Harrisonburg City Council Meeting – March 25, 2025

The Harrisonburg City Council met on March 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including rezoning proffer amendments, the Capital Improvement Program, updates to the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, a contract amendment for a shared-use path, creation of a Private Towing Advisory Board, a housing development update, long-term water and sewer rate planning, adoption of the Council Vision 2045, and various supplemental appropriations. All votes were unanimous (5-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from February 25, 2025 City Council meeting and March 7-8, 2025 City Council Retreat were approved.
• Supplemental appropriation for the General and Water Capital Projects Funds (second reading).
• Supplemental appropriation for the Harrisonburg City Public School Board (second reading).
• Supplemental appropriation in the amount of $188,408.85 (second reading).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Slack (project partner, Beverly J. Searles Foundation, speaking from Whitestone, VA) expressed support for the proffer amendment at 210, 290, and 280 West Mosby Road. He explained the need to align proffers with the Fair Housing Act to allow up to 20% of units to be occupied by residents under 55, enabling the development to apply for 811 rental assistance for disabled residents (for 11 of 84 units). He stated the project has secured 4% tax credits but still has a funding gap and plans to apply for about $5 million in additional soft funding.
• Michael Greeley (618 Virginia Avenue) spoke during public comment on matters not on the agenda about litter and trash in his neighborhood, particularly near off-campus housing, and speeding issues on Virginia Avenue. He suggested a beautification program.

Discussion Items

• Rezoning/Proffer Amendment (6a): Adam Fletcher (Community Development Director) presented a request to amend proffer #3 for a ±12-acre site at West Mosby Road. The amendment would replace an age restriction requiring at least one occupant per unit to be 55+ with language meeting federal Fair Housing Act exemptions for 55+ housing (80% of units must have at least one occupant 55+). The change allows the developer to serve disabled residents under 55 via the 811 rental assistance program. The Planning Commission had recommended approval 5-0. Council discussion clarified that the project plans 164 units (84 in one building, 80 in another) and that the developer is still pursuing tax credits but has a gap. Vice Mayor Fleming noted the development addresses a real need. Approved unanimously.
• Capital Improvement Program FY2025-2030 (6b): Fletcher presented the 5-year CIP, highlighting total requests by fund, department, and year, as well as needs vs. available funds. Discussion included identifying federal grants at risk due to federal funding uncertainty; staff agreed to provide a list of federal and pass-through grants. Council also considered raising the minimum project cost for inclusion in the CIP from $50,000 to $100,000. The Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0. Approved unanimously.
• Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Update (7a): Tom Hartman (Public Works Director) presented proposed updates to the program, moving from a petition-based process to a point-based prioritization system that considers speed, volume, pedestrian generators, roadway topology, street density, and equity factors. The new process would have an annual application window (closing August 1), data collection, scoring, and implementation within a year for high-priority streets. Currently 40-50 streets are in queue; existing requests will be scored under the new system. No action required; staff will hold a public open house in April and return in July for adoption.
• Mt. Clinton Pike Shared Use Path Contract Amendment (7b): City Attorney Chris Brown presented a request to approve a $617,727 contract amendment with G. Boltz Contracting due to encountering more rock than anticipated during excavation. The original contract was $2,431,136. Public Works is pursuing additional funding from VDOT to offset costs. Approved unanimously.
• Private Towing Advisory Board Ordinance (7c): Sgt. Wayne Westfall (Harrisonburg Police Department) presented an ordinance to create a Private Property Towing Advisory Board to regulate trespass towing. The board would consist of two police representatives, two towing company representatives, and one citizen. The goal is to address predatory towing practices, ensure consistent release times (24/7 towing means 24/7 release), and set standards. This is the first step; the board will bring back recommendations for ordinances. Approved unanimously.
• Residential Use-Approved Development Update (7d): Housing Coordinator Liz Webb presented data on existing housing units (40% owner-occupied, 60% renter-occupied), pipeline projects approved since January 2021, and certificates of occupancy. Key points: of approved units, about 50% typically get built nationally; Harrisonburg has issued 212 certificates of occupancy from 2021-2024, far below the 1,500 units projected as needed by 2025. Council discussed reasons for delays (financing, interest rates, market conditions, engineering studies) and whether to track stalled projects more closely. Staff noted recent positive movement (Lucy Drive phase 2, Bluestone Town Center). No action required; presentation received and filed.
• Water and Sewer Rate Planning (7e): Mike Collins (Public Utilities Director) presented the long-term financial model for water and sewer rates. Current monthly bill for 5,000 gallons is $52.90 (59% of state average). Proposed rate increases: Water – 5% in FY2026 and FY2027, then 3.5% for five years; Sewer – 2.25% in FY2026, then 2% thereafter. This is a reduction from previous projections due to 5% growth in commodity sales over the last two years. The plan aims to fund $5.5M/year for water and $2M/year for sewer capital replacement (AXO) over 21 years, with $14.5M shortfall over the period representing risk. Council discussed potential rate structure changes (base rate vs. declining block) and impacts on low-income residents. Staff will explore options. No action required; report received and filed.
• City Council Vision 2045 Adoption (7f): Vice Mayor Fleming and Council members discussed the updated vision document, which features a new tagline “A City for All” and additions on financial empowerment, renewable energy, workforce development, and collaborative partnerships. Council member Robinson noted alignment with the MLK Jr. Way vision. Approved unanimously.
• Supplemental Appropriation for Central Garage Fund (8a): City Manager Ande Banks presented a $300,000 supplemental appropriation from the Central Garage Fund balance to complete wash bay equipment replacement. Approved unanimously.
• Boards and Commissions: Chris Brown requested correction of term expiration dates for James T. Byrd and Gerald Bland on the Board of Equalization to December 31, 2026 per state code. Approved unanimously. Council then appointed Council Members Dent and Alsaadun, and Adam Fletcher to the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC), and nominated Council Member Dent to the Executive Committee. Approved unanimously.
• Closed Session: Council entered closed session at 10:15 PM under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(5) and (8) for discussion of business expansion and legal consultation. The closed session ended at 11:08 PM, and the city attorney certified compliance. Meeting adjourned.

Key Outcomes

• Approved unanimously (5-0): Rezoning proffer amendment for 210/280/290 W. Mosby Road.
• Approved unanimously (5-0): FY2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program.
• Approved unanimously (5-0): Contract amendment for Mt. Clinton Pike Shared Use Path ($617,727).
• Approved unanimously (5-0): Ordinance enacting Chapter 6 Article F – Private Towing Advisory Board.
• Approved unanimously (5-0): Adoption of City Council Vision 2045.
• Approved unanimously (5-0): Supplemental appropriation of $300,000 for Central Garage Fund.
• Approved unanimously (voice vote): Correction of Board of Equalization terms to expire December 31, 2026.
• Approved unanimously (voice vote): Appointment of Council Members Dent and Alsaadun, and Adam Fletcher to CSPDC; nomination of Council Member Dent to Executive Committee.
• No action taken: Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program update (presentation only).
• No action taken: Residential Use-Approved Development update (presentation only).
• No action taken: Water and Sewer rate planning presentation (report received and filed).
• Closed session held for discussion of business expansion and legal advice.