Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL April 4, 2022 APPEALS DAY The Appeals Day proceedings were opened at 6:30 p.m. by Councilwoman Valerie M. Forbes. Council members present were Gerald L. Brown and Michael A. Rasmussen. Visitors present were Todd Sammons and Alison Kirk. Todd Sammons spoke briefly about 350 North Main Street and requested the property to be reassessed to $22,000. After discussion Councilwoman Forbes suggested to recommend changing the assessment of 350 North Main Street to $30,000 for this tax season, and Councilmen Brown and Rasmussen agreed. Councilwoman Forbes closed the Appeals Day proceedings at 6:52 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 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 Mayor Johnson asked to remove item 9(a) from the agenda. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA A. Council minutes of 03/21/22 B. Executive session minutes of 03/21/22 C. Police Department monthly report Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 3 April 4, 2022 NON-AGENDA ITEMS A. Mayor and Councilmembers – Mayor Johnson spoke about the Town Manager, Police Chief, staff, and Council responsibilities - the need to go through the Town Manager or the Police Chief and not directly to staff; Juneteenth, which is not going to be a Council event; and the financial system that is being implemented. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet April 12th. Councilman Pressley said the Public Safety Committee will meet April 14; and there will not be a Charter & Ordinance Review Committee meeting this month. Councilwoman Forbes said Arbor Day will be held April 13th. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee will meet April 19th. Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet April 6th. B. Police Chief – Chief James spoke about his monthly report to Council; Women’s History Month; and victim services stats. C. Town Manager – Mr. Haines spoke about the bottle filling stations/water fountains that have been installed in the park; spring cleanup; getting 470 responses for the Parks Survey; and he will preview the new website at the next Council meeting. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENTS Visitors present were Frederick N. Schaber IV, Art Ricker, Jeremy Rothwell, Josh Little, Todd Sammons, Danielle Pope, and Corrine Upshur. OLD BUSINESS A. Smyrna Juneteenth Celebration – This item was removed from the agenda. NEW BUSINESS A. Appeals Day results and appeals hearings – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to move forward as recommended in the assessment hearing. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. B. Resolution to approve final assessment list – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the resolution to approve the final assessment list. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. Mayor and Council Page 3 of 3 April 4, 2022 C. Location placement of George C. Wright Jr. Statue at Town Hall – Councilwoman Gott made the motion to place the George C. Wright Jr. statue at Town Hall on the north side. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. D. Citizens’ Hose Company bunk room funding request – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the request from Citizens’ Hose Company. Motion was seconded by Councilman Pressley and carried unanimously. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Mayor Johnson spoke about creating a park memorial. Councilwoman Forbes spoke about a welcome packet, rebranding. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS There were none. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Executive session to hold a strategy session to discuss pending/potential litigation; 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 hold a strategy session to discuss pending/potential litigation; 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 7:45 p.m. by unanimous vote. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to come out of executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Council came out of executive session at 8:38 p.m. by unanimous vote. C. Possible action on item discussed in executive session involving pending/potential litigation – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to move forward as recommended by the Town Solicitor in executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. D. Possible action on personnel matter discussed in executive session – No action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m. vlh