Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL February 7, 2022 PUBLIC HEARING The public hearing was opened at 5:32 p.m. by Mayor Robert C. Johnson. The public hearing was to consider alterations to the Town of Smyrna Municipal Election Districts. Mr. Haines gave a brief overview of the three options. Discussion ensued and can be listed to on the Town’s website. After discussion it was suggested to draft two ordinances: one adopting option 2 and one adopting option 3 and Council will decide which one they want to adopt at the February 22, 2022 Council meeting. Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing at 5:59 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, 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 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 asked to remove item 6(a) from the agenda. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA A. Council minutes of 01/18/22 B. Executive session minutes of 01/18/22 C. Police Department monthly report D. Finance Committee minutes of 12/09/21 E. Utility Committee minutes of 11/16/21 F. Main Street Coordinating Board minutes of 11/10/21 G. Historic District Review Board minutes of 11/18/21 Mayor and Council Page 2 of 4 February 7, 2022 H. First reading, Ord. No. 002-22, an ordinance amending the Smyrna Town Code to exempt law enforcement training facilities from the prohibition against discharging firearms and explosives within the Smyrna municipal limits Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. NON-AGENDA ITEMS A. Mayor and Councilmembers – Mayor Johnson spoke about the Finance Committee meeting date. Councilwoman Forbes said the Shade Tree Committee will meet February 16th. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee will meet February 15th. Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet March 2nd. Councilman Pressley said the Charter & Ordinance Review Committee will meet February 9th. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet with the community at the Opera House regarding the North Main Street Project February 8th. B. Police Chief – Chief James said they have fluctuating numbers and have testing for new officers; there are two officers at the academy. C. Town Manager – Mr. Haines spoke about another snow event; mentioned the meeting tomorrow night regarding the North Main Street Project; there will be First Fridays beginning in May and running through September, hoping to help downtown economically; and working on Smyrna at Night. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENTS Visitors present were Frederick Schaber, Bridget, Pressley House, Corrine Upshur, Delmarva Tree, Jeremy Rothwell, and Denise. Mr. Deputy presented each member of Council with a carving that he made as a token of his appreciation for all that they do and for the recognition that they gave him at the Veterans Ceremony. OLD BUSINESS Mayor and Council Page 3 of 4 February 7, 2022 A. Third 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 – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the third 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. NEW BUSINESS A. Award of Electric Line Tree Trimming bid – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to award the Electric Line Tree Trimming bid to Delmarva Tree. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. B. Utility Committee recommendation regarding medical account disconnection – Councilman Pressley made the motion to approve the recommendation from the Utility Committee regarding medical account disconnection. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. C. Resolution to incorporate into the Town Fee Schedule updated impact fees as recommended by the TischlerBise Impact Fee Study – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the resolution to incorporate the Town Fee Schedule updated impact fees as recommended by the TischlerBise Impact Fee Study. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Councilman Brown wanted to make sure that everyone is aware that all committee meetings will be held downstairs in the Committee Conference Room. Councilman Rasmussen asked about Facebook Live. Mr. Haines said only Council is streamed on Facebook Live, not committees, but all meeting can be recorded via zoom. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS There was none. 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 Mayor and Council Page 4 of 4 February 7, 2022 abilities of individual employees will be discussed. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown. Council went into executive session at 7:56 p.m. by unanimous vote. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to come out of executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott. Council came out of executive session at 8:37 p.m. by unanimous vote. B. Possible action on items discussed in executive session – No action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m. vlh