Roanoke City Council approves array of ordinances, grants and designations

Roanoke City Council on Feb. 18 unanimously approved a package of ordinances and resolutions, including grant acceptances, a change to vehicle impound rules, updated extraterritorial arrest authority and two housing- and arts-related designations.

The council convened a 2 p.m. session and adopted the consent agenda as amended to add a request for a closed meeting to consult with legal counsel under Virginia Code section 2.2-337.11. The roll call recorded ayes from Council members Nash, Vollison, Powers, Hagan, Sanchez Jones, Vice Mayor Terry McGuire and Mayor Joe Cobb; the consent agenda passed.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (amended to add closed-meeting consultation with legal counsel pursuant to Va. Code 2.2-337.11): Approved (7-0).

- Ordinance amending city code chapter 20 to authorize removal of hazardous or illegally parked vehicles: Adopted (7-0). The title paragraph listed changes to sections 20-93 and 20-94 to allow impoundment under the sheriff's direction.

- Ordinance accepting and appropriating the FY24 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) reimbursement for the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office ($19,856): Adopted (7-0). Sheriff's Office representative Brandon Jones explained the award is reimbursement for detention costs tied to qualifying inmates and must be used for detention-center purposes only (equipment, programming, medical contracts, food service).

- Ordinance accepting and appropriating a Virginia Department of Emergency Management Local Emergency Management Performance Grant: Adopted (7-0). City staff said funds will support planning, training, equipment and exercises for all hazards preparedness.

- Ordinance accepting Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grant (50/50 program administered by Virginia Office of EMS) to purchase an ambulance: Adopted (7-0). Council was told the grant will fund an ambulance purchase with a local match.

- Ordinance adopting an amended and restated regional extraterritorial arrest agreement among Roanoke and neighboring jurisdictions and sheriffs: Adopted (7-0). Public-safety staff said the change aligns with the Marcus Alert implementation and clarifies arrest powers for on-duty officers outside their employing political subdivision when specified offenses occur in their presence.

- Resolution designating census tracts 22 and 27 as revitalization areas under Virginia code (to support low-income housing tax credit applications): Adopted (7-0). Staff said the designations will support an 86-unit affordable project by the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority in Tract 22 and a 55-unit project (Gateway LLC/Homes for America) in Tract 27; the application deadline noted was March 13.

- Ordinance accepting a $20,000 donation from Pathfinders for Greenways, Inc. to reimburse percent-for-art funds for Greenway murals: Adopted (7-0). City staff listed planned mural locations on the Roanoke River Greenway and other city-owned sites.

- Resolution amending a prior council resolution to authorize the Roanoke City School Board to enter publicprivate partnerships with subsidiaries of Secured Futures LLC (Star Circle Solar and related entities) to lease school property for rooftop solar and power purchase agreements: Adopted (7-0). Legal staff said the amendment allows use of additional Secured Futures subsidiaries after the original contractor reached statutory megawatt limits; school officials said six buildings already have panels, 11 more are planned, and the arrangement transfers panel ownership and maintenance to the private partner while the schools buy power at reduced rates.

- Resolution naming the front plaza at the Oliver W. Hill Justice Center the Ansley Ware Plaza in honor of the late Judge Ansley Ware: Adopted (7-0). Council authorized the city manager or designee to install appropriate statuary or plaque and to provide the family a copy of the resolution.

Outcome and next steps

All roll-call votes reported in the meeting were unanimous in favor. Several grant acceptances require execution of documents by the city manager or designee. Staff noted time-sensitive deadlines for the revitalization-area applications and grant paperwork; Council members asked staff to return with routine implementation details as needed.

For documents and procurement tied to these actions, the City Managers office or the responsible department was authorized to execute necessary paperwork and accept the funds where applicable. No vote failed or was tabled during the session.