Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL April 19, 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, 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 Mann made the motion to approve the regular minutes of April 5, 2021 as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. REPORTS A. Presiding Officer – Mayor Johnson said he has been getting phone calls and anonymous letters about what the town should be doing as far as more activities for the kids, more jobs, etc. and we are working on it; he will be meeting with Mr. Haines each week to talk about what is going on; he is working on the list of committees; he would like to set up a planning meeting for Council to discuss goals and objectives. B. Town Attorney – Mr. Edwards said he had nothing at this time. C. Police Chief – Chief James said our new recruits have started the academy; we participated last weekend with the Bike to the Bay and it was really successful. D. Town Manager – Mr. Haines said Wednesday we have the Farmers to Families food distribution event; at the last meeting Council approved the resolution for the Charter amendment and Senator Ennis and Representative Carson will introduce the legislation; also, Senator Ennis and Representative Carson are committing $175,000 to the CTF funding to help support the paving of the downtown parking lot; the Planning & Inspections team will be moving Mayor and Council Page 2 of 3 April 19, 2021 into the old daycare building; the state has reached out to Mayor Johnson and himself to work on the logistics of the George Wright statue. E. Committees – Councilwoman Forbes said the Shade Tree Commission met last week. Councilman Rasmussen said the Economic Development Committee met April 7 th; the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet May 12th. Councilman Pressley said Personnel Committee met last month and the next meeting will be May 13th; and the Charter and Ordinance Review Committee met, and the next meeting will be May 13th. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee met April 13th. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee will meet April 27th. F. District/Council comments – Councilwoman Gott said Recycle Red has gone live and we will kick that off on Earth Day; the basketball grant was handed over to Mr. Haines and town staff and they are working on that, additionally we are working on the Summer Concert Series and Smyrna at Night planning is already under way. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Visitors present virtually were Anthony Gruerio, Jason McNatt, Danielle Pope, George DeBenedictis, Bill Evans, Josh Little, James Markow, Jim Walls, Cassandra Young, and Janette Tarafa. NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration to enroll in Delaware Valley Health Trust – This item was for discussion only. B. American Rescue Plan Act prioritization list – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion everything on the list other than broadband, skateboard park, and rate study are prioritized equally to move forward upon receipt of Rescue Plan Act funding. Motion was seconded by Councilman Pressley and carried unanimously. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to amend the budget to align with this priority list and the monies are kept as stated by the Town Manager. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS There was none. Mayor and Council Page 3 of 3 April 19, 2021 EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Executive session for a strategy session regarding pending or potential litigation – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to go into executive session for a strategy session regarding pending or potential litigation. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. Council went into executive session at 8:25 p.m. Councilwoman Mann made the motion to come out of executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes. Council came out of executive session at 8:50 by unanimous vote. B. Discussion and possible action on matters discussed in executive session regarding pending or potential litigation – No action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. by unanimous vote. vlh