Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL July 6, 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, Valerie M. Forbes, and Margaret B. Mann. Council members Tabitha J. Gott, William D. Pressley Sr., and Gerald L. Brown were excused. Also present were Town Manager Andrew S. Haines, Chief Torrie James, Attorney D. Barrett Edwards, and Executive Assistant Danielle Pope. 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 Mann made the motion to approve the regular and executive session minutes of June 21, 2021, as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. REPORTS A. Presiding Officer – Mayor Johnson read a proclamation honoring Lawon Underdown on the occasion of her 100th birthday into the record; he spoke with the Mayor of Clayton about the things that Clayton has going on and what Smyrna has going on, and they spoke about the possibility of some joint ventures in the future; he gave kudos on the recycling program to Councilwomen Forbes and Gott, to Mr. Rothwell for businesses, to Chief James for serving the community, to Councilman Rasmussen for staying on top of Economic Development; he commended Councilwoman Mann for being everywhere and helping out; and he spoke about the Sunnyside/Bon Ayre fence and the importance of keeping kids off the streets because we do not have facilities. B. Town Attorney – Mr. Edwards said spoke about the ordinances that are on the agenda tonight. C. Police Chief – Chief James spoke about a new officer being sworn in today; July 4th was successful and thanked Mr. Haines for the Public Works help, there were a lot of people at the events, and there was a 40 minute exit overall. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 3 July 6, 2021 D. Town Manager – Mr. Haines spoke about Senate Bill 124, he will work with Mr. Edwards on the alleyways, it allows discussion in the budget and to give the land away, will amend the Charter, Ordinance; he spoke about the basketball courts at Sunnyside and Green Meadows, and commended Ms. Pope with the ORPT grant and getting an administrative amendment for more funds; he spoke about the Summer Concert Series this week; He spoke about Smyrna at Night. E. Commissions – Councilwoman Forbes said the Shade Tree Commission met June 16th, and the next meeting will be July 21st. Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet July 7th. Councilwoman Mann said the Charter and Ordinance Review Committee will meet July 14th; and the Utility Committee will meet July 20th. F. District/Council comments – Councilwoman Mann said she wanted Mr. Haines to speak a little on the yard waste program. Mr. Haines talked about the yard waste program being for prunings and that all yard waste must fit inside the bin with the lid closed, it is not a supplement tree removal service. Councilwoman Forbes spoke about the Recycle Smyrna Red program and the fact that they did a tour at DSWA, and they will be working with DNREC to revamp the recycling program: Recycle Right, and they will be sharing photos and the processes so the residents can see how recycling works. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Visitors present were Cindy Cogar, and Vetra Evans. OLD BUSINESS A. Second 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 make this the second 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. After discussion Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to amend the original motion to approve the second reading of Ord. No. 005-21, with the instruction for town staff to make additional changes to the ordinance to make sure that signage is included as an allowable category for Façade Improvement Grants in the downtown to be reviewed as part Mayor and Council Page 3 of 3 July 6, 2021 of the third reading of the ordinance. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Motion failed with Mayor Johnson, Councilwoman Mann, and Councilman Rasmussen voting for, and Councilwoman Forbes voting against. NEW BUSINESS A. First reading, Ord. No. 007-21, an ordinance amending the town code of the town of smyrna to establish the observation of those holidays specified in the personnel policy manual and collective bargaining agreements – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the first reading of Ord. No. 007-21, and ordinance amending the town code of the town of smyrna to establish the observation of those holidays specified in the personnel policy manual and collective bargaining agreements. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Mayor Johnson acknowledged Smyrna School Board member Vetra Evans for attending tonight’s Council meeting, and he would like to set up a meeting regarding the Council and the School Board working together. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Executive session to discuss personnel matters in which the names, competency, and abilities of individual employees will be discussed – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters in which the names, competency, and abilities of individual employees will be discussed. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. Council went into executive session at 7:40 p.m. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to come out of executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen. Council came out of executive session at 7:53 by unanimous vote. B. Discussion and possible action on personnel matter discussed in executive session – No action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. by unanimous vote. vlh