Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL November 21, 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 Town Manager Sheldon P. Hudson, 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 asked to remove agenda items 9(a) and 9(c). Councilwoman Gott made the motion to approve the agenda as amended. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA A. Council minutes of 11/07/22 B. Executive session minutes of 11/07/22 C. Main Street Coordinating Board minutes of 10/12/22 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 Robert Newnam being the new chair for the Finance Committee; his attendance at the National League of Cities Conference; economic development; and the possibility of getting a credit card for Council’s use on trips. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee met November 9th, and the next meeting will be December 13th. Councilman Pressley said the Charter and Ordinance Review Committee will meet December 14th. Councilwoman Forbes said the Shade Tree Commission will meet December 7th. Mayor and Council Page 2 of 4 November 21, 2022 Councilwoman Gott said the Parks & Recreation Committee will meet December 20th. Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet December 14th. Councilwoman Mann thanked Mr. Hudson for his excellent communication. B. Police Chief – Chief James spoke about Representative Carson is helping them get a digital sign for the Police Department; the Public Safety Committee meets quarterly now, and the next meeting will be the first Thursday in January; and on December 11th they will host a 5K run, Santa, and a light parade for Christmas in Smyrna. C. Town Manager – Mr. Hudson spoke about meeting with Diamond Technologies; having a walk around town today visiting small businesses; the budget; staff projects; attending the RDA meeting; and DFIT. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENTS Visitors present were Rick Ferrell, Rick Horsey, Fred Schaber IV, Charlotte Middleton, Doug Burns, and Travis Stewart. A. Presentation by Smyrna Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Authority (RDA) – Rick Ferrell came forward and gave a brief presentation for the Smyrna Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Authority. B. Presentation of FY2023 Budget – Travis Stewart came forward and gave very brief overview of the budget. OLD BUSINESS A. Consideration of proposals on Town Hall roof – Councilman Pressley made the motion to award the bid for the roof replacement on Town Hall to Kirkin Exteriors. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. B. New and renovated town facilities – This was a discussion item. C. Consideration of P&I Department relocation – There will be a workshop on this. D. Request from Smyrna Opera House – This was a discussion item. E. Request from Smyrna-Clayton Ministerium – Councilman Pressley made the motion to give $2,000 to the Smyrna-Clayton Ministerium. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. Mayor and Council Page 3 of 4 November 21, 2022 NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration of FY2023 budget i. Resolution setting FY2023 tax rate ii. Resolution adopting FY2023 budget This item was removed from the agenda. B. Consideration of RDA presentation – This was not discussed. C. Consideration of Flat Iron flower bed – This item was removed from the agenda. D. Time sensitive subjects for Capital Projects in progress – This item was informational only. E. Award of East Commerce Street second contract for lining sewer laterals bid – This item was tabled until the next meeting. F. Recommendation from Finance Committee relative to its role – This was informational only. G. Recommendation from Finance Committee regarding Cell Tower lease – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to have staff and the Mr. Edwards review any concerns with the proposals. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. H. Resolution reinstating town manager to DEMEC Board of Directors – Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the resolution reinstating the town manager to the DEMEC Board of Directors. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS There was none. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS There were none. 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; Mayor and Council Page 4 of 4 November 21, 2022 C. Preliminary discussions on site acquisitions for any publicly funded capital improvements, or sales or leases of real property – Councilwoman Forbes 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; to hold a strategy session involving legal advice or an opinion from an attorney-at-law, with respect to pending or potential litigation; and for preliminary discussions on site acquisitions for any publicly funded capital improvements, or sales or leases of real property. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. Council went into executive session at 8:37 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 9:12 p.m. D. Possible action on personnel matters discussed in executive session – Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to move forward as he suggested in executive session. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. 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 – No action was taken. F. Possible action on item discussed in executive session regarding site acquisitions for any publicly funded capital improvements, or sales or leases of real property – No action was taken. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m. vlh