The Wise County Board of Supervisors met in a Workshop meeting on Thursday, March 4, 2004 at 6:00 PM in the Board of Supervisors meeting room located in the Wise County courthouse, Wise, VA.  The following were present:

Honorable John W. Peace, II - Chairman

Honorable Fred Luntsford - Vice-Chairman

Honorable Robert Adkins

Honorable Steve Bates

Honorable Ronnie Shortt

Honorable Virginia Meador

Honorable Leland Branham

Honorable Robert Robbins - members of said Board and

Edward L. Sealover - 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.

MINUTES

Read for approval at next meeting.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

No additions or deletions.

IN RE:  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE 

Carl Snodgrass, Administrative Assistant for Economic Development, presented the Board with an update on economic development activities throughout the County.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING / PROPOSED ORDINANCE FOR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' input on a proposed ordinance for Assessment of Fee for Disposal of Solid Waste for Wise County.

Donnie Short, resident of Wise, stated that he was not against the landfill fee but felt that everyone should have to pay.

Edgar Mullins asked that all the convenience centers in the rural areas remain open since many residents would have to travel a long distance to dispose of their trash.

Walter Crouse voiced his opposition to the proposed increase in the landfill fee.  He asked the Board to pursue measures to make it mandatory to recycle.  This would save space in the landfill.

He asked that the hours for the convenience centers be from 8 AM to 7 PM especially for those individuals who work later in the evenings.

Mr. Stanley asked that the renters be responsible for their landfill fee and not the landlords.

Dave Wampler, resident of Lee County, owns property in Wise County but has been unable to use convenience centers since he does not have a County decal. (Notation for minutes)  This problem can be resolved by calling the County Administrator's Office.  A letter can be provided for that purpose.

Joe Bolling voiced his concern that contractors cannot dump their debris at the convenience centers and that the language in the proposed ordinance stating no large items can be dumped at the convenience centers needed to be changed.  He said this is a disadvantage to the contractors.

J. H. Rivers, resident of Big Stone Gap, stated that the language in the proposed ordinance has not changed as per the requests that were made at the public hearing.  He further asked that the convenience centers be made more convenient for the public.

Denver Osborne suggested adding the landfill use fee to the County decal.

Bobby Leonard was concerned  that everyone was not being billed for the landfill fee.

There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING / CDBG FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY PROJECT

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to solicit public input on local community development and housing needs in relation to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for a project in our community.  Any information on the amount of funding available, the requirements on benefit to low and moderate income persons, eligible activities and plans to minimize displacement and provide displacement assistance as necessary is available.

Chairman Peace asked for public comments.

There being no comments, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Edgar Mullins asked the Board to adopt the resolution supporting the Coal Miner Stamp Effort.

Dr. Stan Botts, representing the Appalachia Cultural Arts, thanked the Board for it's financial assistance in previous years and asked for its continued support in the upcoming budget.

Dr. Botts gave a brief update on the work that is being done by Hands Across the Mountain.  He asked for assistance from the Sheriff's Department with the use of inmates to assist with the cleaning of the roadways.

Dan Daniels, representing the Art Gallery at the Library in Wise, thanked the Board for its past contributions and asked to be considered in the upcoming budget.

Barbara Polly, representing the Lonesome Pine Arts & Crafts, asked the Board for its continued support of the Trail of The Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama.  She stated that these funds are used to obtain grants to help finance this drama that is a tourist attraction for Wise County.

Walter Crouse asked that VDOT assist more with possible detours on icy roads when a major accident has occurred.  He also noted that a law needs to be made to keep dogs off other people's property and from destroying their property.

Rita Holbrook presented a progress report to the Board regarding monies that have been collected due to the reinstating of the part-time position in her department.

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

IN RE:  ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Highway Resident Engineer T. G. Branson presented the Board with written response on their requests from last months meeting.

Mr. Branson gave a brief update on construction work throughout the County.

Board members presented needs in their districts for Mr. Branson's review and response.

IN RE:  CONSENT AGENDA

The following items were reviewed:

(1)  Set public hearing (6:00 PM April 1) Proposed E-911 Road Names

(2)  Set public hearing (6:00 PM April 1) Proposed conditional zoning for tanning salon/beauty salon/gift products business

(3)  Resolution adopting official All Hazards Emergency Operations Plan for Wise County

(4)  Resolution authorizing County Administrator to execute documents relevant to the VCDBG proposal & the Board of Supervisors agrees to serve as legal applicant for said project

(5)  Resolution approving new County Pay Plan

(6)  Resolution approving new County Job Classifications Plan

(7)  Resolution supporting Coal Miner Stamp Effort

(8)  Authorize Chairman to execute application for purchase of property for Derby Project

(9)  Budget Amendments

(1) No 19:  Increase in ambulance and rescue services State 2-4 Life Funds revenues and expenses (State funds) No local match required

(2) No 20:  Increase Social Services Federal and State revenues by $162,000.00 Increase Social Services Budget - $162,000.00 - No local match required

IN RE:  OTHER ITEMS REVIEWED

(1)  CNW Contract Agreement Amendment (Increase in connector terminals)

(2)  Consider Pro-Arts' FY 05 funding request (Matching funds for Challenge Grant)

(3)  Set property tax rate for FY 2004-05

(4)  Set public hearing (6:00 PM - March 25) on property tax rate for FY 2004-05

(5)  Award of Audit Contract

(6)  Additional funding for Treasurer's Office (requested by Treasurer)

(7)  Appointments

(8)  Landfill Committee Report (Next week)

(9)  Fiscal Status Report (Available March 11)

(10) Closed session (2.2-3711A.6) - Investing of public funds where competition or bargaining is involved

IN RE:  COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Administrator Sealover presented a power point presentation on the proposed FY 2004-05 revenues and expenditures.

IN RE:  BOARD COMMENTS

Ronnie Shortt asked that the Resolution approving the new County Job Classification be pulled from the Consent agenda for discussion.

Mr. Shortt also asked that the County Administrator make arrangements, if feasible, for an occasional Workshop meeting to be held in other areas of the County.

Administrator Sealover asked that the Resolution on the new County Pay Plan also be pulled from the consent agenda since it is a part of the Job Classification Resolution.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

ATTEST:               WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

_______________________    _______________________

Clerk                                   Chairman         

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