Town Council Meeting

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Leesburg Town Council 1h 9m 6 speakers 7 agenda items transcribed 2 days ago official recording ↗

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What opening procedures and invocations were performed at the start of the March 19 Town Council meeting?

Unknown 0:00

1:03

Thank you.

Kelly Burk 2:03

I would like to call to order tonight's March 19th town council meeting. If anyone in the room needs hearing assistance, please see the clerk. Council member Cummings will be giving the invocation followed by the salute to the flag by council member Nacy. Council member Cummings.

Zach Cummings 2:23

Thank you. If we all could just take a moment of reflection for those affected by hunger, loneliness, financial struggles, and those lacking enough resources to provide the necessities of life, and of course those affected by war and violence. So just take a moment of reflection.

Zach Cummings 2:48

Thank

Kelly Burk 2:48

you. Rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kelly Burk 3:11

Let the record reflect that all members of council are here tonight. We have no minutes for adoption tonight. We do have adopting the meeting agenda. Do I have a motion? So moved. Vice Mayor Steinberg and Council Member Nacy. Is there any amendments or deletions? All right, all in favor indicate by saying aye.

Unknown 3:36

Aye.

Kelly Burk 3:37

Opposed? Passes 7-0. We have a number of proclamations tonight. The first one is International Dark Skies. I will read the proclamation into the record, if I can find it. There it is. And then I will ask for a motion. So, declaring April 2nd to the 8th, 2024 International Dark Sky Week in the town of Leesburg. Whereas the aesthetic beauty and the wonder of natural night light is a shared heritage of all humankind, and the experience of standing beneath a starry night sky inspires feelings of wonder and awe, encouraging a growing interest in science and nature, especially among young people. Whereas the greatest number of dark sky parks east of the Mississippi are located in Virginia, and Virginia's national, state, and local parks.

Kelly Burk 4:32

including Sky Meadow State Park, located just 40 minutes southwest of Leesburg, offers nighttime viewing opportunities, astronomy programs, and are home to dozens of species who rely on undisturbed night environments to thrive. Whereas 80% of the world's population, including many people in Northern Virginia, live under a dome of light pollution, excessive artificial lighting at night that disrupts natural darkness and must travel to rural areas to experience the visual wonder of the dark sky. And whereas light pollution, which is often avoidable by implementing best practices, can have an economic, public health, and environmental consequence to communities, and whereas light pollution represents a waste of natural resources amounting to roughly $3 billion per year of wasted energy in the United States and contributes to diminished energy security, and whereas Dark Sky International is the globally recognized authority on light pollution and has created International Dark Sky Week to raise awareness of light pollution

Kelly Burk 5:37

And to provide free education, resources, and solutions to the public to encourage the protection of and the enjoyment of dark skies and responsible outdoor lighting with the help of Virginia residents coordinating Dark Virginia Sky. Therefore, I proclaim that the Mayor and the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia do hereby declare April 2-8, 2024 as International Dark Sky Week in Leesburg and ask each resident to join us not only in observing and pondering upon this important week, but also raising awareness and support protecting our precious dark skies resources proclaimed this day do i have a motion

Neil Steinberg 6:17

madam mayor i'd like to make a motion please i move to approve the proclamation recognizing april 2nd through the 8th 2024 as international dark sky week be proclaimed at the march 19th 2024 town council meeting

Kelly Burk 6:31

is there a motion i mean is there a second sorry council member nacy all in favor indicate by saying aye aye all right Thank you. Are there any nays? No. All right. The next proclamation we have is for Keep Leesburg Beautiful. And again, I will read this and then we will have a motion. So whereas the town of Leesburg is committed to environmental stewardship and maintaining the town's aesthetic appearance of road corridors and public places. Whereas many volunteers come forth each April to collect trash from streets, storm areas, and common areas through the town, and where it's very important to educate the public that whatever goes into the storm drains ends up in the Chesapeake Bay, thus extending the positive impact of cleanup activities far beyond the town.