Tag: City Council

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Public safety agencies seek to attract needed reinforcements

With about 20 open positions in Harrisonburg Police Department and the fire department preparing to add a new station, the city is trying a host of strategies to attract new applicants for first responder jobs.

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Council tackles taxi rates. Mayor addresses the Salvation Army. And could the Municipal Building return to action?

With the number of licensed taxi drivers in Harrisonburg down 68% from 2017, the city council on Tuesday gave initial approval to a sweeping re-write of the city code to allow taxi companies to set their own rates, among other changes. 

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Amid ‘stunning surge’ in COVID cases, city shifts meetings back online

The city council approved an emergency declaration Tuesday, sending public meetings back online for at least a month and raising the alarm that the community’s sharp increase in COVID-19 cases will further strain an overstretched health care system. 

Council moves ahead on new fire station and allowing a gas station downtown

Vehicle fueling will return to downtown after the city council on Tuesday approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow gas stations in the central business district. 

Parks, childcare and the Northeast Neighborhood top council’s funding priorities

Making improvements to the Northeast Neighborhood, funding childcare programs and upgrading parks and recreation facilities topped city council members’ priority list for how to use the $23.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds Harrisonburg will receive. 

City lays out a roadmap for spending ARPA funds. Meanwhile, the council is getting frustrated with its internet service.

With more than $23.8 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act on its way to Harrionburg, the city council will spend a work session Nov. 16 — and possibly a second later in the month — working through how to prioritize projects and upgrades. 

Efficient buildings and encouraging electric vehicles on city’s next environmental to-do list

With the city’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory now in hand, members of the Environmental Performance Standards Advisory Committee are itching to connect community resources to start enacting the Environmental Action Plan’s next phases. Coordinating efforts to weatherize Harrisonburg homes and buildings, install more electric car charging stations and replace combustion engine school buses with cleaner versions are all on the to-do list. 

What are the next steps, challenges and opportunities in hiring a new city manager?

After City Manager Eric Campbell’s resignation last week, city council members are preparing to start the process of identifying qualities they want in Campbell’s successor. And while Campbell will finish out the year in that key role, at least one observer of local government said city leaders shouldn’t lose sight of Harrisonburg’s strategic plans during the transition between city managers.

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