City Council

December 9, 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 Wednesday, December 9, 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, Council Member Ronnie Martin and Council Member Kirt Wade 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 Chris Griffith, Executive Director/ Public Infrastructure/City Engineer Erin Tucker, Budget Director Kayla Walker, Project Development Director Joshua Miller, Administrative Assistant Mayor McFarland commenced the meeting with a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Adam Tucker, City Attorney, stated that the Executive Session that was scheduled to meet after the Council Meeting had been heard prior to the Council Meeting. The following letter from the City Recorder/Finance Manager was presented to the Council: (Insert letter dated December 9, 2020 here with regards to approval of City Council Meetings from January 31, 2019 through March 21, 2019.) Mr. LaLance made a motion to approve the minutes as written and presented for the regular meeting held on January 31, 2019; the regular meeting held on February 13, 2019; the regular meeting held on February 28, 2019; the public comment meeting held on March 7, 2019; the regular meeting held on March 7, 2019; the regular meeting held on March 13, 2019 and the regular meeting held on March 21, 2019. Mr. Shacklett seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted and all members of the Council voted “Aye”. The following letter from the City Manager was presented to the Council: (Insert letter dated December 9, 2020 here with regards to Contract for Professional Services – Legislative Affairs.)  December 9, 2020 Page 2 Mr. Craig Tindall, City Manager, presented the request to approve the Contract for Legislative Affairs Professional Services with Ramsey, Farrar & Bates for the 2021 General Assembly Session for $45,000. Mr. Shacklett made a motion to approve the Contract for Legislative Affairs Professional Services with Ramsey, Farrar & Bates for $45,000. Mr. LaLance seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted and all members of the Council voted “Aye”. The following letter from the Executive Director of Public Infrastructure/City Engineer was presented to the Council: (Insert letter dated December 9, 2020 here with regards to proposed Traffic Calming Program.) Mr. Chris Griffith, Executive Director of Public Infrastructure/City Engineer, presented a proposed traffic calming pilot program which would include installing removable rubber speed humps along Alexander Boulevard that would slow vehicles down to 15 to 20 miles per hour but should not impact emergency services vehicles. While answering questions from Council, he stated that each speed hump is about 4 inches high; costs between $5,000 to $6,000; will be installed at six locations on Alexander Boulevard; and the total cost for the pilot program would be around $40,000. Mr. Adam Tucker, City Attorney, updated Council on a public comment received during a prior month’s meeting regarding school parents parking in neighborhoods and causing traffic issues. Mr. Tucker stated that Council had tasked him with researching any legal solutions to the issue and that it was decided that the Engineering Department would need to work with the Police Department and each school to develop the necessary signage and traffic enforcement that would need to be implemented. The following letter from the Executive Director of Public Infrastructure/City Engineer was presented to the Council: (Insert letter dated December 9, 2020 here with regards to Charter Amendment to create account for MED proceeds.) Mr. Adam Tucker, City Attorney, presented proposed legislative language to amend the City’s Private Act Charter and provide for a fund or trust for managing the proceeds from the sale of the Electric Department. Mr. Tucker heard feedback from the Council regarding the proposed legislative language and discussed the need to get our State Representatives to carry a Bill on our behalf. The following letter from the Budget Director was presented to the Council: (Insert letter dated December 9, 2020 here with regards to October 2020 Dashboard packet.)  December 9, 2020 Page 3 The October 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. The City Recorder/Finance Director announced that there was not any licensing nor any statements to be considered. Mr. Craig Tindall, City Manager, introduced Ms. Kayla Walker as the new Project Development Director. There being no further business, Mayor McFarland adjourned this meeting at 12:47 p.m. SHANE MCFARLAND – MAYOR ATTEST: MELISSA B. WRIGHT - CITY RECORDER