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Record of Proceedings

Leesburg Town Council Meeting - July 28, 2026

Town Council & Commissions — Tuesday, July 28, 2026
BodyLeesburg, Virginia
SessionTown Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, July 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:24:53

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
2:00

I would like to call to order the uh July 28, 2026 town council meeting.

2:07

If anyone in the room needs hearing assistance, please uh um please uh uh see the clerk.

2:14

Council member Wilt will be giving the invocation tonight, followed by Councilmember Nacy, which will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:23

Thank you.

2:24

Uh let's have a short moment of silence, please, as we reflect on our reasons that we are gathered here this evening and on the things we hope to accomplish together tonight.

2:42

Thank you.

2:44

Please stand up in the United States of America.

2:56

One nation individual liberty and justice.

3:16

The first one is the work session minutes for July 13th, 2026.

3:21

Do I have a motion?

3:23

So moved by Councilmember Nacy.

3:25

Second.

3:25

Second.

3:26

Councilmember Kirchkowski.

3:28

All in favor indicate by saying aye.

3:30

Aye.

3:31

Opposed.

3:32

And abstain.

3:34

Thank you.

3:35

So it is we've missed one, so it's five zero one.

3:43

Had to think about it.

3:44

Um next one.

3:45

The regular session of July 14th, 2026.

3:49

So I so moved by Councilmember Nacy.

3:51

Second.

3:52

Councilmember Kirkowski.

3:54

All in favor indicate by saying aye.

3:56

Aye.

3:56

Opposed.

3:58

That passes six zero one.

4:02

Uh regular session minutes of July 15th.

4:05

Councilmember Nacy.

4:06

Second.

4:07

Council Member Cummings.

4:09

All in favor, indicate by saying aye.

4:13

Opposed.

4:18

Thank you.

4:18

I was looking at absent and I was like, no, no, that's not it.

4:20

So that passes five zero one one.

4:23

Um adopting of the minute meeting agenda.

4:26

Is there a motion?

4:28

So moved by Councilmember Nacy.

4:30

Second.

4:32

Councilmember Kirkowski.

4:33

Is there any item that anyone wishes to have removed?

4:37

Seeing none, all in favor indicate by saying aye.

4:41

Opposed.

4:42

That passes 601.

4:45

Uh we have no uh certificates of recognition of recognition, but we do have proclamation tonight.

4:50

And our proclamation is to the dedication of the performance of the music George Washington heard in the memory of Dr.

5:00

Stephen Cooksie.

5:02

Whereas the town of Leesburg's Performing Arts Commission is hoping hosting the concert Music George Washington Heard, offering audiences an opportunity to experience music reflective of the era in which George Washington lived, General George Washington lived.

5:17

And whereas Dr.

5:18

Stephen Lee Corksy faithfully served as organist and choir master at St.

5:24

James Episcopal Church in Leesburg, Virginia, for more than 42 years, inspiring generations of parishioners, musicians, and audience through his leadership and dedication to the musical excellence.

5:37

And whereas Dr.

5:38

Cooksie also served as the profession professor of organ performance and church music at the Shenandoah Conservancy from 1972 until 2014, educating and mentoring countless students during his distinguished academic career and further demonstrating his commitment to a lifelong learning by earning a master's of business business administration degree from Shenandoah University.

6:00

Whereas several years prior to his passing, Dr.

6:03

Cooksie expressed his wish to host a performance featuring the music from the era of George Washington, reflecting both his passion for music history and his appreciation for the rich historical heritage of Virginia.

6:15

Whereas Dr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Short Term Rentals███████████████████████████████████████████43%
Parking██████████████████████████26%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Public Safety███████7%
Arts And Culture████4%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Leesburg Town Council Meeting - July 28, 2026

The Leesburg Town Council met on July 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber to conduct regular business, including approvals of minutes, a consent agenda, a resolution on wayfinding signs, a public hearing on a new towing advisory board, and public comments on short-term rental concerns.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Approved work session minutes of July 13, 2026 (5-0-1); regular session minutes of July 14, 2026 (6-0-1); regular session minutes of July 15, 2026 (5-0-1). Council Member Wilt was absent from the July 13 and July 15 meetings.
  • Adopting Meeting Agenda: Approved 6-0-1.
  • Consent Agenda Items (12A-I): Approved unanimously with one abstention (5-0-1). Items included:
    • Airport Air Traffic Control Tower Project - Construction Grant Agreement
    • Traffic Signal Safety Improvements - Task Order Authorization
    • Award of Cooperative Participation Agreements to Apple Ford, Inc. and Sheehy Ford of Richmond, Inc.
    • Authorization to Negotiate and Acquire Property Rights for the Plaza Street Sidewalk Project (25303)
    • Supplemental Appropriation and Contract Award for Stormwater Utility Development Task Order
    • LAWS Fee Waiver Request
    • Appointment to the Board of Architectural Review – Lucas Mason
    • Appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission – Sara Menninger (sponsored by Council Member Krukowski)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Three residents spoke on short-term rental (Airbnb) issues in historic downtown Leesburg:
    • Trisha Smith (209 South Street SE): Cited Virginia Code 15.2-983 to argue the town has full authority to regulate short-term rentals through zoning, contrary to claims of state preemption. She reported property damage from an adjacent Airbnb (door slamming into her house) and stated that Airbnb operators often do not know the community. She requested a residency requirement, on-site parking requirement, and residential permit parking on South and Royal Streets.
    • Tracy Jefferson (219 South Street SE): Reported that she has been unable to park in front of her home more often than not due to Airbnb guests, including a wedding party that generated nine cars. She supported more stringent regulations and permit parking.
    • Elizabeth Storms (208 South Street SE): Expressed support for the previous speakers, noting parking congestion and disruptive behavior from Airbnb guests. She advocated for permit parking for residents.

Discussion Items

  • Wayfinding Signs (Resolution): Council Member Steinberg presented a resolution to approve new wayfinding signs downtown and remove damaged or aged signs, funded by the Amazon fund balance at a cost of $251,000. The resolution passed 5-1.
  • Public Hearing – Amending Chapter 2 to Add Section 2-234 (Leesburg Police Directed Tow Advisory Board): Staff presented the background: on June 23, 2026, the council appointed five members to the advisory board (two law enforcement officers, two tow company representatives, and one citizen) to evaluate whether police-directed towing should be regulated by ordinance or contract and to propose language. The proposed code amendment formalizes the board. During discussion, Council Member Wilt asked whether the board could also regulate private tow rates. The town attorney confirmed the council has the authority to regulate private tow rates under state code, and a towing advisory board is a prerequisite. Council directed staff to place discussion of private tow rate caps on a future agenda. The ordinance was approved 6-0-1.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda Approved: 5-0-1 with one abstention.
  • Wayfinding Signs Resolution Approved: 5-1.
  • Tow Advisory Board Ordinance Approved: 6-0-1.
  • Next Steps: The zoning ordinance rewrite will continue to address short-term rental regulations. Town Manager Dentley announced that a proposal to expand residential parking within downtown boundaries will be presented at the September 21, 2026 work session, with a potential public hearing in the fall.
  • Closed Session: Council voted 6-0-1 to enter closed session for the purpose of discussion relating to the hiring of a town manager (per Va. Code § 2.2-3711(A)(1)).
  • Future Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 24-25, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

I would like to call to order the uh July 28, 2026 town council meeting. If anyone in the room needs hearing assistance, please uh um please uh uh see the clerk. Council member Wilt will be giving the invocation tonight, followed by Councilmember Nacy, which will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Uh let's have a short moment of silence, please, as we reflect on our reasons that we are gathered here this evening and on the things we hope to accomplish together tonight. Thank you. Please stand up in the United States of America. One nation individual liberty and justice. The first one is the work session minutes for July 13th, 2026. Do I have a motion? So moved by Councilmember Nacy. Second. Second. Councilmember Kirchkowski. All in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Opposed. And abstain. Thank you. So it is we've missed one, so it's five zero one. Had to think about it. Um next one. The regular session of July 14th, 2026. So I so moved by Councilmember Nacy. Second. Councilmember Kirkowski. All in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Opposed. That passes six zero one. Uh regular session minutes of July 15th. Councilmember Nacy. Second. Council Member Cummings. All in favor, indicate by saying aye. Opposed. Thank you. I was looking at absent and I was like, no, no, that's not it. So that passes five zero one one. Um adopting of the minute meeting agenda. Is there a motion? So moved by Councilmember Nacy. Second. Councilmember Kirkowski. Is there any item that anyone wishes to have removed? Seeing none, all in favor indicate by saying aye. Opposed. That passes 601. Uh we have no uh certificates of recognition of recognition, but we do have proclamation tonight. And our proclamation is to the dedication of the performance of the music George Washington heard in the memory of Dr.

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