Honorable Fred Luntsford - Chairman

Honorable Ronnie Shortt - Vice-Chairman

Honorable Robert R. Adkins

Honorable Steve Bates

Honorable Virginia Meador

Honorable John W. Peace II

Honorable Leland Branham

Honorable Robert E. Robbins - members of said Board and,

Glen A. Skinner - County Administrator

Shannon C. Scott - Assistant County Administrator

Karen T. Mullins - County Attorney

ABSENT

Annette Underwood - Executive Secretary

PRAYER

Jim Colley, UVA-Wise Campus Minister led the Board in prayer.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The following changes were made to the agenda:

Add to Close Session:  2.2-3711(A)(1) personnel

Delete:  Budget amendment No. 21

IN RE:  LITTER DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION

Greg Cross, County Litter Control Officer, and Melanie Salyers, Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Clerk's Office, provided a power point presentation on junk cars, litter and illegal dumps sites throughout Wise County.  The Board was made aware of the enormous cost for clean up of the litter, the illegal dumpsites, and the devastation it brings to our wild life, environment as well as diminishing our tool for tourism.

Mr. Cross spoke of his goals for implementing programs in the schools; providing community awareness, applying for grants to help with the clean ups and to secure proper equipment that will enhance his efforts. He voiced his concern that his authority is limited by the county ordinances or in some cases the lack of county ordinances.   Since this is a major stumbling block for him, he asked the Board to consider the following requests that would allow him more authority to enforce the cleaning up of dump sites and put more "teeth" in getting convictions in court:

(1)  Amend the county ordinance that relates to junk cars to allow no more than one junk car and that the car be covered so it won't be an eyesore or safety hazard.

(2)  Adopt an ordinance that allows for civil monetary penalties for illegally dumping trash and an ordinance that allows the county to recover any expenses that it may incur as a result of cleaning up any sites.  Also consider new ordinances that pertain to industrial businesses and the special type of solid waste and junk that they produce.

(3)  Allocate more money to the Litter Control Department for the effective enforcement of the litter laws to include a high tech surveillance camera system, and a mobile arc pad system that would allow more work in the field, which includes using the GIS system.  A new computer for the office is also needed.

(4)  Consider establishing a working group to investigate the feasibility of stricter property maintenance tools. 

Chairman Luntsford stated that the Board would take his request under consideration during the budget process.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING / BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT / JOYCE POWERS

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding a request from Joyce Powers for a boundary adjustment (rezone) of 0.838 acre of property from an A-RR District to a B-2 District located behind the State Farm Office on Indian Creek for the purpose of relocating their health food store (Generations Natural Remedies) and to provide massage therapy with plans to expand to become a natural healing center.

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

IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING / E-911 ROAD NAME ADDITIONS

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding 49 proposed E-911 road name additions.

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

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING / SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION / BLACKWOOD

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens comments regarding the Wise County Board of Supervisors intent to construct and operate a municipal solid waste transfer station at 4711 Blackwood Industrial Park Road, Norton, VA.

Evan Andrews, representing Joyce Engineering, brought the Board up to date on the status of the proposed transfer station with a projected completion date of July 25, 2005.  He provided a map showing the design of the proposed facility that will require an additional 1.08 acres of property for the access road.  Mr. Andrews suggested either purchasing the property or obtaining an easement.

Supervisor Bates questioned the size of the bins within the facility and whether or not the bins will accommodate the backhoe, the trash and the truck to be loaded.  

Mr. Andrews stated that in their calculations as to the amount of garbage collected per day, the bins should be sufficient.  He noted that a larger facility could be built but the cost would be more.

Supervisor Meador asked if the facility would meet the projected growth of the County.  Mr. Andrews noted that he was working with the current data that had been provided to him, but he felt the facility would be sufficient. 

Supervisor Robbins expressed his concern about the proposed size of the facility.

Chairman Luntsford reminded Mr. Andrews that the County is in a " time crunch" for this facility to be up and running by the scheduled completion date of July 25 and the County will hold his "feet to the fire" on meeting this deadline.

Walter Crouse stated that more signs listing items that can be recycled are needed at the convenience centers.  He asked for more education on recycling, which would lead to less garbage in the landfill.

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

IN RE: PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Ron Flanary congratulated the Board on its efforts being put forth to clean up Wise County, which will have a great impact on tourism and economic development. He voiced his support for stricter litter laws that would be a tool for the Litter Warden to enhance his authority for better enforcement and more convictions in court.

Bill Gobble, President of the Historical Society, addressed the Board stating that in February 2006 the County of Wise will be 150 years old.  According to history, the County was founded in February l856.  It is the intent of the Wise County Historical Society and hopefully other organizations to promote this event.  Four (4) books have already been published regarding the history of Wise County, and progress is being made toward publishing a book of pictures denoting different people and events of the preceding 150 years.  Mr. Gobble asked for Board support in getting the event publicized.

Supervisor Meador stated that she wanted the Board to do something special for this event.

Walter Crouse thanked the Board for its efforts to get the back up data center located in the Tech Park.  He asked that a leash law be adopted in Wise County to give the Animal Control Officers the authority to control dogs destroying other people's property.

Ray Couch, Wise County Litter Coordinator, voiced his appreciation to the Board for its support of the Litter Control Programs.  He praised the new County Litter Warden Greg Cross for his efforts and motivation to make Wise County a cleaner place to live.

Jeff Rowland, representing Camp Bethel, spoke with the Board regarding the lack of recreation for our youth.  Extreme Sports, which include skateboarding, inline skating, BMX bike riding, snowboarding, in particular, has increased dramatically in recent years.  The need for recreation is at an all time high not only for our youth but also to entice economic growth. With sports such as baseball, and football, etc on the decline, Mr. Rowland has a vision and a plan to build a Park that will include the Extreme Sports and other family activities.  He provided statistics regarding injuries, growth of these sports and drawings showing the proposed skate park.

Mr. Rowland asked for the Board's support in this endeavor.

Board members spoke in favor of more recreation and noted that further input of this request will be considered during the budget process.

Cathy Selvage, a resident located behind the Stevens Church of God in the Glamorgan section of Wise County, voiced her concern regarding the proposed expansion of the church that could possibly bring on sewer problems, and traffic problems.  Neither of these issues were mentioned in the proposed plans for development by the church.  She asked that Board members look at the proposed site and the potential traffic problem on Kemper Road.

Chairman Luntsford told Ms. Selvage that he would meet with any of the neighbors to discuss these issues or either come to a community meeting to answer any questions they may have.

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

IN RE:  ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

Administrator Skinner presented to Kenny Robinson a proclamation adopted by the Board of Supervisors commending him for his services and dedication to Wise County during his tenure with the Department of Transportation in Wise. 

Highway Resident Engineer T. G. Branson informed the Board that the bridge on West Norton Road has been reopened for traffic.

Mr. Branson reviewed the following:

(1)  Revenue Sharing Program / Board's intent to participate

(2)  Resolution approving participation in Revenue Sharing FY 2005-2006

Board members provided needs in their districts.

IN RE:  CONSENT AGENDA

The following items were reviewed:

(1)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. March 3) on a proposed boundary line adjustment agreement between the County of Wise and the Town of St. Paul

(2)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. March 3) on the proposed Wise County Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) Fiscal years 2006-2010

(3)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. March 3) on 38 proposed additional E-911 road names

(4)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. March 3) and (6:00 p.m. March 10) on a Community Development Block Grant Project for a potential Child Care Project at the LP Business and Technology Park

Budget Amendments

No. 20:  Increase revenues (DMV STOP monies $990.00) Increase expenses-Treasurer's Office Supplies $990.00

IN RE:  LEASE AGREEMENT / PADDY MTN LUMBER

Administrator Skinner informed the Board that he received a letter from David Osborne, a representative of Paddy Mountain Lumber, which stated that Paddy Mountain Lumber has purchased the timber next to the Flat Gap Community Center. They are requesting permission to cross the property of the Flat Gap Community Center and in exchange is willing to put in a new bridge or put in an underground covert to meet the County's expectations.  Paddy Mountain Lumber will also maintain the road while the timber is being cut.  He noted that the County Attorney has prepared a lease agreement between the County and Paddy Mountain Lumber.

IN RE: OTHER  ITEMS REVIEWED

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

(2)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. March 3) on the proposed sale of County property located in the Glamorgan section of Wise County at 6600 Kemper Road, adjacent to the Stephens Church of God property

(3)  Appointments

(4)  Closed session 2.2-3711 (A)(3) Acquisition of property for public purposes

BOARD COMMENTS

Board members thanked UVA-Wise for dinner, the tour of the science lab and for allowing them to hold its Workshop meeting in the Slemp Student Center. 

There was some discussion on the recent trip to Richmond and the seeds that were hopefully sown in the series of meetings held with representatives for getting the back up Data Center located in the Wise County Tech Park.

ADJOURN

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

ATTEST:                               WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

____________________         ______________________

Glen A. Skinner, Clerk                Fred A. Luntsford, Chairman

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