Harrisonburg City Council Meeting - August 27, 2024

The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included special recognition, consent agenda approvals, presentations, discussions on affordable housing and the Harrison House project, a vote on an ARPA loan conversion request, and other routine matters. All votes were unanimous (5-0) unless noted. The meeting adjourned at 10:58 PM after a closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the August 13, 2024 City Council meeting were approved.
• A supplemental appropriation of $200,000 for the General Fund was approved on second reading.
• A supplemental appropriation for the Harrisonburg City School Board was approved on second reading.
• An ordinance combining provisions into a Combined Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Ordinance was approved on second reading.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Pat Hayden, a Harrisonburg resident, expressed concerns about the HRECC (Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center), stating she had heard of displeasure among staff and urged the council to investigate.

Discussion Items

• Recognition of Lt. Erin Stehle: Fire Chief Matt Tobia recognized Lt. Stehle for leading the successful Pizza Night 2024 event. Statistics from the four-hour event included: 307 residences checked, 888 smoke alarms checked, 78 smoke alarms replaced, 51 smoke alarm batteries replaced, 42 carbon monoxide alarms checked, 27 replaced, and nearly 100 volunteers involved. Lt. Stehle was also praised for her role in community risk reduction and the Camp L.I.T. program.
• 7a - Amendments to the 2024 CDBG Action Plan: Kristin McCombe, CDBG Program Manager, presented a request to reallocate $10,000 from the Suitcase Clinic to the Homeless Services Center Medical Clinic and $10,189 to the Guest Areas project. The 30-day public comment period ended August 26, 2024 with no comments received. The motion carried unanimously.
• 7b - Harrison House Project and Virginia 250 Preservation Fund Grant: City Manager Ande Banks provided background on the project, noting that dendrochronology revealed the house was built in 1790 (after Thomas Harrison's death) and that archaeological work uncovered evidence of enslaved African Americans. Dr. Carole Nash discussed the African American presence. Tom Hartman and Luke Morgan presented architectural plans to demolish a small portion of the Hall House to create a terrace, improving views and accessibility. The city has $500,000 committed, the Margaret Grattan Weaver Foundation $500,000, and they will apply for up to $3 million from the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund, requiring a $1 million match. No action was taken; it was received and filed.
• 7c - Presentation from Our Community Place (OCP): Matt Tibbles, Executive Director, presented data on unique individuals served: 115 in late June, 158 in July, and 138 in the first two weeks of August (projected to reach ~158 by month-end). He shared demographics (race, gender, housing status): in July, 108 individuals were unsheltered within Harrisonburg city limits. Council discussed the origin of clients and the need for data on last residence. The presentation was received and filed.
• 7d - Presentation on Developing Affordable Housing on City-Owned Land: Housing Coordinator Liz Webb presented a strategy to use surplus city-owned land for affordable housing. The Neff Avenue site (suitable for up to 200 multifamily units, competitive for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits) is recommended for a PPEA (Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act) solicitation. The Central Avenue site (less constrained) is being explored for a possible community land trust. Council supported moving forward with the Neff Avenue PPEA and further research on Central Avenue. City Attorney Chris Brown noted a future proposal to sell other small remnant properties.
• 7e - Consider converting HRHA's ARPA loan to a grant: City staff recommended maintaining the $1.3 million loan (3% interest-only, 30-year) as awarded. Michael Wong, HRHA Executive Director, requested conversion to a grant, citing a $500,000 funding gap and the loan's interest payments ($39,000/year) would cause operating deficits, potentially reducing staffing or services. Council debated fairness to other applicants, the integrity of the competitive process, and the loss of potential housing trust fund revenue. The motion to deny the conversion was effectively decided; council decided not to allow the conversion and to keep the loan terms as originally awarded.
• 7f - Refer to Planning Commission an amendment to permit cash proffers: City Attorney Chris Brown presented a draft ordinance to allow cash proffers in conditional zoning, amending Section 10-3-123 which currently prohibits them. Council voted unanimously to refer the matter to the Planning Commission.
• 7g - Resolution to name 1111 North Main Street 'The Navigation Center': Deputy City Manager Amy Snider presented the resolution. A public comment period (ending August 24, 2024) yielded three comments: one in support, one in opposition, and one suggesting the name 'Rivendell.' Council adopted the resolution unanimously.
• Supplementals - Blacks Run Stream Restoration: A supplemental appropriation of $200,000 was approved to complete the project, funded from the stormwater fund balance.
• Reallocations: Two reallocations were approved: $50,000 from the ECC Capital Projects Fund for an HVAC unit, and $20,000 from a closed project to replace restrooms at Morrison Park.
• Other Matters: Councilmember Jones reported on a meeting with CARESolace about mental health navigation services. Councilmember Robinson attended JMU Block Party and promoted the Community Connectors project at the African American Festival on September 14. Councilmember Fleming noted Harrisonburg was the #1 vote-getter for Levitt AMP funding. Mayor Reed attended Women's Equality Day in Richmond.
• Boards and Commissions: Council voted to appoint Kyle Lawrence as the TSAC representative to HRMPO and James Polhamus as TAC alternate.

Key Outcomes

• Votes on consent agenda, CDBG amendments, supplemental appropriations, reallocations, and the resolution to name The Navigation Center: All passed 5-0.
• HRHA loan conversion request denied: Council decided to maintain the original loan terms (3% interest-only for 30 years). No vote was taken; the decision was made during discussion.
• Cash proffers ordinance referred to Planning Commission: Unanimous vote.
• Direction to staff: Proceed with Neff Avenue PPEA and further explore Central Avenue for community land trust; staff to bring forward a proposal for selling other remnant properties.
• Closed session: From 10:02 PM to 10:58 PM, council met in closed session under Va. Code § 2.2-3711(A) subsections 3 (real estate) and 7 (legal advice). The session was certified and the meeting adjourned.