Harrisonburg City Council Meeting – October 14, 2025: Rezonings, Budget, and Proclamations
Harrisonburg City Council Meeting – October 14, 2025
The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. All five council members were present (Council Member Robinson joined at 7:24 PM). The meeting included a proclamation, three consent agenda items, three public hearings, three regular items, three supplemental appropriations, board appointments, and public comments. All votes were unanimous (5‑0 or voice vote).
Special Recognition
- Proclamation: Mayor Reed proclaimed October 23, 2025 as “National Lights On Afterschool Day.” Representatives from On the Road Collaborative and the Boys and Girls Club accepted the proclamation. A city‑wide celebration will be held October 23 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Lucy F. Simms Center.
Consent Agenda
- Minutes from the September 23, 2025 City Council meeting approved.
- Rocktown Turkey Trot special event application (Thursday, November 27, 2025) approved.
- HDR’s Winter Wonderfest & Harrisonburg’s Holiday Parade special event application (Saturday, December 6, 2025) approved. The consent agenda was approved 4‑0 (Robinson absent at the time).
Public Hearings
6.a – Rezone 910 N. Liberty Street (Anicira Veterinary Center)
- Proposal: Rezone from M‑1 (General Industrial) to B‑2C (General Business, Conditional) to allow a child‑daycare center (Little Roots Early Learning Center) for up to 30 children (ages 12 weeks to 6 years).
- Staff/Planning Commission: Staff did not endorse a daycare due to floodplain/floodway risks but recommended rezoning because it aligns with the land‑use guide; Planning Commission recommended approval 5‑0.
- Public testimony: Erin Layman (applicant’s counsel) noted oversight by the Virginia Department of Education. Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros urged council to consider building‑flood risks (mold, indoor air quality).
- Council discussion: Emphasized that the daycare would require multiple state and city approvals before operating. The zoning change does not guarantee a daycare; other B‑2 uses are allowed.
- Outcome: Approved 5‑0.
6.b – Bluestone Town Center Proffer Amendment (1010 Garbers Church Road, 1645 Erickson Avenue, 1781 S. High Street, S. Dogwood Drive)
- Proposal: Amend proffers to allow home‑sales to households below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) (previously restricted to 80%–120% AMI). No change to unit mix (900 max units).
- Staff/Planning Commission: Staff and Planning Commission (6‑0) recommended approval.
- Public testimony: Dawn Kepplinger asked for wildlife protection; Poti Giannakouros argued the development is an “ecological disaster” and will concentrate poverty; Abraham Fecter (Ryan Homes representative) stated ¼ of their home buyers are below 80% AMI and the amendment opens access to first‑time buyers.
- Council discussion: Supported expanding affordability. Ryan Homes will provide financing for lower‑income buyers.
- Outcome: Approved 5‑0.
6.c – Alley Closing at 530 N. Main Street
- Proposal: Close a 12‑foot‑wide public alley (approx. 2,700 sq. ft.) between tax map numbers 34‑E‑1 and 2. Applicant owns both sides.
- Condition: Reserve public utility and storm drainage easements as determined by survey.
- Staff/Planning Commission: Recommended approval 6‑0 with condition.
- Public testimony: Mike Martin (applicant’s representative) said discussions with Harrisonburg Electric Commission are underway. Poti Giannakouros opposed, arguing no compelling public use and loss of future public controls. Karen Thomas (Northeast Neighborhood Association President) stated the association had no historic concerns.
- Council discussion: Appreciated neighborhood outreach.
- Outcome: Approved 5‑0.
Regular Items
7.a – Ramblewood Road Roadside Memorial
- Request: Install a roadside memorial sign for Josue Serrano (age 7, killed by a drunk driver in 2021). Family will pay for sign fabrication.
- Staff: Recommended approval.
- Outcome: Approved 5‑0.
7.b – Appointment of Deputy City Clerk
- Request: Appoint Brian Vandenberg (Assistant to the City Manager) as Deputy City Clerk to handle minutes and records requests when the City Clerk is absent.
- Outcome: Approved 5‑0.
7.c – Schedule of Remaining 2025 City Council Meetings
- Changes adopted (voice vote, unanimous):
- Cancel October 28, 2025 meeting (staff and Vice‑Mayor unavailable).
- Move November 11, 2025 (Veterans Day) meeting to November 12, 2025.
- Retain November 25, 2025; December 9, 2025.
- Cancel December 23, 2025 meeting.
Supplementals
8.a – Sanitation Fund – Recycling Baler ($180,000)
- Purpose: Purchase a baling system (Titan 6 CV) to bale #1/#2 plastics, mixed paper, cardboard, and aluminum. Expected to increase recycling revenue from $12–20 k/yr to >$80 k/yr, reduce transportation trips, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
- Source: Sanitation fund balance.
- Outcome: Approved 5‑0.
8.b – Children’s Services Act (CSA) Supplemental Appropriation ($1,231,557)
- Purpose: Cover the local match for mandated youth services. FY25 total match was $3.1 M; budgeted $1.9 M. Funds already spent.
- Details: 583 youth served in FY24; 602 in FY25. Expenses increased 15.8%. An audit identified 26 compliance deficiencies; a quality‑improvement plan has been submitted.
- Council discussion: Amy Snider (Deputy City Manager, CPMT appointee) explained the program and noted a $200 k+ reduction in mentoring spending after new policies. Council requested more frequent updates. Mayor Reed emphasized fiscal stewardship.
- Outcome: Approved 5‑0.
8.c – General Fund Grants Supplemental Appropriation ($1,863,581.74)
- Components: $1,483,000 VDOT paving (Court Square, Stone Spring Road); $200,000 Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority grant (continued partnership); $180,000 National Park Service grant for Simms Center window restoration.
- Outcome: Approved 5‑0.
Other Matters
Public Comments (non‑agenda items)
- Poti Giannakouros: Criticized litter in a pollinator garden on Main Street, alleging impunity.
- Carl Larson (487 S. Mason Street): Urged council to request a full fiscal impact analysis of the Link development rezoning (R3 to B1C) and to vote against it. Over 1,300 residents signed a petition against the rezoning.
- Todd Alexander: Announced the first mediation meeting for the Link development will be October 20 at noon.
- Sarah (Broad Street): Expressed strong support for the Link development, stating the alternative is 30 townhomes at $700,000 each.
City Council & Staff Reports
- Council Member Alsaadun: Attended the launch of “Valley Early Education Reimagined.”
- Council Member Dent: Will attend COP 30 (UN climate negotiations) in Brazil, sponsored by Elected Officials to Protect America (no taxpayer funds). Also attended the Virginia Clean Energy Summit.
- Council Member Robinson: Attended VML conference, Community Criminal Justice Board meeting, REAL Council listening session, and Citizens Advisory Board meeting.
- Vice Mayor Fleming: Attended Latino Business Council launch, HFD promotional event, VML conference (elected to board and urban section chair), and JMU‑City liaison meeting.
- Mayor Reed: Spoke at a youth summit in DC, will speak at National Press Conference on after‑school funding. Announced a community forum on federal funding cuts (October 28 at EMU). Reported tours of the Navigation Center by other localities.
Boards and Commissions Appointments
- Planning Commission: Stanley Jezior appointed to a first term (expires October 14, 2029).
- Board of Zoning Appeals: Todd Alexander appointed to a partial term (expires March 20, 2029).
- Social Services Advisory Board: Tinangeles Abreu appointed to a first term (expires October 14, 2029).
- Board of Building Code Appeals: Gerald Bland and Hunter Woodard appointed to first terms (expire October 14, 2028). All appointments approved by unanimous voice vote.
Key Outcomes
- All votes (roll call or voice) were unanimous (5‑0 or voice vote).
- Approved rezonings for 910 N. Liberty Street (6a) and Bluestone Town Center (6b).
- Approved alley closing (6c) with easement conditions.
- Approved roadside memorial (7a) and deputy city clerk appointment (7b).
- Revised 2025 meeting schedule (7c).
- Approved three supplemental appropriations totaling $3,275,138.74 (8a, 8b, 8c).
- Appointed four board members with voice votes.
- Noted public comment requesting fiscal analysis for the Link development; mediation scheduled October 20.
Meeting Transcript
Good? We're good. Yes. I'll call our Tuesday City Council meeting to order. October 14, 2025. Roll call, please, Pam. Mayor Reed. President. City Manager Banks? Here. City Attorney Brown. Here. Vice Mayor Fleming? Here. Councilmember Al Sadun. Here. Councilmember Dent? Here. Councilmember Robinson is absent. Chief Tobia? Here. And Captain Grubbs. Here. Thank you. If you would please stand for a moment of silence or a private prayer if you wish, and remain standing for a pledge of allegiance. Thank you. Congratulations to the flag. And to the Republic for which you stand. Indivisible. Okay. The honor to a proclamation this evening supporting or recognizing October 23rd, 2025 as National Lights on After School Day, and we have some guests here with us this evening. So if this is your first time, don't get nervous, but I'm going to call you up, and you're going to come and you're going to face the audience and stand up here while I read the proclamation. So can I have On the Road Collaborative and Boys and Girls Club? Come up with your directors. And I think your parents are here as well, maybe. Come on up. All right. You ready? A proclamation recognizing October 23rd, 2025 as national lights on after school day. Whereas the citizens of Harrisonburg, Virginia stand firmly committed to qualify after school to quality after school programs and opportunities because they provide safe, challenging, and engaging learning experiences that help children develop social, emotional, physical, and academic skills, support working families by ensuring their children are safe and productive after the regular school day ends. Build stronger communities by involving students, parents, business leaders, and adult volunteers and the lives of young people. Thereby promoting positive relationships among youth, families, and adults, and engage families, schools, and community partners in advancing the welfare of our children. And whereas Lights on After School, the national celebration of after-school programs held this year on October 23rd, 2025, promotes the importance of quality after school programs in the lives of children, families, and communities. And whereas more than 28 million children in the U.S. have parents who work outside the home, and 15.1 million children have no place to go after school, and whereas many after school programs across the country are facing funding shortfalls so severe that they are being forced to close their doors and turn off their lights. And whereas the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia is committed to investing in the health and safety of all young people by providing expanded learning opportunities that will help close the achievement gap and prepare young people to compete in the global economy. Now therefore, be it resolved. Call upon all citizens of Harrisonburg to observe October 23rd, 2025 as lights on after school day, and be it further resolved that I endorse lights on after school and commit our city to engage in innovative after school programs and activities that ensure the lights stay on and the doors stay open for all children after school. Thank you. Michael Parks, are you back there?
openpublica.com