Harrisonburg City Council Meeting – April 23, 2024

The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting featured a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget, an update on the work zone speed camera program, and approval of a $50,000 donation for a commercial kitchen at the Homeless Services Center. Consent agenda items, including rezonings, supplemental appropriations, and special event applications, were approved unanimously. Council also appointed a new member to the Planning Commission and entered closed session for contractual negotiations.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the April 9, 2024 City Council meeting were approved.
• Rezoning (325 and 335 North Liberty Street) – Request from Bismark LLC to amend proffers was approved on second reading.
• Supplemental Appropriation ($150,000) for the Fire Department was approved on second reading.
• Ordinance Amendment (S&K Contracting) – Added a subsection to M-1 District allowing mercantile establishments for heavy equipment parts and supplies, approved on second reading.
• Special Events: Harrisonburg Youth TryAthlon (August 10, 2024), Hispanic Festival (August 4, 2024), and July Fireworks display (July 5, 2024) were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros – Spoke on tall grass and weeds enforcement, speed camera legality, and presented petitions with nearly 120 signatures (half city residents) supporting “No Mow May” and repealing the tall grass ordinance. He argued the ordinance is arbitrary and capricious, and urged redirecting enforcement funds to green infrastructure.
• Candy Phillips (Executive Director, First Step) – Thanked Council for civic grant funding. Reported that in 2022, First Step received 675 hotline calls and served 242 individuals (59% from the city); in 2023, calls increased 20% and individuals served rose 17%. Local funding helps match federal and state grants.
• Cole Scrogham (1315 Carrera Ln) – Thanked Council for service, then presented a chart showing the inflation-adjusted personal property tax rate has exceeded historic peaks since 2016. He expressed concern that rising taxes contradict the city’s goal of expanding housing affordability, as higher costs are passed to renters.

Discussion Items

• Update on Work Zone Speed Cameras (East Market Street) – Tom Hartman (Public Works) and Chief Kelley Warner reported on the program’s first year. Speeds reduced: initial 29,000 warnings dropped to approximately 3,000–3,500 citations per month after fines began (120 per day, about 1% of daily traffic). Mean speeds during active work hours (7 AM–5:30 PM) have decreased; 85th percentile speed is now 30–31 mph. About 23% of citations went to local residents; others were from out-of-town. The program uses two cameras (eastbound and westbound) with a $100 fine. Holly Cooper (CEO, AltumintCo.) explained the vendor’s fee structure: $3,499 per camera per month plus $12 per DMV lookup (first 250 lookups per month included). Police Sergeant Wayne Westfall detailed the review process – every citation is reviewed by an officer before issuance. Council members discussed concerns about customer service, timing of notifications, and alternative deterrence methods. The presentation was received and filed.
• Donation from The Presbytery of Shenandoah for Homeless Services Center – Deputy City Manager Amy Snider presented a $50,000 donation to complete and equip a commercial kitchen. The total cost is $187,000; the city’s share after donation would be approximately $137,000, to be funded from ARPA contingency in the proposed FY25 budget. Nate Riddle (Executive Director, Open Doors) explained the need: the current model serves 40 meals daily during thermal season; the new center will serve 72–100 people (up to three meals in inclement weather). The motion to accept the donation and commit to funding the remainder passed unanimously (5-0).
• VML Policy Committee Nominations – Council tabled this item to the May 14, 2024 meeting for members to review five committee options.
• Selection of External Auditor – Finance Director Larry Propst recommended Brown Edwards & Company, LLC for a three-year contract with three optional one-year renewals, following an RFP with three responses reviewed by a committee. Motion approved unanimously.

Boards and Commissions

• Planning Commission Appointment – Vice Mayor Dent moved to appoint Kate Nardi Sullivan to fill an unexpired term ending January 4, 2025. The motion passed unanimously.

Other Matters

• Public Comments – Panayotis Giannakouros presented additional signatures (over 100 collected at city events, plus 180 from a poll showing 90% support for repealing the tall grass ordinance). Sue-Anne Scrogham (1315 Carrera Ln) expressed support for the speed cameras and suggested they be considered for other dangerous intersections.
• City Council and Staff Reports – Council members discussed the National League of Cities Roadshow, Blacks Run Cleanup (over 700 volunteers), the Harrisonburg-Rockingham MPO Unified Work Program, a climate panel with Sierra Club, and the upcoming budget work session scheduled for May after council members submit topics.
• Recognition – City Manager Banks announced that Deputy City Manager Amy Snider will receive the 2024 Excellence in Public Service Award from JMU’s MPA program.

Closed Session

• Council entered closed session at 9:14 PM under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(8) for contractual negotiations. The session ended at 9:24 PM, and the certification statement was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved (5-0) with seven items.
• Budget Public Hearing – no action taken; input received.
• Speed Camera Update – received and filed; no formal vote.
• Donation for Homeless Services Center Kitchen – approved (5-0), with city funding commitment.
• VML Policy Committee Nominations – tabled to May 14.
• External Auditor Selection – Brown Edwards & Company approved (5-0).
• Planning Commission Appointment – Kate Nardi Sullivan appointed (unanimous).
• Closed Session – entered and later certified (5-0).
• Budget Work Session – scheduled for May, with council members to submit discussion topics in advance.