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Home My WebLink About01/05/26 - ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MINUTES IVI'Addll . „gay ROAN •KE Date: January 5, 2026 . Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building Council.Chamber, Room.450 . . 215 Church Avenue, S. W. Roanoke, Virginia 24011 CALL TO ORDER: Present: Council Members Nicolas Hagen, S. Terry McGuire, Phazhon T. Nash, Peter J. Volosin, Evelyn W. Powers, an. Mayor Joseph L. Cobb-6. Absent: Council Member Vivian Sanchez-Jones-1. The Mayor declared the existence of a uorum. Officers Present:"Valmarie H. Turner, City Manager; Timothy R. Spencer, City Attorney; and Cecelia T. Webb, Deputy City CI rk. 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. ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING: . Resolution Establishing a Meeting Schedule of City Council: The Mayor advised that the .first meeting of Council in January is considered to be the Organizational Meeting at which time the Council will adopt a resolution establishing the days, times, and places:of regular meetings to be held by Council during the ensuing months. 1 Council Member Volosin offered the fo lowing resolution: (#43333-010525) A RESOLUTION a tablishing a meeting schedule for City Council commencing January 1, 2026, and terminating December 31, 2026. Council Member Volosin moved the adoption of the resolution. The motion seconded by Council Member Nash and adop ed by the following vote: Ayes: Council Members Hagen, Mc uire, Nash, Volosin, Powers, and Mayor Cobb-6. Nays: None-O. PRESENTATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEM NTS: Mayor Cobb advised that, going forwa d, the 2:00 pm meeting would begin with the Council Members providing "shout-outs" r announcing community events recently attended. The Council Members made the foil wing announcements: Council Member Powers "shouted-out" the City department's for their hard work in 2025 and exclaimed she was looking forwar to 2026 to accomplish great things. Council Member Volosin congratul ted the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission and Executive Director Mike St wart on the launch of the new nonstop flight from Roanoke to Dallas, Texas beginning in June, and acknowledged the one- year anniversary of the Council Members. Council Member Nash "shouted-out" the NAACP Roanoke Branch for their Jubilee Day event held on January 1 in w ich he was the keynote speaker. He explained that Jubilee Day celebrates the d y the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Vice-Mayor McGuire "shouted-out" the ity workers who keep the City running over the holidays, as well as the city's health clinic. He also welcomed city students back to school on January 5. Council Member Hagen "shouted-out" all employees who worked over the holidays, such as Fire-EMS and the Police dep rtment. Mayor Cobb "shouted-out" the most recent Fire-EMS graduating class, a group of folks who walked to Mill Mountain Star for a ihoto and encouraged all citizens to take care of one another. 2 1 Recognition of City Employees with 30, 35 and 40 years of Service: Mayor Cobb and Vice-Mayor McGuire recognized tenured employees and presented City gifts. HEARING OF CITIZENS UPON PUBLIC MA TERS:. The Mayor advised that City Council s is this time as a priority for citizens to be heard. All matters will be referred to the City Manager for response, recommendation or report to Council, as she may deem appropriate. Airka Ortiz, appeared before the Council and voiced concerns with government processes and the lack of assistance. Jeremy Thomas, appeared before the ouncil and voiced concerns with the city's parking situation and opposition of the propos d casino. CONSENT AGENDA The Mayor advised that all matters isted under the Consent Agenda were considered to be routine by the Members o Council and would be enacted by one motion in the form, or forms, listed on the onsent Agenda, and if discussion were desired, the item would be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. Personnel Matter: A communication fr m Mayor Joseph L. Cobb requesting that City Council convene in a closed meeting to d scuss the selection of a City Attorney for a term beginning March 1, 2026, pursuant to ection 2.2-3711 (A)(1), Code of Virginia, (1950), as amended. Contract Obligations: A communicati n 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. Award of Public Contract: A communication from the City Attorney requesting that City Council convene in a closed meeting o discuss the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, inclu ing interviews of bidders or offerors, and discussion of the terms or scope of such contr ct, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position r negotiating strategy of the public body, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(29), Code of irginia, (1950), as amended. 3 Prospective Business: A communic tion from the City Attorney requesting that City Council convene in a closed meeting o consult with legal counsel regarding a certain legal matter requiring the provisio 1 of legal advice by the City Attorney concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcem nt has been made of the business' or industry's interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the Northwest area of the City of Roanoke, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A) 5), Code of Virginia, (1950), as amended. Prospective Business: A communica ion from the City Attorney requesting that City Council convene in a closed meeting to iscuss a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or i dustry where no previous announcement has been made of the business' or indust 's interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the region, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(5), Code of Virginia, (1950), as amended. Legal Standards for Financing of Schools: 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 outside legal counsel involving the legal stand rds for financing of the schools, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(8), Code of Virginia, (1 50), as amended. Public Hearing Request: Authorize th scheduling of a public hearing to be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 7:00 pm, or at such time as the matter may be heard, or at such other date and time as determine by the City Manager, to receive public comment regarding the proposed lease of a portion of City-owned property in the Center in the Square Parking Garage, locate at 11 Campbell Avenue, SE, Roanoke, Virginia, to The Orvis Company, Inc., for re ail space in the Center in the Square Parking Garage. Council Committee Assignments: A communication from Mayor Joseph L. Cobb recommending certain committee assign ents for the Members of City Council. Budget Calendar: Adoption of the Cal ndar of Events for Budget Development Activities for FY 2026-2027. Oath of Office: Report of qualification o the following individual: • Yvonne Johnson —Architectural Review :oard 4 Prospective Business: A communication from the City Attorney requesting that Council convene in a closed meeting to dis uss a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or indu try where no previous announcement has been made of the business' or industry's inte est in locating or expanding its facilities in the central part of the City, pursuant to Sectio 2.2-3711 (A)(5), Code of Virginia (1950), as amended; and to discuss the disposition a I d/or lease of publicly held real property in the central part of the City, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the City, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(3), Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Volosin moved to adopt all matters on the consent agenda, as amended. The motion seconded by Counc I Member Powers and adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Council Members Hagen, McGuire, Nash, Volosin, Powers, and Mayor Cobb-6. Nays: None-O. REGULAR AGENDA PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: None. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS AND COMM =NTS OF CITY MANAGER: CITY MANAGER: BRIEFING: November 2025 Budget and Actual Revenue and Expenditure Report Acquenatta Jackson-Harris, Deputy Di ector of Finance, delivered the City's preliminary budget report for November 202 She briefed Council on the following topics: • Revenue Summary for November 2025 o Local Taxes o Non-Local Taxes • Prepared Food and Beverages Revenue for 2024 and 2025 • Expenditure Summary for November 2025 o Temporary Employee Wages 5 o Overtime Wages Following brief comments and questions from City Council, Mayor Cobb thanked Ms. Jackson-Harris for her excellent presentation. ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION: VSTOP Grant: The City Manage' submitted a written communication recommending acceptance and appropriation for the VSTOP Grant. Council Member Nash offered the following ordinance: (#43334-010526) AN ORDINANCE authorizing the acceptance of the 2026 VSTOP Grant made to the City of ROanokq. by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, authorizing execution of anYI required documentation on behalf of the City, appropriating funds detailed more ful infra, and dispensing with the second reading of this ordinance by title. Council Member Nash moved the doption of the resolution. The motion seconded by Council Member Hagen and ado ted by the following vote: Ayes: Council Members Hagen, McGt.Le, Nash, Volosin, Powers, and Mayor Cobb-6. Nays: None-0. COMMENTS OF CITY MANAGER: In response to multiple tragic DUI acci•ents in 2025, Community Engagement launched the "DUI Campaign: Drive Sober, -oanoke" initiative. Ahead of the holiday season, two testimonial videos were release. featuring Roanoke mothers who lost daughters to drunk driving, one produced in English with Spanish subtitles and the other in Spanish with English subtitles. The emotion:I messaging highlighted the dangers of impaired driving during a time associated ith increased alcohol use. While DUI prevention messaging was also shared in th- spring and fall, this holiday campaign generated the greatest level of attention and engagement. Within 24 hours, the videos received a combined 60,000 views across Fa ebook and Instagram, reflecting strong engagement and broad community impact. 6 Beyond the numbers, this campaign mI attered because it was rooted in real loss within our community. Working with Council Member Sanchez-Jones, staff intentionally centered the voices of Roanoke mothers, r cognizing that personal stories resonate more deeply than statistics and make the consequences of impaired driving real. Producing the videos in both English and Spanish was a deliberate choice to ensure the message was accessible, inclusive, and culturally respectful. The strong early engagement shows that people stopped, listened, and shared, demonstrating the power of authentic, community-driven messaging. ost importantly, the campaign avoided shaming and instead focused on empathy, accountability, and the lasting impact a single decision can have on families, reinforc ng the importance of prevention during a high-risk season. CITY ATTORNEY: BRIEFING: Urban Center Partial Real Estate Tax Exem stion Pro•ram David Collins, Deputy City Attorney, b iefed City Council on the Urban Center Partial Real Estate Tax Exemption Progra , which aims to encourage large-scale development in urban center—zoned district within rehabilitation, conservation, or redevelopment areas. The proposal requires applicants to su.mit an application to the Director of Real Estate Valuation for an initial development site consisting of no less than 100 acres. The developer would be required to invest a mini urn of $50 million in the initial site. This investment could be funded.by the developer r by other property owners within the site and must be achieved within seven years of th application's approval. Once the investment threshold is met parcels within the site would become eligible for a partial tax exemption. Property o i ners would then have 15 years to apply for the exemption for development projects. N lw construction must be completed within three years, while renovation projects must be ompleted within two years. After completion, the property would eceive a tax exemption based on the increase in assessed value, provided the post- mprovement value is at least 60 percent greater than the pre-improvement value. The a emption would remain with the property for 15 years, regardless of ownership. The program is intended to promote de Ielopment in challenging areas and bring vacant or underutilized land back into productive use. If Council has no concerns, the ordinance will be placed on the January 20 agenda for adoption. Mr. Collins introduced Kelvin Bratton Director of Real Estate Valuation, who. joined him in answering questions. Following Council discussion, Mayor Cobb thanked Mr. Collins for his informative presentation. DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE VALUATION BRIEFING,: Real Estate Reassessment Update Kelvin Bratton, Director of Real Estat- Valuation, provided an overview of the FY 2026-2027 General Reassessment R port. Mr. Bratton introduced staff in attendance consisting of Angela Arnold, Dep ty Director of Real Estate Valuation, and Sharon Williams, Executive Administrator. His presentation highlighted the following topics: • FY 2026-27 Real Estate Assessment Projections • Assessment History by Fiscal Year • New Construction History by Fiscal Yea • Residential Median Sales Price and Vol me of Sales • Proval Database - Residential Sales Ro noke City • Average Multi-Family Sales Price Per Unit • Commercial Sales Activity • Appealing an Assessment • Tax Relief Programs • Questions & Comments Following brief discussion by City Council, Mayor Cobb thanked Mr. Bratton for the informative update. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION 0- ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: None. MOTION AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: 8 INQUIRIES AND/OR COMMENTS BY THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: Mayor Cobb requested a briefing on PARK Roanoke and city-owned parking facilities. The City Manager advised that the riefing would be added to the January 20, Council meeting. VACANCIES ON CERTAIN AUTHORITI S, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY COUNCIL: one. At 3:14 p.m., the Mayor declared the Council meeting in recess for a Closed meeting in the Council's Conference Room, thereafter to be reconvened in the Council Chamber. At 7:04 p.m., the Council meeting reconvened, in the Council Chamber with Mayor Cobb presiding. Certification of Closed Meeting: With respect to the Closed Meeting just concluded, Council Member Nash moved that each Member of City Council certify to the best of his or her knowledge that: (1) only ublic business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Vir inia Freedom of Information Act; and (2) only such public business matters as were ide 1 tified in any motion by which any Closed Meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered by City Council. The motion seconded by Council Member Volosin nd adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Council Members Hagen, McGuire, Nash, Volosin, Powers, and Mayor Cobb-6. Nays: None-O. There being no further business, Mayor Cobb declared the meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. APPROVED A ES • la n' D44,,....____ ,,,, , celia T. Webb, CMC J•sephCobb Deputy City Clerk Mayor 9