| The
Wise County Board of Supervisors met in a Workshop meeting
on Thursday, March 6, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of
Supervisors meeting room located in the Wise County courthouse.
The following were present:
Honorable
Douglas Stallard - Chairman
Honorable
Betty Cornett - Vice-Chair
Honorable
Barry Nelson
Honorable
Edgar Mullins
Honorable
Virginia Meador
Honorable
Robert Adkins
Honorable
Jeffrey Salyers
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
Joe
Ramey, Pastor of Grace Covenant Church in Coeburn, led the
Board in prayer.
PLEDGE
ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
All
led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
APPROVAL
OF THE AGENDA
Chairman
Stallard asked that the proposed Ordinance for Quarantine
of Dogs and Cats be moved under New Business for discussion.
IN
RE: SMALLPOX
VACCINATIONS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Dr.
Eleanor Cantrell gave the Board a brief update on the Health
Department's Phase I implementation of the smallpox vaccinations
for public health employees and hospital response teams.
She
spoke on the emergency preparedness that is being set in
motion not only for bio-terrorism but also for floods, shelter
operations, etc.
Dr.
Cantrell noted that one of their goals is to train those
people who want to volunteer their time during emergencies.
A grant has been applied for to help in this endeavor.
IN RE: WEST NILE VIRUS UPDATE
Brad
Stallard, representing the Wise County Health Department,
gave the Board an update on the number of cases of West
Nile Virus that has been reported in our region.
He provided information on breeding places for this
virus, and how to control the spreading of the virus.
Mr.
Stallard presented the Board with a Mosquito Control Ordinance
and asked the Board to consider its adoption.
IN RE: SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
REGIONAL JAIL PERMANENT FINANCING
Tina
Neal, representing Davenport & Company LLC, gave the
Board an update on the status of the Southwest Virginia
Regional Jail. The service agreement, the permanent financing, and the bonding
issue for the facility was reviewed with final notations
as to the impact the regional jail will have on Wise County.
IN RE: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
PLAN FY 04-08
Administrator
Sealover gave a power point presentation on the proposed
Capital Improvements Plan FY 2004-2008 with preliminary
revenue and expenditure projections.
IN RE: PRO-ART FY 04 FUNDING
Michael
Abbott, member of Pro-Art, addressed the Board regarding
the County's FY 2003-04 funding for Pro-Art.
He asked the Board to consider the request for $10,000
to support the Pro-Art Association in presenting public
and school performances in Wise County for the 2003-04 season.
Mr. Abbott also asked for an additional $2,000 to
support the 2003 Creative Arts Summer Camp.
Under
the Local Government Challenge Grant, the Virginia Commission
for the Arts will match the County's contribution up to
$5,000. The
deadline to apply for these matching funds is April 1, 2003.
Since the budget will not be approved at that time,
a letter of commitment has been written in prior years and
confirmed in funding by July 1.
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AMENDMENT
TO WISE COUNTY SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE #3-1975 SECTION 18-1
& 18-13 LITTER CONTROL
A
public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive
citizens' comments regarding a proposed amendment to the
Wise County Solid Waste Ordinance #3-1975 Section 18-1 and
Section 18-13 Litter Control.
Brad
Stallard, member of the County Clean Team, addressed the
Board stating that the proposed restructuring of this section
of the ordinance would enable the Litter Control Officer
to deal with litter problems and property maintenance in
the County. Mr.
Stallard stated that lots of cases are thrown out of court
because the ordinance does not have enough "teeth" to convict
a person on some litter violations.
He asked the Board to adopt the proposed amendment
to help boost litter control throughout the county.
Walter
Crouse, Glenda Skeens, and Fred Bevins also voiced their
support for the proposed amendments stating that this would
help keep our county cleaner, more environmental safe, and
beautify our surroundings to help promote tourism.
Since there are so many complaints from communities
regarding litter being a major eye sore and adding to the
depreciation of an individual's property, these amendments
would give the Litter Warden a tool to help alleviate these
complaints.
A
citizen addressed the Board stating that he makes his living
by salvaging vehicles for parts and by using certain types
of trash that could be considered litter by some people.
He voiced his opposition to the proposed amendment.
Chairman
Stallard praised Litter Coordinator Carol Green for her
efforts in making Wise County a cleaner place to live and
for the awards she has won for the County.
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING REZONING/ELITE
DEVELOPMENT/TOMMY BRIGHT
A
public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive
citizens' input regarding a request from Tommy Bright, Elite
Development, to rezone 11.02 acres from A-RR to M-1 located
on the Norton-Coeburn Road for commercial development.
Chairman
Stallard noted that the Planning Commission has recommended
this request for approval.
There
being no one to speak regarding the rezoning request, the
public hearing was closed.
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING-PROPERTY
ON BATES AIRFIELD ROAD/BRENDA HOLBROOK
A
public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive
citizens' comments regarding a request from Brenda Holbrook
to rezone 1.14 acres located on Bates Airfield Road from
A-RR to M-1 to replace three manufactured homes and a double
wide with an apartment building.
Chairman
Stallard noted that the Planning Commission has denied this
request.
There
being no one to speak for or against the rezoning request,
the public hearing was closed.
IN RE: PUBLIC EXPRESSION
John
Peace, representing Clinch Haven Farms in Big Stone Gap,
and another citizen came before the Board asking the County
to adopt a "Land Use Assessment" ordinance rather than using
"market value" on farmland.
A notation was made that if the property assessment
for the farmland stands as it has been assessed, it will
put farmers out of business.
There will be no money left for living expenses after
the taxes are paid. These gentlemen stated that it would not profit them any to
go before the Equalization Board because the taxing method
is unfair when it comes to farmland.
They asked the Board to intervene on the farmers
behalf and consider their request.
Linda
Hunsaker, representing the Art Gallery, reviewed the Art
Gallery's activities and its contributions to Wise County
and its citizens.
She asked that the Art Gallery be considered for
funding in the upcoming budget.
Bonnie
Aker, a teacher at J.J. Kelly High School, spoke in support
of the Land Use Assessment Ordinance in that it would protect
our farmland and the farmers.
Walter
Crouse spoke briefly on the funding for education. He voiced his support of consolidating School Boards, which
would eliminate some of the higher paying jobs and give
more money to education.
Tina
Coffee, Eddie Coffee, and Johnny Coffee voiced their opposition
to the proposed tax increase.
They proceeded to tell the Board about all the debris
and filth that accumulates on their property after the heavy
rains or floods. Ms.
Coffee said they are a "catch all" for whatever comes out
of Bear Creek. Even
though they have no control over this litter, no help has
been available for them to remove it.
Johnny
Coffee spoke about the beavers building dams in the river
that causes his property to flood.
Mr. Coffee has made several attempts to remove the
dams as they were built by the beavers but no one would
assist him in this endeavor.
With him being disabled, the task became too much
for him. At
the present time, a tree has fallen across the river and
if it is not removed, his property will flood again and
he will have to move.
Attempts are being made to elevate his house but
that may not be enough to help him.
There
being no further comments, the public expression period
ended.
IN RE: ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
T.
G. Branson, Highway Resident Engineer, gave a brief update
on road maintenance that is being done by VDOT due to heavy
rains.
Mr.
Branson reviewed the Revenue Sharing Program and recommended
Board's participation in the $500,000 matching funds program.
Board
members presented several needs in their districts for Mr.
Branson to review and report back at the next meeting.
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
The
following items were reviewed under the Consent Agenda:
Budget Amendments
- No. 21: Add $16,884 to the
General Fund (Two For Life Funds); distribute among the
rescue squads in an equal amount ($2184 each)
- No. 22: Add $5714 to the
General Fund (ARC grant); deposit in DEVELOP budget, continuing
education line item
- No. 23: Transfer $14,000
from the Inmate Phone Commission Fund to the General Fund;
and to Sheriff's Correction and Detention budget; deposit
in various line items (purchase and install fire alarm
system, etc.)
- No. 24: Transfer $1723 from
the Inmate Phone Commission Fund to the General Fund;
add to Sheriff's Correction and Detention budget; deposit
in various line items (purchase razors, toothpaste, etc.)
Transfer from reserve for emergencies/contingency line item
$7935 to repair the fire sprinkler system at DSS ($2094) and the courthouse
($5841)
Approve
separate, one week animal quarantine periods for each of
the four voting districts
Approve
Resolution Ratifying and Ending the Declaration of State
of Local Emergency
Proclamations:
- National
County Government Week in Wise County
- The
Great American Cleanup in Wise County
- Honoring
Ms. Chantel Dean of St. Paul, recipient of the Prudential
Spirit of Community Award
OLD BUSINESS
None
IN RE: OTHER ITEMS REVIEWED
- Resolution approving the Regional Jail's Service Agreement
- Resolution establishing the several property tax rates for the next levy
- Resolution concerning Wise County PSA remittances due the County and the
annual audit
- Restore fees for attending board and commission meetings
- Consider Pro-Art's FY 04 funding request
- Appointments
- Housing Rehabilitation Program Designs for Derby Community Development
Project
- Fiscal Status Report through February
- County Attorney's Report (None)
- County
Administrator's Report (None)
IN RE: BOARD COMMENTS
After
discussing the taxes on farmland, it was the consensus of
the Board to get further information on the possibility
of lowering the farmland tax.
Ms.
Cornett asked that more information be gathered on shipping
garbage out of the County and the towns paying a tipping
fee.
ADJOURN
There
being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:05
PM.
ATTEST:
WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
_____________________
_______________________
Clerk
Chairman
Back
to Top |
