Town of Pound
Regular Council Meeting
8422 North River Road
October 18, 2016
6:00 p.m.
PRESENT
George Dean, Mayor
Danny Stanley - Council
Glenn Cantrell – Council
Terry Short– Council
Clifton Cauthorne - Council
Megan Sturgill – Clerk-Treasurer
Gary Gilliam – Town Attorney
Tony Baker – Chief of Police
Carol Campbell – Pound Recreation/Tourism
Margaret Sturgill – Historical Society of the Pound
Eric Price – T&L
Daniel Dent – Independent Baptist Church
Janice Payne – Rachel’s Haven
Hollis Bevins – Pound Gap Freewill Baptist Church
Hollis Bevins Jr.
Nathan Taylor
George Micha
Sherron Dean
Amanda Hawkins
Denise Lohr
Greg Clisso
Kim Smith
David Gent Jr.
Eugene Mullins
Melissa Stawicki
Mitchell Fleming
Harold Greear
Dan Fast –Pound EDA
Steve Mullins
Laymond Jones
Nina Jones
CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
The mayor called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.
PLEDGE AND INVOCATION
The mayor led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Hollis Bevins, Pastor
of the Pound Gap Freewill Baptist Church, gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL
The roll call:
Present – Glenn Cantrell, Clifton Cauthorne, Terry Short, Danny Stanley
Absent – Jonathan Walters
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilman Cauthorne asked about a check written to Johnston Memorial Hospital. Clerk –
Treasurer Sturgill replied that it was an employee garnishment that was withheld from their
paycheck. Councilman Short stated that he had some questions on the manager’s report and
some things in the packet. Short said that he could ask his questions during other business.
Mayor Dean added item # 17 – Other Business and changed adjournment to item #18.
Councilman Stanley made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar with the amended Agenda
and Councilman Cauthorne seconded.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cantrell, Cauthorne Short, Stanley
Nays: None
Absent: Walters
PUBLIC HEARING – MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE FEE
Clerk-Treasurer Sturgill read the Notice of Public Hearing ad concerning rescinding the current
decal ordinance of the Town of Pound, Virginia and the adoption of an ordinance regarding new
motor vehicle license fee procedures of the Town of Pound, Virginia as it appeared in the
Coalfield Progress on October 4, 2016 and October 11, 2016. Mayor Dean opened the floor for
public comment. Hollis Bevins, 8308 N. River Rd., stepped forward to address Council. Bevins
stated that he is against both the wheels tax and the decal as he believes they pay enough taxes in
the Town and County. David Gent, 11105 Old Indian Creek Rd., stepped forward to address
Council. Gent asked if the wheels tax would be more than what the town stickers are. Gent said
every time you look at the utility bill, there is another tax on it. Gent referenced the $7 and $2
fees on the utility bills. Gent said Pound residents are already taxed higher than anyone in the
County. Mayor Dean stated that the Town decal currently costs $15 and the ordinance states
there would be a reduction to $10 per vehicle. Dean said that the utility rates were increased
slightly by .05 cents and .10 cents, as they usually have a .25 cent raise. Dean also stated that a
fee had not been added to the utility bill in over two years. Dean said that as the cost of water
production increases, rates must increase. Councilman Cauthorne said there is a $5 savings per
vehicle and as currently only 2/3 of the people buy their decals, this ordinance would allow the
Town to get more participation and increase their revenue. Dean said that the Town will be
instituting working with the DMV and placing DMV stop fees on those who do not pay their
personal property taxes. Councilman Short said that placing the DMV stop fee on personal
property tax is not mentioned in the current ordinance. Short asked if personal property tax was
intended to be included in the DMV stop fee measure. Dean said that can be decided at a later
time or that the ordinance can be changed. Further discussion followed. Short said last year’s
budget estimated $8,000 for vehicle license revenue fees for 533 vehicles. Short said only 269.07
bought a decal. Short said only 400 vehicles were estimated this year. Sturgill said 721 vehicles
were licensed and registered in the Town this year. Short said $4,000 was received last year.
Short said revenue would be doubled this year with the $10 fee and the DMV Stop program
being instituted. Dean said yes and no because the people who have already purchased decals for
2016-2017 will not be taxed in December 2016. Sturgill said that the 285 people who already
purchased decals will not be taxed again until December 2017. Cantrell said that the people, who
have not already bought decals, will be getting a $5 discount. Short stated that he has several
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questions. Short referenced Section 4 of the ordinance. Short asked for clarification on which
vehicles would be charged the tax as Section 4 stated “and every person not a resident of the
town, who shall operate on the streets of the town a motor vehicle”. Cantrell said that those
vehicles of businesses would be covered under their business license. Cantrell said that
Subsection b covered this exemption. Short referenced pizza delivery drivers as an example and
Dean replied that the Town was not interested in trying to tax people who may live out of town,
but work in Pound and use their personal vehicle for work. Dean stated that they could be
covered under the businesses’ business license in these situations. Short said that he would like
to add the following exemptions that were in the Town’s previous ordinances:
1. Vehicles owned by disabled veteran’s
2. Former Prisoners of War
3. Congressional Medal of Honor Holders
Short said that it will be listed as follows:



Vehicles owned by disabled veterans *
Vehicles owned by former prisoners of war *
Vehicles owned by congressional medal of honor holders *
* who qualified for waiver of State vehicle registration fee by State law
Cantrell read that only one vehicle license fee is waived. Daniel Dent, 8004 Pansy St., stepped
forward to address Council. Dent asked if church vehicles would get wheels tax and Cantrell and
Dean replied no. Dent said that he is for anything that lowers the taxes.
Councilman Stanley made a motion to close the Public Hearing and Councilman Cauthorne
seconded.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cantrell, Cauthorne Short, Stanley
Nays: None
Absent: Walters
ACTION BY COUNCIL – VOTE ON MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE FEE ORDINANCE
Town Attorney Gilliam said that there is still the issue of whether or not the Town will use the
DMV stop program on both the personal property tax and the wheels tax. Discussion followed.
Gilliam said that if an amendment is completed, he didn’t think it would be necessary to readvertise as long as sufficient notice was given. Short read Section 1 of the 1990 ordinance:
No motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer shall be locally licensed until the applicant has
produced satisfactory evidence that all personal property taxes on the motor vehicle, trailer, or
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semi-trailer to be licensed have been paid and satisfactory evidence that any delinquent motor
vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer personal property taxes owing have been paid which have been
properly assessed or are assessable against the applicant by the municipality. No motor vehicle
license shall be issued unless the tangible personal property taxes properly assessed or
assessable by the municipality on any tangible personal property used or usable as a dwelling
title by the Department of Motor Vehicles owned by the taxpayer have been paid.
Short made a motion to include Section 1 of the 1990 ordinance in the current drafted ordinance
and Councilman Stanley seconded.
Cantrell said his thoughts were to let it go this year and see how it goes. Short said he did not feel
that this was any additional burden on anyone. Short said some verbiage for payment
arrangements could be included.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cantrell, Cauthorne Short, Stanley
Nays: None
Absent: Walters
Councilman Stanley made a motion to pass the amended ordinance and Councilman Cauthorne
seconded.
Cauthorne stated that he liked this ordinance for two reasons:
1. It saves $5 per vehicle
2. It allows everyone to have some skin in the game and the people who have not bought
their sticker will be required to pay. The Town will have more revenue coming in
although the cost has been lowered.
Short said this is not increasing any burden on anyone. Cauthorne said he would like to do away
with it all, but this is the first step to lower it for the people.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cantrell, Cauthorne Short, Stanley
Nays: None
Absent: Walters
The motion carried and is effective as of October 18, 2016. Decal sales will no longer occur.
AUDIENCE
Denise Lohr stepped forward to address Council. She stated that she is probably at the center of
the controversy in the Town. Lohr said that Mr. Cauthorne has taken the opportunity to come up
in arms about the liquor by the drink situation. Lohr invited Cauthorne to have chili together
Saturday. She said she was born in Pound and lived there until she was six. At six years old, her
parents moved to Orange. She said her grandfather lived in Pound until 2013 and then he moved
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to Orange. Her grandfather passed away last year. Her grandfather owned a store in Pound and
she has now moved back to Pound to try and open up a restaurant. Lohr said that she would like
for Cauthorne to find information where there has been an increase in drunken driving activity in
Wise or Norton from having liquor by the drink. Lohr asked Cauthorne to bring the information
to the November 2016 Council meeting. Lohr said that she will find what the tax revenue
increase has been in Wise or Norton from the liquor by the drink sales. Lohr said she will offer a
different perspective as she would like Cauthorne to be open to both sides. She said she is trying
to help the economic development. Lohr again invited Cauthorne to “break bread” with her on
Saturday at her event. Lohr said God puts us here and decides when we leave.
David Dent stepped forward to address Council. Dent said he represents the Independent Baptist
Church in town and his family. He said he is against liquor by the drink. Dent said the Bible is
clear about what it says about intoxicating beverages. He said they are called spirits because they
control people and allow for poor decisions.
George Micah stepped forward and said Paul wrote to Thomas to have wine with his meals so
God and Jesus are not totally against it. He said they are against drunkenness, but no against
having a drink.
Harold Greear, 9326 Millcreek Rd, stepped forward to address Council. Greear said he
appreciates the opinions of everyone on the liquor by the drink issue. Greear said he does not
share the theological opposition with some others. He said he hopes this does not tear apart the
community and he does not think it would lead to an increase in drunk driving. Greear believed
this issue to be about economic survival as the coal industry has been badly damaged. Greear
said Pound is surrounded by communities who already have liquor by the drink.
Sherron Dean, 11521 Austin Hills Rd., stepped forward to address Council. Dean said she totally
agrees with everyone. Dean said she is a Christian, but God gave everyone the knowledge to
make the right decision. She said she hopes everyone works together to let the town grow.
Greg Clisso stepped forward to address Council. Clisso thanked the town and Chief Tony Baker
for all of the support with the kayak events. Clisso said he has a lot of optimism for tourism in
2017. He said that things can change for the positive with everyone working together. Clisso said
there are strong people in Pound and good business owners. Clisso said he had the first liquor
license in Norton in the 1980s. Clisso said there needs to be restaurants, instead of bars, that
concentrate on high quality food. Clisso said that Pound has a great lake, a great river, and
whitewater; which no one else in the county does.
Daniel Gent, 11105 Old Indian Creek Rd., stepped forward to address Council. Gent said that
ABC laws and regulations are very strict. Gent said that the Element Nightclub in Norton must
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sell a certain number of entrees in order to have liquor by the drink. Gent said that he was a DJ
for six years at the Golden Pines bar and there was not a rise in crime or accidents. Councilman
Cauthorne said his personal issue was whether the Pound people or legislation should vote on it.
Cauthorne said he would stand by the people’s decision.
Eugene Mullins, 10721 Bold Camp Rd., stepped forward to address Council. Mullins said Pound
needs the revenue and he doesn’t see where liquor by the drink will cause any trouble. He asked
when is the last time anyone has gone to Applebee’s or Reno’s after church on Sunday. Mullins
said if it would help bring business in the town of Pound, then it would be great.
Dan Fast stepped forward to address Council. Fast said that he lives ten miles from Town. Fast
said he is honored to be Vice-Chair of the Pound EDA. Fast said the liquor by the drink issue
came up approximately one year and a half ago. Fast said it recently came up again because of a
possibility of a restaurant, trail heads, and cabins. Fast said that Pound was taken off the MSHA
sites list because of the lack of restaurants. Fast said that it has never been a liquor issue, but is a
food issue as the EDA wants to make Pound more business friendly. Fast said he spoke with an
owner of a Mexican restaurant who said they would never put a restaurant in where they cannot
sell a margarita. Fast said as an attorney who has represented a lot of criminal defendants over
the years, the intoxicant of choice is not alcohol, but is pills. Fast said that the EDA did not
proceed by referendum because they figured it would pull the town apart as Harold Greear had
made that observation at an EDA meeting. Fast said the EDA is probably the least political group
of seven he’s ever seen. Fast stated that the EDA would like to see a variety of food.
Amanda Hawkins, 10009 Right Fork Rd. – outside of the corporation limits, stepped forward to
address Council regarding alcohol by the drink. Hawkins said it would help the economic
recovery if there were more businesses in town as there would be an increase in sales taxes,
meals taxes, and business license revenues. She said the real estate values will increase resulting
in an increase in real estate tax revenue. She explained that it will help the assessments for the
surrounding properties. She said there will be personal property tax on the equipment in the
building. Hawkins said that there is a lot of traffic going across the mountain into Kentucky and
instead of people driving across the mountain, they could stop in Pound. Hawkins said the town
wouldn’t be pulling business traffic from the already established restaurants because it would be
a different variety. Hawkins said that the town must have businesses to be able to continue
because the real estate base on a residential population is just not enough to fund what the town
needs. Hawkins said there are issues that need addressed, as well as moral and ethical questions
that need to be considered, but you have to be open minded to allow this expansion. Hawkins
asked if all the extra work for water and sewer is completed, but there are no businesses to take
advantage of it, then why was it done to begin with. Hawkins said that although she does not live
in town, Pound is home. She explained that she would rather take her family out to eat in Pound
then another town. She said that she would like to give the citizens a chance to work in the town
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they live. Hawkins said that there are a lot of benefits and the town needs to provide business
incentives.
Steve Mullins stepped forward to address Council. He said he lives at Old Mill Village. He said
there are people looking for a family oriented place and that people need to get over the liquor by
the drink issue if the town wants the community, tourism, and revenue to grow.
STEVE MULLINS
Steve Mullins stepped forward to address Council as he requested to be on the agenda. Mullins
said that he wanted to talk about the severe drug problems at Old Mill Village. Mullins said that
he has been evicted from his apartment there because he does not get along with the people who
do drugs. Mullins said that he has complained to PJ Meade with the housing authority, but he
wanted to bring it to the Town Council’s attention also. He said that the drug problems at Old
Mill Village are very bad for the community, especially the children. Mullins said that he had
lived there for six years. Councilman Cantrell said that the town is in the process of updating
their arsenal as the newly acquired K-9 will be used for situations like this as the K-9 can aid in
providing probable cause. Cantrell said they are working to correct the situation. Councilman
Cauthorne said that maybe Old Mill Village could be made a higher priority. Chief Baker said
that since he has been Chief, there have been 29 meth lab busts, 3 armed robberies, and 1
stabbing. Chief Baker said that he has patrolled the Old Mill Village parking lot off duty in the
midnight hours to help thwart the problem. Baker said that he had spoken to the Housing
Authority in the past about having a police officer live in the complex. Baker said that Officer
Folk is willing to move in if Council would like to pass a resolution regarding an officer living at
Old Mill Village.
Mayor Dean declared a ten minute recess at 8:00 p.m.
Councilman Cauthorne made a motion to pass a resolution to have a law enforcement presence at
Old Mill Village and Councilman Short seconded. Town Attorney Gilliam read the resolution.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cantrell, Cauthorne Short, Stanley
Nays: None
Absent: Walters
George Micah stepped forward and stated that he lives at Old Mill Village and was unaware of
the problems when he moved in. Micah said that he stays hidden, but he does not like the idea of
drug users influencing the children. Micah said he is glad to see help.
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SPECIAL USE PERMITS
A. LIVESTOCK
Mayor Dean referenced a fax sent from Robert Mullins. Councilman Cantrell made a motion to hold a
public hearing at the next Council meeting for Rachel’s Haven Special Use Permit and Councilman
Stanley seconded. Councilman Short said he is for having a public hearing, but to address Robert
Mullins’ fax, the Planning Commission has yet to receive any reviewed special use permit application
from the Zoning Administrator. Short said he will let Robert Mullins know because according to the
Town’s ordinance, he is required to submit a reviewed application.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cantrell, Cauthorne Short, Stanley
Nays: None
Absent: Walters
B. RACHEL’S HAVEN
Councilman Cauthorne made a motion to have a public hearing on livestock special use
permit applications at the next Council meeting based on what Robert Mullins sent and
Councilman Short seconded the motion. Councilman Short said that the Planning
Commission never received any reviewed applications, except for Penny Bolling’s
application. Short said the Planning Commission members wanted to have completed and
reviewed applications prior to consideration of scheduling any public hearings. Short said
that one process the Planning Commission is going to address in the Zoning Ordinance is to
clarify the process, improve the application, and give every applicant direction, while
clarifying who is responsible for doing what. Mayor Dean said he understands, but believes
there is still a problem between the Zoning Administrator and the Planning Commission as
Robert Mullins disagrees with the change to the Zoning Ordinance regarding livestock
because there is not any agricultural zoning in Pound. Councilman Stanley said he can’t
keep going against Robert. Cauthorne said it is the same situation as Rachel’s Haven. Short
said it was agreed that the costs for the public hearing would be evenly distributed among
the applications received.
Cantrell agreed with Stanley and said these ordinances are complaint driven.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cantrell, Cauthorne, Short, Stanley
Nays: None
Absent: Walters
Councilman Cantrell said that he thinks Planning Commission needs to look at the zoning
ordinances.
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LANDSLIDE MITIGATION STATUS
Mayor Dean referenced the Manager’s report. Dean stated that they are in the process of
completing a 4262 form with the help of Frank Kibler of LENOWISCO. Dean said he has a
meeting with Frank Kibler and Duane Miller of LENOWISCO tomorrow. Dean said they are
looking to get money to help take care of the landslide. Dean talked with Shannon Scott and
Robert Mullins about demolishing the bank building as the towns in kind contribution. Dean
informed that mitigation funding would be 75% federal funding, 20% state funding, and 5%
town. Dean said that Susan and Ricky Bolling put a chain link fence with an orange safety mesh
on the private drive by the landslide. Eric Price, T&L, stated that they are working on a budget
for the VDEM application. Melissa Stawicki, 1145 Church Street, stepped forward to address
Council. Stawicki said that she appreciates what Council has been doing, but does not
appreciate a Councilmember telling her that she is beating a dead horse. Councilman Stanley
said that he was only making conversation. Stawicki said that the mess at Pound Hardware on
the sidewalk needs cleaned up. Mitchell Fleming, 1145 Church Street, stepped forward to
address Council. Fleming said that he donated some of the fence to Ricky that was put up.
Fleming asked if the Council was really looking to help the town or if they were up there for
their own benefit. Mayor Dean told Fleming that he should’ve addressed this during audience
comment.
WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT
Mayor Dean said that the third check has been written against the Option 3b interim financing
totaling approximately $23,000. Eric Price, T&L, stated that two flow monitors are installed
with a third on the way. Price informed that confined space training has been received. Price
said that Dennis with Veolia has provided daily influent levels and T&L has been tracking it
since January 1, 2016. Price said he knows there was concern with escalated flow from the
bridge work damage, but there should not be concern. Price said there was a spike in flows in
June, the repair took place in August and there was a decline in flows. Price said the average
flow was 335,000 gallons per day in September. Price said they contracted with Tri-State
Utilities to do manhole inspections on every manhole in the Town of Pound system. Price said
the video-work will be done on the Pound River and Mill Creek, and is scheduled to begin the
week of November 7, 2016. Price informed that survey work began last week at the plant for the
design of the upgrade to the WWTP. Price said T&L will also be doing surveys on the manhole
elevations. Price stated that he worked with LENOWISCO to apply for an ARC grant of
$400,000.
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WATER TREATMENT PLANT
Mayor Dean stated that he is still working quotes on getting the work done on the filters at the
WTP. Glover Welding said they would charge $8,200 for everything to include pressure
washing, spot prime, and one coat of epoxy enamel. Eastern Tank and Utility said they would
hand tool clean, spot prime, and apply a whole prime coat followed with one coat of enamel.
Dean said he is still waiting on their quote. Pittsburg Tank & Tower said they would charge
$7,800 for each filter including hand tool clean, hand tool sand, one coat of metal primer, and
one coat of enamel. Southern Corrosion said they would charge $10,108 to include scraping,
wire brushing, sanding and feathering all rusted surfaces to bare metal with hand power tools;
spot prime with epoxy mastic followed by one coat of epoxy paint and another coat of alkyd high
gloss enamel. Mayor Dean said that he is leaning towards Southern Corrosion based on the two
finishing coats. Dean said it is not in the budget right now, but two of the companies quoting will
offer a time pay program. Mayor Dean said that he has been talking with Richard Fleming at the
WTP about getting a better handle on accountability. Dean said they believe there might be a
leak between the gate valve at the bottom of the bridge and the Mill Creek pump house, and a
master game plan is being put together to address the situation. Dean informed of another plan to
clean out the clarifier and replace the sludge drain. Dean also discussed tweaking and training on
water system pressure. Dean also said that he is in receipt of quotes to fix the sludge building.
Stanley stated that he has asked numerous times to put a PRV on the line going towards Indian
Creek. Cauthorne asked about a timetable for Phase III. Dean and Cantrell said that sewer is
currently being focused on.
HALLOWEEN
Mayor Dean read a message from a citizen requesting to have trick-or-treating on Saturday,
October 29, 2016. Cauthorne said if trick-or-treating is held on Saturday, there may be an
increase in business that night.
Councilman Stanley made a motion to have trick-or-treating on Monday, October 31, 2016
from 5:30pm – 8:30pm and Councilman Cantrell seconded. Cauthorne said he likes Saturday,
but he is not offended.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cantrell, Short, Stanley
Nays: Cauthorne
Absent: Walters
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COMMITTEES
A. CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES COMMITTEE LIST
Mayor Dean read his list of the following five people chosen for the committee: George Dean,
Glenn Cantrell, Arvil Pilkenton, Carol Campbell, and Charlene Short.
Cauthorne said that there are two expired terms on the Planning Commission. Councilman
Cauthorne made a motion to re-appoint Hassell Phillips and Peter Holbrook and Councilman
Stanley seconded.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cantrell, Cauthorne, Short, Stanley
Nays: None
Absent: Walters
Short said that there are issues with the time frames of the terms of the Planning Commission
members. He said Don Sturgill’s paperwork that went to the courthouse showed from July 1,
2015 to November 1, 2019, which is more than the 4 years that are allowed to be served. Short
said the same issue was present for Gail Currey. Short also said that law states the committees
should be losing a member or re-appointing at least one each year. Short said that Planning
Commission is in pretty good shape, but the Board of Zoning Appeals appointments for
Christine Cantrell and John Stallard couldn’t be found in the Minutes. Cantrell said to look in
2015 instead of 2014. Short said Board of Zoning Appeals terms are 5 years. Short said Phil
Cantrell was appointed in July 2012 Minutes, Danny Stanley was appointed in May 2014
Minutes and Sherron Dean in September 2012 Minutes. Short said that the Board of Zoning
Appeals ordinance states that one Planning Commission member shall be a member of the
Board of Zoning Appeals. Town Attorney Gilliam said it sounds like Pound could be
overreaching in that ordinance. Short said that state law allows for up to seven Board of Zoning
Appeals members. Carol Campbell stepped forward to give her list of names for the
Recreation/Tourism Committee. The list recommended Debbie Hale, Walter Powers, Greg
Clisso, and Susan Howell. Short said that he forgot to give Carol Campbell his list of additional
names who were interested in being on the committee. Councilman Cantrell made a motion to
approve the list of members for the Recreation/Tourism Committee and Councilman Stanley
seconded. Cauthorne said he would like to see at least one person from in town be on the list.
Councilman Cantrell volunteered to be on the committee and Carol Campbell accepted.
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Cantrell and Stanley amended the motion and second to include Glenn Cantrell on the
committee member list.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cauthorne (based upon Short’s recommendation), Short, Stanley
Nays: None
Absent: Walters
Abstain: Cantrell
Sherron Dean stepped forward to address Council. She said that no one in the Town of Pound
wants to volunteer. She said if people want to volunteer and help the town to let them do it
regardless of if they live in town or not.
BUSINESS LICENSES
This topic was a continuation from September Council meeting at Councilman Short’s request.
Mayor Dean said that there are approximately 40 businesses in the Town of Pound and 3 have
not purchased a business license. Mayor Dean said that good, upstanding people will come and
buy a business license as required. Dean said new businesses are either visually seen or by word
of mouth. Councilman Short said that business licenses are $50 for the first year and based on
tax returns for each year after. Town Attorney Gilliam said that the Town of Coeburn threatened
to sue if businesses didn’t pay. Gilliam said some businesses set up payment plans. Dean said
three letters have been sent requesting the business licenses fees to be paid. Gilliam said the
next step would be to take them to court. Clerk-Treasurer Sturgill said the three businesses who
have not purchased their business licenses were Fielder’s Choice, Kyle’s Garage, and HRW.
Short asked what the statute of limitations was for collecting on previous years not paid. Gilliam
was not certain, but he said probably a couple years. Short said he heard that Rachel’s Haven
and Clisso’s have not purchased business licenses. Sturgill said that Clisso’s has purchased a
business license. Discussion followed regarding if Rachel’s Haven should purchase a business
license. It was agreed to research this issue as Janice Payne had previously stated that her
business is located in Wise. Councilman Stanley made a motion to have Town Attorney Gilliam
pursue the three businesses that have not yet purchased a business license with a letter and
Councilman Cantrell seconded.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cantrell, Cauthorne, Short, Stanley
Nays: None
Absent: Walters
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UVA WISE INTERNSHIPS
Councilman Cauthorne said that someone in the community mentioned to pursue UVA Wise
students for internships to help in the Town. Dean said that Clerk-Treasurer Sturgill had
mentioned that to get extra help in the office at no cost. Cauthorne asked for this topic to be put
on next month’s agenda for an update. Short said maybe Gilliam’s law office can help with
codifying the ordinances.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Dean discussed an email that he received today regarding purchasing ads in the Heart of
Appalachia brochure. Carol Campbell said that the Recreation/Tourism committee has already
pursued with Mike Wampler the possibility of brochures about the Town of Pound at no cost.
Carol said they will be looking further into this in the near future.
Councilman Short said that his cost concern questions in the manager’s report were previously
addressed earlier in the meeting. Short said his financial status questions can wait until next
month.
Cauthorne asked if there was an update on Wi-Fi. Mayor Dean said not yet. Dean said the Wi-Fi
in town is a work in progress and they are looking at getting Intermountain Cable internet at the
WTP.
Cauthorne requested a cost analysis on the K-9 per year.
Cantrell discussed Chief Baker taking a police car home as he now lives outside the corporation
limits. Cantrell said he does not have a problem with him taking a car home as he lives just
outside of the corporation limits. Councilman Stanley made a motion to allow Chief Baker to
take a police vehicle home and Councilman Cantrell seconded.
Cauthorne said he remembered that an unofficial agreement was made that the Police Chief
would live inside of the corporation limit when Chief Baker was hired. Cauthorne said he would
prefer to have a Police Chief who lives in town. Chief Baker said that in 1964-1968, Woodrow
Tackett lived in the town as Police Chief and the Town of Pound furnished him a dwelling and
paid for his bills. Further discussion followed and Short asked about town vehicle policies
regarding personal use. Dean replied yes, there are policies and the town employees may not
use town vehicles for personal use.
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Dean said it gives the employees a better opportunity to respond to calls faster.
VOTE:
Ayes: Cantrell, Stanley
Nays: Cauthorne, Short
Absent: Walters
TIE-BREAKER VOTE: Mayor Dean voted yes.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Stanley made a motion to adjourn and Councilman Cantrell seconded.
At 10:08 p.m. the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned.
APPROVED ON THIS THE___15th____DAY OF _____November_______2016.
____George E. Dean (Original signature on file in Town Hall)_________________
MAYOR
_____Megan Sturgill (Original signature on file in Town Hall)____________________
CLERK/TREASURER
10/18/2016
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