needing workspace, insurance, and potential donation sheets with QR codes. The project will also go to the Planning Commission for endorsement. - Crossroads Partnership: The commission received a formal request from Crossroads for a $500 donation to support their print marketing, as well as a partnership to promote a call for artists T-shirt contest. The $500 was already in the FY26 budget and needed to be spent before June 30. A motion was made and seconded to donate $500 and partner in promoting the call for artists. All members voted in favor. - Paint the Plow Update: Four plows have been delivered and are being painted. They will be collected the last week of May and stored until the Halloween parade. Voting will take place online the first week of June, with winners announced June 5 or 8. A concern was raised about the placement of plows at schools (facing the school rather than the street) and follow-up actions were discussed. - Art Sparks Sculpture Installation: Sculptures have been approved, and deinstallation/installation will take place the first two to three weeks of June. A ribbon cutting was discussed; due to heat in July, it may be postponed to September. The commission will revisit in June. - Hearts Project Update: The hearts have been installed and are receiving positive feedback. Some minor damage and plaque issues were discussed. The Love Your Mother event dates were uncertain, but dates around June 15-16 were mentioned. - VMFA Visit: The VMFA will be at the fireworks event on July 4 from 6-9 PM. The commission will have a presence there with information and possibly hearts. - Pollinator Sculpture: Initial steps discussed; need to present to Parks and Recreation Committee. Suggested location at Fox Ridge butterfly garden. A call for artists will be issued. - Budget Remaining: The commission needs to spend remaining FY26 funds before June 30. Ideas include supporting the pollinator sculpture if a grant is obtained, or reprinting posters for a display at Visit Loudoun. Key Outcomes - The call for artists for the airport mural was extended to May 29, 2026, with a plan to review submissions on June 1, 2026. - The commission voted unanimously to donate $500 to Crossroads and partner in promoting their call for artists T-shirt contest. - The commission will work on reprinting heart maps and posters for display at Town Hall and Visit Loudoun. - The pollinator sculpture project will move forward with a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Committee. - The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 PM.

The Technology and Communications Commission met on May 5, 2026 (Cinco de Mayo) at 12:00 PM. Key topics included public cybersecurity outreach, IT operational maturity, and AI governance. The commission approved previous minutes and outlined next steps for community education and departmental improvements. Consent Calendar - Unanimously approved the minutes of the April 7, 2026 meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during the meeting. Discussion Items - Public Cybersecurity Outreach: Commissioners discussed revising the public education strategy. They decided to shift from separate children's classes to a joint children-and-parents approach to reduce liability. Potential topics include spotting AI-generated deepfakes, financial scams (e.g., fake Zoom calls from executives), and general password hygiene. Venues under consideration are Ida Lee Park, Thomas Balch Library, and the senior center, with a target date in July. Collaboration with the Leesburg Police Department on a joint scam-awareness event was proposed. Commissioners will contact LCPS, venue managers, and the police department to coordinate. - IT Operational Update: IT Director Scott reported progress on implementing ManageEngine Service Desk and endpoint management tools, which improve asset visibility and automate onboarding workflows (e.g., AD account creation). The team is working with HR to create a dedicated help desk instance. A network administrator hiring process is underway, with the current administrator retiring in October; a transition overlap has been approved. Scott expressed the need for a junior network administrator position to eliminate a single point of failure. The commission voiced support for annual penetration testing and securing funding for it; the CFO is on board for this year, and the commission will advocate for permanent budget inclusion. - AI Governance and Public Messaging: The AI working group has established an intake process for AI use case proposals from departments. The town is exploring tools like Gamma (presentation AI) but with security vetting. A council member noted that some residents questioned the town's AI adoption; the IT director and commission agreed to prepare public and council updates on the town's careful, governance-first approach. - Security Best Practices: Discussion reinforced the importance of password managers, MFA, passphrases (23+ characters), and automatic rotation of service account passwords for both personal and organizational security. - Commissioner Highlights: A commissioner was recognized for being named to a "Women in Technology" list. The networking event for city commissions was well-attended; commissioners encouraged further collaboration across commissions. Key Outcomes - Approved the April 7, 2026 meeting minutes. - Directed follow-up actions for public outreach (contact venues, LCPS, police department, finalize content). - IT Department will secure funding for a 2026 penetration test and continue advocating for a junior network administrator FTE in future budgets. - The AI working group will provide periodic briefings to the Town Council; the commission will support public communication about AI use. - Meeting adjourned at 8:06 PM.