Honorable
Robert R. Adkins-Chairman
Honorable
Virginia Meador - Vice-Chair
Honorable
Douglas Mullins
Honorable
Edgar Mullins
Honorable
Betty Cornett
Honorable
Douglas Stallard
Honorable
Donnie Dowell
Honorable
Jeffrey Salyers-members of said Board and
Shannon
C. Scott-Acting County Administrator
Karen
Mullins-County Attorney
Annette
Underwood-Executive Secretary
PRAYER
Rev.
T. G. Branson, Pastor Coeburn Church of God, led the Board
in prayer.
PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
APPROVAL
OF AGENDA
Donnie
Dowell presented a letter requesting the Board to adopt
a Resolution of Support for the construction of a Kitchen
Incubator. He
asked that this request be added to the agenda for the next
meeting.
IN
RE: PUBLIC
EXPRESSION
There
was no one to speak during public expression.
IN
RE: WINGS OVER
WISE AIR SHOW
Bob
Spera, owner/operator of Liberty Flying Services at the
LP Airport, gave
the Board an overview of the upcoming Wings Over Wise Air
Show to be held in September at the LP Airport.
He explained their limited budget for this year and
asked for any financial support the Board can provide.
IN
RE: PUBLIC
HEARING/R-O-W TO CANTRELL CEMETERY
A public
hearing has been duly advertised for this date to receive
citizens' comments regarding a request for a R-O-W through
County property located in the Pound section of Wise County
for the purpose of allowing the construction of a roadway
for ingress and egress to the Cantrell Cemetery.
Attorney
Mullins gave a description of the proposed portion of land
that is being asked to be donated for the R-O-W to the Cantrell
Cemetery. The
question that had been asked regarding whether or not this
portion of land should have been returned to Clinchfield
Coal Company after the completion of the road to the prison
has been resolved.
Clinchfield has agreed to sign the proposed easement
if necessary.
There
being no further comments, the public hearing was closed.
IN
RE: ROADS AND
HIGHWAYS
The
Coal & Gas Road payments were reviewed.
The
resolution regarding changes due to construction on Rt.
612 (Back Valley Road) was reviewed and discussed.
The
Revenue Sharing Funds in the amount of $496,700 were discussed.
Mr.
Branson, Highway Resident Engineer, presented the proposed
Rural Addition List for the Board to review and make known
their top four (4) new additions at the next meeting.
Board
members presented requests to Mr. Branson for review by
his department.
IN
RE: RAMSEY/
WISE CONNECTOR ROAD RETAINER AGREEMENT
Chairman
Adkins advised that a committee was previously appointed
to accept the RFP's for the Ramsey/Wise Connector Road Project
and to rank an engineering firm to do a study and mapping
of said project. Following
the final procedure for hiring an engineering firm, it is
the committee's recommendation that the firm of T&L
and Group be selected for this project.
Prior to any funds being released from the Federal
Government for this project, an environmental study and
evaluation must be completed.
Darrell
Stapleton, representing Thompson & Litton, Inc., reported
that the Board of Supervisors has made application for project
funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in
the amount of $500,000 with a local match of $125,000.
With this project budget of $625,000 the Board can
proceed with planning and design of the Ramsey/Wise Connector
Road Project.
Mr.
Stapleton reviewed the Retainer Agreement to Engage the
Services of T&L as a Consultant and Advisor for the
Ramsey/Wise Connector Road Project which include performing
certain architectural, engineering, planning, or advisory
services for the County.
With each task performed on this project, T&L
will submit a Memorandum of Understanding for that task.
IN
RE: RAMSEY/WISE
CONNECTOR ROAD MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING
# I
Mr.
Stapleton explained that based on T&L's understanding
of this project type and the anticipated project funding,
the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines associated
with the ARC monies, will require environmental studies
and evaluations sufficient to reveal no significant impact
from the construction of this proposed road.
The
FHWA will need to make the determination of what environmental
documentation (environmental assessment or a more detailed
environmental impact statement) will be required for this
project. On
behalf of Wise County, Thompson & Litton will ask FHWA
for this determination.
Assuming
that the determination from FHWA will call for an environmental
assessment document, Mr. Stapleton presented and explained
an outline of the anticipated scope of services.
He noted that several specialized team members will
be brought in to assist in these tasks.
In addition
to the environmental assessment documents, T&L proposes
to provide final design mapping as noted in the outline
presented to the Board.
The
cost of the proposed services is as follows:
Environmental
Assessment
Documentation (Lump
Sum Fee)
$507,820.00
Final
Design Mapping (Lump Sum Fee)
$ 60,000.00
_____________
Total
Lump Sum Fee
$567,820.00
There
was a lengthy discussion on the physical and environmental
impact the connector road will have on the County and the
Town of Wise.
There
was some discussion regarding concerns that have been raised
by citizens who live in the Paramont Subdivision that the
proposed road will go through this subdivision.
Mr.
Stapleton noted that this is the reason for a public hearing.
The public can give their input at the hearing which
will help determine the best route for the proposed road
and perhaps other suggested routes.
T. G.
Branson stated that he has reviewed T&L's scope of services
for this project and the price seems reasonable.
However, he said that he has a call into the central
office in Richmond for an estimated cost on an Environmental
Assessment and the scope of work that is to be done for
said assessment.
IN
RE: E-911 COMMUNICATION
UPDATE
Alex
Knox, EOC Coordinator, advised the Board that since the
tariff has been increased on 911, several upgrades have
been made to the 911 communications.
He noted that the voice recorder that is used for
the 911 calls is outdated and needs to be replaced with
a digital recorder.
The cost of this recorder would be approximately
$18,000.00 and would be paid out of the 911 tariff.
He asked the Board to consider the purchase of the
digital recorder.
IN
RE: MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING/BULL HILL TRANSFER STATION
Administrator
Scott advised that DEQ has brought to the attention of the
County over the past several months some needs that should
be addressed at the Bull Hill Transfer Station if it is
to be continued as a transfer station for the towns of St.
Paul and Coeburn.
A meeting was held with DEQ in Abingdon with representatives
from the towns of St. Paul, and Coeburn, at which time all
agreed that any improvements made at the Bull Hill Transfer
Station would be at the expense of these two municipalities.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to authorize
the County Administrator to spend up to $5,000 for an engineer
to assist in these proposed improvements if the need should
arise.
IN
RE: ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT/CONSUMBER UTILITY TAX
Attorney
Mullins stated that the amendment to the Consumer Utility
Tax Ordinance is regarding the method in which the tax is
assessed on electricity.
The amount assessed will be based on the KWH used
rather than the dollar amount of the bill.
A public hearing will need to be set for this amendment.
IN
RE: OTHER ITEMS
DISCUSSED
