WISE TOWN COUNCIL Tuesday, April 23, 2024; 7:00 P.M.  WISE MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 501 WEST MAIN STREET- WISE, VIRGINIA 24293  MINUTES  MEMBERS PRESENT: Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  MEMBERS ABSENT:  None  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION: Superintendent, provided the invocation. AGENDA CHANGES: CONSENT CALENDAR:  Police Chief Kevin Yates led the Pledge of Allegiance. Adrian Dale, Town of Wise Street  Town Manager Laura Roberts advised that there were no changes to the agenda.  Caynor Smith, Jr. made ai motion to approve the consent calendar, which included the minutes of thel March 26, 2024 regular Council meeting and the April 1,2024 Budget Workshop, the March 2024 Treasurer's Financial, Police, Water Plant, Fire Department, and Recreation Specialist Reports, and the April 2024 Planning Department and Special Events Reports. Robin Dotson  seconded the motion. The vote was recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  PUBLIC EXPRESSION:  Larry V. Roberts, on behalf of the Blue Highway Festival, advised that he and Wayne Taylor, member of Blue Highway band, were: in attendance to dispel misconceptions regarding scheduling conflicts between the Blue Highway Festival and the Wise Fall Fling. Roberts stated that organizers of the Blue Highway Festival, held annually in the' Town of] Big Stone Gap since 2022, desired to work together with the Town of Wise to avoidi issues with both events being held on the same weekend in October, however, other scheduled music festivals created issues with the rescheduling of the Blue Highway Festival. Town Manager Laura Roberts cited accommodation shortages as being a significant problem, resulting from both events being held during the same time. She added that local businesses, including lodging facilities, could greatly benefit from the festivals being organized on different dates. Mayor Adkins stated that hosting the events on separate weekends would give citizens in the region an opportunity to attend both. Councilman Smith emphasized the positive economic impact that would result from altering the date on which the Blue Highway Festival was held. Mayor Adkins thanked Mr. Roberts & Mr. Taylor for their involvement with bringing the festival to the region and requested Mr. Roberts provide his contact    Minutes oft the Wise Town Council Meeting  April 23, 2024 Coordinator.  Page2of6  information to Town Manager Laura Roberts to be given to the Town's Special Events  FAMILY CRISIS SERVICES REQUEST - EVENT CO-SPONSORSHIP  Mary Beth Adkins, Director of Family Crisis Services, requested the use of Big Glades on August 31,2024 to hold an event providing information to members ofthe community regarding services offered by Family Crisis Services. She added that $1.5 Million in free merchandise would be distributed and live music and food trucks would also bej present during the event. Adkins advised the closure ofap portion ofl Main Street would be necessary due to the expectation ofal large crowd. Council advised Adkins to discuss thel logistics with' Town staffand agreed to co-sponsor the event by waiving the fee for the use of Big Glades as requested. Jeffery Dotson made a motion for the Town of Wise to co-sponsor the event to be held by Family Crisis Services at Big Glades on August 31, 2024. Ben Conway seconded the motion and the vote was recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  PUBLIC HEARING = ORDINANCEH.2024:  Mayor Adkins announced that a public hearing was being held on' "AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA. AMENDING ORDINANCENO.13, 1998 TO ADD A MONTHLY TANK MAINTENANCE FEE". Town Manager Laura Roberts explained the addition of ai monthly Tank Maintenance Fee, tol be added to each utility bill, would allow the Public Works Department to have proper inventory for necessary repairs of water and sewer lines and would fund the Tank Maintenance Agreement that the Town had entered into with USG Water Solutions. There being no one: from the public audience wishing to comment, Mayor Adkins closed the public hearing.Jeffery Dotson moved to adopt Ordinance #4, 2024 as] presented.  Robin Dotson seconded the motion with the vote recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Nay" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  TOWN OF WISE CENTENNIAL REPORT- TEENS AND KIDS FROM TIMESPAST: Town Manager Laura Roberts had provided Council members with a copy ofa a piece written by local resident Bill Dotson, recollecting growing up in the Town of Wise in the 1960s. Councilmen Jeffery Dotson and Caynor Smith, Jr. provided a brief overview of events scheduled  for the Town's upcoming Centennial Celebration.    Minutes ofthe Wise Town Council Meeting  April 23, 2024 RESOLUTION#A2V4:  Page. 3of6  Police ChiefKevin Yates advised that Freedom Ford ofWise was the successful bidderi ini response to: recent bid solicitations for the purchase ofal Ford Supercrew Police F-150 pickup truck. There being no further discussion, Jeffery Dotson made a motion to adopt "A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA AWARDING A CONTRACT TO FREEDOM FORD OF WISE, VIRGINIA FOR A NEW FORD SUPERCREW POLICE: F-150".  Ben Conway seconded the motion. The vote was recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  RESOLUTION #8, 2024:  Town Manager Laura Roberts advised Thompson & Litton, Engineering Services, and The Lane Group wished to extend their expiring engineering retainer agreements with the' Town for aj period ofone) year, as allowed by the original agreements. There being no further discussion, Ben Conway moved to adopt "A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA, EXTENDING THE TERMS OF THE THREE ENGINEERING RETAINERS FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL RETAINER AGREEMENT". Robin Dotson seconded the motion and the vote was recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  PROCLAMATION#2. 2024:  Jeffery Dotson made a motion to adopt "A PROCLAMATION BY THE MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA DESIGNATING MAY 2024 AS "ENDANGERED SPECIES MONTH". Ben Conway seconded the motion with the vote recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  PROCLAMATIONES. 2024:  Caynor Smith, Jr. moved to adopt "AI PROCLAMATION BY THE MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF MAY: 5THROUGH: MAY 11,2024 AS MUNICIPAL CLERKS WEEK". Robin Dotson seconded the motion. The vote was recorded  by roll call:    Minutes ofthe Wise Town Council. Meeting  April 23, 2024  Page 4of6  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  Mayor Adkins presented the Proclamation to Town Clerk/ Treasurer Sarina Collins.  PROCLAMATION: #4, 2024:  Robin Dotson made ai motion to adopt "Al PROCLAMATION BY THE MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGNIATOOBSERVETIE WEEK OFMAY 5-11,2024. ASDRINKING WATER WEEK". Jeffery Dotson seconded the motion and the vote was recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  PROCLAMATIONES2NA:  Councilman Jeffery Dotson moved to adopt "A PROCLAMATION BY THE MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA TO OBSERVE THE WEEK OF MAY 12-18, 2024 AS POLICE WEEK". Vice-Mayor Ben Conway seconded the motion with the vote recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  Mayor Adkins presented the Proclamation to Police ChiefKevin Yates.  RESOLUTION#,2VA:  Councilman Smith stated that Tommy Roberts had been a tremendous asset to the C-N-W Regional Wastewater Authority and he was delighted that Mr. Roberts had agreed to serve for another four-year term. Robin Dotson made a motion to adopt "A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA APPOINTING A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TOWN OF WISE TO SERVE ON THE COEBURN-NORION: WISE REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT AUTHORITY". Jeffery Dotson seconded  the motion. The vote was recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"    Minutes ofthe Wise Town Council Meeting  April 23, 2024  Page5of6  DISCUSSION OF REQUEST TO ADVERTISE THE FY 2024-2025 BUDGET FOR Town Manager Laura Roberts advised authorization was needed to advertise the FY 2024-2025 Budget for a public hearing to be held during the May 28, 2024 regular Council meeting. Following al briefd discussion, Jeffery Dotson made a motion to authorize the advertisement ofthe FY2024-2025 Budget for a public hearing as requested. Ben Conway seconded the motion and  PUBLIC HEARING:  the vote was recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT:  Mayor Adkins, Chair, summarized the meeting of the Administrative Committee held to discuss the draft job description and pay scale classification for the position ofFire Chief. Adkins advised the committee recommended the use of the presented job description and that the position be placed in Grade 12ofthe Town of Wise pay scale. Caynor Smith, Jr. made a motion to accept the Administrative Committee's recommendation as presented. Robin Dotson seconded the motion  with the vote recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  CLOSED SESSION:  On a motion made by Robin Dotson and a second by Jeffery Dotson, the Wise Town Council  moved to convene into closed meeting for the purpose of and including:  Personnel - Discussion, consideration, or interviews of fprospective candidates fore employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees ofo any public body as permitted by Virginia Code $2.2-3711(A)(1). Real Property Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining, position or negotiating strategy oft the public body, as permitted by Virginia Code $2.2-3711  (A)(3). OPEN SESSION: that carried 5-0.  Caynor Smith, Jr. made ai motion to: reconvene: in open session. Ben Conway seconded the motion  CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED SESSION - CME RESOLUTION #4,2024:  Sarina Collins, Town Clerk/Treasurer, read Closed Meeting Resolution #4, 2024, "Resolving and certifying that to the best ofe each member'sl knowledge (i) only public business matters lawfully    Minutes ofthe Wise Town Council Meeting  April 23, 2024  Page 6of6  exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification resolution applied, and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified int the motion convening the closed meeting were. heard, discussed, or considered by the  Town Council oft the Town of Wise," and the vote was recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway, Vice-Mayor Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  COUNCIL COMMENT:  Robin Dotson informed hel had received many positive comments regarding the recently unveiled Caynor Smith, Jr. stated he had received numerous compliments regarding the work that had been Ben Conway opined that ornamental trees should bej planted along the newly constructed roadway Jeffery Dotson informed hel had also received a great deal ofpositive feedback: regarding the Sports Councilman Dotson made a motion to have a dedication sign made for placement at the Town's Public Works facility, similar to the sign located in Town Hall. Caynor Smith, Jr. seconded the  "LOVE" sign located at Gateway Gardens. done at the Town of Wise Sports Complex.  on Norton Road. Complex.  motion and the vote was recorded by roll call:  Teresa Adkins, Mayor Ben Conway, Vice-Mayor Jeffery Dotson Robin Dotson Caynor Smith, Jr.  "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye" "Aye"  STAFF COMMENT: ADJOURNMENT:  Town Manager Laura Roberts reviewed upcoming events scheduled in the community.  There being no additional discussion by the Wise Town Council, Jeffery Dotson made a motion  to adjourn the meeting. Ben Conway seconded the motion that passed 5-9  Adkins, Mayor  mwiaCllu Sarina F.Collins, Town Clerk/Treasurer  T