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 ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Administrator Skinner asked that the following item be removed from the agenda:

Delete from New Business

(1)  Lane Hollow Road - deed - R-O-W (Requested by Attorney Rodgers)

The use of this road is in litigation at this time.

IN RE:  PPTRA PRESENTATION

Treasurer Rita Holbrook presented a power point presentation on the mechanics of the Personal Property Tax Reform Act of 1998 (PPTRA).  Ms. Holbrook explained that the goal of the tax is to gradually eliminate personal property tax on qualifying motor vehicles over a period of five years.  She reviewed the methods of reimbursement and the problem associated with each.  She stated that the ordinance before the Board contains the Specific Relief Method that is recommended by a team that consisted of several individuals, which included the Commissioner of the Revenue and herself.

IN RE:  APPALACHIAN CHILDREN'S THEATRE

Kathy Dotson, Outreach Coordinator for the Appalachian Children's Theatre (ACT), gave the Board an overview of the Theatre's functions, its source of funding, and future goals.  She stated that their aim is to begin, as soon as possible, an after school program for children with the focus on art.  Arts provide another dimension to help reinforce academics, teach problem solving techniques and inspire creativity while giving kids a chance to have fun.  One of the main goals is to provide positive activities and mentoring relationships during the hours after school when youth are especially vulnerable to negative influences.  Ms. Dotson asked the Board for financial assistance of $5,000.00 to meet this new goal.

IN RE:  SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Dr. Gregory Killough, Superintendent of Public Schools, introduced Don Solt, with Belson, Lusk and Street located in Kingsport and Dan Jackson located in the Johnson City office.  Mr. Jackson and Mr. Solt provided a power point presentation on the preliminary schematic design for a proposed gymnasium and additional classrooms for the Powell Valley Primary School.

Bill Thompson, representing Thompson and Litton, Inc. presented preliminary designs for the proposed gymnasium and additional classrooms for the Coeburn Middle School.

Ron Vicars, School Finance Director, explained the need for both projects with cost projections for Powell Valley Primary School at $5.5 million and the Coeburn Middle School at $4.4 million.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING - E-911 ROAD NAMES

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' input regarding the addition of six (6) new E-911 road names.

There were no public comments regarding the new additions.

The public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING - THE CROOKED ROAD TAX EXEMPT STATUS

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding the proposed ordinance approving the Tax Exempt Status for Virginia's Heritage Music Trail: The Crooked Road.

There were no public comments regarding this proposed ordinance.

The public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING - PPTRA ORDINANCE

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding a proposed Ordinance to Provide the Implementation of the 2004-2005 Changes to the Personal Property Tax Relief Act of l998 Specific Relief (PPTRA).

There were no public comments regarding the proposed ordinance.

The public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Lewis Ferguson, representing United Way of Southwest Virginia, addressed the Board with an update on United Way and its efforts to rebuild its organization to reach the needy in our area.  Mr. Ferguson asked for any amount of funding the Board can provide at this time and also asked that United Way be considered as a line item in the County budget.

Walter Crouse voiced his disapproval of the proposed school construction projects as presented.  He stated that the proposed projects are extravagant and beyond the needs of the schools and also creates a large debt on the County and its citizens.  The high schools have needs that were not mentioned or considered.

Mr. Crouse asked for more publicity on the need for recycling, which will save the County money when the transfer station becomes operational.  He also asked for some method of clarification at the convenience centers as to where different items are to be placed.

Shane Sutton, an adjoining property owner to Joe Diets property located at 415 E. 26^th Street, Big Stone Gap, addressed the Board concerning the expansion of Mr. Diet's trailer park.  Mr. Sutton stated that Mr. Diets has the expanded park already in operation prior to all requirements being met such as the public hearings, and the easement issues being resolved and satisfied by both parties as noted in the motion made by the Planning Commission.  He explained that he has an easement across Mr. Diet's property for ingress and egress to property that he owns.  On this portion of property, a ditch has been cut that will hinder his access to that property.  During this expansion, Mr. Sutton said that debris has been pushed onto his property and needs to be removed.  Mr. Sutton asked for Board assistance in getting these issues resolved.

Attorney Mullins said she has spoken to Mr. Sutton on a couple occasions and has gone, herself, and reviewed the property in question.  It is her understanding that the recommendation from the Planning Commission is subject to the condition that any easement of record must be accessible, by Mr. Sutton or any other party, before the Board can give final approval.  At the present time, the Planning Commission is requesting a public hearing by the Board.  Regarding the occupancy permit, Attorney Mullins stated that she was not aware that one has been granted by the Building Department.  She further informed the Board about the pending lawsuit between Mr. Diets and Mr. Sutton as was related to her. 

After further discussion, the County Attorney was asked to meet with the Building Official Robert Mullins and visit the site for clarification as to whether or not the trailer park is operational and  since there seems to be some dispute on the property line, check the deed for clarification of property line.

Chairman Luntsford asked for a report at the next meeting.

IN RE:  ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

Highway Resident Engineer T. G. Branson gave the Board an update on construction throughout the County.

The resolution approving the Secondary Road Six Year Plan was reviewed.

The resolution "Watch for Children" signs were reviewed.

Board members presented needs in their districts for review by VDOT.

IN RE:  CONSENT AGENDA ITEM REVIEWED

(1)  Resolution Amending the Transfer Resolution for the Cable Television System and Franchise

(2)  AVM Mechanical Voting Machines Surplus

(3)  Proposal for Gas Probe Installation at Appalachia Landfill

(4)  Organizational Meeting (January 5 @ 5:50 p.m.)

(5)  Budget Amendments No. 34 through No. 44

IN RE:  SPECIAL USE PERMIT - JOE DIETS

After hearing the complaints of Shane Sutton, adjacent property owner to Joe Diet's property, the Board asked that Mr. Diet's request for a Special Use Permit be placed under New Business for further discussion.

IN RE:  OTHER ITEMS REVIEWED

(1)  Approval of Standard Software License and Services Agreement

(2)  Resolution of Support for UVA's-College at Wise Software Major

(3)  Resolution "Wi-Fi" Campus-Plus "Hot Zone"

(4)  Lane Hollow Road Deed (This item was removed from the agenda - the road is in litigation at this time)

(5)  Contribution to "The Crooked Road" Project

(6)  Victim/Witness Program request for funding for FY 2006-2007 budget (The Board can participate in principle for budgeting purposes of the Victim/Witness Program)

(7)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. January 5) for proposed Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEFIA) Ordinance 

(8)  Schedule for Richmond Trip in January (Administrator Skinner reviewed the proposed agenda for the Richmond Trip)

(9)  Board comments

ADJOURN

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

ATTEST:                                WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

____________________                   _________________________

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

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