City Council

August 8, 2018 The City Council of the City of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, met in regular session at its regular meeting place in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, with Mayor Shane McFarland present and presiding and with the following Council Members present and in attendance, to wit: Rick LaLance Bill Shacklett Eddie Smotherman Kirt Wade Vice-Mayor Scales Harris was absent the first part of the meeting but arrived later. The following representatives of the City were also present: Craig Tindall, City Manager James Crumley, Assistant City Manager Jennifer Moody, Assistant City Manager Adam Tucker, Interim City Attorney David Ives, Deputy City Attorney Melissa Wright, City Recorder/Finance Director Erin Tucker, Assistant Finance Director Gary Whitaker, Assistant City Manager/ Economic Development Department Heads & Staff Georgia A. Meshotto, Administrative Assistant City Council/City Recorder Mayor McFarland congratulated Ronnie Martin, newly elected City Council Member, and City Council Members Madelyn Scales Harris and Rick LaLance who were re-elected for another term. Mayor McFarland was also re-elected for another term. The following letter of recommendation from the City Engineer was presented to the Council: (Insert letter dated August 8, 2018 here with regards to Southwest Elementary School Construction Contract.) Mr. Wade made a motion to approve a Contract with R. G. Anderson Company, Inc. in the amount of $24,355,000.00 for construction of the Southwest Elementary School. Mr. Shacklett seconded the motion and all members of the Council present voted “Aye”. The following letter of recommendation from the City Manager was presented to the Council. (Insert letter dated August 8, 2018 here with regards to Financial Transparency Software.) Ms. Erin Tucker, Assistant Finance Director, gave a presentation on the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Website and Socrata product for Financial Transparency Software Modules on open budget and open checkbook. She addressed questions and comments during the presentation. Mr. Shacklett made a motion to approve implementation of the Financial Transparency Software Module in the amount of $14,000.00 and approve an annual  August 8, 2018 Page 2 subscription cost of $24,000.00. Mr. LaLance seconded the motion and all members of the Council present voted “Aye”. The following letter from the City Manager was presented to the Council: (Insert letter dated August 8, 2018 with regards to Blackman Park Planning.) Mr. Craig Tindall, City Manager, provided a concept drawing illustrating the proposed relocation of Blackman Park from I-840/Veterans Parkway to City-owned property on Franklin Road. There was discussion regarding interest in the I-840/Veterans Parkway site from the Tennessee State Soccer Association (TSSA) to move all their State Cup Tournaments, Olympic Development Trainings, State Offices, etc. to a municipality. Transportation is much better on the I-840/Veterans Parkway site, and the revenue from a development of this nature could pay for both parks. A general non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to move forward with discussions has been put forth. Mayor McFarland assured that Blackman Park was not being taken off the table. An economic development and feasibility study will be conducted on the Franklin Road/HWY 96 site for a park. Council concurred with moving forward with further discussions with TSSA. The City Recorder/Finance Director presented a Special Event Beer Application for Middle Tennessee State University Foundation, 1301 E. Main Street, with event to be held at Cannonsburgh Village, 312 S. Front Street on August 9, 2018. A Beer Permit Application was presented for Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar (ownership change) at 2896 S. Rutherford Boulevard. Approval of this permit would be subject to successful completion of all required building and codes inspections. Mr. LaLance made a motion to approve a Special Event Beer Permit for Middle Tennessee State University Foundation at Cannonsburgh Village on August 9, 2018, and approve a Beer Permit for Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar upon successful completion of all building and codes inspections. Mr. Wade seconded the motion and all members of the Council present voted “Aye”. Mayor McFarland announced that the Mayor/City Council Swearing-In Ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 6, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Rotunda. Mr. LaLance addressed the Remote Air Control Airplane Club operating out of the Coleman Farm location. He has had several ongoing complaints from residents since October 2017 regarding these remote planes flying over tops of houses and farms and not staying within their boundaries. Mr. LaLance preferred that the 5-year agreement be suspended. Mr. Wade has heard both sides and suggested researching the matter prior to suspending the agreement. Mr. Gary Whitaker, Assistant City Manager/Economic Development, said the club consists of approximately 50 members, most of who are  August 8, 2018 Page 3 veterans, who do a lot for the community and are City residents. The Interim City Attorney stated he would look at the videos and review the agreement and come back to Council with a recommendation. Mr. Wade requested reviewing guidelines for Air B & B, short term rentals. Mr. Adam Tucker, Interim City Attorney, stated he and the Finance Department are researching the collection of hotel/motel tax on Air B & B’s and have a model agreement that Knoxville has entered into to facilitate that collection. Mr. Adam Tucker, Interim City Attorney, announced that Ms. Elizabeth Taylor has been hired as the Assistant City Attorney to represent the Murfreesboro City Schools. She resides in Rutherford County; currently is General Counsel to the State Board of Education; Graduate of Fisk University; attended University of Memphis for Law School; and worked for the AG’s Office and Department of Education. Ms. Taylor will take her post on September 4, 2018. There being no further business, Mayor McFarland adjourned this meeting at 1:02 p.m. SHANE MCFARLAND - MAYOR ATTEST: MELISSA B. WRIGHT - CITY RECORDER