Council ratifies city manager emergency declaration, waives parking fees and authorizes closed meetings

Roanoke City Council on Tuesday ratified the city manager’s declaration of a local emergency tied to an extreme winter storm, adopted an ordinance waiving parking fees for city garages and on‑street parking for a defined period, and authorized several closed meetings for personnel and legal matters.

The council vote to ratify the city manager’s emergency declaration — which authorizes the city manager to apply for federal and state assistance, designate fiscal agents and pursue reimbursement — passed by roll call with Vice Mayor Maguire, Council Members Nash, Vollison, Powers, Hagen, Sanchez Jones and Mayor Cobb recorded as voting Aye. Council Member Hagen moved the resolution and Council Member Sanchez Jones seconded it.

Council then adopted an ordinance affirming the manager’s action to waive parking fees from Jan. 24–30 in response to the incoming storm; the motion, moved and seconded by council members Lisonbee and Powers, was adopted unanimously. Members praised staff, parking partners and downtown businesses for their quick cooperation.

Council also approved several items that required convening closed meetings under Virginia Code (vacancies on authorities, legal consultation, potential property negotiations and real‑estate transactions); each meeting request was approved on roll call.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution ratifying local emergency (motion: Council Member Hagen; second: Council Member Sanchez Jones) — outcome: adopted, roll call recorded as all Aye. - Ordinance waiving parking fees Jan. 24–30 (motion: Council Member Lisonbee; second: Council Member Powers) — outcome: adopted, roll call recorded as all Aye. - Authorizations to convene closed meetings for vacancies, legal counsel and real‑estate negotiations — outcome: motions adopted by roll call (all Aye).