Leesburg Diversity Commission Meeting – March 12, 2026

The Leesburg Diversity Commission met on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 7:04 p.m. to discuss transit services, a logo for the commission, pedestrian safety, and upcoming community events. The commission voted to approve electronic participation for two members and to pursue an Easter proclamation, and directed staff to explore contracting a logo designer.

Consent Calendar

• Electronic Participation: Members Vanessa (illness) and Melissa (work logistics) were approved to participate electronically by a unanimous voice vote.
• Agenda and Minutes: The agenda and meeting minutes from the previous month were approved by motion and second.

Staff Reports

• Keep Leesburg Beautiful: The town-wide cleanup initiative runs throughout April 2026. A kickoff event is scheduled for April 11, but cleanups can occur any day in April. Interested parties can sign up at leesburgva.gov/klb.
• Board and Commission Networking Event: Scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. (food at 6:00, presentations at 6:30) at Ida Lee’s lower level. Each board/commission will present their work and collaboration ideas.
• Latino Festival: Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Douglass Community Center. Commission members were reminded to complete a vendor application if they wish to participate.

Discussion Items

Loudoun County Transit On-Demand Services Presentation

Scott Gross, Assistant Director for Transit and Commuter Services for Loudoun County, presented an overview of two on-demand services available in Leesburg:

• Paratransit Service: For individuals with qualified disabilities (physical or mental). Qualification is handled through ADARide.com by a doctor’s certification. Service operates along any fixed route within 3/4 mile, roughly from 4:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Rides must be booked 24 hours in advance (same-day rides not guaranteed). The service is point-to-point with curb-to-curb dropoffs; no drivers enter buildings. Currently serves about 120 qualified customers. Complaints are measured per 10,000 miles; the rate is very low (0.2–0.5 per 10,000 miles). Transit staff reviews training records with the contractor if issues arise.
• Microtransit Service: Launched July 1, 2025, within a six-square-mile zone inside Leesburg (inside Route 15/Route 7). Vehicles include an all-electric “Game Changer” with a wheelchair lift and a minivan without a lift. The service is free and operates 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Riders book via an app and are picked up within roughly a quarter-mile of their location. Shared rides are encouraged; approximately 60% of trips are shared. Average ride duration is about 11 minutes. Ridership averages 140–155 passengers per day (almost 4 riders per revenue hour, a high rate nationally). The service will expand to weekends (Saturday and Sunday, likely 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) starting July 1, 2026. A similar Sterling pilot begins the same date. Microtransit has not reduced ridership on fixed routes 55, 56, and 57; those routes have actually seen increased ridership. A transit master plan will begin in the coming months to evaluate the future of fixed routes in Leesburg. Funding comes primarily from local real estate taxes and state grants; the county’s transit budget is approximately $30 million for fiscal year 2026.
• Senior Paratransit: Currently not available due to vehicle constraints. The county is considering adding seniors 65+ to paratransit but needs additional vehicles. A reduced fare for seniors/disabled riders on commuter buses to Washington, D.C., was recently approved (50% off; $6 instead of $12).

Commissioners asked detailed questions about rider qualifications, driver training, complaint tracking, service hours, and expansion plans. Mr. Gross answered all questions.

Logo Call to Artists

Staff reported that two logo submissions were received, but both were submitted after the deadline. Following consultation with the town attorney, late submissions cannot be considered to avoid legal concerns. The commission discussed options:

• Reissue a third call for artists.
• Contract a local artist/graphic designer.
• Approach high school art departments as a contest.
• One commissioner suggested contacting local designer Alicia Bruce or muralist Daniel Hunter.

Commissioners expressed a preference for contracting a local artist rather than issuing another call. Staff will consult procurement on the process for hiring a contractor with the $500 stipend and report back at the April meeting. The idea of partnering with high schools for future logo work was also noted.

Follow-up with Residential Traffic Commission (RTC)

The RTC met earlier in March but two of the liaison members were absent. Discussion of potential collaboration on a driver safety campaign was deferred to the RTC’s April meeting. The Diversity Commission will await their input.

Driver Safety Awareness Campaign

A commissioner presented research on a crosswalk flag program similar to one in Wyoming, where pedestrians carry bright flags while crossing. The town had previously piloted flags at one location. The commissioner also noted Virginia state law (SB 1416) that upgrades penalties for drivers causing injury or death, but argued preemptive penalties (like school zone speed fines) might be more effective. The commission agreed to review the provided links and place the topic on the April agenda. Results from the town’s existing flag pilot should be considered before making recommendations.

Painted Crosswalk Proposal

Discussion of funding a painted crosswalk (e.g., a rainbow crosswalk for Pride) revealed that the cost is approximately $3,000–$3,500 annually, plus traffic control logistics. The commission’s budget cannot support this alone. Ideas were raised to partner with other town commissions or nonprofits (e.g., Equality Loudoun, Loudoun Pride, PFLAG) and to target a crosswalk at Rotary Park on North King Street. This topic will be raised at the April 30 Board and Commission Networking Event to seek collaborators.

Commissioner Updates

• Vanessa: Contacted Economic Development about sponsoring a diversity-themed award at the 2027 Leesburg Business Awards; received a positive initial response and will follow up. Submitted paperwork for a Pride flag raising at town hall on June 5, 2026 (5:00–7:00 p.m.); the commission may host a table or activity. The “Faces of Leesburg” portrait series is restarting with a new photographer; the commission is invited to submit diverse individuals (especially men) for features.
• Proclamations: A commissioner proposed an Easter proclamation. The deadline for the next town council meeting (two weeks from March 12) is early next week. Vanessa volunteered to identify a recipient (likely a clergy member from a downtown church) and draft the proclamation. The commission moved and seconded to proceed with the Easter proclamation.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: Electronic participation for Vanessa and Melissa was approved unanimously. The agenda and previous minutes were approved. The Easter proclamation was approved by motion and second.
• Direction to Staff: Staff will consult with procurement on the process for contracting a logo designer and report back at the April meeting.
• Next Steps for Painted Crosswalk: The topic will be presented as a collaboration opportunity at the April 30 networking event. The commission will identify potential partner commissions and the preferred crosswalk location (Rotary Park favored).
• Meeting Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by motion at approximately 9:05 p.m.