City Council

409 S. Main Street City of Harrisonburg Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Meeting Minutes - Final City Council Tuesday, April 14, 2020 7:00 PM Council Chambers 1. Roll Call Present: 5- Mayor Deanna R. Reed, Vice-Mayor Sal Romero, Council Member Richard Baugh, Council Member Christopher B. Jones and Council Member George Hirschmann Also Present: 4- City Manager Eric Campbell, City Clerk Pam Ulmer, City Attorney Chris Brown and Deputy Police Chief Gabriel Camacho 2. Invocation Council Member Jones offered the invocation. 3. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Reed led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Special Recognition 4.a. Proclamation acknowledging April 18, 2020 as Arbor Day Note: Council Member Jones is present via the telephone and all public hearing and public comments will be taken via a dedicated call in phone line. Mayor Reed thanked the viewers for participating as the public is not able to attend this meeting in person. She stated Council and staff are practicing social distancing with minimal staff attending to make sure we are doing all we can to protect everyone’s health and wellness. She assured everyone that they are doing all they can to make sure the residents are protected, constantly updated via the city ’s website and social media, they are working with partners of the community to make sure everyone is aware of social distancing and gathering rules and answering as many questions as we can. She asked that the public remember there are certain things the city can do but authority lies with the state or federal government. If anyone has any questions, they can check our website or contact the Virginia Department of Health. Mayor Reed presented the proclamation recognizing April 18, 2020 as Arbor Day. 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) City of Harrisonburg Page 1 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Council Member Hirschmann, to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows: Yes: 5- Mayor Reed, Romero, Council Member Baugh, Council Member Jones and Council Member Hirschmann No: 0 5.a. Minutes from the March 24, 2020 City Council meeting These minutes were approved on the consent agenda. 5.b. Minutes from April 6, 2020 City Council Special Meeting These minutes were approved on the consent agenda. 5.c. Consider a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $1,456,000 for the Water Capital Projects Fund This supplemental appropriation was approved on the consent agenda 5.d. Consider enacting an ordinance confirming the City Manager’s Declaration of a Local Emergency due to the imminent threat of disaster posed by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic. This ordinance was approved on the consent agenda 5.e. Consider adopting an ordinance to effectuate temporary changes in certain deadlines and to modify public meeting and public hearing practices and procedures to address continuity of operations associated with pandemic disaster This ordinance was approved on the consent agenda 6. Public Hearings 6.a. Consider approving the FY 2020-2021 through 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Program Adam Fletcher, director of Community Development, presented the FY 2020-2021 through FY 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). He stated the CIP is not a budget, but a planning tool, that took staff several months throughout the year to prepare. He stated the CIP is for projects with a cost of greater than $50,000. He reviewed how to understand the sections of the Project Request Form and shared the list of projects in the CIP. Mr. Fletcher stated staff recommendations for the CIP are not given but Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0. Vice Mayor Romero stated he asked during Planning Commission’ meeting what time frame they had to review the document prior to recommending for approval to City of Harrisonburg Page 2 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 Council. He stated the report was received late and not a lot of time was given to review prior to the Planning Commission meeting, however Mr. Fletcher stated this was not a typical year and normally more time is given to review. Mr. Fletcher stated the plan is to have the document ready for review in January, but this year there were issues with projects for the schools that delayed the release. Mr. Fletcher stated the second high school bond amount is not included in the CIP. At 7:17 pm Mayor Reed closed the regular session and called the first public hearing to order. A notice appeared in the Daily News-Record on Monday, March 30, 2020 and Monday, April 6, 2020. There being no one desiring to be heard, Mayor Reed closed the public hearing at 7:18 p.m., and the regular session reconvened. Council Member Baugh stated this is intended to do exactly what Mr. Fletcher stated and nothing else. He stated in regard to the new high school, it will not be forgotten, and this program is intended to require local governments to do enough planning so that they are aware of major things coming down the pike. He stated the money, allocations and timing are all subject to further review. A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Council Member Hirschmann, to approve the Capital Improvement Program as presented. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows: Yes: 5- Mayor Reed, Romero, Council Member Baugh, Council Member Jones and Council Member Hirschmann No: 0 6.b. Consider a request from Park Apartments LLC and Faith Community Free Methodist Church to rezone +/- 11.02-acres at 200-294 Rocco Avenue and 1690 South Main Street Adam Fletcher, director of Community Development presented a rezoning request from R-3, M-1 and B-2 zoned property to R-5C located in the 200-294 block of Rocco Avenue and 1690 South Main Street containing 11.02 acres, more or less. He provided the zoning history of the parcel, the surrounding property and the land use of the area. He stated the request is for Park Apartments to add 60 new residential units made up of 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units. He reviewed the proffers offered. He stated staff and Planning Commission (6-0) recommended approval of the request with the stated proffers. Mayor asked if they were affordable, Council Member Baugh stated the rent on 1-bedroom units are $850.00. Mayor Reed stated this apartment complex is primarily family. Vice Mayor Romero stated there are a few children in the area, some college students and some young professionals. City of Harrisonburg Page 3 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 At 7:29 pm Mayor Reed closed the regular session and called the second public hearing to order. A notice appeared in the Daily News-Record on Monday, March 30, 2020 and Monday, April 6, 2020. David Mitchell, representative for Park Apartments, LLC, stated this is a good project and good for the church in the area, and he would be happy to answer any questions. At 7:31 pm Mayor Reed closed the public hearing and the regular session reconvened A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Council Member Hirschmann, to approve the rezoning request as presented. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows: Yes: 5- Mayor Reed, Romero, Council Member Baugh, Council Member Jones and Council Member Hirschmann No: 0 6.c. Consider a request from Elite Land LLC for a special use permit to allow recreational and leisure time activities within the M-1 district at 60 Carpenter Lane Vice Mayor Baugh stated the Virginia State and Local Conflict of Interest Act requires that he make the following disclosure to be recorded in the city records on any matter from which he is prohibited by law from participating: The transaction involved is agenda item 6(c), a request for a special use permit for certain real property located in the City of Harrisonburg; his personal interest in the transaction relates to the ethical requirements to which he must adhere as a licensed member of the Virginia State Bar; he affirms he will not vote or any manner act on behalf of city council on this matter Adam Fletcher, director of Community Development, presented a special use permit request for property located at 60 Carpenter Lane for recreational and leisure time activities in an M-1 zoned district. He provided the zoning history of the parcel, the surrounding property and the land use of the area and noted larger industrial zones are usually protected for economic development purposes for industries. He stated the request is to partner with a business called Black Bear Gymnastics to construct a facility dedicated to offering private gymnastics training, after school programs, and tumbling, with hopes to be the primary training facility for several local high school gymnastics, cheer and dance teams. He reviewed the proffers offered. He stated staff recommended denial and Planning Commission (4-2) recommended approval of the request with the following conditions: · The special use permit shall be applicable only for the use, or a substantially similar use, as requested in the application. · The special use permit shall not allow non-transient dwelling units. · Any recreational and leisure time activity use permitted herein shall be constructed so that the use has a separate parking lot which is physically City of Harrisonburg Page 4 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 separated from any other use or parking lot. The intent shall be to physically separate and prohibit traffic from other uses mixing with traffic associated with the recreational and leisure time activity use. The recreational and leisure time activity use must have a separate entrance from Carpenter Lane and shall not share any onsite traffic maneuverability with other uses. At 7:41 pm Mayor Reed closed the regular session and called the THIRD public hearing to order. A notice appeared in the Daily News-Record on Monday, March 30, 2020 and Monday, April 6, 2020. Brett Cleveland, owner of Black Bear Gymnastics, stated there is a lack of opportunities for gymnastics in the area as well as space for the local schools for gymnastics space. Mr. Peter Borodin, owner of property, stated having a facility like this would be a great addition in providing space and classes for gymnastics, etc. He stated there will be a separate entrance for the facility than what is being currently used for the construction company on the property. At 7:46 pm Mayor Reed closed the public hearing and the regular session reconvened. Vice Mayor Romero stated the applicants have been trying, over the last few years, to locate a facility that would be appropriate for gymnastics and approved by the Gymnastics Association. He stated the applicant is willing to rotate the orientation of the building in order to separate it from the other uses of the property to ensure safety for those coming to the facility. He stated he feels it would be good to provide the opportunity for this type of facility to the youth of the community who have very limited opportunities for these types of activities. Council Member Jones expressed his concerns regarding removing this property from future opportunities for economic development in the industrial areas and asked if staff contacted the Economic Development department for their input. Adam Fletcher stated staff does not always reach out to the Economic Development department but in this case, they did reach out and they had concerns about removing this as a M-1 district and about the onsite traffic. Mayor Reed asked about the potential traffic in and around the facility. Mr. Fletcher stated the concerns would be the truck traffic, however, the suggested conditions would rectify that. Vice Mayor Romero stated he did not have concerns about the traffic. Council Member Jones stated it sounds like the Economic Development department agrees with his concerns and feels the use should remain M-1, open for retail and other industrial uses and deny the request. Council Member Hirschmann stated in that part of the city he doesn’t feel it would be a good area for retail, he feels it is a great location for the facility. Further discussion took place regarding the traffic and barriers etc. Council Member Jones stated he feels by taking out of the M-1 allowed usage you are taking away future job opportunities, which the city needs to keep creating. City of Harrisonburg Page 5 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 A motion was made by Vice Mayor Romero, seconded by Council Member Hirschmann, to approve the special use permit request with stated conditions. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows: Yes: 3- Mayor Reed, Romero and Council Member Hirschmann No: 1- Council Member Jones Abstain: 1- Council Member Baugh 7. Regular Items 7.a. Consider amending and reenacting Section11-1-11(a)(2) -Processing Fees for Building Permits, of the City Code of Harrisonburg, VA Adam Fletcher, director of Community Development, stated the Community Development staff has been working for several months to install and get running a new permitting and inspection software. He stated individuals are now able to apply for permits on line, check status, check inspections, schedule inspections, etc. He stated the problem with this program is that one of the fees required, a non -refundable permit application fee of $30, created technological glitches. Staff reviewed the reasoning behind having a non-refundable application fee and realized it was only created because of one project several years ago. He stated after further review it was determined this non-refundable fee was no longer needed, and the amendment to the ordinance reflects the removal of that fee. A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Vice Mayor Romero, to approve the amended ordinance as presented. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows: Yes: 5- Mayor Reed, Romero, Council Member Baugh, Council Member Jones and Council Member Hirschmann No: 0 7.b. Report on the Downtown Parking Study Plan Tom Hartman, director of Public Works, thanked all city staff that was involved in the creation of this study as part of the Parking Study team. He provided the time line of the process, reviewed the recent Downtown Parking Study, the study area, existing parking supply, and existing usage conditions of the downtown parking. He reviewed the public engagement timeline including survey results and the future needs assessment. He reviewed the near-term, mid-term, and long-term impacts, suggested parking requirements to be instituted, recommended new public parking supply and time limits, and suggestions to utilize private assets for shared parking . He noted it is recommended to consider paid parking in the future. City of Harrisonburg Page 6 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 Council Member Hirschmann asked about possibly using shuttles for those that park outside of the normal downtown area. Mr. Hartman stated that could be a possible strategy. Council Member Jones stated it took decades of marketing to convince people to stop smoking, and feels it will take years of feasible solutions, sharing the positive benefits of walking downtown, and the vibrancy of downtown in order to convince people to pay for parking. Council Member Baugh stated the goal is 20 years. No action required This Report was received and filed. 7.c. Consideration of a Performance Agreement with EDA and Sage Bird, LLC Chris Brown, city attorney, stated several months ago there was a ceremony at the future home of Sage Bird Cider Works with the Secretary of Agriculture announcing a $15,000 grant. He stated the Performance Agreement is the paperwork that formalizes the grant funding. He stated in exchange for the $15,000 grant from the state and the matching local grant of $15,000 Sage Bird agrees to make a capital investment at its facility in the amount of $154,852.00, to create three full time new jobs and three full time equivalent jobs, and to purchase a certain amount of Virginia grown produce by December 1, 2022. He stated it is requested the Council approve this agreement and authorize the city manager to execute the document. A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Council Member Hirschmann, to approve the performance agreement as presented and authorizing the city manager to sign. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows: Yes: 5- Mayor Reed, Romero, Council Member Baugh, Council Member Jones and Council Member Hirschmann No: 0 7.d. Consider approval of a Bank Franchise Tax refund for 2012, 2013 & 2014 Chris Brown, city attorney, presented a request to refund Bank Franchise taxes for the years 2012 through 2014. He stated the Bank Franchise tax is a local tax but administered by and paid through the State Department of Taxation. He stated the State takes 20% of the franchise tax and sends 80% to the locality. He stated a local bank filed it’s returns and paid the State the tax and then filed amended returns claiming it was entitled to additional deductions which reduced the amount due to the State. He stated this caused the State to order refunds of payments from numerous localities around the state for the years stated above. He stated for the city it equals $75,369. He stated if this is paid after May 1st, interest will accrue. City of Harrisonburg Page 7 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Council Member Hirschmann, to approve the refund request as presented. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows: Yes: 5- Mayor Reed, Romero, Council Member Baugh, Council Member Jones and Council Member Hirschmann No: 0 RECESS At 8:43 p.m., Mayor Reed called the meeting into recess. At 8:48 p.m., Mayor Reed called the meeting back into session. 7.e. Presentation of the proposed FY 2020-2021 Budget Eric Campbell, city manager, stated in the development of the proposed FY 2020-21 Budget our community experienced economic changes never before seen in our recent history as a result of the Corona COVID-19 virus. He stated this has drastically changed the city’s revenue outlook for the current fiscal year as well as the proposed FY2020-2021 budget. He stated as a key challenge in trying to manage the City Councils priorities while maintaining core services with significantly reduced revenue and it has been a challenge. He stated the proposed spending plan presented is with the clear expectation that once it is approved it will need to be immediately amended and adjusted based on the potential revenue short-falls we are going to face in our quickly changing environment. He provided the time line of the budget preparation process, the focus of the proposed budget, the development challenges, the primary expenditure increases, budget highlights, new positions, the new Community Contributions application and evaluation process and the Community Contributions funding recommendations. He reviewed the tax and fee recommendations reflecting no increases for either real estate, personal property, water or sewer rates. He reviewed the funds expenditures, general fund revenues and expenditures, and he comparison of revenues between the FY 2020 adopted budget and the FY2020 proposed budget. He reviewed the reviewed the funding for the proposed FY2020-2021 Budget for services supporting city schools, local appropriations from 2013 to 2021, and local school expenditures compared to required local effort. He reviewed the pandemic ’s impact on the new second high school funding and noted he feels is it neither financially prudent nor in the community’s best interest to propose any property tax increase during the pandemic. He provided the Budget calendar and noted there are two workshop dates set aside if Council needed or desired. He thanked the Finance Committee, the Executive Leadership Team and the finance staff. City of Harrisonburg Page 8 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 Vice Mayor Romero asked if there has been any word from Richmond as far as extension of the state budget. Mr. Campbell stated there are suggestions of amendments but no time frame. He stated our budget per the charter must be adopted by May 31st, and without knowing what goes on with the state, our budget may have to be amended. Mayor Reed asked Mr. Campbell when he will have a clear idea of numbers as far as revenue. Mr. Campbell EC stated there is a lag, so probably will take a month. Vice Mayor Romero stated this is not taking into consideration any stimulus offered by the federal government. Mr. Campbell stated there is nothing been discussed by the federal government on stimulus offerings as of yet. He stated most of the stimulus talked about is for transportation. Council Member Baugh stated if you look back on the recession most stimulus goes to transportation and roads. Council Member Jones asked if the applicants that applied for Community Contributions were going to get notification of the proposed contributions. Mr. Campbell stated all of the applicants will be notified and the information has been provided to council, however they can be amended by council. Council Member Jones asked if it was wise to contact the applicants in advance as it may give them false hope since it hasn’t been finalized. Mr. Campbell stated it is a public document and must be made available to the public. Mayor Reed stated she understands what Council Member Jones is saying, and it is important when the applicants are notified that the figures have not been finalized and are subject to change. Further discussion took place regarding community contributions. Discussion took place regarding having a budget work session, and the decision was made to hold the work session on April 21, 2020 at 5pm. Mayor Reed acknowledged Mr. Campbell and staff for the hard work that went into the proposed budget and thanked him. This Presentation was received and filed. 7.f. Consider adopting an emergency ordinance to relieve taxpayers from penalties and interest associated with late remittance of meals taxes and transient occupancy taxes first due and owing between April 20, 2020 and June 20, 2020. Chris Brown, as per direction from Council at the last meeting, he has drafted an emergency ordinance regarding to penalties and interest on late remittance of meals taxes and transient occupancy taxes due between April 20, 2020 and June 20, 2020. He stated staff recommended against the ordinance, but it is not done lightly. He stated it is understood how desperate times are for the businesses, however waiving the interest and penalty may not be wisest decision. He stated meals and transient taxes are extremely important to the city, and it is known that these revenues will be decreased due to the situation we are in. He stated the taxes are trust taxes, they never belong to the restaurants or hotels, they are paid separetaly and is not to be used for operations or personal use and doing so can lead to civil /criminal penalties. He stated we do not want to create an incentive for businesses to use these funds City of Harrisonburg Page 9 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 and end up getting in trouble. Council Member Jones agreed with Mr. Brown. Vice Mayor Romero asked what other localities are doing. Mr. Brown stated numerous localities did similar ordinances in the very beginning, but feels they were only temporary and probably have revoked them by now. Council Member Hirschmann states it is a nice thing to do but it does create other possible problems that could bite us in the future. Mayor Reed stated it is a tough situation, no one was prepared for this type of event. There was discussion regarding checking into other localities to see if they did have such an ordinance, how did it effect the city and the business owners and if they are still under the ordinance or have they since revoked it. Consensus by Council to table the item until staff can obtain the information. This Ordinance was tabled. 7.g. Consider adopting an emergency ordinance to relieve certain customers from penalties associated with late payment of bills for City utility service Chris Brown, stated as per direction from Council at the last meeting, he drafted an emergency ordinance related to late penalties and interest on water and sewer bills . He stated the City has already made the decision to not conduct any disconnections during this period. He stated in working with staff there was hesitation to make a blanket waiver to waive penalties and interest as they didn't want to create an incentive to not pay a water bill if you have the means to do so. He stated the ordinance amendment meets a middle road and applies to those businesses that had to shut down due to the Governors order as well as any employee of those businesses, and/or substantial decrease in income due to the Covid-19 virus. Those individuals or businesses will just need to submit a letter of request for waiver of penalties. He stated one small change needs to be made to the ordinance to replace the word “individual” to “customer” Council Member Baugh stated this is being presented with recommendation from staff and is a great attempt to help those that really need it. A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Vice Mayor Romero, to approve the ordinance with the suggested amendment. The motion carried with a recorded roll call vote taken as follows: Yes: 5- Mayor Reed, Romero, Council Member Baugh, Council Member Jones and Council Member Hirschmann No: 0 8. Special Event Application Requests City of Harrisonburg Page 10 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 8.a. Consider the special event application request for the Rocktown Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 26, 2020. Ande Banks, deputy city manager, updated council of previously approved special events applications that have been cancelled: 5K Autism Awareness, Girls on the Run 5K, EMU’’s Commencement, Downtown Dinner Party, and Farm to City. He stated the following have been postponed: Rocktown Beer and Music Festival till October 10, 2020 and the Strawberry Festival dated TBD. He presented a special event application request for the 7th Annual Rocktown Turkey Trot, November 26, 2020, approximately 2000 participants and spectators, relies on support from Harrisonburg Police Department and Public Works and the estimated cost is between $3,400-$3,600, which will be absorbed by the organizer, Virginia Momentum. A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Council Member Hirschmann, to approve all special event applications in agenda item 8a, 8b, and 8c as presented. The motion carried with a unanimous voice vote. 8.b. Consider the special event application request for the NYE Glow Run on Thursday, December 31, 2020. Ande Banks, deputy city manager, presented a special event application request for the 15th Annual New Year’s Eve Glow Run, December 31, 2020, the estimated cost is $340, and will be absorbed by Virginia Momentum. A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Council Member Hirschmann, to approve all special event applications in agenda item 8a, 8b, and 8c as presented. The motion carried with a unanimous voice vote. 8.c. Consider the special event application request for Friendly City Fourth on Saturday, July 4, 2020. Ande Banks, deputy city manager, presented a special event application request for the 19th Annual Friendly City Fourth, July 4, 2020, approximately 7,000 - 10,000 attendees expected, the estimated cost is between $1,800 - $2,100 excluding the funding the city already budgeted for this event. A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Council Member Hirschmann, to approve all special event applications in agenda item 8a, 8b, and 8c as presented. The motion carried with a unanimous voice vote. 9. Other Matters Agenda Comment Forms Received 9.a Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not on the regular agenda. (Name and address are required) Pamayotis “Poti” Giannakaouros, stated nearly one-fifth of a million dollars is devoted to zoning administration including a $15,000 proposed increase, and for some City of Harrisonburg Page 11 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 months have been short one zoning inspector and the resulting lack of proactive zoning enforcement has done no harm. He stated he encourages Council to leave that position unfilled when it comes time to cut budget. He commended Mr. Fletcher for wearing a mask, as well as Mr. Jones for calling from home. He referenced a local doctor’s belief a 10-foot physical separation is recommended and may be more outside due to the weather conditions. He asked what is the tall grass and weed ordinance doing but costing the city money, costing residents much more than nuisance fines and now risking their health. He referenced the deaths in the city due to Covid-19 and feels the mowing crews in the city could potentially spread the virus further. He stated we may face food insecurities and our yards can be used for that as well as for comfort. He stated he heard coughs during the meeting and hopes Council does the right thing. James “Bucky” Berry, 30 W. Washington Street, stated he is disappointed to see homeless individuals out and about and he feels we need to keep them under roof until the virus is gone. He stated our statistics are close to the numbers in Richmond, this virus is serious. He stated in other states the police departments are using drones to patrol, he would like to see the Black Run Cleanup Day cancelled, he feels the taxes due in December should be given a 30-day grace period, he feels any money coming from the government should be used to help the small businesses and he feels the new school should be on hold for at least 3 years. Randy Kline, 480 Hartman Drive, asked if the shutdown of the high school was a unilateral decision between the School Board and Council. Mayor Reed stated questions are not answered during public comment period. 9.b City Council and Staff Council Member Baugh reminded people to stay inside and stay safe. Vice Mayor Romero thanked city staff for making sure the information being put out by the city is provided in multiple languages and he has received praise from people in the community who are seeing those resources in their native language. He stated he has concerns for the poultry workers, he has been in many conversations with the plants, the Poultry Federation president, Tony Wilt, Mark Obenshain, and the Governor’s office because some plants are doing better than others with social distancing, however people are going to work in fear. He stated some measures are not being taken care of, not just in poultry plants, he isn’t sure if Council can do anything about it, but seeks their support in advocating for anyone who works in any essential business. He stated the numbers are hitting a demographic that is much more vulnerable and he is concerned that it is happening more often, and we need to do all we can to prevent that from increasing. Council Member Hirschmann stated it is very trying times we are in, do what you can City of Harrisonburg Page 12 Printed on 8/26/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 14, 2020 to stay with the program, distancing, covering mouth, and stay out of groups; it may not seem like a lot, but everything helps. Council Member Jones stated he seconds Vice Mayor Romero’s comments and we need to do all we can to make sure our residents are as safe as possible, we need to avoid what happened in South Dakota at the Smithfield plant. He stated he is more involved with Economic Development as we don’t want to see any furloughs or layoffs, and he commends Mr. Campbell and the Senior Leadership Team for what is being done. He stated he hopes and prays that the city has the funds in order to run the city with the resources needed. Mayor Reed stated she supports Vice Mayor Romero in regard to the poultry workers, we do know there are some challenges and issues that should be looked into. She stated we do have a shelter being run at James Madison University (JMU), ran by Open Doors, so if there are any type of encampments there is no need for that as the facility is up and running and it is not at capacity, food is available, showers are there, etc. The city, Open Doors and JMU have worked hard to get the shelter up and it is working. She stated the city is working with directors of the different shelters to make sure we are providing shelter for those who need it. Mayor Reed reminded everyone to wear masks, and if anyone needs one to let her know. 10. Boards and Commissions 10.a. Economic Development Authority A motion was made by Council Member Baugh, seconded by Vice Mayor Romero to reappoint Mr. Brad Chewning to the Economic Development Authority as presented. The motion carried with a unanimous voice vote. 11. Closed Session 12. Adjournment At 10:01 p.m., there being no further business and on motion adopted, the meeting was adjourned. ________________________ ________________________ CITY CLERK MAYOR City of Harrisonburg Page 13 Printed on 8/26/2020