City Council

City of Murfreesboro City Council- Regular Session Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 6:00 pm City Council Chambers T E N N E S S E E 111 West Vine Street Murfreesboro, Tennessee MINUTES The City Council of the City of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, met in regular session at its regular meeting place in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 6:01 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2025. Council Members Present Mayor Shane McFarland - Presiding Jami Averwater Austin Maxwell Bill Shacklett Kirt Wade Madelyn Scales Harris and Shawn Wright were absent and excused from this meeting. City Representatives Present Darren Gore, City Manager Adam Tucker, City Attorney Erin Tucker, City Recorder/ Chief Financial Offi cer Matthew Blomeley, Assistant Planning Director Nate Williams, Executive Director of Recreational Services Brad Hennessee, Facilities-Maintenance Director Scott Elliott, Manager of Project Development Gabriel Moore, Project Engineer Rachel Signer, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Randolph Wilkenson, Human Resources Director Cathy Smith, Purchasing Director Angela Jackson, Executive Director of Strategic Services Michael Bowen, Chief of Police Cary Gensemer, Deputy Chief of Police Mike Browning, Public Information Officer Raven Bozeman, Executive Assistant Prayer and Pledge of Allegia nee Mayor McFarland called the meeting to order and commenced the meeting with a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Ceremonial Items Presentation: Appreciation of Support from Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity. Terri Schultz, Chief Executive Officer for Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity, announced it is a special year for Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity. This year marks the 35th year of serving Rutherford County and Habitatfor Humanity has completed its 200th home in Rutherford County. Ms. Schultz stated this could not have been achieved w it hout a partnership with the City of City Council Meeting Minutes January 30, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 1 of7  Murfreesboro. The City of Murfreesboro was recognized at Habitat for Humanity's 199 home dedication for the C_ommunity Development Department that allows homeowners to apply for down payment assistance and grants. Ms. Schultz presented two plaques to Mayor McFarland for the partnership and support of Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity's Affordable Housing Mission and the Kelly Home and The Celebration of Building The 200t h House. Recognition of New Police Recruits. Micheal Bowen, Chief of Police, an nounced a new class of 22 recruits for Murfreesboro Police Department who will be sworn in on January 31, 2025. Chief Bowen stated the Police department should be fully staffed by March 2025. Mayor McFarland welcomed the new recruits and expressed his and Council's support and thanks. Mayor McFarland asked Chief Bowen to provide an update on the License Plate Reader Program throughout the City. Chief Bowen stated the Police Department is working on their year- end report and the license plate reader program technology has made a sign ificant impact on solving cases. Public Comment on Actionable Agenda Items No individuals pre-registered for public comment on actionable agenda items. Consent Agenda The Consent Agenda was presented for approval with Council Communications for the following items: 1. Concrete and Asphalt Purchase Report (Street) 2. Agreement with Great Southern Recreation for Siegel Soccer Park Playground Equipment {Parks) 3. Mandatory Referral for Dedication and Abandonment of Easements Associated with the Town Creek Project (Planning} 4. Main Street Banner Requests (Street) Ms. Averwater made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. 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, Shane McFarland Nay: None Minutes 5. City Council Meeting Minutes (Finance). Erin Tucker, City Recorder/ Chief Financial Officer, presented a Council Communication regarding approval of City Council meeting minutes for: City Council Meet ing Minutes January 30, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 2 of 7  Current Meeting Minutes January 9, 2025 (Workshop) Historical Meeting Minutes May 18, 2023 (Regular Meeting) May 25, 2023 (Budget Meet ing) May 25, 2023 (Regular Mee~ing) June 8, 2023 (Workshop) June 15, 2023 {Regular Meeting) June 29, 2023 (Regular Meeting) July 13, 2023 (Workshop) July 20, 2023 {Regular Meeting) The meeting minutes were not read aloud but were presented for approval as part of the agenda packet. Mr. Wade made a motion to approve the minutes. Ms. Averwater seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shane McFarland Nay: None Old Business Land Use Matters 6. Ordinance 24-02-45 Rezoning property along Joe B. Jaclcson Parkway (Second and Final Reading) (Planning). The ordinance titled, "ORDINANCE 24-0Z-45 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 4.8 acres located along Joe B. Jackson Parkway from Heavy Industrial {H-I) District to Commercial Highway (CH) District; Athena Hospitality Group, applicant, [2024-418]" which passed its first reading on January 16, 2025, was offered for passage on its second and final reading. Ms. Averwater made a motion to approve Ordinance 24-0Z-45 on second and final reading. 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, Shane McFarland Nay: None New Business Ordinance 7. Ordinance 25-0-06 FY25 Budget Amendment (First Reading) (Finance). Erin Tucker, City Recorder I Chief Financial Officer, presented a Council Communication to amend the City's FY25 Budget Ordinance. The ordinance titled, "ORDINANCE 25-0-06 amending the Fiscal Year 2025 {hereafter "FY2025") Budget (3rd Amendment)" was offered for passage on first reading. City Council Meeting Minutes January 30, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 3 of 7  Mr. Wade made a motion to approve Ordinance 25-0-06 on f irst reading. 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, Shane McFarland Nay: None Qn_Motion 8. Old Fort Park Ballfield and Parking Renovations (Facilities). Brad Hennessee, Facilities Maintenance Director, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approve a contract with Steelhead Building Group, LLC, pending legal approval, fo r construction of the old ballfield and parking renovations at Old Fort Park in the amount of $3,056,492. Mr. Maxwell made a motion to approve the contract with Steelhead Building Group, LLC, pending legal approval. Mr. Wade seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shane McFarland Nay: None 9. Patterson Park Outdoor Improvements Construction Contract (Project Development). Scott Elliott, Manager of Project Development, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approve a contract with Fuel Tank Maintenance Company, LLC for the construction of outdoor improvements at Patterson Park Community Center including enhancements and upgrades to existing parking and the addition of a playground and splash pad in the amount of $2,774,777.50, pending legal review, and reallocation of funds from the 2025 CIP budget. Mr. Wade made a motion to approve the contract with Fuel Tank Maintenance Company, LLC, pending legal review, and reallocation of funds from the 2025 CIP budget. 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, Shane McFarland Nay: None 10. Veterans Parl< Construction Contract (Project Development). Scott Elliott, Manager of Project Development, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approve a contract with Moody Excavating, LLC for the construction of Veterans Park, pending legal review, in the amount of $16,351 ,636.73. City Council Meeting Minutes January 30, 2025, 6:00 pm Page4of 7  Vice Mayor Shacklett made a motion to approve the contract with Moody Excavating, LLC, pending legal approval. Mr. Wade seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shane McFarland Nay: None 11. Acquisition of Easements at 106 Southeast Broad Street for Town Creek Daylighting (Development Services). Gabriel Moore, Project Engineer, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approve initiation of condemnation proceedings by tendering the appraised value of $92,520 and authorize staff to negotiate a settlement up to the limits allowed under Federal property acquisition guidelines for property located at 106 SE Broad St for Town Creek Daylighting Project. Mr. Wade made a motion to approve the acquisition of easement. Ms. Averwater seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shane McFarland Nay: None 12. Contract with Oregon State to Develop Youth Permaculture Curriculum (Parks). Rachel Singer, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approve a contract with Oregon State University for Develop Youth Permaculture Curriculum. The curriculum development cost of $50,200 will be reimbursed to the City through the Tennessee Forestry Grant. Mr. Wade made a motion to approve the contract with Oregon State University. 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, Shane McFarland Nay: None 13. Legacy Recognition Employee Handbook Policy No. 1019 (Administration). Angela Jackson, Executive Director of Strategic Services, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approve the Legacy Recognition Employee Handbook Policy No. 1019 for City retirees. The Legacy Recognition Program will aim to formally recognize and honor eligible retired employees for their significant contributions to the City's growth and success. The policy will establish a structured nomination and selection akin to a "Hall of Fame." Retirees selected through this process will be recommended to the City Council for induction into the Legacy Recognition Program. City Council Meeting Minutes January 30, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 5 of 7  Vice Mayor Shacklett made a motion to approve the policy. Ms. Averwater seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by t he following vote: Aye: Jami Averw ater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shane McFarland Nay: None Board and Commission Appointments No board and commission appointments were presented. Licensing 14. Beer Permits (Finance). Erin Tucker, City Recorder/ Chief Financial Officer, presented a Council Communication regarding Regular Beer Permits. The following were offered for approval: Regular Beer Permits • Buona Murfreesboro, 2727 Roby Corlew Lane, Restaurant, New Location • Chipotle Mexican Grill #4937, 2963 South Church Street, Restaurant, New Location Applicants met requirements for the permits and were recommended for approval pending final building and codes inspections. Mr. Wade made a motion to approve the permits. Ms. Averwater seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shane McFarland Nay: None Payment of Statements Erin Tucker, City Recorder/ Chief Financial Officer, stated there was one statement to consider for $50,000 to the Rutherford County Circuit Clerk. Ms. Averwater made a motion to approve the payment of statements. Vice Mayo r Shacklett seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Jami Averwater, Austin Maxwell, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade, Shane McFarland Nay: None Other Business Mayor McFarland requested the City administrative team consider the following issues and provide feedback and recommendations to Council at its February 2025 Workshop meeting: 1) "Educational Use" Zonir:ig within the City of Murfreesboro. Possibility of maki ng an " Educational Use" zoning. This would also be presented to Planning Commission and go through those channels. 2) Irrigation. Possibility of making irrigation optional for schools only. City Council Meeting Minutes January 30, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 6 of 7  3) Permit Fee Cap for Educational Institutions. Possibility of once fees get to a certain dollar amount, there would be a fair and equitable cap on overall permit fees. Adjourn There being no further business, Mayor McFarland adjourned this meeting at 6:29 p.m. SH~ -- - - - MAYOR ATTEST: TUCKER CITY RECORDER/ CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER APPROVED BY COUNCIL: ~e.-bri,, ""'""=::) t?::, , -z-.o "l-S City Council Meeting Minut es January 30, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 7 of7