WISE TOWN COUNCIL Monday, March 25, 2025; 7:00 P.M. WISE MUNICIPAL BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 501 WEST MAIN STREET - WISE, VIRGINIA 24293 MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Caynor Smith, Jr., Mayor None Laura Taylor Teresa Adkins Robin Dotson S. Duane Phillips PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE /1 INVOCATION: Emmah McAmis, member of the Central High School Lady Warriors Basketball Team, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Joe Fred Rose, Town resident, provided the invocation. AGENDA CHANGES: Town Manager Laura Roberts advised that there were no changes to the agenda. CONSENT CALENDAR: Duane Phillips made a motion to approve the consent calendar, which included the minutes of the February 24, 2025 regular Council meeting, minutes ofthe March 10, 2025 special-called Council meeting, the February 2025 Treasurer's Financial, Police, and Water Plant Reports, and the March 2025 Fire Department, Recreation Specialist, Planning Department, and Special Events Reports. Town Manager Laura Roberts requested the March 2025 Wise Rescue Squad Report be added to the Consent Calendar. Robin Dotson seconded the motion that passed 5-0. PUBLIC EXPRESSION: There being no one from the public audience wishing to comment, Mayor Smith closed the public expression. RECOGNITION OF ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF: Mayor Smith recognized John Bledsoe, Assistant Chief of Wise Fire Department, as a recipient of the 2024 Governor's Fire Services Award in Excellence in Virginia Fire Service Training. Councilman Phillips, member ofthe Wise Fire Department, and Fire Chief. Jack Mullins honored Bledsoe for his countless hours ofwork with both the Wise Fire Department and as an instructor for Virginia's Fire Service. Council members congratulated Bledsoe and commended his tireless work and dedication. RESOLUTION #9, 2025: Mayor Smith congratulated the Central High School Lady Warriors Basketball Team and their Coach, Councilman Robin Dotson, for an incredible season, which closed with a 2A State Championship win. Laura Taylor moved to adopt "A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA, COMMENDING THE 2024-2025 CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL LADIES' BASKETBALL TEAM". Teresa Adkins seconded the motion and the vote was recorded by roll call: Minutes ofthe Wise Town CouncilMeeting March 25, 2025 Page 2 of5 Caynor Smith, Jr., Mayor "Aye" Laura Taylor Aye" Teresa Adkins - Aye" Robin Dotson Aye" S. Duane Phillips - Aye" Council recognized each team member in attendance. PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION #10, 2025: Town Planner Reagan Walsh reported the Town of Wise Planning Commission recommended approval ofa a Conditional Use Permit for the operation ofa commercial daycare at 505 Lake Street, contingent upon compliance with required conditions. A public hearing was held on "A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY ESTHER BABATUNDE FOR USE OF AN EXISTING STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 505 LAKE STREET AS A DAYCARE IN AN R-C MANUFACTURED HOME RESIDENCE ZONING DISTRICT". There being no one from the public audience wishing to comment, Mayor Smith closed the public hearing. Following a brief discussion, Laura Taylor made a motion to adopt Resolution #10, 2025. Duane Phillips seconded the motion. The vote was recorded by roll call: Caynor Smith, Jr., Mayor "Aye" Laura Taylor "Aye" Teresa Adkins "Aye" Robin Dotson 6 Aye" S. Duane Phillips "Aye" DISCUSSION OF DEPARTMENT HEAD REQUESTS: Special Events Coordinator Natasha Proulex requested Council approval for the Town to CO- sponsor the 1st Annual Michael D. Chandler Memorial Car Show to be held on May 17, 2025. Proulex requested the closure of Main Street, from the intersection of Birchfield Road to the intersection of Railroad Avenue, to accommodate the event. Laura Taylor made a motion for the Town to co-sponsor the event as requested. Robin Dotson seconded the motion with the vote recorded by roll call: Caynor Smith, Jr., Mayor . Aye" Laura Taylor Aye" Teresa Adkins Aye" Robin Dotson Aye" S. Duane Phillips - Aye" RESOLUTION #11, 2025: Town Manager Laura Roberts informed Clatterbuck Pavement Markings, Inc. was the lowest bidder in response to a recent Request for Bids for the FY 2024-2025 pavement striping. She noted the bid was within the budgeted allocation for the services. Councilman Dotson made a motion to adopt "A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA, AWARDING A CONTRACT TO CLATTERBUCK PAVEMENT MARKINGS, Minutes ofthe Wise Town Council Meeting March 25, 2025 Page 3 of5 INC FOR THE FY 2024-2025 PAVEMENT STRIPING". Vice-Mayor Taylor seconded the motion. The vote was recorded by roll call: Caynor Smith, Jr., Mayor "Aye" Laura Taylor "Aye" Teresa Adkins "Aye" Robin Dotson "Aye" S. Duane Phillips "Aye" RESOLUTION #12, 2025: Town Manager Laura Roberts informed that Rachel Helton, former member oft the Town of Wise Economic Development Authority, had relocated out of town, rendering her ineligible to serve on the Authority. She added Lalaine Baylor desired to fill the vacancy left by Helton's resignation. Baylor was in attendance and conveyed her interest in contributing to the Town's continued economic growth. Following a brief discussion, Laura Taylor made a motion to adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA APPOINTING A MEMBER TO SERVE ON THE TOWN OF WISE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY". Teresa Adkins seconded the motion with the vote recorded by roll call: Caynor Smith, Jr., Mayor "Aye" Laura Taylor Aye" Teresa Adkins "Aye" Robin Dotson "Aye" S. Duane Phillips "Aye" RESOLUTION #13, 2025: Town Manager Laura Roberts explained Wise Fire Department and Wise Rescue Squad were both in need of additional volunteers to respond to serious emergency incidents. She added that a Volunteer Service Policy had been created to establish guidelines for Town of Wise employees who serve as volunteer firefighters or rescue squad members to assist with serious incidents during work hours. Following a brief discussion, Laura Taylor moved to adopt "A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF WISE, VIRGINIA, ADOPTING A VOLUNTEER SERVICE POLICY FOR ALL FULL-TIME CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES TO RESPOND TO SERIOUS EMERGENCY INCIDENTS WHEN CALLED UPON BY THE WISE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND/OR WISE RESCUE SQUAD DURING REGULAR WORKING HOURS". Duane Phillips seconded the motion. The vote was recorded by roll call: Caynor Smith, Jr., Mayor "Aye" Laura Taylor Aye" Teresa Adkins Aye" Robin Dotson "Aye" S. Duane Phillips "Aye" AUDIT FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Laura Taylor, Chair, summarized the meeting of the Audit Finance Committee held to discuss proposed increases in taxes and fees for the upcoming fiscal year. Taylor noted Town Manager Minutes oft the Wise Town Council Meeting March 25, 2025 Page 4 of5 Laura Roberts had advised the Town's si revenues would likely be lower than expected for FY 2025- 2026 due to the closure of several businesses and the uncertainty of the economic impacts from recent changes in the federal government. She added that Roberts had also reported an increase in several fixed monthly expenditures for the new fiscal year. Vice-Mayor Taylor informed the Committee recommended the taxes and fees, which included real estate taxes, garbage fees, and various water and sewer fees, be increased beginning July 1, 2025. Following a review of the proposed rates, Robin Dotson made a motion to authorize the advertisement for a public hearing to be held at the April 22, 2025, regular Council meeting on the intent to increase taxes and fees. Laura Taylor seconded the motion with the vote recorded by roll call: Caynor Smith, Jr., Mayor "Aye" Laura Taylor "Aye" - Teresa Adkins Aye" Robin Dotson "Aye" S. Duane Phillips "Aye" DISCUSSION OF BUDGET WORKSHOP: Mayor Smith advised the annual Budget Workshop meeting needed to be scheduled. Following a brief discussion, Laura Taylor made a motion that the Wise Town Council Budget Workshop meeting be held on April 8, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Wise Municipal Building. Duane Phillips seconded the motion that carried 5-0. CLOSED SESSION: On a motion made by Robin Dotson and a second by Laura Taylor, the Wise Town Council moved to convene into closed meeting for the purpose of and including: Personnel - Discussion, consideration, or interviews ofprospective candidatesfor employment; assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body as permitted by Virginia Code $2.2-3711(A)(1). Legal Matters - Consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision oflegal advice by such counsel as permitted by Virginia Code $2.2- 3711(A)(8). Real Property - Discussion or consideration of the acquisition ofreal propertyfor 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 ofthe public body, as permitted by Virginia Code $2.2-3711 (A)(3). OPEN SESSION: Laura Taylor made a motion to reconvene in open session. Robin Dotson seconded the motion that carried 5-0. CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED SESSION - CM RESOLUTION #4, 2025: Sarina Collins, Town Clerk/Treasurer, read Closed Meeting Resolution #4, 2025, "Resolving and certifying that to the best of each member's knowledge (i) only public business matters lawfully 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 Minutes ofthe Wise Town Council Meeting March 25, 2025 Page 5 of5 identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered by the Town Council ofthe Town of Wise," and the vote was recorded by roll call: Caynor Smith, Jr., Mayor Aye" Laura Taylor "Aye" Teresa Adkins "Aye" Robin Dotson "Aye" S. Duane Phillips "Aye" APPOINTEE REPORTS (Informational Purposes Only) = Acknowledgment of] Receipt: Duane Phillips made a motion acknowledging receipt of the following appointee report: 1. C-N-W Board's S regular meeting from February 19, 2025 Teresa Adkins seconded the motion that passed 5-0. COUNCIL COMMENT: Council members recognized Caleb Ramsey, Chief Operator of the Water Treatment Plant, and his staff for receiving the 2024 Excellence in Waterworks Operations/ Performance Award. The department's dedication to the Town's water quality was commended. Councilman Robin Dotson was congratulated by all members of Council for his successful season as coach of the Central Lady Warriors Basketball Team. Dotson expressed gratitude to Council for recognizing the team's recent victory in the VHSL 2A State Championship. STAFF COMMENT: Staff members congratulated Dotson on another successful season with the Lady Warriors Basketball Team. Police ChiefKevin Yates thanked Council forits consideration ofa 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees as part of the FY 2025-2026 budget. Town Manager Laura Roberts provided an overview of the Town's upcoming scheduled events. ADJOURNMENT: There being no additional discussion by the Wise Town Council, Laura Taylor made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Duane Phillips seconded the motion that passed 5-0. Cays Smit Caynor Smith, Jr., Mayor Annia 1 Colmu Sarina F. Collins, Town Clerk/Treasurer