Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL January 18, 2022 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 seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Councilwoman Gott made the motion to approve the regular minutes of December 20, 2021, and January 3, 2022, as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. REPORTS A. Presiding Officer – Mayor Johnson spoke about he had recently. B. Town Attorney – Mr. Edwards said there are a couple of things that will be discussed in executive session, and there is an ordinance on the agenda. C. Police Chief – Chief James touched on a couple items from his report and updated that there are two officers in training. D. Town Manager – Mr. Haines spoke about the Legislative Hall session; disconnection and medical accounts; and liens and Sheriff sales. E. Committees/Commissions – Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board met January 12th. Councilwoman Forbes said the Shade Tree Commission meeting is cancelled. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 3 January 18, 2022 Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee met January 18th, and the next meeting will be February 15th. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet February 8th. Councilman Pressley said the Public Safety Committee and the Charter & Ordinance Review Committee will resume meeting in February. F. District/Council comments – Councilwoman Mann thanked Mr. DeBenedictis. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS Visitors present were Frederick Schaber, Jake Mitchell, George DeBenedictis, Danielle Pope, Milton Melendez, and Cassandra Young. Milton Melendez spoke about a drive-in theater, and an indoor facility and amphitheater. OLD BUSINESS A. Second 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 Forbes made the motion to make this the second reading of Ord. No. 001-22. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS A. Senior Citizen Tax Exemption for 2022 – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the senior citizen tax exemption for 2022. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. B. Set time and place for the April 26, 2022 Town of Smyrna election – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to hold the election on April 26, 2022, at Town Hall from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. C. Consideration to forgive 2020 Supporting Smyrna’s Small Business Loan – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to forgive the 2020 Supporting Small Business Loans entirely. Motion was seconded by Councilman Pressley and carried unanimously. D. Confirmation of 2022 PPCAC – Councilman Pressley made the motion to confirm the 2022 PPCAC. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Motion carried with Mayor Johnson, Mayor and Council Page 3 of 3 January 18, 2022 Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen, Pressley, and Brown voting for, and Councilwoman Forbes voting against. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Councilwoman Mann congratulated Mr. Haines and team for the Town Tidbits. 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 – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to go into 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; and for preliminary discussions on site acquisitions for publicly funded capital improvements, or sales or lease of real property. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Council went into executive session at 7:42 p.m. by unanimous vote. Councilman Pressley made the motion to come out of executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Council came out of executive session at 8:40 p.m. by unanimous vote. C. Possible action on items discussed in executive session – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to move forward as discussed in executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilman Pressley and carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Forbes adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m. vlh