Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL February 1, 2021 REGULAR MEETING The meeting was called to order by Mayor Robert C. Johnson at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Michael A. Rasmussen, Tabitha J. Gott, Valerie M. Forbes, William D. Pressley Sr., Margaret B. Mann, and Gerald L. Brown. Also present were Town Manager Andrew S. Haines, Lieutenant Amber McKinery, Attorney D. Barrett Edwards, and Recording Secretary Valerie L. Heritage. Rajan Zed, President, Universal Society of Hinduism, gave the invocation. Mayor Johnson asked Lieutenant McKinery to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO PUBLISHED AGENDA Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the regular minutes of January 19, 2021 as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. REPORTS A. Presiding Officer – Mayor Johnson said it is an honor to have Rajan Zed be part of our meeting tonight, he had reached out to us and it really shows the diversity of our community and how we are really working together as a town, we must be doing something good here. He saw the building going up at the KRM Business Park on the north side of town, and he knows that there are some internal issues going on that Mr. Haines is working on, and as always, the Councilmembers are working diligently in their areas of expertise. He is working on the committees for the coming year so if you or anyone you know are interested in serving on any committees please reach out and let him know. B. Town Attorney – Mr. Edwards said lately there has not been a whole lot going on, they have been working on the library lease and hopefully we will get that all wrapped up this evening. C. Police Chief – Lieutenant McKinery said Chief James sent his report out to Council, and he did want her to share with Council that he did secure the second shots of the Covid-19 vaccines for the officers. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 3 February 1, 2021 D. Town Manager – Mr. Haines said he believes it was before he started, but Del Video was engaged to do an update on the video for the town and several of you agreed to the interview and are built into it, so we have they are now finished and we have three different versions – a one minute version, a three minute version, and a 16 minute version that we are going to get uploaded either this week or next week, so that is now completed. He wanted to acknowledge the work of our Public Works team for clearing the roads, and he thinks icing and slush, and the Electric team for taking care of some iced branches that they were clearing away from lines across from town hall today in the wind. He received notice today regarding the mosquito spraying through DNREC and unless Council had any objections, he will continue with that program this year. Hopefully this week or next week we will have a logo image to save the dates for Smyrna at Night. E. Commissions – Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet virtually on February 9th. Councilman Rasmussen said the Economic Development Committee will meet virtually February 3rd. F. District/Council comments – Councilwoman Gott did not have anything at this time. Councilwoman Mann did not have anything at this time. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Visitors present virtually were Joanne Masten, Pat Musto, Kay Wheatley, George DeBenedictis, Jim Walls, Danielle Pope, Bob Wilson, and Jane Tomey. Jane Tomey spoke about the Smyrna School District and the Superintendent Patrik Williams. OLD BUSINESS A. Set time and place for the April 27, 2021 Town of Smyrna election – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to hold the election on April 27, 2021 at the Smyrna Town Hall from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS A. Authorize Friends of Duck Creek Regional Library lease – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to authorize the lease. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott. Motion carried with Mayor Johnson, Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen and Brown voting for, and Councilwoman Forbes and Councilman Pressley voting against. Mayor and Council Page 3 of 3 February 1, 2021 B. Appointment of Brian Milburn and Robert C. Johnson to the Parks & Recreation Committee – Councilwoman Gott made the motion to appoint Brian Milburn and Robert C. Johnson to the Parks & Recreation Committee. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS There was none. ADJOURNMENT Councilwoman Mann made the motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott. Meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote at 7:33 p.m. vlh