Honorable Douglas Stallard - Chairman

Honorable Jeffrey Salyers - Vice-Chair

Honorable Douglas Mullins

Honorable Edgar Mullins

Honorable Virginia Meador

Honorable Betty Cornett

Honorable Robert Adkins

Honorable Robert Robbins, members of said Board and

Edward L. Sealover - County Administrator

Shannon C. Scott- Assistant County Administrator

Karen T. Mullins - County Attorney

Annette Underwood-Executive Secretary

PRAYER

Gene Orr, former member of the Board of Supervisors, led the Board in prayer.

PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

IN RE:  APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Chairman Stallard made the following changes to the agenda:

Add to Consent Agenda:  Set public hearing on proposed ordinance amending the Utility Consumer' Tax to include mobile (cell) phones.  (Supervisor Robbins)

Add to New Business:  Adopt FY 2002-03 County Budget.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED REZONING/189 ACRES ON ORBY CANTRELL HIGHWAY FROM A-RR TO B-2

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens comments regarding a request from Glamorgan Coal Company to rezone property consisting of l89 acres located on the Orby Cantrell Highway adjacent to the Straughan Family Corporation property from an A-RR to B-2 District for the purpose of commercial development.

There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED REZONING OF 51 ACRES LOCATED ON ORBY CANTRELL HIGHWAY FROM A-RR TO B-2

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens comments regarding a request from J. Straughan Family Corporation to rezone property consisting of 51 acres located on the Orby Cantrell Highway adjacent to the Ridgeview Baptist Church from A-RR to B-2 District for the purpose of commercial development.

There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PROPOSED SURPLUS PROPERTY DISPOSAL ORDINANCE

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding a proposed Surplus Property Disposal Ordinance for Wise County.

There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED $5 LOCAL COURTHOUSE SECURITY FEE ORDINANCE

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' input on a proposed Ordinance for Adoption of Security Processing Fee of $5 for Wise County.

There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED $25 JAIL PROCESSING FEE ORDINANCE

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' input regarding a proposed Ordinance Adopting Sheriff's Processing Fee for $25 for Wise County.

There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE #2-1991 - SECTION 5-13 CONDITIONAL ZONING

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding a request from the Wise County Planning Commission to amend Wise County Ordinance #2-1991 Section 5-13 Conditional Zoning.

Hugh Kiser presented several questions regarding conditional zoning.

Chairman Stallard asked that Mr. Kiser provide Building Official Robert Mullins with these questions for a more direct answer.

Evelyn Adams voiced her opposition to conditional zoning.  She said residential areas should not be polluted by businesses.

There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING  PROPOSED CABLE SERVICES REGULATORY ORDINANCE

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens comments regarding a proposed Cable Services Regulatory Ordinance for Wise County.

There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO WISE COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE #2-1991-SECTION 5-2.4(d) PERMITTED SIGNS IN B-2, M-1, M-2 DISTRICTS

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding a request from Shannon Vaughan to amend the Wise County Zoning Ordinance, Section 5-2.4 (d) Permitted Signs.

There being no public comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED COUNTY BUDGET FY 2002-03

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding the proposed budget for Wise County for FY 2002-03.

Administrator Sealover presented the changes that have been made since the advertisement of the proposed budget

Hugh Kiser spoke briefly on the cost of operating the landfill and some possible cuts that could be made to decrease costs.

Danny Stallard voiced his opposition to giving the School Board taxing powers.  He further noted giving the School Board less money.

Melissa Wharton briefed the Board on the Appalachia Children's Theatre activities and the impact it has had on the children.  She voiced her support for funding the school's request.

Monty Salyers stated concerns of the parents for the school needs and the declining  job market for Wise County.

Stewart Jessee voiced his opposition to raising taxes.  He also opposed giving the School Board taxing powers.

Loretta Mayes, Manager for WISE FM radio station explained that she had just found out that WISE FM radio station was not in this year's county budget nor being considered in next year's budget.  She stated that she was of the opinion that a request had been made for both years but no formal notice could be found.  Ms. Mayes asked the Board to consider her request for $10,000 in this year's budget as well as next year's budget.

Joe Smiddy voiced his support for the WISE FM radio station and the pleasure it brings to the citizens of Wise County.

Kyle Fletcher, member of Wise County School Board, spoke in support of raising taxes to meet County and School Board needs.

Paul Varson, a resident of the Pound area, spoke against the school renovations due to the declining student population and the declining revenues in Wise County.

Jane Thompson and Mary Robinson explained that the schools have needs to equip students to meet the SOL standards and to prepare them for jobs.  They further spoke of the poor condition of some schools that were built early on and asked for support from the Board to meet those needs.

Board members voiced their concern regarding the school needs.  However, with revenues at an all time low, full funding for the school may not be possible.  There was some discussion on other possible avenues for raising funds to increase the revenues.

Chairman Stallard stated that the Board supports the teachers and ever possible means of funding is being considered.  Therefore, he proposed funding the school budget by category that would provide enough revenue for teacher's raises as requested.

There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed.

RECESS

A brief recess was taken at 7:45 pm.

The meeting reconvened at 8:10 pm.

IN RE:  PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Lori Stidham, a resident on the Day Town Road, asked for a status report on the road project.

Attorney Mullins noted that there was no additional information at this time.

Tony Nunley, a resident of the Dunbar area, asked that speed signs/ children at play signs be placed on Rt. 603 in the Roaring Fork Community.  Also, he asked for a larger "Stop" sign on the road leading from the two mines located in that area.  Several children live in this area and the coal trucks and speeding cars have become a safety hazard.

Mr. Sutherland, VDOT representative, said he would pass this request to the Highway Resident Engineer for consideration.

Sherrie Kilgore asked that the new animal shelter not be built on the City of Norton's property located in Josephine.

Administrator Sealover informed the Board that the County has a twenty-five year lease agreement with the City of Norton that is renewable on a continuous basis.  Also, the City will be participating in the cost of the new shelter as per the lease agreement.

Chairman Stallard asked Ms. Kilgore to meet with the County Administrator for more details on the proposed shelter and costs.

There being no further comments for public expression, the public expression period closed.

IN RE:  ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

Russell Sutherland, representing VDOT in the absence of T. G. Branson, introduced Matthew Cox, a new employee of VDOT.

Mr. Sutherland reviewed the requests that were made at the last meeting and the action that has been taken on each request.

There was some discussion on the proposed bridge that is to be constructed by Red River Coal Company on 5610 Powell River Road.  There is much concern for health and safety of the Stidham family that lives within 1000 feet of the proposed bridge.  Supervisors Doug and Edgar Mullins asked the County Administrator to write a letter to Red River Coal Company and asked that they consider relocating the bridge.

Several other requests were given to Mr. Sutherland for review and possible correction.

IN RE:  DERBY PROJECT/AMENDMENT TO PROFESSIONAL  ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT

John Ponish, representing Appalachian Technical Services, presented the Board with the Engineering Scope of Services and Fees for the Derby Self-Help Water and Sewer Project for review and possible acceptance at the June 13 meeting.  The acceptance of this amendment would release ATS to begin design engineering on the Derby Project.

After several unanswered questions, Chairman Stallard stated that the Board would review the proposed first amendment to the Engineering Agreement prior to the next meeting and get in touch with ATS if needed.

OTHER ITEMS REVIEWED: