Harrisonburg City Council Meeting – June 25, 2024: Transit Plan, Tax Exemptions, Mobile Clinic Approved
Harrisonburg City Council Regular Meeting – June 25, 2024
The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Mayor Deanna R. Reed presided, with Vice-Mayor Laura Dent, Council Members Dany Fleming and Monica Robinson present; Council Member Christopher B. Jones was absent. The meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key actions included a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month, approval of a consent agenda with six items, tax exemptions for three nonprofits, adoption of the 10-year Transit Strategic Plan, a presentation on the ALICE population, approval of a partnership with Sentara for a mobile clinic, a fund reallocation for the Mt. Clinton Pike project, and public comment on a proposed memorial. The meeting adjourned at 9:49 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: Approved the minutes from the June 11, 2024 meeting.
- Rezoning: Approved (on second reading) a request from Mehre Tu Zeray Tekle and Rahel Yosief Hailu to amend the Brookside Park Master Plan for 979 Roberts Court.
- Zoning Ordinance Amendment: Approved (on second reading) amendments further regulating the location of tobacco, smoke, and vape shops.
- Affordable Housing Fee Waiver Program: Approved (on second reading) enactment of Section 10-8-1 of the City Code to establish an Affordable Housing Fee Waiver Program.
- Capital Projects Fund Supplement: Approved a supplemental appropriation for the General Capital Projects Fund.
- IT Agreements Supplement: Approved a supplemental appropriation for lease and subscription-based IT agreements.
All consent items were approved on a single roll call vote of 4–0 (Jones absent).
Public Hearings – Tax Exemptions for Nonprofits
Council held a public hearing from 7:16 PM to 7:18 PM for three applications for real estate and personal property tax exemptions. Karen Rose, Commissioner of the Revenue, presented the requests:
- Strength in Peers, Inc. (917 N. Main St.): Requested real estate tax exemption of $4,255.13 and personal property exemption of $503.42. The organization provides mental health and substance use recovery support.
- Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project, Inc. (SVBHP): Requested real estate exemption of $1,122.11 and personal property exemption of $169.96. SVBHP provides professional development, burial ground restoration, and free genealogy services.
- Our Community Place (OCP) (17 E. Johnson St.): Requested personal property tax exemption of $1,214.41 for two additional vehicles used for food collection and transportation. OCP had previously received exemptions.
Nickey Fadely, executive director of Strength in Peers, expressed gratitude, stating every dollar is needed. Council Member Fleming noted that tax relief frees funds for critical services. Council Member Robinson recused herself from voting on SVBHP due to being an employee; she disclosed the conflict. Council voted separately:
- Strength in Peers: Motion carried 4–0 (Robinson voted yes).
- SVBHP: Motion carried 3–0 (Robinson abstained, Jones absent).
- OCP: Motion carried 4–0.
Discussion Items
7.a. Transit Strategic Plan (TSP) Gerald Gatobu, Director of Public Transportation, and Danielle McCray of Kimley-Horn presented the 10-year TSP, required for state funding. Ms. McCray outlined the plan:
- Public engagement: Over 760 survey responses, three stakeholder meetings, and a 4-week public comment period (19 responses, 90% supportive).
- Proposed changes: Short-term (FY25): increased frequency on Routes 1 and ICS (+475 hours, 1 new bus). Mid-term (FY29): increased daytime frequency, new Saturday/Sunday service (+5,900 hours, 1 new bus). Long-term (FY33): increased frequency on Route 6 (+3,900 hours, 1 new bus). Total: 3 new buses, 46 replacements over 10 years.
- Operating cost increase: Just over $2.8 million more than with no changes.
Council Members Fleming and Robinson praised the plan as data-driven and beneficial for the working population and ALICE households. Vice Mayor Dent inquired about electric buses and microtransit; Mr. Gatobu noted a microtransit pilot program planned for summer 2025 and the need for infrastructure for electric buses. The plan was approved 4–0.
7.b. ALICE Population Presentation Jo Benjamin, Director of Community Impact for United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, presented updated ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) data. Key statistics:
- City population decreased by 278, but ALICE households increased by 2% (356 people) and poverty increased by 2%.
- Statewide, households above the ALICE threshold decreased by 2%.
- By race, 42% of white city residents are above the ALICE threshold; disparities exist for Black, Hispanic, and Asian residents.
- Single female-headed households with children face the greatest challenges. The ALICE threshold for two adults with two school-age children is $60,000; for two adults with two children under five, it is $85,000.
- United Way’s RockBurg CARES Network, launched August 2023, provided information/referral, ALICE Assistance Fund payments, and financial education. From the city’s $10,000 grant, 902 household members were assisted (57% city residents). Top expenses for city residents: transportation, utilities, child care.
Council Members discussed potential city involvement in financial empowerment services; Vice-Mayor Dent noted a potential grant through the Financial Empowerment Cities program. The presentation was received and filed (no action required).
7.c. Sentara Community Care Mobile Clinic Amy Snider, Deputy City Manager, along with Onesimo Baltazaar Corona (Director of Operations) and Mayra Gavia Molina (Practice Manager RN) from Sentara, presented the proposed partnership to operate a mobile clinic at two city properties: Ralph Sampson Park and the Homeless Services Center (opening fall 2024). The clinic provides primary care, behavioral health, and social support, addressing social determinants of health. It includes two exam rooms and vaccine storage. Since last year, the clinic has served over 700 unique patients and provided 1,700 vaccines at schools. The city would contribute $15,000 (from a $20,000 Sentara Cares grant) to upgrade parking and install a power station at the Homeless Services Center. Council Members expressed strong support for the holistic, community-focused approach. The motion to approve the partnership and space license agreement was approved 4–0.
8.a. Reallocation for Mt. Clinton Pike Project City Manager Ande Banks presented a reallocation of $236,000 from three completed capital projects (Reservoir Street, South Dogwood culvert replacement, MLK Jr. Way Bridge repairs) to the Northend Greenway extension along Mt. Clinton Pike. Vice-Mayor Dent commended the efficient project management that produced savings. The reallocation was approved 4–0.
Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items
James August Worsing Jr. proposed gifting the city a granite memorial at I-81 exit 247B to honor all nations that have come to Harrisonburg. He is fundraising and requested information about property ownership. Mayor Reed asked him to meet with the City Manager after the meeting.
Council and Staff Reports
Council Members reported on recent activities: Vice-Mayor Dent attended the National League of Cities Summer Leadership meeting in California and a stormwater basin tour; Council Member Robinson attended the Gay Street reconfiguration meeting, a Juneteenth celebration, and a Chesapeake Bay Trust retreat; Council Member Fleming attended the International Town Gown Association conference, the NLC Summer Leadership meeting, and an Urban Institute affordable housing summit. He also requested a population study from the Weldon Cooper Center (estimated $75,000). Council gave consensus to proceed; City Manager Banks will present details at the July 9 meeting. Vice-Mayor Dent noted that the Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (HRMPO) submitted six Smart Scale grant applications totaling $40–50 million. Mayor Reed reported approval of the A. Frances House for the Virginia Historic Landmark Register and a mural dedication.
Key Outcomes
- Transit Strategic Plan: Approved 4–0.
- Tax Exemptions: Strength in Peers (4–0), SVBHP (3–0 with Robinson abstaining), OCP (4–0).
- Sentara Mobile Clinic Partnership: Approved 4–0, including a $15,000 city contribution.
- Reallocation for Mt. Clinton Pike: Approved 4–0 for $236,000.
- Population Study: Council consensus to proceed; City Manager to return with details.
- Consent Agenda: All six items approved 4–0.
Meeting Transcript
Are we good, Pam? Yeah, we're good. I'll call our Tuesday June 25th, 2024, City Council meeting to order. Roll call, please, Pam. Mayor Reed. Present. City Manager Banks. Here. Deputy City Attorney Russ. Here. Vice Mayor Dent. Here. Council Member Fleming. Here. Councilmember Jones is absent. Councilmember Robinson. Present. Deputy Chief Pollard. And Chief Tobia. If you would please stand for the invocation given by Councilmember Robinson and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Dear Lord, we come before you with gratitude, and we thank you for being a God of love who is with us now in this very room. We thank you for making each of us in this room, every person we meet, every resident of the city and every city in your own image with dignity and infinite worth. We thank you, Lord, for our mayor, our city manager, our city staff, and my fellow council members. We give thanks for the for the way of service they have chosen to take up on behalf of all of us here. Help us, Lord, to trust you more and guide us in tonight's work. In your name we pray. Amen. I pledge your allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. So we have some special guests here with us this evening who I would like to call up and stand up here with me while we give this proclamation. So young people, come on up. Come here. So this is a proclamation declaring July twenty twenty-fourth as park and recreation month. Whereas park and recreation programs are integral part of communities throughout this country, including the city of Harrisonburg. And whereas our parks and recreation are vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in our communities, ensuring the health of all citizens and contributing to economic and environmental well-being of a community and region. And we're as parks and recreation programs build healthy, active communities that aid in the prevention of chronic disease, provide therapeutic recreation services for those who are mentally and physically disabled, and also improve the mental and emotional health of all citizens. And whereas parks and recreation programs increase a community's economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of the local tax space, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction. And whereas parks and recreations are a fundamental to is fundamental to the environmental well-being of our community. And whereas parks and national recreation areas improve water quality, protect groundwater, prevent flooding, improve the quality of the air we breathe, provide vegetative buffers to development and produce habitat for wildlife. And whereas all our parks and natural recreations areas ensure the ecological beauty of our community and provide a place for children and adults to connect with nature and recreate outdoors, recreate outdoors, and whereas the U.S. House of Representatives has designed July, designated July as Park and Recreation Month. And whereas the City of Harrisonburg recognizes the benefits from parks and recreation resources. Now, therefore, I, Dina Reed, Mayor of the City of Harrisonburg, do hereby proclaim July 20th, 20 July 2024 as park and recreation month. There you go. Thank you. Now are you all staying for the entire meeting? Thank you. You are so welcome. Thank you for coming. We're gonna let you go ahead and go out. Thank you for coming this evening.
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