City Council Meeting

C-1.

A communication from Mayor Joseph L. Cobb, Chair, Roanoke City Council Personnel Committee, requesting that Council convene in a closed meeting to discuss annual performance evaluations of Council-Appointed Officers, 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 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.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Concurred in the request.

C-4.

Reports of qualification of 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; and Timothy Parry as a member of the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals for a term of office ending June 30, 2029.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Received and filed.

REGULAR AGENDA:

1.

City Manager:

BRIEFING:

Arts and Culture Plan 2026 - 15 minutes.

ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION:

a.

Acceptance and appropriation of the FY2027 Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Highway Safety Grant - Roanoke Traffic Safety Awareness Campaign. Adopted Ordinance No. 43483-101926. (7-0)

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER. None.

PUBLIC MATTERS FOLLOW-UP Carol Corbin, Communications Manager, reported on the following matters from the September 21 and October 5, 2026, Meetings:

Bus Rider At the September 21 meeting, a resident inquired about a direct route on the 15 bus to the Valley View Walmart. The resident also reported her concern to the GRTC Board, which operates the Valley Metro bus system. Valley Metro officials are looking into the possibility of future route modifications and will follow up with the resident.

In the meantime, Valley Metro confirmed that the resident can take any bus to the transfer station, and get on the 11 bus, for drop off at Walmart. Passengers with a qualifying disability can also contact Valley Metro for more information about paratransit services.

Meals Tax A resident spoke at the September 21 meeting with questions about City meals tax revenue and deferred maintenance projects. The August 2026 Monthly Financial Report, along with a breakdown of completed and in-progress City HVAC projects and elevator modernization work, were provided to the resident by the City’s FOIA Officer.

Safe Streets for All Also at the September 21 meeting, a representative from a local organization brought concerns about the age of the City’s Street Design Manual. Public Works reports that it is in the process of updating its published manual. However, the department is following design practices that are based primarily on the latest applicable federal and state standards and supplemented by recognized industry guidance such as the National Association of City Transportation Officials.

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. Mayor Cobb remarked that he attended the Virginia Municipal League Conference in Norfolk, Virginia and the conference contained many great topics and good networking with various sized communities.

1.

Resolution designating a Voting Delegate and Alternate Voting Delegate for the Annual Business Meeting of the National League of Cities City Summit. Adopted Resolution No. 43484-101926. (7-0)

2.

Resolution appointing a Director of the Economic Development Authority for the City of Roanoke. Adopted Resolution No. 43485-101926. (7-0)

1.

Inquiries and/or comments by the Mayor and Members of City Council. Council Member Volosin suggested that the Council create a Railroad Transition Committee of people with an interest in the merger of Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific and facilitate information; and to create a committee for the Onzlee Ware Plaza as state funding would be received for a plaza at the courthouse. Mayor Cobb advised that, with the concurrence of the Council, a process be identified for appointing folks to said committees. Vacancies on certain authorities, boards, commissions and committees appointed by Council.

Appointed Emily Clark as Secretary of the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals, per code requirements. Appointed Dina Imbriani as a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals for a term of office ending December 2026; and an additional three-year term of office commencing January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2029.

Appointed Colbert Boyd as a member of the City Planning Commission for a term of office ending December 2026; and an additional four-year term of office commencing January 1, 2027, and ending December 31, 2030.

1.

Request of Julie Phillips to rezone the property located at 0 Janette Avenue SW, from ROS, Recreation and Open Space District, to RM-2, Residential District. Lisa Rigazio, Agent, Spokesperson. Adopted Ordinance No. 43486-101926. (7-0)

2.

Request of Lawson Company Incorporated to rezone three parcels identified as 0 Franklin Road SW, respectively, from MX, Mixed Use District, to RM-2, Residential District. Chris Burns, Agent, Spokesperson. Adopted Ordinance No. 43487-101926. (7-0)

3.

Request of Echo Sentinel Group, LLC, to repeal all conditions proffered as part of a previous rezoning at 3509 Peters Creek Road NW. (Withdrawn) 4. Public Hearing to Consider Boundary Amendments to Enterprise Zone One A. Adopted Resolution No. 43488-101926. (7-0)