Roanoke City Council approves multiple drainage, easement and tax ordinances; accepts state funding for drug prosecutor

Roanoke City Council on June 16 adopted a series of ordinances authorizing funding, property easements and amendments to city codes and tax programs, including acceptance of state funds for a multi‑jurisdictional drug prosecutor and $2.1 million in Virginia Department of Transportation local revenue sharing for two drainage projects.

The measures, all approved by roll call, covered four infrastructure actions — temporary construction easements for sidewalk work on Williamson Road and drainage improvements on Kirk Avenue, VDOT local revenue sharing to support Melrose Avenue Crossing and the Jefferson Tunnel stormwater work — plus a budget appropriations ordinance, an amendment to the procurement code and revisions to the city's real estate tax exemption program that add a hotel abatement option.

The council approved an ordinance authorizing the city to accept funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia's Compensation Board for a multi‑jurisdictional special drug prosecutor for fiscal year 2026. The measure was moved by Councilman Lisonbee and seconded by Councilman Faydon Nash; the recorded roll call was Nicholas S. Hagen—aye, Vice Mayor Terry Maguire—aye, Nash—aye, Councilman Vollison—aye and Mayor Joseph L. Cobb—aye.

Council also authorized the city to acquire temporary construction easements from three private property owners along Williamson Road Northwest to allow crews to install sidewalks where none exist. The motion to adopt that ordinance was moved by Councilman Boleson and seconded by Nash; the same five council members voted aye.

The city accepted $2,100,000 in VDOT local revenue sharing funds to support two stormwater drainage improvement projects at Melrose Avenue Crossing and the Jefferson Tunnel. City staff told the council the Jefferson Tunnel is an old, closed pedestrian tunnel under Norfolk Southern tracks that the city plans to repurpose to convey stormwater as part of broader downtown flood‑reduction work. "It's a tunnel that exists for pedestrians, but we're going to turn it into stormwater," Ian Shaw of the transportation division told council during the discussion. Councilman Nicholas S. Hagen moved the ordinance and Nash seconded; the motion passed on the council's unanimous recorded vote.

The council approved authorization to obtain temporary construction easements needed for the Kirk Avenue drainage improvement project, which will add new stormwater drainage inlets to address flooding in a Kirk Avenue alley. That ordinance was moved by Councilman Vollison and seconded by Hagen and passed by the same recorded vote.

On the fiscal side council adopted an ordinance to appropriate FY24–25 capital improvement plan debt‑funded projects after the city issued two debt packages last year. Finance staff explained the city issued a large bond in September (approximately $57.5 million) and a smaller general obligation financing in December (about $21.5 million) and that the current action completes appropriation for FY25 projects funded from that debt. The appropriation ordinance was moved by Councilman Boleson, seconded by Hagen and approved unanimously on the roll call.

Council approved an amendment to the city's procurement code (Chapter 23.2) to revise procurement authority language; the ordinance was moved by Councilman Hagen, seconded by Nash and adopted by roll call vote.

Finally, the council adopted an ordinance amending Division 5 of Chapter 32 (taxation) to rework exemptions for rehabilitated property and to add a new hotel real estate tax abatement program. Casey Bratton, director of real estate valuation, told council the change reaffirms the longstanding rehabilitation program and adds a hotel abatement option intended to help replace "the 609 rooms that we lost." The ordinance passed after a motion from Councilman Boleson, seconded by Nash, with the same recorded aye votes.

During the public comment period Roanoke resident Randy Pullman raised several concerns about transparency and fiscal decisions, citing what he called a "$5,000,000 debacle," objections to council pay increases and the restaurant tax, and a request for sidewalk repairs on Dale Avenue where he said the walkway is hazardous. Mayor Cobb and city staff committed to follow up on the sidewalk request and noted the city would investigate Pullman's points as appropriate.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance accepting Commonwealth funding for multi‑jurisdictional special drug prosecutor (FY2026): moved by Councilman Lisonbee; seconded by Faydon Nash; vote: Hagen—aye, Maguire—aye, Nash—aye, Vollison—aye, Cobb—aye; outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance authorizing acquisition of temporary construction easements for Williamson Road/Hawthorne Road sidewalks: moved by Councilman Boleson; seconded by Nash; vote: Hagen—aye, Maguire—aye, Nash—aye, Vollison—aye, Cobb—aye; outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance accepting VDOT local revenue sharing funding ($2,100,000) for Melrose Avenue Crossing and Jefferson Tunnel drainage improvements: moved by Hagen; seconded by Nash; vote: Hagen—aye, Maguire—aye, Nash—aye, Vollison—aye, Cobb—aye; outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance authorizing acquisition of temporary construction easements for Kirk Avenue drainage improvements: moved by Vollison; seconded by Hagen; vote: Hagen—aye, Maguire—aye, Nash—aye, Vollison—aye, Cobb—aye; outcome: adopted.

- Budget ordinance appropriating FY24–25 CIP debt‑funded projects (funding tied to prior bond issuances of approx. $57.5M and $21.5M): moved by Boleson; seconded by Hagen; vote: Hagen—aye, Maguire—aye, Nash—aye, Vollison—aye, Cobb—aye; outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance amending procurement authority language (Chapter 23.2 procurement code): moved by Hagen; seconded by Nash; vote: Hagen—aye, Maguire—aye, Nash—aye, Vollison—aye, Cobb—aye; outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance amending Chapter 32 to revise rehabilitation exemptions and add a hotel real estate tax abatement program: moved by Boleson; seconded by Nash; vote: Hagen—aye, Maguire—aye, Nash—aye, Vollison—aye, Cobb—aye; outcome: adopted.

What the council record shows and what happens next

- Several infrastructure projects funded or advanced at the meeting rely on external funding and future design steps. The Jefferson Tunnel conversion was described as part of a larger downtown flood mitigation strategy; staff said additional design and construction steps remain before stormwater conveyance work begins.

- The hotel abatement and rehab program changes take effect on July 1; staff said they will update outreach materials and meet with developers to explain the hotel abatement option.

- The council referred the resident sidewalk safety request on Dale Avenue to transportation staff for follow up.

(Reporting note: all quotes and attributions come from speakers recorded in the June 16 council transcript. Citations to ordinances and vote tallies reflect the council roll call as recorded in the meeting minutes and transcript.)