Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL January 3, 2022 PUBLIC HEARING The public hearing was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Robert C. Johnson. The public hearing is informational on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Michael Miles gave a brief overview of CDBG. Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing at 6:28 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, Margaret B. Mann, and Gerald L. Brown. Councilman William D. Pressley Sr. was excused. 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 Mr. Haines requested the removal of items 7, 13, 14, and 15 from the published agenda. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING There were none. REPORTS A. Presiding Officer – Mayor Johnson spoke about last year and the accomplishments that were made, and discussed upcoming 2022 items, and that we need to stay focused. B. Town Attorney – Mr. Edwards said we have a couple of things on the agenda tonight, and other than that he does not really have anything. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 3 January 3, 2022 C. Police Chief – Chief James apologized for not having a report today for Council, but he should have it ready for the next meeting; we do have two new recruits starting the academy on Sunday; on Christmas day we handed out about 15 computers through a program that we do every year, we have a gentleman that donates them to us; he thanked Mr. Haines for everything today for the staff helping us get in and out to handle calls. D. Town Manager – Mr. Haines thanked Chief James and his team for helping the citizens of the town and Public Works for dancing around those citizens; he spoke about the PPCAC and trash collection change due to the weather. E. Commissions – Councilwoman Forbes said the Shade Tree Commission will meet January 19th. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee will meet January 18th. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet January 11th. Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet January 12th. Mayor Johnson said the Audit Committee met with staff; the Finance Committee will meet January 13th. F. District/Council comments – Councilwoman Mann said Happy New Year. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Visitors present were Michael Miles, Danielle Pope, Jeremy Rothwell, Cassandra Young, and Freddie Schaber. OLD BUSINESS A. Review and Adoption of Updated Town Committee Proposal – This item was removed and will be discussed at the next workshop. NEW BUSINESS A. Authorize Kent County Levy Court to Administer CDBG – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the request. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott. Motion carried with Councilwomen Gott, Forbes, and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen and Brown voting for, and Mayor Johnson abstaining. B. Simon’s Corner Pump Station Construction Agreement – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to enter into the agreement pending the final approvals. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. Mayor and Council Page 3 of 3 January 3, 2022 C. First reading, Ord. No. 001-22, an ordinance to amend Chapter 32 (Impact Fees) to authorize the inclusion of impact fee amounts in the Town Fee Schedule, to revise the impact fees imposed for fire services, ambulance services, and school construction, and to make other miscellaneous changes to impact fee regulations – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to make this the first reading of Ord. No. 001-22, an ordinance to amend Chapter 32 (Impact Fees) to authorize the inclusion of impact fee amounts in the Town Fee Schedule, to revise the impact fees imposed for fire services, ambulance services, and school construction, and to make other miscellaneous changes to impact fee regulations. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. D. Set public hearing for redistricting – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to hold the public hearing for redistricting on February 7, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. E. Resolution authorizing the Town to accept the donation of 30 E. South St, Smyrna, Delaware, further described as TMP#0-17-01017-06-6700-000, from Smyrna Professional Properties, LLC in exchange for a parking easement across 30 E. South St and 22 S. Main St; authorizing the Town Manager to execute those documents necessary to effectuate the property acquisition and easement; and authorizing other necessary actions – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to approve this resolution. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Mr. Haines said at 10:45 a.m. tomorrow the Salem Hope Creek Power Plant is going to be doing their test of the siren. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Executive session to discuss the content of documents excluded from the definition of public record in 29 Del. C § 10002(L)(17)(a)(7) where such discussion may disclose the contents of such documents; B. Preliminary discussions on site acquisitions for publicly funded capital improvements, or sales or lease of real property – These items were removed from the agenda. C. Possible action on items discussed in executive session – This item was removed from the agenda. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. vlh