The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. Council Member Nasser Alsaadun was absent. The meeting included a proclamation for World Refugee Day, approval of a consent agenda with multiple items, public hearings on an alley closure and tax exemptions, regular items on transient occupancy tax and a concert series, public comments, and committee appointments.
All consent items were approved in a single 4-0 roll call vote.
6.a – Newtown Cemetery Alley Closing: Adam Fletcher (Community Development) presented a request to close an undeveloped public alley adjacent to Newtown Cemetery. Staff recommended denial, citing public access benefits, but offered four options. Planning Commission recommended approval (4-2). Quinton Callahan (Clark and Bradshaw, applicant representative) stated a title search found two potential heirs and noted the trustees prefer Option 1 (full closure with no reserved easements). Dr. Carole Nash (JMU) testified that ground-penetrating radar and cadaver dog hits indicate likely unmarked graves in or near the alley. Joan Minnick (54 E Gay Street) expressed concern about losing alley access to her backyard and her neighbor’s lawn care. Council discussion focused on respecting sacred ground and preserving potential burial sites. Council Member Robinson moved to approve Option 1 (closing the alley as requested). The motion carried 4-0.
6.b – Tax Exemptions for Nonprofits: Karen Rose (Commissioner of Revenue) presented requests for FY25/26 tax exemptions. Strength in Peers, Inc. sought real estate exemption ($4,709) and personal property exemption ($1,056 for a van); the committee recommended denial of the real estate (due to dwelling use in an apartment) but approval of the van exemption. Virginia Clean Cities sought personal property exemption ($2,023) – recommended approval. Village to Village Inc. and Hope4Villages LLC sought personal property exemptions ($176.70, $175.81, $116.62) – recommended approval. No public speakers. Council approved the committee’s recommendations via motion (Council Member Robinson, seconded by Vice-Mayor Fleming): denial of Strength in Peers real estate; approval of all personal property exemptions. Vote 4-0.
7.a – Transient Occupancy Tax Amendments: Karen Rose presented ordinance amendments to align City Code with recent state law (HB 2383), affecting short-term rental intermediaries like Airbnb. Changes include requiring an annual host attestation from hosts who use only intermediaries, and requiring intermediaries to report addresses/gross receipts starting July 1, 2025. Council approved unanimously (4-0) on a motion by Council Member Dent, seconded by Vice-Mayor Fleming.
7.b – Levitt AMP Harrisonburg Concert Series: Andrea Dono (Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance) requested permission to use Turner Pavilion and adjacent lawn for a free concert series from June to September in 2026, 2027, and 2028, pending a successful Levitt Foundation grant application (due July 1, 2025). She reported that the series attracted over 1,800 attendees in its first year, with diverse performers and community partners. Council approved unanimously (4-0) on a motion by Council Member Robinson, seconded by Council Member Dent.
I'll call our Tuesday, June 24th, City Council meeting to order. Roll call, please pan. Mayor Reid. President. City Manager Banks. Here. Deputy City Attorney Russ. Here. Vice Mayor Fleming? Here. Councilmember Al Sadun is absent. Councilmember Dent? Here. Councilmember Robinson? Here. Deputy Chief Interim Chief Pollard. Here. And Chief Tobyak. If you would please stand for a moment of silence or a private prayer, whatever you wish. And then remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. To the Republic for which the States. So this evening we are going to present again the reclamation, the proclamation recognizing June 20th, 2025 as World Refugee Day. So if I could have Rodrique and Nadia and Suzanne, are you coming forward? If y'all will come forward, and if you're here for this proclamation, you can stand as well as I read. You three come up front. Everybody else, if you would like to stand, please do. All right. And whereas the city of Harrisonburg is a welcoming city that celebrates a growing diversity of its residents and acknowledges that refugees, immigrants, and all newcomers enhance the culture and the economy. And whereas more than 100 million displaced people have been forced from their homes worldwide more than any time in recorded history, including over 31 million refugees. And whereas refugees are people who have fled their country because they have a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. And whereas resettlement provides safe haven in a third country when refugees cannot return home and cannot rebuild their lives in the country where they first fled due to the lack of access to safety, shelter, health care, education, or protection. And whereas the city of Harrisonburg is home to a diverse population of refugees and immigrants, adding to the economic strength and cultural richness of our community. And whereas residents of the city of Harrisonburg aspire to live up to our highest social values of acceptance and equality and treat newcomers with decency and respect, creating a vibrant community for all to live in. Now therefore, I Mayor Dina R. Reed, City of Harrisonburg, do hereby proclaim June 20th, 2025 as World Refugee Day. So we know that was last week. Yes. Yes, uh but you all could be here, and so we're glad you're here, and it was important for us to redo this proclamation in your honor and celebrate you in front of you. So I know that you three want to speak, right? And so we're gonna start with Nadia. Thank you. And I'm Nadia Damas with in Rockingham County, but also a member of the Valley Muslim Community Foundation. Um, and as you know, Muslims um are about represent about 12% of the students within the school system here in Harrisonburg. Um, and so it is thank you for allowing me to speak and for these individuals here for allowing me to come up. I felt like I guess I should since I got the award for being the voice, uh you got an award as well last time, last year. Um, as the voice for immigrants and refugees. Uh, my parents came here from Palestine back in the 70s, one of the first Muslim families here in Harrisonburg, uh, which is just a huge um, it's just an awesome thing to have and just see how much is about how much the valley has grown as far as immigrants. Um just gonna start into reading this. It's an honor to stand with you today and spell celebration of World Refugee Day in our friendly city.