Harrisonburg City Council Meeting Summary - March 10, 2026

This meeting of the Harrisonburg City Council on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, began at 7:00 PM and adjourned at 10:16 PM, after a brief recess from 9:40 PM to 9:45 PM. All five council members were present (with Council Member Dent participating remotely due to illness). Key actions included approving the sale of a city-owned property, granting a subdivision variance, receiving a presentation on the state of the schools, ratifying a real estate contract for Fire Station 4 expansion, and terminating a local emergency declaration. Over 30 members of the public spoke during the public comment period, the vast majority urging the council to end the city's contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate reader cameras.

Consent Calendar

• Rezoning of 2600 and 2580 South Main Street (second reading): Approved unanimously via roll call vote (5-0).
• Amendments to Ordinance Section 15-2-24 (Fowl, Chickens and Other Domestic Birds): Approved on second reading.
• Minutes from February 24, 2026 City Council meeting: Approved.

Public Hearings

• Disposal of Public Property at 301 S. Main Street (the former Quilt Museum): City Attorney Chris Brown presented a sales contract to Annie McDonald and John Buller for $345,000 (netting approximately $325,000 after commissions and closing costs). The deed includes historic preservation restrictions. Public comment included support from the purchasers (who plan to create an arts hub) and opposition from Rita Peters (representing a higher cash offer of $410,000 that was not accepted) and Panayotis Giannakouros (who argued against privatization). Council discussed choosing the proposal that best fit downtown's vision over the highest dollar amount. Motion by Council Member Robinson, seconded by Council Member Dent, to approve the disposal passed 5-0.

Discussion Items

• Variance Request for Franklin Street (625 and 630 Franklin Street): Adam Fletcher, Director of Community Development, presented a request from The Edge Realty Partners LLC for variances relating to vertical curvature (reducing K-value from 20 to no less than 15) and street width (varying pavement widths with and without on-street parking) for an undeveloped portion of Franklin Street. Staff and the Planning Commission (5-0 vote) recommended approval with the condition on the K-value. Council approved the variance with conditions in a 5-0 vote.
• Presentation on the State of the Schools: Tim Howley (Chair of Harrisonburg City Public Schools Board) and Dr. Michael Richards (Superintendent) presented. Dr. Richards explained that HCPS serves over 6,300 students, 45% of whom are English learners from 74 countries. He addressed questions about student population growth (plateaued, but planning for future needs) and SOL scores. He argued that comparing HCPS to the state average is statistically invalid due to the high proportion of English learners and economic disadvantage. He emphasized growth over snapshot scores, showing that HCPS is above the national average on NWEA MAP growth assessments. The presentation highlighted literacy gains, multi-tiered student supports, mental health teams, community partnerships, and a focus on authentic student success. Council members discussed equity gaps, particularly for black and male students and post-high school outcomes. The presentation was received and filed.
• Resolution Ratifying Real Estate Contract with 7-Eleven, Inc.: City Attorney Brown presented a contract to purchase approximately half an acre of land behind the 7-Eleven on North Mason Street for $250,000 (plus minor closing costs) to allow expansion and improved ingress/egress for Fire Station 4. Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Resolution Terminating Declaration of Local Emergency: City Attorney Brown presented a resolution to terminate the emergency declaration made on January 24, 2026, due to a snow and ice event. Approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

Comments on matters not on the regular agenda (primarily directed at Flock Safety cameras): Over 30 residents spoke during two public comment periods (before and after a recess). Nearly all speakers urged the council to cancel the city's contract with Flock Safety, citing concerns about privacy, data security, potential misuse by ICE, environmental impact of data centers, and the company's track record of security vulnerabilities. Specific arguments included:

• Flock's data may be shared with federal agencies despite state guardrails; Virginia's own network was searched for immigration purposes thousands of times.
• Security researchers documented numerous vulnerabilities in Flock cameras, including unencrypted feeds and remote code execution risks.
• Neighboring cities (Staunton, Charlottesville) have already terminated their Flock contracts.
• The company's CEO has labeled critics as terrorists.
• Surveillance disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, including immigrants and people of color.
• A petition with over 1,000 signatures was cited. A small number of speakers addressed other topics: one thanked the city for solar panels at Turner Pavilion and urged more civic engagement; one questioned a council member's use of a phrase at a recent presentation.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on 301 S. Main Street sale: Approved 5-0.
• Vote on Franklin Street variance: Approved with conditions 5-0.
• Vote on 7-Eleven contract ratification: Approved 5-0.
• Vote on termination of local emergency: Approved 5-0.
• State of Schools presentation: Received and filed.
• Public comment consensus: Overwhelming majority requested cancellation of the Flock Safety contract. Council members noted discussions with Chief Tucker and residents and referenced ongoing review of the contract. No immediate vote was taken.
• Council announcements: Council Member Dent reported on the VA250 dinner, International Women's Day, and upcoming NLC conference. Council Member Robinson reported on a successful VMRC presentation and International Women's Day. Vice Mayor Fleming reported on a student government forum, a meeting with residents and Chief Tucker about Flock, and successful opposition to state legislation (Senate Bill 454) that would have limited local control over housing development.