City Council
Regular MeetingMurfreesboro, TN · April 10, 2019
Minutes
April 10, 2019
The City Council of the City of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, met in
regular session in the Community Room at Murfreesboro Police Headquarters at 11:40 a.m.
on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, with Mayor Shane McFarland present and presiding and with
the following Council Members present and in attendance, to wit:
Madelyn Scales Harris
Rick LaLance
Ronnie Martin
Bill Shacklett
Eddie Smotherman
Kirt Wade
The following representatives of the City were also present:
Craig Tindall, City Manager
Adam Tucker, City Attorney
David Ives, Deputy City Attorney
Melissa Wright, City Recorder/
Finance Director
Darren Gore, Assistant City Manager/
Utility Enterprise
Erin Tucker, Budget Director
Donald Anthony, Planning Director
Jennifer Vickery, Assistant Finance Director
Mayor McFarland opened the meeting by announcing that today was the ten-year
anniversary of the Good Friday tornado and wanted to recognize it as an event in which the
Murfreesboro community came together.
The following letter from the Planning Director was presented to the Council:
(Insert letter dated April 10, 2019 here with regards to
2019-2020 long-range planning initiatives.)
Mr. Donald Anthony, Planning Director, discussed with the Council the long-range
projects being initiated by the planning department and asked for input from the Council
regarding priority, feedback, and general guidance. Mr. Anthony summarized for the Council
the five projects that were currently underway: Proposed Land Use Plan; City Core Overlay
Expansion Plan; Adaptive Reuse Policy; Murfreesboro 2035 Chapter 3 Adoption; and an
Affordable Housing Study. Mr. Anthony then discussed three projects that the Planning
Department would like to start by the end of the year: Old Nashville Highway Corridor
Study; McFadden/Bridge Avenue Small Area Study; and MTSU Student Village Small Area
Study.
Mr. Smotherman believed it would be advantageous for the Planning Department to
gather Murfreesboro residents of all age groups to conduct a study regarding City
development and housing to better understand the wants and needs of different age groups
looking to live in Murfreesboro.
Vice-Mayor Scales Harris believed that transportation was a growing want and need
for the citizens of Murfreesboro and discussed with the other Council members her desire for
April 10, 2019 Page 2
ROVER to have extended hours, including Saturday service hours. Mr. Smotherman added
that he would like to see ROVER utilized for tourism, perhaps having a guide on the bus as
it drives past the Battlefields or the Courthouse, explaining the historical significance of the
area.
Mr. LaLance requested that Mr. Anthony and the Planning Department present to the
Council a big picture plan regarding zoning in the City and how City land is being used. He
would like the Council to be able to enter in discussions regarding zoning and rezoning in
determining what would be the best type of development use of available land for the City.
Mayor McFarland expressed a concern regarding land development along the
outskirts of the City limits, specifically those development’s utilities and sewer needs and
whether the City could financially support them. Mr. Anthony suggested the possibility of
presenting to the Council the “True Cost” of annexation, how challenging that it is to
produce, and the work that the City was doing to make it happen.
Mr. Wade suggested that the Council and the Planning Department engage in further
workshop discussion regarding current and upcoming Planning Department projects. Mr.
Smotherman again suggested that the Council meet with the Legislature while they’re still in
session.
The following letter from the Budget Director was presented to the Council:
(Insert letter dated April 10, 2019 here with regards to
overview of the open finance portal.)
Mrs. Erin Tucker, Budget Director, presented to the Council a demo of the Open
Finance Portal, which launched in February, and answered questions from the Council
regarding the software (Socrata).
The following letter from the City Manager and Budget Director was presented to the
Council:
(Insert letter dated April 10, 2019 here with regards to
overview of the FY 2020 budget.)
Mr. Craig Tindall, City Manager, presented an overview of the fiscal year 2020
budget which included supplements to the operating budget; a healthy fund balance;
conservative financial policies; property taxes; one-time revenues; and recommended CIP
projects. Mr. Tindall reminded Council that they meet once more to discuss the proposed FY
2020 Budget and then it would be presented to Council for approval.
The following letter from the City Recorder/Finance Director was presented to the
Council:
(Insert letter dated April 10, 2019 here with regards to Beer Permit Application
for Royal Indian Cuisine, 206 N. Thompson Ln.)
April 10, 2019 Page 3
Mrs. Melissa Wright, City Recorder/Finance Director, presented a Beer Application for
Royal Indian Cuisine (new restaurant), 206 N. Thompson Lane. This application is pending
completion of all required building and codes inspections.
Mr. Smotherman made a motion to approve a Beer Permit for Royal Indian Cuisine
upon successful completion of all building and codes requirements. Mr. Wade seconded the
motion and all members of the Council voted “Aye”.
The following letter from the City Attorney was presented to the Council:
(Insert letter dated April 10, 2019 here with regards to
commercial vehicle insurance policy for ROVER)
Mr. Adam Tucker, City Attorney/Acting Risk Manager, presented to the Council a
request to approve renewal of the Commercial Vehicle Insurance Policy for ROVER and
authorize payment of the premium quoted.
Mr. Wade made a motion to approve renewal of the insurance policy and authorize
payment of the premium. Mr. Smotherman seconded the motion and all members of the
Council voted “Aye”.
Ms. Wright then introduced Ms. Jennifer Vickery to the Council as the new Assistant
Finance Director.
There being no further business, Mayor McFarland adjourned this meeting at 1:10
p.m.
SHANE MCFARLAND - MAYOR
ATTEST:
MELISSA B. WRIGHT - CITY RECORDER
Agenda
MURFREESBORO CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Agenda
Murfreesboro Police Headquarters, Community Room
April 10, 2019 – 11:30 a.m.
New Business
1. 2019-2020 Long-Range Planning Initiatives (Planning)
2. Budget Overview of FY 2020 Budget (Administration)
3. Overview of the Open Finance Portal (Administration)
Other Business
Adjournment
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
Meeting Date: 4/10/2019
Item Title: 2019-2020 Long-Range Planning Initiatives
Department: Planning
Presented by: Donald Anthony, Planning Director
Summary
Review of long-range planning projects being initiated by the Planning Department.
Background Information
The Planning Department has adopted a list of 15 major projects that it intends to
complete by the end of calendar year 2020. Among them are seven long-range
planning projects, which will clarify and/or complement Murfreesboro 2035, the City’s
comprehensive plan. Major initiatives include four small-area studies and an update
to the Land Use Plan.
Council Priorities Served
Strong and Sustainable Financial and Economic Health
Among the primary goals of zoning is the protection and enhancement of the local
economy. The proposed Land Use Plan update and small-area studies should
encourage new investment, reinvestment, and revitalization in targeted areas across
the city.
Engaging our Community
Each of the long-range projects listed on the attachment will warrant at least one
community meeting. Depending upon the project goals, meetings may take the form
of workshops, design charrettes, open houses, or small group discussions. Public
meetings provide stakeholders the opportunity to meet with City staff, learn more
about the projects, and offer input on the projects.
Fiscal Impacts
None
Attachments:
1. Murfreesboro Planning Department 2019 Work Program and 2019-2020 Major
Projects
Murfreesboro Planning Department
2019 Work Program
Updated April 2, 2019
Area 1: Planning Area 3: Development
• Annexation • Plan review
• Rezoning o Site plans
• Comprehensive Plan updates o Preliminary plats
• Small-area studies o Final plats
• Special studies • Mandatory referrals
• Public outreach • Addressing and street naming
o Neighborhood meetings • Floodplain administration
o Public information meetings • Construction plan review
• Pre-construction meetings
Area 2: Zoning Area 4: Administrative
• Rezoning • Staffing boards, commissions, and
• Historic zoning committees
• Variances o Planning Commission
• Special Use Permits o Board of Zoning Appeals
• Other permits o Historic Zoning Commission
o Building permits o Development Review Committee
o Fence permits o Design Review Committee
o Food truck permits • Administrative appeals
o Home-based business permits • Landscape sureties
• Zoning inquiries • Website maintenance
• Zoning verification • Office management
• Zoning Ordinance amendments • Department budget
• Zoning violations • Continuing education tracking
• Inspections • Subdivision Regulation amendments
o Zoning compliance • Open records requests
o Landscape compliance • Annexation progress reports
• Grant reporting
Page 1 of 2
Murfreesboro Planning Department
2019-2020 Major Projects
Updated April 2, 2019
Red = In progress
Blue = Completed
Project Title
1. Tree Preservation Policy
2. Adaptive Reuse Policy
3. Murfreesboro 2035 Land Use Plan Update
4. City Core Overlay Expansion
5. Old Nashville Highway Corridor Study
6. McFadden – Bridge Avenue Small-Area Study
7. Chart 1 Modernization – Land Uses
8. Chart 2 Recommendations – Zoning Districts
9. Plan Review Process Tracking
10. Murfreesboro 2035 Chapter 3 Adoption
11. Food Truck Permitting Process
12. Neighborhood Meeting Policy
13. MTSU Student Village Small-Area Study
14. Affordable Housing Study
15. Industrial Zoning Revisions
Page 2 of 2
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
Meeting Date: 4/10/19
Item Title: Overview of FY 2020 Budget
Department: Administration
Presented by: Craig Tindall, Erin Tucker
Summary
Overview of the FY20 Budget.
Background Information
Staff must present a budget to Council by May 15, 2019. This meeting will provide
Council with a general overview of the projections for the FY20 Budget. Included will
be the request for supplements to the operating budget for the next year and
recommended CIP projects.
Council is scheduled to continue budget discussions next Thursday, April 18, 2019, at
5:00 p.m. During this meeting staff will make recommendations and request
definitive direction on budget decisions. With that direction, staff anticipates that a
draft budget will be prepared and presented to Council during the May 8, 2019
meeting. If additional preparation time is required, a Special Council Meeting may be
requested for the following week in order to meet the May 15th deadline.
Council Priorities Served
Strong and Sustainable Financial and Economic Health
Careful consideration and projection of future financial conditions assures that the
City makes economic decisions that sustain its strong financial status.
Engaging our Community
Public discussion of the budget process and the factors that contribute to creation of
the City’s budget provides the Community with financial transparency and allows for
engagement in the City’s decisions.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
Meeting Date: 4/10/19
Item Title: Overview of the Open Finance Portal
Department: Budget
Presented by: Erin Tucker
Summary
Overview of the Open Finance Portal
Background Information
In September 2018, staff proposed to Council the implementation of a financial
dashboard program that would allow the public real-time access to the City’s financial
information in a user-friendly format.
Staff worked with Tyler Technology, who provides the City’s Munis accounting system,
to implement Socrata. Socrata is a self-service environment that securely shares
information and analysis with the public and City departments. It transforms data
into insights with visualizations and performance measurements in order to enhance
the flow and quality of open data. This increases transparency and resident
engagement and empowers employees to improve financial, operational, and
strategic outcomes.
Socrata went live in February of this year. It is available via links on the City’s
webpage to the Open Finance Portal.
Council Priorities Served
Engaging our Community
Providing web access to the City’s financial data improves transparency and engages
the Community by providing the information needed to participate in the City’s
decisions.
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