Honorable Fred A. 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 Robbins, members of said Board and

Glen A. Skinner - County Administrator

Shannon C. Scott - Assistant County Administrator

Karen T. Mullins - County Attorney

Annette Underwood - Executive Secretary

PRAYER

T. G. Branson led the Board in prayer.

PLEDGE

All led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

IN RE:  AGENDA APPROVAL

Chairman Luntsford read the following proposed items to be added to the agenda:

Add to Presentations:

Introduction of Dr. Gregory Killough, Superintendent of Wise County Public Schools

Add to New Business:

(1)> Resolution Approving the transfer of Rapid Communications LLC and granting Franchise to Mikrotec CATV, LLC to own and operate said system. 

A motion was made by Ronnie Shortt, seconded by Bob Adkins, to approve the agenda as presented to include the additions as listed above.  The motion was unanimously approved.

PRESENTATIONS

Dr. Gregory Killough, Superintendent of Public Schools, thanked the Board for the opportunity to come before them and he acknowledged the many opportunities that lay ahead for promoting school programs that are best for the students and the community.  He expressed his eagerness to develop a good working relationship with the Board of Supervisors to further education and economic development for Wise County.

Nolan Kilgore, Assistant Superintendent of Public Schools, and Ron Vicars, School Division Finance Director, presented a brief overview of the proposed gym/classroom facilities at Coeburn Middle School and Powell Valley Primary School and the cost estimates for said projects.  The Coeburn Middle School facility is projected to cost roughly $4.4 million, and the gym at the Powell Valley Primary School with a recommended seating of 500 approximately and four (4) Pre-K classrooms for approximately $5.5 million. It was noted that these prices could increase or decrease. 

IN RE:  PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Ryan Porter and Regan Ramey, students of Coeburn Middle School, presented a petition on behalf of the students of Coeburn Middle School, expressing their gratitude, in advance, for the Board's willingness to consider their need for a new gym.

Bonnie Morgan, a resident of Big Stone Gap, voiced her support for the school construction with the comment that the children are worth the cost.

Karen Hall read several letters from children attending PV Primary School that were in support of a new gym for their school.

Big Stone Gap Mayor Bill Cole thanked the Board for considering these school projects that are on the table for construction.  He also thanked the Board and the surrounding jurisdictions for their assistance during Big Stone Gap's water crisis.

Gina Porter addressed the Board regarding the dilapidated Coeburn gym, which is 80 years old and needs to be replaced and not repaired.  It is beyond repair.  The students are bused for a half-mile to use the gym.  The lighting is bad, asbestos is in building, floors have hardened over the years causing injury when fallen upon, the plumbing leaks and the students will not use the restrooms because the sewer is backed up.  She asked for favorable consideration of this school project, which will allow the Coeburn Middle School students clean and adequate facilities.

Ms. Porter also thanked the Board for its continued support of "Justin's Walk" that takes place each year to raise funds for brain tumor research in memory of her son, Justin Porter.

Danny Stallard noted a need for a gym in a middle school but not the primary school.  He said there were other means of exercising than a gym.  He commented on the two school projects and the real estate tax increase that will be needed to fund these projects.  He voiced his disapproval of allowing students outside the county to be taught in Wise County without paying tuition for which Wise County taxpayers pays 20 percent of the cost to educate them.  At the present time, there are 175 non-resident students attending the three Powell Valley schools. In his opinion, four-year olds are too young to go to school and it only provided free babysitting service for parents.

Rodney Niece, a resident of Big Stone Gap, stated that it needs to be considered that the smaller the project the higher the percentage.  With this in mind, Mr. Niece stated that it would be wise to build bigger with less percentage and accomplish more for the cost.

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

IN RE:  ROAD AND HIGHWAYS

Highway Engineer T. G. Branson briefed the Board on construction throughout the County.

Board members provided Mr. Branson with needs in their districts for VDOT review.

IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA

A motion was made by Ronnie Shortt, seconded by Robby Robbins, to approve the following consent agenda:

IN RE:  E-911 ROAD NAME ADDITIONS

Set public hearing 6:00 p.m. December 1 on six (6) E-911 road name additions.

IN RE:  BUDGET AMENDMENTS

No. 31:  Source of Revenue-DMV Mini-grant -$1,300.00
              Expenditure-Sheriff-Law Enforcement (3102)-
              Police supplies (505409) $1,300.00

No. 32:  Source of Revenue-Prior Years Fund Balance - $10,841.60
              Expenditures- Emergency Services (3505)-
              Other Operating Supplies (5054) $10,841.60

No. 33:  Source of Revenue -Prior years fund Balance -$1,000.00
              Expenditure- Community Organization/events (1102)
              Discretionary Funds (505804)$1,000.00

The motion to approve the consent agenda was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  E-911 ROAD NAME ADDITIONS

A public hearing was held on November 3 to receive citizens' comments regarding six (6) E-911 road name additions.  There was no opposition to the proposed names.

A motion was made by Leland Branham, seconded by Ronny Robbins, to approve the six (6) E-911 road name additions as presented.  The motion was unanimously approved. 

(Said names on file in the County Administrator's Office)

IN RE:  CONDITIONAL ZONING - TOMMY BRIGHT

A public hearing was held on November 3 to receive citizens' comments regarding a request from Tommy Bright for conditional zoning on property located at 4101 Alleghany Road, Coeburn, VA from an A-RR district to a B-1 district for the purpose of placing storage units for rent.  There was no opposition to this request at the public hearing. 

A motion was made by Bob Adkins, seconded by Leland Branham, to approve the conditional zoning as requested by Tommy Bright.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  RESOLUTION - PINE MOUNTAIN TRAIL

There was some discussion on the language in this resolution regarding payment for the project if the Board decides to cancel the project and the actual funding source for the project.

Administrator Skinner acknowledged that he would contact the Pine Mountain Trail Conference for a written agreement as to their commitment to reimburse VDOT for costs expended if the project is cancelled.

After further discussion and clarification from Attorney Mullins and the County Administrator, a motion was made by John Peace, seconded by Ronnie Shortt, to approve the resolution requesting the Commonwealth Transportation Board to establish a project for the improvement of Pine Mountain Trail Trailhead and Parking Project.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 RESOLUTION #              2005

(Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator's Office)

IN RE:  RESOLUTION - RETIREES SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE PLANS

Chairman Luntsford explained that the resolution is indicating that the County is asking the Provider of prescription drugs to postpone their decision regarding the elimination of prescription drugs benefits from the current Plans.

After further discussion, a motion was made by Bob Adkins, seconded by Steve Bates, to approve the resolution regarding the removal of the prescription benefit from the Virginia retirees supplemental insurance Plans.  The motion was unanimously approved.

RESOLUTION #               2005

(Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator's Office)

IN RE:  RE-MAPPING OF UNNUMBERED A ZONES IN POWELL VALLEY

A motion was made by John Peace, seconded by Bob Adkins, to approve the proposal submitted by Gress Engineering for the re-mapping of unnumbered a Zones in Powell Valley for a lump sum of $17,000.00.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  DROUGHT DECLARATION

A motion was made by Robby Robbins, seconded by Virginia Meador, to authorize the County Administrator to write a letter to the Governor requesting a declaration of drought for Wise County.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  NACo CONFERENCE

A motion was made by Bob Adkins, seconded by John Peace, to assist in sponsoring the 2007 NACo Conference as requested.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  ORDINANCE - TAX EXEMPT STATUS - CROOKED ROAD

A motion was made by John Peace, seconded by Leland Branham, to hold a public hearing December 1, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. to receive citizens' comments regarding a proposed Ordinance Exempting the Virginia's Heritage Music Trail: The Crooked Road from Taxation.  The motion was unanimously approved

IN RE:  DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS - FUNDING FOR MONUMENT

A motion was made by Leland Branham, seconded by Ronnie Shortt, to approve a contribution of $1,000.00 toward the installing of a monument at the Wise Post Office in memory of all military personnel from the Town of Wise that were killed in action from World War I up to Vietnam and recent conflicts in the Middle East.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  ORDINANCE -PPTRA TAX

A motion was made by John Peace, seconded by Virginia Meador, to hold a public hearing 6:00 p.m. December 1 to receive citizens' comments regarding a proposed Ordinance Providing for the Implementation of the 2004-2005 Changes to the Personal Property Tax Relief Act of l998 Specific Relief.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  APPOINTMENT - LONESOME PINE YOUTH SERVICES BOARD

A motion was made by Steve Bates, seconded by Bob Adkins, to reappoint Stewart Scales to the LP Youth Services Board for a term of one (1) year.  The motion was unanimously approved.

A motion was made by Ronnie Shortt, seconded by Steve Bates, to appoint Phillip Marshall to the LP Youth Services Board for a term of one (1) year.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  APPOINTMENT - BUILDING CODE AND APPEALS BOARD

A motion was made by John Peace, seconded by Virginia Meador, to reappoint Robert E. Boggs, Jr. to the Building Code and Appeals Board for a term of five (5) years.  The motion was unanimously approved.

IN RE:  RESOLUTION - TRANSFER OF RAPID COMMUNICATIONS TO MIKROTEC

Administrator Skinner reported that Mikrotec Cable TV has made a formal request to transfer Rapid Communications LLC assets to Mikrotec CATV, LLC.  This is the same process that was previously done when Charter Communication transferred its assets in the Pound area to Rapid Communications.  He noted that there was some new language added this afternoon, which is Section 7 in the resolution regarding the Government Access Channel.

A motion was made by John Peace, seconded by Ronnie Shortt, to approve the Resolution Approving the transfer of Rapid Communications LLC and granting Franchise to Mikrotec CATV, LLC to own and operate said system as amended with the addition of Section 7.  The motion was unanimously approved.

RESOLUTION #                   2005

( Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator's Office)

Supervisor Shortt asked that Mikrotec make available, a number and a contact person, for their subscribers so they will be able to report problems and/or get answers to questions they may have.

Attorney Mullins stated that she would provide this information as well as the location of their local office.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Administrator Skinner reported on:  Status on hauling of solid waste

BOARD COMMENTS

There were brief comments from Board members.

ADJOURN

A motion was made by Bob Adkins, seconded by Robby Robbins, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was unanimously approved.

ATTEST:                                 WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

_________________________         __________________________

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

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