City Council
Regular MeetingHarrisonburg, VA · June 10, 2014
Minutes
409 South Main Street
City of Harrisonburg Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Meeting Minutes - Final
City Council
Mayor Ted Byrd
Vice-Mayor Charles Chenault
Council Member Kai Degner
Council Member Richard Baugh
Council Member Abe Shearer
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 7:00 PM Council Chambers
1. 7:00p.m. Roll Call
Present: 5- Mayor Ted Byrd, Vice-Mayor Charles Chenault, Council Member Richard Baugh,
Council Member Kai Degner, and Council Member Abe Shearer
Also Present: 5- City Manager Kurt Hodgen, Assistant City Manager Anne Lewis, City Clerk Erica
Kann, City Attorney Chris Brown, and Police Chief Stephen Monticelli
2. Invocation
Council Member Shearer offered the invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Byrd led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not on the regular
agenda. (Name and address are required)
Byrd reminded those present that only items not on the agenda can be addressed at
this time.
Bucky Berry, 30 West Washington Street, spoke on the poverty rate in the City and
County and would like Council to work on creating more jobs.
John Serrell, 109 Fairway Drive, spoke about his property as he did during the May
27, 2014 meeting. Mr. Serrell also asked if there was an engineer present and
available for questions when the floodplain agenda item would be discussed.
5. Consent Agenda (any item placed on the consent agenda shall be removed and
taken up as a separate matter, if so requested by any member of Council, otherwise all
items will be voted on with one (1) motion)
A motion was made by Council Member Degner, seconded by Vice-Mayor Chenault, that the
Consent Agenda was approved as presented. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
5.a. Approval of minutes
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These Minutes were approved on the Consent Agenda.
5.b. Consider a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $451,000 for joint jail
services with Rockingham County.
This Supplemental Appropriation was approved on the Consent Agenda.
5.c. Consider a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $95,991.58 for the Fire
Department.
This Supplemental Appropriation was approved on the Consent Agenda.
6. Public Hearings
6.a. Consider ordinance amendment Section 7-4-1 of the Harrisonburg City Code
increasing water and sewer/authority rates
City Manager Hodgen stated this ordinance will incorporate the rate increase for water
and sewer that were included in the budget proposal that was adopted last month .
City Manager Hodgen noted a correction needed to be made in the ordinance to the
“rural water over 250,000 gallon” category rate to reflect the $0.07 increase.
At 7:07 p.m., Mayor Byrd closed the regular session and called the first public hearing
to order. A public hearing notice appeared in the Daily News-Record on Tuesday,
May 27 and Monday, June 2, 2014.
At 7:08 p.m., Mayor Byrd closed the public hearing and the regular session
reconvened.
It was noted that these costs are costs to manage various services that are directly
related to water and sewer. It is not to raise funds for other City functions.
A motion was made by Vice-Mayor Chenault, seconded by Council Member Baugh, that this
Ordinance be approved with the change noted. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote
taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
6.b. Consider a request from the City of Harrisonburg to amend the Zoning Ordinance
Article Y Floodplain Zoning District by replacing the entire article with new and
updated Floodplain regulations
Stacy Turner, Director of Community Development, stated the City participates in the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and we are required to follow their rules and
regulations in order to participate. This program allows property owners to obtain
flood insurance to recover cost if there was ever a flood. Mrs. Turner noted if the City
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doesn't participate as they require, they have the authority to remove us from the
program and property owners would be unable to purchase flood insurance. Mrs.
Turner reminded Council that changes were made in 2007 along with map changes .
This past winter, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), on
behalf of FEMA, performed an onsite visit and identified some changes that needed to
be made within Article Y in order to maintain compliance with the NFIP requirements .
After evaluating the needed changes, rather than trying to modify the existing text ,
staff chose to adapt FEMA's 2011 Virginia Model Floodplain Ordinance text specific to
the City's needs, ensuring all current requirements would be met. There were several
questions asked, but only two items were able to be removed, Coastal A Zone under
the definitions section and Section 10-3-173(e).
Vice-Mayor Chenault asked how many property owners have to purchase flood
insurance. Mrs. Turner said she didn't bring the information with her, but they know
approximately how many structures there are. However, she didn't know how many
actually had to purchase flood insurance. Vice-Mayor Chenault asked if property
owners could be grandfathered in. Mrs. Turner stated if we didn't approve this
ordinance the City wouldn't be able to participate in NFIP and property owners
wouldn't be able to obtain flood insurance.
At 7:17 p.m., Mayor Byrd closed the regular session and called the second public
hearing to order. A notice appeared in the Daily News-Record on Tuesday, May 27
and Monday, Tuesday, June 3, 2014.
At 7:18 p.m., Mayor Byrd closed the public hearing and the regular session
reconvened.
Council Member Baugh stated there is an engineer on Planning Commission and this
matter was discussed at length. Also, it was noted during Planning Commission,
property owners could apply for a letter of map revision (LOMR), so that FEMA could
recognize the property as out of the flood plain, which was clear in the Planning
Commission minutes. City Attorney Brown stated a letter would be sent in morning to
Mr. Sellers.
A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Council Member Shearer, that this
Zoning Ordinance be approved as presented with the noted changes. The motion carried with a
recorded roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
6.c. Consider a request from Northside, LLC with representative Balzer & Associates
Inc. to close two separate streets: Wilson Avenue and Boulevard Avenue
Mrs. Turner stated Northside, LLC (the applicant), a family owned LLC, is requesting
to close 62,004 +/- square feet of public street right-of-way (ROW) of two separate
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streets: Wilson Avenue and Boulevard Avenue. The closure request is the first step of
a multi-step process the applicant is initiating so they can enter into contract with an
inter e s t e d buyer to construct what they hope is commercial
development-conceptually, a grocery store. After this month’s review of the ROW
closing, a preliminary plat and rezoning request are planned to be simultaneously
reviewed. The reason the closure request is occurring first, is because if the City is
not interested in closing the ROW, then the interested buyer does not want to move
forward as their conceptual building layout utilizes areas that are now public street
ROW. Mrs. Turner reviewed the property and the adjacent properties involved in the
request. Mrs. Turner noted as is standard practice, all property owners adjacent to the
requested areas for closure will have the opportunity to purchase up to 50 percent of
the ROW width along the entire length adjoining their property. In all, 16 parcels are
adjacent to the ROW requested for closure; nine are owned by the applicant, two are
owned by Joseph and Linda Moore, two are owned by GSW Investors, one is owned
by Harrisonburg Rockingham Community Services Board, one is owned by
Harrisonburg Rockingham Community Mental Health and Others, and one is owned
by Richard and Betty Sampson. Mrs. Turner stated staff and Planning Commission
recommend approval with the following conditions: 1. public easements shall be
reserved for all public utilities; 2. the recording of the street closing shall not occur
until, or simultaneously with, the dedication of the extension of Technology Drive; and,
3. all lots shall have public street frontage. Mrs. Turner stated Mr. Sampson informed
the applicant this week that he is in favor of the request with the conditions, but no
official letter has been received. CSB had the request reviewed by their board and
they are also in agreement with this development plan provided they retain an access
easement to the rear of the property. Mr. Sampson was also in favor of the access
easement. City staff is recommending an additional recommendation that the
vacation not occur until consent has been reached between adjoining property owners
that will provide a 30 ft wide public access easement to the public street ROW at the
intersection of Wilson Avenue and Technology Drive. Mrs. Turner stated that CSB,
Mr. Sampson, and GSW are in agreement with the request and conditions presented.
At 7:29 p.m., Mayor Byrd closed the regular session and called the second public
hearing to order. A notice appeared in the Daily News-Record on Tuesday, May 27
and Monday, Tuesday, June 3, 2014.
Bucky Berry, 30 West Washington Street, stated he knew the applicant and would like
Council to consider approving this request.
At 7:31 p.m., Mayor Byrd closed the public hearing and the regular session
reconvened.
A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Vice-Mayor Chenault, that this
Planning Case be approved with the conditions as presented. The motion carried with a
recorded roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
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7. Special Event Application Requests
7.a. Consider the 2014 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo for a special event request
Katie Yount, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance Events Director, stated Alpine
Loop Gran Fondo will be held on Sunday, September 28th from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30
p.m. and a finish line festival at the Turner Pavilion. Ms. Yount stated this is the fourth
year this event has been held and it has been reviewed by all city departments.
A motion was made by Council Member Shearer, seconded by Vice-Mayor Chenault, that this
Special Event Application be approved. The motion carried by a voice vote.
7.b. Consider the Valley Fourth 2014 for a special event request
Ms. Yount stated Valley Fourth will take place on Friday, July 4th with a full day of
activities in downtown Harrisonburg from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Ms. Yount stated
this is the 13th year of this event and all items have been reviewed by city
departments. Ms. Yount stated the Fire Department has approved this request.
However, approval of the firework display is pending approval of the permit, which
should take place later this week.
A motion was made by Council Member Shearer, seconded by Vice-Mayor Chenault, that this
Special Event Application be approved. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
8. Regular Items
8.a. Consider request to proceed with Public Safety Radio System Upgrade
Jim Junkins, Emergency Communications Center (ECC) Director, reported the Public
Safety Radio System requires an upgrade and it has been in the long range plan to
spread the expenses over two fiscal years. Mr. Junkins stated the radio manufacturer,
Harris, has offered a significant incentive. Mr. Junkins stated that he sought approval
through the Administrative Board consisting of City Manager Hodgen and County
Administrator Paxton and they suggested bringing the proposal before Council and
the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Junkins stated the list price of the upgrade is
$6,291,220.00 and the City was already given approximately $1M off for being a
Harris customer. Harris has offered an addition $788,083.00 if we sign a contract
before June 20, 2014. Mr. Junkins stated over the past several years, ECC has
developed a fund balance of $2.6M that can be offered towards the cost of the
upgrade, but there still is a net of $1,496,744.00 remaining, which brings the amount
to $748,372.00 that both the City and County would need to provide. Mr. Junkins
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stated this upgrade is not requiring to replace the entire radio system. The additional
funds being requested will not be needed prior to July 1, 2015, even though the
money would be committed by June 20, 2014. Mr. Junkins stated he recommended
approval of this request.
A motion was made by Council Member Degner, seconded by Council Member Baugh, that an
additional $748,000.00 for the Radio System Upgrade be approved.
City Manager Hodgen stated the Board of Supervisors will also have to approve this
request for their portion of the funding.
Vice-Mayor Chenault stated he wasn't sure moving it into next years budget is the best
thing to do, because there are a lot of financial responsibilities coming forward in the
next years budget. City Manager Hodgen stated if anything was done in advance, it
would be reserving those funds in advance. City Manager Hodgen reported the
County is not planning to pay their portion of the bill until FY2015.
The motion was amended by Council Member Degner, seconded by Council Member Baugh, to
include directing the City Manager to execute the contract for the upgrade. The motion carried
with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
8.b. Report on Hotel-Conference Center Project
City Manager Hodgen stated a framework is coming together for the development of
the Hotel and Conference Center. This is a project that has been in discussions for
over two years. Both the City and JMU received unsolicited proposals from dPM
Partners to construct a 205-room Hotel and a 21,000 sq ft. Conference Center on land
owned by James Madison University (JMU) at the corner of South Main and Martin
Luther King, Jr. Way.
Under the proposed project parameters, JMU would provide the land for the project ,
and would build a 1,000-vehicle parking deck adjacent to the Hotel/Conference Center
to support those facilities. dPM partners (the Developer) will pay to construct the
Hotel and the JMU Foundation will pay to construct the Conference Center. dPM will
operate and manage both facilities upon their completion. The City, through its
Industrial Development Authority, will implement an economic development program
to provide annual grants to the JMU Foundation which will be used to reimburse the
Foundation for its cost in constructing the Conference Center. The annual grant
amount would be based only upon the revenues generated by the Hotel and
Conference Center during each fiscal year. The estimated costs for the project
include $30 million cost for the Hotel; $10 million for the Conference Center, and
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$15-16 million for the parking deck. City Manager Hodgen stated the next step is to
finalize contract and then schedule a public hearing. It was noted that if the contract
was received in the next week, a public hearing would be scheduled at the next
meeting.
8.c. Consider a resolution establishing the City’s VRS contribution rate
City Manager Hodgen stated staff recommends that the board-certified rate 12.76%
be selected by the City.
A motion was made by Council Member Degner, seconded by Vice-Mayor Chenault, that this
Resolution be approved. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
8.d. Consider approval of a resolution concurring with the School Division’s VRS
Contribution Rate for Harrisonburg City School Division
City Manager Hodgen stated this is similar to the action just approved for the City, but
it is for the Harrisonburg School Boards certification rates. This resolution and rate is
for non-professional staff because their professional staffs rate is set by the
Commonwealth.
A motion was made by Vice-Mayor Chenault, seconded by Council Member Baugh, that this
Resolution be approved. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
8.e. Consider resolution supporting “Marketplace Fairness” legislation being considered
by Congress
City Manager Hodgen state the City has been asked to join our regional neighbors ,
including Roanoke City and Roanoke County, as well as the Chambers of Commerce
in Augusta, Rockingham, and Amherst in supporting the resolution being presented.
Other localities considering the resolution include: Rockingham, Botetourt, Bedford
and Allegheny Counties and the City of Lynchburg. The resolution seeks
Congressional legislation that "equalizes the playing field", relative to the application of
sales tax, between internet business and traditional "bricks and mortar" businesses.
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A motion was made by Council Member Degner, seconded by Council Member Baugh, that this
Resolution be approved. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
8.f. Consider a request to amend and re-enact Section 7-1-9 of the Harrisonburg City
Code
City Manager Hodgen stated the Public Utilities Department is requesting to amend
Section 7-1-9 to reflect that no payment arrangements or extensions shall be
accepted by the City. City Manager Hodgen stated that Public Utilities didn't currently
do this, but some citizens questioned the code since it does not clearly state it. It also
adds how the City will address returned payments. City Attorney Brown
recommended that the word "accepted" be changed to "granted".
A motion was made by Council Member Shearer, seconded by Vice-Mayor Chenault, that this
Ordinance be approved with the suggested change on first reading. The motion carried by a
voice vote.
8.g. Consider amending and re-enacting Section 13-1-15 of the Harrisonburg City
Code
City Manager Hodgen stated the ordinance being presented is reflecting the changes
that were made when the fiscal budget was approved.
A motion was made by Council Member Degner, seconded by Vice-Mayor Chenault, that this
Ordinance be approved. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
8.h. Consider request to write off delinquent utility accounts and accounts receivable
accounts
City Manager Hodgen stated the Director of Public Utilities is requesting approval to
write off 260 utility accounts that the City incurred as accounts receivable between
January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. The total value of these accounts is
$40,841.08 or 0.283% of the total billings for that period. Also, they are requesting
approval to write off two uncollected accounts receivable accounts with a total value of
$938.87 or 0.5% of the total billings during the period January 2010 through June
2012. City Manager Hodgen stated these write offs are for accounting purposes only
as these accounts will still be pursued by the collection agency. All amounts can be
re-entered into the system should they become collectable.
A motion was made by Council Member Shearer, seconded by Council Member Degner, that this
Action Item be approved. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows:
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Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
8.i. Consider enacting Title 7, Chapter 6, Illicit Discharge and Connection Ordinance,
to the Harrisonburg City Code
City Attorney Brown stated this is a smaller step to the ordinance that was passed a
few months ago regarding stormwater and the City is required to pass for the new
MS4 regulations. This ordinance prohibits the dumping or discharge of
non-stormwater in our stormwater management system. However, there are
exceptions that are listed in the ordinance. This ordinance would create the discharge
as a class 1 misdemeanor and would subject someone to civil penalties. City Attorney
Brown stated some of the elements are already listed in our current ordinances and
that is why a section was added that this ordinance doesn't affect those.
A motion was made by Council Member Degner, seconded by Council Member Baugh, that this
Ordinance be approved. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
9. Supplementals
9.a. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Public Works Department in the
amount of $290,656.41
This supplemental appropriation is to cover additional snow and ice removal expenses
incurred in FY 2014. As shown in the attached report, the City experienced 11
different snow and ice events, which cost $527,207.97. The FY 2014 budget included
$236,551 for snow and ice removal. The Public Works Department is requesting this
supplemental appropriation to cover this budget deficit.
A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Council Member Shearer, that this
Supplemental Appropriation be approved on first reading. The motion carried with a recorded
roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
9.b. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Police Department in the amount of
$58,548.58
These funds would be transferred from JMU Overtime Reimbursement into
Operations Salaries/Wages OT.
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A motion was made by Council Member Degner, seconded by Council Member Baugh, that this
Supplemental Appropriation be approved on first reading. The motion carried with a recorded
roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
9.c. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Police Department in the amount of
$15,564.18
These funds would be transferred from the Internet Crimes Against Children Grant
award to the investigation line items for overtime, training, equipment, supplies,
hardware, software and service contracts.
A motion was made by Council Member Degner, seconded by Council Member Baugh, that this
Supplemental Appropriation be approved on first reading. The motion carried with a recorded
roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
9.d. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Police Department in the amount of
$5808.53
These funds were used for overtime saturation patrols through a reimbursement grant ,
Drug Free Communities, provided by Sentara/RMH.
A motion was made by Council Member Degner, seconded by Council Member Baugh, that this
Supplemental Appropriation be approved on first reading. The motion carried with a recorded
roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
9.e. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Police Department in the amount of
$5,823.48
These funds will be reimbursed through a DOJ Bullet Proof Vest Grant. The City
received the maximum amount of funding available to us for the 2013-2014 grant
period.
A motion was made by Council Member Degner, seconded by Council Member Baugh, that this
Supplemental Appropriation be approved. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken
as follows:
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Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
9.f. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Police Department in the amount of
$3,711.04
These funds are provided through the ATF VIPER Task Force to reimburse overtime,
training, travel and equipment expenses associated with work on the Roanoke Field
area task force.
A motion was made by Council Member Degner, seconded by Council Member Baugh, that this
Supplemental Appropriation be approved on first reading. The motion carried with a recorded
roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
10. Reallocations
10.a. Consider a re-allocation for the School Board in the amount of $350,000
DD Dawson, Director of Finance for Harrisonburg City Schools, requested Council to
consider transferring funds out of the operations and maintenance, transportation, and
the administration, attendance, and health line items into the areas of instruction and
technology. Mrs. Dawson reported that the transfer does not require any new money.
Mrs. Dawson stated without coming to Council, the School Board was able to offer an
employee bonus in December, so the function would be overdrawn at the end of the
fiscal year. Mrs. Dawson stated the schools did receive funds from the E-Rate
discount from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which was not known
during the time the budget was produced, and those funds need to be shown both as
an expense and a credit in the technology function.
A motion was made by Vice-Mayor Chenault, seconded by Council Member Baugh, that this
Reallocation be approved. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
11. Other Matters
Council Member Shearer warned citizens of a scam that his family was recently
involved in about a family member being in jail and the caller asking for money to get
them out.
Vice-Mayor Chenault asked for a status of the sidewalk on Wolfe Street between
Broad and Mason Street. City Manager Hodgen stated he would get that information.
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Council Member Baugh reported the upcoming Planning Commission had a full
agenda.
12. Boards and Commissions
13. Closed Session
13.a. Closed Session
At 8:07 p.m., a motion was made by Vice-Mayor Chenault, seconded by Council Member Degner,
to enter into closed session as Authorized by the Freedom of Information Act, Virginia Code
Section 2.2-3711(A), under Subsection 3 for the discussion and consideration of disposition of
publicly held real property and Subsection 7 for consultation with legal counsel regarding
specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. The motion was
approved by the following roll call vote:
Yes: 5- Mayor Byrd, Vice-Mayor Chenault, Council Member Baugh, Council Member
Degner, and Council Member Shearer
No: 0
14. Adjournment
At 8:49 p.m., the closed session ended and the regular session reconvened. City
Attorney Brown read the following statement, which was agreed to with a unanimous
recorded vote of Council: I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge (1) only
public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under
Chapter 37 of Title 2.2 of the Code, of Virginia, 1950, as amended, and (2) only such
public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting
was convened were heard, discussed or considered in the closed meeting by the City
Council.
At 8:50 p.m., there being no further business and on motion adopted, the meeting was
adjourned.
______________________________ _____________________________
CITY CLERK MAYOR
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Agenda
409 South Main Street
City of Harrisonburg Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Meeting Agenda
City Council
Mayor Ted Byrd
Vice-Mayor Charles Chenault
Council Member Kai Degner
Council Member Richard Baugh
Council Member Abe Shearer
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 7:00 PM Council Chambers
1. 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not on the regular
agenda. (Name and address are required)
5. Consent Agenda (any item placed on the consent agenda shall be removed and
taken up as a separate matter, if so requested by any member of Council, otherwise all
items will be voted on with one (1) motion)
5.a. Approval of minutes
Attachments: Draft Meeting Minutes 5-27-14
5.b. Consider a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $451,000 for joint jail
services with Rockingham County.
Review & This money will be used for shared court and jail services with Rockingham County.
Recommendation:
Attachments: Joint Jail Supplemental
5.c. Consider a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $95,991.58 for the Fire
Department.
Review & These funds are to recover Fire Department funds collected during the year from
Recommendation: donations, recovered costs, haz mat response and reimbursement for the burn building.
Attachments: FD Supplemental Appropriation
6. Public Hearings
6.a. Consider ordinance amendment Section 7-4-1 of the Harrisonburg City Code
increasing water and sewer/authority rates
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City Council Meeting Agenda June 10, 2014
Review & The ordinance amendment would increase water rates charged by the City by $.07 per
Recommendation: one thousand (1,000) gallons on all customers with the exception of Rural large users.
The ordinance amendment would increase authority rates charged by the City by $.07
per one thousand (1,000) gallons on all City customers. This is an amendment to raise
water and sewer/authority rates as approved by the Council for the FY 14-15 budget.
Attachments: Rate Revision Effective 7.1.14.pdf
Public Hearing Notice
6.b. Consider a request from the City of Harrisonburg to amend the Zoning Ordinance
Article Y Floodplain Zoning District by replacing the entire article with new and
updated Floodplain regulations
Review & Planning Commission recommended approval (6-0) of the ordinance amendment,
Recommendation: including removal of a formatting error in Section 10-3-173 (removal of "E") and
removal of the definition of the term "Coastal Zone A" from Section 10-3-176,
Definitions.
Attachments: P.C. - Extract Ordinance Amendment Article Y Floodplain Regulations Extract
Staff Report - Article Y Flood Plain Ordinance Amendment
Draft Floodplain Ordinance 04-14-14
P.H. Surrounding Property Owners
6.c. Consider a request from Northside, LLC with representative Balzer & Associates Inc.
to close two separate streets: Wilson Avenue and Boulevard Avenue
Review & Wilson Avenue is a substandard public street (a portion of which is a paper street) that
Recommendation: intersects North Main Street approximately 300 feet south of the North Main Street/Mt.
Clinton Pike intersection and runs parallel to Mt. Clinton Pike for approximately 1,320 ft.
Boulevard Avenue is an undeveloped public street located off of Wilson Avenue
extending about 690 feet to the south. The applicant is requesting to close Wilson
Avenue from North Main Street to just beyond its intersection with Boulevard Avenue
while closing Boulevard Avenue in its entirety.
Planning Commission recommended (6-0) closure of 62,004 +/- square feet of public
street right-of-way (with the following conditions) to allow development of the
contiguous parcels including building over portions of the public street right-of-way. The
public street ROW is adjacent to tax map parcels 42-A-2, 42-B-1A, 2, 3, 5, 8, 8A, 8B,
8C, 9, 9A, 32, 33, 34, & 36, and 44-A-31.
* The City shall reserve easements for all public utilities in the subject area;
* The recording of the street closing shall not occur before the dedication of the
extension of Technology Drive; and
* All newly created lots have public street frontage.
Since Planning Commission's consideration, the Community Services Board, an
adjacent owner, has expressed concern over losing the potential for a secondary
access to a public street from the rear of their property. They are working with staff and
the applicant on resolving this concern and staff will provide an update at the City
Council meeting.
City of Harrisonburg Page 2 Printed on 6/9/2014
City Council Meeting Agenda June 10, 2014
Attachments: Extract Street Closing Wilson and Boulevard Ave
ROW Closure Site Map
Aerial of the Closure
Street Closing Wilson and Boulevard Avenues Staff Report
Northside and Moore Properties
Google Earth View
OLD Wilson & Boulevard Ave. Closing App. and Layout
P.H. Surrounding Property Owners
7. Special Event Application Requests
7.a. Consider the 2014 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo for a special event request
Review & Alpine Loop Gran Fondo will be held on Sunday, September 28th from 6:30am until
Recommendation: 7:30pm and a finish line festival at the Turner Pavilion. Reviewed by all city
departments.
Attachments: Application - Alpine Loop Gran Fondo.pdf
2014 Alpine Loop Gran Fondo - PW Equip and Personnel
7.b. Consider the Valley Fourth 2014 for a special event request
Review & Valley Fourth will take place on Friday, July 4th with a full day of activities in downtown
Recommendation: Harrisonburg from 8:30am until 9:30pm. All items have been reviewed by City
Departments. Firework display is pending approval of permit.
Attachments: Special Event Application
Valley Fourth Maps
Insurance
Valley Fourth endorsement
Fireworks Contract
Fireworks Permit Application
Vendor list for City
Valley Fourth RUN
ABC License
8. Regular Items
8.a. Consider request to proceed with Public Safety Radio System Upgrade
City of Harrisonburg Page 3 Printed on 6/9/2014
City Council Meeting Agenda June 10, 2014
Review & As has been previously reported to Council and the Board of Supervisors, our Public
Recommendation: Safety Radio System requires an upgrade as a result of technology changes and
equipment that is no longer manufactured and for which support will end in 2016. We
had planned on undertaking this work in two phases, with Phase 1 occurring in FY
14-15, and Phase 2, the more costly phase occurring in FY 15-16. Overall we were
anticipating costs in the range of around $6 million for both phases. Harris Corporation,
the radio system manufacturer, has recently approached us offering to provide
significant financial incentives if we proceed with both phases in FY 14-15. Those
incentives are a reduction in cost of about $2 million dollars.
The ECC currently has a fund balance of $2.6 million that was intended to be used on
this project. An additional $748K would be required of both the City and the County to
make up the additional funding needed for the discounted project total of just under
$4.1 million.
We have been given until June 20 to execute the contract for this work. Both the City
and County Attorneys have reviewed the contract and , subject to a few adjustments,
are comfortable with the document. Harris has also advised that they will work with us
in terms of billing on the project so we wouldn't have to fund the additional $748K each
until FY 15-16.
I would request that City Council: 1) approve the ECC Board signing the contract with
Harris, subject to final changes recommended by the City and County Attorney , and
approval by the Rockingham County Bd of Supervisors; and 2) approve the use of the
ECC fund balance supplemented by additional funding of $748K from both the City and
County, with the additional funding not being payable until FY 15-16.
Attachments: Radio System Upgrade Proposal
8.b. Report on Hotel-Conference Center Project
Review & A framework is coming together for the development of the Hotel and Conference
Recommendation: Center. This is a project that has been in discussions for over two years. Both the City
and JMU received unsolicited proposals from dPM Partners to construct a 205-room
Hotel and a 21,000 sq ft. Conference Center on land owned by James Madison
University (JMU) at the corner of South Main and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.
Under the proposed project parameters, JMU would provide the land for the project,
and would build a 1,000-vehicle parking deck adjacent to the Hotel/Conference Center
to support those facilities. dPM partners (the Developer) will pay to construct the Hotel
and the JMU Foundation will pay to construct the Conference Center. dPM will operate
and manage both facilities upon their completion. The City, through its Industrial
Development Authority, will implement an economic development program to provide
annual grants to the JMU Foundation which will be used to reimburse the Foundation
for its cost in constructing the Conference Center. The annual grant amount would be
based only upon the revenues generated by the Hotel and Conference Center during
each fiscal year.
The estimated costs for the project include $30 million cost for the Hotel; $10 million for
Conference Center, and $15-16 million for parking deck. An artist's rendering of the
Hotel and Conference Center is attached.
The next steps will be to schedule a public hearing for the June 24 meeting to allow
citizen comment on the project and to finalize the language of the contract documents
and support agreements that will be needed if the project moves forward.
Attachments: Hotel Conference Center Rendering
8.c. Consider a resolution establishing the City’s VRS contribution rate
City of Harrisonburg Page 4 Printed on 6/9/2014
City Council Meeting Agenda June 10, 2014
Review & Legislation from the 2013 General Assembly allows localities to select their employer
Recommendation: contribution rate for VRS from either the VRS Board-certified rate or an alternate rate.
The attached letter from VRS outlines the two choices. It would not be beneficial for the
City to select the alternate rate and as such, staff recommends that the Board-certified
rate be selected by the City.
The attached resolution establishes the City's selection and must be returned to VRS
no later than July 1, 2014.
Attachments: Resolution for VRS Contribution Rate
VRS Letter
8.d. Consider approval of a resolution concurring with the School Division’s VRS
Contribution Rate for Harrisonburg City School Division
Review & It is requested that the City pass a resolution accepting the school division's election of
Recommendation: the VRS contribution rate for the Harrisonburg City School Division. The Harrisonburg
City School Division has made the election for its contribution rate to be based on the
employer contribution rates certified by the Virginia Retirement System Board of
Trustees pursuant to Virginia Code � 51.1-145(I) resulting from the June 30, 2013
actuarial value of assets and liabilities (the "Certified Rate"). As the appropriating body,
the Harrisonburg City Council is asked to adopt the attached resolution. It has been
approved by the Harrisonburg City School Board.
Attachments: Local Governing Body School Board VRS Resolution
Approved School Board VRS Resolution
8.e. Consider resolution supporting “Marketplace Fairness” legislation being considered
by Congress
Review & The City has been asked to join our regional neighbors, including Roanoke City and
Recommendation: Roanoke County, as well as the Chambers of Commerce in Augusta, Rockingham, and
Amherst in supporting the attached resolution. Other localities considering the
resolution include: Rockingham, Botetourt, Bedford and Allegheny Counties and the
City of Lynchburg. A copy of the resolution is attached and basically seeks
Congressional legislation that "equalizes the playing field", relative to the application of
sales tax, between internet business and traditional "bricks and mortar" businesses.
Attachments: Marketplace Fairness Resolution
8.f. Consider a request to amend and re-enact Section 7-1-9 of the Harrisonburg City
Code
Review & The Public Utilities Department is requesting to amend Section 7-1-9 to reflect that no
Recommendation: payment arrangements or extensions shall be accepted by the City. It also adds how
the City will address returned payments.
Attachments: Discontinuance of Service Ordinance
8.g. Consider amending and re-enacting Section 13-1-15 of the Harrisonburg City Code
Review & Proposed amending and re-enacting ordinance section 13-1-15 to reflect approved
Recommendation: fiscal budget.
Attachments: Motor Vehicle Ordinance
8.h. Consider request to write off delinquent utility accounts and accounts receivable
accounts
City of Harrisonburg Page 5 Printed on 6/9/2014
City Council Meeting Agenda June 10, 2014
Review & The Director of Public Utilities is requesting approval to write off 260 utility accounts that
Recommendation: the City incurred as accounts receivable between January 1, 2012 and December 31,
2012. The total value of these accounts is $40,841.08 or 0.283% of the total billings for
that period. Also requesting approval to write off 2 uncollected accounts receivable
accounts with a total value of $938.87 or 0.5% of the total billings during the period
January 2010 through June 2012.
These write offs are for accounting purposes only as these accounts will still be
pursued by the collection agency. All amounts can be re-entered into the system should
they become collectable. These accounts have been thoroughly reviewed by Public
Utilities, Finance, and Real Estate.
Attachments: Write off Summary
Write off account graph 2012
Annual Breakdown
Write off eligibility list
2014 AR write off information
Accounts Receivable Billing
8.i. Consider enacting Title 7, Chapter 6, Illicit Discharge and Connection Ordinance, to
the Harrisonburg City Code
Review & This is a new ordinance regulating illicit discharges and illicit connections into and from
Recommendation: the City's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (the "MS4"). A copy of the draft
ordinance is attached.
Attachments: Illicit Discharges and Connections
9. Supplementals
9.a. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Public Works Department in the
amount of $290,656.41
Review & This Supplemental Appropriation is to cover additional Snow and Ice Removal
Recommendation: expenses incurred in FY 2014. As shown in the attached report the City experienced 11
different snow and ice events, which cost $527,207.97. The 2014 FY budget included
$236,551 for snow and ice removal. The Public Works Department is requesting this
supplemental appropriation to cover this budget deficit.
Attachments: Public Works Supplemental
9.b. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Police Department in the amount of
$58,548.58
Review & These funds would be transferred from JMU Overtime Reimbursement into Operations
Recommendation: Salaries/Wages OT.
Attachments: JMU OT Supplemental Appropriation
FY14JMUOTPayments
9.c. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Police Department in the amount of
$15,564.18
Review & These funds would be transferred from the Internet Crimes Against Children Grant
Recommendation: award to the investigation line items for overtime, training, equipment, supplies,
hardware, software and service contracts. This has been through the approval tracking
system and is recommended for approval.
City of Harrisonburg Page 6 Printed on 6/9/2014
City Council Meeting Agenda June 10, 2014
Attachments: ICAC2013 Grant Supplemental
9.d. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Police Department in the amount of
$5808.53
Review & These funds were used for overtime saturation patrols through a reimbursement grant,
Recommendation: Drug Free Communities, provided by Sentara/RMH.
Attachments: RMH OT Supplemental Appropriation
RMH OT MOU
9.e. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Police Department in the amount of
$5,823.48
Review & These funds will be reimbursed through a DOJ Bullet Proof Vest Grant . The City
Recommendation: received the maximum amount of funding available to us for the 2013-2014 grant
period.
Attachments: DOJ BVP Grant Supplemental Appropriation
2014 BPV Award Confirmation
9.f. Consider a supplemental appropriation for the Police Department in the amount of
$3,711.04
Review & These funds are provided through the ATF VIPER Task Force to reimburse overtime ,
Recommendation: training, travel and equipment expenses associated with work on the Roanoke Field
area task force.
Attachments: ATF OT Supplemental Appropriation
Harrisonburg PD MOA, signed
Harrisonburg PD MOU, amendment
Request for State and Local Overtime Funding 2014 - Harrisonburg PD
10. Reallocations
10.a. Consider a re-allocation for the School Board in the amount of $350,000
Review & The re-allocation is to transfer funds into the appropriate functions for end of year
Recommendation: expenditures.
Attachments: Reallocation School Board
11. Other Matters
12. Boards and Commissions
Visit http://www.harrisonburgva.gov/boards to see current and upcoming vacancies.
13. Closed Session
13.a. Closed Session
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City Council Meeting Agenda June 10, 2014
Review & Consultation with legal counsel regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision
Recommendation: of legal advice by such counsel; and discussion or consideration of the disposition of
publicly held real property where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect
the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body.
14. Adjournment
City of Harrisonburg Page 8 Printed on 6/9/2014
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