Harrisonburg City Council Meeting on September 24, 2024

The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a consent agenda, a major presentation on the Build Our Park downtown park project, adoption of a Title VI program, street naming, and appointment of voting delegates for the VML conference. The council also approved a $600,000 supplemental appropriation for electric school buses and a $350,000 reallocation to the Navigation Center. Public comments addressed tall grass complaints, pickleball court lights, and school SOL scores. The meeting adjourned at 9:47 PM after a closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from September 10, 2024 – Approved unanimously.
• Zoning Ordinance amendments to allow and regulate urban honeybees – Approved on second reading.
• Zoning Ordinance amendment to modify validity period of special use permits – Approved on second reading.
• Carryover and reappropriation of $31.2 million in unexpended prior year grants and encumbrances – Approved on second reading.

All consent items were approved by a 5-0 recorded vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros – Played audio excerpts from FOIA requests regarding tall grass/weed complaints. He stated these complaints are made by people who are not neighbors and urged council to reconsider enabling such behavior.
• Earnie Diddot – Spoke on the need for lights at city pickleball courts, noting a Rotary Club matching grant opportunity. Also raised concerns about a rezoning sign at the end of his street, recommending it be placed at a more visible intersection.
• Randy Kline (480 Hartman Drive) – Requested a community tour of the new high school and criticized the 22% pass rate on history/social science SOL tests for 12th graders at Harrisonburg High School (2022-2023), calling it unacceptable.
• Multiple callers during public comment (via phone) reported unkept yards and overgrown lots, urging enforcement of city codes.

Discussion Items

Build Our Park Project (7.a)

Erin Bishop, Vice President of the Build Our Park Board of Directors, presented the conceptual design for a downtown park on city-owned property. The design includes a level lawn, a permanent stage, a multi-purpose space, solar panels on the Turner Pavilion, significant tree planting, and removal of some parking spaces. The project is privately funded and will be handed over to the city upon completion. A draft Construction and Consulting Agreement was outlined.

Council discussion focused on equity, park usage, and the need to ensure all community members feel welcome. Council Member Robinson expressed concerns about the park potentially benefiting primarily affluent groups and that marginalized communities might not have equal access. Council Member Jones noted the lack of diverse voices in the planning process and the need for the city to support other parks equally. City Manager Banks and others noted that ARPA funds had been used to upgrade other parks. The council clarified that the vote was only on the conceptual design, not the final agreement.

The motion to approve the conceptual design and direct staff to finalize the agreement passed 4-1, with Council Member Robinson voting no.

Title VI Program and LEP Assessment (7.b)

Gerald Gatobu, Transportation Director, presented a resolution to update the Title VI program and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) assessment, required for federal funding. The plan includes a language line, Spanish versions of materials, and 24/7 interpreter services. The resolution was adopted unanimously (5-0).

Street Naming for Fire Station #5 (7.c)

Chief Matt Tobia requested approval to name the new street off Mt. Clinton Pike “Integrity Drive,” one of the fire department’s core values. The request was approved unanimously (5-0).

VML Conference Voting Delegates (7.d)

Council appointed Mayor Reed as primary voting delegate and Vice Mayor Dent as alternate for both the Urban Section and Annual Business Meeting at the October 2024 VML Conference. Approved unanimously by voice vote.

Supplemental Appropriation for School Transportation Fund (8.a)

Larry Propst, Finance Director, and Gerald Gatobu presented a request for $600,000 to purchase three electric school buses. The EPA grant covers $200,000 per bus, with additional federal tax credits expected. The buses will replace older diesel buses. The council approved unanimously (5-0).

Reallocation to Navigation Center (9.a)

A $350,000 reallocation from the General Capital Projects Fund to the Navigation Center (for homeless services) was approved unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• Build Our Park conceptual design approved (4-1 vote); staff to finalize the Construction and Consulting Agreement, with a future public hearing required.
• Title VI/LEP resolution adopted (5-0).
• Street named Integrity Drive (5-0).
• VML delegates appointed (unanimous voice vote).
• $600,000 supplemental appropriation for electric school buses approved (5-0).
• $350,000 reallocation to Navigation Center approved (5-0).
• Consent agenda approved (5-0), including $31.2 million in carryovers.

The council also entered closed session at 8:59 PM under Virginia Code 2.2-3711(A)(8) for legal consultation on contractual negotiations, and later certified the closed session as compliant. The meeting adjourned at 9:47 PM.