Mayor & Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING SMYRNA TOWN COUNCIL April 17, 2023 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, Gerald L. Brown and Councilman William D. Pressley Sr. Also present were Town Manager Sheldon Hudson, Chief Torrie James, Attorney D. Barrett Edwards. Visitors present were Jason McNatt, Fred Schaber, Susan McClements, Richard Ruben, Gerri McNeal, Asman Sammander and Charlotte Middleton, Greg Williams, Pastor Robinson and Skip Rebar. Chief James led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Johnson asked for a moment of silence. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO PUBLISHED AGENDA None. CONSENT AGENDA A. Council minutes of 04/03/2023 B. Executive session minutes of 04/03/2023 A. Police Department monthly report Councilman Rasmussen made the motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Forbes and carried unanimously. NON-AGENDA ITEMS A. Mayor Johnson spoke about Strategic Plan Review; change mayor & council to 1 monthly meeting and 1 review meeting; Old Salvation Army building is no longer a non-profit, it is now a church. (16 Mt. Vernon Street, Smyrna) Councilman Pressley said he was getting a lot of complaints about yard water meters: the Town need to be more transparent. Councilwoman Forbes said Arbor Day Celebration is going to be April 23h honoring Cathy and Donald Shaner. Councilwoman Gott said the Duck Creek Library Committee will meet on April 10th. Councilman Brown said the Utility Committee will meet on April 11th.  Councilman Rasmussen said the Main Street Coordinating Board will meet April 6th. B. Police Chief – Chief James spoke about his report; success of the Easter Egg Hunt. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENTS Visitors present were Jason McNatt, Fred Schaber, Susan McClements, Richard Ruben, Asman Sammander and Charlotte Middleton, Greg Williams, Pastor Robinson and Skip Rebar. OLD BUSINESS A. Certify amended list of Candidates for the 2023 election. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the amended list of candidates for the election. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Mann and carried unanimously. B. Renaming public street. Tabled by Councilman Pressley. Turner’s Row is dedicated to someone already. NEW BUSINESS A. Recycling Quality Program Pilot Details & Meeting Follow-up Presentation. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the Recycling Quality Program. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. B. Ordinance amending the town code of the town of Smyrna to require repayment agreements for priority utility accounts in order to prevent disconnection of electric service. Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the amended Town Code. Motion was seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. C. Approval of the 2023 Senior Tax Exemptions** Councilwoman Forbes made the motion to approve the amended Town Code. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rasmussen and carried unanimously. D. Approval of the 2023 Proposed Property Tax Assessments replacing 2022 Senior Tax Exemptions with 9c.** No action. E. 2023 additions to Property Tax Bills Resolution, and to include penalties from March, April, and May** No action. F. Approve the posting of the assessment list** No action.  G. Swearing in of 2023 Election Board Mayor Johnson swore in Susan McClements Gerri McNeal and Richard Rubin to the Election & Registration Board 2023 OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS None. PUBLIC COMMENTS – NON-AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Rebar was very upset about the statue and pocket park on the front Lawn of Town Hall given Mayor Wright already has a park named after him and a bust in said park. He was also upset about the Holly trees being cut down and said the residents were never advised. He thinks it is a huge waste of money. Pastor Robinson was upset that he has not been paid for the damage to the basement of the church caused by a broken sewer main. He said the insurance claim has been declined once again. Greg Williams Lives behind Rita’s Italian Water Ice and his house backs up to Georges Alley He was upset that SPD was still not doing anything about cars parking on his grass and blocking his driveway as they patronize Rita’s. George DeBenedictis about possibly blocking Georges Alley but referenced the inability of the fire department to access the Alley. Councilwoman Forbes asked Chief Torrie James and George DeBenidictis for ideas to fix this problem. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 9:40 p.m.