| The
Wise County Board of Supervisors met in a Workshop meeting
on Thursday, March 2, 2000, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of
Supervisors meeting room located in the Wise County courthouse.
The following were present:
Honorable
Robert Adkins-Chairman
Honorable
Virginia Meador
Honorable
Betty Cornett
Honorable
Douglas Mullins
Honorable
Edgar Mullins
Honorable
Douglas Stallard
Honorable
Jeffrey Salyers
Honorable
Donnie Dowell-members of said Board and
Shannon
C. Scott-Acting County Administrator
Karen
Mullins-County Attorney
Annette
Underwood-Executive Secretary
PRAYER
Rev.
Charles Estep, Interim Pastor, First Church of God, Wise
led the Board in prayer.
APPROVAL
OF AGENDA
The
following items were added to the agenda:
-
Mountain
Heritage Request For Discretionary Funds
-
Coeburn
Middle School Request For Discretionary Funds
IN
RE: PUBLIC
HEARING/E-911 ROAD NAME ADDITION
A
public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive
citizens input regarding the proposed 911 road name addition
Brookside Drive (previously unnamed) located in the Crab
Orchard section of Coeburn off River Lane Road.
Chairman
Adkins asked for comments from the floor.
There
being no comments for or against the road addition, the
public hearing was closed.
IN
RE: PUBLIC
HEARING/REZONING/ARNIE RIGGS
Chairman
Adkins advised that Arnie Riggs has written a letter asking
to withdraw his request to have his property rezoned
from a B-2 to M-1 in the Powell Valley section of Wise County.
Due to Mr. Riggs request for withdrawal, Chairman
Adkins advised that there would be no public hearing regarding
this rezoning request.
IN
RE: PUBLIC
EXPRESSION
There
was no one to speak during public expression.
IN
RE: ROADS AND
HIGHWAYS
The
gravel payments were reviewed.
IN
RE: REVENUE
SHARING PROGRAM
The
Board needs to approve a letter of intent to participate
in the Revenue Sharing Program FY 2000-01.
IN
RE: VDOT
R-O-W PURCHASE/CARFAX
Highway
Resident Engineer Leland Branham gave the Board a brief
update on the road project at Carfax.
He noted that the County needs to talk with the R-O-W
agents regarding a small portion of land owned by
the County that is needed for that road project.
IN
RE: HUNTER
ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Mr.
Branham explained that the utilities on the new addition,
Hunter Road located at Esserville, have been relocated and
the road project is ready for construction within the next
couple of weeks.
IN
RE: VDOT
REMARKS
Mr.
Branham reviewed a list of upcoming meetings.
He urged Board members to attend the Annual Allocation
Hearing to voice the County's road improvement needs.
He
noted that the Coal & Gas Road Committee met in a budget
workshop at which time commitment was made to the Revenue
Sharing funding and to PSA in the amount of $581,000 for
water projects next year.
Mr.
Branham announced that he would be retiring as of
April 24, 2000.
He expressed his sincere thanks for the cooperation
that has been given to VDOT from the different Boards of
Supervisors, which has helped make his job more rewarding.
Board
members expressed their appreciation to Mr. Branham for
his dedication to Wise County and the progress that has
been made throughout Wise County during his tenure as Highway
Resident Engineer.
Mr.
Branham introduced the new Highway Resident Engineer T.G.
Branson.
There
was a brief discussion on the MECC entrance.
Mr. Branham noted that a $50,000 federal
grant has been awarded and will be issued in October
of this year to extend the right turn lane at the MECC intersection
that will hopefully decrease the accidents in that area.
IN
RE: WORKFORCE
INVESTMENT ACT/CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIALS AGREEMENT
Ron
Flanary gave a brief explanation of the Workforce Investment
Board and the means by which the members are selected.
He reviewed the structure and functions of said Board
with a word of caution that the Chief Elected Officials
need to be careful as to those selected to this Board.
Mr. Flanary stated that he had suggested that the
nomination process be extended to include a greater number
of people to be considered. In fairness to all jurisdictions,
a larger pool of interested, qualified individuals from
which this Board could be chosen was needed.
In closing remarks, he noted that all necessary advertisements
have been made to encourage citizens to participate in the
nominating process.
IN
RE: CSA
ADDITIONAL FUNDING
At
the recent Wise County Community Policy Management Board
meeting, the fiscal agent reported that the county would
expend the current year's allocation prior to the end of
this fiscal year.
The CPM Board agreed to request an additional allocation
from the State Compensation Services Act Office and request
the required matching funds from the Board of Supervisors
to cover the remainder of this year's expenditures.
Mike
Mullins, Assistant Director of Wise County Social Services
and member of the CPM Board CSA, informed the Board that
the CPM Board is a community organization and not a Social
Service Agency which involves the whole district and all
the service providers that provide services to families
across Wise County.
In
1997/98 the CSA budget was approximately $600,000.
During that budget year, they were told that Medicaid
would eventually pay some of the expenses of the high residential
placements for troubled youth.
To date, that funding has not been received.
The Medicaid payment of approximately $93,000 will
not be in place until late June of this year, which would
be too late for this year's expenses.
Mr.
Mullins presented a l999/2000 CSA Budget Allocation noting
that an additional $50,000 of local money would be needed
to finish the year.
Upon receipt of the proposed $93,000 from Medicaid,
the localities would be reimbursed for its dollars spent.
Mr. Mullins briefed the Board on the rising expenses
for medical care and placement of the children but also
noted the savings that have been reaped by the County through
the new program that has been initiated by the LPOOY.
Administrator
Scott explained that the entire $50,000 may not be needed
and if not expended, will be returned to the county's general
fund.
Dr.
Eleanor Cantrell, Chairman of the CPM Board, re-enforced
Mr. Mullins' request and asked the Board to consider appropriating
the needed funds.
There
was some discussion on the need for a facility in Wise County
to care for its own children.
IN
RE: UPPER TENNESSEE
RIVER ROUNDTABLE/BIG SANDY CONFERENCE
Neal
Kilgore, Watershed Manager for Upper Tennessee & Big
Sandy Rivers, gave the Board an update on the Upper Tennessee
River Roundtable and the Big Sandy Conference.
He spoke briefly on the grants that have been approved
for Wise County to assist in cleaning up its streams especially
the Guest River.
Mr.
Kilgore asked the Board to consider an appointee to serve
on the Roundtable Board which serves different aspects of
our region. addressing water quality and water quantity.
This board meets four times a year to discuss issues
that are pertinent to every county in southwest Virginia.
IN
RE: RIVER GORGE
SUBDIVISION/WISE COUNTY SEWER TREATMENT ALLOCATION
Freddie
Dean, the managing member of
River Gorge LLC, a newly formed company of nine investors,
have currently raised funds and purchased property from
the bank that was previously owned by Mullins Homes.
This property is located in the Riverview section
of Coeburn and will
provide 60 to 75 homes.
At the April 10, l997 meeting of
the Board of Supervisors, approval was given to allow
Mullins Homes to use a portion of
the county's sewer allocation from CNW Wastewater
Treatment Plant in the amount of
22,500 gallons per day
for the proposed River Gorge Subdivision upon approval
by the PSA. Mr.
Dean asked if that approval could be transferred to his
company. A
pump station and lines will be installed at the expense
of River Gorge LLC with health department approval of all
plans and specifications. He asked
that upon completion of
the system, that the ownership and R-O-W would be
turned over to PSA and maintained by
PSA. The
sewer allocation being requested is based on 75 homes which
more than likely
will be less because some of the lots already sold
have septic tanks.
Doug
Stallard asked if
all homes built on the lots would be mandated to
be hook onto the sewer to ensure a potential customer base
for PSA.
Mr.
Dean explained that if the homes are on an approved system
rather than septic tanks, less acreage would be required
for each house, therefore, more homes could be provided.
However,
it is his understanding that the county does not have an ordinance
in place that mandates citizens
who are served by water and sewer
to hook on to said system.
Bill
Skeens, representing Maximum Engineers, explained that the
installation of these lines will be designed for the size
of the subdivision
and the drainage area of the 56 acres.
He further explained that he represented Mullins
Homes in l997 when this same request was before the Board. At that time,
Mullins Homes did not follow through with the pump station
system because of the great expense.
Instead they chose to go with individual on-site
septic tanks.
Mr.
Dean stated that upon approval of this request, meetings
will be held with the health department and the PSA to coordinate
the project.
IN
RE: HOPE
HOUSE REQUEST
Janice
Funk, representing Hope House, informed the Board that the
Family Crisis Support Services
is applying for a Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Enforcement
Grant. The
grant's primary purpose is to enhance the safety of women
and children by supporting projects designed to address
and prevent domestic violence and child victimization.
This grant will help to provide funds necessary to
develop a more community-oriented approach, by creating
a position for a Family Violence Services Coordinator.
This coordinator would be responsible for working
with victims and with the agencies within a community, building
a more unified approach to combat this problem.
All agencies applying for this grant must work with
other agencies in the community to accomplish the initial
step of a community questionnaire.
Because no single agency has all the answers to the
questions asked, and no single
agency has all the answers to the problem of domestic
violence, this must be a joint project of the entire community.
For counties with low populations, the grant suggests
that it could be more
beneficial to work as a regional project. Family Crisis
Support Services serves six counties and the City of Norton.
Ms.
Funk ask the Board to review the questionnaire and consider
participating in this worthy project with the Family Crisis
Support Services.
IN
RE: TITLE 4-E
GRANT FUNDS/FOSTER HOME RECRUITMENT
Paul
Kuczko informed the Board that there has been a continuation
of Title IV-E Pass-Through Funding to local agencies to
support foster/adoptive parent training (pre-service and
in-Service), recruitment, home studies, and retention activities.
This grant would aid in hiring a full-time foster
care recruiter who would work full time to recruit more
homes to deal with troubled children.
He gave an overview of the Foster Home Recruitment
Program with its objectives and goals.
The
Title 4-E Grant funds will allow three public agencies and
the community the opportunity to develop and implement a
multi-faceted recruitment, training, and retention program
that will increase the number of foster homes for adolescents
in general and, in particular, minority homes.
This innovative program is needed due to the large
number of adolescents in foster care.
The
goal for this program is to recruit and train at least l0
new foster families for adolescents of which at least three
will be minority families by developing and implementing
a major foster family
recruitment and training project entitled F.A.M.I.L.Y. (Fostering
Adolescents Makes Independent Loving Youth).
Mr. Kuczko noted that this grant would require a local match of
25% but if the Board could contribute $6,000
in next year's budget, he would be able to supply
the other funds .
He
asked for some type of
approval since the grant application had to be sent in this week.
There was a general
consensus of the Board that approval would be given at the next meeting.
IN
RE: BLACKWOOD
LANDFILL UPDATE
Bill
King, representing T&L, stated that he had attended
the public hearing, held by DEQ, this evening at UVA's College
at Wise to speak in support of
the Blackwood Landfill expansion permit.
Mr. King informed the Board that he had stressed
the financial investment the County has made on the expansion
and the need to begin operation as soon as possible.
There was no opposition at the public hearing.
There will be a public comment period on the permit
until March 17 . After
all information has been considered, DEQ will make a decision
whether or not to grant the permit.
IN
RE: BLACKWOOD
LANDFILL/INDUSTRIAL PARK BOUNDARY SURVEY
Bill
King stated that he had been approached by county staff
that the landfill operators are needing some daily cover
for the waste at the landfill.
In order to find this cover, the county needs to
know its property line.
T&L has been asked to speak with a surveyor
to ascertain a price to stake the entire perimeter
of the county property line.
This service will be passed through to the county
at T&L's cost
with no mark up to the county.
There is approximately
11,000 feet to be staked.
The price quoted by the surveyor for this service
will be $5,750.00.
This service will also be pass through to the County
at T&L's cost without any mark up to the county.
This survey needs to be completed within the next
thirty days.
IN
RE: VRA / BOND
FINANCING
Administrator
Scott briefed the Board on the Resolution of the Board
of Supervisors of the County of Wise, Virginia, Approving
the Issuance, Sale and Award of its Solid Waste Management
System Revenue Bond, Series 2000 noting that the approval of this resolution will
approve Exhibit A Form of Bond and the Financing Agreement
between VRA and Wise County.
Mr.
Scott explained that this necessary administrative work
is needed to close out the landfill expansion costs.
IN
RE: TRANSFER
OF PROPERTY/WISE
COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
Chairman
Adkins advised that the Wise County School Board has adopted
a resolution to transfer
the title of two tracts of property, the Sandy Ridge
Fairview Community Center and the Flat Gap Community Center,
from the Wise County School Board to Wise County.
IN
RE: WISE COUNTY
SCHOOL BOARD/ SALE OF
SURPLUS PROPERTY
Administrator
Scott stated that the Wise County School Board has asked
for approval from the Board of Supervisors to sell the surplus
property known as the St. Paul Home Economics Property which
has not been used for school purposes for some time.
It has further been requested that
upon the sell of this property
that the proceeds of the sale be placed in the Capital
Improvement Fund and retained by the School Board and further
be used for new school construction, school renovation and
major school maintenance projects.
Mr.
Scott said it is his understanding that the School Board
has a potential buyer for this particular parcel of
property.
There
was some discussion as to whether or not the School Board
can sell surplus property.
Attorney
Mullins stated that the School Board would have to get the
approval of the Board of Supervisors to sell the property and to place
said monies in a restricted account for capital outlay.
She
also noted that the Board has the option of selling the
property too.
There
were some questions as to whether or not these monies had
to be placed in the Capital Outlay Fund or could it be used
in another line item for the school.
Attorney
Mullins noted that the State Statute says that if the county
allows the school to sell the surplus property then the
money is designated to go into the school's capital outlay
fund.
There
was some discussion that perhaps the funds could be used
to hire Resource Officers for all the high schools throughout
Wise County.
After
further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to
have the attorney provide alternatives for the sell of this
surplus property.
IN
RE: RESOLUTION/ISSUANCE
OF INDUSTRIAL BONDS FOR MEOC EXPANSION
Carl
Snodgrass, representing the IDA, addressed the Board regarding
the sale of industrial bonds for Mountain Empire Older Citizens.
The IDA has been asked by MEOC to assist in the financing
for the construction
of an expansion of the MEOC facility for an amount not to
exceed $560,000.
A
public hearing was held on February 22, 2000, on the proposed
financing of the project with no public
opposition to the bond financing.
Mr. Snodgrass asked that the Board approve the resolution
approving the issuance of the bonds by the IDA for the benefit
of MEOC's facility expansion.
Mr.
Snodgrass explained the cramped conditions of the facility
and the need for extra space to accommodate the needs and
rapid growth of the organization.
IN
RE: PSA
AUDIT COMPONENT
Administrator
Scott stated that he has had the opinion of two certified
government auditing firms that the PSA audit should be included
as a component part of the Wise County audit.
The basis for this is that even though the Board
has no monetary control over the dollars spent by the PSA,
the Board of Supervisors appoints all members on the PSA
Board.
There
was some questions as to whether or not this would be cost
efficient to have both audits at the same time.
Mr.
Scott noted that the RFP's have gone out for the audit and
this question can be asked after the final auditor has been
chosen.
Mr.
Scott said this is brought to the Board for thought and
informational purposes for a possible change in the auditing
procedure.
There
was some discussion in that this would exclude the small
auditing firms and decrease their business.
IN
RE: CONVENIENCE
CENTER / COMMERCIAL USE
Jackie
Darter, Superintendent of Public Works, addressed the Board
concerning commercial use of the convenience centers.
Mr. Darter stated that there have been complaints
from several businesses that since they have paid their
landfill use fee they
should not be denied the privilege of using the convenience
center to dispose of
garbage generated by their business.
He presented a chart showing the amount of
construction debris, wood , brush, mulch and vegetative
debris and tires that are taken to the landfill from local
businesses. To
allow this amount of debris at the convenience centers,
would require more trailers and more employees.
The convenience centers were designed for household
garbage and to rid the county of
roadside dumpsters.
IN
RE: ENGINE
FOR TRACTOR/SOLID WASTE COLLECTION
Mr.
Darter informed the Board that the motor in the l978 road
tractor presently being used at the landfill has had many
expensive repairs and is torn up again. To repair this motor,
would cost approximately $6 to $7,000 and the block
is beyond repair.
To upgrade to a bigger engine with a two year warranty
would cost approximately $10,000.
Mr. Darter recommended the upgrade.
Administrator
Scott noted that the cost for this engine could be taken
from another line item in landfill budget that has been
over budgeted.
IN
RE: ANIMAL
CONTROL VEHICLE
Administrator
Scott stated that the transmission in the Animal Warden's
vehicle needs to be replaced.
The vehicle, when purchased, had lots of mileage and has since had costly repairs
that have amounted to more than the truck is worth. Mr. Scott asked for
approval to purchase another vehicle for an amount up to
$8,000 that would be sufficient for the Animal Warden's
needs.
IN
RE: LANDFILL
USE FEE/COMMUNICATION WITH BUSINESSES
Administrator
Scott asked for authorization to communicate with the towns
to secure information on the amount of
trash placed in the dumpsters by businesses.
With this information, he could establish a better
rate to charge the businesses if and when the Landfill Use
Fee Ordinance is amended.
IN
RE: SMOKING
ORDINANCE
Chairman
Adkins stated that there has been complaints regarding smoking
in the courthouse.
A letter was received from a citizen who had been
in the County Administrator's Office on business and was
overwhelmed by cigarette smoke.
He asked if the existing smoking ordinance was in
compliance with federal law.
Attorney
Mullins stated that the existing smoking ordinance was in
compliance with the Clean Air Act.
In her opinion, the Board does have the authority
to regulate the smoking throughout the courthouse.
The only area in the courthouse that would be exempt
would possibly be the judges chambers since that office
has locks and is not entered by the general
public. She
said she had called Flippo Hicks regarding the most recent
regulations on smoking in public buildings,
but was unable to reach him for comment prior to
the meeting. A
reply would be forthcoming before the next meeting as to
whether or not the existing ordinance needs to be amended.
IN
RE: AUDIT COMMITTEE
Administrator
Scott advised the Board that the present Audit Committee
consists of Doug
Mullins, Donnie Dowell, Bob Adkins, and himself.
He
asked the Board to authorize the Audit Committee to review
the Audit RFP's and to authorize the Chairman to sign the
Audit Contract since the State requires the County to have
a signed contract before April 1.
He further noted that the Treasurer was unintentionally
omitted from the Audit Committee and needed to be listed
as part of that committee.
Virginia
Meador was concerned that this Audit Committee was appointed
by a different Board.
With
there being some concerns as to when this Committee was
appointed, Ms. Underwood said she would search the minutes
to ascertain the exact date.
Mr.
Dowell stated that if there is a conflict with him being
on the Audit Committee and also being an employee of
PSA, he would relinquish his seat to another member
of the Board.
IN
RE: JUDICIAL
SALE/ATTORNEY FEES
Treasurer
Rita Holbrook presented a request to the Board for
a check to be issued in the amount of $3,147.17 to
Leonard Rogers for attorney fees regarding the Judicial
Sale.
Since
Mr. Rogers can no longer continue this Judicial process
due to his work load, Daniel Fast has agreed to work the
Judicial Sale, effective January 2000.
Ms. Holbrook requested a check in the amount of $1,923.68
payable to Mr. Fast for work completed on said sale.
IN
RE: PANEL OF
PHYSICIANS
Administrator
Scott advised that for the purpose of
workers compensation the County's insurance carrier
continues to recommend that the Board give consideration
to a Panel of Physicians. He noted that material has been placed in the Board packets
that will help the members understand the duties of a Panel
of Physicians. The
School Board fully endorses this and would like to use the
same panel of physicians.
IN
RE: OTHER ITEMS
REVIEWED
-
Disbursement
of Discretionary Funds
-
Appointments
-
Landfill
Use Fee Refunds
-
Set
Tax Rate for FY 2000/2001
-
Payment
of Accounts
-
E-911
Payments
-
Blackwood
Landfill Enterprise Fund Payments
-
Board
Comments
ADJOURN
There
being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:10
p.m.
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