HomeMy Public PortalAbout2022_tcmin0614 COUNCIL.MEETING June 14, 2022
Council Chamber, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 7:00 p.m. Mayor Kelly Burk
presiding.
Council Members Present: Ara Bagdasarian, Zach Cummings, Suzanne Fox, Vice Mayor
Martinez, Kari Nacy, Neil Steinberg, and Mayor Kelly Burk.
Council Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Town Attorney Christopher Spera, Deputy
Town Manager Keith Markel, Director of Economic Development Russell Seymour,
Director of Parks and Recreation Rich Williams, Director of Utilities Amy Wyks, Deputy
Town Attorney Christine Newton, Senior Project Planning Manager Chris Murphy, Land
Acquisition Manager Keith Wilson and Clerk of Council Eileen Boeing.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION was given by Council Member Fox.
3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG was led by Mayor Burk.
4. ROLL CALL
5. MINUTES
a. Work Session Minutes of May 23, 2022
MOTION2022-107
On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the
minutes of the Work Session of May 23, 2022, were moved for approval.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cummings, Fox, Vice Mayor Martinez, Nacy, Steinberg and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0 •
b. Regular Session Minutes of May 24, 2022
MOTION2022-108
On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the
minutes of the Regular Session of May 24, 2022, were moved for approval.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cummings, Fox, Vice Mayor Martinez, Nacy, Steinberg and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None •
Vote: 7-0
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6. ADOPTING THE MEETING AGENDA
MOTION 2022-109
On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Fox, the meeting agenda
was moved for approval.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cummings, Fox, Vice Mayor Martinez, Nacy, Steinberg and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
7. CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION
a. None.
S. PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATIONS
a. Juneteenth
Mayor Burk read the Juneteenth proclamation and presented it to Mr. Irvin
Greene, President of the "BURG" Family Reunion Club and to Mr. Steve Williams,
President of the National Juneteenth Independence Day. Both recipients made a few
remarks.
b. LGBTQ Pride Month
Mayor Burk read the LGBTQ Pride Month proclamation and presented it to
Mr. Todd Cimino-Johnson. Equality Loudoun President Cris Candice Tuck made a
few remarks.
c. Master Gardeners
MOTION2022-110
On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Steinberg, the
following was proposed:
I move to approve the Proclamation for Master Gardeners be presented at the June 14,
2022, Council Meeting.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cummings, Fox, Vice Mayor Martinez, Nacy, Steinberg and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
Mayor Burk read the proclamation and will present it at a future event.
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d. Taxation without Representation
MOTION2022-111
On a motion by Council Member Fox, seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez, the following
was proposed:
I move to approve the Proclamation for Taxation without Representation to be presented
at the June 14, 2022, Council Meeting.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cummings, Fox, Vice Mayor Martinez, Nacy, Steinberg and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
Mayor Burk read the proclamation and will present it to the Sergeant Major
John Champe Chapter of the Virginia Sons of the American Revolution at the 248th
Commemoration of the Loudoun County Resolves event on June 18, 2022.
9. PRESENTATIONS
a. Visit Loudoun Update
Visit Loudoun President and CEO Beth Erickson presented Council with a
summary of the Visit Loudoun's Strategic Plan for the Town and surrounding areas,
travel trends and hotel occupancy in Leesburg, survey results broken down by
Leesburg and other areas and the status of the pandemic recovery. Council and Ms.
Erickson discussed her presentation.
10. REGIONAL COMMISSION REPORTS
a. None.
11. PETITIONERS
The Petitioner's Section was opened at 7:34 p.m.
James Garofalo, Kristen Court, SE. Spoke to Council about his actions at the
last Commission on Public Art(COPA) meeting and the actions surrounding the
proposed Black History Mural leading up to him and two other members leaving the
COPA meeting before it concluded.
Jisun Bae, Horsepen Woods Lane, Oak Hill. Spoke to Council regarding the
Chinese Communist Republic harvesting human organs from political prisoners to
sell to organ recipients. Ms. Bae asked Council to adopt a resolution or proclamation
condemning this action like many local jurisdictions have already done to bring
awareness to the community.
Tiny Tang, Stone Hollow Drive. Spoke to Council regarding the Chinese
Communist Republic harvesting human organs from political prisoners to sell to
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organ recipients. Ms. Bae asked Council to adopt a resolution or proclamation
condemning this action like many local jurisdictions have already done to bring
awareness to the community and to show that Chinese people and the Chinese
Communist Party are not one and the same.
The Petitioner's Section was closed at 7:44 p.m.
12. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION 2022-112
On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Bagdasarian, the
following Consent Agenda was proposed:
a. Replacement of the SCADA System at the Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities
—Design Services
RESOL UTION2022-066
Awarding a Task Order in the amount of$426,896 to Stantec Consulting Services Inc
for Necessary Design Services Associated with Replacement of the SCADA Systems at
the Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities
b. Replacement of Raw Water Variable Frequency Drives at Water Treatment Plant
RESOLUTION2022-067
Approving a Task Order for the Replacement of Raw Water Pump Variable Frequency
Drives at the Water Treatment Plant to M.C. Dean, Inc. in the amount of$235,989
c. Extending Cable Franchise with Verizon Virginia LLC for a Period of One(1) Year
RESOLUTION2022-068
Authorizing an Extension of the Cable Franchise Between Verizon Virginia LLC and
the Town for a Period of One(1) Year
d. Donating Surplus Police Equipment to Ukraine
RESOLUTION2022-069
Authorizing the Donation of Surplus Safety Equipment from the Leesburg Police
Department to Ukraine as a Humanitarian Effort
e. Juneteenth March and Celebration Fee Waiver
RESOLUTION2022-070
Waiving Special Event Fees for the Juneteenth March and Celebration to be Held on
June 20, 2022
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f. Appointment to the Technology and Communications Commission
RESOLUTION2022-071
Appointing Ben Taylor to the Technology and Communications Commission
The Consent Agenda was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cummings, Fox, Vice Mayor Martinez, Nacy, Steinberg and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
13. RESOLUTIONS /ORDINANCES / MOTIONS
a. None.
14. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. Conveyance of Real Property
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:46 p.m.
Land Acquisition Manager Keith Wilson identified for Council the two
parcels of land proposed for conveyance to the Virginia Depailuient of
Transportation(VDOT) and the Commonwealth Transportation Board(CTB) with
VDOT and the CTB receiving the smaller parcel and the abutting land owner
receiving the larger parcel. The smaller parcel is 0.95746-acre parcel being a strip of
land approximately 50' feet wide and 840' feet in length providing a connection for
the larger 29.0423-acre parcel to East Market Street(Route 7). Council and staff
discussed the properties and why they are no longer needed by the Town.
Public Speakers:
There were no speakers wishing to address the public hearing.
The public hearing was closed at 7:52 p.m.
MOTION2022-113
On a motion by Council Member Steinberg, seconded by Council Member Fox, the
following was proposed:
RESOLUTION2022-072
Authorizing the Conveyance of Real Property to the Commonwealth of Virginia
Department of Transportation for Roadway Purposes
and
RESOLUTION2022-073
Authorizing the Conveyance of Real Property to the Abutting Landowner for Economic
Development Purposes
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COUNCIL MEETING June 14, 2022
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cummings, Fox, Vice Mayor Martinez, Nacy, Steinberg and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
b. TLOA-2021-0013 Mobile Food Unit Parking and Storage Associated with a
Commercial Kitchen
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:54 p.m.
Senior Planning Project Manager Chris Murphy presented Council with the
proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendment to Sec. 9.5.4—Standards for Temporary
Uses establishing use standards for the parking/storage of mobile food units
associated with commercial kitchens. Council and staff discussed the proposed
amendment.
Public Speakers:
There were no speakers wishing to address the public hearing.
The public hearing was closed at 8:00 p.m.
MOTION2022-114
On a motion by Council Member Nacy, seconded by Council Member Bagdasarian, the
following was proposed:
I move that Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2021-0013 revising Leesburg Zoning
Ordinance Sec. 9.5.4 Standards for Temporary Uses, be approved, on the basis that the
amendment furthers objectives of the Town Plan and that the proposal would serve the public
necessity, convenience,general welfare and good zoning practice.
ORDINANCE 2022-0-016
Amending Zoning Ordinance Section 9.5.4 Standards for Temporary Uses to Establish
New Use Standards Authorizing the Temporary Parking and Storage of Mobile Food
Units Associates with Commercial Kitchen Uses
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cummings, Fox, Vice Mayor Martinez, Nacy, Steinberg and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
c. TLOA-2022-0003 Floodplain Overlay District& Creek Valley Buffer
Amendments
The Public Hearing was opened at 8:01 p.m.
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Senior Planning Project Manager Chris Murphy presented Council and staff
with the proposed revisions to Zoning Ordinance Article 7 (Floodplain Overlay) and
Article 14 (Creek Valley Buffer) to establish Capital Improvement Projects as by-
right and eligible for buffer width modifications. Council and staff discussed the
revisions.
Public Speakers:
There were no speakers wishing to address the public hearing.
The public hearing was closed at 8:13 p.m.
MOTION2022-115
On a motion by Council Member Fox, seconded by Council Member Steinberg, the
following was proposed:
I move to approve the proposed Ordinance TLOA-2022-0003 revising various sections of
TLZO Article 7(Floodplain Overlay)and Article 14(Creek Valley Buffer)to establish Capital
Improvement Projects as by-right, and eligible for buffer width modifications on the basis that
the amendments further objectives of the Town Plan and that the proposal would serve the
public necessity, convenience,general welfare and good zoning practice.
ORDINANCE 2022-0-017
Amending Zoning Ordinance Section 7.11 Floodplain Overlay District and Zoning
Ordinance Section 14.2 Buffer Setbacks Relating to the Review of and Modifications for
Capital Improvement Projects
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Cummings, Fox, Vice Mayor Martinez, Nacy, Steinberg and
Mayor Burk
Nay: None
Vote: 7-0
d. Amending Council Pay
The Public Hearing was opened at 8:15 p.m.
Town Attorney Chris Spera presented Council with the proposed Town Code
amendments to allow Council to annually receive the same Cost of Living
Adjustment(COLA) increase that is approved in the budget for staff. Council and
staff discussed the amendment.
Public Speakers:
There were no speakers wishing to address the public hearing.
The public hearing was closed at 8:18 p.m.
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COUNCIL MEETING June 14, 2022
MOTION 2022-116
On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Steinberg, the
following was proposed:
I move to approve the proposed Ordinance to Amend Town Code Section 2-197
Compensation for the Mayor and Members of the Town Council.
ORDINANCE 2022-0-018
Amending Town Code Section 2-197 Compensation for the Mayor and Members of the
Town Council
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Bagdasarian, Vice Mayor Martinez, Steinberg and Mayor Burk
Nay: Cummings, Fox, Nacy
Vote: 4-3
15. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. None.
16. NEW BUSINESS
a. None.
17. COUNCIL DISCLOSURES AND COMMENTS / ADDITIONS TO FUTURE
MEETINGS
Council Member Fox requested a proclamation at the next business meeting for
Town residents and Loudoun County Foster Parents of the Year Ashley and Richard
Harper.
It was the consensus of Council to add this to the June 28, 2022, Council Meeting.
Council Member Steinberg requested a Work Session discussion on the Verizon
agreement to address streaming services in addition to dealing with Verizon only as a cable
provider.
It was the consensus of Council to add this to a future Work Session for discussion.
Council Member Steinberg requested a Work Session discussion to determine if the
Town wishes to have a proclamation or resolution addressing the Chinese Communist
Republic's harvesting human organs from political prisoners in response to the Petitioners'
requests.
It was the consensus of Council to add this to a future Work Session for discussion.
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Council Member Cummings made a statement regarding the role of Board and
Commission Members and requested a motion be added to the next business meeting to
remove COPA Commissioner Kareem McCullough.
No consensus is required. This item to be added to the June 28, 2022, Council Meeting.
Council Member Bagdasarian advised Council that he would not be in attendance at
the June 27-28 Council meetings as he was going to be out of Town for business. Council
Member Bagdasarian requested a Work Session discussion to provide input to the Town
Attorney so the Public Art Guidelines can be updated to include guidelines for unsolicited
non-Town projects.
It was the consensus of Council to add this to a future Work Session discussion.
Vice Mayor Martinez noted he attended the opening of Tap in Golf and enjoyed the
cartoon screens they have for young golfers. Vice Mayor Martinez noted he and Mr. Asa
Rusk rode around Town to evaluate potential new routes for his golf cart business and the
feedback from the residents on the streets was very positive. Vice Mayor Martinez
participated in the March with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense and against Gun
Violence. Vice Mayor Martinez requested the Town Manager to share stroke awareness
information with the staff and Council. Mr. Dentler agree to provide the information.
18. MAYOR DISCLOSURES AND COMMENTS / ADDITIONS TO FUTURE
MEETINGS
Mayor Burk requested a Work Session discussion on scooters in the Town.
It was the consensus of Council to add this to a future Work Session discussion.
Mayor Burk joined Congresswoman Wexton in dedicating the post office on Market
Street to Mr. Norman Duncan who was a World War II veteran, father, husband and
community activist. Mayor Burk thanked 880 Harrison Street for allowing her to host her
Meet the Mayor at their location. Mayor Burk welcomed Tap in Golf and Deborah
Morbeto's Art Gallery on Loudoun Street to Leesburg. Mayor Burk participated in the Sons
of the American Revolution for Wayne's Crossing on the Courthouse lawn to commemorate
this important point in the Revolutionary War involving Leesburg. Mayor Burk said that
Council Member Fox was also in attendance. Mayor Burk attended the Moms against Gun
Violence March and participated in giving cake and ice cream to the cancer survivors at the
Relay for Life event. Mayor Burk attended the George Marshall International Foundation's
commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Marshall Plan. The British Ambassador was
present as well as Deputies from Finland and Sweden. Mayor Burk attended the Juneteenth
flag raising ceremony on the Town Green and attended the Juneteenth celebration at Ida
Lee. Mayor Burk noted that it was mentioned earlier in the meeting that there will also be
an upcoming Juneteenth event on June 19th at Claude Moore Park. Mayor Burk attended
the funeral of Town Arborist Tyler Wright and expressed her sympathies to his family and
that she enjoyed working with him. Mayor Burk thanked SimplyBe Coffee for allowing her
to host the Meet the Mayor at their location. Mayor Burk noted her next event would be
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later in the week at Dairy Queen from 10:00 a.m. to noon and encouraged residents to stop
by to meet her.
19. TOWN MANAGER COMMENTS
Mr. Dentler thanked Town Arborist Tyler Wright for the service he provided to the
Leesburg community over the last three to four years and thanked Council for their support
given to his family. Mr. Dentler added that Leesburg lost another family member and
shared that a long-term member of the Town's Police Department since 2003, Ms. Sherry
Riley, passed away over the weekend. Mr. Dentler noted that she was also a member of the
Leesburg Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. He shared the details for her funeral service
and thanked for her years of work with the Town.
20. CLOSED SESSION
a. None.
21. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council Member Nacy, the meeting was
adjourned at 8:•32 p.m.
Ke Bu ayor
Town of Leesburg
ATTEST:
2reeze.e:t., ?atm?
Clerk of Council
2022 tcmin0614
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June 14, 2022—Town Council Meeting
(Note: This is a transcript prepared by a Town contractor based on the video of the meeting. It
may not be entirely accurate. For greater accuracy,we encourage you to review the video of the
meeting that is on the Town's Web site—www.leesburgva.gov or refer to the approved Council
meeting minutes. Council meeting videos are retained for three calendar years after a meeting
per Library of Virginia Records Retention guidelines.)
Mayor Kelly Burk: Please, I would like to call to order tonight's Town Council meeting of June 14th,
2022. Council Member Fox will be giving the invocation and I will do the salute to the flag. Council
Member Fox?
Council Member Suzanne Fox:Thank you. Please join me.We gather and ask you, Heavenly Father,
today for your guidance, your wisdom, your support. As we begin this meeting, help us to engage in
meaningful discussion and help us to work as a unified team, combining different ideas for a great
outcome. Please help us to work as a whole, rather than as individuals trying to promote our own ideas.
May we have the spirit of camaraderie in this room as we work together for our shared mission to serve
the people of Leesburg.Amen.
Mayor Burk:All right, please rise and join me for the pledge. I pledge allegiance.
All:To the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible,with liberty and justice for all.
Mayor Burk:All right. If anyone needs hearing assistance, please see the Clerk. Let the record reflect
that all members of Town Council are here tonight. We have two sets of minutes, the working session
minutes of May 23rd, 2020. Do I have a motion to accept them?
Vice Mayor Fernando"Marty" Martinez: So moved.
Mayor Burk:Vice Mayor Martinez. Second?
Council Member Kari Nacy: Second.
Mayor Burk: Seconded by Council Member Nacy.All in favor?
Members:Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? Everybody was here, so everyone can vote. 7-0. Regular session meetings of
May 24th, 2022.
Vice Mayor Martinez: So moved.
Mayor Burk:Vice Mayor Martinez. Second?
Council Member Nacy: Second.
Mayor Burk: Seconded by Council Member Nacy. All in favor, indicate by saying aye.
Members:Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed?That's 7-0. Do I have a motion to adopt the meeting agenda?
Vice Mayor Martinez: So moved.
Mayor Burk: Vice Mayor Martinez is busy tonight.
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Council Member Fox: Second.
Mayor Burk: Uh-oh.
Council Member Fox:We're on a roll.
Mayor Burk:Hey, Council Member Fox got that one.All in favor of adopting the mee--Is there anything
anybody would like removed or added? Okay.Adopting the meeting agenda say aye.
Members:Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? All right, that passes 7-0. We have no certificates of recognition, but we do
have a couple of proclamations. I will read them and then go down to the floor to present them. I will
need motions on two of them, but the first one is for Juneteenth. This is a proclamation whereas
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863, declaring the
slaves in the Confederate territory free and paving the way for the passing of the 13th amendment,
which formally abolished slavery in the United States of America.
Whereas news about the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation was delayed some two and a half
years to June 19th, 1865 in reaching authorities and the African Americans in the south and southwest
in United States. Whereas June 19th has a special meaning for African Americans, and it's called
Juneteenth, combining the words June and nineteen, and has been celebrated by the African American
community for over 150 years.
Whereas this year,2022, marks the 403rd anniversary of the arrival to the Jamestown settlement of the
first Africans,where they were enslaved, marking the beginning of a nearly 250 years of slavery in the
British colonies and in the new nation, which would become the United States. Whereas today
Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievements while encouraging continuous self-
development and respect for all cultures, that it takes on a more national symbolic and even global
perspective to ensure the events of 1865 are never forgotten.
Whereas the Leesburg Town Council recognizes the following organization, The "BURG" Family
Reunion and its president, Irvin Greene,for their efforts to encourage residents to become more aware
of the significance of this celebration in the African American history and preserving the memories of
Black descendants, and the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation and its president, Steve
Williams, for their efforts towards the passage of the Juneteenth Independence Day legislation and for
the coordination and organization of the Juneteenth flag-raising event held here on June 6th, 2022.
Therefore, proclaimed that the Mayor and the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia hereby
declare that Monday, June 20th, will be observed as Juneteenth in the Town of Leesburg, Virginia. We
urge all citizens to recognize the importance of the remembrance of all the lives lost during this tragic
period of slavery, proclaimed as 14th day. The other one that I need to read is the proclamation for
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month, June, 2020. Whereas the Town of
Leesburg is a diverse community that embraces people of all ethnicities, backgrounds, sexual
orientations, and gender identities.
Whereas the month of June was designated as pride month to commemorate the Stonewall riots that
occurred in June, 1969 and are generally recognized as the catalyst of the lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, and queer identification rights movement. Whereas every June communities across the
nations celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ+ people to commemorate those individuals who
fought for secure equality, experienced discrimination and have historically been disenfranchised by
the rights afforded to the other Americans.
Whereas the Town of Leesburg remains committed to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+community and
invites everyone to respect, honor, and celebrate our diverse community and continues building a
culture of inclusiveness and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. Therefore, I proclaim that the
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Mayor and the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia hereby proclaim June 22 as LGBTQ Pride
Month.
As such, we recognize Todd Cimino-Johnson as the LGBTQ+ activist in our community, and we call
upon all residents to recognize the achievement of this community to celebrate the great diversity of the
American people and actively promote the principles of equity and liberty. The next one, I will need a
motion. It is for the 30th anniversary of the Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden. Do I have a
motion?
Vice Mayor Martinez: So moved.
Mayor Burk: Moved by Mr. Martinez.
Council Member Neil Steinberg: Second.
Mayor Burk: Seconded by Mr. Steinberg. I will read it and then ask for a vote. Whereas in December,
1992, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Loudoun, VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners, have educated
the public on gardening methods with the Demonstration Gardens at Ida Lee Park. Whereas the VCE
Loudoun Master Gardeners are dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers who look forward to
answering any horticultural questions from the public.
Whereas the VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners have proved through agricultural experimentation that
organic gardening is possible in Loudoun County.Whereas the VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners have
been recognized with the Community Improvement Award, the John W. Tolbert Award, and the
signatures of Loudoun Design Excellence Awards for public landscapes.
Whereas the VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners have donated between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds of fresh
produce to Loudoun Hunger Relief annually.Therefore I proclaim that the mayor and the Council of the
Town of Leesburg hereby recognize the VCE Loudoun Master Gardeners dedication and continued
effort and applaud the group on their 30th anniversary of its Demonstration Garden at Ida Lee.Do I have
a motion? I mean, I made a motion. I got a motion from Mr. Martinez, seconded by Mr. Steinberg.All in
favor?
Members:Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? That passes. Our last one, I also need a motion for, and this is the 258th
commemoration of the Loudoun County Resolves. Do I have a motion for this one?Then I'll read that
one when we're finished.
Council Member Fox: So moved.
Mayor Burk: So moved by Council Member Fox. Second?
Vice Mayor Martinez: Second.
Mayor Burk: Seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez. The 248th commemoration of the Loudoun County
Resolves, whereas in June, 1774, Leesburg and Loudoun freeholders met in the County Courthouse
lawn to discuss the protection of people's rights and liberties in North America.Whereas,at this meeting,
Loudoun County residents discussed the best way to support their fellow Bostonians from the
oppression and tyranny of the act of the British Parliament. Whereas participants of this meeting drew
up the resolution which were sent to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, as well as to London.
Whereas these resolution resolved that freemen should not be submitted to taxes, other than those
enacted by representatives of their own choosing.Whereas is absolutely repugnant to the fundamental
laws of justice to punish persons without a trial. Whereas enforcing the act of parliament by military
power would lead to a civil war and support of the suffering brethren of the Boston and any oppressed
parts of North America.
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Therefore, proclaimed that the Mayor and the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia, hereby
recognize the Sergeant Major John Champe Chapter of the Virginia Sons of the American Revolution,
for its efforts towards commemorating the 248 years at the Loudoun County Courthouse on June 18tn
and remembrance of this important day in the county's history.All right, I will go to those, go there, and
I will take these down.
Chris Spera:You still need to vote on.
Mayor Burk: Oh, I needed a vote on second one. Thank you. We have a motion by Council Fox,
seconded by Mr. Martinez.All in favor?
Members:Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? Thank you. Okay, now it's legal. Our first proclamations are for Mr. Greene
and Mr.Williams. I want to give these to you to just commemorate the fact of all the hard work that both
you gentlemen have done to recognize and make everyone aware of the importance of Juneteenth. I
tell the story of many, many years ago when I was first on Council, where there was a woman from
Texas that asked me about Juneteenth and were we going to celebrate it and I knew nothing about it.
She said in Texas, it's a big deal.To see this coming to fruition now, it's just really great and we're very
excited to be part of it and we really appreciate the fact that both of you have recognized that Leesburg
is a place that wants to recognize it and wants to be part of it. We want to really thank you. I know that
you would love to talk about your event on Saturday, and I know you would like to talk about our event
the other day, so I'm going to hand it to you first.
Irvin Greene: Okay. Thank you. I truly appreciate this award, this proclamation, excuse me, given to
The"BURG" Family Reunion Club on behalf of the town of Leesburg.This Saturday,we will be having
our second annual Juneteenth out at Ida Lee Park. Of course, we always plug the Chuck Brown Band
as our headliner. I always say that Juneteenth isn't just for our community. I welcome in and everyone
from all walks of life to come and have a good time at the park with us.
We're going to kick off at 12:00 noon, and we'll finish up at 6:00. Gates open at 11:15. It's a $15 entry
fee. We'll have food vendors, different performers. We have two church groups this year, which is an
exciting feat in itself because we're very excited about having them there as well. We do have some
kid--it's a kid-friendly event as well, so come on out, enjoy and have a good time.
Mayor Burk:Thank you. Thank you very much.
[applause]
Mayor Burk: I know you want to share.
Steve Williams: Well, yes, we had the flag raising here the 6t11, but on the 19tn, Sunday, we will be in
Claude Moore Park for Juneteenth celebration.There's no admission at the door.We got Johnny Rawls,
Bobby Rush, and Michael Hampton from Parliament Funkadelic. We've got a lot of vendors that will be
there. Plus the Buffalo Soldiers will be performing a flag raising at 3:00 PM in their full regalia. Come
on out on Father's Day,which is the first Juneteenth--The first Father's Day was on Juneteenth in 1910,
and the first legal holiday for Juneteenth, which is this year, last year was an executive order is on
Father's Day.
Across the nation,we honor the Juneteenth fathers of freedom. We have a group here that will be with
us in DC on a march from the African American Civil War Museum to Howard University, where Miss
Opal Lee will be here joining me along with Lou Gossett,Jr. and Bobby Seale and some other national
activists. Stay tuned, go to Juneteenth Loudoun, there's a link on there to tell you about the stuff that
we're doing.
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I've been a longtime resident of Leesburg. I started back in 2000. Most of you have been here probably
know my mom. She was here since 198--something. I'm really happy to be able to bring Juneteenth to
the Loudoun County. This would be our third year I'm doing it. Dr. Myers is the father, the mother, of
Juneteenth movement, my mentor.Yet one of the things he said before he left us was, "Steve,take her
home." [laughs]
Mayor Burk: Thank you. Thank you all very much.
Steve Williams: Thank you.
Mayor Burk: On the 18th, you can go here in Leesburg, and on the 19th, in Loudoun County. The next
one we have is for the Pride Month. Mr. Cimino-Johnson is coming up for this one. I love all the support
you're getting, yay.
Todd Cimino-Johnson: [unintelligible] an entourage.
Mayor Burk: Yes. This is very exciting for us to present to you today. I called Equity Loudoun and I
said, "Send us somebody to accept this," and boy, you sure did. Thank you very much. I think, Todd,
you're going to be accepting it and saying a few words about the whole.
Todd Cimino-Johnson: Or let Cris [unintelligible].
Cris Candice Tuck: Oh, no, I got to talk? I did this last year; I didn't do so well. Loudoun Pride is going
to be the first inaugural Pride festival here in Loudoun County. It is going to be absolutely amazing.We
actually just sold our thousand ticket this afternoon. We expect to sell out by the end of next week. It is
going to be over 100 businesses from all over Loudoun County in the region, amazing food, alcohol
vendors. We've got dozens of family-friendly activities, and a seven-hour music festival with award-
winning artists from all over the region. It is going to be absolutely amazing. The proceeds will be
donated to the Equality in Education Scholarship Program and the legal defense fund here in Loudoun
County. It's going to be an amazing day for everybody.
Mayor Burk: Okay.What's the day?
Cris Candice Tuck: Oh, that's a great thing. I might want to mention that. Sunday, June 26th, 1:00 to
8:00 PM-
Mayor Burk: 1:00 to 8:00 PM.
Cris Candice Tuck: -at Claude Moore Park. I have all of them here. They know way more than--
Mayor Burk: You can go to Juneteenth on the 19th and the next weekend, you can go to the Pride
Festival.
Cris Candice Tuck: Absolutely.
Mayor Burk:Thank you all very much.We really appreciate you being here.
Cris Candice Tuck:Thank you.
Mayor Burk: Thank you.
[applause]
Mayor Burk: Oh,they want a picture.
[silence]
Page 5 I June 14, 2022
Vice Mayor Martinez: I don't think they saw it, but that's okay. Take a look.
Mayor Burk: The other two proclamations, I will take to the recipients. All right. That takes us to our
presentation. We have a presentation today from Visit Loudoun.
Beth Erickson: Good evening, I will say with great pride that as of three weeks, I am one of the newest
Leesburg residents.
Mayor Burk:Yay. Yes.
Beth Erickson: Very excited to be here. All right. We have a-- No. Still using the stylus? Thank you.
My update tonight, I've got a copy of this, which I will give you afterwards because it's a little bit of an
eye chart, is to talk to you about where we are in our strategic planning process. Visit Loudoun does a
strategic plan every three years. I'm really excited to share with you the data that we pulled in the
development of our plan for this strategic plan. Before I do, I just wanted to hit a couple of highlights out
of our last strategic plan. First of all, I was really looking at bridging that gap between East and West
and really focusing on our towns.
Very excited about our towns and places video series called Share What You Love, and the Leesburg
video is outstanding. I hope you've all seen it. Thus far, those are hitting nearly a million views. We're
really excited about how that's turned out.We are most excited and thrilled about the launch of our arts
and culture page, which really highlights and spotlights Leesburg as our one and only arts and culture
district. We launched our certified Tourism Ambassador program, and to date, have about 200
ambassadors.As we look at the next strategic plan,which will take us from FY23 through FY25, more
than or close to 1,500 people will have put their fingerprints on our plan.
This is probably one of the best deep dives as to how tourism is viewed in the county and within our
towns. As I go through, I'm going to talk to you about aggregate, and then I'm going to dive straight
down to what your residents say.As we look at it, there are going to be five core principles that we will
still make sure that we are attuned to, one of which is, of course, providing relevant content. On any
given day, we speak to more than 100,000 visitors and potential visitors about Leesburg and about
Loudoun County. As we really continue to come post-pandemic,we're looking at the fact that, and with
rising gas prices, regional travel is going to be key.
People are looking for those domestic destinations. They're willing to pay additional for those
experiences. We know that Leesburg and Loudoun County are uniquely positioned to really leverage
that. One of the things that is a positive outcome of what we've just gone through is the development of
self-care and really taking a look at continuing some of those good habits that many of us picked up
during the pandemic, like biking and hiking,and more and more visitors,travelers are going to be looking
for these types of experiences,whether they're on trails, the W&OD trails, equestrian,what have you.
Recreation, as we move out of that discussion about the biking and the hiking, is the evolution of
something called silent sports, which is a really exciting movement in terms of visitors, but when we
look at what Leesburg has to offer when we talk about Ion, are the development of"right-sized"athletic
event facilities,where people feel really comfortable when they come in, and they're going to continue
to look for those experiences.
Business travel,while I can tell you that what we're seeing in the recovery,and I've got some data slides
at the very end of my presentation, really has been driven by leisure, has been driven by weddings, has
been driven by sports tournaments. The business traveler is lagging, as is international. We hope to
start seeing that really come back. For the first time, we saw pre-pandemic numbers hit in March and
April, so we feel very, very positive about that. One of the interesting things is the statistics tell us that
70% of Americans have traveled to a destination to sample craft beverages.
Of equal interest,the fact that females for the first time are beginning to match males in their interest in
craft beverages. I'm going to go through some of those statistics as we go through. Visitors, our first
one is really taking a look at some of the visitors, we're seeing that the darker line is what they've done
Page 6 I June 14, 2022
in the previous three years,the lighter colors what they're interested in. I'm going to draw your attention
to a couple of things. Of course,vineyards, historic sights, shopping and dining will always remain very
high. Look at the difference in music from 40% to a 56% increase that people want to experience live
music when they travel, it creates a sense of place.
That's very exciting. Spa and wellness doubled between 17% to 32%. People want to be outdoors.
They want to continue those positive habits. We know that when they come in, they're really hitting a
lot of what Loudoun County is positioned to do, and a lot of what we really push. This is one of my
favorite slides. I'm going to draw your attention to the right-hand side. Of our visitors, 82% of those
visitors are likely to come again, 81%are likely to recommend Loudoun County and our destinations as
a great place to visit.
When we talk about what they'd like to see as an improvement to Loudoun, 30% said, "Nothing. We
had a great experience,"which is what you want to hear, but we also take a look at things like more
accommodations,which we'll talk about,the proximity between destinations,and dining continues to be
tracing up. Business owners, when we polled 144 business owners in Loudoun County, where they're
going to conduct a lot of their business, restaurants,wineries, breweries, event venues, but really when
we take a look at meeting spaces, business-focused hotels, conference rooms, you see that if we had
more of that product, I believe that would be higher on the list.
That is a great opportunity for us. Residents, we had 1,114 residents respond from Loudoun County.
They were equally dispersed between Western, Eastern, and the transition policy area. 70% had been
here for more than 11 years. We had the right people engaged. 16% of all those survey respondents
live in Leesburg.The first is the fact that 70% overwhelmingly supported tourism.
When we look at what Leesburg says, 82% would recommend that others visit Leesburg in Loudoun
County, 71% support tourism, so a little bit higher than the general population. Residents want more
outdoor activities, parks, vineyards, dining. Leesburg residents want more breweries, equestrian
activities,cycling, and art.Again,you've got a copy of this and you can take a look at the content a little
bit deeper, but I think that there are some great opportunities here from an economic development
standpoint. 53% of the residents think Loudoun should be known for wine county, followed by history,
agritourism, which the Leesburg residents followed suit.
This is an important one. The darker mid-teal is east, the lighter color is west, the darker color is
transition policy area.43% of residents viewed loss of open space as a potential threat to the continued
development of Loudoun as a visitor destination. 17% of those who responded from Leesburg felt this
as well. Also looking at awareness at 19%, that's what Visit Loudoun does. Also taking a look at
infrastructure and some of the affordability issues,which we'll talk about.
I put in the last bit of my slide and my presentations, I wanted to tell you a little bit about what we're
seeing about Leesburg hotels, looking at that as but one indicator of the health of our industry. Again,
the lines that you're looking at, the scary green line that drops really low, was 2020. The red line is
2019.The dotted line is what our forecast was.The light blue line is where we're tracking.That's exactly
where we want to see. We are beginning, as I mentioned, for the first time in April and March, we're
beginning to start hitting those pre-pandemic numbers.
Average daily rate,which is the average rate that our guests will pay at hotels, again,we are well above
forecast and trending in a good direction above where we were 2019. For Leesburg, one of the things
I just want to call out, the top bar on the right with the red arrow is what Leesburg is seeing. The blue
arrow is what the rest of the county is seeing. I want to point out that you were almost neck and neck
when we take a look at occupancy levels for year-to-date 58% versus 58.2%. What's important as we
look at this, is that we are lagging behind in Leesburg in rate.
The red number at 105.2 is Leesburg average daily rate, and it breaks down to 118,was what we paid
or what was paid in the most recent month. Looking at really where we're seeing 130 coming in from
the last month for the County. There's some opportunity for us to bridge that gap. I think a lot of that
could be driven by a product that is here from a hotel standpoint. We know that more people want to
Page 7 I June 14, 2022
look at those conference hotels to have facilities full-service dining and I think that we are ready for that.
I have 20 seconds left.
Mayor Burk:You're amazing.
Beth Erickson: Are there any questions? I did bring for everybody our most recent visitor guide and
you will see right tipped into the Leesburg spread information on the strategic plan at a glance that I
showed you on the first slide. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Mayor Burk: Thank you. Thank you very much. We appreciate that. I do have one question for you
myself.
Beth Erickson: Please.
Mayor Burk:You mentioned that a lot of the travel now will be local or short trips rather than long.
Beth Erickson: Regional.
Mayor Burk: What do you think the gas implications are with the increase?
Beth Erickson: Actually, I think it's a unique opportunity, because where people may have made the
choice to go to the beach destination or go to further,they're going to be looking to stay more local and
more regional. One of the things--Thank you so much, Russ.Yes,that's perfect. One of the things that
I think is also a really exciting opportunity is that Loudoun County has 400,000 residents, we are our
own really well-made target audience.
I think that the more that we can engage for that backyard, that staycation, I think we're going to see
some great uptick. I will tell you, walking around Leesburg on the weekends, especially this past
weekend, it was packed. We know that people are looking for those walkable opportunities. They love
what Leesburg has to offer, and we're really excited to help make sure that that is shown and
highlighted.
Mayor Burk: Thank you. Thank you very much. Does anybody else have short brief question? Yes,
Ms. Fox.
Council Member Steinberg: Thanks--Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead.
Council Member Fox: Forgive me[unintelligible].
Mayor Burk:You got to keep him on his toes.
Council Member Fox: You just alluded a little bit to affordability. Were you talking about housing
affordability or affordability of the product we have as far as econ--
Beth Erickson: Thank you for that, Council Member Fox. There is a larger-- I edited my slides right
before I came in because I know that the Mayor is very serious about that time limit.There is a slide in
your deck that talks about housing affordability for workers in our industry are ticking up as one of the
biggest concerns.
I think that there's also-- From our perspective, when we talk about affordability, a lot of it is our
businesses are still struggling on workforce. Their people cannot live here. I also think we saw a large
flight from the industry during the pandemic and we're trying to reclaim some of that ground. I think you
see it with a few of the businesses in Leesburg,they're not fully staffed still-
Council Member Fox: Right.
Page 8 I June 14, 2022
Beth Erickson:-and that is a challenge.Anything we can do to help breed and ensure that local talent
can be here, is going to be a benefit. Housing is a top concern for us.
Council Member Fox: I know that the staffing is widespread. I do know that.
Beth Erickson: It is.
Council Member Fox: Do you find that a meals tax scares people back into the County or something
like that? How do we stand there?
Beth Erickson: I'm sorry, ma'am.
Council Member Fox: Meals tax.
Beth Erickson:A meals tax?
Council Member Fox: Yes.
Beth Erickson: We've not really taken a whole lot of information or studied that. I know that we take a
look at it from an indication of how restaurants are doing. It is one indication to see how that tax comes
in, but from our perspective, we have not asked whether or not that is a deterrent and it did not come
up at any time during the strategic planning process. That's a good indication.
Council Member Fox: That's a good indicator. Thank you.
Mayor Burk: Mr. Steinberg.
Beth Erickson:Yes, sir.
Council Member Steinberg: Thank you.Thanks for the presentation. On the question of loss of open
space,was there a deeper dive into that question?
Beth Erickson: Where it fell in the part of the discussion, I think you can look at it from a couple of
different perspectives, one of which is it could be that very localized level. It could be that where as a
resident, where I could be seeing something within my immediate location or neighborhood change.
That could be a very localized, but I will tell you that the way that the question followed in the survey,
and I also want to thank--the Mayor did push that out,so that Leesburg residents having 16%, I thought
was a great response.
When you take a look at it as it was following, I truly believe that it is loss of open space of what people
think of when they think about DC's Wine Country. It is having that ability to walk to see rolling hills to
really have biking vineyards. Some of the outdoor attractions really comprise what I believe most
residents were thinking about when they were thinking of open space in answering that question.
Council Member Steinberg: Was it your indication that people express a preference for unspoiled
open space as opposed to open space with facilities? I'm thinking,for example,the discussion that took
place in Eastern Loudoun with-- was it Owen Park whatever? It'was a small piece of land and the
County decided to put infrastructure onto the land and a lot of people said, "Why don't you just leave it
the way it is." I was wondering if there was an indication of preference.
Beth Erickson: Sure. I think, from what I could ascertain from the data, the discussion about wanting
to see more parks,wanting to have more outdoor recreation trails,would also help to direct me to what
people are thinking of when they're thinking about open space. People are going to answer what is local
and what is most pressing to them. Again, I think having the respondents equally dispersed from
amongst the County was a really,really positive outcome of this survey. I think there's some good meaty
information that we can continue to build on.
Page 9 I June 14, 2022
Council Member Steinberg: Okay,thanks.
Beth Erickson: Certainly.
Mayor Burk:Thank you. Mr. Bagdasarian?
Council Member Ara Bagdasarian: Thank you, Beth. I appreciate it.
Beth Erickson: Sure.
Council Member Bagdasarian: Obviously, I'm very pleased to see the leverage music as a growth
driver in the strategic plan review. What are some of the tactics or approaches that you plan on
implementing?
Beth Erickson:That was in our last strategic plan,and we're continuing that through this strategic plan.
I think we looked at this as an evolution rather than a revolution of our plan.We have a vibrant committee
that has been formed, that's really taking a look at what we can do to support the growth of Loudoun
and Leesburg in our towns as a music destination. We're following very closely what Visit Loudoun did
when we put together the Loudoun Wineries Association, the Craft Brewers Association, the Bed &
Breakfast Guild.
Again, we're looking at it from a very holistic,whether it is needing to have resources, needing to have
access to venues to play,taking a look at what we need from a greater variety of venues to play.That's
been clearly identified within the strategic plan.While we've got a lot of opportunity,we need to help to
define that, and we also need to help give that voice and we're really excited to do that.
Council Member Bagdasarian: I know you've explained it to me once before, but the TOT tax from
the County, how much of that is used to fuel new programs with music and arts and drive
[unintelligible]?
Beth Erickson: Sure. The transient occupancy tax that Visit Loudoun receives from the County
comprises about 98%of our budget.That really goes to support all of our programs,as does the funding
that the Town of Leesburg provides. We are very, very grateful for those MOUs with the County and
the MOA with the Town. I think that we've really done a great job over the last several years of defining
some of those core projects that Visit Loudoun can work on very closely with the Town. A great output
on that was really taking a look at the Arts and Culture page, looking to help support the arts and culture
district, and we've seen great responses from that with the interactive map and we can track how many
people are really engaging in those assets on the website.
Council Member Bagdasarian: Great. Thank you. Appreciate it.
Beth Erickson: Certainly.
Mayor Burk: All right. Thank you as always and welcome to Leesburg. We're delighted it's your new
residence.
Beth Erickson: Thank you. I'm excited. This has been great. Thank you all so much.
Mayor Burk: Thank you. Now, we are at our petitioner section, and one of the first orders of business
is to hear from the public.All members of the public are welcome to address the Council on any other,
any item, matter, or issue. Please identify yourself, and if comfortable doing so, give your address for
the taped record. Any public speaker will be requested to state their name and spell it for the purpose
of closed captioning. In the interest of fairness,we ask that you observe the three-minute time limit.The
green light on the timer will turn yellow at the end of two minutes, indicating that you have one minute
remaining.
Page 10 I June 14, 2022
At that time, we would appreciate your summing up and yielding the floor when the bell indicates your
time has expired. Under the Rules of Order adopted by this Council,the three-minute time limit applies
to all. The first person that signed up is James Garofalo, followed by, I'm going to mess this up, Jisun
Bae. James is going to speak first and then you.All right. James?
James Garofalo: My name is James Garofalo. I live at 601 Kristin Court. My name is spelled-- First
and last, correct?
Mayor Burk:Would you just spell them?Yes,for the closed ca--
James Garofalo: J-A-M-E-S G-A-R-O-F-A-L-O. Good evening, Council Members. My name is James
Garofalo. I've been a sitting member of COPA since September, 2021. Earlier this month, I was one of
three members to walk out in disrupt form. I'm here to explain my actions and contest the request for
my resignation. Knowing what I do now about Robert's Rules, I would've stayed in the room, and so will
apologize for the abruptness of our actions that interrupted the later agenda items. I'm 30 years old and
have worked as a professional graphic designer for the last seven years and I graduated with a BFA
from Bradford University.
The vote we interrupted was on a proposed Black History Mural and foremost need to say that I have
no issue with a Black History Mural being in Leesburg. My issue is with the artistic quality of the
proposed mural as submitted to COPA. I'm on this committee because art is important to me and I saw
things in the proposed design that are not accurate and break the fundamental principle of scale. This
mural will be in our community for a long time and I'd like to be sure that my concerns are listened to
and addressed before the project moves to approval. How we got here, it all was--we thought our input
was being minimized and ignored when we raised our concerns in the meeting.
For example, in the composition submitted, the figure of Bazil Newman is in the wrong position to
operate a rowboat, and while I understand he is facing that way because no one knows what he looks
like, I invite you to Google how to row a rowboat. We suggested the project lead contact us after the
meeting to discuss alternative compositional elements. We were never contacted. We were never
contacted and the project lead then went directly to Council and misrepresented COPA's input.
Furthermore,when Kareem had a private meeting with Councilman Ara, the project lead and the head
of Loudoun's NAACP chapter, he was insulted and dismissed.
The combination of these experiences led us to feel we were being strong-armed and we felt our best
option was to walk out of the meeting to let things cool down until the next meeting.Again, I apologize
for disrupting the other business from that evening. Even though I was threatened that I would never
work in this Town again, I believe I can still participate as a member of COPA to bring a valuable
perspective to the Commission.Thank you for your time.
Mayor Burk: Thank you. Ms. Bae is followed by Ms. Tang.Will you give your name and spell it for the
closed captioning?
Jisun Bae: Good evening. My name is Jisun Bae. I am originally from South Korea, and I--
Mayor Burk: Excuse me for interrupting you, but would you spell your name so they have it for the
closed captioning? Spell it.
Jisun Bae: My name?
Mayor Burk:Yes.
Jisun Bae: Okay. My name is Jisun Bae, J-I-S-U-N B-A-E.
Mayor Burk: Thank you.
Page 11 I June 14, 2022
Jisun Bae: I'm originally from South Korea and now I'm an American living in the Fairfax County. For
cultural reasons, Chinese people believe that a person's body should remain intact after death. As a
result, people in China do not want to donate their organs. Yet, suddenly, in the early 2000s, Chinese
hospitals began advertising short wait times for organ transplants, where did all these organs come
from?
Extensive and credible reports have revealed that the Chinese Communist Party, CCP, has been killing
prisoners of conscience, most of them Falun Gong practitioners, in order to sell their organs. A
prominent international human rights organization recently stated, "Forced organ harvesting has been
committed for years throughout China on a significant scale,and the Falun Gong practitioners that have
been one and probably the main source of organ supply."You may find additional documentation in the
handouts we provided.
China has become a major international center for organ transplants, and many American patients
travel there for this purpose. In fact, a Northern Virginia resident recently received an offer from China
of a kidney transplant for$50,000. This issue should concern us here in Leesburg because members
of our community who need an organ might consider traveling to China for a transplant. Here in the US,
the wait time for a matching kidney or liver can take several years, but in China, they can supply a
match in a matter of weeks.
July 20th will mark the 23rd year of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, and the forced
organ harvesting continues to this day. Please consider passing a resolution to alert Leesburg residents
about the danger of traveling to China for an organ transplant and to stand in solidarity with the Falun
Gong practitioners into a peaceful resistance to the Chinese Communist regime's crimes against
humanity. Thank you.
Mayor Burk: Than you. Thank you very much. Ms. Tang? Would you spell your name for the closed
captioning?
Tiny Tang: Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Council Member. My name is Tiny Tang, T-I-N-Y,
last name Tang, T-A-N-G. I'm originally from China, and I'm now a US citizen, living in Fairfax County.
I would like to offer additional comments on the topic Jisun raised. Falun Gong is a spiritual practice
involve gentle exercises, meditation, and the virtues of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. It has
benefited the holistic health of over 100 million people around the world. Because of Falun Gong's
immense popularity and its emphasis on spirituality, the Chinese Communist Party, CCP, consider it a
threat.
As a result, the head of CCP launched the persecution of Falun Gong in July, 1999. Numerous
practitioners have been tortured, killed, or disappeared to this day. Shortly after persecution began,the
number of organs available for transplant suddenly increased in China. Standing with me is Chunyan
Wang, a survivor of the persecution. She spent seven years in prison for telling people about Falun
Gong.The police in China killed her husband for protecting her.
Ms. Wang was forced to do slave labor, working long hours make jackets, like she's holding now. She
was also blood tested, which is one of the tests used to determine the compatibility of organs for
potential transplant.The Chinese regime's persecution of Falun Gong and the practice of forced organ
harvesting have been underreported in the US media. In response, the Virginia House of Delegates,
and the 27 local government, including Loudoun County and the Town of Herndon, recently passed the
resolution to educate their residents about the practice.
Today, I ask you to do the same. Local people signed petition to support us and also invite us back to
the independent parade upcoming July 4, USCS.Your action will help prevent the citizens of Leesburg
from becoming unwitting accomplices to the murder of innocent people. It will also help educate our
citizens that the Chinese people and the Chinese Communist Party are not one and the same. Thank
you very much.
Page 12 I June 14, 2022
Mayor Burk: Thank you. Thank you very much for bringing this to our attention. I'm sure that this will
be a topic that we will bring forward. Thank you.
Tiny Tang:Thank you.
Mayor Burk:All right. Is there anybody in the audience that did not sign up to speak that would like to
speak at this time? Okay, nobody has come forward, so I will close this petitioners section and that
takes us to the approval of the consent agenda. I will read the items and then I will ask if Council has
any items they want removed. The first one is 12(a), the Replacement of the SCADA System at the
Water and Wastewater Treatment Facility Design Services; (b) is Replacement of the Raw Water
Variable Frequency Drive at the Water Treatment Plant(c) is Extending Cable Franchise with Verizon
Virginia LLC for a Period of One Year; (d) is Donating Surplus Police Equipment to the Ukraine; (e) is
Juneteenth March and Celebration Fee Waiver; (f) is the Appointment to the Technology and
Communications Commission of Ben Taylor. Is there any item that anyone wants removed?Okay,then
do I have a motion to accept this?
Vice Mayor Martinez: So moved.
Mayor Burk: Mr. Martinez accepts, makes the motion. Second?
Council Member Bagdasarian: Second.
Mayor Burk: Seconded by Council Member Bagdasarian. All in favor, indicate by saying aye.
Members:Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed? That passes 7-0. All right. We have no resolutions tonight. We do have a
couple of public hearings though, so let me begin. Okay, the first one, I will call to order the June 14th,
2022 Public Hearing of the Leesburg Town Council, unless, there is an objection, I will dispense with
the reading of the advertisement. If you wish to speak,we ask you to either sign up on the sheet in the
hallway outside of the Council Chamber, but if you did not get the opportunity to sign up, we will give
you the opportunity to speak.
In the interest of fairness, we also ask that you observe the five-minute time element. The green light
in front of you will turn yellow at the end of four minutes, indicating that you have one minute remaining.
At that time, we would appreciate your summing up and yielding the floor when the bell indicates your
time has expired. Under the Rules of Orders adopted by this Council, the five-minute time limit applies
to all citizens.
However, rather than have numerous citizens present remarks on behalf of a group, the Council will
allow a spokesperson for the group a few extra minutes. In that instance,we would ask speakers when
they sign up to indicate their status as a spokesperson, the group they represent, and the request for
additional time. Our procedure for the public hearing is as follows. [coughs] Excuse me. First, there's a
brief presentation by staff. Second, the members of the public that have signed up to speak will be
called and given five minutes. The public hearing on the item for tonight is a Conveyance of Real
Property. Is there any staff presentation? Hello?
Keith Wilson: Hello. Good evening, Madam Mayor and Council Members. My name is Keith Wilson,
I'm the Land Acquisition Manager here for the Town of Leesburg. A background on the property that
we're looking at tonight is the Town by deed dated August 1967, acquired two tracts or parcels of land
containing 29,a little bit more,29 acres of land and a parcel containing 0.9576 acres.This property was
for the relocation of the wastewater treatment plant from Catoctin Circle to its present location.
The smaller strip, 0.95-acre tract of land being approximately 50 feet in width and 850 feet in length
was providing a connection to Route 7 East Market Street to a larger parcel where the sanitary or the
wastewater treatment plant was being constructed. By deed of boundary line adjustment in 2002 by
Page 13 I June 14, 2022
and between the Town of Leesburg and Leegate Corporation,the property of Leegate conveyed some
additional land to the town, creating a 54-acre tract of parcel of land known as Parcel 22A-1.
The area outlined in yellow is the 54-acre parcel of land with the narrow strip of land being approximately
50 feet in width and 840 feet in length connecting to Route 7 and the ultimate property connecting with
Battlefield Parkway to be constructed in the future. Access to the plant or to the town Shop and the
wastewater treatment plant prior to 2017 was by this 50-foot strip of land. With the opening of Russell
Branch Parkway, access to the Town shop and wastewater treatment plant was by Russell Branch
Parkway which connected to Battlefield Parkway.
With the construction of Russell Branch Parkway, because of the steep terrain, there is no access to
this narrow 50-foot strip, and with the construction of the Battlefield interchange along Route 7 East
Market Street, this roadway was designated a limited access facility by the Commonwealth
Transportation Board so there will be no access to the narrow strip of land from East Market Street.
The location of the limited access line for the Battlefield interchange project is shown in blue on the
aerial exhibit. There's a 0.08-acre portion of the property that's located within the limited access line in
East Market Street that is proposed to be conveyed to the Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of
Transportation. This leaves a residue of 0.80 acres of land for conveyance to the abutting landowner.
Conveyance of the abutting landowner would be reserving a permanent water line easement that
crosses the property, property being the title in the name of the budding landowner, property lines to be
vacated and combined into a single parcel of land, and the landowner or the abutting landowner would
need to begin development of the property within a specified period of time.
Benefits of the conveyance or sale of the property relieves the town of the maintenance cost and
responsibilities for the residue lot, returns the property back to the tax roll, possible commercial
development, and reduces liability. The narrow strip of land is no longer used for access to the Town
shop and wastewater treatment plant.With the parcels and narrow width and configuration,the property
could not be independently developed in the areas considered surplus with the town having no
foreseeable use or need for the property.
It's staff's recommendation that the Town Council approved the conveyance of the 0.08-acre portion of
the property located within the proposed right of way and Route 7 right of way to the Commonwealth of
Virginia and declaring the remaining 0.80-acre portion of land surplus and authorizing the conveyance
of the land to the abutting landowner. That's my presentation if you have comments.
Mayor Burk: Before we have some people from the audience come up, does anybody have any
questions on this? Mr. Steinberg?
Council Member Steinberg: There are two abutting properties. That's not really all that relevant, but
which property is it?
Keith Wilson: When Lowe's was constructed there was a pole line running along the current Lowe's
Home Center.They had no desire for the property so it would be to the vacant parcel to the less between
the Lowe's Home Center and the Village of Leesburg.
Council Member Steinberg: That's the one that we're anticipating a potential hotel?
Keith Wilson:Yes.
Council Member Steinberg: Okay,thanks.
Mayor Burk:All right. Is there anybody in the audience that would like to speak?There's nobody signed
up. Is there anybody in the audience that would like to speak?All right. Since nobody has come up to
speak, I will close this public hearing and I will ask if there is a motion.
Page 14 I June 14, 2022
Council Member Steinberg: I'd like to make a motion.
Mayor Burk:Yes, sir.
Council Member Steinberg: I move to approve the proposed resolution to convey the portion of town
land located within the area of proposed right of way in limited access line for Route 7 state highway
project 007-253-109RW201 to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Do we need both at the same time? I
also move to declare the land surplus and authorize Town Manager and Town Attorney offices to
negotiate a purchase and sales agreement for the conveyance of the land to the abutting landowner.
Mayor Burk: Is there a second? Council Member Fox, any questions or comments at this point?All in
favor indicate by saying aye.
Council Members:Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed?That passes 7-0. Thank you. Next one. Did I miss something?
Christopher Spera: [inaudible]
Mayor Burk: Correct.
Christopher Spera: Just wanted to state that for the record.
Mayor Burk: Okay. [coughs]
Christopher Spera: Which is okay.
Mayor Burk: [coughs] Excuse me. The public hearing. Our next pub public hearing is number-- No, I
skipped one. I'm on number three. I might need to be on number two. The next one is TLOA-2021-
0013, Mobile Food Unit Parking and Storage Associated with a Commercial Kitchen. I called to order
this June 14t1, 2022 Public Hearing on the Leesburg Town Council. Unless there's an objection, I will
dispense with the reading of the advertisement.
If you wish to speak, we asked that you either sign up on the sheet in the hallway outside of Council
Chambers, but if you did not get the opportunity to sign up, we will give you the opportunity to speak.
In the interest of fairness, we also asked that you observed the five-minute time limit.
The green light in front of you will turn yellow at the end of four minutes indicating that you have one
minute remaining. At that time, we would appreciate you summing up and yielding the floor when the
bell indicates your time has expired. [coughs]
Under the rules of orders adopted by this Council, the five-minute time limit applies to all citizens.
However, rather than have numerous citizens present remarks on behalf of the group, the Council will
allow a spokesperson for the group a few extra minutes. In that instance,we would ask speakers when
they sign up to indicate their status as spokesperson or the group they represent in their request for
additional time. Our procedure will be as follows. First, there will be a brief presentation by staff and
then members of the public that have signed up to speak will be called and given five minutes.
The public hearing item on the agenda tonight is TLOA-2021-0013 Mobile Food Unit Parking and
Storage Associated with the Commercial Kitchen. Hello.
Chris Murphy: Good evening, Madam Mayor and Members of Council. I am here this evening to
present the staff report for TLOA-2021-13, which is a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Authorizing
Parking and Storage for Mobile Food Units Associated with Commercial Kitchens.This text amendment
comes to council with the planning commission's and unanimous recommendation of approval and
Page 15 I June 14, 2022
staffs recommendation of approval as presented in the draft ordinance included with this evening's
agenda packet.
Recognizing that food trucks can be a beneficial segment of the local economy, Council adopted
regulations authorizing mobile food units as temporary accessory uses within the 11, B2, B3, B4, CDC,
and CDCC zoning districts.Along with these use regulations, Council also adopted use standards. One
such use standard restricts overnight parking of mobile food units. Recently, Zoning staff have become
aware of a situation where the owner of a commercial kitchen is offering parking and leases to the
mobile food unit proprietors who are utilizing the commercial kitchen for food preparation.
It's common for mobile food units to rely on commercial kitchens for food preparation when certain
menu items cannot be prepared in a truck's kitchen alone. In an effort to continue support for this
segment of the local economy, Town Council initiated this amendment being considered this evening
back in November of 2021. The proposed amendment will add paragraph number 9 to Zoning
Ordinance Section 9.5.F.
Paragraph 9 authorizes the parking and storage of mobile food units associated with commercial kitchen
uses and establishes minimum use standards for parking and storage that include the owner of a
commercial kitchen must demonstrate to the Zoning Administrator there are surplus parking spaces on
the subject property. Mobile food units may only be parked in those surplus parking spaces so
designated by the Zoning Administrator. Mobile food units,when not in use,shall be stored in a property
and parked within striped parking spaces.
No inoperable mobile food units shall be permitted to be parked or stored in our commercial kitchen
property. In other words, they must maintain all their valid permits, vehicle registration, et cetera. The
town lease for temporary use permits shall be required prior to establishing a mobile food unit parking
and storage, and mobile food units shall not create any nuisances when parked or stored.
When measuring the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, amendment approval criteria found in
Zoning Ordinance Section 325, we find the continued support for mobile food unit operations is
consistent with the Town Plan and continues to benefit the health, safety, and welfare of the Town.
Once more,this amendment comes to Council with the recommendation of approval from the Planning
Commission and staff. In order to aid Council moving forward this evening, I provided suggested
motions on this slide for Council to use. This concludes my presentation.
Mayor Burk: Thank you.
Chris Murphy: Thanks for your attention.
Mayor Burk:Thank you very much. Is there anybody in the audience that would like to speak? No one
has signed up so I don't see anybody in the audience unless Mr. Markel chooses who he'd like to take.
No? Okay.All right then are there any questions of Mr. Murphy at this point? Mr. Steinberg?
Council Member Steinberg: [laughs] I'm trying to put Vice Mayor Martinez to sleep. Just, out of
curiosity, if you have a commercial kitchen that is a tenant within a larger entity, meaning they don't own
the property,who's responsible then for applying for the permit?The property owner or the tenant who's
supplying the commercial kitchen?
Chris Murphy: It's my understanding it would be the commercial kitchen owner who is leasing property
to the mobile food units.
Council Member Steinberg:No. Let's say for argument's sake,well,you have ChefScape,commercial
kitchen. Conceivably, a food truck could make use of that facility. Now, they don't own the property.
They lease the space. Is it Rappaport that has to apply for the permit or is it the tenant that applies for
the permit and then the food truck also has to have the appropriate--?
Page 161 June 14, 2022
Chris Murphy:For this ordinance right here,the way I understand it with--I don't know the arrangement
between ChefScape and Rappaport who's the manager of the property. I do know that the food trucks
are leasing from ChefScape and ChefScape's offering leases that have parking spaces in there.
Somehow, they've worked out an arrangement and so in this instance, in order to deal with that, the
owner of ChefScape would apply to the Zoning Administrator for we've got surplus parking in this area.
They would designate it on a drawing where these parking spaces are.
They would secure the temporary use permit for the parking storage or mobile food units. They would
have a designated number of spaces in this particular location that can be used by their tenants.
Council Member Steinberg: Okay.Thank you.
Chris Murphy: Certainly.
Mayor Burk:Any other questions at this point?All right.Seeing that there's nobody that's come forward
to speak, I will close this public hearing. Is there a motion anybody would like to make at this point?
Yes, Council Member Nacy.
Council Member Nacy: I move that Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA 2021-0013 Revising
Leesburg Zoning Ordinance Section 9.5.4, Standards for Temporary Uses, be approved on the basis
that the amendment furthers objectives of the Town Plan and that the proposal would serve the public
necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice.
Mayor Burk: Do we have a second?
Council Member Bagdasarian: I'll second.
Mayor Burk: Seconded Council Member Bagdasarian. I'll let that side of the room get it this time.All in
favor, indicate by saying aye.
Council Members:Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed?That passes 7-0.
Chris Murphy:Thank you.
Mayor Burk:Thank you, Mr. Murphy. The next public hearing we have is, I call to order this June 14'h
2020 public hearing on Leesburg Town Council. Unless there's an objection, I'll dispense with the
reading of the advertisement. If you wish to speak, we ask that you either sign up on the sheet in the
hallway outside of chamber or if you did not get the opportunity to sign up,we'll give you the opportunity
to speak.
In the interest of fairness, we also ask that you observe the five-minute time limit. The green light in
front of you will turn yellow at the end of four minutes indicating you have one minute remaining.At that
time we would appreciate your summing up and yielding on the floor when the bell indicates your time
is expired.
Under the rules of orders adopted by this Council, the five-minute time limit applies to all. However,
rather than have numerous citizens present remarks on behalf of a group, the Council will allow a
spokesperson for the group a few extra minutes. In that instance, we would ask speakers when they
sign off to indicate their status as spokesperson, the group they represent, and their request for
additional time.
Our procedure for the hearing will be, first, there's a brief presentation by staff, and then second,
members of the public who will have signed up to speak.The public hearing on the item on the agenda
tonight is TLOA-2022-0003, Flood plain overlay district and Creek Valley Buffer amendments. Oh, and
you're still here.
Page 17 I June 14, 2022
Chris Murphy: I'm still here.Good evening.Madam Mayor,members of Council. I'm here again,except
this time it's for the staff report for TLOA-2020-03 which is a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment
proposing revisions to the review of Capital Improvement Projects within the Flood Plain Overlay in the
Creek Valley Buffer Overlay Districts. This amendment comes to Council with the unanimous
recommendation of approval from the Planning Commission as well as staff recommendation of
approval as presented in the draft ordinance included in this evening's packet.
Zoning Ordinance section is 7.11.8 establishes permitted uses within the Flood Plain Overlay District.
Many of these uses include typical public improvement-type projects. In other words,rec facilities,trails,
road utility crossings, and stormwater management improvements. However, Section 7.11.8.B also
establishes a proviso disqualifying such uses as by-right if when such a project requires structures or
fill.
The Creek Valley Buffer was established to protect riparian areas and water quality by requiring
buildings, structures, parking facilities, and other impervious services,to be set back a minimum of 150
to 250 feet from specific waterways in order to allow certain improvements and developments called for
in the Town Plan or when lot configurations or in consideration of reduced setbacks,Zoning Ordinance
section 14.2.2 was established. However, no reduction is applied to the 250-foot setback on the
Potomac River.
Some projects in the adopted Capital Improvement Plan could be impacted by provisions of the
floodplain overlay in Creek Valley Buffer. Capital Improvement Projects are established to meet public
needs in the goals of the Town Plan. Public scrutiny is applied through the capital improvement planning
process, and individual projects are designed in-house pursuant to the Town's own regulations in the
Design and Construction Standards Manual,the DCSM,the SLDR,the Subdivision Land Development
Regulations, and the Zoning Ordinance.
Any special exception review to this only reapplies the same minimum standards from the DCSM, the
SLDR, and the Zoning Ordinance. In the Town Plan,when evaluating the design against the standards
for a special exception found in Zoning Ordinance section 7.11.10. In order to consider whether
additional special exception review of Capital Improvement Projects is extraneous, this amendment
was initiated through the adoption of Resolution 2021-191.
Post text amendment in the Flood Plain Overlay District.The amendment to section 7.11.2 establishes
a definition for Capital Improvement Project, and it does include public improvements by all levels of
government. Revisions to Section 7.11.7 do not change the substance of the existing regulation. The
changes only make the section easier to read and to understand. The amendment to section 7.11.8
establishes Capital Improvement Projects by right in both major and minor floodplains, as well as adds
Capital Improvement Projects as being exempted from special exception review when any such project
requires fill in a major floodplain.
In the Creek Valley Buffer. Paragraph C will be added to Section 14.2.2 establishing a conditional
reduction of the 250-foot setback along the Potomac River to 50 feet minimum when full compliance
with the DCSM stormwater quality requirements is demonstrated in the project design. Finally, revision
to Section 14.6 clarifies that the DCSM is the ordinance to refer to for the definition of land-disturbing
activities.
When weighted against the Zoning Ordinance amendment approval criteria established in Zoning
Ordinance section 3.2.5, staff finds that because Capital Improvement Projects are established to
address specific public needs, they're scrutinized through the Capital Improvement planning process
and then designed in-house by applying the town's own development standards that were themselves
established to assure the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the community.
The by-right review of Capital Improvement Projects under such scrutiny will not jeopardize the
community if special exception review is no longer required. In order to aid Council moving forward, I
provided suggested motions for you here. Again, this amendment comes to Council with
Page 18 I June 14, 2022
recommendations for approval from the Planning Commission and from staff. This concludes my
presentation.
Mayor Burk: Okay, thank you. Does anybody have any questions? I do have a couple of small ones.
You're saying that this really is to change the language so that it's clear and I can see that on a couple
of them. Actually, I can see it on all of them now that look at it. Does this change anything? I know you
said something about special exception that I didn't completely get. Does this change anything in the
process?
Chris Murphy: You mean for the by-right review? Well, in those instances where you would want to
build and make an improvement that requires fill or a structure. The process right now would dictate
that you'd have to process a special exception if it's within a floodplain area. This right here would
exempt Capital Improvement Projects from the special exception review. The feeling is, and as I did in
my summary, that because it's a Capital Improvement Project, it goes through this body, goes through
a public process there, and then we design it in-house. Our own engineers working with consulting
engineers. Use the DCSM, the Subdivision Land Development regulations for the Zoning Ordinance.
Even FEMA regulations, et cetera.
We use all those regulations as a minimum standard to design these projects. It seems extraneous that
we have to go through a special exception review only to look at the same standards that we've already
held the application to. We're just trying to--
Mayor Burk: Even though it goes from a 250-foot setback to a 50?
Chris Murphy:Oh,that's under the Creek Valley Buffer?Yes,but the standard for that,it's a conditional
reduction 250 to 50, so long as you provide for the stormwater management requirements are met to
the letter of the law.
Now,there are reductions permitted for every other stream that qualifies under Creek Valley Buffer, but
there's not one for the Potomac River.You have a capital improvement project on your approved Capital
Improvement Plan for a boat launch or at Veterans Park. Under the Creek Valley Buffer regulations,
you wouldn't be able to build that where it's planned to be built so this would provide a means for
reduction of that buffer from 250 to 50 to help make that work.
Mayor Burk: Okay. You said the Planning Commission accepted this?
Chris Murphy: They did.
Mayor Burk: It was unanimously.
Chris Murphy: Unanimously.
Mayor Burk:All right. Any questions from this side? Mr. Bagdasarian?
Council Member Bagdasarian: I did have a question, but you more or less answered it. Just for
clarification, is that what was in mind with this modification more than other projects or other areas along
the creek that would be implicated by this?
Chris Murphy: Yes, there's a number of projects in the Capital Improvement Plan that would have to
go through special exception reviews in order to get their final approvals. The Veterans Park is one.
There's the crossing at Tuscarora Creek that would have to go through that, either to repair that at the
crossing there. Slipping my mind right now, but yes, there are a number of projects in the approved
Capital Improvement Plan that would need to go through special exception to get final approval.
Mayor Burk: Mr. Steinberg?
Page 19 I June 14, 2022
Council Member Steinberg: Thanks, Chris. For all intents and purposes, I'm comfortable with this
process. Any Capital Improvement Project, before it ever gets to this stage, obviously, has to come
before this body under careful consideration to decide if it's worthwhile. From a technical standpoint,
my question is how was the 250-foot buffer arrived at in the first place and how is it we're just catching
up to your proposal now?
Chris Murphy:Truthfully, I can't tell you how we came up with 250 feet.
Council Member Steinberg:Would that not have come from another agency of some sort, Federal or
State,that would have dictated?
Chris Murphy: To tell you the truth, I don't. I can't answer that. I can find out for you but I don't know
offhand. I do know that the Creek Valley Buffer, when it was developed, it's at the time when we had
an Environmental Planner on staff prior to his retirement. Did he look at certain standards for repair of
riparian areas to assure that there was adequate tree cover to maintain the water temperatures, to
maintain the quality of water, to filter stormwater before it enters the natural streams? Perhaps it was
felt in some standard then that 250 feet was the most appropriate for some streams versus others.
Council Member Steinberg: Okay, so then circling back, why now, I guess then, would be the final
question?What is it that caused this thing to bubble up so that we need to deal with it?
Chris Murphy: It's my guess, it's my speculation, that Veterans Park. Wanting to build the boat ramp
there. I guess we've avoided it maybe because of the water treatment facility. I don't know if it's actually
within Town limits, the water treatment facility, or there's not been a project requiring getting closer or
not. The water intake. Not the water treatment facility. Getting close to the Potomac River there.
Council Member Steinberg:Basically,we've waited until by necessity we had to deal with the situation.
Chris Murphy: It probably wasn't realized until now.
Council Member Steinberg: Okay,thanks.
Chris Murphy: Sure.
Mayor Burk: Ms. Fox?
Council Member Fox: Just one quick question. A couple of slides back you referenced trailer parks
and I wanted to get a sense of how it affects that. I just didn't grasp that.
Chris Murphy: It wouldn't affect trailer parks. Basically,it says if there's a trailer park within a floodplain
area, it's allowed to stay but you can't[coughing].
Council Member Fox: Okay, so it's grandfathered by that.
Chris Murphy: Right.
Council Member Fox: Okay, that's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. I wanted to clarify.
Chris Murphy:Just so you know the existing trailer park that we have here is on top of a hill so it's not
as high. If it floods, we're all in trouble.
Council Member Fox:Yes, you're all in trouble. Thanks. [laughs]
Mayor Burk: All right. Is there anybody that we have signed up to speak? Is there anybody in the
audience that would like to speak on this topic?There being no one, I will close this public hearing. Is
there a motion?
Page 20 j June 14, 2022
Council Member Fox: Do I have to [crosstalk]
Mayor Burk:Yes, you have to read it.
Council Member Fox: Okay. [inaudible] further objectives of the Town Plan, and that the proposal
would serve the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice.
Mayor Burk: Is there a second?
Mayor Burk: Seconded by Council Member Steinberg.All in favor.
Members:Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed?That passes 7-0.
Chris Murphy: Thank you all very much.
Mayor Burk:You too.You're released. [chuckles]
Chris Murphy:Thank you.
Mayor Burk: Our next public hearing--
Chris Murphy: I'll see you next month.
Mayor Burk: I call to order this June 14th,2022 public hearing of the Town of Leesburg. Unless there's
an objection, I will dispense with the reading of the advertisement. If you wish to speak,we ask that you
either sign up at the sheet in the hallway outside of the Chamber, or if you did not get the opportunity
to sign up,we'll give you the opportunity to speak. In the interest of fairness,we ask you to observe the
two-minute time limit. The green light in front of you will turn yellow at the end of one minute indicating
you have one minute remaining.
At that time, we would appreciate your summing up and yielding the floor when the bell indicates your
time has expired. Under the rules of orders adopted by this Council, the two-minute time limit applies
to all. However, rather than have numerous citizens present remarks on behalf of the group,the Council
will allow a spokesperson for the group a few extra minutes. In that instance, we would ask speakers,
when they sign up,to indicate their status as spokesperson, the group they represent, and the request
for additional time.
Our procedure for the hearing is as follows. First, there's a brief presentation from staff, then the
members of the public that have signed up to speak will be called and given their time to speak. The
public hearing on tonight's agenda is the amending the council pay. Mr. Spera.
Christopher Spera: Good evening, Madam Mayor, Members of Council. I regret I was unsuccessful in
getting Mr. Murphy to stay to do this one as well. That was a joke. Back in March, you instructed us to
prepare an amendment to the Town Code so that without further action of the Council, Council pay
would move up incrementally with any COLA that was adopted by you for the Town staff. All we have
before you tonight is a very simple amendment to Town Code Section 2-197. Here's your existing
ordinance. Then we simply added the bold underscored language to Sub A.
It would become effective with the COLA that you already approved that would go into effect on the first
of July. Relatively simple amendment. Language speaks for itself. It is not particularly complicated and
I believe it effectuates the change that you asked us to make. Very simple suggestion [crosstalk]
Mayor Burk:Any questions on this? Ms. Fox? Oh, I'm sorry. Were you finished? Sorry.
Page 21 I June 14, 2022
Christopher Spera: Yes, ma'am.
Mayor Burk: No?
Council Member Fox: This is automatic, right? Every single time.
Christopher Spera:Yes, ma'am. The intent here is that this would not require any further action of the
council. If you choose to implement a COLA for the staff, Mayor and Council pay gets the same COLA.
You have to take no additional action.
Council Member Fox: Okay,thank you.
Mayor Burk:Any questions?
Council Member Nacy: I have a follow-up to that question. If there were a Council that implemented a
COLA but said they wanted to take away Council and Mayor pay attached to that, would then we be
back here to amend it again?
Christopher Spera: They could. They would then seek to amend it. That's correct.
Mayor Burk:All right.Any other questions?Anybody in the public have a great desire to speak to this
topic? Nobody has signed up? All right, that being the case, I will close the public hearing. Is there a
motion?
Council Member Steinberg: I'll read the--Go ahead.
Vice Mayor Martinez: [inaudible]for the Mayor. The mic is on. Its not my problem you can't hear. I'll
start all over again. I move to approve the proposed ordinance to amend the Town Code Section 2-197,
Compensation for the Mayor and Members of the Town Council. Council Member Steinberg second.
Mayor Burk: Seconded by Council Member Steinberg.All in favor?
Council Member Steinberg:Aye.
Vice Mayor Martinez:Aye.
Council Member Bagdasarian:Aye.
Mayor Burk: Opposed?
Council Member Zach Cummings: Nay.
Council Member Nacy: Nay.
Council Member Fox: Nay.
Mayor Burk: Okay, I've got to get names then. Okay, in favor, Mr. Steinberg, Mr. Martinez, Ms. Burk,
Mr. Bagdasarian. Opposed, Ms. Nacy, Mr. Cummings, and Ms. Fox. It does pass.
Christopher Spera: Thank you, all.
Mayor Burk: Okay. All right, let us move forward then. That takes us to Council disclosures and
comments. Does Ms. Fox have anything for tonight?
Council Member Fox: I do. I don't have any disclosures but I would like to add something for
consideration. Rich and Ashley Harper are Town residents and they were just honored by the County
Page 22 I June 14, 2022
because they are this year's Foster Parents of the Year, and because they're Town residents, I would
love to ask us to consider a proclamation for them as well.
Mayor Burk:You would like a proclamation and you have their names.You know who they are.
Council Member Fox:Yes, Richard and Ashley Harper.
Mayor Burk: Richard and Ashley Harper. Do we vote on that tonight? Is that something we--? No. Do
I have the four votes or does everybody vote on it?Okay,four-
Chris Spera: Four[inaudible]
Mayor Burk:Yes, I need to know.
Council Member Fox: I'm sorry?
Chris Spera:At which meeting?
Council Member Fox: As soon as possible. They were just recognized so the closer the-- I guess the
next business meeting if that's okay.Yes.
Mayor Burk: Okay, so you have four people that are willing to do that? Yes. I think that's everybody.
Okay?
Council Member Fox: Thank you.
Mayor Burk: Mr. Steinberg?
Council Member Steinberg: Yes. No disclosures. I'd like to offer two items for future meetings. One-
[coughs] excuse me—we voted for the Verizon agreement in tonight's Consent Agenda. In looking at
the renewal of this agreement, the residents were asked about certain questions regarding their
experience with Verizon, and one of the biggest returns that came from that survey had to do with
internet service.The point is,the agreement with Verizon has a lot more to do with cable which people
are using less and less so I'd like an agenda item that actually discusses how we might bring this
agreement more into the 21st century since more people are using streaming services and this
agreement doesn't exactly address that issue in terms of service to the residents. That's one.
Mayor Burk: This isn't something that the Technology Commission should talk about first?
Council Member Steinberg: The Technology Commission has talked about this.
Mayor Burk: All right. Are there four people that want to talk about streaming service with Verizon?
Okay. [unintelligible].
Council Member Steinberg: The second one, we have some heartfelt petitioners here. I wouldn't
suggest that we issue a proclamation without due diligence, but I would like if people are going to do
their own research, then I would like to bring that forward and see if at the right moment that we'd be
willing to do a proclamation for it. Maybe that should be a topic of discussion.
Mayor Burk: This is a proclamation--
Council Member Steinberg: In support of the request that two of our petitioners made.
Mayor Burk: Okay, and they gave us a whole folder on it and it does have proclamations from-
Council Member Steinberg: Correct. Other jurisdictions in the State.
Page 23 I June 14, 2022
Mayor Burk:-and Loudoun, yes.
Council Member Steinberg: I thought people might be more comfortable if they had a chance to read
through it first before we consider.
Mayor Burk: Are there four people that want to talk about this at a future work session? Okay.
Everybody?
Council Member Steinberg:That's it. Thanks.
Mayor Burk: Okay. Mr. Cummings?
Council Member Cummings: No disclosures but a brief statement. As Council Members, we appoint
members of the community to our advisory boards and commissions to represent the Council and Town.
These boards and commissions act in an advisory capacity to us the Council. A commission like the
Commission on Public Art has a history of helping create our small-town charm. Over the course of the
last few COPA meetings,there's been an overall disruptive, disrespectful,and hostile atmosphere.This
came to our head when three members decided to shut down a meeting rather than listen to a
presentation by a visitor.
I don't believe we can allow anyone associated with the Town of Leesburg to treat people in a hostile
disrespectful way. This is not about being in support or opposition of any proposal. It's about
representing the town of Leesburg in a respectful dignified manner.Tonight I want to ask that we remove
Kareem McCullough from the Commission on Public Art in order to help restore our commission to a
working professional commission.
Council Member Steinberg: Did you ask the [inaudible].
Mayor Burk: I'll put it on a future agenda.Are there four people that would be willing to put this--? Oh,
that's right.You told us last night you have the [crosstalk]
Christopher Spera:This is 14, sub 3. Mr. Cummings can add that.We will simply add it with the other
two that were requested last night. All three of them would be on the 28th.
Mayor Burk:All right. Thank you very much. I'll try to remember these things. Mr. Steinberg,you've got
your light on.Are you done?
Council Member Steinberg:Yes.
Mayor Burk: Ms. Nacy?
Council Member Nacy: No disclosures, no.
Mayor Burk: Okay. Mr. Bagdasarian?
Council Member Bagdasarian: No disclosures. I just regret that I will not be here for the 27th and 28th
Work Session and Council meetings. I'll be in a Campus Law Enforcement Conference in Las Vegas
but wish you the best.
Mayor Burk: Mr. Bagdasarian, didn't you want to bring something up that you talked about at the last
meeting?Yesterday's meeting?
Council Member Bagdasarian: Oh, yes. Thank you very much for the reminder. Yes, I would like to
ask the Town Attorney, to update the Public Art Guidelines to include language that addresses
unsolicited art projects to the Town. Currently, it specifies Town-initiated projects, but we don't have
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non-Town-initiated projects. This would recommend that it spells out that it follows the same process
as Town-initiated projects because it's currently a grey area.
Mayor Burk:All right.Are there four people that would be willing to support that?
Council Member Steinberg: I just wanted to clarify. We're not directing that. We need to have the
discussion before the Town Attorney does that, yes? Okay.
Mayor Burk: All right. There's everybody. I have no disclosures. That's not true. I should say I don't
have any disclo-- The one thing I did want to bring forward was I would like to have a discussion on
scooters. I'm adamantly opposed to having scooters and I think we need to have that discussion.
[laughter]
Council Member Nacy:Yes.
Mayor Burk: Do you need Ms. Fox, Mr. Steinberg, myself, Mr. Bagdasarian and Ms. Nacy. I would like
to thank--On June 1St, I joined Congresswoman Wexton in dedicating the post office on Market Street
to Norman Duncan. He was a World War II veteran, father, husband and community activist, and he
spoke to the Lansdowne community at many of the Board of Supervisors meetings. He will be missed
but he will live on in the post office naming. He was quite a character if you had ever had the opportunity
to meet him.
I want to thank 880 Harrison Street for allowing me to have a Meet the Mayor. That's a great shared
office space. I also want to welcome Tap in Golf. This is a new business that allows people to golf
indoors, but also shows all the stats on the swing, on the speeds,the angles,the hit spot,your shoulder
movements. It's a great place to meet and have fun and become a better golfer.
I want to welcome Deborah Morbeto's Art Gallery on Loudoun Street. It's a really fun gallery that has
lots of different artists on display for purchase. June 4th, I participated in the Sons of the American
Revolution for Wayne's Crossing on the Courthouse lawn. I believe Miss Fox joined us also. I'm glad to
commemorate this important point in our Revolutionary War that Leesburg was involved in. I also
attended Moms against Gun Violence and participated in giving cake and ice cream to the cancer
survivors at the Relay for Life. It's good to see so many people that have fought the fight and made it.
On June 5th, the George Marshall International Foundation held a commemoration of the 75th
anniversary of the Marshall Plan.The British Ambassador was present as well as deputies from Finland
and Sweden.June 6th,we raised a Juneteenth flag in a ceremony on the Town Green.June 18th will be
the celebration at Ida Lee and you heard that June 19th will be a celebration at Claude Moore. On June
10th,we said goodbye to our Arborist at his funeral.We will miss Tyler. His presence most certainly was
important, and I most certainly was honored to have gotten to work with him. All my sympathies go to
his family.
Finally, I want to thank SimplyBe for allowing me to do the Meet the Mayor today. It's a great coffee
shop which has a unique model and it's very much worth visiting. My next Meet the Mayor will be at
Dairy Queen, 10:00 to 12:00 on Thursday so stop by. Anybody have a motion to adjourn? Oh, wait a
minute. Got to ask the Town Manager.
Chris Spera: Well, I didn't[crosstalk]
Mayor Burk: I missed you again. See, I'm already sending you off. I know. Yes, sir.
Vice Mayor Martinez: First off I got no disclosures, but a couple of comments on Stroke Awareness. I
have recently known three people that have had strokes. Thank God, they were aware of what was
going on. Unfortunately, one was very serious, but the other two managed to get to the hospital in time
to have it taken care of. The question I have for Town Staff is, do we have any kind of training or any
Page 25 I June 14, 2022
discussion with staff and maybe even Council on what to look for on a stroke warning, on the signs of
strokes?
Kaj Dentler: I do not think so.
Vice Mayor Martinez: Do you think it's appropriate that maybe we put something out there to let people
know?Okay,well I appreciate that.Also, one of the things the Mayor didn't mention about Tap in Golf,
which I was there, was they had this phenomenal screen for kids. That they get to swing the ball and
all these cartoon characters come up. It's really a lot of fun and I enjoyed being there.
Mayor Burk: That's where he spent all his time.
Vice Mayor Martinez:Yes, I did and I'm proud of it. I love cartoons.Then,Asa, I want to thank him for
giving me a ride.The funny part is everywhere we went, people were asking, "Oh, are you coming here
now? I want to get picked up." We were driving by and I asked him to pull over to a driveway party
where all the neighbors in the community were there. I pulled up and told them who I was and the first
thing out of their mouth is, "Is he coming to pick us up now?"They were just all kinds of excited. I think
that Asa's taxi cart is going to be very well received within the community.
There are a lot of people right now expecting it because of me and him driving around Town and telling
people that this is coming or this could be coming. I wanted to make a note on that. I was also with the
moms on Sunday doing the marches. By the way, it was a really long march. I'm still recovering but I
appreciate them allowing me to be with them. FYI, no elected officials were allowed to speak at their
event so I just sat there and walked in support of gun sense and against violence using guns and all of
the other stuff that has been going on lately.
I don't know how we as a Council can work with that but I would love to see, maybe, some kind of
initiative or motion or proclamation, whatever, supporting the Moms Demand Action and now their
march. Madam Mayor, I know you're trying to get me out here a little earlier but I want to stay till
December and I'm going to remind you that I'm here.
Mayor Burk: Okay. Fair enough.
Vice Mayor Martinez: Okay,thank you. Motion to adjourn.
Mayor Burk: Town Manager. See, you're forgetting him.Aha.
[laughter]
Kaj Dentler: I feel the love. Don't worry.Very quickly, I also want to publicly thank the service that Tyler
Wright provided to our community over the last three to four years and I want to thank the Council for
your support to his family. Thank you for that.
Unfortunately, our Leesburg family also lost another team member. Long-term serving member of our
Police Department since '03, and even much further back to our community in the Volunteer Fire
Department and Rescue Squad. Sherry Riley passed away over the weekend, as you know. Her
services are on Wednesday of next week. I've sent you the information so if you wish to visit the family,
et cetera, you have all the information to do that. Just wanted to recognize that and thank her for her
service.
Mayor Burk:All right. Is there a motion to adjourn? Second? Miss Nacy, all in favor. Opposed?We're
done.
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