Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL June 6, 2022 REGULAR MEETING The meeting was called to order by Mayor Robert C. Johnson at 7:01 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 05/16/22 B. Executive session minutes of 05/16/22 C. Second reading Ord. No. 005-22, an ordinance amending the Town Code of the Town of Smyrna to establish a Compensation Committee D. Smyrna Police Department Monthly Report Councilwoman Mann made the motion to add the Monthly Report from the Smyrna Police Department to the consent agenda. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the consent agenda as amended. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. NON-AGENDA ITEMS A. Mayor and Councilmembers – Mayor Johnson spoke about the different transitions and asked that Council not ask the Finance Department to do anything at this time, and to refer any questions to Mr. Haines or to him as the Chair of the Finance Committee during this time; he spoke about protocol that was set up during the workshop regarding contacting staff members. Councilman Pressley said the Charter & Ordinance Review Committee will meet June 9th. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 4 June 6, 2022 Councilwoman Mann said the town looks beautiful right now. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet June 7th. Councilwoman Forbes said she had nothing. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee will meet June 21st. Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet June 8 th. B. Police Chief – Chief James spoke about his report; and the Public Safety Committee will meet June 9th; he introduced Harold Stafford, with the Help Initiative, who gave a brief presentation about the program. C. Town Manager – Mr. Haines spoke about Lake Como; First Friday’s; downtown parking lot; sidewalk work; and Smyrna at Night. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENTS Visitors present were Danielle Pope, Janette Tarafa, Harold Stafford, Frederick Schaber IV, Eric A. Cheek, Fred Schaber Jr., Leelai Kpukuyou-Browne, Robert Fritzsche, and John Behrens. A. Leelai Kpukuyou-Browne, AYOWEI – Leelai Kpukuyou-Browne gave a brief presentation. B. Presentation on Help Initiative – This presentation was done under Chief James’ time to speak. OLD BUSINESS A. N/A NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration to sponsor the June Delaware League of Local Governments for $1,000 – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to sponsor the June Delaware League of Local Governments for $1,000. Motion was seconded by Councilman Pressley and carried unanimously. B. Consideration to sponsor the Delaware NFWL Reception – Mayor Johnson passed the gavel to Councilwoman Forbes. Mayor Johnson made the motion to sponsor the Delaware NFWL Reception in the amount of $1,000. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. Councilwoman Forbes passed the gavel back to Mayor Johnson. Mayor and Council Page 3 of 4 June 6, 2022 C. Consideration to apply to the DelDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Streetscape for East Commerce Street – Councilman Pressley made the motion to approve applying to the DelDOT Transportation Alternatives Program Streetscape for East Commerce Street. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. D. Resolution to remove handicap parking sign on West Commerce Street – Councilman Pressley made the motion to approve the resolution to remove the handicap parking sign on West Commerce Street. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS There was none. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS John Behrens asked what was going on with Lake Como. Mr. Haines explained the situation to Mr. Behrens. 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; C. Executive session to hold a strategy session to discuss pending/potential litigation – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to go into executive session to discuss the potential acquisition of real property; to discuss personnel matters in which the names, competency, and abilities of individual employees will be discussed; and to hold a strategy session to discuss pending/potential litigation. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Council went into executive session at 7:54 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 10:02 p.m. by unanimous vote. D. 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 Brown and carried unanimously. E. Possible action on personnel matters discussed in executive session – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to move forward as recommended by Councilman Pressley in executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. Mayor and Council Page 4 of 4 June 6, 2022 F. Possible action on personnel matters discussed in executive session involving pending/potential litigation – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to move forward with the issue as discussed in executive session regarding items (a) and (b). Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 10:03 p.m. vlh