Harrisonburg City Council Meeting – February 10, 2026

The Harrisonburg City Council met on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a special recognition, approval of a consent agenda covering multiple rezoning and zoning ordinance amendments, updates from Open Doors and the Massanutten Regional Library, approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the National League of Cities, several ordinance amendments, ratification of a local emergency declaration, public comments, and council member remarks. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Turkey Properties LLC rezone (797 Chicago Avenue) – Approved on second reading.
• Valley Corner LLC rezone (1110 N Liberty Street) – Approved on second reading.
• AM Yoder & Co zoning ordinance amendment – Modifying special use permit requirements for side yard setbacks in R-8 district; approved on second reading.
• Honest Meats LLC zoning ordinance amendment – Allowing meat processing and storage by special use permit in M-1; approved on second reading.
• Minutes from January 11, 2026 City Council Retreat – Approved.
• Minutes from January 3, 2026 City Council meeting – Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Panayotis “Poti” Giannakouros (Harrisonburg resident) spoke about the recent People’s Day event and civic conversations. He also criticized city fees for ordinance violations, citing a $1,360 invoice for lawn mowing, and urged the city to improve its processes.

Discussion Items

• Open Doors Update (Navigation Center) – Executive Director Nate Riddle presented first-year statistics (January 1 – December 31, 2025): 392 unique shelter guests, 53 exited to permanent situations, 227 guests reported Harrisonburg as their last permanent residence, and 245 unique drop-in center visitors. The center operates a low-barrier shelter (80 beds, expandable by 20 in severe weather) and a daytime drop-in center with laundry, showers, Wi-Fi, and eight on-site partners. A major challenge is the lack of full meal service; the kitchen is underused. Estimated cost to restore three‑day‑a-week meal service is $200,000. Riddle noted no direct county or federal funding for the center, but engagement with Rockingham County is increasing. Council discussed the need for permanent supportive housing and the impact of federal policy changes.
• Massanutten Regional Library Update – Executive Director Zach Elder reported FY2025 statistics: over 242,000 visits, 890,000 checkouts (system record), Wi‑Fi usage from 50,000 devices, and a $19.5 million community return on investment. The library won the 2025 Virginia Library Association Library of the Year and the Harrisonburg‑Rockingham Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year. Programs included the Big Read, Rocktown Author Festival, and a new library speakers consortium. Challenges include federal funding uncertainty and need for more space, especially for teens. The library added foreign language titles (over 1,000 new titles) and expanded community gear library checkouts by 400%.
• Memorandum of Understanding with National League of Cities – Director of Economic Development Brian Shull presented the MOU for the Southern Cities Economic Initiative (SCEI). The city was selected as one of 14 U.S. Southern cities and will receive a $52,500 grant to further develop the Harrisonburg Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (HEDI) program. The motion to approve was carried unanimously.
• Ordinance Amendment – Section 2‑3‑23 (General Order of Business) – City Attorney Chris Brown presented an amendment to replace “Invocation” with “Moment of Silence” to reflect current council practice. Approved unanimously.
• Ordinance Amendment – Section 2‑2‑6 (Special Meetings) – Amended to allow special meetings at a time and place convenient to council, rather than a fixed 7:30 PM time. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution Ratifying City Manager’s Declaration of Local Emergency – The resolution ratified the declaration made on January 24, 2026, due to the snowstorm. The original termination language was stricken because snow/ice clearance efforts were ongoing. The amended resolution was adopted unanimously.
• Council Member Comments – Council members reported on events: Vice Mayor Fleming attended the Virginia Municipal League Legislative Day, discussed concerns about preemption bills (e.g., housing). Council Member Dent attended a vigil and conferences on child savings accounts and data center regulation. Council Member Robinson participated in the Chesapeake Watershed Forum. Mayor Reed and Council Member Robinson spoke about racism and fear following the President’s controversial video depicting a former president as an ape. They expressed solidarity with immigrant communities and called for action against hate. Council Member Alsaadun received the MLK Leadership Award and advocated for refugees in Richmond.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda – Approved unanimously (5‑0) on a roll call vote.
• MOU with National League of Cities – Approved unanimously (5‑0).
• Ordinance amendments (Sections 2‑3‑23 and 2‑2‑6) – Both approved unanimously by voice vote.
• Emergency declaration resolution – Adopted unanimously by voice vote, with the termination clause removed.
• HRHA appointment ratification – Council confirmed the appointment of Anthony Hayes to the Harrisonburg Redevelopment Housing Authority after he moved into the city; carried unanimously by voice vote.
• Board Appointments –
  • Community Services Board: William Holland reappointed to a first full term expiring June 30, 2028 (unanimous).
  • Environmental Performance Standards Advisory Committee (EPSAC): Admassu Yonathan, Kathleen Holm, and Rebecca Schrupp appointed to full terms expiring February 10, 2029 (unanimous).
  • Transportation Safety and Advisory Commission (TSAC): Kyle Lawrence reappointed to a third term (expiring December 31, 2028) and Michael Van Poots appointed to a full term (expiring February 10, 2029) (unanimous).
• No closed session – The meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.