Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL March 7, 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, 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 Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA A. Council minutes of 02/22/22 B. Executive session minutes of 02/22/22 C. Police Department monthly report Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. NON-AGENDA ITEMS A. Mayor and Councilmembers – Mayor Johnson spoke about a food drive at 28 East Mount Vernon Street; he spoke with Buddy Lloyd about Little League and Pop Warner; Juneteenth; and the Parks Plan. Councilwoman Forbes said Arbor Day is going to be April 13th. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet March 8th. Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet April 6th. Councilwoman Gott said she reached out to Little League, Little Lass, and Pop Warner and asked them to send a representative to the Parks & Recreation Committee meetings and will meet March 15th; and please remember to participate in the Master Parks Plan survey. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 4 March 7, 2022 B. Police Chief – Chief James spoke about his report, and this week’s parade. C. Town Manager – Mr. Haines spoke about the Master Parks Planning Workshop this Saturday; yard waste; a May workshop about capital debt; having all mail come to Town Hall instead of the post office box; and spring cleanup. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENTS Visitors present were Jason McNatt, Frank Furr IV, Isaiah Evans, Nikki Ciglinsky, Arnold, Danielle Pope, Amanda Burris, Kiya, Angela, Cassandra Young, Josh Little, and Larry Thornton. Councilwoman Forbes asked to move item 10(j) up and have it discussed now. Mayor Johnson passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Forbes. A. Youth/Sports League field use fees – Mayor Johnson made the motion to waive the $300 fee for the Little League, March 15th through May 1st, Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to dusk, for practice, for this year. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. The gavel was passed back to Mayor Johnson. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to waive the fee for Pop Warner, June 15th through the end of December, Monday through Friday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., for practice, for this year. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS A. Swearing-in of Election Board members – Mayor Johnson swore in Richard Ruben, Ann Altieri, and Gerri McNeal. B. Third 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 – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the third reading of 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. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS A. 2022 addition to tax bills resolution, and to include penalties from March, April, and May 2022, and to approve the posting of the assessment list – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the 2022 addition to tax bills resolution, and to include penalties from Mayor and Council Page 3 of 4 March 7, 2022 March, April, and May 2022, and to approve the posting of the assessment list. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. B. 2022 Arbor Day April 20th – Councilwoman Forbes said the 2022 Arbor Day celebration will be April 13th. C. NFWL grant for 2022 – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to donate $3,000 to the National Federation of Women’s League (NFWL). Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. D. Appointment of Robert Newnam, Joanne Masten, S. Christopher Hudson, Jennifer Thornton, and Charles Gilbert to the Compensation Committee per Section 6.6.1 of the Town Charter – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to appoint Robert Newnam, Joanne Masten, S. Christopher Hudson, Jennifer Thornton, and Charles Gilbert to the Compensation Committee. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. E. Resolution proposing inclusion of Brenford Station II into the Kent County Stormwater Maintenance District – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the resolution proposing inclusion of Brenford Station II into the Kent County Stormwater Maintenance District. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. F. Award of RFP 2022-002, Tree Inventory – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to award the RFP 2022-002 for Tree Inventory to Arbor Pro. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. G. Appointment of Doug Lewis to the Board of Adjustment – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to appoint Doug Lewis to the Board of Adjustment. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. H. Recommendation on Town ARPA Façade Grant Program – Councilwoman Mann made the recommendation to approve the $488,000 as staff recommends. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen. Mayor Johnson made the friendly amendment to make it an even $400,000. The friendly amendment failed for lack of a second. The original motion carried with Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen and Brown voting for, and Mayor Johnson and Councilwoman Forbes voting against. I. Resolution Designating Truck Routes and Other Street Restrictions in the Town of Smyrna – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the resolution designating truck routes and other street restrictions in the Town of Smyrna. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. J. Youth/Sports League field use fees – This was taken care of under Public Comments. Mayor and Council Page 4 of 4 March 7, 2022 OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Mayor Johnson spoke about ARPA funds, and the Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Haines pointed out that for public transparency it would have been on the record, Councilman Pressley was absent tonight for personal reasons, but if he were present, he would have recused himself on the ARPA Façade Grant Program vote as he is a private contractor on one of the projects. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS There was none. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m. vlh