City Council Meeting

C-1.

A communication from Mayor Joseph L. Cobb requesting that City Council convene in 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.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Concurred in the request.

C-2.

A communication from the City Attorney requesting that City Council convene in a closed meeting to consult with legal counsel requiring the provision of legal advice by the City Attorney regarding the City's rights, obligations, and risks under applicable Virginia statutes governing employee relations, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(8), 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 employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel concerning the disposition of City real property in the Northwest part of the City, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(8), Code of Virginia, (1950), as amended.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Concurred in the request.

C-4.

A communication from the City Manager requesting that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing possible disposition of property in the Northwest part 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. Withdrawn RECOMMENDED ACTION: Concur in the request.

C-5.

A communication from the City Manager requesting that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing possible disposition of property in the Southwest part 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-6.

A communication from the City Clerk advising of the resignation of Byron L. Hamlar as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals, effective immediately.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accepted the resignation and received and filed the communication.

C-7.

Reports of qualification of Kenneth Wilkerson as a member of the Towing Advisory Board for a three-year term of office, commencing November 1, 2026, and ending October 31, 2029; and Brittney Flowers as a member of the Equity and Empowerment Advisory Board to replace Danielle Johnson for a term of office ending December 31, 2026.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Received and filed. At 2:29 p.m., the Council Meeting was declared in recess for a Closed Meeting; and thereafter reconvened at 3:28 p.m.

REGULAR AGENDA:

1.

Presentation of the Roanoke Firefighters Association to share information on collective bargaining. Todd Reighley, President, Spokesperson. (Sponsored by Council Members Sanchez-Jones and Nash) Received and filed.

2.

Appropriation of funds as reimbursement to the City Treasurer as a Licensed Agency of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) - DMV Select Program. Adopted Ordinance No. 43468-092126. (7-0)

1.

City Manager:

BRIEFINGS:

None.

ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION:

a.

Acceptance and Appropriation of the Roanoke FY26 Safer Communities Program Grant. Adopted Ordinance No. 43469-092126. (7-0)

b.

Acceptance and Appropriation for the 2027 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for highway safety grant - Alcohol. Adopted Ordinance No. 43470-092126. (7-0)

c.

Acceptance and Appropriation for the 2027 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for highway safety grant - Police Traffic Services. Adopted Ordinance No. 43471-092126. (7-0)

d.

Acceptance and Appropriation of the 2025 BJA FY25 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. Adopted Ordinance No. 43472-092126. (7-0)

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER.

The City Manager offered the following comments:

Gilmer Traffic Calming Project Staff recently joined community volunteers and local artists for the Gilmer Traffic Calming Project, preparing five sites and completing the first of five planned street murals. The first mural honors the Star City Medical Society and the legacy of Black medical professionals who served Roanoke during the Jim Crow era, and the project has already brought residents together to talk about both the history and future of Gilmer Avenue.

Pickleball Signs Our Park Maintenance staff have completed the installation of pickleball signs and equipment boxes at four neighborhood parks—Shrine Hill, Belmont, Raleigh Court, and Eureka. Beginning September 15, players at these locations are required to use quieter pickleballs, and the City is providing those balls at the courts to help players make the transition while keeping the courts enjoyable for nearby residents.

Employee Passing I also want to take a moment to recognize the unexpected passing of a valued member of our Parks and Recreation team. Anthony Caudle was a highly experienced member of our Urban Forestry staff who brought tremendous knowledge, professionalism, and expertise to his work caring for Roanoke’s urban forest, and he will be deeply missed by his colleagues and the many people he served.

PUBLIC MATTERS FOLLOW-UP Carol Corbin, Communications Manager, reported on the following matters from the August 17 and September 8 meetings:

Greenway Connectivity in NW and the Safety Action Plan At the August 17 meeting, one resident spoke regarding greenway connectivity in northwest and the Safety Action Plan. They were connected with the City’s Safe Streets for All and Vision Zero Coordinator who worked to provide them with safer, alternative routes that are primarily on 25 mph neighborhood roads and greenways. The resident was also connected with the Loudon-Melrose Neighborhood Association for continued engagement.

RPD Follow-up The Roanoke Police Department followed up with three residents who spoke on separate matters at the August 17 meeting.

One resident spoke about trespassing and misconduct happening on their property on Elm Avenue. RPD has reached out to have the property enrolled in the Trespass Bar Program and Code Enforcement has cited the owner of an adjacent lot. As a result, the lot has been mowed and cleaned up resulting in less gathering and loitering. The Police Department will continue to monitor this area and address any future issues as needed.

Another resident expressed concern about encampments in the area of 14th Street SE. In collaboration with Code Enforcement, the campsites located on this property were placed on notice to be vacated and the property owner was notified. As of Friday, September 18, the property was vacated and a crew was cleaning the area. The Police Department will continue to work within the applicable City Code to address and clean up these campsites.

A third resident expressed concern about the operation of a food truck. RPD reports that the food truck owner has the proper permits to operate within the City. The Police Department found no legally enforceable violations related to this complaint.

Wilmont Park Area Curbing At the September 8 meeting, a resident inquired about action on a longstanding request for curbing and stormwater runoff issues. The Engineering division reports that this project’s priority listing was #214 in 2000 and it is currently listed as #198.

The City Stormwater team evaluated the property and discussed the runoff concern with the resident. They discovered that the water runoff the resident is experiencing results from the grade of the driveway on the property. Curb and gutter installation would not fix the runoff problem; it would only be aesthetic. Stormwater offered the property owner options for addressing the driveway water runoff.

2.

CITY ATTORNEY:

a.

Adoption of an Ordinance amending and reordaining Section 2-316, Youth athletics review board, Article XIV, Authorities, boards, commissions and committees generally, Chapter 2, Administration, Code of the City of Roanoke (1979) as amended. Adopted Ordinance No. 43473-092126. (6-1, Vice-Mayor McGuire voted no.)

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. None.

1.

Repeal and replace Ordinance No. 43413-061526 approving and authorizing transfer of funds to local non-profit agencies recommended by the Human Services Advisory Board to correct an appropriation error. Adopted Ordinance No. 43474-092126. (7-0)

1.

Inquiries and/or comments by the Mayor and Members of City Council. None.

2.

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

1.

Adopted Resolution No. 43475-092126, creating a temporary ad hoc Professional Standards Committee. (6-1, Vice-Mayor McGuire voted no.)

1.

Request of LD Cyrus Builders Inc., to rezone the property located at 2717, 2719 and three parcels addressed as 0 Colonial Avenue SW; bearing Official Tax Map Nos. 1260313, 1260808, 1260807, 1260806, and 1260805, respectively, from MX, Mixed Use District and R-7, Residential District to RMF, Residential District with conditions and CN, Commercial Neighborhood with conditions. Daniel Cyrus, Agent, Spokesperson. Adopted Ordinance No. 43476-092126. (6-0, Council Member Hagen was not present when the vote was recorded.)

2.

Receive citizen comments, prior to Council taking action to authorize General Obligation Bonds, a reimbursement request resolution and bond action timeline for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Capital Improvement Plan projects as endorsed as part of the annual Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget adoption. Adopted Ordinance No. 43477-092126. (7-0)