Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL October 3, 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 Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA A. Corrected executive session minutes of 09/06/22 B. Council minutes of 09/19/22 C. Executive session minutes of 09/19/22 D. Executive session minutes of 09/22/22 E. Treasury report F. Police Department monthly report G. Second reading, Ord. No. 015-22, an ordinance amending the Town Code of the Town of Smyrna to adopt a new Chapter 14 (Animals) regulating the keeping of animals within the town limits, including penalties for violations thereof Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. NON-AGENDA ITEMS A. Mayor and Councilmembers – Mayor Johnson spoke about a document he sent out to Councilmembers and the ARPA finding; and the lease for the cell tower. Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee met September 20th and the next meeting will be October 18th. Councilman Pressley said the Charter & Ordinance Review Committee will meet October 12th. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet October 11th. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 3 October 3, 2022 Councilwoman Mann spoke about concerns for the ARPA Funding. B. Police Chief C. Town Manager – Acting Town Manager/Chief James spoke about the Police Academy; the Haunted Police Department on Halloween; and flushing fire hydrants. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENTS Visitors present were Barb Harris, Josh Little, Danielle Pope, John Behrens, Chris Simms, Robert Newnam, John Hughes, and Jason McNatt. OLD BUSINESS A. N/A NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution setting date and time for trick-or-treat – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to approve the resolution setting October 31, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as the date and time for trick-or-treat. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. B. Resolution proposing inclusion of Ashland into the Kent County Stormwater Maintenance District – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the resolution proposing the inclusion of Ashland into the Kent County Stormwater Maintenance District. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. C. Request from Smyrna Swim Club – This was for discussion only. D. Review of proposed PPCAC – Councilman Brown made the motion to approve the PPCAC as recommended. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. E. Consideration of updated Branding – Councilwoman Mann made the motion to approve moving forward with the Branding standards for future purchases of town logos as needed. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown. Councilwoman Mann made the amendment to add ‘contingent on Council approval for purchases’ to the original motion. The amendment was seconded by Councilman Brown. Motion carried with Mayor Johnson, Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen, Pressley, and Brown voting for and Councilwoman Forbes voting against. The original motion with the amendment carried with Mayor Johnson, Councilwomen Gott and Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen, Pressley, and Brown voting for and Councilwoman Forbes voting against. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS Mayor and Council Page 3 of 3 October 3, 2022 There was none. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS There were none. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Executive session to discuss an individual citizen’s qualifications to hold a job with the Town of Smyrna; 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; C. 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 discuss an individual citizen’s qualifications to hold a job with the Town of Smyrna; to hold a strategy session involving legal advice or an opinion from an attorney- at-law, with respect to pending or potential litigation; and to discuss personnel matters in which the names, competency, and abilities of individual employees will be discussed. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. Council went into executive session at 8:18 p.m. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to come out of executive session, seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. Council came out of executive session at 9:15 p.m. D. Potential action on matters discussed in executive session involving an individual citizen’s qualifications to hold a job – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to move forward with item #2 as discussed in executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann. Motion carried with Mayor Johnson, Councilwoman Mann, and Councilmen Rasmussen, Pressley, and Brown voting for, and Councilwomen Gott and Forbes voting against. E. 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 – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to move forward with item #1 as discussed in executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. F. Possible action on personnel matters discussed in executive session – No action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 9:16 p.m. vlh