OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Leesburg Town Council Meeting – August 25, 2026

Town Council & Commissions — Tuesday, August 25, 2026
BodyLeesburg, Virginia
SessionTown Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, August 25, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 53:56

Transcript — Verbatim
1:56

Um tonight's um town council meeting of um let me find it August twenty-fifth.

2:05

Um if anyone in the room needs hearing assistance, please see the clerk.

2:08

Council member uh uh Dr.

2:10

Semino Johnson will be uh giving the invocation followed by the salute to the flag by council member Steinberg.

2:20

And um uh council member um let us stand for the pledge uh pledge of allegiance when Mr.

2:26

Steinberg uh starts his.

2:28

So um Vice Mayor Semino Johnson.

2:31

Thank you.

2:31

Gracious God, we come to together tonight in gratitude for this town for this council and for the work of the people who keep it running.

2:39

As Labor Day approaches, we remember that this community is built by hands, by the crews who patch our roads and restore our power, by the first responders who answer when we call, by the teachers, nurses, clerks, drivers, farmers, and builders, by the small business owners who open their doors early and close them late.

2:58

Bless the work of every person here, and let it be honest work, fairly paid and fairly done.

3:03

We also remember tonight those who are out of work, those working two jobs and still falling short, and those whose labor goes unseen.

3:10

Give them the relief, dignity, and hope.

3:13

And to the members of this council, grant clear minds, patient hearts, and the courage to decide what is right for the people you serve, not just what is easy.

3:21

May our work tonight be worthy of the people who sent us here.

3:24

Amen.

3:26

Please rise.

3:51

Um Mr.

3:52

Wilts.

3:53

Um we have two sets of minutes.

3:58

Uh the work session minutes of July twenty-seventh, two thousand twenty-six.

4:03

Um do I have a motion to accept those move minutes?

4:06

Uh Councilmember Steinberg, second.

4:09

Councilmember Cummings.

4:11

All in favor indicate by saying aye.

4:15

And uh those opposed and abstain.

4:20

So there's two abstain, there's one absent, and there's four four one two.

4:30

Four zero two.

4:31

Okay, sorry.

4:33

That's right.

4:34

There was no no's.

4:35

Okay, the regular session minutes of the July twenty-eighth, two thousand twenty-six meeting.

4:41

Councilmember Macy, second.

4:44

Councilmember Kirkowski.

4:46

All in favor, indicate by saying aye.

4:49

Opposed and abstained.

4:51

So that's five five zero one.

4:55

Um adopting the meeting agenda.

4:57

Do I have a motion?

5:01

Second.

5:02

Second.

5:03

Council member uh Cummings.

5:05

All in favor, is there any amendments or deletions?

5:08

All in favor, indicate by saying aye.

5:10

Aye.

5:11

Opposed.

5:12

That's uh six zero.

5:15

Um we have uh we have a couple of proclamations tonight.

5:20

The first one is national national payroll week.

5:26

So let me read it into the record and then I will ask for a motion.

5:29

Um National Payroll Week is September 7th to the 11th, 2026.

5:34

And whereas payroll week, observed annually during the week in which Labor Day occurs, recognizes the contributions of payroll professionals, employers, and employees, while promoting greater public awareness of the payroll process and the partnership between workers, employers, and government.

5:51

Whereas payroll professionals play a vital role in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time while administering payroll in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and whereas payroll professionals help safeguard the integrity of payroll system through accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance while adapting to the changing laws, technology, and workforce needs.

6:14

Whereas payroll professionals help facilitate the collection and remittance of payroll taxes that support essential public services and programs, including transportation, education, public safety, and other government operations, and whereas payroll org established by the National Payroll Week, established national payroll roll week to promote public awareness of the payroll profession and the important partnership among employees, employers, payroll professionals, and government agencies in support of our nation's economy, therefore proclaim that the mayor and the council of the town of Leesburg in Virginia do hereby recognize September 7th through 11th, 2026 as National Payroll Week.

6:56

Do I have a motion?

6:57

So made.

6:58

So moved by Councilmember Nasi.

7:00

Second.

7:01

Second.

7:01

Second, uh by Councilmember Steinberg.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████████████████22%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████15%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Youth Programs██████████10%
Historic Preservation██████████10%
Public Engagement███3%
Active Transportation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Leesburg Town Council Meeting – August 25, 2026

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber at Town Hall. Mayor Burt presided. After invocation by Vice Mayor Cimino-Johnson and pledge led by Council Member Steinberg, the council approved minutes, adopted the agenda, and issued three proclamations. Public comments were heard on multiple topics. The council then approved a consent agenda (10 items), a capital funding request to Loudoun County, a water service extension for ADAMS Muslim Community Center, the 2027 General Assembly legislative program, and an appointment to the Thomas Balch Library Endowment Foundation.

Proclamations

  • National Payroll Week (September 7–11, 2026): Recognized contributions of payroll professionals. Accepted by Jennifer Regis. Approved 6-0.
  • Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (September 2026): Recognized Team Mathias for advocacy. Referenced nearly 16,000 U.S. children diagnosed annually. Approved 6-0.
  • Jean Lanette Matus 100th Birthday: Recognized her 100th birthday on August 29, 2026. Approved 6-0. (Mayor will deliver the proclamation.)

Consent Calendar

All items approved 6-0:

  • Town Hall Art Exhibit (Megan O’Hanlon)
  • Airport Art Exhibit (Steve Loya)
  • Comcast Cable Franchise
  • Encroachment Agreement for SI NVA06, LLC (Compass Creek Pedestrian Bridge)
  • Special Event Fee Waiver for Leesburg Movement Tag Sale
  • School Proffer Funds for Elementary School Playgrounds
  • Fiscal Year 2026 Data Center Computer Equipment Tax Revenue
  • Extension of Lease Agreements with Kuhn Jet Center LLC
  • Leasing Additional Office Space at 552 Fort Evans Road
  • Interim Town Manager Appointment and Employment Contract

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mr. McClister (35-year resident, spelling not provided): Raised concerns about low-hanging wires (Dominion, Comcast, Verizon) in the B-1 district, citing an accident where a truck hit a wire. Requested a study on wire heights. Also urged council to address school supply shortages, noting Loudoun County is the wealthiest county yet children lack supplies like pencils. Praised Council Member Cummings for calling about the issue.
  • Morgan Hadlock (associate with Curata Partners, speaking for Rappaport, owner of Village at Leesburg): Expressed support for the zoning rewrite’s goal of flexibility but asked council to consider permitting uses like self-storage, research & development, and vehicle sales in the new MU district (currently allowed in B-4). Also requested flexibility for drive-through improvements at the existing bank building to allow re-tenanting. Will send a memo outlining suggestions.
  • Tricia Smith (resident of South Street): Requested 24/7 parking permits for Royal Street SE and South Street SE to ease parking pressure from downtown visitors, restaurants, and Airbnb guests. Asked for help in finding a solution.
  • Will Malone (resident of 1 Royal Street SW): Opposed the potential demolition of the historic building at 16 Wirt Street SW. Argued the circa-1900 building meets the town’s historic definition, is contributing to the Old and Historic District, and could be renovated rather than torn down. Noted the loss of about a block of historic structures in six years. Suggested the town could sell the property for a profit. Requested a plan for government center expansion that does not sacrifice historic assets.
  • Rizwan Jaka (interfaith and government relations chair for ADAMS) – spoke later in the meeting under Petitioners: Supported resolution 13B for water service extension (see Discussion Items). Expressed gratitude for staff cooperation and noted synergy with Loudoun Soccer.

Discussion Items

Annual Capital Funding Request to Loudoun County (FY2028)

Deputy Director Doug Wagner presented three proposed projects:

  1. South King Street Interchange (Route 7/Route 15 Bypass): Improvements to capacity and safety. Reallocating $11 million in federal RSTP funds; future NVTA application for $11.2 million. IAR expected spring 2028.
  2. Battlefield Parkway/Route 15 Bypass Interchange: New grade-separated interchange tied to the county’s Route 15 widening. Town has matching proffer funds and a pending VDOT Smart Scale application for $88 million. County utility relocation underway; construction expected 2028.
  3. Lee Avenue Sidewalk Missing Link: 700 feet of sidewalk connecting White Oak Development to Loudoun County High School (safe routes). Construction currently planned for 2033; request to county would accelerate to 2030. Town’s matching funds would be debt-financed; no NVTA 30% funds available for reallocation. Approved 6-0.

Water Service Extension – ADAMS Muslim Community Center of Leesburg (MCCL)

Amy Weiss (Director of Utilities) presented: Request for town water only (not sanitary sewer) for the 19838 Sycolin Road parcel in the Joint Land Management Area. Town water line will be extended along Sycolin Road as part of the Compass Creek data center CIP (12-inch line). Estimated demand 1,000 gallons per day; no capacity concerns. Conditions: payment of all fees, connection after town CIP completion, possible automatic flushing device, and coordination with Loudoun County Health Department (current pump-and-haul sewer permit). Applicant Ibrahim Noraldin clarified they plan to eventually connect to Loudoun Soccer’s sewer via easement. Approved 6-0.

2027 General Assembly Legislative Program

Adopted 6-0 with no discussion.

Appointment to Thomas Balch Library Endowment Foundation

Council appointed Diane Helen Jarris (retired physician, Loudoun History Award recipient) to the board. Approved 6-0.

Council Disclosures & Comments

  • Council Member Cummings: Disclosed meetings with Sasha Brouwer about Village at Leesburg and with Jill Norcross (NVAAH) and Mitch Crispel (True Grounds Housing) about zoning rewrite. Also reported numerous community events attended.
  • Council Member Steinberg: Requested a future work session to discuss a cemetery restoration issue where a property owner moved earth onto town property and the cemetery; county action has been slow. Request received four supporting members, so it will proceed.
  • Mayor Burt: Thanked attendees, noted follow-up on Mr. McClister’s low-wire concern via survey.

Key Outcomes

  • All proclamations approved 6-0.
  • Consent agenda (10 items) approved 6-0.
  • Capital funding resolution approved 6-0.
  • Water service extension for ADAMS MCCL approved 6-0 (with conditions).
  • 2027 Legislative Program approved 6-0.
  • Appointment of Diane Helen Jarris to Thomas Balch Library Endowment Foundation approved 6-0.
  • Council approved minutes (work session: 4-0-2; regular session: 5-0-1).
  • Future meeting added: cemetery restoration discussion.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM (time not specified, but after all business).

Meeting Transcript

Um tonight's um town council meeting of um let me find it August twenty-fifth. Um if anyone in the room needs hearing assistance, please see the clerk. Council member uh uh Dr. Semino Johnson will be uh giving the invocation followed by the salute to the flag by council member Steinberg. And um uh council member um let us stand for the pledge uh pledge of allegiance when Mr. Steinberg uh starts his. So um Vice Mayor Semino Johnson. Thank you. Gracious God, we come to together tonight in gratitude for this town for this council and for the work of the people who keep it running. As Labor Day approaches, we remember that this community is built by hands, by the crews who patch our roads and restore our power, by the first responders who answer when we call, by the teachers, nurses, clerks, drivers, farmers, and builders, by the small business owners who open their doors early and close them late. Bless the work of every person here, and let it be honest work, fairly paid and fairly done. We also remember tonight those who are out of work, those working two jobs and still falling short, and those whose labor goes unseen. Give them the relief, dignity, and hope. And to the members of this council, grant clear minds, patient hearts, and the courage to decide what is right for the people you serve, not just what is easy. May our work tonight be worthy of the people who sent us here. Amen. Please rise. Um Mr. Wilts. Um we have two sets of minutes. Uh the work session minutes of July twenty-seventh, two thousand twenty-six. Um do I have a motion to accept those move minutes? Uh Councilmember Steinberg, second. Councilmember Cummings. All in favor indicate by saying aye. And uh those opposed and abstain. So there's two abstain, there's one absent, and there's four four one two. Four zero two. Okay, sorry. That's right. There was no no's. Okay, the regular session minutes of the July twenty-eighth, two thousand twenty-six meeting. Councilmember Macy, second. Councilmember Kirkowski. All in favor, indicate by saying aye. Opposed and abstained. So that's five five zero one. Um adopting the meeting agenda. Do I have a motion? Second. Second. Council member uh Cummings. All in favor, is there any amendments or deletions? All in favor, indicate by saying aye. Aye. Opposed. That's uh six zero. Um we have uh we have a couple of proclamations tonight. The first one is national national payroll week. So let me read it into the record and then I will ask for a motion.

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