City Council

666 The Recessed Meeting of Roanoke City Council was called to order on Monday, November 29 , 2021 , at 12:00 p.m. , at the Melrose Library, 2502 Melrose Avenue, N. W. , Suite D, with Mayor Lea presiding. PRESENT: Council Members Vivian Sanchez-Jones (arrived late), Patricia White-Boyd , William D. Bestpitch , Robert L. Jeffrey, Jr. , Stephanie Moon Reynolds , and Mayor Sherman P. Lea , Sr.-7 . ABSENT: None-0. The Mayor declared the existence of a quorum. OFFICERS PRESENT: Robert S. Cowell , Jr. , City Manager; Timothy R. Spencer, City Attorney; Cecelia T. Webb, Deputy City Clerk; and Drew Harmon , Municipal Auditor. OTHERS PRESENT: Clarence Grier, Deputy City Manager, W . Brent Robertson , Assistant City Manager for Community Development; Amel ia Merchant, Director of Finance , Paul Workman , Budget Business Analyst; Christopher Chittum , Assistant City Manager and Angela O'Brien , Chief Strategy Officer. Mayor Lea welcomed everyone and stated the purpose of the meeting was to have open dialogue regarding agenda items and provide feedback to the City Manager. BUDGET PLANNING WORKSHOP : The City Manager provided an overview of the agenda and engaged the Council in discussion with regard to the form of government, purpose of municipal budgeting , highlighting the balanced budget requirements, basics of revenue generation, payment for services , capital items and role of Council. At this point, Council Member Sanchez-Jones entered the meeting (12:26 p.m.). Amelia Merchant, Director of Finance , and Paul Workman , Budget Manager, gave an overview of the FY21 budget closeout, where the budget appeared to be landing and how to anticipate/propose spending surplus revenues . Ms. Merchant also provided a brief overview of the current FY22 Budget.  667 The City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and Director of Finance facilitated the following budget presentations and encouraged open discussion from the Council Members: a. Strategic Planning Retreat Takeaways b. Budget Priorities c. Budget Considerations d. Budget Development (See copy of presentations on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Angela O'Brien , Chief Strategy Officer, provided a brief overview of the status of the Star City Strong Recovery Fud implementation. Following discussion by members of City Council on a number of matters with regard to budget development, the City Manager wrapped up the day and advised of the next steps. There being no further business, Mayor Lea declared the Recessed Session adjourned at 4:43 p.m. APPROVED ATTEST: ~J-~ Cecelia F. McCoy, CMC City Clerk