City Council Meeting

C-1.

Minutes of the regular meetings of City Council held on Monday, July 6, 2026, and on Monday, July 20, 2026.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Dispensed with the reading of the minutes and approved as recorded.

C-2.

A communication from the City Attorney requesting that City Council convene in a closed meeting to discuss or consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and of the disposition of publicly held real property, in the Southeast 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.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Concurred in the request.

C-3.

A communication from the City Attorney requesting that City Council convene in a closed meeting to consult with legal counsel regarding a specific legal matter requiring the provision of legal advice by the City Attorney regarding potential liability associated with a City owned infrastructure, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(8), Code of Virginia, (1950), as amended.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Concurred in the request.

C-4.

Reports of qualifications of the following individuals:

Robin Harbin as a member of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority to replace Jeffrey Powell for a term of ending December 31, 2026;

Allegra Black as a member of the Court Community Corrections Program Regional Community Criminal Justice Board to replace John Varney for a three-year term of office commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2029;

Acquenatta Harris as a member of the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center Commission for a term of office ending June 30, 2028;

Acquenatta Harris as an ex-officio member, by position, of the Defined Contribution Board;

Acquenatta Harris as an ex-officio member, by position, of the City of Roanoke Finance Board; and Acquenatta Harris as an ex-officio member, by position, of the Board of Trustees, City of Roanoke Pension Plan.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Received and filed.

REGULAR AGENDA:

1.

Acceptance and Appropriation of the Victim Witness Program Grant from the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Adopted Ordinance No. 43449-081726. (5-0, Council Member Sanchez-Jones was not present when the vote was recorded)

1.

City Manager:

BRIEFINGS:

Annual Arts and Culture Briefing and FY 2027 Public Art Workplan - 15 minutes. Williamson Road Update - 15 minutes. Performance Dashboard Metrics - 15 minutes.

ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION:

a.

Acceptance and Appropriation of the FY 2025 HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Grant Award – Homeless Assistance Team (HAT). Adopted Ordinance No. 43450-081726. (6-0)

b.

Acceptance and Appropriation of the FY 2025 HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Grant Award – Coordinated Assessment System (CAS). Adopted Ordinance No. 43451-081726. (6-0)

c.

Acceptance and Appropriation of the FY 2025 HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Grant Award - CoC Planning. Adopted Ordinance No. 43452-081726. (6-0)

d.

Acceptance and Appropriation of Virginia Department of Fire Programs Conference and Education Assistance Grant. Adopted Ordinance No. 43453-081726. (6-0)

e.

Acceptance and Appropriation of the BRITE (“Beautify Roanoke Interchanges Through Enhancement”) Sponsorship funding from Lamar Outdoor Advertising. Adopted Ordinance No. 43454-081726. (6-0)

f.

Approval and Adoption of the Washington Park Master Plan. Adopted Ordinance No. 43455-081726. (6-0)

g.

Recommendations for unused American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Adopted Resolution No. 43456-081726. (6-0)

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER.

The City Manager shared the following comments:

The completed ACFR is now before you for your review. The report will be formally presented at the Audit Committee meeting by our external auditors in September, who will walk through the audit results and provide additional detail regarding the financial statements and audit findings. As you are aware, the ACFR is being presented later than originally anticipated. The delay was primarily the result of significant staffing turnover within the Finance Department, along with the implementation of a new financial system. Both of these factors created additional challenges and required significant time and resources from the Finance team to ensure that the financial information was properly prepared and reconciled.

I also want to acknowledge that the audit identified several findings. These findings occurred within the context of the challenges the Finance Department has experienced during this transition period. We recognize the importance of addressing these matters, and corrective actions are already underway. Management is working with the Finance team and the appropriate departments to strengthen processes, improve internal controls, and address the recommendations identified through the audit. While there were challenges during the year, completing the audit and presenting the ACFR is an important step forward. Our focus now is on implementing the corrective actions, strengthening our financial operations, and ensuring that we continue to improve the timeliness and quality of our financial reporting. We appreciate the Council's understanding and continued support as we work through these improvements.

I am pleased to welcome and introduce two new city team members. Cathy Stripling, our new Sustainability Manager and Natalie Talis, our new Strategic Projects Manager. Cathy Stripling, most recently served as Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Crossroads Small Business Development Center, where she led center initiatives and funding compliance, provided technical assistance, and collaborated with local and state organizations to support entrepreneurship in Southwest Virginia communities. As it relates to sustainability, Cathy previously served as the Sustainability Program Director at Community Housing Partners, a nonprofit affordable housing organization, with a focus on strategy and implementation to reduce emissions, energy, and water use across more than 100 properties. Cathy has experience building the benchmarking frameworks and impact narratives needed to secure project funding and meet reporting requirements and has presented her sustainability work at state and national conferences. As a Virginia native with deep roots in Southwest Virginia, Cathy has been an active civic leader, serving as Chair of the Town of Pulaski Architectural Review Board, founding Board President of Pulaski on Main, and other local boards and planning committees. Cathy holds a bachelor's degree in Housing, Interior Design and Resource Management from Virginia Tech and is now a new resident in Roanoke.

Natalie Talis, MPH, brings more than 15 years of experience leading strategic initiatives, building coalitions, and working alongside residents and communities to solve complex problems. Most recently, she served as Population Health Manager at the City of Alexandria Health Department, where she launched the city’s first Healthy Homes Initiative, developed new approaches to Community Health Assessments and Improvement Plans, and provided technical assistance to city agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and faith leaders. During the COVID-19 response, Natalie also served as the Health Department’s Public Information Officer, leading communications and community engagement efforts and developing vaccine distribution systems designed to ensure equitable access for all residents. Previously, Natalie served as a Policy Associate with the National Farm to School Network, where she advocated for commonsense child nutrition and agricultural policies, and held communications roles in the private sector. Natalie’s work has earned numerous recognitions, including a “40 Under 40” honor from the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, a Community Champion Award from the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and the Public Service Award from the Alexandria Commission on Aging. She holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in French from John Carroll University. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute Political Leadership Program and is currently completing Virginia Tech’s Local Government Management Certificate program. Natalie is relocating to the region with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

PUBLIC MATTERS FOLLOW-UP Adam Fajardo, Community Engagement Manager, reported on the following matters from the July 20 and August 3, 2026, meetings:

Deer Culling Two residents who spoke before Council at the July 20 meeting expressing concerns about the current deer population. Both speakers received an acknowledgment that their comments were noted. Since that time Deputy Chief Crawley has presented to you at the August 3 meeting explaining why the deer population is growing, how the current culling program works and presented potential alternatives moving forward.

Historic Gainsboro Home Rehab Four residents shared concerns around the City’s commitment of ARPA dollars to rehab homes in historic Gainsboro, specifically 23 Gilmer Avenue. Community Engagement followed up with these residents, providing acknowledgment that their comments were noted and indicating that their contact information was provided to City Administration for follow up. The City Manager and members of City Administration met with the Historic Gainsboro Preservation District on July 27.

City officials explained that this property was not owner occupied when the grant application was filed, which is a requirement. Therefore, this property does not meet the guidelines for grant funding. Additionally, the property is currently uninhabitable and needs repairs that extend beyond the allocated funding amount, including a new foundation. To bring the home up to code, the anticipated costs are expected to exceed the contracted amount by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The City Manager has instructed the Housing Programs and Policy Officer to coordinate a site visit with the contractor and homeowner’s family to conduct a full assessment of costs for the rehab project.

Zoning At the August 3 meeting, a resident spoke before Council about how the City’s Zoning code would apply to property he owns in SE.

Assistant City Manager Youmans' coordinated a review of this request with Planning, Building, and Development, and staff met with the resident on August 11 to explain how the Zoning Code impacts his property.

2.

CITY ATTORNEY: None.

3.

DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE VALUATION: None.

1.

Comments on certain Authorities, Boards, Committees and Commissions in which City Council serve as liaisons or appointees.

Council Member Volosin commented that at the recent Regional Commission meeting, draft legislative priorities were passed and asked the status of the urban renewal apology.

Council Member Powers commented that the RVTV Committee's new contract was in motion to be voted on by Council.

1.

Resolution approving/establishing a revised passenger fare schedule for the Greater Roanoke Transit Company (GRTC), dba Valley Metro. Adopted Resolution 43457-081726. (6-0)

1.

Inquiries and/or comments by the Mayor and Members of City Council.

Council Member Volosin congratulated Ms. Talis on her new appointment as Strategic Projects Manager for the City of Roanoke.

2.

Vacancies on certain authorities, boards, commissions and committees appointed by Council. None.

1.

Authorization of a drainage easement across City-owned property located at 1210 Amherst Street, SW, bearing Tax Map Number 1330301, also known as Virginia Heights Elementary School. Adopted Ordinance No. 43458-081726. (6-0)