City Council

City of Murfreesboro City Council - Workshop Regular Session Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 11 :30 am T E N N E S S E E Municipal Airport Business Center 1930 Memorial Boulevard Murfreesboro, Tennessee MINUTES The City Council of the City of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, met in regular session at its workshop meeting place at the Municipal Airport Business Center at 11 :30 a.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2023. Council Members Present Mayor Shane McFarland - P.residing Jami Averwater Madelyn Scales Harris Austin Maxwell Bill Shacklett Kirt Wade Shawn Wright City Representatives Present Craig Tindall, City Manager Adam Tucker, City Attorney Jennifer Brown, City Recorder/ Finance Director Darren Gore, Assistant City Manager/ Water Resources Director Sam Huddleston, Assistant City Manager Erin Tucker, Budget Director Scott Elliott, Manager of Project Development Chris Yeager, City Clerk Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance Mayor McFarland called the meeting to order and commenced the meeting with a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor McFarland proposed moving Project Diamond proposal (Agenda Item 5) to the beginning of the agenda to allow fGr commentors to hear the discussion and have public comment after the proposal. Mayor McFarland stated that the Public Comment law applied to Actionable Agenda items and that this was a workshop item and no action was planned, but he would allow for the public comment session after Agenda Item 5 was presented so those present could comment. By consensus, Council approve d reordering the agenda. 5. Project Diamond (Administration). Craig Tindall, City Manager, presented a Council Communication regarding bringing a professional AA Minor League baseball team to Murfreesboro and introduced Jason Rose, managing partner of Invest Murfreesboro, LLC, the developer of the proposal. City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes September 14, 2023, 11 :30 am Page 1 of6  Mr. Rose presented a proposal and background of the development group and stated unequivocally that the development team would not be part of any plan that includes removing Cannonsburgh. He stated this would be a unique opportunity to share Murfreesboro history with a larger audience and that the project would seek to work with the Friends of Cannonsburgh to aid in the design. Mr. Rose introduced Josh Schaub, Commissioner of the American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) League. Mr. Schaub presented a presentatio n on the status of the AAPB League's relationship with Major League Baseball. Mayor McFarland asked why they picked Murfreesboro. Mr. Schaub stated the data and demographics make Murfreesboro an ideal location for their business model. Mayor McFarland then asked how this would affect downtown. Mr. Schaub stated that the current success of the downtown area is what makes a ballpark successful, additionally there would be extensive added value to local retail. Ms. Scales Harris shared concerns about the disrupt ion or removal of Cannonsburgh for the stadium. Mr. Rose stated une9uivocally that the development team would not be pa rt of any plan that includes removing any part of Cannonsburgh. Mayor McFarland proposed that any Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ensure the preservation of Cannonsburgh and state it would not be relocated. Discussion ensued. This information was provided to Council as notification only and no vote was necessary. Public Comment on Actionable Agenda Items Mayor McFarland stated that there were seven people registered to speak at public comment. Mayor McFarland reviewed the procedures for speaking and invited those present to come forward when they heard their name. Mayor McFarland called the following individuals to come forward and address Council. 1. Steve Baughman, 315 North Maney Avenue (registered but was not present) 2. Virginia Jenkins, 2911 Bowers Lane, stated she is opposed to Agenda Item 5, Project Diamond. She is a volunteer at Cannonsburgh and would like to know if taxpayers will pay for the stadium. She said Cannonsburgh·makes history come alive and would like activities brought back to Cannonsburgh. 3. Barbara Hudson Fry, 2107 Wilkinson Pike, is opposed to Agenda Item 5, Project Diamond. She and her granddaughter enjoy the events at Cannonsburgh, such as the Christmas lights. She stated Cannonsburgh has been referred to as a "gem" by City Council. She City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes September 14, 2023, 11 :30 am Page 2 of 6  described past experiences she has had at Cannonsburgh and expressed that Cannonsburgh provides an opportunity for people to see how others grew up and she believes it is unique and should be utilized. 4. Lisa Cisco, 223 North Academy Street, is opposed to Agenda Item 5, Project Diamond. She stated she is for or against baseball, she is for Cannonsburgh, and it is very important to her. She started the Facebook page to save Can nonsburgh and apologized if any comments were made that were inappropriate w ithin that environment. She shared a quote about the importance of keeping history alive. 5. Linus Cadenhead, 5306 Honeybee Drive, is opposed to Agenda Item 5, Project Diamond. He stated he has been going to Cannonsburgh since he was a baby and would like to save the World's Largest Cedar Bucket that is housed there. 6. Heather Cadenhead, 5306 Honeybee Drive, is opposed to Agenda Item 5, Project Diamond. She is grat~ful others want to preserve Cannonsburgh. She inqu ired how much of the project would be funded by the taxpayers and feels the taxpayer cost should be considered with the state of the economy. She believes the attendance numbers shared regarding Cannonsburgh are inaccurate and believes they are reflective of events being shut down. She stated MTSU attendance is not the best and that may be a concern to a ballpark. She would like to know how a ballpark would help the homeless. 7. Clarence Santini, 2223 Medford Campbell Boulevard, is opposed to Agenda Item 5, Project Diamond. He believes that Cannonsburgh brings back memories and should not be relocated and should be kept up. He stated that homelessness is our problem, and we need to find a solution. He believes moving Cannonsburgh is not the solution. Mayor McFarland addressed questions and concerns made throughout the Public Comment. Vice Mayor Shacklett inquired if staff could start allowing people to book Cannonsburgh for events again. Craig Tindall, City Manager, clarified when Cannonsbu rgh would be available for use. Discussion continued regard ing Project Diamond. Mayor McFarland asked if any Council members objected to Project Diamond continuing discussions. There were no objections. Mayor McFarland stated there wou ld be a 10-minute break. Action Items 1. Resolution 23-R-29 Depositories of the City Funds (Finance). Jennifer Brown, City Recorder/Finance Director, presented a Council Communication requesting Council authorize City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes September 14, 2023, 11:30 am Page 3 of6  approving depositories of the City funds in accordance with City Charter Section 61. The resolution titled, "RESOLUTION 23-R-29 approving depositories of the City funds pursuant to Section 61 of the Charter" was offered for passage on its first and only reading. Mr. Maxwell made a motion to approve Resolution 23-R-29. Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Madelyn Scales Harris, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Shane McFarland Nay: None 2. CIP Transfers (Finance) Jennifer Brown, City Recorder/Finance Director, presented a Council Communication and documents regarding notification of CIP transfers. Transfers include transfer of CIP Funds between the-Bond Fund and General Fund for Town Creek, Rucker Lane, Pre- K Building, Cherry Lane 3, Bond Interest (2021 and 2022), and Transfer Station. This information was provided to Council as notification only and no vote was necessary. 3. Construction Contract for Transit Center Facility (Facilities). Scott Elliott, Project Development Manager, presented a Council Communicatio n requesting Council approve a construction agreement with Rock City Construction for the Transit Center Facility. The total project budget will be $1 7,845,843. Mayor McFarland stated he was contacted by a construction company regarding a variance in bids. Mayor McFarland asked if staff felt confident about a $2 million difference in the bids and if the lowest responsive bidder would be able to perform at that amou nt. Mr. Elliott provided information regarding the project~ and the project bidders. Discussion ensued regarding previous projects Rock City Construction has completed. Ms. Scales Harris made a motion to approve the contract with Rock City Construction. Mr. Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Madelyn Scales Harris, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Shane McFarland Nay: None 4. Transit Center Supplement Request #2 for Construction Administration (Facilities). Scott Elliott, Project Development Manager, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve Supplement Request# 2 with HDR Engineering, Inc. Supplement Request #2 adds construction administration services to the original contract. These services, which are retained on most large construction projects, assist the City with administrative duties associated with t he City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes September 14, 2023, 11 :30 am Page 4 of 6  construction of the project to comply with state and federal requirements. The estimate for the additional professional services is $1,245,705. Mr. Maxwell made a motion to approve Supplement Request #2 to the contract with HOR Engineering, Inc. Ms. Scales Harris seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Madelyn Scales Harris, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Shane McFarland Nay: None Workshop Items Agenda Item 5. Project Diamond was moved to the beginning of the agenda . 6 . July Dashboard (Administration). Erin Tucker, Budget Director, presented a Council Communication and documents regarding the July 2023 Dashboard. There were no questions. This information was provided to Council as notification only and no vote was necessary. Board and Commission Appointments No board and commission appointments were presented . Licensing No beer permits were presented. Payment of Statements No payment of statements-was presented. Other Business GOO-Overlay. Mr. Wright stated he has discussed with City staff about a GOO overlay over Church Street and off Medical Center and asked Council what they thought about staff looking at the GOO overlay. Mr. Wade requested to put the item on the Retreat Agenda. Ball Fields. Mr. Maxwell asked if staff could look at using available space on City Schools property for potential ball fields to address the shortage of ball fields within the City. Mayor McFarland suggested considering a lease option in non-school hours for users to lease the fie lds; funds may help City Schools. Mayor McFarland commended and thanked City staff for the way they handled the meeting today. Vice Mayor Shacklett announced September 15, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. would be Main Street Murfreesboro's last concert for the season. Council discussed other upcoming dates that will be distributed through email. City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes September 14, 2023, 11 :30 am Page 5 of6 Adjourn There being no further business, Mayor McFarland adjourned this meeting at 2:17 p.m. MAYOR ATTEST: UCKER \ CITY RECORDER/ CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER APPROVED BY COUNCIL: fe-'ov-..- 9 \"'?, , 'l-0'2.S City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes September 14, 2023, 11 :30 am Page 6 of 6