The Wise County Board of Supervisors met in a Workshop meeting on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at Mountain Empire Community College in the Fugate Auditorium located in the Dalton-Cantrell Hall. The following were present:

Honorable Fred A. Luntsford - Chairman

Honorable Ronnie Shortt - Vice-Chairman

Honorable Robert R. Adkins

Honorable Steve Bates

Honorable Virginia Meador

Honorable John Peace

Honorable Leland Branham

Honorable Robert Robbins - members of said Board and

Shannon C. Scott - Assistant County Administrator

Karen T. Mullins - County Attorney

Annette Underwood - Executive Secretary

ABSENT

Glen A. Skinner - County Administrator

PRAYER

Bob Adkins led the Board in prayer.

PLEDGE

All led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

IN RE:  APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The following items were added to the agenda:

(1)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. April 7) on a proposed ordinance for civil enforcement of Litter Ordinances

(2)  Approval of Insurance Premium

IN RE:  POWELL VALLEY PRIMARY PTA

Sondra Niece and Tabathia Peace, representing the Powell Valley Primary PTA, came before the Board requesting financial assistance in constructing a new gym and additional classroom space at the Powell Valley Primary School.

IN RE:  GIS PRESENTATION

On behalf of DEVELOP, Brandon Corder and Jennifer Maggard provided a power point presentation on the use of GIS in firefighter response.

IN RE:  PRO-ART FUNDING

Bob Isaac, representing the Pro-Art Association, gave the Board a brief overview of Pro-Art activities and the benefits reaped from its public and school performances.  Mr. Isaac thanked the Board for its support in years past and asked that Pro-Art be considered in its budget for 2005-2006 in the amount of $10,000.

Under the Local Government Challenge Grant, the Virginia Commission for the Arts will match the County's contribution up to $5,000.  The deadline to apply is April 1, 2005.  If the County has not formally approved its budget by that date, the County may apply conditionally and confirm the funding by July 1, 2005.

IN RE:  ST. MARY'S HEALTH WAGON, INC

Sister Bernie gave the Board a brief history of the services provided through the Health Wagon, Health Fairs, UVA Telemedicine, and the RAM Expedition.  She explained that they are losing the support of Mountain View Medical Center (formally St. Mary's Hospital) and are now soliciting financial assistance from other sources. She asked that the Health Wagon be considered in the upcoming budget for $20,000.

Several Board members voiced their support for the Health Wagon and the many services that it provides for the low income without insurance and the under insured.

IN RE:  MECC UPDATE

Rick Campbell and Lewis Collier, representing Mountain Empire Community College, provided a power point presentation on the technology that is available at MECC to provide trained workforce and customized services to support the proposed back-up data center.  It was noted that MECC has adopted a resolution of support for the Data Center.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING / E911 ROAD NAMES

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding the (38) proposed additional E-911 road names.

There being no one to speak, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING / CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN (CIP)

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding the proposed Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for Wise County Fiscal years 2006-2010.

There being no one to speak, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING / ST. PAUL BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT

A public hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens' comments regarding the proposed boundary line adjustment agreement between the County of Wise and the Town of St. Paul.

There being no one to speak, the public hearing was closed.

IN RE:  PUBLIC HEARING / SALE OF PROPERTY / STEVENS CHURCH OF GOD

A public hearing has been set for March 10, 2005 for public input.

IN RE: PUBLIC EXPRESSION

Sam Gilbert, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Wise County, Inc., addressed the Board concerning the growing number of citizens that are in need of food and cleaning supplies.  The Food Bank was incorporated as a 501©(3) non-profit organization in l985 to provide free food for people in need in Wise County and also cleaning supplies.  He asked the Board to consider a $5,000 donation to the Food Bank in its upcoming budget 2005-2006.  Mr. Gilbert noted that this is a 100% volunteer program.

Muriead Craft, representing the Lonesome Pine Soil and Water Conservation District, briefed the Board on the meeting that was held at the Tacoma Community Center for the purpose of educating the farmers and other interested parties regarding the Guest River Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan.

Jean Knight briefed the Board on the activities of the Library Art Gallery.  She asked that the Library Art Gallery be considered in the upcoming budget for $2,500.00.

Larry Bush, a resident of the Exeter area, voiced his opposition to the consolidation of schools.  He stated that some of the schools were in the County's 2004-2008 CIP for repairs, etc.  It was noted that the plan Mr. Bush had was not current.

After asking Board members how they stood on consolidation, Chairman Luntsford stated that he was not for consolidation or closure of any schools.

Ray Couch, Wise County Litter Control Coordinator, thanked the Board for making his position full-time.  He gave a brief report on the progress that is being made toward getting dumps and litter cleaned up since the hiring of the Litter Warden. He asked for the Board's support in removing trash from personal property as well as public property.

Supervisor Peace left the meeting at 7:25 p.m.

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

IN RE:  ROADS & HIGHWAYS

T. G. Branson, Highway Resident Engineer, announced that Jackie Christian has been placed in the position left vacant by Kenney Robinson.

Board members voiced needs in their district.

IN RE:  RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FORENSIC LAB IN BUCHANAN COUNTY

Chairman Luntsford read the resolution supporting the location of a private Forensic Lab in Buchanan County.  Since there was some question as to the language of the text, Attorney Mullins was asked to follow up with Buchanan County and report her findings at the next meeting.

IN RE:  RESOLUTION/UVA-WISE COMPUTER SCIENCE/SOFTWARE ENGINEERING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Chairman Luntsford read the resolution supporting the Congressional earmark for UVA-Wise Computer Science/Software Engineering Curriculum Development.

IN RE:  CONSENT AGENDA

The following items were reviewed:

(1)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. April 7) on a proposed amendment to Wise County Zoning Ordinance #2-1991

(2)  Set public hearing (6:00 p.m. April 7) on (54) proposed additional E-911 road names

(3)  Budget Amendments:

No. 21:  Transfer from fund balance $10,737.64 and transfer to Emergency Services Grant Expense $10,737.64

No. 22:  Increase revenues from insurance recovery $8925.00 and increase Sheriff-Law Enforcement budget vehicle and powered equipment supplies $8925.00

No. 23:  Decrease General Fund budget Sheriff-courthouse security salaries and wages Over-time $15,000.00-increase courthouse security fund $15,000.00

No. 24:  Increase revenues from CERT Grant $6,900.00 and increase Emergency Services budget-grant expenses $6,900.00

No. 25: Transfer from fund balance $2,079.83 to Treasurer's Office Machinery & Equipment $2,079.83

(4)  Transfer from reserve for emergency/contingency

$11,800.00 remodeling Health Department Basement
$12,800.00 pulling cat 6 wire for Health Department phone system

IN RE:  DERBY / PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT

Charles McConnell, Director Wise County Redevelopment & Housing Authority, explained the mechanics of the Programmatic Agreement. The agreement is necessary because of the historical designation of the Derby Community and the importance in keeping any improvements and/or remodeling as close to the original state of the structure as possible because of its historical nature and funding requirements.

Mr. McConnell recommended the execution of the agreement.

IN RE:  RESOLUTION / SOUTHERN NEIGHBORHOOD CDBG REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Mr. McConnell asked that the Board consider approving the resolution supporting the Southern Neighborhood CDBG Redevelopment Project Phase I that will provide provision of low-to-moderate income housing improvements and the elimination of blight within the Southern Neighborhood target area.  This includes the area located in Wise County and portions of the Town of Big Stone Gap which will address housing rehabilitation, water, sewer, street deficiencies, acquisition of substandard structures, clearance and relocation activities.  The purpose of the project is also for demolishing and clearing and disposal of blighted structures that will be acquired by the Wise County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

IN RE:  RESOLUTION / BEACON OF LIFE AMBULANCE SERVICE

Shannon Scott, Assistant County Administrator, advised that Allan G. Howell, Sr., President & CEO of Beacon of Life Ambulance Service, Inc., recently contacted the County Administrator and requested the Board of Supervisors to take action to formally approve the operations of his ambulance service as an "advanced life support agency" within Wise County.  The resolution as drafted by the County Attorney is not specific to Beacon of Life but applies to any ambulance service provider doing business.

IN RE:  ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

Attorney Mullins advised that the proposed amendment would be appropriate but should be addressed under the permit fee section and not the zoning text.  This amendment will require a public hearing.

IN RE:  OTHER ITEMS REVIEWED

(1)  Resolution setting the real and personal property tax rates for FY 2005-2006

(2)  Resolution of Support for Guest River Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan

(3)  Trail Easement Agreement for a Biking Trail from Guest River Gorge to St. Paul

(4)  Appointment/Southwest Virginia Workforce Investment Board

(5)  Board comments

ADJOURN

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

ATTEST:                                WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

___________________      ___________________________________

Glen A Skinner, Clerk            Fred A. Luntsford, Chairman

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