Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL August 2, 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 Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Councilwoman Mann made the motion to approve the regular and executive session minutes of July 19, 2021, as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. REPORTS A. Presiding Officer – Mayor Johnson spoke about Lake Como Woods; he thanked the Parks & Recreation Committee for the basketball courts at Sunnyside Park and Green Meadows Park; he said he spoke with Mr. Haines about the audit and about things in general, how things are coming along. B. Town Attorney – Mr. Edwards said we have got a couple of ordinances and a resolution on the agenda tonight and we can discuss them as they come up. C. Police Chief – Chief James said Council has his report; they are officially accredited, and we are now the role model for the entire state of Delaware; our four new recruits are now two weeks away from graduating. D. Town Manager – Mr. Haines spoke about the basketball courts, and that the Parks & Recreation Committee moved the grant for them forward, Ms. Pope oversaw the grant application and the administration of it, Public Works has helped – both Mr. McNatt and Mr. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 4 August 2, 2021 Mitchell, it was a great team effort; he spoke about playground cleaning; Smyrna at Night posters came in today and there will be a meeting tomorrow with all the key players for the event; and he had the chance to have lunch at the new Our Thyme & Table restaurant. E. Commissions – Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee met July 20th and the next meeting will be August 10th. Councilman Rasmussen said the Economic Development Committee will meet August 4th. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee met July 20th and the next meeting will be August 17th. Councilman Pressley said the Charter and Ordinance Review Committee will meet August 11th; the Personnel Committee will meet August 12th; and the Public Safety Committee will meet August 12th. F. District/Council comments – Councilwoman Mann said she did not have anything at this time. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Visitors present were Frederick N. Schaber, Sonia Spruill, Bruce Ciancio, Joanne Masten, Terry L. Pepper, Tim Brewer, Kortney Dibert, Janette Tarafa, Mark Blake, George DeBenedictis, Bill Evans, Cassandra Abel, and Danielle Pope. A. Presentation of donation to the Smyrna Police Department by Kent County Levy Court President Terry Pepper and Commissioner Joanne Masten – Kent County Levy Court President Terry Pepper and Commissioner Joanne Masten came forward and presented Lt. Walton with a check in the amount of $20,892 on behalf of the Smyrna Police Department. Cassandra Abel spoke about speeding on East North Street. Bruce Ciancio and Tim Brewer said they would support whatever can be done to get their HOA up and running, they have all their officers, but they have not heard anything from the developer. OLD BUSINESS A. Third 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 third reading of Ord. No. 005-21, an ordinance amending Chapter 18 Mayor and Council Page 3 of 4 August 2, 2021 (“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 Councilman Brown. Motion carried with Mayor Johnson, Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen, Pressley, and Brown voting for, and Councilwoman Forbes voting against. B. Third 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 Mann made the motion to approve the third reading of 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. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration to authorize submittal of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Trails 2021 Grant Application – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to authorize the submittal of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Trails 2021 Grant application. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. B. Resolution removing a handicap parking space on the east side of South Main Street and at 18 South Delaware Street and establishing a four-way stop at East South Street and South East Street – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the resolution removing a handicap parking space on the east side of South Main Street and at 18 South Delaware Street and establishing a four-way stop at East South Street and South East Street. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS There was none. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Executive session for discussion of onsite acquisitions for any publicly funded capital improvements – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to go into executive session for discussion of onsite acquisitions for any publicly funded capital improvements. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. Council went into executive session at 7:55 p.m. Councilwoman Mann made the motion to come out of executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen. Council came out of executive session at 8:07 by unanimous vote. Mayor and Council Page 4 of 4 August 2, 2021 B. Possible action on item discussed in executive session – Councilman Brown made the motion to authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement of sale for the acquisition of 621 North Main Street from Greens Branch, LLC for $200,000 with the town paying all standard fees, transfer tax and closing costs associated with the property transfer, the town shall not be responsible for making any realtor commission or attorney fees for the seller. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Councilman Pressley made the motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen. The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m. by unanimous vote. vlh