The Wise County Board of Supervisors met in a Regular meeting on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors meeting room located in the Wise County courthouse. The following were present:
Honorable Robert E. Robbins, Jr., - Chairman
Honorable J. H. Rivers – Vice-Chairman
Honorable Dana Kilgore
Honorable Virginia Meador
Honorable Steve Bates
Honorable Robert E. Adkins
Honorable Fred Luntsford
Honorable Ronald L. Shortt, members of said Board and
Shannon C. Scott – County Administrator
David L. Cox – Financial Administrator
Karen T. Mullins – County Attorney
Annette Underwood – Executive Secretary
PRAYER
T. G. Branson led in prayer.
PLEDGE
All led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
MINUTES
Supervisor Meador brought to the Board’s attention an error on page 13 of the minutes where there was a repeat of the County Administrator’s name. One name should have been the County Attorney.
A motion was made by Fred Luntsford, seconded by Virginia Meador, to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion was unanimously approved.
IN RE: AGENDA/ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
The following items were reviewed for deletion or addition to the agenda:
Under Consent Agenda Add:
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Resolution Requesting Speed Study on Route 637
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Resolution Requesting a Traffic Signal Study on Route 23 at the Intersection of Routes Bus. 23/630
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Resolution Supporting a Traffic Signal Study at the Intersection of State Route 58 and the Southwest Virginia Regional Cancer Center
Under New Business Add:
Supervisor Meador said she could not vote on the IEC Fusion Program Resolution because she has not seen it prior to the meeting.
Supervisor Adkins asked that the discussion on the Wise Inn be deleted from the agenda.
Chairman Robbins asked that the Debt Management Review by Davenport & Company be moved to the November meeting.
A motion was made by Bob Adkins, seconded by Virginia Meador, to approve the agenda as presented to include the additions/deletions with the exception of the Resolution on IEC Fusion Program. The motion was unanimously approved.
IN RE: ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
Residency Administrator T. G. Branson gave an update on the J.W. Adams crossover in Pound.
Board members provided needs in their districts for VDOT review and response.
IN RE: PUBLIC EXPRESSION
Elmer Phillips, District 1, addressed the Board on the following:
Judy Adams, a resident of Coeburn, addressed the Board on the following:
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School Consolidation
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The shape of the economy
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Taxes
Sister Beth Jaspers, Stephen’s area, opposed bringing elk into Wise County because they are very destructive and not enough food to feed them.
Matt ________________ voiced his support of school consolidation. He did not think it fair for children to be placed in pre-historic schools in a wireless age. It’s either build schools now or wait until inflation becomes a reality.
Debbie Baca, a resident of St. Paul, with facts and figures, voiced her reasons to not consolidate the schools. She asked that a decision be made based on the facts and what is best for the children in Wise County and not for selfish motives.
Kyle Fletcher, St. Paul resident, spoke on the needed repairs to the transfer station on Bull Hill that has been used by Coeburn and St. Paul for trash disposal. Cost for repair is approximately $76,500. He asked the Board to allocate the funds for the needed repairs which he felt would be a fair use of tax payers’ money.
Brian Meade, a resident of Coeburn, opposed school consolidation because:
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Detrimental to the community
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Reassessments have gone up
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Cannot handle another tax increase
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Hard times for everyone
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The existing schools have not been properly maintained
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Hardship on citizens to pay for debt
Harold Greear, resident of Pound, spoke on the following:
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Revenue from Dominion Power Plant
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State cuts for schools and colleges
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Wise Inn and local funding
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Needs jobs in Pound and Appalachia
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Innovative Highway
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VCEDA funds for economic development in Wise County
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Tourism
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Coal severance tax
Walter Crouse, District 4 resident, spoke on the following:
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Littering
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Tourism
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No elk in Wise County
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County finances
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Education – control spending
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Renovation rather than consolidation
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Do away with SOL and block scheduling in schools
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Proposed school sites not acceptable for the schools
There being no further comments, public expression was closed at 6:57 p.m.
IN RE: APPALACHIAN COMMUNITY ACTION & DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Angela Sproles, informed the Board that Appalachian Community Action and Development Agency, was formerly known as RADA. The agency’s purpose is to reduce the problems that people in poverty face daily. Some of the new programs offered are as follows:
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Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program
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Emergency Assistance – funds for low-income people with immediate financial needs
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Housing – repairs for homes that are substandard
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Weatherization
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Crisis Heating – attends to families without adequate heat
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Choreservice – cleans homes for people who are elderly or disabled
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Child care Connect – provides training & technical assistance to child care providers
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Homeless Intervention Program – work with individuals and households who are in danger of being evicted or losing their home due to foreclosure
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VIDA – assists low-income household in building assets by providing matching funds for the purchase of a first home, etc
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Workforce Investment Act Programs for Adults and Dislocated Workers – employment services for individuals with training needs and those who have been laid off work
It is the vision of ACAA to establish and maintain a well managed, fully funded program of resources, services, and community efforts. At this time, the most need is for materials for repairs. Any donations would be appreciated.
IN RE: DICKENSON COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICES – WISE COUNTY
William Mays, Norton Station Manager for the Dickenson County Ambulance Services, told the Board that he was not aware that he needed a permit from the Board of Supervisors to serve citizens in Wise County. Dickenson County Ambulance Service has been operating a professional commercial ambulance service in Clintwood since September 24, 1984 and in the City of Norton since August 1, 2008. Mr. Mays said he has been operating the ambulance services in the City of Norton for 13 years and found out two weeks ago that Wise County requires a permit for services within Wise County.
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Bob Adkins, seconded by Steve Bates, to approve the consent agenda as follows:
IN RE: APPROPRIATIONS 2ND QUARTER
Approved the 2nd quarter appropriations as presented
IN RE: DICKENSON COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICES PERMIT
Approved the permit for the Dickenson County Ambulance Services to serve citizens within Wise County
IN RE: RESOLUTION HONORING RESCUE SQUADS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Approved the resolution honoring the rescue squads 50th anniversary
RESOLUTION # 2009
(Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator’s Office)
IN RE: RESOLUTION – SPEED STUDY RT. 637
Approved the resolution requesting speed study on Rt. 637
RESOLUTION #___________________2009
(Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator’s Office)
IN RE: RESOLUTION – TRAFFIC SIGNAL STUDY
Approved the resolution requesting a traffic signal study on Route 23 at the Intersection of Routes Bus 23/630
RESOLUTION # 2009
(Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator’s Office)
IN RE: RESOLUTION – TRAFFIC SIGNAL STUDY
Approved a resolution supporting a traffic signal study at the Intersection of State Rt. 58 and the Southwest Virginia Regional Cancer Center
RESOLUTION # 2009
(Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator’s Office)
The motion to approve the consent agenda was unanimously approved.
IN RE: DEBT MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION
There was no discussion on this item.
IN RE: SCHOOL SYSTEM FINANCING
There was neither action taken nor discussion on this item.
IN RE: NORTON UTILITY AGREEMENT
Administrator Scott reported that discussions with the City of Norton on the Norton Utility agreement are ongoing.
IN RE: COURTHOUSE EXTERIOR WALL CLEANING
A quotation from Ball Construction in the amount of $12,500 to chemically clean the wall on the rear of the new courthouse addition and HVAC corner screen was discussed. This amount is a straight pass thru by Ball Construction as this represents the quote from the Pennsylvania Restoration and Cleaning Contractor.
A motion was made by Ronnie Shortt, seconded by Steve Bates, to approve the cleaning of the wall on the new addition of the courthouse and the HVAC corner screen for an amount of $12,500. The motion was unanimously approved.
IN RE: RABIES VACCINE FOR RACCOONS
Administrator Scott explained that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services Program will distribute oral rabies vaccine in southwestern Virginia beginning on or about October 5, 2009 to vaccinate raccoons against the rabies virus. Bait distribution in Virginia is part of a nationwide, cooperative effort by USDA to prevent the westward spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern United States. The bait will be distributed by low-flying aircraft throughout a vaccination area that includes parts of eight counties, which is expected to last about one (1) week.
IN RE: APPOINTMENT –COMMUNITY POLICY & MANAGEMENT BOARD
Ronnie Shortt nominated Jerrie Adams for reappointment to the Community Policy & Management Board.
J. H. Rivers made a motion that nominations cease and Ms. Adams be appointed by acclamation. Bob Adkins seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.
IN RE: APPOINTMENT – COMMUNITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE BOARD
A motion was made by Virginia Meador, seconded by Bob Adkins, to reappoint the following individuals to the Community Criminal Justice Board for a term of two (2) years:
Honorable Elizabeth S. Wills – Juvenile and Domestic – Judge Representative
Honorable Henry Vanover – Circuit Court – Judge Representative
Honorable Sage B. Johnson – District Court – Judge Representative
Allison Steele – Education Representative
Chief William H. Price – Chief of Police Representative
Ruth Hale – Chief Magistrate Representative
Sheriff David Bradley – Sheriff’s Representative
Roy Evans – Commonwealth Attorney Representative
Steve Clear – Regional Jail Representative
Kevin Tiller – Defense Attorney Representative
The motion to reappoint these individuals was unanimously approved.
IN RE: RESOLUTION – COAL PRODUCTION IMPORTANCE
A motion was made by Virginia Meador, seconded by Ronnie Shortt, to approve the resolution recognizing the importance of coal production to the region and nation. The motion was unanimously approved.
RESOLUTION # 2009
(Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator’s Office)
IN RE: HEALTH DEPARTMENT HVAC UPDATE
John Ponish, representing Appalachian Technical Services, addressed the Board with an update on the bid opening for the Health Department HVAC system. There were five (5) bids that were within the budget. All bids were responsive and within the project budget. There should be a contractor under contract for the project the by end of October. The bids will be reviewed in detail and the most responsible bidder will be selected.
Administrator Scott asked the Board to consider authorizing the Committee working with Mr. Ponish to proceed with selecting the contractor and further authorize the Chairman to execute the contract which will allow the project to move forward.
IN RE: ADDITION TO THE AGENDA
A motion was made by Dana Kilgore, seconded by Bob Adkins to add the following to the agenda for consideration by the Board:
The motion was unanimously approved.
IN RE: HEALTH DEPARTMENT HVAC
A motion was made by Ronnie Shortt, seconded by Fred Luntsford, to authorize the Committee to assist Mr. Ponish in selecting a contractor for installing the Health Department HVAC System and to further authorize the Chairman to execute said contract. The motion was unanimously approved.
IN RE: COMCAST UPDATE
Jack Still, Media Director for the County of Wise, provided the Board with information on Comcast’s future plans and updated services that will be offered to citizens served by their company.
RECESS
The Board took a brief recess at 7:55 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 8:00 p.m.
IN RE: CLOSED SESSION
A motion was made by Ronnie Shortt, seconded by Dana Kilgore, to go into closed session per the following code sections as permitted by the Code of Virginia:
The motion was unanimously approved.
After a lengthy closed session, a motion was made by Bob Adkins, seconded by Ronnie Shortt, to reconvene the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved.
IN RE: RESOLUTION - CLOSED SESSION
Secretary Underwood read the certification for closed meeting.
A motion was made by Ronnie Shortt, seconded by Bob Adkins, to approve the resolution verifying matters discussed while in closed session. The motion was unanimously approved by roll call vote.
RESOLUTION # 2009
(Said resolution is on file in the County Administrator’s Office)
IN RE: REPORTS
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Finance Administrator
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County Attorney
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County Administrator
ADJOURN
There being no further business to be brought before the Board, a motion was made by Fred Luntsford, seconded by Dana Kilgore, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was unanimously approved.
ATTEST: WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
________________________________ ______________________________________
Shannon C. Scott, Clerk Robert E. Robbins, Jr., Chairman
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