Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL April 5, 2021 REGULAR MEETING The meeting was called to order by Mayor Robert C. Johnson at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Tabitha J. Gott, Valerie M. Forbes, William D. Pressley Sr., Margaret B. Mann, and Gerald L. Brown. Councilman Michael A. Rasmussen was excused. Also present were Finance Director Cassandra Young, Chief Torrie James, Attorney D. Barrett Edwards, and Recording Secretary Valerie L. Heritage. Chief James led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Johnson asked for a moment of silence. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO PUBLISHED AGENDA Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the regular and executive session minutes of March 15, 2021 as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. REPORTS A. Presiding Officer – Mayor Johnson said he had the chance to sit and talk with Superintendent Patrik Williams about the possibility of having a student get involved with Council, and the other thing they talked about was having a government day where students would act as Council for a day. The other thing he has, which he received today in the mail, is an application for Cycling Infrastructure Innovation Grant, which he will give to Councilwoman Gott for the Parks & Recreation Committee to discuss and make a recommendation to Council. He has been talking with Mr. Haines about internal things that we can improve, one is the financial system that we have, the payroll system, all the Council members are aware of the Covid 19 money that we will be receiving, and he would like to hear some of Council’s thoughts as to what to use it for. Mayor Johnson then read a proclamation honoring Vice Mayor Valerie Forbes on being appointed as a 2021 Delaware State Director for the National Foundation for Women Legislators. B. Town Attorney – Mr. Edwards said he had nothing at this time. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 4 April 5, 2021 C. Police Chief – Chief James said hopefully everyone has had a chance to look at his report, and as you can see we just got one of our new officers sworn in; our new recruits are starting the academy bright and early Sunday morning; last weekend we did a small Easter basket giveaway; and we were recently awarded a silver-level through Lexipol, they are the ones that we utilize for our policies and procedures and they basically give out awards to certain agencies across the country and we were given the silver-level which basically means we are up and keeping our policies moving, staying up with all the state policies, etc.; we just got the word from our accreditation manager that we have successfully completed the initial phase and we are scheduled for June for them to come in with the assessors and we should be done by the end of June. D. Town Manager – Mr. McNatt said he does not have any update from the Electric Department on the meter changeouts , and on the Public Works side we are finishing up with spring cleanup, we have got about 1,000 yard waste containers distributed at this point; the South Main Street Project we are getting close to substantial completion, however, they came across a couple of hang-ups today with underground conduit. E. Committees – Councilwoman Forbes said the Shade Tree Commission will meet virtually April 13th. Councilman Pressley said Personnel Committee met April 1st; the Public Safety Committee will meet April 15th; and the Charter and Ordinance Review Committee will meet April 15th. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee met virtually March 9th and the next meeting will be April 13th. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee will meet April 7th. F. District/Council comments – Councilwoman Mann said thank you to Public Works regarding spring cleanup and yard waste, good job guys. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Visitors present virtually were Danielle Pope, Jason McNatt, and Jeremy Rothwell. OLD BUSINESS A. Third reading, Ord. No. 002-21, an ordinance amending the Town Code of the Town of Smyrna to clarify regulations pertaining to the installation of electric meters and to update the billing, collection, and disconnection procedures for utilities – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to make this the third reading of Ord. No. 002-21, an ordinance amending the Town Code of the Town of Smyrna to clarify regulations pertaining to the installation of electric meters and to update the billing, collection, and disconnection procedures for utilities. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. Mayor and Council Page 3 of 4 April 5, 2021 B. Third reading, Ord. No. 003-21, an ordinance amending the Town Code of the Town of Smyrna to require yard waste to be deposited in rigid containers and to increase penalties and clarify collection procedures for solid waste collection violations – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to make this the third reading of Ord. No. 003-21, an ordinance amending the Town Code of the Town of Smyrna to require yard waste to be deposited in rigid containers and to increase penalties and clarify collection procedures for solid waste collection violations. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS A. Appeals Day results and appeals hearings – This item was removed. B. Resolution to approve final assessment list – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the resolution to approve the final assessment list. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. C. Request from Smyrna Clayton July 4th Foundation for a grant of $10,000 from the Town of Smyrna for 2021 fireworks on July 4th – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the request from the Smyrna Clayton July 4th Foundation for a grant of $10,000 for the 2021 fireworks on July 4th. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. D. Resolution approving proposed legislation to send to the General Assembly to amend the Smyrna Town Charter – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the resolution approving the proposed legislation to send to the General Assembly to amend the Smyrna Town Charter. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. E. Reopening town playground equipment – Councilwoman Gott made the motion to reopen the town playground equipment. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown. Motion carried with Mayor Johnson, Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Pressley and Brown voting for, and Councilwoman Forbes voting against. F. Resolution to set Legislative Fact Finding Hearing for annexation and to consider zoning designation, 5577 DuPont Parkway, Tax Map #15-022.00-032, DKN Properties, LLC, May 17, 2021 at 6:45 p.m. – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion approve the resolution to set the Legislative Fact Finding Hearing for annexation and to consider zoning designation for 5577 DuPont Parkway, DKN Properties, LLC for May 17, 2021 at 6:45 p.m. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. Mayor and Council Page 4 of 4 April 5, 2021 OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Mayor Johnson thanked everybody for everything that is being done, he is hearing a lot of good stuff from the people in the street and how they really appreciate the Council that we have now and how they appreciate everything that Council is doing. ADJOURNMENT Councilwoman Mann made the motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. by unanimous vote. vlh