Harrisonburg City Council Meeting - June 10, 2025

The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Council Member Nasser Alsaadun was absent. The meeting included a proclamation recognizing World Refugee Day, approval of the FY2025-2026 budget and tax rate, multiple public hearings on rezoning and special use permits, fee adjustments, and other regular items. All votes were unanimous (4-0) unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from May 27, 2025 – Approved.
• Real Estate Tax Rate for FY2025-2026 – Set at $1.01 per $100 of assessed value (second reading).
• Adoption of FY2025-2026 Budget – Appropriation Ordinance approved (second reading).
• Supplemental Appropriation for General Capital Projects Fund – Approved (second reading).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearings (6a–6h): Multiple speakers expressed support for the proposals, including applicants and their representatives. No opposition was voiced during any public hearing.
  • Paul Riner (applicant, 302 W Bruce St) stated the rezoning would bring the property into conformity and allow renovation.
  • Quinton Callahan (representing 865 East LLC) said the proffer amendment and special use permit were “simply clean up” items.
  • John Garber (engineer for Winchester Equipment Co) thanked staff for their promptness and noted the domestic water service would be upsized.
  • Sandra Quigg (applicant for alley closing) stated the closure would clarify access uncertainty and that all three affected property owners agreed on a mutual access easement.
  • Quinton Callahan (private citizen, 236 Franklin St) recommended approval, noting the alley already appears as a private driveway.
• Public Comments (Item 10a): James Sheets (265 N Main St) spoke about difficulties with Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation drivers’ inability to secure his wheelchair while riding the bus, citing ADA requirements and his attempts to address the issues through HDPT. He displayed photos of the restraint system and read from safety standards.

Discussion Items

• 6a – Rezone 302 West Bruce Street: Director Adam Fletcher presented the request to rezone from R-2 to R-8 to bring the lot into conformance. The Planning Commission recommended approval (6-0). Council discussed the property’s renovation and the addition of a first-floor bedroom/bathroom. Approved 4-0.
• 6b & 6c – 865 Port Republic Road (Proffer Amendment & Special Use Permit): Fletcher presented together. The proffer amendment clarifies that tobacco/smoke/vape shops and wireless telecommunications are permitted uses. The special use permit extends the time for reduced setbacks by three years, consistent with code. Planning Commission recommended approval (6-0). Approved 4-0.
• 6d – 160 Carpenter Lane (Reduced Parking): Fletcher presented a special use permit to reduce parking from 51 to 28 spaces for Valley Equipment Co. Condition added for street trees if parking expands. Planning Commission recommended approval (6-0). Approved 4-0.
• 6e – Alley Closure (291-295 Franklin St): Fletcher explained the three types of alleys in the city. The alley is a dead end, and a private shared access agreement is recommended. Planning Commission recommended approval (5-1). Council discussed connectivity and the alley’s history. Approved 4-0.
• 6f – Stormwater Utility Fee Increase: City Attorney Chris Brown presented the amendment raising the fee from $6 to $8 per year, codifying the budget. No public speakers. Approved 4-0.
• 6g – Solid Waste Fee Resolution: Brown presented a resolution reducing the solid waste management fee by $1/month, residential collection fee by $3/month, and non-residential collection fees by $1/month. City Manager Ande Banks noted this codifies budget changes. No public speakers. Approved 4-0.
• 6h – Water/Sewer Rate and Deposit Changes: Brown presented amendments increasing water rates by 23¢ per 1,000 gallons and sewer by 16¢ per 1,000 gallons, and eliminating the 50% deposit discount for automatic withdrawal. No public speakers. Approved 4-0.
• 7a – “Newtown Before Urban Renewal” Mosaics Display: Artist Barbara Camp presented 20 mosaic panels depicting life in the Newtown neighborhood before urban renewal. She requested display in City Hall lobby for August. Council expressed appreciation for the project. Approved by voice vote.
• 7b – Resolution for EMU Bonds: Mayor Reed recused herself due to employment at Eastern Mennonite University. Brown presented the resolution authorizing the EDA to issue up to $30 million in revenue bonds for EMU for a new 6,000 sq ft academic building and refinancing. No financial liability to the city. Approved 3-0 (Reed abstained).
• 7c – Authorize City Manager to Grant VDOT Utility Easements: Brown presented a request for a utility easement on Reservoir Street for stormwater control during I-81 widening. Approved by voice vote.
• Supplemental Appropriations (8a–8c): Banks presented:
  • 8a: $748,000 in state funding for HCPS staff bonuses (no local match).
  • 8b: $244,000 for a five-year golf cart lease at Heritage Oaks and $55,000 for a dark fiber lease at the Navigation Center with Shentel.
  • 8c: $205,000 from investment earnings to the Kids Castle project. All approved 4-0.
• Reallocation (9a): $113,000 from the completed jail camera system project to the Kids Castle project. Approved 4-0.
• Council and Staff Reports:
  • Council Member Dent reported on an EPA/Army Corps listening session, an NLC energy conference call, a Canary Media conference, and her Harvard reunion.
  • Council Member Robinson highlighted the July 12 Complete Streets event, a June 14 Black Heritage native plant walk, and her grandson’s graduation.
  • Vice Mayor Fleming discussed the Virginia Transit Association conference, NLC calls on federal budget impacts, the Southern Cities Economic Initiative, and a Government Tech Conference.
  • Mayor Reed noted the VTA conference, Hunts Institute fellowship, a Bach Festival proclamation, and upcoming Juneteenth celebrations.
  • City Manager Banks thanked former Emergency Communications Center director Courtney Doberstein for her service.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda – Approved 4-0.
• Rezoning 302 W Bruce St (6a) – Approved 4-0.
• Proffer Amendment 865 Port Republic Rd (6b) – Approved 4-0.
• Special Use Permit 865 Port Republic Rd (6c) – Approved 4-0 with condition (deviation up to 10 feet).
• Special Use Permit 160 Carpenter Lane (6d) – Approved 4-0 with condition (street trees).
• Alley Closure (6e) – Approved 4-0.
• Stormwater Fee Increase (6f) – Approved 4-0.
• Solid Waste Fee Resolution (6g) – Approved 4-0.
• Water/Sewer Rate and Deposit Changes (6h) – Approved 4-0.
• Mosaic Display (7a) – Approved by voice vote.
• EMU Bond Resolution (7b) – Approved 3-0 (Mayor Reed abstained).
• VDOT Utility Easement (7c) – Approved by voice vote.
• Supplemental Appropriations (8a, 8b, 8c) – All approved 4-0.
• Reallocation (9a) – Approved 4-0.
• Closed Session – Entered at 9:17 PM under VA Code §2.2-3711(A)(7) for legal consultation; reconvened at 9:44 PM and certified.
• Adjournment – 9:44 PM.