docketcity.com
Home › Roanoke › Meetings

City Council

October 5, 2026 Final
Agenda PDF Official record ↗

Agenda — 23 items

  1. A communication from the City Attorney requesting that City Council convene in a closed meeting to consult with legal counsel regarding a certain legal matter requiring the provision of legal advice by the City Attorney concerning contract obligations involving a City-owned facility in the Central part of the City of Roanoke, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(8), Code of Virginia, (1950), as amended.(7-0)
  2. Acceptance of FY26 Congressional Directed Spending grant award funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration for the purchase of laboratory equipment for RoVa Labs.Adopted Ordinance No. 43482-100526. (6-1, Vice-Mayor McGuire voted no.) (Item 7.1.d. voted on following Item 8.1.)
  3. DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE VALUATION: None.
  4. Minutes of the regular meeting of City Council held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
  5. A communication from the Deputy City Clerk advising of the resignation of Mark Jamison as a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, effective immediately.
  6. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by <span data-teams="true" id="isPasted">Mayor Joseph L. Cobb.
  7. Communications from the Deputy City Clerk advising of the resignations of Sally Quinn and Jon Lloyd as members of the Equity and Empowerment Advisory Board, effective immediately.
  8. Report of qualification of Jeffrey Todd as a member of the Mill Mountain Advisory Board for a three-year term of office, commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029.
  9. <strong>Certification of Closed Meeting. (7-0)</strong>
  10. Topics for discussion by the Mayor and Members of City Council. None.
  11. <strong>Reappointed Dawn Erdman as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term of office commencing January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2029.<br><br>Reappointed Robert Logan as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term of office commencing January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2029.<br><br>Appointed Timothy Parry as a member of the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals for a term of office ending June 30, 2029.Reappointed Frank Martin, III, as a member of the City Planning Commission for a four-year term of office commencing January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2030.Appointed Lavar Youmans to fill the unexpired term of office as an ex-officio member of the Defined Construction Board.Reappointed Kermit Hale as a member of the Economic Development Authority for a four-year term of office commencing October 21, 2026, and ending October 20, 2030.Appointed Kiana Bell as a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Commission for a term of office ending March 31, 2027.Appointed Kristen Leary as a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Commission for a term of office ending June 30, 2029.Appointed Chris Clemmer as a member of the Mill Mountain Advisory Board for a term of office ending June 30, 2027.Reappointed Christopher Carver as a member of the Roanoke Civic Center Commission for a three-year term of office commencing October 1, 2026 and ending September 30, 2029.Appointed Shamaill Ross as a member of the Roanoke Civic Center Commission for a three-year term of office commencing October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2029.Reappointed Cameron Chase as a member of the Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates for a three-year term of office commencing October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2029.Reappointed Nadirah Wright as a member of the Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates for a three-year term of office commencing October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2029.Appointed Eliza Dreier as a member of the Roanoke Public Library Board for a term of office ending June 30, 2029.Appointed Jonathan Hudson as a member of the Roanoke Valley Regional Cable Television Committee for a term of office ending June 30, 2029.Reappointed Andrew Graninger to the Roanoke Valley Greenway Committee for a term of office commencing July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2027.Reappointed Barbara Duerk to the Roanoke Valley Greenway Committee for a term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029.Reappointed Dominic Harden to the Roanoke Valley Greenway Committee for a term of office commencing July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028.Appointed Robert Young as a member of the Towing Advisory Board for a three-year term of office commencing November 1, 2026, and ending October 31, 2029.<br><br>Appointed James Smith, Sr., as a member of the Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Board of Directors for a two-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028.<br><br>Appointed Jennifer Eddy as a member of the Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Board of Directors for a three-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029.Appointed Lavar Youmans as an alternate on the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority for a term of office ending February 3, 2030.Appointed Jonathan Pait as a member of the Youth Services Citizen Board for a one-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.Appointed The Honorable Anita Price as a member of the Youth Services Citizen Board for a two-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028.Appointed Vickie Briggs as a member of the Youth Services Citizen Board for a two-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028. City Council waived the residency requirement in this instance.Appointed Karen Pillis as a member of the Youth Services Citizen Board for a three-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029.Appointed Jeffrey Wood as a member of the Youth Services Citizen Board for a three-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029.Appointed India Anderson as a member of the Youth Services Citizen Board for a three-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029.Appointed Zariaya Bell as a Youth Representative member of the Youth Services Citizen Board for a one-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.Appointed Lianiz Cuevas as a Youth Representative member of the Youth Services Citizen Board for a one-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.
  12. A communication from the City Manager requesting that City Council convene in a closed meeting to discuss or consider the disposition of publicly held real property in the Northwest area of the City where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(3), Code of Virginia, (1950), as amended.(7-0)
  13. A report of the Roanoke City School Board requesting appropriation of funds for various educational programs; and a report of the City Manager recommending that City Council concur in the request.Adopted Budget Ordinance No. 43481-100526. (5-0, Vice-Mayor McGuire and Council Member Sanchez-Jones abstained from the vote.)
  14. COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER.The City Manager shared the following comments:Last week, the Roanoke City Police Department held a Love Where You Live event at Ferncliff Apartments, bringing together officers, City staff, volunteers, and community partners. This was a great example of how departments come together as a team and the importance of communication and collaboration as we work to improve neighborhoods, connect residents with resources, and support family safety, empowerment, and student success.Our Stormwater team recently completed the City’s annual report documenting our compliance with our stormwater permit. The report is an important communication tool that helps us share the work we’re doing to protect our local waterways, including 10 citywide street-sweeping cycles that removed more than 1,000 tons of sediment, cleaning storm drains, inspecting nearly 29,000 feet of pipe, and reaching more than 38,000 residents through public outreach. I want to recognize the team for not only doing this important work, but also communicating that work to our community.<br><br>Several members of our Parks and Recreation leadership team recently attended the National Recreation and Parks Association Conference in Philadelphia. It’s important that our leadership team stays connected to what’s happening nationally, learns from other communities, and brings those ideas back to Roanoke. That kind of collaboration and willingness to learn from one another is what makes a strong team players and helps us continue to improve the programs and services we provide to our residents.
  15. Mayor Cobb advised that, going forward, the 2:00 pm meeting would begin with the Council Members providing "shout-outs" or announcing community events recently attended. The Council Members made the following announcements:<br><br>Council Member Hagen “shouted out” the ribbon cutting for the screening of "The Constitution" movie in honor of Constitution Day on September 17, 2026. Council Member Sanchez-Jones “shouted out” the Fire Department's Roanoke 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Roanoke Wells Fargo Tower; and excitedly announced that she had climbed the stairs four times. She also "shouted-out" the Local Colors Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the John Nolen Plaza. Vice-Mayor McGuire “shouted out” a documentary shown at the Grandin Theater called "The Plastic Detox"; Porch Fest hosted by Old Southwest, Inc.; and Loudon Avenue Christian Church on its 128th Homecoming and Church Anniversary on Sunday, October 4, 2026. <br><br>Council Member Nash "shouted-out" the movie "The Constitution" and the documentary hosted by the Friends of Mountain View: The Legacy of JB Fishburn. Council Member Volosin “shouted out” Valley Metro and RIDE Solutions for the Art by Bus program, and acknowledged poetry chapbook "The Bus Goes on Green – from Atom to Biosphere." by the 2026 Writer by Bus Chanlee Luu. <br> <br>Council Member Powers "shouted out" the documentary hosted by the Friends of Mountain View: The Legacy of JB Fishburn and the celebration of what would have been Mr. Fishburn's 160th birthday. <br><br>Mayor Cobb “shouted out” the RAM House dedication of the Jain Care Center on Friday, September 25, 2026; and the closing show of Oklahoma at the Mill Mountain Theatre.
  16. Acceptance and Appropriation of Additional Funds for the Greater Roanoke and New River Valley Small Business Development Center for Fiscal Year 2027.Adopted Ordinance No. 43478-100526. (7-0)
  17. Proclamation declaring October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.<br><strong>Council Member Sanchez-Jones presented the proclamation to Stacey Sheppard, Director of Domestic Violence Services, Total Action for Progress (TAP) and staffing attendance.
  18. <span style="margin-left:0in;">Appropriation of the Second Quarter </span>School General Fund.Adopted Budget Ordinance No. 43479-100526. (5-0, Vice-Mayor McGuire and Council Member Sanchez-Jones abstained from the vote)
  19. A communication from Mayor Joseph L. Cobb requesting that the Council convene in a Closed Meeting to discuss vacancies on certain authorities, boards, commissions and committees appointed by the Council, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1), Code of Virginia (1950), as amended.<br><br>• Architectural Review Board<br>• City Planning Commission<br>• Roanoke Arts Commission<br>• Board of Zoning Appeals<br>• Economic Development Authority<br>• Fair Housing Board<br>• Gun Violence Prevention Commission<br>• Human Services Advisory Board<br>• Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates<br>• Roanoke Public Library Board<br>• Towing Advisory Board<br><strong>(7-0)</strong>
  20. Request to schedule and advertise a public hearing on November 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon as the matter may be reached, or at such later date and time as deemed appropriate by the City Manager, on the proposed dedication of an easement at 1321 Findlay Avenue, S.E., in Garden City, bearing Official Tax Map No. 4260508.
  21. Inquiries and/or comments by the Mayor and Members of City Council.Mayor Cobb asked Angelia Vernon, Assistant to the City Manager, to provide information about the upcoming Mayor's Business Summit. Ms. Vernon advised that online registration was open to enroll in the Mayor's Fall Business Summit on October 29 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  22. <strong>Ben Byrd, appeared before the Council and spoke with regard to receiving redacted information in a FOIA request; and encouraged the people to express their upset and lack of respect for local government. <br><br>Martin Trusell appeared before the Council on behalf of PedalSafe ROA and referenced a handout on statistics of bicycle accidents. Director Freeda Cathcart appeared before the Council and asked if the decision to approve a development project could be rescinded to consider new information about the property site. Grayson Cotes, appeared before the Council and spoke with regard to Carilion releasing someone from their care who was confused and walking the streets and asked if they could be held to higher standards. Nancy Hughes appeared before the Council and spoke as a homeowner across from the Woodhaven project and shared concerns from the neighborhood about the project. Keith Murray appeared before the Council and spoke as a homeowner and expressed that he didn't think the property was good for development.
  23. Amendment to the Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) FY 2026-2027 Budget.Adopted Budget Ordinance No. 43480-100526. (5-0, Vice-Mayor McGuire and Council Member Sanchez-Jones abstained from the vote)

Watch Roanoke

This is one agenda. Roanoke publishes another every few weeks, and the thing you care about is rarely on the one you happened to find. Name it and we will email you when it appears.

Free. One email when something matches, and nothing else. Unsubscribe from any of them.

↑ Back to top