City Council

City of Murfreesboro City Council- Special Session - City Manager Interviews Friday, May 1 0, 2024, at 9:00 am T EN N £ S S E E Municipal Airport Business Center 1930 Memorial Bouleva rd Murfreesboro, Tennessee MINUTES The City Council of the City of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, met in special session at its meeting place in the Municipal Airport Business Center at 9:02 a.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024. Council Members Present Mayor Shane McFarland - Presiding Jami Averwater Madelyn Scales Harris Austin Maxwell Bill Shacklett Kirt Wade Shawn Wright City Representatives Present Adam F. Tucker, City Attorney Randolph Wilkerson, Human Resources Director Rhonda Darnell, Human Resources Assistant Director Darren Gore, Assistant City Manager/ Water Resources Director Sam Huddleston, Assistant City Manager Chad Gehrl<e, Airport Director Ronald Head, Assistant Information Technology Director Mike Browning, Public Information Office r Kristy Burton, Executive Assistant 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. Public Comment on Actionable Agenda Items Mayor McFarland confirmed that no speakers signed up for public comment on actionable agenda items and moved to the next item on the agenda. Interview Candidates for City Manager This special meeting was held to conduct interviews for the position of City Manager for t he City of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Each candidate went through a review process with an Executive Panel and the City Council. City Council Meeting Minutes - City Manager Interviews May 10, 2024, 9:00 am Page 1 of 3  1. Candidates. The following candidates showcased their career accomplishme nts and presented their unique visions for the City's future: Darren Gore, Assistant City Manager/ Water Resources Director, and Sam Huddleston, Assistant City Manager. 1a. Darren Gore presented a PowerPoint presentation titled, "Chasing Perfection." Mr. Gore outlined his vision, mission, culture, and values for the City of Murfreesboro. Mr. Gore expressed where he felt the City needs to go as an organization including charting a Servicecentric Mission, improving Murfreesboro's quality of life, stakeholder and developer interactions, and improving Murfreesboro's visitor experience. To go in this direction, Mr. Gore stated the City's needs to deliver efficient services such as utilities, public safety, recreation, transportation, pu blic works, and deliver effective services to frontline departments with a good internal service team and support of City Council. A Servicecentric Mission requires a cultural reset to allow the City to more easily communicate, collaborate, and build bridges versus becoming isolated and forming silos. Mayor McFarland opened the floor for Council to ask questions of Mr. Gore. A question-and- answer session and discussion ensued among Council members and Mr. Gore on various topics including management style, dealing with constructive feedback, future vision, learning f rom failure, diversity, challenges and changes as City Manager, and opportunities throughout the City. 1b. Sam Huddleston presented a PowerPoint presentation titled, "Interview Presentation City Manager May 1, 2024." Mr. Huddleston reviewed his experience and accomplish ments as Assistant City Manager and previous experience as Director of Development Services, Community Development Director, Floodplain Administrator, Assistant City Engineer, Environmental Engineer, and Environmental Consulting Project Manager. Mr. Huddleston outlined his vision statement for the future of the City, provided ideas for internal recruitment, training to increase career mobility, employee benefits, education and certification assistance, City facilities and resources, City growth. Mayor McFarland opened the floor for Council to ask questions of Mr. Huddleston. A question-and-answer session and discussion ensued among Council members and Mr. Huddleston on various topics including navigating day-to-day service and relationships as City Manager, vision for economic development, dealing with constructive feedback, challenges and changes as City Manager, learning from failure, diversity, and opportunities throughout the City. City Council Meeting Minutes- City Manager Interviews May 10, 2024, 9:00 am Page 2 of 3 Discussion and Selection of City Manager Council reviewed, discussed and evaluated Darren Gore's and Sam Huddlest on's presentations, qualifications, and their vision for the new City Manager. Ms. Averwater stated that the two internal candidates are well qualified, but she is still open to external candidates. Mr. Wright made a motion to enter City Manager contract negotiations with Darren Gore. 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, Shawn Wright, Shane McFarland Nay: Kirt Wade Adam Tucker, City Attorney, and Randolph Wilkerson, Human Resources Director, were instructed to develop a City Manager pay scale and contract between the City and Darren Gore. The contract will be presented to Council for final ratification and Mr. Gore's acceptance at a f uture meeting. Mayor McFarland thanked Mr. Wilkerson and the Human Resources team for their work regarding the City Manager position search and interview process. Adjourn There being no further business, Mayor McFarland adjourned this meeting at 12:30 p.m. SHANE MCFARLAND MAYOR ATTEST: ITV RECORDER/ CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER APPROVED BY COUNCIL: / } f a ~ l a/);JS City Council Meeting Minutes- City Manager Interviews May 10, 2024, 9:00 am Page 3 of 3