City Council

Agenda — 3 items

1. Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Transportation Alternatives Set Aside (TA) – Authorization for Updated VDOT Agreement for the 9th Street Multimodal Improvements.Adopted Resolution No. 43069-100724 and Budget Ordinance No. 43070-100724. (7-0)
2. COMMENTS OF THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER.The Interim City Manager offered the following comments:Virginia Municipal League 2024 VML Innovation AwardIn the Category of PUBLIC SAFETY, The City of Roanoke won a Virginia Municipal League 2024 VML Innovation Award for Lock in Safety, Unlock Hope. Following several years marked by increasing gang-related gun violence, the City of Roanoke increased its focus on policing, intervention, and prevention efforts in the community. Through this multipronged approach, “Lock in Safety, Unlock Hope” was born. The initiative utilized American Rescue Plan funding to purchase 10,000 gun locks to be distributed throughout the community. The locks are located at numerous convenient locations, including all city libraries, the Police Department, the Department of Social Services, and the courthouse, and are distributed by participating non-profit organizations. Locks are also distributed at any community event that the police department, sheriff’s department, social services, or the library has been invited to. The “no questions asked” policy has allowed many residents to access a lock without judgment. To support the program, the city also created educational resources on gun safety, including videos on the proper use of gun locks. The videos are conveniently located on the “Lock in Safety, Unlock Hope” website and are available via a QR code for easy access. During the award banquet of the Virginia Municipal League Conference, members of city staff and you, the Council will be there to accept the award. City of Roanoke’s Registrar MeetingI have had the pleasure to meet with the City Registrar, Mr. Nicholas Ocampo. Mr. Ocampo is working to get his team trained by Homeland Security. He will also be working with the Roanoke Police Department. The Registrar’s team is fully prepared, and Roanoke will have a free and fair election. City of Roanoke’s Response to Hurricane HeleneRoanoke has been fortunate to experience only minor disruptions from Hurricane Helene, with our Emergency Management Response team addressing issues quickly. While we’ve been spared from severe damage, we remain deeply aware of the devastation others are facing in nearby communities and states, where lives have been lost and communities uprooted. As we continue our recovery, we are grateful for our city’s resilience and stand ready to support those who are suffering from this disaster. On the dais, you will find a prepared document of our efforts here in the city. Later today, this document will be emailed to all directors. Council Follow-up ReportThe Interim City Manager advised that a follow-up report on items addressed from the last Council meeting held on September 16, 2024, was placed on the dais. <br><br><strong><u>Interim City Manager’s Round Table Gatherings “Challenges and Change”<br></u></strong>Over the next month, I will host several Round-Table Gatherings entitled “Challenges and Change.” The discussions will focus on what we can do collectively to effect change in areas we need to change. Letters to the downtown business community went out on October 3rd. Snowplow Naming ContestThe Office of Communications will be collaborating with Public Works to launch a snowplow naming contest. Starting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 – Friday, November 1, 2024, residents will be able to enter names for the snowplow contest, and the winners will be announced in early December.Carilion Clinic Community Health and Outreach Flu Shot ClinicRoanoke Public Libraries are partnering with Roanoke University and Carilion’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program. On Friday, October 4, 2024, at the Elmwood Park Art Walk, partners will be offering services, such as supplies, Covid and Flu vaccines, and HIV testing. Additionally, the program will offer Flu vaccines at the Main Library on Monday, October 7, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., and at the Melrose Branch Library on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
3. Acceptance and Appropriation of a 2024 Carilion Clinic Grant Award in support of the Financial Empowerment Center. Adopted Resolution No. 43052-100724 and Budget Ordinance No. 43053-100724. (7-0)

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