The Wise County Board of Supervisors met in a Workshop meeting on Thursday, December 5, 2002, at 6:00 pm in the Board of Supervisors meeting room located in the Wise County courthouse.  The following were present: 

Honorable Douglas Stallard - Chairman

Honorable Jeffrey Salyers - Vice-chairman

Honorable Barry Nelson

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

Ben Murphy, Pastor First Church of God in Wise led the Board in prayer.

PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

All did the pledge of allegiance.

IN RE:  APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Chairman Stallard asked that the following addition be made to the agenda:

Abandonment of Alleyway

IN RE:  PUBLIC EXPRESSION

John Stafford, representing Stafford Communications, Inc., addressed the Board with several suggestions to possibly amend the proposed resolution endorsing the remaining section of Route 23 between Duffield and Norton/Wise in Wise and Lee counties be considered for designation as Virginia Scenic Byway.  Mr. Stafford asked the Board to consider the possibility of designating US 23 from Norton to Duffield as the "Country Music Highway".  He noted that he had spoken with Joyce Payne of the Chamber of Commerce and she is working to ascertain the ramifications of a second naming of Rte. 23 after it has been called the "Orby Cantrell Highway" for several years.  By changing the wording of the resolution, Stafford Communications could continue to rebuild and build new billboard structures in properly zoned areas.

Mr. Stafford stated that he would forward the proper language for the proposed resolution after speaking with Jim Barrett of VDOT in Richmond for the Board to consider at its next meeting.

Chairman Stallard stated that the County Attorney and the County Administrator will review Mr. Stafford's recommendations and talk with the Chamber of Commerce regarding their interest in this matter prior to the next meeting.

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

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE SETTING DEADLINE FOR RELIEF FROM REASSESSMENT WITH THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding a proposed ordinance setting a deadline for filing and disposition of all applications for relief from reassessment with the Board of Equalization.

There being no public comments for or against the proposed ordinance, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING/ANIMAL AND FOWL ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding the proposed amendment to the Animal and Fowl Ordinance regarding fines for not adhering to spay/neutering requirements.

Sherrie Kilgore, representing P.A.W.S., Rick Bowman, and Joann Harding addressed the Board asking that a resolution be adopted allowing fines being collected for spay/neutering requirements of pound animals that are adopted and not being sterilized by their due date, be kept in the County. At the present time, these funds go to the State.  She asked that two funds be put into place.  One would be to care for sick and injured animal at the pound.  The other fund would be a spay/neutering fund for low income pet owners and senior citizens on a fixed budget.  By spay/neutering animals running at large, thousands of animals would not be destroyed.   It was noted that Dr. Goins has indicated that he would give the County a discount on his services for these animals.

P.A.W.S. said they would volunteer their services at any time.

Administrator Sealover advised the Board that a policy is in place at the shelter whereby when a dog is adopted, a form must be signed that the dog will be taken to the vet for spay/neutering and the staff has been directed to follow up with a phone call after the appropriate time period to ascertain whether or not that has been done.  If it has not been done, then a fine will be implemented.

Hugh Kiser voiced his concern that additional personnel may be needed if the request made by P.A.W.S is approved.

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

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING/BUDGET FY 2002-03 PROPOSED AMENDMENT

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to received citizens' comments on the  proposed amendments to the adopted FY 2002-03 budget adding all funding for the PD One Community Services Board and implementing the proposed Cost Containment Plan.

There being no one to speak for or against the proposed amendments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  VDOT REMARKS

T. G. Branson, Highway Resident Engineer, gave a brief update on construction throughout the County.

IN RE:  RESOLUTION REVISING THE SECONDARY ROADS SIX-YEAR IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Mr. Branson advised the Board that he would remove a Rt. 610 project from the proposed secondary roads six-year plan since there has been so much controversy from the residents in that area.   He asked that the resolution be adopted as amended.

IN RE:  CONSENT AGENDA

The consent agenda was reviewed as follows:

Set public hearing 1-2-03 @ 6:00 pm on a proposed ordinance adopting a permitting process for emergency service agencies operating within the boundaries of Wise County

Set public hearing 1-2-03 @ 6:00 pm on proposed increase in Riverview Sewer Rates.  Jeff Salyers asked that this item be placed on the agenda for discussion and removed from the consent agenda.

Set public hearing 1-2-03 @ 6:00 pm on seven (7) proposed road names (E-911 system)

Resolution authorizing the execution of a reciprocal agreement providing mutual aid through the furnishing of police and other employees and agents in the event of need or emergency.

Authorize Board Chairman or County Administrator to execute contract with Lane Engineering, Inc., for engineering services for Derby Project.

Authorize Board Chairman or County Administrator to execute contract with Heartwood Builders for construction services related to new pound (animal shelter)

Resolution on policy for placing signs, monuments, plaques, etc., on County property and open common areas in County facilities.  Betty Cornett asked that this item be placed on the agenda for discussion and removed from the consent agenda.

Budget Amendments

No. 12:  Add $90,000 to General Fund revenues for ARCH's Food Distribution Center (CDBG funds) and create separate department expenditures

IN RE:  DANCE HALL LICENSE/PIT STOP FAMILY GRILL, INC.

Administrator Sealover advised the Board that he had written a letter to Ms. Branch, President of The Pit Stop Family Grill, informing her that no action will be taken on her request for a dance hall license until she appears before the Board and explains the "contradiction" to her request based on her application for a liquor license. 

IN RE:  RESOLUTION ENDORSING DESIGNATION OF VIRGINIA SCENIC BYWAYS

Administrator Sealover stated that he would talk with Joyce Payne regarding the Chamber's desire to have U.S. Rte. 23 through Virginia designated as County Music Highway and report back to the Board at its next meeting.

IN RE:  OTHER ITEMS REVIEWED

Direct County staff to pursue securing VEC customer contact center and solicit support of Legislative Delegation

Impose charge on towns of Coeburn and St. Paul for transport of municipal solid waste from Bull Hill Convenience Center to Blackwood landfill

Appointments

Set Organizational meeting date (January 2, 2003 @ 5:30 pm)

Fiscal Status Report through November (Available December 12)

County Attorney's Report (None)

County Administrator's Report (None)

Board Comments

Closed Session for December 12.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.

ATTEST:                  WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

____________________   ____________________________

Clerk                             Chairman

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