Mayor & Council

MINUTES Town of Smyrna Council Meeting Bi-Monthly Meeting Monday, March 4, 2024, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Hybrid MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING by teleconference by calling 1-301-715-8592 and entering Meeting ID number: 898 0367 5106 Passcode: 999397or by visiting Join Zoom meeting at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89803675106?pwd=sUMhR4wZtMloFUz4bmQV82V0wTdgBW.1 1. 6:30 PM - Public Hearing: a. Public Hearing to consider the rezoning of 481 parcels to the zoning districts of Central Commercial (CC), Downtown Residential (DR), Highway Commercial (HC), and R-3 Residential (R-3) in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan of the Town of Smyrna 2. 7:00 PM - Call to order – regular meeting 3. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silence Mayor Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance and the moment of silence 4. Roll call Roll call was taken by Mary Bowers-Johnson 5. Additions/deletions to published agenda There were deletions made to the public agenda which included item 8A item 8B Item 8D and item 8F. Emotion was made by Councilman Upsher to delete items from the public agenda Seconded by Councilman Brown and carried unanimously. Move: Dr. Corrine Upshur Second: Gerald Brown Status: Passed 6. Consent agenda: a. Council minutes of 02/20/2024 A motion was made by Councilwoman Gott to approve the consent agenda. Seconded by Councilwoman Upshur and carried unanimously. Move: Tabitha Gott Second: Dr. Corrine Upshur Status: Passed b. Executive session minutes of 02/20/2024 c. Police Department Report Chief James presented his monthly report. This document can be viewed on Boardpaq. 7. Non-agenda Items: a. Mayor & Council Members  Mayor Johnson spoke about a jazz festival which includes hot air balloons and a sports complex which would accommodate 4000 to 5000 people. He stated that Smyrna does not have the space for something like that but he did contact the mayor of Harrington. Also the mayor went into detail about the order in which the budget should be presented. Councilman Brown reported some concerns from residents and he decided he will be running again for council seat at large. Councilwoman Upshur had nothing. Councilman Presley was absent from this meeting. Councilman Rasmussen was absent from this meeting. Councilwoman got spoke about the park and rec schedule and has placed that schedule on the sign in desk for everyone to take a copy. She stated she had a lot of networking going on. She let everyone know that I love Smyrna School District days would be Saturday March 16th and the same Patrick's Day Parade would be on Sunday March 17th. She encouraged everyone to come to parks and rec meetings which are on the third Wednesday of each month. Councilwoman Forbes stated that she was happy councilman Brown was going to be running for council seat at large b. Police Chief Chief James stated they were starting off spring with their annual Easter egg hunt date to be determined also he reminded everyone of I love Smyrna School District Day which was March 16. He stated the new K-9 is currently in training and should be ready in a few months. c. Town Manager 8. Old business, including Discussions & Possible Action on the following items: a. Adoption of Kent County and New Castle County assessment rolls b. Addendum in maintaining the Town's assessments with Tyler Technologies c. Resolution #002-24 approving the expansion of the Smyrna Downtown Development District Resolution #002-24 was approved for the expansion of the Smyrna Downtown Development District Emotion was made by Councilwoman Forbes to approve the expansion of the Smyrna Downtown Development District. It was seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. Move: Valerie Forbes Second: Tabitha Gott Status: Passed 9. New Business, Including Discussion & Possible Action on the following Items: a. An ordinance to rezone 481 parcels to the zoning districts of Central Commercial (CC), Downtown Residential (DR), Highway Commercial (HC), and R-3 Residential (R-3) in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan of the Town of Smyrna An ordinance to resume 481 parcels to the zoning district in the comprehensive plan of  the town Smyrna was approved after some discussion. A motion was made by Councilwoman Gott to approve the rezoning ordinance. There was seconded by Councilwoman Upshur and carried unanimously. Move: Tabitha Gott Second: Dr. Corrine Upshur Status: Passed b. School District Impact Fees Dr Brown, Mr. Holt and Jeremy Rothwell spoke about impact fees for Smyrna School District. c. 2024 Arbor Day is Friday, April 26, 2024 Councilwoman Forbes wrote a proclamation for 2024 Arbor Day which is Friday April 26th, 2024 d. International Council e. Proclamation for Women's History Month Councilwoman Forbes wrote and read a proclamation for women's history month which covers the whole month of March. f. Community Transportation Fund monies for downtown parking lot paving and signage 10. Presentation and public comments (3 minutes) 11. Executive session to discuss the potential acquisition of real property. 29 Del. C. Sec. 10004(b)(2) Emotion was made by Councilman Forbes to go into executive session to discuss potential acquisition of real property. Seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. Move: Valerie Forbes Second: Tabitha Gott Status: 12. Executive session to discuss personnel matters in which the names, competency, and abilities of individual employees will be discussed. 29 Del. C. § 10004(b)(9) Emotion was made by Councilwoman Forbes to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters. Seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. Move: Valerie Forbes Second: Tabitha Gott Status: Passed 13. 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 29 Del. C. § 10004(b)(4) A motion was made by Councilman Forbes to go into executive session to hold a strategy session involving legal advice. Seconded by Councilwoman Gott and carried unanimously. 14. Possible action on matters discussed in executive session 15. Adjournment Posted on 02/26/2024 at 4:30 PM (#1) Posted on 02/28/2024 at 2:30 PM (#2) NOTE: This agenda as listed may not be considered in sequence. This agenda is subject to change to include additional items, including Executive Sessions, and/or deletion of items, including Executive Sessions that arise at time of meeting.