City Council - Public Comment

City of Murfreesboro City Council-Special Session, Public Comment Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 5:30 pm T E N N E S S E E City Council Chambers 111 West Vine Street Murfreesboro, Tennessee MINUTES The City Council of the City of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee, met in special session at its regular meeting place in the Council Chambers at City Hall at 5:31 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Council Members Present Mayor Shane McFarland - Joined meeting and presided after first speaker Madelyn Scales Harris Austin Maxwell Bill Shacklett- Joined meeting after third speaker Shawn Wright - Called meeting to order Jami Averwater and Kirt Wade were absent and excused from this meeting. City Representatives Present Darren Gore, City Manager Adam Tucker, City Attorney Erin Tucker, Budget Director I Acting City Recorder Nate Williams, Executive Director of Recreation Services Melanie Joy Peterson, City Clerk Public Comment Council Member Shawn Wright called the meeting to order and announced that this special meeting was being held for public comment and explained each speaker should approach the microphone, identify themselves by name and address and have 3-minutes maximum to speak. He acknowledged the first speaker, James Farley. The following speakers spoke at public comment for a maximum of 3-minutes: 1. James Farley, 5111 General Eisenhower Drive, Murfreesboro. Spoke in favor of improved community access to sports fields and about the impact of airport expansion on community access to fields, specifically at Siegel Park. Mayor McFarland joined the meeting and took control of the meeting. 2. Darren Hayes, 308 W. Castle Street, Murfreesboro. Human trafficking. Spoke in Opposition. Mr. Hayes immigrated to America during the Gulf War from Cairo, Egypt. He requested if Council could do investigation on Stones River Center to get an account he has opened there. City Council Meeting Minutes August 22, 2024, 5:30 pm Page 1 of 2  3. Leonard Ntembo, 2611 Ritz Lane, Murfreesboro. Spoke in favor of improved community access to sports fields and the impact of airport expansion on community access to fields. He explained that exercising on the soccer fields has improved his life and the impact youth sports have had on kids in the community. He stated that reduced access to Siegel Park will really impact the community. Requested Council consider this and help them out. Bill Shacklett joined the meeting. 4. Charles K. Bobofuh, 317 Dearborn Station, Murfreesboro. Spoke in favor of improved community access to sports fields and the impact of airport expansion on community access to fields. Requested Council remember the kids and improve community access to recreational fields. 5. Richard Baines, 1319 Parkview Terrace, Murfreesboro. Spoke in favor of requesting the City Attorney review workshop voting and roll call protocols. Mayor McFarland provided an opportunity for anyone else present to come forward to speak. There was no one present who wished to speak. Mayor McFarland asked City Attorney Adam Tucker to review the workshop meeting voting protocols. Mr. Tucker stated that workshop meetings are publicly advertised, which allows action items to be presented on the workshop agenda and voted on. City Council follows roll call voting protocols at both workshop and evening City Council meetings. Mayor McFarland explained that using workshop meeting time to conduct certain types of City business, such as simple contracts, saves taxpayers money by maximizing City employee time during the day instead of asking them to work outside of typical working hours. Executive Director of Recreational Services Nate Williams provided an update on the community use and access of Siegel Park. He stated the Parks and Recreation Department is evaluating possibilities for other sites that may create more accessibility. There being no further business, Mayor McFarland adjourned the meeting at 5:48 p.m. SHANE MCFARLAND MAYOR --- ATTEST: JJU ~~ER -£ CITY RECORDER ""\:::_ APPROVEDBYCOUNCIL: S .e: p-bz-M\::>e-r s-/ 2u? Y. City Council Meeting Minutes August 22, 2024, 5: 30 pm Page 2 of 2