City Council

November 12, 2020 The City Council of the City of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, consistent with the Governor’s order, members of the City Council are participating by electronic means as has been determined necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare in light of the coronavirus pandemic at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2020 in the Community Room at Murfreesboro Police Headquarters, 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 Kirt Wade Shawn Wright Vice-Mayor Scales Harris participated telephonically at this meeting. The following representatives of the City were also present: Craig Tindall, City Manager Adam Tucker, City Attorney Melissa Wright, City Recorder/ Finance Director Gary Whitaker, Assistant City Manager Darren Gore, Assistant City Manager Sam Huddleston, Executive Director/ Development Services Chris Griffith, Executive Director/ Public Infrastructure/City Engineer Erin Tucker, Budget Director Michael Smith, City Schools Finance Director Joshua Miller, Administrative Assistant Mayor McFarland commenced the meeting with a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor McFarland announced that Item No. 4 on the Agenda, Impact Fees Analysis, was to be heard first. The following letter from the City Manager was presented to the Council: (Insert letter dated November 12, 2020 here with regards to Impact Fees Analysis.) Mr. L. Carson Bise II, President of TischlerBise, presented an analysis of the potential revenue that could be produced with the implementation of development impact fees to the City. Mr. Bise answered questions from Council regarding if data was gathered from surrounding counties and if fees could be implemented on a per square foot basis. Based on questions and discussion with Mr. Bise. Council directed him to gather data from surrounding counties; compile data based on implementing fees on a per square foot basis; compare the two analyses; and begin conducting stakeholder meetings with developers. The following letter from the City Manager was presented to the Council:  November 12, 2020 Page 2 (Insert letter dated November 12, 2020 here with regards to Development Agreements with Costco Wholesale Corporation and Associated Real Estate Agreements.) Mr. Craig Tindall, City Manager, and Mr. Sam Huddleston, Executive Director of Development Services, presented Council with the request to approve the Development Agreement with Costco (Costco Wholesale Corporation); the Real Estate Purchase Agreement with the Developer (Charlie B. Mitchell); and the Assignment and Assumption of Real Estate Purchase Agreement with the IDB (Industrial Development Board of Rutherford County) for $2.4 Million, in which the City would purchase approximately 20 acres on Warrior Drive, transfer ownership of the property to the IDB for a period of 5 years, and Costco would construct a wholesale membership retail store on the property. After the end of the 5-year period, the ownership of the property would then be transferred from the IDB to Costco. Additionally, Council was also asked to approve the Road Development and Construction Agreement which would involve the developer, TDOT and the City all making roadway improvements in the area. Mr. Tindall stated his belief that the City would see a full return on its investment in less than 2 years through the sales taxes generated by Costco. Mr. LaLance made a motion to approve the Development Agreement with Costco; Real Estate Purchase Agreement with the Charlie B. Mitchell; Assignment and Assumption of Real Estate Purchase Agreement with the IDB; and the Road Development and Construction Agreement with Charlie B. Mitchell. Mr. Shacklett seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted and all members of the Council voted “Aye”. The following letter from the Budget Director was presented to the Council: (Insert letter dated November 12, 2020 here with regards to Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Amendment Ordinance 20-O-42.) An ordinance, entitled “ORDINANCE 20-O-42 amending the 2020-2021 Budget (3rd Amendment),” was read to the Council and offered for passage on first reading upon motion made by Mr. LaLance, seconded by Mr. Shacklett. Upon roll call said ordinance was passed on first reading by the following vote: Aye: Madelyn Scales Harris Rick LaLance Ronnie Martin Bill Shacklett Kirt Wade Shawn Wright Shane McFarland Nay: None The following letter from the Budget Director was presented to the Council:  November 12, 2020 Page 3 (Insert letter dated November 12, 2020 here with regards to Community Investment Program Fiscal Year 2022 Budget.) Mrs. Erin Tucker, Budget Director, presented Council with the Fiscal Year 2022 Community Investment Program (CIP) Budget for approval which included a high-level overview of planned road projects and overall debt service. Mr. Martin questioned why older road projects, such as Wilkinson Pike and Rucker Lane, are not being prioritized. Council engaged in discussion with Mr. Chris Griffith regarding how the Engineering Department determines road project priority. Mr. LaLance made a motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2022 CIP Budget. Mr. Wade seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted and all members of the Council voted “Aye”, except Vice-Mayor Scales Harris and Mr. Martin who voted “Abstain”. The following letter from the Budget Director was presented to the Council: (Insert letter dated November 12, 2020 here with regards to September 2020 Dashboard packet.) The September 2020 Dashboard update, which included Financial, Building & Codes, Risk Management, Construction Data, Sales Tax Revenues, Solid Waste Revenues, State Revenue Collections, City Schools Cash Flow Statements and Revenue & Expenditure Budget Comparison Reports, was presented to Council with no discussion taking place. Mr. Wade left the meeting at this time. The following letter from the City Recorder/Finance Director was presented to the Council: (Insert letter dated November 12, 2020 here with regards to Beer Permit Application for Sierra Azteca Bar & Grill, 352 West Northfield Blvd., Ste. 1A.) Mr. LaLance made a motion to approve the Beer Permit for Sierra Azteca Mexican Bar & Grill, 352 West Northfield Boulevard, Suite 1A (Ownership Change). Mr. Martin seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted and all members of the Council present voted “Aye”. The City Recorder/Finance Director announced that there were not any statements to be considered. Mr. Craig Tindall, City Manager, introduced Mr. Michael Smith, the new Finance Director for City Schools. Mayor McFarland congratulated all the high school senior athletes who were accepting athletic scholarships from colleges. There being no further business, Mayor McFarland adjourned this meeting at 12:59 p.m.  November 12, 2020 Page 4 ATTEST: SHANE MCFARLAND – MAYOR MELISSA B. WRIGHT - CITY RECORDER