City Council

City of Murfreesboro City Council - Regular Session Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 6:00 pm City Council Chambers T E N N E S S E E 111 West Vine Street, Murfreesboro, TN MINUTES 0 The City Counci l of the City of Murfr eesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, met in regular session at its regular meeting place in t he Council Chambers at City Hall at 6:00 p. m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Proper notice of this meeting was published in the Murfreesboro Post on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Council Members Present Vice Mayor Bill Shacklett- Presiding Austin Maxwell Kirt Wade Shawn Wright Mayor Shane McFarland, Jami Averwat er, and Madelyn Scales Harris were absent and excused from this meeting. City Staff Attendance D Darren Gore, City Manager Adam Tucker, City Attorney Amanda DeRosia, Frnance Director Brad Hennessee, Facilit ies Maintenance Director Chad Gehrke, Airport Director John Lanza, Project Coordinator Webmaster Michael Bowen, Chief of Police Randolph Wilkerson, Human Resources D1 rector Russ Brashear, Ass istant Transportation Director Trey Duke, Director of Murfreesboro City Schools Valerie Smith, Water Resources Director Other City Staff Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance Vice Mayor Shacklett called the meeting to order.. CouncHmember M axwell commenced the meeting with a prayer followed by t he Pledge of Allegiance. D Public Comment on Actionable Agenda Items Vice Mayor Shacklett asked if there were any registered speakers for public comment on actionable agenda items. Amanda DeRosia, Finance Director, indicated no one had registered t o speak. Consent Agenda Ci ty Council Meeting M inutes September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 1 of 13  The Consent Agenda was presented for approval w ith Council Communications and corresponding documents for t he following items: 1. Annual State Ai rport Maintenance Grant (Air port) 2. Addendum 1 MTSU Temporary Parking Facilitie.s (Airport) 3. Addendum 2 MTSU Temporary Office Space (Airport) 4. Donation Agreement with Middle Tennessee Disc Golf Association (Parks) 5. Mandatory Referral for Dedication of an Electric Easement along Doctor Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard (Planning) 6. Mandatory Referral for Abandonment of a Portion of a Drainage Easement Along Dorset Street (Planning) 7. Hangar Design Work Authorization Amendment 1 {Project Development) 8. Patterson Park Out door Improvements Contingency AUowance Allocation (Project Development) 9. Professional Services Contract Amendment (Information Technology) 10. Asphalt and Concrete Purchase Report (Street) 11. Contract with TOOT for Prevent ive Maintenance Expenses (Transportation) 12. Asphalt Purchases Report (Water Resources) 13. CITCO Wat er Agreement - Pipe Materials (Water Resources) 14. SSR Task Order 2141013.0 Amendment No. 3 (Water Resources) 15. WRRF Wet Weather Upgrades CCF No. 3 (Water Resources} 16. Certificate of Good Moral Character - Stones River Country Cfub - Ownership Change (Finance) CouncHmember Wright made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the followin g vote: 7 Aye: Aust in Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None Minutes 17. City Council Meeting Minutes (Finance). Amanda DeRosia, Finance Director, presented a Council Communication requesting approval of City Council meeting minutes for the following meetings. Meeting minutes were not read aloud but were presented for approval as part of t he agenda packet. Current Minutes August 14, 2025 (Workshop) August 21, 2025 (Public Comment) August 21, 2025 (Regular) Historical M inutes October 16, 2023 (Retreat) Councilmember Maxwell made a motion to approve the minutes. Councilmember Wade seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wrfght, Bill Shacklett Ci ty Council Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 2 of 13  Nay: None Old Business Land Use Matters 18. Ordinance 25-0-32 FY26 Budget Amendment {2nd and Final Reading) (Finance). The ordinance titled, "ORDINANCE 25-0-32 amending the Fiscal Year 2026 (hereafter "FY2026") Budget {1st Amendment)." which passed lts first reading on September 11, 2025, was offered for passage on second and fina! reading. Councilmember Maxwell made a motion to approve Ordinance 25-0~32 on second and final reading. Councilmember Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright,. Bill Shacklett N:ay: None 19. Ordinance 25-02-25 Rez.oning property along January Street (2.nd and Final Reading) {Planning). The ordinance titled, "ORDINANCE 25-OZ-25 amending the Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map of the City of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as heretofore amended D and as now in force and effect, to rezone approximately 0.3 acres located along January Street from Single-Family Residential Eight (RS-8) District to Local Commercial (CL) District; Abiodun Adefurin, applicant, [2025-409] .. "which passed its first reading on August 21, 2025, was offered for passage on second and final reading. Councilmember Wade made a motion to approve Ordinance 25-OZ-25 on second and final reading. Councilmember Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austfn Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None New Business D Land Use Matters 20. Sewer Allocation Variance - Cason lane (Planning). Matthew Blomeley, Assi.stant Planning Director, presented a Council Communicat ion requesting approval of a sewer allocation variance allowing higher single-family unit equiva'l ent density (sfu} by approximately City Council Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 3 of 13 37 sfu's for a proposed townhome development with two commercial outparcels located along Cason Lane (Parcel ID: 114 00407). The Planning Department and Water Resources Department have reviewed the application and support the request. Mr. Blomeley recommended approval condit ioned upon Council 's approval of the companion zoning request as one without the other would be moot. Valerie Smith, Water Resources Director, presented regardlng the Salem Barfield Sewer Basin, related to the sewer all ocation variance request. Councilmember Maxwell made a motion to table the sewer allocation variance until October 2, 2025. Councilmember Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None Resolution 21. Resolution 25-R-21 Updating City Social Media and Internet Posting Policy (Communications). John Lanza, Project Coordinator Webmaster, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve a resolution to the City Social Media and Internet Posting Policy .. The resolution titled, "RESOLUTION 25-R-21 updating the City of Murfreesboro Social Media Use and Internet Posting Policy regarding the use of social media by the City and its employees, officia ls and citizens" was offered for passage on its first and only reading. Councilmember Wright made a motion to approve Resolution 25-R-21. Councilmember Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 22. Resolut ion 25-R-26 Schools FY26 Budget Amendment #1 (Schools). Dr. Trey Duke, Director of Schools, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve schools budget amendment #1 to the FY26 Federal Projects fund. The resolution titled, "RESOLUTION 25-R-26 amending the Fiscal Year 2026 (hereafter "FY2026") Murfreesboro City Schools Budget (1st Amendment)" was offered for passage on its first and only reading. Councilmember Wade made a motion to approve Resolution 25-R-26. Councilmember Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: City Council Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm Page4 of 13  Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 23. Resolution 25-R-27 TriStar and Ascension Saint Thomas Murfreesboro Emergency Room (Administration). Darren Gore, City Manager, presented a Council Communication D requesting Council approve a resolution for HCA/Tri Star Health and Ascension Saint Thomas endorsing freestanding emergency medical facilities. The resolution titled, "RESOLUTION 25-R- 27 supporting the establishment of the TriStar Murfreesboro ER and Ascension Saint Thomas Freestanding Emergency Department" was offered for passage on its first and only reading. Councilmember Wright made a motion to approve Resolution 25-R-27. Councilmember Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call., the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 24. Resolution 25-R-28 Authorizing Participation in Settlements with Purdue Pharma and Other Opioid Manufacturers (Legal). Adam Tucker, City Attorney, presented a Council D Communication requesting Council approve a resolutron authorizing the City of Murfreesboro to join the State of Tennessee and other local governments as participants in the Tennessee State-Subdivision Opioid Settlement Agreement with Purdue Pharma and Eight Other Opioid Manufacturers. The resolution titled, "RESOLUTION 25-R-28 authorizing t he City of Murfreesboro, Tennessee to join the State of Tennessee and other local governments as participants in the Tennessee State-Subdivision Opioid Abatement Agreement in approving t he Purdue/Sackler Family Settlement and Eight Manufacturer Settlements" was offered fo r passage on its first and only reading. Councilmember Wade made a motion to approve Resolution 25-R-28. Councilmember Wright seconded the motion . Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: r Aye: Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett L Abstain: Austin Maxwell Nay: None On Motion City Council Meeting M inutes September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm Pages of 13  25. Air Traffic C<>ntrol Tower Siting Study Grant (Airport). Chad Gehrke, Airport Director, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve a Federal and State Grant to complete the siting analysis and report for an air traffic control tower at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. The proposed grant total is $145,700 with 90% covered using our federal Non-Primary Entitlements and 5% State funds. The local share, 5% or $7,825 witl be paid through the Airport Fund. Counci lmember Wade made a motion to approve the Air Traffic Control Tower Siting Study Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Transportation . Councllmember Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the followlng vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 26. Air Traffic Control Tower Siting Study Work Authorization (Airport). Chad Gehrke, Airport Director, presented a Council Communication requesting Counci l approve work authorization with Barge Design Solutions to complete the siting analysis and report for an air ·J traffic control tower at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. The proposed work authorization is for $63,589 with 90% covered using our federal Non-Primary Entitlements and 5% State funds. The local share, 5% or $3,179, will be paid through the Airport Fund. Councilmember Maxwell made a motion to approve the work authorizat ion with Barge Design Solutions. Councilmember Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye~ Austln Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 27. Old Fort Park Ballfield & Parking Renovations Change Order #2 (Facilities). Br ad Hennessee, Facilities Manager, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve -_J Change Order #2 with Energy Land & Infrastructure, LLC to include the contingency allowance l items to date and add six (6) days to the cont ract time for Old Fort Park Ballfield and Park Renovations. The amount of the increased expense, $46,817.27, is in the contingency amount wit h no change in the total contract amount of $3,056,492. City Council Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025, 6 :00 pm Page 6 of l3  Councilmember Wade made a motion to approve Change Order #2 with Energy land & Infrastructure, LLC. Councflmember Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bil[ Shacklett Nay: None 28. Updating Employee Handbook Section 6013 Regarding Social Media and Website Guidelines (Communications). John Lanza, Project Coordinator Webmaster, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve updates to the Employee Handbook on Social Media and Website Guidelines. The updated policy clarifies definitions of inappropriate content that should not be posted on City-managed websites or social media pfatforms. Councilmember Wright made a motion to approve updates to Employee Handbook, Section 6013. Councilmember Wade seconded the motion . Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None D 29. Health Benefits Service Agreements for 2026 (Human Resources). Randolph W ilkerson, Human Resources Director, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve two Health Benefits Service Agreements for 2026 related to employee health benefits. The first, a five-year agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee (BCBST) for medical and vision coverage, totals approximately $3 million, with first-year costs of about $581,000. The vision portion w ill be employee-paid, and the plan provides an overall savings of nearly $200,000 compared to the current agreement. The second, a three-year agreement with De lta Dental for dental coverage, totals $240,000, with first-year costs just under $80,000, a modest increase of about $4,200 over the current agreement. The FY26 insurance fund will cover the first year's costs, with future costs covered by subsequent insurance funds. 0 Councilmember Wright made a motion to approve agreements with BCBST and Delta Dental of Tennessee. Councilmember Wade seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Krrt Wade, Shawn Wright, BHI Shacklett City Council Meeting M inutes September 18, 2025, 6;00 pm Page 7 of 13  Nay: None 30. Pedestrian Enforcement and Education Grant Contract (Police}. Michael Bowen, Chief of Police, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approval of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office Pedestrian Enforcement and Education Grant Contract. Murfreesboro Police Department was awarded $60,000 for the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) FY26 Pedestrian Enforcement and Education grant. The program provides funding for pedestrian safety enforcement operations and educational events to make roads safer. The department's income and expenses will increase by the Grant award of $60,000. No matching funds are required. Councilmember Wade made a motion to approve the Pedestrian Enforcement and Education Grant Contract. Councilmember Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 31. Amendment No. 1 of Agreement with Flock Group (Police). Michael Bowen, Chief of Police, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement with Flock Group, Inc. for the subscription and support of additional cameras. Amendment No. 1 provides for an additional 34 License Plate Readers (LPR) and 26 video cameras to be installed in and around City parks and greenways and utilized in conjunction with the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). The purchase is available through an Omnia Partners cooperative contract, which is permitted by State Statute and Council Resolution . The proposed contract is a three-year subscript ion with a total cost of $517,832, payable in annual installments. The initial expense for year one of $195,515 is provided for in the Department's FY26 operating budget The following subsequent years will be budgeted accordingly in operating budgets. Councilmember Wade made a motion to approve Amendment No. 1 with Flock Group, .I Inc. Councilmember Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll cal.I, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett City Council Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 8 of 13  Nay: None 32. Amendment No. 4 to Purchasing Agreement with AXON (Police). Michael Bowen, Chief of Potice, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve Amendment No. 4 to the agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc., for the purchase of additional body worn cameras (BWC) and auto tagging licenses. This amendment adds $35,017 for the BWC and $41,220 for the Auto Tagging, annually, to the remainder of the 10-year contract. The prorated FY26 expense of $58,728 is provided for in the department's operating budget. Future years will be budgeted for accordingly, as outlined in the amendment. Councilmember Wade made a motion to approve Amendment No. 4 w ith Axon Enterprise, Inc. Councilmember Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 33. Change Orders to the Shared Cost for Repairs to Firing Range at the Rutherford [ ,c ounty Sheriff's Office (Police). Michael Bowen, Ch ief of Police, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve Change Orders 1, 2, & 3 with H & H Construction, Inc. for repairs to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office {RCSO) Firing Range. The project cha nge orders have a combined total cost of $42,212. Pursuant to the agreement with RCSO., the City share would be $21,106, bringing total cost to $426,253. The additional expense of $21,106 is funded by the department's FY26 operatfng budget. Councilmember Maxwell made a motion to approve Change Orders 1, 2, & 3 with H & H Construction, Inc. Councilmember Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn W right, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 0 34. MOU w ith the Town of Smyrna and Rutherford County (Police). Michael Bowen, Chief of Police, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU} between the City of Murfreesboro, the Town of Smyrna and Rutherford County to share the cost of a study evaluating the feasibility City Council Met?ting Minutes September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 9 of 13 and benefits of a consolidated emergency communications center. Each jurisdiction will contribute up to $35,000 each. Purchasing guidelines will be followed once the MOU is executed by all parties. This will be funded by the department's FY26 operating budget. Councilmember Maxwell made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Murfreesboro, the Town of Smyrna and Rutherford County. Councilmember Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed J by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 35. Community Traffic Safety Enforcement and Education Grant Contract (Police). Michael Bowen, Chief of Police, presented a Council Communication requesting Council approve a $150,000 grant contract between the Murfreesboro Police Department and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) for the FY26 Community Traffic Safety Enforcement and Education Grant. Funding will primarily be used for officer overtime to participate in program activities and $45,000 will be allocated for mobile. ticket printers for police vehicles. No matching funds are required. J Councilmernber Wade made a motion to approve the grant contract. Councilmember Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 36. Contract Amendment with TOOT for Matching Transit Facility Funds (Transportation). Russ Brashear, Assistant Transportation Director, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approval of an amendment to a TOOT matching contract for the transit facility. The amendment adds $34,468 to the original state contract, with funding provided in the FY26 operating budget. Mr. Brashear noted this adj ustment helps maximize federal and state funds and minimize the local match, with .J additional amendments antidpated. City Council Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 10 of 13  Councilmember Wade made a motion to approve the Contract Amendment with TDOT for Matching Transit Facility Funds. Councilmember Maxwell seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett 0 Nay: None 37. WRRF Headworks Recommissioning SSR To Amendment No. 1 (Water Resources}. Valerie Smith, Water Resources Director, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approve Amendment No. 1 to the Task Order No. 2341044.0 with Smith Seckman Reid (SSR) for the recommissioning of the WRRF old headworks building, revising the design to an open-air structure to avoid costly explosion-proof requirements. The amendment also includes studies for a future Cherry Lane force main connection and a new vacuum truck loadout area. The amendment amount is $402,277, bringing t he total task order to approximately $1.17 million. Councilmember Wade made a motion to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Task Order No. 2341044.0 with SSR. Councilmember MaxweU seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the [ motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 38. Salem Barfield Sewer Upgrades Final Change Order (Water Resources}. Va lerie Smith, Water Resources Director, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approve a Final Change Order with Clearly Construction for the Salem Barfield Sewer Improvements, reducing the contract by $490,653 for a final cost of $13,446,319. Council member Wright made a motion to approve the Final Change Order with Clearly Construction for the Salem Barfield Sewer Improvements. Councilmember Wade seconded the 0 motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote : Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay~ None City Council Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 11 of 13  39. Agreement for Intergovernmental Services (Administration). Darren Gore, City Manager, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approve a Professional Services Agreement with RFRS Government Relations (formerly Ramsey Farrar Russell & Smith, LLC) for intergovernmental services including legislative monitoring and lobbying at the Tennessee General Assembly. The contract amount is $50,000, unchanged from . I previous years. Councilmember Wade made a motion to approve the Professiona l Services Agreement with RFRS Government Relations (formerly Ramsey Farrar Russell & Smith, LLC) for intergovernmenta! services for the 2026 Legislative Sessions at the General Assembly. Councilmember Wright seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett Nay: None 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 40. FAA Reimb~rsable Air Traffic Contrnl Tower Siting Study Agreement (Airport). Chad Gehrke., Airport Director, presented a Council Communication and documents requesting Council approve a Reimbursable Agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a siting analysis and report of an air traffic control tower at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. The fee proposed by the FAA is $71,928 with 95% of that cost being covered with Federal Non-primary Entitlement funds and state funding. The local share ($3,596) for this j entire project will be paid through the Airport Fund. City Council Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 12 of 13  Councilmember Wright made a motion to approve Reimbursable Agreement with the Federal Aviation Administrat ion {FAA). Councllmember Wade seconded the motion. Upon roll call, the motion was passed by the following vote: Aye: Austin Maxwell, Kirt Wade, Shawn Wright, Bill Shacklett C Nay: None Announcements. Vice Mayor Shacklett welcomed guest s from MTSU and reminded t he community of upcoming Homecoming events, including a concert on Main Street and t he Roots Rendezvous bluegrass festival at Hop Springs. Adjourn There being no further business., Vice Mayor Shacklett adjourned this meeting at 6:51 p.m. ~~BILL SHACKLETT VICE MAYOR ATTEST: 6Rt TUCKER I CITY RECORDER/ CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER LJ City Council Meetrng M inutes September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm Page 13 of 13