Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL June 21, 2021 APPEALS DAY HEARING This portion of the meeting was opened at 6:15 p.m. by Mayor Johnson. The following properties are appealing their assessments: 128 Ramunno Drive and 101 Greens Branch Lane. The property owner of 101 Greens Branch Lane, Ms. Silja F. Walter, gave her reason for the appeal. Mayor Johnson, and Councilwomen Forbes and Mann discussed this appeal. After discussion Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to waive the increase this year for both properties. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. Mayor Johnson closed this portion of the meeting at 6:32 p.m. 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 Suzanne Tippitt and Chelsea Quinn to rezone a 0.24-acre vacant parcel at 258 South Dupont Boulevard (TM 1-17-01018-02-5800- 00001) from HC (Highway Commercial) to SCZ (South Corridor) in the Town of Smyrna to be in compliance with the Town of Smyrna’s Comprehensive Plan. 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 Mann made the motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion was Mayor and Council Page 2 of 4 June 21, 2021 seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Councilwoman Mann made the motion to approve the regular minutes of June 7, 2021 as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. REPORTS A. Presiding Officer – Mayor Johnson said he continues to have meetings with Mr. Haines to discuss the financial system; he spoke with another gentleman who is interested in bringing a business to town; he thanked Mr. Rothwell for everything he is doing to help bring businesses to town, he thanked Mr. Edwards for all the work he has been doing, and he thanked Chief James for everything he has been doing. B. Town Attorney – Mr. Edwards said he did not have anything at this time. C. Police Chief – Chief James said the assessment for the accreditation was so successful that they made Smyrna the model, and they are going to take a month to breathe and then they will begin working on the national accreditation. D. Town Manager – Mr. Haines spoke about yard waste services; he said the weather looks good for the next concert in the Summer Concert Series, and the one where we partnered with Department of Public Health on the Covid vaccine has been rescheduled for the 30th; he spoke about a building at the KRM site; and he spoke about the basketball grant. E. Committees – Councilman Rasmussen said the Economic Development Committee met June 2nd; and the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet July 7th. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee is planning some events in conjunction with the basketball courts; she spoke about the Recycle Smyrna Red program; and she spoke about the Veterans event, Councilman Pressley said Personnel Committee will meet July 15th; the Charter and Ordinance Review Committee will meet July 14th; and the Public Safety Committee will meet July 8th. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee met June 8th and the next meeting will be July 20th. F. District/Council comments – Councilwoman Mann congratulated Dr. DiSabatino on his retirement. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Mayor and Council Page 3 of 4 June 21, 2021 Visitors present virtually were Danielle Pope, James Markow, Silja F. Walter, Cassandra Young, George DeBenedictis, Travis Stewart, Janette Tarafa, Frank Patton, Jeremy Rothwell, Corrine Upshur, Deborah Sterling, Leslie Jones, Robert Fritzsche, James Gallagher, Hanna Gallagher, Evelyn Leake, Michael Leake, Deborah Flowers, Marvadell Zeeb, Debbie Camaratta, Judy Hollett, Karen Madonna, Brian Milburn, Helena Marable, and Marion & Tom O’Donnell. Bob Fritzsche spoke about the Bon Ayre community and the fence that is in the park area. Ruth Hall, Judy Holland, and Debbie Camaratta all spoke about the Bon Ayre community and the fence that is in the park area, and the streets. Corrine Upshur spoke about debris along the road coming from Route 13 down Carter Road. Councilman Pressley said that road is state maintained, not town maintained. Councilwoman Forbes asked Ms. Upshur to send her an email and she would get her a contact for DelDOT to possibly help with the trash problem on Carter Road. Ms. Upshur said she also sees littering and trash along Villanova Lane and a pot hole that was repaired and now it is sinking again, there are overgrown weeds and trach in the sewer. Councilwoman Forbes said Ms. Upshur should call town hall to find out whose responsibility it is. Gerry Hall spoke about parking at Woodland Manor. NEW BUSINESS A. Ord. No. 006-21, an ordinance rezoning 258 South Dupont Boulevard (TM 1-17-01018- 02-5800-00001) from HC (Highway Commercial) to SCZ (South Corridor) in the Town of Smyrna – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve Ord. No. 006-21, an ordinance rezoning 258 South Dupont Boulevard (TM 1-17-01018-02-5800-00001) from HC (Highway Commercial) to SCZ (South Corridor) in the Town of Smyrna. 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. Councilman Pressley said he voted for this because of staff’s recommendation. 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 Comprehensive Plan and staff’s recommendation. Councilman Rasmussen said he voted for this because of staff’s recommendation and the Comprehensive Plan. Councilwoman Gott said she voted for this based on the Comprehensive Plan and staff’s recommendation. Mayor and Council Page 4 of 4 June 21, 2021 Councilwoman Forbes said she voted for this based on staff’s recommendation. B. First reading, Ord. No. 005-21, an ordinance amending Chapter 18 (“Buildings and Building Regulations”), Article XII (“Redevelopment Authority”), Division 3 (“Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program”) to restrict grants to properties situated within the redevelopment focus area, to establish different grant amounts for different classifications of properties, and to make other housekeeping changes – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the first reading of Ord. No. 005-21, an ordinance amending Chapter 18 (“Buildings and Building Regulations”), Article XII (“Redevelopment Authority”), Division 3 (“Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program”) to restrict grants to properties situated within the redevelopment focus area, to establish different grant amounts for different classifications of properties, and to make other housekeeping changes. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Motion carried with Councilwoman Gott, Forbes, and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen, Pressley, and Brown voting for, and Mayor Johnson abstaining. E. Results of appeals day hearing – Councilman Pressley made the motion to waive the increase for this year for both properties. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott. Motion carried with Mayor Johnson, Councilwomen Gott and Forbes, and Councilmen Rasmussen, Pressley, and Brown voting for, and Councilwoman Mann voting against. C. Utility assistance through American Rescue Plan Act for households, small business, and non-profits – No action was taken. D. Amendment to the 2021 Capital Budget and the authorization to engage in contract negotiations with Tyler Technologies, Inc. for the Munis platform as the Town’s ERP solution and replace Central Square – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to approve the amendment to the 2021 Capital Budget and the authorization to engage in contract negotiations with Tyler Technologies, Inc. for the Munis platform as the Town’s ERP solution and replace Central Square. Motion was seconded by councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS There was none. ADJOURNMENT Councilwoman Mann made the motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott. The meeting was adjourned at 8:54 p.m. by unanimous vote. vlh