Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL July 5, 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 Mann made the motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA A. Council minutes of 06/20/22 B. Executive session minutes of 06/20/22 C. Police Department monthly report Councilwoman Mann 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 this Thursday, Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet July 6 th. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee met June 29th, and the next meeting will be August 16th. She spoke about movies in the park. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the request to fund the showing of two movies in the park, one in August and one in September, as requested by the Parks and Recreation Committee. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. Councilwoman Mann said the 4th of July Association did a great job as always. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 4 July 5, 2022 Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet July 12th. B. Police Chief – Chief James thanked Mr. Haines and Public Works for their help with the th 4 of July and First Friday, he spoke about the Torch Run, and the Public Safety Committee will meet Thursday. C. Town Manager – Mr. Haines spoke about the install at the Lake Como dam, the Municipal parking lot, and the bid submission for the water tower. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENTS Visitors present were Frederick Schaber, Linda Parkowski, Chris Simms, John Behrens, and Josh Little. A. KEP update presentation – Linda Parkowski gave a brief PowerPoint Presentation on the Kent Economic Partnership. B. Presentation of 2023-2025 Water/Sewer/Electric Rate Study – Chris Simms gave a presentation of the 2023-2025 Water/Sewer/Electric Rate Study. Faye Greenwood came forward to speak. Ms. Greenwood spoke about Councilwoman Forbes. OLD BUSINESS A. N/A NEW BUSINESS A. Appointment of Sydnee Holt, Vice President of SGA at Smyrna High School, as a non- voting student member of the Planning & Zoning Commission – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the appointment of Sydnee Holt as a non-voting student member of the Planning & Zoning Commission. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. B. Appointment of Fred Schaber to the Smyrna Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Authority – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to approve the appointment of Fred Schaber to the Smyrna Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Authority. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. C. Appointment of Lindsey Alexitch to the Parks & Recreation Committee – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the appointment of Lindsay Alexitch to the Parks & Recreation Committee. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. Mayor and Council Page 3 of 4 July 5, 2022 D. Appointment of Robert Newnam, Sharon Wright, William Pressley, Michael Rasmussen, Rick Horsey, and Maggie Mann to the Town Manager Selection Committee – Councilman Brown made the motion to approve the appointment of Robert Newnam, Sharon Wright, William Pressley, Michael Rasmussen, Rick Horsey, and Maggie Mann to the Town Manager Selection Committee. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen. Motion carried with Mayor Johnson, Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen and Brown voting for, and Councilwoman Forbes voting against. E. Consideration to direct Planning and Zoning Commission to initiate process to amend Zoning Code to allow accessory structures to be used as residential dwellings – Councilman Brown made the motion to table this item until the next meeting. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. F. Resolution to set Legislative Fact Finding Hearing for annexation and to consider zoning designation, 0 Clark Farm Road, and 391 Clark Farm Road (Tax Map #15-016.00-158, and 15- 022.00-227), State of Delaware (August 15, 2022, at 6:45 p.m.) – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the resolution to set the Legislative Fact Finding Hearing for annexation and to consider zoning designation for 0 Clark Farm Road, and 391 Clark Farm Road, Tax Map #15-016.00-158, and 15-022.00-227, State of Delaware, for August 15, 2022, at 6:45 p.m. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. G. Resolution to set Legislative Fact Finding Hearing for annexation and to consider zoning designation, 5145 and 5211 DuPont Parkway (Tax Map #15-016.00-161, and 15-016.00-229), Smyrna Ventures LLC (August 15, 2022, at 6:45 p.m.) – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the resolution to set the Legislative Fact Finding Hearing for annexation and to consider zoning designation for 5145 and 5211 DuPont Parkway, Tax Map #15-016.00-161, and 15-016.00-229, Smyrna Ventures LLC, for August 15, 2022, at 6:45 p.m. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. H. Discussion on 2023-2025 Water/Sewer/Electric Rate Study – Councilman Brown made the motion to accept and move forward with the 2023-2025 Water/Sewer/Electric Rate Study. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Motion carried Mayor Johnson, Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen and Brown voting for, and Councilwoman Forbes voting against. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS There was none. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS There were none. Mayor and Council Page 4 of 4 July 5, 2022 EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Executive session to discuss personnel matters in which the names, competency, and abilities of individual employees will be discussed; B. Executive session to discuss the potential acquisition of real property – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters in which the names, competency, and abilities of individual employees will be discussed; and to discuss the potential acquisition of real property. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown. Council went into executive session at 8:56 p.m. by unanimous vote. Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to come out of executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Council came out of executive session at 9:35 p.m. by unanimous vote. C. Possible action on personnel matters discussed in executive session – No action was taken. D. Possible action on matters discussed in executive session regarding the potential acquisition of real property – No action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Councilwoman Mann made the motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. by unanimous vote. vlh