Leesburg Environmental Advisory Commission Meeting - April 8, 2026

The Leesburg Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) met on April 8, 2026, to approve routine items, receive staff updates on recycling and composting programs, plan upcoming community events, and hear public input. One member, Sheree, was absent.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved by motion and second.
• Minutes from the March 6 meeting were approved.

Staff Updates: Budget, Recycling, and Food Waste

• The EAC has approximately $2,197 in unspent FY 2026 funds; the money must be spent by July and decisions on its use should be made by June.
• The FY27 budget enhancements requested by the EAC were approved by the Town Council as a one-time, one-year expenditure. The EAC will have about $5,000 next year, compared with $3,500 in the current year.
• Staff reported that Waste Management now accepts paper and plastic cups at the recycling facility, but not clamshells. Members expressed concern about shifting markets and the need for consistent public education before promoting the change.
• The recycling "oops tag" education campaign has professionally designed tags and postcards. It will go to the Town Council for final approval on April 13, with tagging planned to begin in May.
• The food waste drop-off site at the Liberty lot is very popular and frequently exceeds the 800-pound normal maximum for its four bins; one week was around 1,200 pounds. A second FY27 drop-off site was not funded. Annual operation is roughly $4,680, and extra holiday bins were donated by Monster Organics.
• The Governor signed the bag-tax legislation change, allowing Leesburg to receive a portion of bag-tax revenue collected in town. Delegate Marty Martinez advocated for the change. The EAC will present spending recommendations to the Town Council on June 8; options discussed included downtown food waste composting and additional drop-off sites.

Event Planning

• Keep Leesburg Beautiful planning: about 140 people had registered, including a group of 50 rescheduled to April 18. Last year had roughly 100 participants. The Town Manager's Office cleanup collected about 150 pounds, and Deanna's team collected 144 pounds.
• Flower & Garden Festival planning: the booth will move to the courthouse lawn (location C5). The group planned to meet at the equipment shed at 6 p.m. on April 17 to load supplies, with staffing shifts on Saturday and Sunday. The interactive tree will ask residents 'How are you supporting the environment?' and 'What environmental initiative should the town of Leesburg work on?' Attendees can attach leaves and enter hourly raffles.
• The commission will participate in the Boards and Commissions Banquet; Amy will deliver the three-minute presentation.
• The environmental art contest is not being pursued this cycle, although a FY27 budget line item remains.
• A string light recycling proposal is awaiting a Public Works cost estimate; collection is planned around the holiday season.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Deborah, a visitor interested in the EAC, thanked the commission for its work and urged broader public education on environmental options. She suggested a simple list or QR code with ten actions residents can take. Staff responded that the EAC cannot promote private collection businesses for fairness reasons and pointed to the town's Recycle Coach app and website widget as existing tools. Members agreed to add a concrete, tangible education/list item to the next agenda.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and minutes approved; Sheree absent.
• Staff will bring updated information on plastic-cup recycling and bag-tax spending options to upcoming meetings.
• Final council approval for the oops-tag campaign is scheduled for April 13.
• Flower & Garden Festival tasks were assigned: order larger leaves, raffle tickets, a clear storage box, and arrange chair pickup before the festival.
• The inflatable raccoon costume discussion was tabled for the May agenda.
• The next regular EAC meeting is May 5; the Public Works open house, including an LED bulb exchange, is May 9.