Leesburg Environmental Advisory Commission Meeting - August 5, 2026
Leesburg Environmental Advisory Commission Meeting - August 5, 2026
The Leesburg Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) met on August 5, 2026, at 11:30 AM. The meeting covered planning for the Pumpkin Smash event, string light recycling, a drone show proposal for July 4th, herbicide policy concerns, and a leave-the-leaves campaign. The commission approved the agenda and minutes, set the next meeting for September 1 at 5:30 PM, and assigned several follow-up tasks.
Consent Calendar
- The agenda was approved as amended to include a discussion on the "legally use campaign" under new business.
- The minutes from the July 7, 2026 meeting were approved with a vote of 5 in favor, 0 opposed, and 1 abstention (Commissioner Deanna was present but abstained because she had not been present at the prior meeting). A name typo in the minutes was noted but did not affect approval.
Discussion Items
- Pumpkin Smash Event (November 1, 2026): The commission finalized plans for the event at Tuscarora Creek Park, including a dumpster for pumpkin smashing (with a staircase from Public Works), a week-long drop-off for pumpkins, and activities such as ornament painting from tree cookies, educational tables on cooking pumpkins (Virginia Cooperative Extension), leave-the-leaves (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy), and holiday string light recycling. A vendor, Mom's Apple Pie, was invited to sell pies. The event hours were set from 11 AM to 2 PM. Outreach will include a banner at the Halloween parade (October 28) and a social media video of the raccoon mascot smashing a pumpkin.
- String Light Recycling: The collection will use the same dumpster as the pumpkin smash, starting after Thanksgiving and running through the end of the year. The commission discussed extending it to New Year's Day and allowing other cables/connectors pending confirmation.
- Drone Show for July 4th: The commission is investigating a drone show as an alternative or supplement to fireworks. Staff is collecting cost data from Fairfax County and other jurisdictions. The idea was well-received in an informal survey, but members noted the emotional attachment to fireworks and suggested a phased approach (half drone, half fireworks).
- Herbicide Policy: A citizen's concern about spraying along roads lacking public notification led to a discussion. The town has a 2019 resolution prohibiting spraying of glyphosate on stream banks and guardrails, but no formal policy exists for notification or application methods (hand vs. truck). The commission agreed to develop recommendations for a policy, including public notification, application standards, and consideration of alternatives like flame weeding. Members will research other localities (e.g., Gaithersburg, Montgomery County) and compile information on glyphosate risks.
- Leave the Leaves Campaign: The commission will work with the town's Public Information Officer to include leave-the-leaves messaging in the upcoming curbside leaf collection announcements. The goal is to encourage residents to leave some leaves for wildlife and soil health, without overburdening public works.
- Other Items: Staff updates included the delayed installation of a charging station in the downtown garage (due to Dominion Energy work), the free bus service (since January 2026), and the county's purchase of a property for a group home for disabled individuals.
Key Outcomes
- Votes: Agenda approved (unanimous); Minutes approved (5-0-1).
- Next Meeting: Moved to September 1, 2026, at 5:30 PM (location TBD).
- Action Items:
- Commissioner Amy will coordinate with Mom's Apple Pie and the urban forester for tree cookies.
- Commissioner Laura will reach out to Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for the pumpkin smash.
- Staff will contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension for a cooking and nutrition table.
- The commission will draft herbicide policy recommendations, including research on glyphosate and best practices from other jurisdictions.
- Staff will create a web page for the pumpkin smash and a digital flyer.
- The commission will collaborate with the town's social media team for a promotional video.
Meeting Transcript
I kind of needed the audio on 815. So let's go. So all right. All the order. And we have everybody here. That's right. She usually comes in a few minutes late, maybe. All right, I'll read the meeting recording disclosure. Is it is practice of the town of Leesburg to record meetings of the town's standings board and commissioned. All town council board and commission meetings are recorded. And we found at the town's website at WW Lewispergva.gov. That nine is the town strives to provide equal access to services regardless of race, color, national origin, or English proficiency to help us assess our communities' needs. The town would appreciate members of the public completing a voluntary and anonymous demographic survey to access the survey. Please scan the QR table in the back of the chambers or other locations based on meeting space, which inspected. All right. Did everybody have a chance to read? Yeah, I would like to add something. I want to talk about uh legally use campaign. Oh, I saw that so yeah, I didn't so you will put that in uh no business. No good. Yeah. That's a money daily move to approve. I I move to approve this amended. A second? A second. Anyone opposed? Yay. Okay. The third item on the agenda is approval of minutes from July 7th that were sent last week. Um I cannot approve them. My name is spelled wrong. That's mine, but I don't care. I'm curious. Wait a minute. I like every time. So is it Josties or Justy? Justice. Okay. Yeah, sorry. I could not possibly care about I just impressed mine with spell right. So is mine. I'm shocked. Other than um name typos, are there any adjustments to the minutes? Motion to approve. Second. Uh post. Okay. Okay. We've got a weird dash in there because Deanna could not vote because she wasn't here. Because what?
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