2025-04-25 April 25, 2025 Mayor and Council Retreat - Day 2 Combined Session Meeting Minutes - FINAL
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January 09, 2025 12:00 PM City of Smyrna Mayor and Council Meeting Lanier Islands Legacy Lodge & Conference Center 7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy Page 2 of 4 Mary Moore, Library Director • More events are occurring on the greenspace • The increased events create some problems – library parking becomes limited • Expressed appreciation for the extra security Andrea Worthy, Economic Development Director • Long-term thoughts – look into acquiring properties for redevelopment • Look at other funding sources other than the general fund Jennifer Bennett, Community Relations Director • Be included in the decision processes • When changes occur in other departments, those changes are not communicated to her department – ex. Changing an event after it has already been published Carol Sicard, Human Resources Director • Staff is settled • Has asked for a new position to assist with risk management insurance Julie Barwig • Over 250 activities were coordinated last year – will not do as many this year • Will work with other departments to find better systems • Mini-grand opening for pollinator pocket Joe Bennett, City Administrator, presented the following: Strategic Plan Successes 2024-2025 Strategic Focus Area: Economic Development • Launched the “Welcome to Smyrna” new business program. • Established the small business assistance program using Placer.ai. • Completed the City branding process. • Kicked off the downtown master plan process. • Economic Development is working with Trust for Public Land to develop additional trails as a catalyst for further development. • Successfully conducted the second Smyrna Safe Business Program which has expanded to 25 local businesses. Strategic Focus Area: Quality of Place • Construction of the Ward 7 splash pad in underway. • Construction of the downtown restrooms and 2-5 yo park is underway. • Downtown surface lot construction is beginning within the next week. • The short-term rental monitoring software is active. Strategic Focus Area: Public Safety and Security • Real-Time Crime Center build out is complete. • Fire Department completed their 2025-2030 strategic plan. • First ever Community Risk Assessment completed. • Fire Department obtained Applicant Status for Agency Accreditation. • Replaced two fire apparatus and completed upgrades to fire station 1.