9 a.m. Roanoke City Council Meeting on November 2, 2026

At its November 2, 2026 meeting, Roanoke City Council’s Legislative Committee adopted the city’s 2027 legislative agenda as amended. The committee replaced a housing priority concerning affordable-dwelling-unit authority with a request for stronger statewide tools to address blighted and noncompliant properties, and revised its data-center position to seek legislation establishing consumer, public-health, and environmental safeguards. Council also discussed federal funding priorities, including Roanoke airport tower and facilities upgrades estimated at $8.5 million and a $2 million runway study; no funding awards or procurement approvals were made. The city’s advocates are coordinating with the congressional delegation on potential congressionally directed spending, and the committee was advised to share the agenda promptly ahead of the November 30 legislative drafting deadline.

The Western Virginia Water Authority CEO briefed council on regional water-supply planning and drought conditions. The Regional Commission has an RFP out for the Roanoke-area water-supply plan, with a consultant report expected by year-end. The Authority reported spending approximately $15 million to $30 million annually on water-main replacement and estimated that replacing the aging Carvins Cove dam could cost about $100 million; these were planning and infrastructure updates, not approved contracts or expenditures. The presentation also covered potential future supply options, interconnections, leak detection, and a Botetourt County funding agreement tied to future water-supply costs. No vendor selections, contract awards, or purchasing votes were identified.