Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL May 17, 2021 PUBLIC HEARING The public hearing was called to order by Mayor Johnson at 6:45 p.m. The public hearing to consider an application from DKN Properties, LLC to annex 5577 Dupont Parkway (Tax Map ID: 15-022.00-032) into the Town of Smyrna and rezone it from CR (Commercial Regional) in New Castle County to NC (North Corridor) in the Town of Smyrna. Mayor Johnson asked if there was anyone to speak in favor. Mr. Rothwell gave a brief overview of the request. Mayor Johnson asked if there was anyone else to speak in favor. No one spoke. Mayor Johnson asked if there was anyone to speak in opposition. No one spoke. Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing at 6:49 p.m. 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 Mann and carried unanimously. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the organizational and regular minutes of May 3, 2021 as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 4 May 17, 2021 REPORTS A. Presiding Officer – Mayor Johnson said he has been meeting with Mr. Haines on Wednesdays for about an hour to talk about what is going on in town, and things that Mr. Haines wants to keep him abreast of; the Finance Committee will be meeting on the 25th. B. Town Attorney – Mr. Edwards updated Council on the abandonment of the alleys on both sides of South Locust Street. C. Police Chief – Chief James said they are super excited because they are so much closer to the accreditation process and hopefully sometime near the end of June we will have an update on this; the recruits are doing well in the academy, and you should be seeing one around town very soon. D. Town Manager – Mr. Haines said we officially announced the Summer Concert Series today; he briefly spoke about ClearGov; he gave an update on Smyrna at Night; he updated Council on 22 South Main Street; he spoke about the Farmers to Families event last week; and this Friday is the Governor’s lifting of all indoor gathering restrictions. E. Committees – Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee met May 11th and the next meeting will be June 8th. Councilwoman Forbes said the Shade Tree Commission will meet May 19th. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee will meet May 18th and the next meeting will be June 22nd. Councilman Pressley said Personnel Committee will meet June 10th; the Charter and Ordinance Review Committee will meet June 9th; and the Public Safety Committee will meet June 10th. Mayor Johnson said the Audit Committee will meet soon. Councilman Rasmussen said the Economic Development Committee will meet June 2nd; and the Main Street Coordinating Board met May 12th. F. District/Council comments – Councilwoman Mann said she read in the paper that related to our efforts for recycling in the Town of Smyrna, that the State has decided to take a big step forward and banning polystyrene in all food establishments, and spoke about other items in the article; and she has noticed while driving around town that not all residents are onboard with our yard waste program and the use of the yard waste carts instead of plastic bags and other containers. Councilwoman Gott gave an update on the Recycle Smyrna Red program. Mayor and Council Page 3 of 4 May 17, 2021 RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Visitors present virtually were Anthony Gruerio, George DeBenedictis, Jeremy Rothwell, Rick Horsey, Vadell Hampton, Leslie Jones, Andrea Beck, Danielle Pope, and Lorenzo Merino. Andrea Beck spoke about the Homeowners Association in her neighborhood and the dumping of waste in open space areas. NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration of a resolution to annex 5577 Dupont Parkway (Tax Map ID: 15-022.00- 032) (owned by DKN Properties, LLC) into the Town of Smyrna and an ordinance rezoning the property from CR (Commercial Regional) in New Castle County to NC (North Corridor) in the Town of Smyrna – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the resolution to annex the property as well as the rezoning ordinance for the property as stated. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. Mayor Johnson said he voted for this because it is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and the zoning aspect of the Town Code. Councilman Pressley said he voted for this because it is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. Councilwoman Mann said she voted for this because it is in compliance with our Comprehensive Plan. Councilman Brown said he voted for this based on the staff report. Councilman Rasmussen said he voted for this because of staff’s recommendation and the existing and future Comprehensive Plan. Councilwoman Gott said she voted for this based on staff’s recommendation. Councilwoman Forbes said she voted for this based on staff’s recommendation. B. Resolution #009-21, resolution adopting the New Castle County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020 update as approved by FEMA – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the resolution adopting the New Castle County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020 update as approved by FEMA. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. C. True Access Capital contract engagement with the Town Redevelopment Authority (RDA) to administer the Revolving Loan Fund and authorization of revisions to the Town’s Mayor and Council Page 4 of 4 May 17, 2021 Revolving Loan Plan to submit to USDA for approval – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to approve the True Access Capital contract engagement with the Town Redevelopment Authority (RDA) to administer the Revolving Loan Fund and authorization of revisions to the Town’s Revolving Loan Plan to submit to USDA for approval. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen. Motion carried with Councilwomen Gott, Forbes, and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen, Pressley, and Brown voting for, and Mayor Johnson abstaining. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS There was none. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Executive session to discuss personnel matters in which the names, competency, and abilities of individual employees – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters in which the names, competency, and abilities of individual employees. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. Council went into executive session at 7:56 p.m. Councilwoman Mann made the motion to come out of executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown. Council came out of executive session at 8:39 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 Brown made the motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m. by unanimous vote. vlh