Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL September 6, 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 Acting Town Manager/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 Gott made the motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA A. Council minutes of 08/15/22 B. Executive session minutes of 08/15/22 C. Treasury report D. Police Department monthly report Councilwoman Mann made the motion to approve the consent agenda as amended. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. NON-AGENDA ITEMS A. Mayor and Councilmembers – Mayor Johnson spoke about the Finance Committee, and the system conversion. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet September 13th. Councilwoman Mann thanked everyone who was involved in First Friday – it was fantastic. Councilman Pressley said the Charter & Ordinance Review Committee will meet September 14th, but we might have to change that as the DEMEC event is also that night. Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet September 14th. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 3 September 6, 2022 Councilwoman Gott spoke about Family Fun Day this Saturday, and a meeting that was held for the Master Parks Plan. B. Police Chief C. Town Manager – Acting Town Manager/Chief James introduced the new Human Resources Manager Alison Ingram and the Customer Service Manager Richard Wright and welcomed them to the family; he spoke about items from his report to Council, Family Fun Day, and the September 11th event. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENTS Visitors present were Michael Burns, Michelle Wadkins, Josh Little, Danielle Pope, Frederick Schaber, Jason McNatt, and Jeff Wood. A. Presentation by Kent County Levy Court – Kent County Levy Court Commissioner Joanne Masten and Kent County Levy Court President Terry Pepper presented Mayor Johnson and Chief James a check in the amount of $275,000, with the stipulation that half of the money goes to the current library and the other half goes to Duck Creek Regional Library. OLD BUSINESS A. N/A NEW BUSINESS A. Adoption of the 2023-2025 AFSCME Local 2466 collective bargaining agreement – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the adoption of the 2023-2025 AFSCME Local 2466 collective bargaining agreement, with the amendment to section 3.0, and with the caveat that AFSCME Local 2466 adopts this agreement. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. Councilwoman Forbes wanted on record that she had issues with two topics: section 3.0 and section 2.2. B. Support for the renewal of National League of Cities membership – Councilman Brown made the motion to renew the National League of Cities membership. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. C. Consideration to authorize submittal of Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Trails 2022 Grant Application – Councilwoman Gott made the motion to authorize the submittal of the Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Trails 2022 Grant Application. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Mayor and Council Page 3 of 3 September 6, 2022 There was none. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS Jess Thorn came forward to speak. She spoke about Delaware Building Trades and the possibility of installing a splash pad for the town, providing the labor. 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 hold a strategy session involving legal advice or an opinion from an attorney-at-law, with respect to pending or potential litigation – Councilman Rasmussen 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 hold a strategy session involving legal advice or an opinion from an attorney-at-law, with respect to pending or potential litigation. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. Council went into executive session at 8:04 p.m. Councilman Brown made the motion to come out of executive session, seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. Council came out of executive session at 8:59 p.m. C. Possible action on personnel matters discussed in executive session – No action was taken. D. Possible action on item discussed in executive session regarding a strategy session involving legal advice or an opinion from an attorney-at-law, with respect to pending or potential litigation – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to move forward as discussed in executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott. Motion carried wit Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen and Brown voting for, Councilman Pressley voting against, and Mayor Johnson and Councilwoman Forbes abstaining. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m. vlh