OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Harrisonburg City Council Meeting - August 13, 2024

City Council & Planning Commission — Tuesday, August 13, 2024
BodyHarrisonburg, Virginia
SessionCity Council & Planning Commission
DateTuesday, August 13, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:19:23

Transcript — Verbatim
0:55

I'll open our Tuesday, August 13, 2024 City Council meeting to order roll call, please.

1:02

City Manager Banks.

1:03

Here.

1:04

City Attorney Brown.

1:05

Here.

1:05

Vice Mayor Dent.

1:07

Here.

1:07

Councilmember Fleming.

1:08

Here.

1:09

Councilmember Jones is absent.

1:10

Councilmember Robinson.

1:12

Here.

1:12

Chief Toby.

1:14

No.

1:14

And Chief Miller.

1:17

If you would please stand if you wish for the invocation.

1:26

Father God, thank you for this day.

1:29

Thank you for bringing us together this evening.

1:31

Give us wisdom and guidance as we make decisions for our city.

1:35

Bless those who are in the space.

1:38

I ask that you help us approach this meeting with a spirit of peace and harmony.

1:44

In your name I pray.

1:45

Amen.

1:46

Amen.

1:46

Remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:50

Pledge allegiance to the side of the United States of America.

1:54

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:57

One nation.

1:58

Under God.

1:59

Indivisible.

2:00

With liberty and justice for all.

2:07

Okay.

2:08

So we have a special recognition today this evening, and we're gonna recognize Caleb Gilbert.

2:17

All American soap box derby world champion.

2:21

So I want to ask Caleb to come forward.

2:24

I believe you're with your father, and they're gonna bring this big trophy.

2:29

Bigger than Caleb.

2:37

This trophy is bigger than Caleb.

2:41

Oh my goodness.

2:44

Don't break it.

2:45

It'll work.

2:48

Okay, now who's gonna speak?

2:50

Tell us a little bit about the I know what the soap box derby is, but you can stand right there at that mic.

2:58

So the soapbox derby, a lot of people think it's the soapbox derby's little pine cars that the so um Boy Scout shoes, that's far from that.

3:06

As you can see, Caleb's car.

3:07

Um he's got long hair for a reason.

3:09

He also plays guitar on the side with two bands in the area, um, adult bands to say the least.

3:15

So um his favorite band is Van Halen, so it was only fitting that we painted his car like Eddie Van Halen's guitar.

3:21

Okay.

3:23

Um so we've raised soapbox derby.

3:25

He's raised soapbox derby for four years now, started off in Waynesboro, Virginia, as his local um racetrack, and when it no longer happened, um we had to go somewhere for to represent our area, which was Harrisonburg.

3:39

Right.

3:40

So um last year we rally raced in soapbox derby throughout the United States from Florida all the way to New York.

3:49

So we had 24,000 miles racing in soapbox derby.

3:54

So a lot of people do travel ball, we do travel, soapbox tripy racing.

3:58

Right, right.

3:59

We were able to meet a lot of friends, um there's a lot of physics involved in it.

4:04

Um met a lot of engineers that has helped us.

4:07

A lot of people think you just get in the car and go and Caleb can tell you that's far from it.

4:11

We spend a lot of time, blood, sweat, and tears, a lot of ass and questions to get the car to work, but he has to drive the car as well to get it where he needs to be.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management███████████████████19%
Affordable Housing█████████████13%
Parks and Recreation███████████11%
Procedural█████████9%
Homelessness████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
Public Safety███3%
Mental Health Awareness███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Harrisonburg City Council Meeting - August 13, 2024

The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. All members were present except Council Member Christopher B. Jones. The meeting included a special recognition, consent agenda approvals, a drought warning declaration, updates on ARPA-funded projects, and several resolutions and supplemental appropriations. Public comments were not received.

Consent Calendar

The Council approved the following items by a single 5-0 vote:

  • Minutes from the July 23, 2024 City Council meeting.
  • Supplemental appropriation for several grant awards (second reading).
  • Special event applications for the Race to Beat Breast Cancer 5k Run/Walk on October 19, 2024; HDR’s Skeleton Festival on October 19, 2024; and the Veterans Parade on November 10, 2024.

Special Recognition

Mayor Reed recognized Caleb Gilbert, the All-American Soap Box Derby World Champion. Caleb’s father described the competition and the travel involved (24,000 miles across the US). Caleb, age 12, shared his experience of winning the world championship.

Discussion Items

7.a: Drought Warning Resolution (Adopted 5-0)

Mike Collins, Director of Public Utilities, explained three independent drought triggers:

  1. Demand vs. supply capacity (current max ~68 million gallons/week; peak demand on July 7, 2024 reached near that limit).
  2. Local water supply levels (Dry River/Switzer Dam, North River).
  3. DEQ drought warning status (Shenandoah Valley under warning; groundwater levels at emergency but DEQ set only warning).

Collins noted that if student population returns (5–10 million gallons/week increase) and hot weather persists, mandatory restrictions may be needed. Staff has voluntarily contacted JMU, city schools, and Parks & Recreation—all committed to reducing irrigation. Additional outreach to large industrial users (poultry, etc.) is scheduled for August 15. City Manager Banks noted the Eastern Raw Water Line Project, coming online in 2026, will alleviate concerns for 20-40 years. City Attorney Brown added that if another locality in the region declares a drought emergency (Rockingham County may do so for agricultural purposes), the city would have to follow suit. The resolution declared a drought warning and encouraged voluntary conservation.

7.b: Combined Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Ordinance (Adopted 5-0)

City Engineer Matthew Huston presented the updated ordinance combining two separate code sections into one per DEQ requirements effective July 1, 2024. No substantive changes to technical requirements, fees, or penalties; only consolidation and elimination of redundancies. Scrivener’s errors (missing hyphens) were noted and will be corrected before second reading.

7.c: SPARC Program Presentation

Liz Webb, Housing Coordinator, introduced the Sponsoring Partnerships and Revitalizing Communities (SPARC) program—a 1% interest rate reduction for 30-year mortgages provided by Virginia Housing. The city applied in May 2024 and received an allocation of $2.09 million (not cash, but a benefit pool). Proposed local parameters: within city footprint, promote local housing counseling (partnering with CERCAP), align with fee waivers, and serve households at 100% of Area Median Income (AMI). Example: a $300,000 home with 5% down saves $187/month or over $60,000 over the loan life. The program aims to assist at least 7 families. The presentation was received and filed.

7.d: ARPA Projects Update

Luke Morgan (Grants and Programs Analyst) led a comprehensive update on the city’s $23.8 million in ARPA funds allocated across six priority areas. Key highlights:

  • Parks Projects (Brian Mancini): Smithland Athletic Complex restrooms and lights completed—fields now host travel teams, reducing local families’ need to travel to Roanoke; Thomas Harrison soccer field (lights, restrooms, fencing done; field regrading scheduled summer 2025); Spray Grounds at Ralph Sampson Park (site plans submitted, construction start October 2024); Westover Skate Park (design complete, construction expected October 2024); Kids Castle replacement (contract signed, design expanded, completion timeline extended but old castle remains open longer).
  • Homeless Services Center/Navigation Center (Amy Snider): 1111 North Main Street—construction 90% done but critical electrical equipment delayed until December 2024, pushing opening past October 4. Exploring temporary power options. Open Doors will operate 72-bed overnight shelter (6 PM–7 AM) with low-barrier, trauma-informed approach. Security: staff on-site, controlled entry, surveillance, dignified searches. Data tracking (HMIS) shows majority of clients from Harrisonburg/Rockingham County. Additional services from partner organizations (Centera, suitcase clinic, community paramedicine) will be available.
  • Neighborhood Improvements: Simms Avenue and Myrtle Street paving completed 2023; Kelly and Sterling Street paving scheduled 2024; revised Sterling Street sidewalk, Hill Street sidewalk, and Ralph Sampson Connector trail under design/right-of-way acquisition.
  • Fire Station 5: Construction began July 30, completion expected August 2025.
  • Small Business Assistance Fund: $200,000 allocated; 35 local small businesses received grants of $4,000–$10,000.
  • Housing Development Fund (Liz Webb): $2 million allocated; 10 applications received, 2 selected: Central Valley Habitat for Humanity Suter Street project (11 units, 60% AMI, 15-year affordability, two closings completed July 2024) and HRHA Commerce Village II Annex (16 one-bedroom units at 30-50% AMI for veterans and chronically homeless, 30-year affordability, funding agreement pending).
  • Mental Health Fund ($400,000): Grants to 6 nonprofits (Boys & Girls Clubs, Community Counseling Center, Collins Center, First Step, Gemeinschaft Home, Strength in Peers) serving thousands.
  • Child Care Fund ($596,000): Pathway to Success program (business training via SBDC, 3 cohorts completed); $446,000 grant fund accepting applications. One award made to Harrisonburg Rockingham Child Day Care Center (new building opens August 19, 2024).

7.e: Opioid Settlement with Kroger (Resolution Adopted 5-0)

City Attorney Chris Brown presented a resolution to ratify the city’s participation in a nationwide $1.3 billion settlement with Kroger. The city’s share is unknown until participation numbers are final. Previous similar resolutions have been passed for other opioid defendants.

7.f: Appointment of Zoning Administrator (Resolution Adopted 5-0)

Thanh Dang nominated Tyler Blanks, who has served as a zoning technician and specialist since 2021 (previously with Lynchburg). Blanks expressed gratitude and readiness to advance the zoning ordinance rewrite. Council members praised the appointment.

Key Outcomes

  • Drought Warning Resolution: Adopted 5-0 (All present in favor). The resolution declares a drought warning for the city and encourages voluntary water conservation.
  • Combined Erosion Control & Stormwater Management Ordinance: Adopted 5-0, with authority to correct scrivener’s errors.
  • SPARC Program Presentation: Received and filed; no vote required.
  • ARPA Update: Received and filed; staff directed to monitor deadlines (obligation by Dec 31, 2024; expenditure by Dec 31, 2026) and explore contingency funding for potential cost overruns.
  • Kroger Opioid Resolution: Adopted 5-0.
  • Appointment of Tyler Blanks as Zoning Administrator: Adopted 5-0.
  • Supplemental Appropriation – Opioid Abatement ($200,000): Approved 5-0 to fund partnership with Rockingham County and Strength in Peers for Peer Recovery Center.
  • Supplemental Appropriation – School Board ($841,860): Approved 5-0 for boiler/water heater replacement at Stone Spring Elementary and air handler at Keister Elementary, using existing school fund balance.

Closed Session

The Council entered closed session at 9:17 PM under Virginia Code Sections 2.2-3711(A)(3) (disposition of publicly held real estate) and (7) (consultation with legal counsel regarding probable litigation). The closed session ended at 10:22 PM, and Council certified that only exempt matters were discussed. The meeting adjourned at 10:22 PM.

Meeting Transcript

I'll open our Tuesday, August 13, 2024 City Council meeting to order roll call, please. City Manager Banks. Here. City Attorney Brown. Here. Vice Mayor Dent. Here. Councilmember Fleming. Here. Councilmember Jones is absent. Councilmember Robinson. Here. Chief Toby. No. And Chief Miller. If you would please stand if you wish for the invocation. Father God, thank you for this day. Thank you for bringing us together this evening. Give us wisdom and guidance as we make decisions for our city. Bless those who are in the space. I ask that you help us approach this meeting with a spirit of peace and harmony. In your name I pray. Amen. Amen. Remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the side of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation. Under God. Indivisible. With liberty and justice for all. Okay. So we have a special recognition today this evening, and we're gonna recognize Caleb Gilbert. All American soap box derby world champion. So I want to ask Caleb to come forward. I believe you're with your father, and they're gonna bring this big trophy. Bigger than Caleb. This trophy is bigger than Caleb. Oh my goodness. Don't break it. It'll work. Okay, now who's gonna speak? Tell us a little bit about the I know what the soap box derby is, but you can stand right there at that mic. So the soapbox derby, a lot of people think it's the soapbox derby's little pine cars that the so um Boy Scout shoes, that's far from that. As you can see, Caleb's car. Um he's got long hair for a reason. He also plays guitar on the side with two bands in the area, um, adult bands to say the least. So um his favorite band is Van Halen, so it was only fitting that we painted his car like Eddie Van Halen's guitar. Okay. Um so we've raised soapbox derby.

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