OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Harrisonburg City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - May 14, 2024

City Council & Planning Commission — Tuesday, May 14, 2024
BodyHarrisonburg, Virginia
SessionCity Council & Planning Commission
DateTuesday, May 14, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:50:08

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

All right.

0:01

All right.

0:07

I'll call our Tuesday, May 14, 2024 work session to order.

0:15

World call, please.

0:17

Mayor Reed.

0:18

City Manager Banks.

0:20

Here.

0:20

City Attorney Brown.

0:21

Here.

0:22

Vice Mayor Dent.

0:23

Here.

0:23

Councilmember Fleming.

0:24

Here.

0:25

Councilmember Jones.

0:26

President.

0:26

Councilmember Robinson.

0:28

Here.

0:28

Chief Warner.

0:30

Chief Tobia.

0:31

And Deputy Manager Snyder.

0:37

That was a right.

0:38

So we're going to start as you can see.

0:43

This is a work session with food.

0:46

Our apologies, but we needed to have dinner.

0:51

And we wanted to make sure that we had a good session before we recess for our seven o'clock.

1:02

So we wanted to make sure we had time to dive into the budget.

1:20

So we want to make sure they make that.

1:23

So I want to open up our budget discussion and we're going to actually start.

1:31

Well I would like to start um with the uh discussion around a tax increase.

1:39

And so I have uh Dr.

1:41

Richards, we have Dr.

1:42

Richards here and Tracy here.

1:44

If there's any questions, um, so that he can leave by 6 30.

1:49

All right.

1:54

Do you have an award to go to too?

1:56

Yeah.

1:56

Andy Sons and awards.

1:58

So council.

2:01

Our tax increase uh as of that has been proposed as eight cents.

2:08

Um it is my hope that uh we can lower that.

2:14

Um it kind of gave me a little heartburn when I saw it, um, but we know that uh for our residents um this would be um a burden on them.

2:26

Um and so I was hoping we can have healthy conversations around how we could um lower our tax rate um have hopefully have a compromise um other from departments to see if we can do that.

2:44

So councilman Fleming, I know you wanted to start, so you can start for sure.

2:50

Well, one um I guess you know a part of what we've learned over the weekend and really more today um with the passing of the state budget is that um it looks um I guess certain but not exact um additional funds that'll be coming down to the schools through the state budget.

3:15

Um and I think looks pretty good at about 1.6 million dollars or so, which would be close to three cents of of taxes, which I think the um the schools had accounted for that in their budget without the certainty of whether you know you would get that or not.

3:33

Um and you know, obviously we we have this juggle every every year um or every two years, I guess, because in the bar, and we'll have a better idea next year of what what that amount's gonna be.

3:46

Um so I'm I'm grateful for that.

3:49

I'm I'm I'm glad that uh our state budget negotiators got uh got money for the schools that was a priority.

3:55

Um those came down, so that um appears to be three cents for us.

4:02

You know, I know um it's interesting in in looking at you know adding a second high school uh for Harrisonburg, you know, a city of you know 55,000 and and you know, looking at some of the history, realizing that the last time a city went from one to two high schools was Danville 20 years ago, 2002.

4:27

And then prior to that, it was another 25 years or so with Letchburg when they um added heritage high school in about I think 76 that they added a second high school.

4:38

There's the last two two cities that added a second high school, went from one to two.

4:43

You know, there are cities that go three to four and some of the largest cities.

4:48

But that one to two jump is a pretty significant new heritage, but heritage has been around.

4:54

In Lynchburg.

5:00

Um and it seems to hit cities when they're about this population, the 55,000, you know, um general population need to have a second school, but it you know immediately doubles your cost for your high school.

5:12

Um the infrastructure costs are big for a city like Harrisburg, this is a pretty big jump.

5:16

It was a big jump for Danville, it was a big big jump for Lynchburg, and it again doesn't happen very often, but um you know, puts a strain that most other cities don't have to to go through but every once in a while.

5:29

And I don't think it'll happen for a while.

5:30

I don't think Charlottesville's gonna be getting a second high school.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget Equity Analysis█████████████████17%
Zoning And Land Use███████████████15%
Public Engagement████████████12%
Economic Development███████7%
Tax Policy███████7%
Education Policy██████6%
Public Transportation██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Planning And Zoning█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Harrisonburg City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - May 14, 2024

The Harrisonburg City Council held a work session starting at 5:00 PM and a regular meeting at 7:00 PM on May 14, 2024. The work session focused on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget, culminating in a consensus to lower the proposed real estate tax increase from eight cents to five cents. The regular meeting included special recognitions, multiple public hearings, and approvals of grants, rebranding, and the budget (first reading).

Work Session: FY 2024-2025 Budget Discussion

  • Mayor Reed initiated discussion on reducing the proposed eight-cent real estate tax increase, citing burden on residents. Council Member Fleming noted state budget additional funding to schools (~$1.6 million, equivalent to three cents). Dr. Richards and Tracy Shaver (HCPS) clarified ESSER fund usage (~$20 million over four years, $2 million remaining), All-In funding ($3.5 million, temporary positions), and school supply budget ($5 million budget, $5.2 million spent; parental supply costs estimated at $375,000-$500,000). Council discussed reducing the increase to five cents, with a residual gap of ~$143,000. Council Member Jones proposed $100,000-$150,000 for a micro-grant program for small businesses (marketed toward SWAM but open to all). City Attorney Brown noted legal restrictions on race/gender-based grants. Council directed staff to research a $100,000 entrepreneur grant program and explore the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (matching ~$170,000 over two years). Consensus was to lower the tax increase to five cents, with staff to identify funds for the grant program.

Regular Session

Special Recognition

  • Proclamation recognizing May 2024 as Building Safety Month, presented to Community Development staff.
  • Proclamation recognizing May 12-18, 2024 as National Police Week, presented to Lt. Monahan and Lt. Wetherall.

Consent Agenda

  • Approved minutes from April 23, 2024.
  • Approved special event applications: Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance's Best.Weekend.Ever (June 15, 2024), Levitt AMP Harrisonburg Music Series (Wednesdays, June 26-September 11, 2024), and Block Party in the Burg (August 24, 2024). All approved 5-0.

Public Hearings

  • 6.c: Sahara III LC Special Use Permit Amendment (1846 Evelyn Byrd Ave) – Amendment to reduce building height from five to four stories, units from 20 to 16, parking from 23 spaces, and remove a planned bus pull-off. Staff and Planning Commission (5-0) recommended approval. Approved 5-0.
  • 6.d: Rezoning 35 Monroe Street (R2 to R8) – To allow expansion of a nonconforming duplex. Staff and Planning Commission (5-0) recommended approval. No public comment. Approved 5-0.
  • 6.e-6.h: Hurstwenger Properties LLC Rezoning and Special Use Permits (1011-1031 W Market St) – Rezoning portions to R8-conditional and B2, and three special use permits for warehousing, contractor storage, and mixed-use dwellings. Applicant sought to bring nonconforming uses into compliance; included condition to close a central entrance. Staff and Planning Commission (5-0) recommended approval with conditions. All four items approved 5-0.
  • 6.i: Rezoning 290, 294, 298 Lucy Drive (R3 to R8) – To allow higher-density townhomes. Staff and Planning Commission (5-0) recommended approval. Approved 5-0.
  • 6.j: B & A Group LLC Special Use Permit for Townhomes (same properties) – Discussion on 48-month extension (default 12 months) and tree buffer. Council expressed concerns about 48 months being too long and lack of rear tree buffer. Public comment by Dawn Miller (319 Emerald Drive) asked to preserve existing trees. Council tabled this item to May 28, 2024, to allow staff to develop specific conditions on timing and a tree buffer. Motion to table approved 5-0.

Regular Items

  • 7.a: Amendments to 2020 and 2022 CDBG Action Plans – Moved surplus funds from completed sidewalk projects to the North Liberty Gateway Art Project. Approved 5-0.
  • 7.b: Approval of 2024 CDBG Annual Action Plan – Allocated $139,700 to Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair Program, and three projects: ADA sidewalk at Hillendale Park, walking trail paving at Ralph Sampson Park, and sanitary sewer line on S. Liberty Street. Public services allocation up to $73,743. Approved 5-0.
  • 7.c: Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Resolution – Resolution to apply for a $600,000 planning grant (20% city match of $150,000) to develop a Transportation Safety Action Plan, including updates to the bike/ped plan, a Safe Routes to School plan, and a Complete Streets guide. Approved 5-0.
  • 7.d: Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation Rebranding – Presentation of new brand “HB Connect” for fixed-route buses, including new logo and bus design. Approved by voice vote.
  • 7.e: Adoption of FY 2024-2025 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance – Council voted to adopt the budget as presented (with the proposed eight-cent increase). However, staff clarified that this is the first reading; the final adoption will occur on May 28, 2024, incorporating the work session directive to lower the tax increase to five cents and include the $100,000 entrepreneur grant program. Roll call vote 5-0.
  • 7.f: Nominations for 2024 VML Policy Committees – Council approved assignments: Council Member Jones (Community & Economic Development), Council Member Fleming (Finance), City Attorney Brown (General Law), Council Member Robinson (Human Development & Education), Vice Mayor Dent (Infrastructure). Approved by voice vote.

Other Matters

  • Public Comments: James “Bucky” Berry (Washington St) spoke about the Brent Berry Food Drive serving 9,396 families, and criticized police response times during flooding, urging full staffing and community policing.
  • Council and Staff Comments: Council Members reported on various community events. Deputy City Manager Snider announced public meetings for the proposed spray grounds at Ralph Sampson Park (May 15 at Lucy Sims Center).

Key Outcomes

  • Tax Increase: Council directed to lower the proposed real estate tax increase from eight cents to five cents, with staff to find a $100,000 entrepreneur grant program within the budget. Final budget adoption set for May 28, 2024.
  • Approved Items: All non-tabled public hearing items approved unanimously (5-0). SS4A grant resolution and CDBG plans approved unanimously.
  • Deferred Action: Special use permit for townhomes at Lucy Drive (6.j) tabled to May 28, 2024, for specific conditions on tree buffer and time frame.
  • Budget Adoption: The FY 2024-2025 budget and appropriation ordinance passed on first reading (5-0); final adoption will include amendments from the work session.

Meeting Transcript

All right. All right. I'll call our Tuesday, May 14, 2024 work session to order. World call, please. Mayor Reed. City Manager Banks. Here. City Attorney Brown. Here. Vice Mayor Dent. Here. Councilmember Fleming. Here. Councilmember Jones. President. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Chief Warner. Chief Tobia. And Deputy Manager Snyder. That was a right. So we're going to start as you can see. This is a work session with food. Our apologies, but we needed to have dinner. And we wanted to make sure that we had a good session before we recess for our seven o'clock. So we wanted to make sure we had time to dive into the budget. So we want to make sure they make that. So I want to open up our budget discussion and we're going to actually start. Well I would like to start um with the uh discussion around a tax increase. And so I have uh Dr. Richards, we have Dr. Richards here and Tracy here. If there's any questions, um, so that he can leave by 6 30. All right. Do you have an award to go to too? Yeah. Andy Sons and awards. So council. Our tax increase uh as of that has been proposed as eight cents. Um it is my hope that uh we can lower that. Um it kind of gave me a little heartburn when I saw it, um, but we know that uh for our residents um this would be um a burden on them. Um and so I was hoping we can have healthy conversations around how we could um lower our tax rate um have hopefully have a compromise um other from departments to see if we can do that. So councilman Fleming, I know you wanted to start, so you can start for sure. Well, one um I guess you know a part of what we've learned over the weekend and really more today um with the passing of the state budget is that um it looks um I guess certain but not exact um additional funds that'll be coming down to the schools through the state budget. Um and I think looks pretty good at about 1.6 million dollars or so, which would be close to three cents of of taxes, which I think the um the schools had accounted for that in their budget without the certainty of whether you know you would get that or not. Um and you know, obviously we we have this juggle every every year um or every two years, I guess, because in the bar, and we'll have a better idea next year of what what that amount's gonna be. Um so I'm I'm grateful for that. I'm I'm I'm glad that uh our state budget negotiators got uh got money for the schools that was a priority. Um those came down, so that um appears to be three cents for us. You know, I know um it's interesting in in looking at you know adding a second high school uh for Harrisonburg, you know, a city of you know 55,000 and and you know, looking at some of the history, realizing that the last time a city went from one to two high schools was Danville 20 years ago, 2002.

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