City Council - Public Comment

City of Murfreesboro City Council - Public Comment Special Session Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 5:30 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 regula r session at its regular meeting place in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2023. Council Members Present Mayor Shane McFarland - Presiding 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 Nate Williams, Parks and Recreation Director Chris Yeager, City Clerk Public Comment Mayor McFarland began the meeting and announced that this special meeting is being held to hear from the citizens of Murfreesboro. He reviewed the procedures for speaking and invited those present to come forward to the lectern when they heard their name. The following individuals spoke . Judy Reeves, 208 Cass Drive, spoke about purposely loud vehicles on city roadways . Mr. Wright stated that another individual from the same area had emailed the City about the issue and Chief Bowen was looking into resolutions. Mariah Phillips, 511 E Clark Boulevard, spoke about a rally in City Plaza. She asked if the police presence at the Turning Point rally this last Saturday was paid for by Turning Point or the City and why. She also wanted to know what the fiscal impact was. Mayor McFarland stated he would answer any questions brought up at the end of the meeting. Christopher Warren, 906 Prince Lane, spoke about the treatment of the LGBTQ community. He is concerned about how the LGBTQ+ community is being treated in this city. City Council Public Comment Meeting Minutes February 2, 2023, 5:30 pm Page 1 of 2  Logan Owens, 723 N Maple Steet, spoke about t he importance of Murfreesboro pride. He asked that the Council not cancel an event based on what he saw as bigotry and hate. Roberta Chevrette, 1020 Monroe Street, Nashville (State/MTSU Staff), spoke in support of Boro Pride. Ms. Chevrette appealed to the Council to not allow the hateful rhetoric to influence their decisions. Christian Gay, 3107 Wellington Place, spoke about debating the essence of a human being. He stated that the Turning Point rally dehumanized the LGBTQ community. There was no one else present w ho wished to speak. Mayor McFarland asked Mr. Tindall about the cost of policing for t he Turning Point rally. Mr. Tindall explained that there are various considerations when providing security for an event. Since this was a short event, no private security was provided but a police presence was maintained to keep the peace. Mr. Wright asked Nate Williams, Parks and Recreation Director, to come to t he podium. Mr. Wright asked Mr. Williams to detail his attempts to correspond with the Tennessee Equality Project. Mr. Williams stated that numerous attempts had been made but not responded to. Mr. Wright stated that they were trying to work with the Tennessee Equality Project without success. There were comments from other Council members regarding the need for cooperat ion from the Tennessee Equality Project . There being no further business, Mayor McFarland adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m. SHANE MCFARLAND MAYOR ATTEST: TY RECORDER/ CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER APPROVED av couNCIL, Dcleih :< \I,;;i~4 City Council Public Com ment Meeting Minutes Februa ry 2, 2023, 5:30 pm Page 2 of 2