Leesburg Diversity Commission Meeting - July 9, 2026

The Leesburg Diversity Commission convened at 7:02 PM for its regular monthly meeting. The commission approved the agenda and minutes from the June 10 meeting, heard a presentation from a town council candidate, received a detailed update on the co-responder mental health program, and made decisions on upcoming events and commission branding.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda: Approved as amended to remove a postcard design item because Commissioner Vanessa was absent. Unanimous.
• Minutes: Approved from the June 10, 2026 meeting. Unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brendan Murphy, a 21-year Leesburg resident and retired Navy/federal employee running for Town Council in November, introduced his three campaign pillars: common sense growth, responsible use of data center revenue, and leveraging innovation (e.g., digital twin technology) for planning and traffic. He expressed support for balancing historic downtown and airport assets, avoiding over‑reliance on data center funds, and using digital tools to improve zoning and development review.
• Commissioner Linda expressed strong frustration with the Traffic Commission’s approach to pedestrian and cyclist safety. She stated that the Traffic Commission was unwilling to address vehicle responsibility, and that she felt unheard. She noted that $200,000 for a bike plan had been removed from the budget, and that without a plan federal grants for bike paths are inaccessible. She indicated she may present her concerns directly to Town Council as a private citizen rather than representing the commission.

Discussion Items

• Commissioner Comments:

  • A commissioner reported on outreach to Loudoun County Public Libraries regarding bilingual, sensory‑sensitive, and captioning story times, as well as LGBTQ support events. The library confirmed existing programs.
  • Commissioner Linda shared a pedestrian safety brochure and recounted experiences in Sweden and Denmark, emphasizing that vehicle behavior must be part of safety discussions. She also noted e‑bike issues among youth and the need for parental awareness of state codes.
  • Another commissioner mentioned that the e‑bike situation has improved with social media postings of state codes, but enforcement remains a challenge.

• Staff Reports:

  • Language Translation Plugin (Bablic): Staff reported that the website vendor Granicus initially said Bablic was the only option, but now Google Translate (free) is also viable. The Town Manager appears willing to fund translation outside the commission’s budget, so the commission can provide an objective recommendation at the August meeting.
  • State Code Change: Effective July 1, 2026, no final action may be taken on items added to board/commission agendas during a meeting unless time‑sensitive or arising from closed session. Discussion is still permitted, but votes must wait until a future meeting.

• Presentation: Co‑Responder Mental Health Program

  • Sgt. Paul (Leesburg Police) and Jane Welch (Loudoun County Mental Health clinician) presented the co‑responder program, which pairs a law enforcement officer with a mental health clinician for mental health crisis calls. The program began as a pilot and became operational July 1, 2024. The team currently consists of five clinicians and four officers (one from LPD, three from LCSO). Services are available Monday–Friday, 12 PM to 9 PM, including holidays.
  • Welch explained that clinicians assess on‑scene, aiming to divert individuals from psychiatric hospitalization when appropriate, using a trauma‑informed lens. They have a 50–50 follow‑up rate and work to safety‑plan and connect individuals with resources. The program operates under the Marcus Alert, and the team is dispatched via 911. The public can request a co‑responder unit when calling 911.
  • The presentation highlighted reduced emergency custody order (ECO) numbers, faster scene resolution, and ongoing training for officers. A commissioner asked about data collection; Welch said data is tracked but detailed metrics are handled by program directors.

• National Night Out (August 4, 2026, 5:30–8:00 PM, Douglass Park): The commission will host a table. Members discussed supplies (temporary tattoos, bubbles, fans). Unanimously approved up to $100 for bubbles and fans. A commissioner volunteered to design an informational handout if needed, but given time constraints, the commission agreed to use existing materials.

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) Ceremony: After discussion, the commission voted to hold the ceremony on October 16, 2026 (the second option) to accommodate the Mayor’s availability. The Town Green was reserved for both October 9 and 16; the 16th was selected. Unanimous.

• Commission Logo: Feedback for the contracted logo artist was gathered. Preferences include: representing diversity in all facets (racial, disability, age, veteran status), a “human‑first” and “place‑based” feel specific to Leesburg, simplicity for branding, vector format, black‑and‑white compatibility, and avoiding the “We Are Leesburg” hashtag. The artist will receive consolidated feedback and provide drafts by the end of the year. The final logo requires Town Council approval.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: Agenda (as amended), minutes, and $100 for National Night Out supplies. All unanimous.
• Date Selection: DVAM ceremony set for October 16, 2026.
• Logo Next Steps: Feedback to be emailed to the artist; a draft review is expected at a future meeting.
• Budget Note: A second co‑responder position was voted into the 2027 budget, ensuring continued program growth. Commission members expressed support and noted the Mayor’s confirmation.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:24 PM.