City Council
City Council Meeting
Official files
Action Agenda
City of Roanoke, Virginia
CITY COUNCIL INFORMAL SESSION
August 3, 2026 9:00 AM
City Council Chamber 215 Church Avenue, SW
AGENDA
The City of Roanoke is a safe, caring and economically vibrant community in which to live, learn, work, play and prosper. A vibrant urban center with strong neighborhoods set amongst the spectacular beauty of Virginia's Blue Ridge.
NOTICE:
City Council meetings will be televised live and replayed on RVTV Channel 3 on Thursdays at 7:00 pm, and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; and video streamed through YouTube Live at youtube.com/RoanokeVa. Council meetings are offered with closed captioning for the deaf or hard of hearing.
CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL. Council Member Powers was absent.
Welcome
ITEMS FOR ACTION:
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.
(6-0)
• Architectural Review Board
• City Planning Commission
• Roanoke Arts Commission
• Board of Zoning Appeals
• Economic Development Authority
• Fair Housing Board
• Gun Violence Prevention Commission
• Human Services Advisory Board
• Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates
• Roanoke Public Library Board
• Towing Advisory Board
A communication from Mayor Joseph L. Cobb requesting that City Council convene a closed meeting to discuss the Council’s Code of Conduct and Ethics, pursuant to
Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1), Code of Virginia (1950), as amended.
Withdrawn
A communication from the City Attorney requesting that City Council convene a closed meeting to consult with legal counsel regarding a certain legal matter requiring the provision of legal advice by the City Attorney concerning a code amendment, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(8), Code of Virginia, (1950), as amended.
(6-0)
A communication from the City Attorney requesting that City Council convene a closed meeting to consult with legal counsel regarding a certain legal matter requiring the provision of legal advice by the City Attorney concerning the
City's obligations related to federal funds received by the City, pursuant to
Section 2.2-3711 (A)(8), Code of Virginia, (1950), as amended.
(6-0)
Items listed on the 2:00 pm City Council docket requiring discussion/clarification and addition/deletions to the 2:00 pm agenda. None.
Topics for discussion by the Mayor and Members of City Council. None.
BRIEFINGS:
Parking Study Findings and Recommendations — 30 minutes.
Deer Culling - 30 minutes.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULED FOR 9:00 am, IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBER. (9:06 am - 9:35 am)
THE COUNCIL MEETING WILL STAND IN RECESS FOR A CLOSED MEETING;
AND THEREAFTER RECONVENE AT 2:00 pm, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER,
ROOM 450, NOEL C. TAYLOR MUNICIPAL BUILDING. (10:58 am)
City of Roanoke, Virginia
CITY COUNCIL 2:00 pm
City Council Chamber 215 Church Avenue, SW
1. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
Council Member Powers was absent. The Invocation was delivered by Mayor Joseph L. Cobb. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by Mayor Cobb. Welcome Certification of Closed Meeting. (6-0)
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
2. PRESENTATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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:
Council Member Hagen “shouted out” the Living Legends Luncheon held on Thursday, July 30, at Melrose Plaza honoring retired pastors Edward Burton and William Lee, musician Durell Coleman, retired Gainsboro Library director Carla Lewis, and Roanoke Tribune publisher Stan Hale.
Council Member Sanchez-Jones "shouted-out" Derek Ruben and the D&G Wonderland Team, who hosted a community event on Saturday, August 1, at McCadden Park.
Vice-Mayor McGuire "shouted-out" the emergency responders and Fire-EMS staff that responded to a head-on bicycle accident that recently occurred on the greenway.
Council Member Nash "shouted out" the summer graduates of Roanoke City Public Schools and wished them the best in their future endeavors.
Council Member Volosin "shouted-out" all poll workers and the City Registrar for all their hard work in preparation of Election Day which is Tuesday, August 4, and announced that Valley Metro buses are fare free that day.
Mayor Cobb "shouted-out" the Talent in the Star Show hosted by Total Action for Progress (TAP) and noted that it was the last show of that kind; Greg Addison's Fashion/Hair Show "Emerald City", which was a phenomenal show; and the City of Roanoke as a Top Employer for Interns for the past four years. Proclamation declaring Saturday, August 8, 2026, as the Commonwealth Day of Play. Mayor Cobb presented the proclamation to Valerie Brown, Executive Director, Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association; and Liz Sturgill and William Dixon, board members in attendance.
3. HEARING OF CITIZENS UPON PUBLIC MATTERS
4 residents spoke during public comment. Read the official record.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
(APPROVED 6-0)
Request for a public hearing to be held on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon as thereafter as the matter may be heard, to consider a request for a drainage easement across City-owned property located at 1210 Amherst Street, SW, bearing Tax Map Number 1330301.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Concurred in the request.
A communication from the City Clerk advising of the resignation of Benjamin Woods as member of the Roanoke Civic Center Commission, effective August 1, 2026.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accepted the resignation and received and filed the communication.
Reports of qualification of the following individuals:
Darlene Burcham as a member of the City of Roanoke Finance Board to replace Donna Littlepage for a three-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029; and Meighan Sharp as a member of the Roanoke Arts Commission for a three-year term of office, commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2029.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Received and filed.
REGULAR AGENDA:
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
6. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None.
7. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS AND THE CITY MANAGER
City Manager:
BRIEFINGS:
Washington Park Master Plan - 20 minutes June Monthly Budget Report - 15 minutes
ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION:
Authorization to Execute a Modification to the CY 2026 Small Business Development Center Subaward Agreement. Adopted Resolution No. 43446-080326. (6-0)
Acceptance and Appropriation of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs Aid to Localities Funding. Adopted Ordinance No. 43447-080326. (6-0)
Execution of Amendment No. 4 to the City’s Contract C23-8192-106 with Renovation Alliance to increase the award to reflect incurred costs. Adopted Resolution No. 43448-080326. (6-0) COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER.
The City Manager offered the following comments:
Preparations are well underway for the upcoming youth sports season. Youth soccer registration is strong, with 59 teams registered across multiple age divisions, and the season is scheduled to kick off on August 22, providing recreational opportunities for hundreds of young athletes throughout the community.
Interest in youth flag football has also been impressive, with 125 participants currently registered—enough to form approximately 11 to 13 teams, including two girls' teams in the 13U division. The flag football season is expected to begin the week of August 24.
Installation of new security doors in the Municipal North Lobby will begin on August 4 as part of ongoing efforts to enhance building safety and security. To minimize disruptions to daily operations, the contractor will perform the work overnight. Once installation is complete, employees will access the secured areas using their City identification badge, while visitors will require an employee escort. The doors will automatically release during an emergency to ensure safe and unrestricted egress from the building.
CITY ATTORNEY: None.
DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE VALUATION: None.
8. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Comments on certain Authorities, Boards, Committees and Commissions in which City Council serve as liaisons or appointees. None.
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
10. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
None.
11. MOTIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Inquiries and/or comments by the Mayor and Members of City Council.
Council Member Volosin acknowledged his father being in attendance at the Council meeting.
Vacancies on certain authorities, boards, commissions and committees appointed by Council.
Reappointed Kathryn Kronau as a member of the Architectural Review Board for a four-year term of office commencing October 2, 2026, and ending October 1, 2030.
Appointed Brittney Flowers as a member of the Equity and Empowerment Advisory Board for a term of office ending December 31, 2026.
Appointed Brandon McCall as a member of the Human Services Advisory Board for a term of office ending November 30, 2028.
Reappointed Karen Michalski-Karney as a member of the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority for a four-year term of office commencing September 1, 2026, and ending August 31, 2030. City Council waived the residency requirement in this instance.
Reappointed Thomas Carr as a member of the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority for a four-year term of office commencing September 1, 2026, and ending August 31, 2030.
Appointed Robin Harbin as a member of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority for a term of office ending December 31, 2026. City Council waived the residency requirement in this instance.
Reappointed Sergeant Kenneth Wilkerson as a member (Law Enforcement) of the Towing Advisory Board for a three-year term of office commencing November 1, 2026, and ending October 31, 2029. City Council waived the residency requirement in this instance.
Reappointed Gregory St. Clair as a member (Towing Operator) of the Towing Advisory Board for a three-year term of office commencing November 1, 2026, and ending October 31, 2029. City Council waived the residency requirement in this instance.
ADJOURNED - 3:19 PM.
Change history
- STAR(city)GAZER began tracking this meeting: Fri, Oct 23, 2026.
Source
City of Roanoke, CivicClerk: this meeting on the official portal.