Mayor & Council

MINUTES Town of Smyrna Council Meeting Bi-Monthly Meeting Monday, September 16, 2024, 6:45 pm - 8:00 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: Passcode: or by visiting Join Zoom meeting at: 1. 6:45 PM - Public Hearing for the annexation of 1630 Joe Goldsborough Rd and adjacent roadways into the municipal limits of the Town of Smyrna Public hearing was called to order by Mayor Johnson at 6:46 p.m. Director of Planning, Jeremy Rothwell, presented the annexation of 1630 Joe Goldsborough Rd. The application is for 2 things: to be annexed into municipal boundaries and to be rezoned; current zoning is NC-21, [New Castle residential zoning], new zoning would be IR, [institutional and recreational]. Annexed properties can only be those specifically identified in the Town's certified comprehensive plan. He spoke about his staff report, which includes an annexation future landing map, [identifies properties that can be annexed and the zoning district]. 1630 Joe Goldsborough Rd is a property that has been identified in the comprehensive plan for institutional use and the Planning Commission specifically did that to allow the church and school to annex into Town. They, [Planning Commission], sat with them, [Church/School], several times to go over what it means to be in the Town of Smyrna. They requested the annexation because they would like to eventually connect to Town utilities. The Mayor asked if there was anyone who would like to speak in favor of the annexation: Mr. Stover spoke in favor of the annexation. One reason is that New Castle county is harder to deal with and speak with. Being part of the town, they feel, will open communication and be more beneficial in the long run. The Mayor asked if there was anyone else to speak in favor of the annexation. No one spoke up. He then asked if there was anyone to speak against the annexation. There was no one. Mayor Johnson asked if anyone had any questions. No one did. The public hearing session ended at 6:50 p.m. 2. 7:00 PM - Call to order The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Mayor Johnson 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Roll Call Roll call was taken by Danielle Pope. All were in attendance but Councilwoman Dr. Upshur. 5. Additions/deletions to the published agenda Councilman Pope motioned to approve the agenda as published. Councilwoman Gott seconded. All approved. 6. Consent agenda  Vice Mayor Rasmussen motioned to approve the Consent agenda. Councilman Pope seconded. All approved. a. Council minutes of 9/3/2024 7. Non-agenda items a. Mayor and Council Members Mayor Johnson - road around town. Thanked Public Works for their work Commerce and Locust streets. Has been out checking on residents. He did meet a gentleman who had a concern. He sent an email out about Woodland Manor and he thanked Barrett for his response on the property. He mentioned that they need to keep developments on a checklist to make sure they stay aware of what's going on. He thanked councilmembers for their time and Chief James for his continued dual jobs, [Chief and Town Manager]. He then gave the rest of his time to Rick Horsey for the Duck Creek Regional Library. Rick Horsey - they are expecting construction to end mid-January. He invited Mayor and Council to join them on Oct 16, 3:45p, to a walk-through. Bob Blyman, the construction superintendent will be the guide. They are also inviting the mayors and councilmembers of Clayton and Kenton. Current library staff is also welcome. He asked if there were any questions; there were not. Councilman Johnson - had nothing to discuss Councilman Pressley - Charter Review will be 10/10 at 5 p.m.. There will probably have a few ordinances at the upcoming meetings. Mayor Johnson said he sent some things for Council to look at; for changes and updates. Vice Mayor Rasmussen - he had several updates. Tomorrow, [9/17], is the Central Delaware Economic Development Summit at Del Tech's Terry campus. On Thursday, [9/19], is the first planning meeting for the second mural which was funded by a grant from T-Mobile, featuring Richard Allen. It's at 11 a.m. That afternoon he is speaking at a small business panel about funding opportunities for small businesses through the State Chamber of Commerce in Wilmington. Then in the evening the Finance committee is meeting at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Pope - he spoke about DEMEC's annual dinner being on Wednesday, [9/18], at 5 p.m. at Bally's in Dover. Councilwoman Gott - there was a ribbon cutting for For Looks Studio on Friday that went well. On Saturday, American Legion had an anniversary for their 100th year celebration. The Mayor's Prayer Breakfast is October 2. October 12 is the Revolutionary War reenactment at Belmont Hall. On October 19, the Monster Mile will have a Breast Cancer Coalition at Homestead Gardens. She asked that if there are any events to email her or Evie Zerefos, [part of the Parks and Recreation committee]. Lastly, she said that the Parks and Recreation committee meeting was moved from 9/18 to 9/19 because of the DEMEC event on 9/18. She is, however, going to check with Danielle, [P&R staff liaison], because there are many conflicting things going on, [on 9/19]. Mayor Johnson - he mentioned the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast and said if anyone wanted to go, to give him a call. He has 2 tickets. b. Police Chief Chief James - does not have anything for SPD side. The stats will be ready by the next meeting. c. Town Manager Chief James - getting the 2025 budget ready. Jake Mitchell is Director of Public Works, [was Assistant PW Director]. Josh Little is Director of Electric, [reclassified from Electric Superintendent]. Jason McNatt will be overseeing all of personnel for the town as the Assistant Town Manager. He also mentioned about BoardPaq and that they will be ending their services, so he and Walt, [IT Manager], have been talking. He had gone to a DEMEC meeting the other day and talked with them about their plan and what they'll be using. Walt will be meeting with them on Wednesday.  Mayor Johnson - talked about the Finance Committee and asked when Mayor and Council will see the Finance Report. They only want to see it once a month and asked if it would be the first or second meeting in the month. Chief James - said he normal gives them 2 reports a month, but he didn't have the updated numbers for this meeting. The Mayor and he continued their discussion and agreed that the report would be ready by the second meeting of each month. 8. Old business, including discussion and possible action on the following items: a. N/A 9. New business, including discussion and possible action on the following items: a. Adoption of Ordinance 014-24, rezoning 1630 Joe Goldsborough Rd, (tax map id 150220143), from NC21 – Residential in New Castle County to the Zoning designation of Institutional and Recreational, (I&R), in the Town of Smyrna Danielle reading the ordinance into the record. Vice Mayor Rasmussen called point of order and asked if 9a and b can be done together or if they have to be separate. Town solicitor, B. Edwards, said they could be ready simultaneously. Vice Mayor Rasmussen - motioned to approve the adoption of Ordinance 014-24 and the adoption of Resolution 006-24. Councilwoman Gott seconded the motion. Mayor Johnson - asked Jeremy to talk about it. Jeremy R - the address is identified in our comprehensive plan to be annexed under the I and R district. It has a church, a school, and a rectory. There will not be anymore development for them. Mayor Johnson - asked if there were any questions. There were none and he called for a roll-call vote. Vice Mayor Rasmussen - yes, in accordance with the Town's 2022 Comprehensive plan. Councilwoman Gott - yes, at the recommendation of staff and meets the requirements for the 2022 Comprehensive plan. Councilman Pope - yes, based upon the recommendation of staff and that it fits within the 2022 Comprehensive plan. Councilman Pressley - yes, for the 2022 Comprehensive plan. Councilman Johnson - yes, for the 2022 Comprehensive plan. Mayor Johnson - motion passed 5-0 b. Adoption of Resolution 006-24, approving the inclusion of 1630 Joe Goldsborough Rd and adjacent property within the limits of the Town of Smyrna Danielle reading the ordinance into the record. Vice Mayor Rasmussen called point of order and asked if 9a and b can be done together or if they have to be separate. Town solicitor, B. Edwards, said they could be ready simultaneously. Vice Mayor Rasmussen - motioned to approve the adoption of Ordinance 014-24 and the adoption of Resolution 006-24. Councilwoman Gott seconded the motion. Mayor Johnson - asked Jeremy to talk about it. Jeremy R - the address is identified in our comprehensive plan to be annexed under the I and R district. It has a church, a school, and a rectory. There will not be anymore development for them.  Mayor Johnson - asked if there were any questions. There were none and he called for a roll-call vote. Vice Mayor Rasmussen - yes, in accordance with the Town's 2022 Comprehensive plan. Councilwoman Gott - yes, at the recommendation of staff and meets the requirements for the 2022 Comprehensive plan. Councilman Pope - yes, based upon the recommendation of staff and that it fits within the 2022 Comprehensive plan. Councilman Pressley - yes, for the 2022 Comprehensive plan. Councilman Johnson - yes, for the 2022 Comprehensive plan. Mayor Johnson - motion passed 5-0 10. Presentation and public comments (3 minutes) Joanne Masten - Chair of the Redevelopment Authority for the Town. She listed the team: Rick Horsey, Sharon Wright, Dave Thomas, Fred Shaber, and her. They have been working on a plan to get investors to come to Smyrna to buy available properties. They have been figuring out how to provide grants, loans, and tax credits. They sent out 1000 cards to parts of the community where they though investments could be made and send out an additional 50 to builders, contractors, developers, HVAC, electricians, plumbers; anyone who might have an interest in investing in the Town of Smyrna. They are having a meeting at the Firehouse on Thursday, at 6 p.m. to hear presentations. Speakers will include: Jeremy Rothwell, Smyrna Town Planner, Kara Biggs, Delaware Division of Historical Affairs, and [King?] Johnson, Kent County Levy Court. There were no questions. Mayor Johnson - thanked the RDA for their time and that he felt they were moving in the right direction. Joanne Masten - she felt this was nice because as Mayor she had sent up the RDA and now she is chair. She thanked Rick Horsey for leading when she is unable to attend due to Levy Court meetings. Tom Carbine - thanked Jason and Public Works for fixing the sidewalk by his home. Jeremy R - spoke up to remind everyone about the Dover/Kent MPO public workshop happening tomorrow night at Citizen Hose Company, 6 p.m. To have a transportation project or see an improvement occur, it has to be in the the Metropolitan Transportation Plan first. There were no other comments. 11. Adjournment Mayor Johnson asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Gott motioned. There were overlapping voices for the second motion. All were in favor. Meeting ended at 7:20 p.m. Posted on 0925/2023 at 4:30 PM 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.