[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6513305,"mediaKeyId","5071488-98787ea929ea50dc26e5b359d9919dfd","parentId",5071488,"title","Town staff evaluating four landscape-maintenance proposals; commission flags festival signage and Tree City USA sign inventory","audioSeconds",407,"startMs",424000,"endMs",831000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5071488-98787ea929ea50dc26e5b359d9919dfd&start=424&end=831","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5071488-98787ea929ea50dc26e5b359d9919dfd/thumbnail_424000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6513305/Leesburg/Loudoun-County/Virginia/Town-staff-evaluating-four-landscape-maintenance-proposals-commission-flags-festival-signage-and-Tree-City-USA-sign-inventory","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513305-7c1ed401d292d9d8c18f414b6bf7a782/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198329&Signature=K1ueKHEQpkfDXvNsaSCgq3TmYQ4YLjYRTGGWqATd67dl5n42RokVaUGp~0pskbReM25mMekfcjOoETZtNnSxKx24MYyI3sIfEfRLXUEYhcZRr2MoaRCYzosQGql-4ntitGogebWdcbpcLKZlSzc9vmaHRSmOsm7fbZsr56Rprw~Tq-Qws6FfELhYxO942g~LftOUR48VbBDq1NBWMPVdhD53oyp1vpeZSqrcfypEw5vdhjIxt2L7bs4R~k1PQak6FabGC1f0b5bpcPLrUo0i-s~RUToNblb~Gh7ylfTi82U0rZ95MmF7yVW9~GWZRYvN8M3qfmBdBA9WHdIaVs6b8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leesburg","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","Town staff and the Tree Commission confirmed that four proposals were received for the town’s landscape maintenance contract; staff said evaluation of those proposals was scheduled the day after the meeting and any award will go to the Town Council for approval because it is a multiyear contract.

Separately, commission members reviewed recent expenditures connected to outreach and events. A $700 invoice for a “buy one get one free” ad space for the Flower Garden Festival and a separate $250 payment were discussed; the presenter said those invoices were submitted to staff and that the tree-commission line had been used to cover some festival purchases this year. The commission noted it had exceeded its budget by about $200–$300 so far this year and asked staff to provide a report on line-item expenditures for the next meeting.

Signage and display logistics were also discussed. The commission is acquiring a shared 10x10 tent for events (the canopy top will be reused and the sides will be handled with a sticky banner or Velcro); members discussed using a removable decal to update dates annually. Corey (a signage contact) and Paul at ACE Signs were referenced as vendors who have produced decals and the Tree City USA sign previously. The group discussed buying additional Tree City USA entry signs; one supplier’s 24x30-inch sign price was cited at $74.95.

Why it matters: procurement decisions for maintenance contracts will affect how the town cares for public trees and planting sites; budget overspend and signage choices affect outreach and event presence. Staff said they will pull a budget report for the commission’s next meeting and will proceed with procurement steps for the maintenance contract.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Leesburg - Tree Commission Meeting - Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff told the commission it received four proposals for the town’s landscape maintenance contract and will evaluate them; the commission also discussed overspending on festival materials, a $700 invoice for ad space, a $250 ad payment, a new shared tent and options to buy Tree City USA signs for entry points.","taxTitle","Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia","taxId",5641,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513310,"Tree Commission advances revisions to Historic Leesburg Tree Walk, plans app and brochure updates",1268,2006000,3274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5071488-98787ea929ea50dc26e5b359d9919dfd&start=2006&end=3274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5071488-98787ea929ea50dc26e5b359d9919dfd/thumbnail_2006000.jpg","/articles/6513310/Leesburg/Loudoun-County/Virginia/Tree-Commission-advances-revisions-to-Historic-Leesburg-Tree-Walk-plans-app-and-brochure-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513310-4ff5c1fd7a82d5553013213f98cf1eb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198329&Signature=Fv4hZjac-qIECSNu4SrkUor41EEVRmhJl5cbc3sqX~ZU2TvLOKrnWnzCg07-A7nWBW-sUOSpL5SXExYgkUn2MVuSvkiK~Si6fc6gfRbwVPcpX0FhTiCI0MY-F4edjnEYKKzDat6mrIpUeuTQUfLZ3D~E7y5UJfLitxRpizQfDxox7vNJYIRSxNVBfna1SUDuAQxYK44QcEBfG5JaMnZz5oLLC4dwYQqKzgc7Yynfg-F-HL7xd2pmdv8t8H3S~i91xQPuF36uwBb37wzTcKynUOwSkfmaRMIsON6JI~0i2Mk25MOnjIeP7aMdqeZBsbhPbneTTrxpVaFk72dmjYGtgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tree Commission reviewed a proposed revision of the Historic Leesburg Tree Walk and a prototype for a free walking-tour app. Commissioners described a map with about two dozen points, audio narration options, embedded links to Virginia Tech dendrology pages, and suggested edits to tree selections and brochure text.

A presenter for the commission described meeting with Leah Cousin and an intern, Charlotte, who demonstrated an existing tour template and an audio option that reads descriptions aloud. Commission members discussed replacing a repeatedly damaged dogwood sign with a more protected tree (the Revolutionary War statue dogwood was suggested), removing trees with limited historic value from the brochure and substituting other specimens such as sycamore, basswood, white oak or other native species, and correcting or relocating entries where trees had died or been removed.

Cost and logistics came up: a homeowner-made sign was discussed (a participant reported a $200 cost), and commission members explored corporate sponsorships for signage and an updated print run. The Arbor Day/Tree City USA signs were discussed elsewhere in the meeting; a 24x30-inch garden sign from a national supplier was cited at $74.95 as a reference price.

Commissioners debated whether to number signs on trees (the group leaned away from permanent numbering on private-property trees) and whether to expand the route to include Union Cemetery and parts of Ida Lee park as a longer “native tree” or expanded loop. They also discussed maintenance of audio recordings and recommended higher-quality recording and mixing; one presenter offered equipment and help with recording.

Next steps: Charlotte will begin work on the cover and initial website content; staff will compile a revised map and list of candidate trees for the next meeting. Reprinting costs and the timing for an expanded or reissued brochure were left for future budget planning.","Commissioners reviewed draft content for a mobile walking-tour app and revised brochure for the Historic Leesburg Tree Walk, discussed relocating or replacing damaged markers, and weighed expanding the tour to include nearby cemetery and Ida Lee park trees.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513316,"Leesburg staff pursues town-wide tree inventory and update to urban forestry management plan",108,453000,561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5071488-98787ea929ea50dc26e5b359d9919dfd&start=453&end=561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5071488-98787ea929ea50dc26e5b359d9919dfd/thumbnail_453000.jpg","/articles/6513316/Leesburg/Loudoun-County/Virginia/Leesburg-staff-pursues-town-wide-tree-inventory-and-update-to-urban-forestry-management-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513316-330ff852c73dbaca00d4748082682961/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198329&Signature=VjbVaWSixrlEggjpMekuMwloRoWsn2u7EjcNiXpc8VhUi1uBm-XKlQATKyBQgVx34gC6YZtBcRvBNm7kSyVUuN~1wtXUQycFAqS1vlY8b1oSo-h-vxi6jC4D0wiQmvrozHSeT~FXhVV2YJDxWPXisbvS0zxmyH4vIDKR8whf9FvJwSlYVnyIDQD32woeMF93KxWNTdnzgmpgIiFxxTIKKwUiwIWWbfRJ5Dk~9WT0mPCbTR98c0XBzcP58goJMKCEncZ2q29FzttOFOXRKA31bK~Z9e8uufsvcj2vPZAQAO3~us8iiMo7A5ZM02Q0FK1JyhVmdipeFujHZK0EZ7sm~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff told the Tree Commission they have released (or are finalizing) a request for proposals for a town-wide tree inventory and an update of the urban forestry management plan. Staff said they intend to start with a partial inventory of town-owned parcels this season and later extend the work to right-of-way trees.

Melissa Westbrook, the stated staff representative, told commissioners she plans to use Wetland Science Solutions as a subcontractor under a contract with WSP to get a partial inventory started quickly despite procurement timing constraints. Staff also said they are considering a subscription for tree-management software (TreeKeeper) to manage inventory data. Procurement officials were expected to process the contract requests even though a stated application deadline had technically passed.

Why it matters: a current inventory and an updated plan will provide the baseline data for decisions on species diversity, canopy projections, replacement priorities and when/where to plant next. Commissioners discussed native species, canopy loss projections, and the timeline for completing the full inventory.

Key details: staff reported four proposals for the landscape maintenance contract (separate procurement item) and said evaluation was scheduled the following day. The tree-inventory contract approach described in the meeting aims to get core parcel data this season, then add right-of-way inventory work in a following phase. The proposed software (TreeKeeper) was presented as a likely choice but not yet contracted.

No formal procurement awards were recorded at the Tree Commission meeting; staff said an award for the landscape maintenance contract will require town council approval if it is a multiyear contract.","Town staff said it issued an RFP for a town-wide tree inventory and an update to the urban forestry management plan and plans a partial inventory this season using Wetland Science Solutions as a subcontractor; a management software subscription (TreeKeeper) is under consideration.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513320,"Leesburg staff to seek state forestry grant to plant 200–300 street trees along King Street and Ida Lee",2945,1463000,4408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5071488-98787ea929ea50dc26e5b359d9919dfd&start=1463&end=4408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5071488-98787ea929ea50dc26e5b359d9919dfd/thumbnail_1463000.jpg","/articles/6513320/Leesburg/Loudoun-County/Virginia/Leesburg-staff-to-seek-state-forestry-grant-to-plant-200300-street-trees-along-King-Street-and-Ida-Lee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513320-3b0c5d77c6adfa1325ad2f94fb6f1329/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198329&Signature=lA4lffLbOQeLb7W0EbvXOxmJYRKQKcJEX6dsTlS50YCtmj8IOLdrxJJQXvKooarlJmq8iegeWaxolD32WWHuamA0xtdRGnJK~z2H5QtJOPaGeLuVK5lL-TcEHv8RW~kvkHjm1CSiXv5eUu8dBFST1YIE64A6SYrBivBUnMcLYbVcbhxCzcbxyU22CU0iG4ateDIUe6-0pog9hzNhu5LQH5eRWTzkxXMD8uOANVO~0XLZRwzkl9ctGaENLVxy5eR~~S4iiWHhm15hS2KJToX8PrJ4h0q1sgajX77AjT6JXd1a1~BHXC0MfHt8Qkd2F6KH9pjWfViOS9iqPEy9wWNkcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Leesburg Tree Commission members said town staff will pursue a Virginia Department of Forestry grant to fund street-tree plantings in corridors near Ida Lee and North King Street, with staff estimating roughly 200–300 trees could be planted if funding and site constraints allow.

The commission discussed why street trees were now the preferred focus for the grant application rather than a combined riparian-and-street approach. Town staff said they will meet with the department of forestry to confirm whether a single application can include multiple project “prongs” (riparian, street, outreach) or whether separate applications are required. The commission’s mapping work and a draft budget were described as “in progress.”

Commission chair and members framed the grant as a visual, high-impact option that would make tree-planting more noticeable to residents. Melissa Westbrook, listed on the agenda as the town staff representative, said the project would likely require coordination with power and utility companies in places where invasive “tree-of-heaven” trees occupy rights-of-way, and that some planting areas may require utility or permitting work before trees can be installed. Frank and other commission members identified specific target stretches on North King Street, near the Catholic church and the Ida Lee approach, and said medians and linear planting strips were likely candidates.

Why it matters: the commission said street trees are more visible to residents than riparian plantings and thus likely to advance the town’s Chesapeake Bay initiative outreach goals. Commission members also flagged upcoming large transportation and fiber-optic projects that alter medians and shoulders and could affect which sites remain plantable.

Key details and next steps: the commission has a scheduled meeting with a Department of Forestry representative (identified in the meeting as “Laura”) to clarify allowable uses and application structure. Staff will finish mapping, assemble a budget, and circulate the materials to commission members before submitting the application to the town manager’s office for approval. No formal appropriation or grant award decision was recorded at the Tree Commission meeting; any award would come back to the Town Council for approval if the grant is approved and requires a multi-year contract or town match.

Commissioners stressed that planting plans may require utility coordination and possibly removal or treatment of invasive trees before new plantings can be installed. The town’s fiber project (mentioned during the meeting) and state road work were cited as examples of nearby construction that could constrain planting or require design changes.

The commission did not take a formal vote to submit the grant application during this meeting; instead, members agreed to proceed with staff follow-up and to prioritize the street-tree component pending guidance from the Department of Forestry.","Town staff and the Tree Commission discussed applying to a Virginia Department of Forestry grant to plant street trees — likely 200–300 trees — and decided to prioritize visible street-tree sites over riparian plantings while they clarify allowable grant uses with the state representative.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town staff evaluating four landscape-maintenance proposals; commission flags festival signage and Tree City USA sign inventory

Tree Commission advances revisions to Historic Leesburg Tree Walk, plans app and brochure updates

Leesburg staff pursues town-wide tree inventory and update to urban forestry management plan

Leesburg staff to seek state forestry grant to plant 200–300 street trees along King Street and Ida Lee