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The Wise County Board of Supervisors met in a Workshop
meeting on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at UVA-Wise
on 5th floor of the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center.
The following were present:
Honorable
Ronnie Shortt - Vice Chairman
Honorable
Robert R. Adkins
Honorable
Steve Bates
Honorable
Virginia Meador
Honorable
John W. Peace, II
Honorable
Leland Branham
Honorable
Robert Robbins, members of said Board and
Glen
A. Skinner - County Administrator
Shannon
C. Scott - Assistant County Administrator
Karen
T. Mullins - County Attorney
Annette
Underwood - Executive Secretary
ABSENT
Honorable
Fred A. Luntsford - Chairman
PRAYER
Bob
Adkins led the Board in prayer.
PLEDGE
All
led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
IN
RE: AGENDA ADDITIONS
The
following items were reviewed for addition to the agenda:
Under
Consent Agenda Add:
(1) Resolution
- Preserve America Community
(2) Resolution
- Action to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing
(3) Set
public hearing (6:00 p.m. May 4) on An Emergency Ordinance
Prohibiting Dogs & Cats from Running At Large
IN
RE: PRESENTATIONS
Ann
Gregory was presented a Proclamation for her outstanding
services to Wise County.
Rusty
Necessary provided a presentation on the Math and Science
Program
IN
RE: SCHOOL BOARD-CLASSROOM AND GYM ADDITIONS
Dr.
Killough came before the Board requesting $7.5 million for
the proposed additions and renovations for the Powell Valley
Primary School and the Coeburn Middle School. This
new $7.5 million figure results from a request by the Board
of Supervisors that the original proposal be cut to more
resemble the two earlier gymnasium projects at Wise Primary
School and Coeburn Primary School. He provided a power
point presentation on the proposed cuts that have been made
to the proposal that was presented to the Board in December
2006.
The
original cost for the PV Primary School new classrooms,
new gymnasium and renovations to the existing building totaled
$5,545,000.00 and the revised cost is $4,015,000.00 for
a total reduction of $1,530,000.00.
The
original proposal cost for the Coeburn Middle School for
new classrooms, gymnasium and facility support, totaled
$4,572,500.00 and the revised cost is $3,457,500.00 for
a total reduction of $1,115,000.00.
Ron
Vicars, Director of Finance for Wise County Schools, explained
that these improvements could be financed through the Virginia
Public School Authority for a term of 20 years for an annual
projected debt service of $580,750.00.
The
school, at this time, has several literary loans for prior
major capital improvements that are outstanding but will
be paid in full in the near future.
Supervisor
Peace asked that the School Board request for funding be
place on next week's agenda. There was no opposition
to this request.
Supervisor
Bates stated that the high schools are also in need of repair
and renovating. He said the Board needs to be aggressive
and step up to the plate and bring the schools into the
21st century to provide our children with the
tools and the education they need to compete in the competitive
job world. For too long the high schools have been
placed on the back burner and now the buildings have deteriorated
to the point of major renovations with enormous costs.
Previous Boards have been lax in meeting these needs on
a timely basis and now this Board must be prudent in this
matter and proceed as necessary.
IN
RE: PUBLIC HEARING - E-911 ROAD NAMES
A public
hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens'
comments regarding two (2) E-911 road names.
There
being no public comments, the public hearing was closed.
IN
RE: PUBLIC HEARING-CONDITIONAL ZONING-MULTI- FAMILY
HOUSING
A public
hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens'
comments on a request from Culby Supply for Conditional
Zoning for three (3) lots located at 6230 Hurricane Road
for the purpose of building multi-family housing.
Bill
Skeens, representing Culby Supply, stated that all utilities
are available for these units, all Code requirements have
been met, and the Conditional Zoning is in compliance with
the Wise County Comprehensive Plan as adopted by the Board
of Supervisors.
There
being no further comments, the public hearing was closed.
IN
RE: PUBLIC HEARING -CONDITIONAL CHANGE OF USE
A public
hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens'
comments on a request from Chris Williams for a Conditional
Change of Use for a 1.50 acre parcel of land located on
1605 Artesian Well Hollow Road in BSG for the purpose of
expanding property for an M-1 use.
There
being no public comments, the public hearing was closed.
IN
RE: PUBLIC HEARING-ORDINANCE AMENDMENT FOR ELDERLY &
DISABLED
A public
hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens'
comments regarding a proposed amendment to the Real Estate
Tax Exemption for Elderly & Disabled Ordinance for Wise
County.
There
being no public comments regarding this proposed amendment,
the public hearing was closed.
IN
RE: PUBLIC HEARING - MICROENTERPRISE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
A public
hearing was duly advertised for this date to receive citizens'
comments regarding the proposed Microenterprise Assistance
Program CDBG proposal to be submitted to the Virginia Department
of Housing and Community Development, which will provide
training and/or business technical assistance to clients
interested in small business ownership.
Phil
Black, representing People, Inc., of Southwest Virginia,
stated that the County of Wise, in partnership with the
City of Norton and Southwest Virginia Community Development
Financing, Inc., wish to apply for $200,000 of Virginia
Community Development Block Grant Funds to establish a Microenterprise
Assistance Program to serve residents in Wise County and
the City of Norton. The County of Wise will serve
as the lead applicant for the project. Mr. Black noted
that Southwest Virginia Community Development Financing,
Inc, will contribute $120,000 in additional loan funds to
support the project that will result in the creation of
a minimum of 11 jobs for low-to-moderate income individuals.
There
being no further public comments, the public hearing was
closed.
IN
RE: PUBLIC EXPRESSION
Rodney
Niece, Scott Morgan, Donna Mahan, and Johnson Legg, addressed
the Board with support for the proposed Powell Valley Primary
renovations and additions.
The
Board was presented a banner with signatures from students
of the Powell Valley Primary School asking for the Board's
approval of the gym and other additions and renovations
to their school.
Bryan
Porter, student at Coeburn Middle School, briefed the Board
on the condition of the Coeburn gym and the unsanitary conditions
of the restrooms. He asked for approval of a new gym
and the proposed renovations to the Coeburn Middle School
that will provide for a better education for the students
and more space for after school activities.
Gina
Porter voiced her support for the music room that is being
cut out of the original proposal for the Coeburn Middle
School. She explained the condition of space that
is now being used for the music room and the sewer odor
that fills that space. Ms. Porter also asked that
the seating for the gym be reinstated due to the number
of after-school events that require additional seating.
She stressed this request very strongly due to the lack
of recreation in this area for our children.
Stacy
Mullins told the Board that on Rt. 671 trees have been removed
along the road, which has made this narrow, curvy road even
more dangerous. Since the school bus travels this
road as well as many other citizens, she asked that guardrails
be placed on that road as soon as possible due to the steepness
of the embankment and narrowness of the road. This
is truly a safety hazard and needs to be addressed immediately.
Walter
Crouse, Chairman of the Keep Wise County Beautiful Committee,
encouraged citizens' support in cleaning up Wise County,
which would promote economic growth and economic development
in our region. He also supported the proposed school
projects for the Powell Valley Primary School, the Coeburn
Middle School and the upgrading the high schools.
There
being no further comments, the public expression period
was closed.
IN
RE: ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
Jackie
Christian, representing VDOT in the absence of Highway Resident
Engineer T.G. Branson, gave an update of upcoming projects
throughout the County.
Mr.
Christian noted that no public comments have been received
regarding the proposed abandonment of a section of Rt. 686;
therefore no public hearing is required. A resolution
will be prepared on the proposed abandonment for Board approval
at next week's meeting.
Board
members provided needs in their districts for review by
VDOT.
IN
RE: CONSENT AGENDA
The
consent agenda was reviewed as follows:
(1) Set
public hearings:
· May
4 @ 6:00 p.m. on a request for a Special Use Permit for
the purpose of constructing/installing a cellular U-Tower
· May
4 @ 6:00 p.m. on eleven E-911 road name additions
(2) Resolution
- Virginia Community Development Block Grant proposal
(3) Resolution
- Increase in Minimum Wage
(4) Resolution
- Authorization for use of Wise County VCEDA funds
(5) Proclamation
- Child Abuse Prevention Month
(6) Appropriations
- 4th Quarter
(7) Budget
Amendments No. 75 - No. 81
IN
RE: RESOLUTION TRANSFER OF CABLE
Attorney
Mullins stated that she is waiting on further information
on the cable transfer, which will hopefully be forthcoming
prior to next Board meeting.
IN
RE: PRO-ART ADDITIONAL FUNDING
Betty
Bolling and Faye Barker came before the Board requesting
$5,000.00 to help pay on the balance owed on the grand piano
recently purchased for the Performing Arts Center adjacent
to J.W. Adams Combined School in Pound.
IN
RE: UVA-WISE - SOFTWARE ENGINEERING PROGRAM
A request
was received from UVA-Wise for assistance in the implementation
of the new Software Engineering Program recently approved
by the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia.
This is a one-time request for $125,000 for capital improvements
and $125,000 reserved for scholarships for Wise County students
only.
IN
RE: OTHER ITEMS REVIEWED
(1) Ordinance
Concurring with the revised PSA Resolution on Mandatory
Sewer Hookup
(2) A
request from Emily Edmondson for Conditional Zoning on property
located at 9506 Coeburn Mtn. Road for the purpose of constructing
housing
(3) Resolution
Regarding the Issuance of a Water and Sewer Revenue Refunding
Bond by the Wise County PSA to finance extensions of water
lines in the North Fork area and providing for Wise County's
Moral Obligation to make certain appropriations with respect
to the Bond and its facilities
(4) Support
Agreement for said North Fork Project
(5) Resolution
Preserve America
(6) Appointments
(7) Ten
minute video presentation - Back Yard Treasurer (April 12)
COUNTY
ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Administrator
Skinner gave a progress report on:
(1)
Transfer of County sewer to PSA
(2)
WiFi Request for Information
(3)
Office of Economic & Community Development
BOARD
COMMENTS
Board
members commented on the school projects and better education
for our children.
Leland
Branham asked that the May Workshop be moved to St. Paul.
ADJOURN
There
being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05
p.m.
ATTEST:
WISE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
____________________
__________________________
Glen
A. Skinner, Clerk
Fred A. Luntsford, Chairman
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