Harrisonburg City Council Meeting - August 26, 2025

The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included public hearings on a VDOT Safe Routes to School grant and a surplus property sale for affordable housing, as well as regular items covering tax write-offs, bond estimate updates, opioid settlement participation, and a presentation of the Northeast Neighborhood Small Area Plan. Public comments addressed immigration enforcement, hotel sanitation, and city trust issues. All votes were unanimous except where noted.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from August 12, 2025 – Approved.
• Rezone 320 South Main Street – Approved on second reading.

Public Hearings

• 6a. VDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant Resolution of Support – Tom Hartman, Public Works director, presented the request for a Safe Routes to School grant. The program, re-established in 2024, now covers all 10 schools with a full-time coordinator. Under new VDOT rules, the four-year grant would cover 60% of costs in years 1–2 and 30% in years 3–4, with the city responsible for matching 20% of eligible costs. Total program cost is approximately $150,000 per year. Council discussed safety infrastructure, bike education, and coordination with HPD. Public comment: Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros urged consideration of the broader bike agenda, questioned whether it serves all communities, and criticized city actions that harm wildlife (e.g., trapping a fox at the golf course). The resolution was adopted unanimously (5-0).
• 6b. Sale of 2410 Reservoir Street to Valley Housing Trust – Liz Webb, Housing Coordinator, presented the first sale under surplus property guidelines. The 0.49-acre parcel, assessed at $108,700, was offered at $74,600 by Frank Gordon, trustee, who plans five income-restricted rental units (80% AMI for 30 years). Public comment: Poti Giannakouros urged denial, arguing the city should keep public land and calling the affordable housing a “subsidy to low-wage employers.” Council expressed strong support for Mr. Gordon’s track record and the project. The motion to approve passed unanimously (5-0).

Discussion Items

• 7a. VDOT Revenue Sharing Grant Resolution for I-81 Exit 243 – Tom Hartman presented a request to close a $2 million funding gap for the $5.5 million smart scale project (adding turn lanes and access management). The city would apply for $1 million in revenue sharing and match with $1 million in city funds. Council discussed project urgency and connection to other South Main Street improvements. Resolution adopted unanimously (5-0).
• 7b. Removal of Delinquent Taxes (2004 RE & 2019 PP) – Treasurer Jeff Shafer requested write-offs of $1,646.54 (RE) and $178,401.24 (PP, including vehicle license fees). Collection rates are 99.99% for RE and 99.10% for PP. Council discussed payment plans and collection methods. Approved unanimously (5-0).
• 7c. Advertising Delinquent RE Taxes (2022–2023) – Jeff Shafer presented a request to publish delinquent list in the newspaper and online. Approved unanimously (5-0).
• 7d. Refund for 2024 Business Personal Property Tax – City Attorney Chris Brown presented a $22,417.64 refund for taxes paid in error to Harrisonburg when the property was located in Shenandoah County. Note: The minutes record all five council members abstaining (0-0-5), while the transcript shows a unanimous voice vote with all ayes. This summary follows the minutes as the official record, but the discrepancy is noted.
• 7e. Adoption of New Cost Basis for Bond Estimates – City Engineer Matthew Huston presented updated unit prices for infrastructure and stormwater bonds, reflecting a 130–160% increase over current rates. Outreach to 137 developers (11 responses) found the prices reasonable but raised concerns about development costs. A jurisdictional comparison showed Harrisonburg’s new rates will be substantially higher than neighbors’ but aligns with actual construction costs. Council discussed trade-offs between consistency and affordability. Approved unanimously (5-0).
• 7f. Participation in Sackler Family Opioid Settlement – Chris Brown presented a resolution to join the nationwide $6.5 billion settlement. Funds must be used for law enforcement, drug treatment, and public health. Approved unanimously (5-0).
• 7g. Presentation of Northeast Neighborhood Small Area Plan – Deputy City Manager Amy Snider and consultants from CH Planning (Charnelle Hicks and Richa Vuppuluri) presented the first-ever neighborhood small area plan, developed over two years via the Community Connectors grant. Over 200 community members participated. The plan includes 12 goals across nine focus areas, addressing history, gathering, downtown connection, safety, economic mobility, and healthy environments. Council members thanked the team and emphasized anti-displacement as a core principle. No action was taken; the plan will go to Planning Commission and then Council for adoption with public hearings.

Other Matters

• Public Comments (non-agenda) – Several speakers addressed immigration enforcement by ICE, reporting 235 arrests in the region since February 2025 (estimates of 400–600 total). Speakers urged council to take action to protect families and rebuild trust. One speaker, Dr. Javier Calleja, defended the Harrisonburg Police Department and called for more affordable housing. Another speaker raised concerns about unsanitary conditions at local motels. Poti Giannakouros criticized the city’s handling of nuisance complaints and lack of response to wildlife issues.
• Council and Staff Reports – Councilmembers reported on various meetings and events. City Manager Ande Banks updated on community engagement for the Link project: five facilitators met with the developer and are developing a proposal. Council discussed scheduling: the October 14 meeting will proceed; the October 28 meeting may be cancelled due to staff attending ICMA conference; the November 11 meeting is moved to November 12 due to the holiday.

Boards and Commissions

• Economic Development Authority – Benjamin Breeden was appointed to a term expiring August 26, 2029, by unanimous voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Consent agenda (minutes & rezoning); TAP Grant resolution; Reservoir Street property sale; Revenue Sharing Grant resolution; tax write-offs; delinquent tax advertising; bond estimate update; opioid settlement participation; EDA appointment.
• Refund approved (with noted discrepancy): Business Personal Property tax refund – minutes record abstention; transcript records unanimous yes.
• Received and filed: Northeast Neighborhood Small Area Plan (no action).
• Closed session: Council entered closed session at 9:36 PM under Va. Code § 2.2-3711(A)(3) for real estate acquisition discussion, certified compliance, and adjourned at 9:48 PM.
• Next steps: TAP grant application due September 2025; revenue sharing application due mid-September; bond estimate implementation date to be determined; Northeast SAP to be presented to Planning Commission with public hearings.