Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL September 7, 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 Forbes made the motion to approve the regular and executive session minutes of August 16, 2021, as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. REPORTS A. Presiding Officer – Mayor Johnson spoke about a meeting he had with Councilwoman Gott, Councilman Brown, Mr. Haines, and Senator Carper at the Smyrna Opera House; he had a conference call regarding the ARPA funds – how we can spend it and how we cannot spend it; he received a phone call today from the Governor about the needs for Smyrna; and he spoke about the Finance Committee. B. Town Attorney – Mr. Edwards said we have been working on a number of ordinances involving the Zoning Code and they will be coming before you in the next few weeks. C. Police Chief – Chief James reviewed items from his report to Council; he spoke about their Smyrna Night Out which will be held on September 21st. D. Town Manager – Mr. Haines spoke about leaf collection; fall clean up is scheduled for the 11th through the 22nd; there will be a meeting to discuss the Smyrna at Night event; and he spoke about the ARPA funding. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 3 September 7, 2021 E. Commissions – Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee met August 10th and the next meeting will be September 14th. Councilman Pressley said the Charter Review Committee will not meet this month; the Public Safety Committee will meet September 9th. Councilwoman Forbes said the Shade Tree Commission will meet September 15 th. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee will meet September 14th. Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet September 8th; and the Economic Development Committee will meet October 6th. Mayor Johnson said the Mayor’s Prayer breakfast will be November 3rd at 7:30 a.m.; the Auditors said the Audit is being wrapped up now. F. District/Council comments – Councilwoman Mann said she did not have anything tonight. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Visitors present were George DeBenedictis, Janette Tarafa, Helen Wiles, Art Ricker, Brooks Keen, Gerald Manley Jr., Marilyn J. Smith, and Frederick N. Schaber IV. A. Municipal Outreach and Presentation by Dover/Kent County MPO (Helen Wiles and Marilyn Smith) – Ms. Helen Wiles and Ms. Marilyn Smith gave a presentation on behalf of the Dover/Kent County MPO. NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration for sunsetting Personnel Committee – Councilman Pressley made the motion to sunset the Personnel Committee. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. B. Consideration for the closure and demolition of Municipal Park Restrooms – This was for discussion only. C. Consideration for additional support and funding of Citizens’ Hose Company #1 – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to send this to the Finance Committee for discussion and recommendation. Motion was seconded by Councilman Pressley and carried unanimously. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Mayor and Council Page 3 of 3 September 7, 2021 There was none. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Executive session for the purpose of preliminary discussions on site acquisitions for any publicly funded capital improvements, or sales or leases of real property B. Executive session to discuss personnel matters in which the names, competency, and abilities of individual employees will be discussed – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to go into executive session for the purpose of preliminary discussions on site acquisitions for any publicly funded capital improvements, or sales or leases of real property; and to discuss personnel matters in which the names, competency, and abilities of individual employees will be discussed. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. Council went into executive session at 8:52 p.m. Councilwoman Gott made the motion to come out of executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Council came out of executive session at 9:16 p.m. by unanimous vote. C. Possible action on item discussed in executive session – No action was taken. D. Discussion and possible action on personnel matter discussed in executive session – No action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Councilwoman Gott made the motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m. by unanimous vote. vlh