Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL February 22, 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 Forbes made the motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA A. Council minutes of 01/18/22 B. Council minutes of 02/07/22 C. Executive session minutes of 02/07/22 D. Charter & Ordinance Review Committee minutes of 08/11/21 E. Charter & Ordinance Review Committee minutes of 11/05/21 F. Second 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 Mann and carried unanimously. NON-AGENDA ITEMS A. Mayor and Councilmembers – Mayor Johnson spoke about a grants manual, finance report, and commented that there are a lot of things coming up. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet March 8th. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee will meet March 15th; there will be a Master Parks Plan event at the Citizen Hose Company March 12th; and asked everyone to hold the date for the 2022 Veterans Ceremony to be held November 29 th. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 4 February 22, 2022 B. Police Chief – Chief James spoke about testing, and state a new dispatcher started today. C. Town Manager – Mr. Haines spoke about the Finance Committee meeting February 17th, PFM, tree inventory bids, and ARPA funding for the library and the bond bill. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENTS Visitors present were Susan McClements, Sharon Wright, Jim Wolfe, Christopher Gore, Brooks Keen, Frederick Schaber, Richard Ruben, Corrine Upshur, Danielle Pope, Jon, and George DeBenedictis. A. Master Parks Plan presentation – Jeremy Rothwell gave an update of what is going on with the Master Parks Plan. Corrine Upshur asked when the redistricting would be discussed. Mayor Johnson said it is on the agenda and is coming up shortly. OLD BUSINESS A. N/A NEW BUSINESS A. Appointment and swearing-in of Election Board – Mayor Johnson swore in Susan McClements. B. Appointment of Tax Assessor – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to appoint Tyler Technologies as the Tax Assessor for 2022. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. C. Smyrna Clayton July 4th Foundation Request for Funding Support ($10,000) – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the request from the Smyrna Clayton July 4th Foundation for funding support in the amount of $10,000. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. D. Duck Creek Historical Society Request for Funding Support ($4,000 – 2021 and 2022) – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the request from the Duck Creek Historical Society for funding support in the amount of $4,000 for 2021 and $4,000 for 2022. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. E. North Water Tower art concept – No action was taken. Mayor and Council Page 3 of 4 February 22, 2022 F. Adoption of Ord. No. 003-22, an ordinance amending chapter 26 (“elections”) of the Smyrna town Code to revise the boundaries of the town of smyrna election districts based upon 2020 census data – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to go with Option #3. Motion was seconded by Councilman Pressley. Motion failed with Councilwoman Forbes and Councilman Pressley voting for, and Mayor Johnson, Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen and Brown voting against. Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to go with Option #2. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Motion carried with Mayor Johnson, Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen and Brown voting for, and Councilwoman Forbes and Councilman Pressley voting against. Councilwoman Mann made the motion to waive the second and third readings, and adopt Ord. No. 003-22, an ordinance amending chapter 26 (“elections”) of the Smyrna town Code to revise the boundaries of the town of smyrna election districts based upon 2020 census data. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown. Motion carried with Mayor Johnson, Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen and Brown voting for, and Councilwoman Forbes and Councilman Pressley voting against. G. Discussion on Arborist/Parks & Recreation Coordinator/Municipal Worker positions – No action was taken. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Councilman Pressley spoke about issues with the payroll system. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS Brooks Keen thanked the Council for their support. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Executive session to discuss the potential acquisition of real property; B. 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 the potential acquisition 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 Mann. Council went into executive session at 8:29 p.m. by unanimous vote. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to come out of executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown. Council came out of executive session at 9:26 p.m. by unanimous vote. Mayor and Council Page 4 of 4 February 22, 2022 C. Possible action on matters discussed in executive session regarding the potential acquisition of real property – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to move forward as discussed in executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. D. Possible action on personnel matter discussed in executive session – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to move forward as discussed in executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m. vlh