City Council

City of Murfreesboro City Council- Workshop Regular Session Thursday, February 8, 2024 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, February 8, 2024. Council Members Present Mayor Shane McFarland - Presiding Jami Averwater Austin Maxwell Bill Shacklett Kirt Wade Shawn Wright Madelyn Scales Harris was absent and excused from this meeting. City Representatives Present Craig Tindall, City Manager Adam Tucker, City Attorney Jennifer Brown, City Recorder/ Finance Director Erin Tucker, Budget Director Darren Gore, Assistant City Manager/ Water Resources Director Sam Huddleston, Assistant City Manager Matthew Blomeley, Assistant Planning Director Brad Barbee, Planner Angela Jackson, Executive Director of Strategic Services Karen Lampert, Grant Manager Mark Wood, Police Sergeant Greg McKnight, Executive Director of Development Nate Williams, Executive Director of Recreational Services Randolph Wilkerson, Human Resources Director Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance Mayor McFarland called the meeting to order. He read memorials about two City emp loyees who passed away this past week, David Bricker, Firefighter, and Franklin Norville Smith, Traffic Signal Technician. Mayor McFarland commenced the meeting with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comment on Actionable Agenda Items No one registered to speak at public comment on actionable agenda items. Action Items City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024, 11 :30 am Page 1 of 7  1. Presentation of FY 2023 Audit Report (Finance). James R. Jobe, of Jobe, Hastings, and Associates presented the FY2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Mr. Jobe thanked all that assisted with the audit and stated Council was provided a copy of the report and was published on the City website. Jobe, Hastings, and Associates submits the report to the Government Finance Officers Association in Chicago, IL for a Certificate of Achievement. The Report for the City of Murfreesboro has received this award for the 25th year. Only approximately 10% of the City's in Tennessee receive this award. Mr. Jobe summarized Audit Report topics including independent auditor report, management discussions and analysis, government-wide financial statements, statement of net position, statement of activities, general fund expenditures compared to the budget for the year, notes to financial statements, statistical section (10-year comparison), and single audit section. In a City of Murfreesboro's size, you would expect findings. There was only one finding in CDBG. They have spoken with the department and are working to resolve the finding. Discussion ensued. Vice Mayor Shacklett made a motion to approve the FY2023 Audit Report. Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Shane McFarland Nay: None Kirt Wade left the meeting. 2. Ordinance 23-02-44 Rezoning Property Along Northwest Broad Street (Second and Final Reading) (Planning). The ordinance titled, "ORDINANCE 23-02-44 amending the Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map of the City of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as heretofore amended and as now in force and effect, to rezone approximately 7.3 acres located along Northwest Broad Street and West Vine Street from Highway Commercial (CH) District and City Core Overlay (CCO) District to Planned Unit Development (PUD) District (Keystone on Broad PUD) and City Core Overlay (CCO) District, approximately 0.1 acres from Central Business (CBD) District and City Core Overlay {CCO) District to Planned Unit Development (PUD) District and City Core Overlay {CCO) District, and approximately 0.4 acres from Highway Commercial (CH) District and City Core Overlay (CCO) District to Central Business (CBD) District and City Core Overlay (CCO) District; HRP Residential, applicant, [2023-418]" which passed its first reading on January 25, 2024, was offered for passage City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024, 11 :30 am Page 2of7  on second and final reading. Matthew Blomeley, Assistant Planning Director, was available for questions. There were no questions. Vice Mayor Shacklett made a motion to approve Ordinance 23-0Z-44 on second and fina l reading. Mr. Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Shane McFarland Nay: Shawn Wright Absent: Kirt Wade 3. Mandatory Referral for Abandonment of a Public Utility Easement along Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (Planning). Matthew Blomeley, Assistant Planning Director, presented a Council Communication requesting approval to allow abandonment of two portions of a public utility easement along Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in the Mercury Plaza Shopping Center. Planning Commission and Water Resources Board both recommended approval. Staff recommended approval, subject to conditions outlined in the Council Communication. Ms. Averwater made a motion to approve the mandatory referral, subject to conditions outlined in the Council Communication. Mr. Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Shawn Wright, Shane McFarland Nay: None Absent: Kirt Wade 4. Mandatory Referral for Abandonment of a Sanitary Sewer Easement along Saint Andrews Drive. (Planning). Matthew Blomeley, Assistant Planning Director, presented a Council Communication requesting approval to allow abandonment of a portion of a sanitary sewer easement along Saint Andrews Drive for the Murfreesboro Autism Clinic. Planning Commission and Water Resources Board both recommended approval. Staff recommended approval, subject to conditions outlined in the Council Communication. Mr. Wright made a motion to approve the mandatory referral, subject to conditions outlined in the Council Communication. Ms. Averwater seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Shawn Wright, Shane McFarland Nay: None Absent: Kirt Wade City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024, 11 :30 am Page 3 of 7  5. Sewer Allocation Variance- South Rutherford Boulevard - Hearthwood Commercial Center (Planning). Brad Barbee, Planner, presented a Council Communication requesting approva l of a sewer allocation variance allowing higher single-family unit equivalent density (sfu) by approximately 25 sfu's for the proposed commercial buildings located along with east side of South Rutherford Boulevard, north of Chandler Place. The Planning Department and Water Resources Department have reviewed the application and support the request. Ms. Averwater made a motion to approve the sewer allocation variance. Mr. Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Shawn Wright, Shane McFarland Nay: None Absent: Kirt Wade Kirt Wade returned to the meeting. 6. Sewer Allocation Variance - South Church Street - Panda Express Commercial Center (Planning). Brad Barbee, Planner, presented a Council Communication requesting approval of a sewer allocation variance allowing higher single-family unit equivalent density (sfu) by approximately 6.3 sfu's for an existing commercial building located at 2925 South Chu rch Street. The Planning Department and Water Resources Department have reviewed the application and support the request. Discussion ensued regarding the reason for the variance and potential of reviewing and revising sewer allocation regulations to reduce the number of variance requests. Mayor McFarland asked staff to review and return to Council with recommendations . Mr. Wright made a motion to approve the sewer allocation variance. Mr. Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Shane McFarland Nay: None Workshop Items 7. Continuum of Care Update (Administration). Kristen Swann, Vice President of Collective Impact and Strategic Initiatives with United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, presented information to Council regarding an update on the local Continuum of Care and homeless response system. Ms. Swann summarized how United Way reviews ALICE data (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed aka the "working poor"). These are people who are working but are City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024, 11 :30 am Page 4 of7 still not able to afford the true cost of living. Fifty percent (50%) of people in Rutherford County are at the ALICE threshold or below, which means they are living paycheck to paycheck and when a crisis happens, they are unprepared and may become homeless. Ms. Swann reviewed additional homeless data and those waiting for services. Continuum of Care is a collection of agencies and people in our community that are working to respond to homelessness in Rutherford County. United Way has new roles as Collaborative Applicant, Coordinated Entry Lead and Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) Lead positions. Ms. Swann updated Council on other aspects of Continuum of Care including the use of 2-1-1 and connecting individuals to agencies and services. 8. 2024 Murfreesboro Community Investment Trust (MCIT) Charitable Contribution Funding Recommendations (Administration). Craig Tindall, City Manager, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approve the recommendations by the Murfreesboro Community Investment Trust Board for 2024 charitable grant funding. Discussion ensued. Ms. Averwater made a motion to approve the Murfreesboro Community Investment Trust Board recommendations for 2024 charitable grant funding. Vice Mayor Shacklett seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Shane McFarland Nay: None 9. Restatement of the Employee Handbook (Administration). CraigTindall, City Manager, presented a Council Communication and documents regarding introduction to the updating and reformatting of the City's Employee Handbook. Mr. Tindall and staff are suggesting a restatement that would create two primary manuals: Employment Policy Manual and Administrative Directives Manual and two supplemental documents: Employee Services Manual and Safety Manual. Mr. Tindall outlined the timeline for staff and Council review, approval and implementation. Discussion ensued regarding the policy requiring those who handle money to be out of the office for five consecutive days. 10. December 2023 Dashboard (Administration). Erin Tucker, Budget Director, presented a Council Communication and documents regarding December 2023 Dashboard, December Impact Fee Report and City Schools December Dashboard. There were no questions and no action was needed. City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024, 11 :30 am Page 5 of 7 Board & 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 CIP Reallocation (Administration). Erin Tucker, Budget Director, presented a proposal to reallocate CIP funds from land acquisition/contingency costs/preliminary design to additional City facilities to close out the fire stations reroofing project in the amount of $14,474.87. Ms. Averwater made a motion to approve the GIP reallocation. Mr. Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Shane McFarland Nay: None FY25 Budget Calendar (Administration). Erin Tucker, Budget Director, presented the FY25 Budget Calendar outlining the suggested date, responsible party, required activity and reference fo r each item on the calendar. Ms. Tucker asked Council to communicate any calendar conflicts or goals or initiatives they would like to see addressed in the next fiscal year's budget. Next Council Meeting. Craig Tindall, City Manager, stated the next meeting would be Thursday, February 15, 2024, for public comment and regular night meeting. The same afternoon is the Chamber lunch at the Embassy Suites. Mr. Maxwell stated he has two wishes for the upcoming budget: 1) recreation (west-side facility, City schools ball fields, and ice rink) and 2) considering capacity for senior housing. Mayor McFarland asked Mr. Tindall to put on a future Council agenda discussing use of the property on 96 through the Sports Authority. The possibility of building a recreational facility and/or hotel in cooperation with private industry. He also mentioned possibility of additional pool or ice rink. Adjourn There being no further business, Mayor McFarland adjourned this meeting at 12:59 p.m. City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes February 8, 2024, 11 :30 am Page 6 of 7  SHANE MCFARLAND MAYOR ATTEST: TUCKER "" :;:ECORDER/ CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER APPROVED BY COUNCIL: ~i - ¼ J~i~~d__S_____- _ ,~=t-----'('+-; City Council Workshop Meeting Minut es February 8, 2024, 11 :30 am Page 7 of 7