1)  Resolution  Commending Amanda Kiser Harris for her services to Wise County

2)  Proclamation Honoring Kenny L. Robinson for his services to Wise County

3)  Resolution - Virginia Information Technology Agency/PPEA Proposal Support

4)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. February 3) on the proposed Solid Waste Transfer Station for Wise County

Remove from Consent Agenda to Old Business:

1)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. February 3) on a requested Conditional Rezoning of property consisting of 3.47 acres from an R-1 to a R-2 District located at 9506 Coeburn Mtn. Road

2)  Resolution of Support for Guest River Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan

3)  Change of location for February Workshop

Delete from the agenda:

1)  Resolution Supporting the Rotating of monthly meetings of the L.P. Regional Board of Directors

IN RE:  JOYCE ENGINEERING / SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION UPDATE

Butch Joyce and Evan Andrews, representing Joyce Engineering, provided the Board with a status report on the proposed transfer station to be located on the Blackwood Industrial Park Road near the Wise County landfill.  A progress meeting was held on site this afternoon with Superintendent of Public Works Jackie Darter and County Administrator Skip Skinner being in attendance.  Mr. Joyce stated that the target date for completion of this project is June 25.

IN RE:  IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Muiread Craft, representing the Guest River Restoration Group, gave a brief overview of the purpose, scope and timeframe of the proposed Implementation Plan.  This Implementation Plan (IP) is to be associated with the reports, "Guest River Total Maximum Daily Load Report TMDL Study for Aquatic Life Use Impairment" and "Bacterial TMDL's for Sepulcher Creek, Toms Creek and Crab Orchard Branch Wise County, Virginia" which is referred to as the TMDL Studies.  The TMDL Studies set allocations to limit sediment loads for the main body of the Guest River and limit bacteria pollutant loads for its tributaries.  The Implementation Plan aims to bridge the gap between those specified pollutant load allocations and actual reductions in sediment and bacteria loading to the Guest River Watershed.  The foundation of the Implementation Plan is a set of actions focused on reducing the levels of fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria in Sepulcher Creek, Tom's Creek and Crab Orchard Branch from human, pet and livestock sources, and levels of sediment reaching the main stem of the Guest River, with the final goal of complying with the State of Virginia water quality criteria.

Ms. Craft stated that monies would be made available for an Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector to assist in the Building and Zoning Department.

There was some discussion of the impact this proposed plan would have on the farmers and the low-income families.

After discussion, Chairman Luntsford suggested that Ms. Craft meet with Supervisor Robbins and Supervisor Branham to schedule a meeting with the citizens that are concerned about the project to provide more information and to clarify the purpose of the proposed plan.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING / FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONAL/LIABILITY ORDINANCE

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens comments regarding a proposed Fire Department Operational/Liability Ordinance.

Attorney Mullins stated that she had provided an opinion to the County Administrator regarding this ordinance.

There being no one to speak, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING / ORDINANCE REPEALING ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL LICENSE TAX FOR BUILDING CONTRACTORS

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens comments regarding a proposed Ordinance Repealing Assessment of Local License Tax for Building Contractors.

There being no one to speak, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING/BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT / ST PAUL

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding a proposed Boundary Adjustment Agreement Between the County of Wise and the Town of St. Paul.

There being no one to speak, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Clerk of Circuit Court Jack Kennedy provided to the Board a brief update on the activities of DEVELOP and the contributions that have been brought to Wise County through this modern day technology.

Mr. Kennedy presented a NASA DEVELOP award to Amanda Kiser Harris for her outstanding  demeanor, skills, scholarship and achievements during her tenure with the DEVELOP Program.

A resolution commending Amanda Kiser Harris for her service as an employee of the NASA DEVELOP program, was read by personnel of the DEVELOP Program.

Michelle Hilton asked the status on removing the slide near the sign at the Appalachia High School.  She also asked whether or not the study for consolidating has been completed.

Ms. Hilton was told that the Weldon Cooper Center was doing the school consolidation study for the Board with an estimated completion date of February 1.

Roger Williams, a resident of Williams Road, voiced his concerns that the citizens living on Williams Road has been twenty-eight years trying to get the road into the secondary system.  The R-O-W has been donated but still nothing has been done.  Mr. Williams explained that he was told there was only enough money to complete approximately one half of the road and the area that has been designated, as the "turn around" would not benefit him at all.  He asked the Board for assistance in getting the complete length of the road into the system.

Chairman Luntsford advised Mr. Williams that Supervisor Peace would follow up on his request with answers to his questions as soon as possible.

Mike Varner, representing the Appalachia Rescue Squad, asked when the rescue squads would get an increase in annual funding like the increase given to the fire departments.

Chairman Luntsford stated that this would be considered at budget time.

Marlene Bush voiced her concern regarding the excessive spending of the Wise County School Board, especially in the administrative department.  She provided figures on the school consolidation study that is being done for the School Board.  Ms. Bush said she has requested an itemized list of the expenses on contracting the study,

George Barton, Principal of the Appalachia High School, thanked the Board for conducting its meeting at their school.  He also noted that a contractor has been hired to remove the slide that was questioned by Ms. Hilton.

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

IN RE:  ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

Highway Resident Engineer T. G. Branson received from Board members concerns and needs in their district.

IN RE:  CONSENT AGENDA

The items under the consent agenda were reviewed:

1)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. February 3) on proposed E-911 road name additions

2)  Third quarter appropriations

3)  Real Estate Refund request

4)  Approval of audit 2003-2004

Budget Amendments

No. 17:  Increase revenue (State Fire Programs money) $17,201.00 and increase Volunteer Fire Department - State Fire Program Pass-Thru $17,201.00

No. 18: Increase revenues Commission for the Arts (Grant $5,000) add $5,000 to Community Organizations-Discretionary Fund

No. 19: Increase revenues (DCJS grant $49,440) Increase expenses for Circuit Court Clerk office/Develop $49,440         

Transfer from reserve for emergency/contingency

1)   $340.00 to Geographic Information Systems - Education and Recreation

2)   $340.00 to Building and Zoning - Education and Recreation

IN RE:  SANDY RIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Danny White, representing the Sandy Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, came to the Board for financial assistance in securing a new pumper truck.  Mr. White explained that their unit was responding to a call and because of the ice and snow on the road the driver lost control and the vehicle was wrecked.  Upon review by the insurance company, the vehicle was declared a total loss.

The value of a new truck is $159,900.00.  A check is forthcoming from the insurance company in the amount of $110,000.00 and the Sandy Ridge Volunteer Fire Department has approximately $20,000 which is above and beyond money available to meet expenses until 2005 funding is received that can be used toward the purchase of the new truck.

Dickenson County Board of Supervisors has agreed to give $14,950.00 toward the purchase of a new truck if the Wise County Board of Supervisors would provide the same amount.

Mr. White stated that the Sandy Ridge Volunteer Fire Department responds to calls in Wise and Dickenson Counties.    

Supervisor Meador asked that the Board be provided the number of homes in Dickenson County and Wise County that are served by this department and also the number of calls made during 2004 in both counties.

IN RE:  TREASURER'S REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING

Administrator Skinner stated that he has located a vehicle for the Treasurer's office to use for its daily transportation needs.  After speaking with the Treasurer, she noted that there are extra funds in her salary line item due to some restructuring of personnel in the amount of $1,372.22, which brings the amount of funding needed to $2,627.78. 

IN RE:  CONSULTANT FOR BACK UP DATA CENTER

Circuit Court Clerk Jack Kennedy informed the Board that it would be in the County's best interest to hire a consultant to represent the County in Richmond to promote the Tech Park for the location of the backup Data Center. It is imperative to have someone there to speak on behalf of Wise County when new developments arise or when meetings are set on short notice. 

Chairman Luntsford noted that the back up Data Center would have an economic impact on Wise County and the County needs to pursue avenues to make that happen.

IN RE:  OTHER ITEMS REVIEWED

1)   Appointments

2)   County Administrator's Report: 

       Stevens Church of God/Purchase of property

       Blasting at Esserville / New People Bank

       Jim Smith / Sewer tap

       Agenda for Richmond Trip

ADJOURN

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

ATTEST:                                WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

____________________________          ______________________

Glen A. Skinner, County Administrator        Fred Luntsford, Chairman

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