[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6491070,"mediaKeyId","5776312-dc360749a66c692c2411e01093f586f3","parentId",5776312,"title","Commissioners discuss refresher training, onboarding for volunteer boards and return of quarterly community meetings","audioSeconds",2914,"startMs",458000,"endMs",3372000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776312-dc360749a66c692c2411e01093f586f3&start=458&end=3372","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776312-dc360749a66c692c2411e01093f586f3/thumbnail_458000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6491070/Brentwood/Williamson-County/Tennessee/Commissioners-discuss-refresher-training-onboarding-for-volunteer-boards-and-return-of-quarterly-community-meetings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491070-d39399664d8736b21da0214d0e93c840/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095985&Signature=Kg4wbyCHU7ft6TGNFZfhcX2h~65KUg-zqLLy9L9AowzynKMdvzng~KyqE8OZKL4yQqkSwCoNK6qj9eVNZ~kNC3gSpP67TliN6KT9ZjwyUCJnGoN16CUKcll0QV67LcFjS4un941sqCu13~3HHMNeN6H6-rWd4JdYvhFxJ1NDs1IvDaX6HhGRnnwtpdZpYXFvakicQjM9LEJGLe5lfDVbKm0YDBMmontdToCSWEoxFF~KN9qkoACmi5K2nCCK028LPvakmejLKhmm1G8YZejPjsYDNc7M0Bf71sFGQU0t36QUCsS~LSR-41ZuZusfxjDP21MPW79hlPkgCxiIVznKXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Brentwood","date","2025-09-18T00:00:00Z","article","Brentwood — Commissioners discussed several governance and community engagement items, including a planned four‑hour commissioner refresher, better onboarding for volunteer boards and restarting quarterly meetings with county and school officials. Staff also reviewed recent outreach and upcoming speaking engagements.

Commissioner training and board onboarding

A staff member described a proposed four‑hour refresher covering open‑meetings, open‑records, ethics and the city’s commission‑manager form of government. The presenter said the session could be held in one block or split into shorter segments depending on commissioners’ schedules; commissioners were asked to provide timing preferences by email.

Planning‑commission volunteer onboarding was raised after staff shared an email from planning commissioner Tracy Statnick urging a more formal onboarding process for new board members. Staff said one‑on‑one orientation is already provided to new planning commissioners and suggested the city could create a standardized packet or training for all volunteer boards.

Quarterly community meetings and events

Commissioners recalled pre‑COVID quarterly dinners that included county commissioners, school board representatives and other officials and that were scheduled to end promptly so attendees could return to work. Multiple commissioners said restoring that format helped officials build relationships and suggested reinstating the practice.

Upcoming public appearances and flag program clarifications

The mayor (name not specified) said he will speak at Policy Talks and at Rotary on the same day the following week and asked commissioners to notify him of topics to include. The commission discussed a fall chamber‑sponsored “State of the City” event scheduled for November 13 at the Burwood Library.

On flag‑raising, staff clarified that local civic groups — for example the Exchange Club on Franklin Road — manage many decorative flag programs and sometimes remove flags ahead of storms. The fire department coordinates official half‑staff orders when appropriate, and the city occasionally helps replace flags for community groups.

Ending

Commissioners asked staff to follow up on scheduling the training, to develop standardized onboarding materials for volunteer boards, and to explore reinstating the quarterly community meetings that drew local officials and residents before COVID.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Brentwood - City Commission Briefing","oneSentenceSummary","Brentwood commissioners and staff discussed plans for a commissioner refresher training, improved onboarding for volunteer boards, and reviving pre‑COVID quarterly community meetings; staff and commissioners also noted upcoming public events and clarified flag‑raising practices.","taxTitle","Brentwood, Williamson County, Tennessee","taxId",62216,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6491074,"City staff recommend low bid for roadway patching; request approval to buy rock salt under statewide contract",235,56000,291000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776312-dc360749a66c692c2411e01093f586f3&start=56&end=291","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776312-dc360749a66c692c2411e01093f586f3/thumbnail_56000.jpg","/articles/6491074/Brentwood/Williamson-County/Tennessee/City-staff-recommend-low-bid-for-roadway-patching-request-approval-to-buy-rock-salt-under-statewide-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491074-290f09c57911fc31ac3b755866b7a6e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095985&Signature=C2hmYpUgno~H4f6VIJJumZP6Ny5orFqelWoBcVsWOfN048u~ZJAP5-YLcxSzE-w7hZH7~t72cVNQfnECOYrJTPE-PLOqQ8UwoXX-djFmhgWouKRh8RZWa0zWTPU9FfEdSucPTtHR~JZfdIGy3KwZcPkUQ2EIpVMDnf5tIzTnvT5ED4BoCLiShsazuOghpVSkUaEVJmiUBgz6JDP0KVL3FTFQAMDJNhdcdRQAwRA1-fE0roRkaUprbFQGbWuWukw~i-WQTxkg10EwYZ3Do2ehpb-4Fdw1-0xpT7c-b-kFBIQepx2L4qha6fMekwrf41EXiyJmH6hpwHWIUajj2KtMSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brentwood — City staff reviewed two routine consent‑agenda items: a unit‑price contract for roadway and driveway patching and an authorization to purchase rock salt for winter maintenance under the Tennessee statewide contract.

City staff recommended awarding work to Sessions Paving Company as the lowest bidder. The staff presentation said four proposals were received and the lowest bid totaled $187,250; the highest bid was just over $298,000. The contract is one year with the option to extend up to two additional one‑year periods, and the unit quantities in the bid are estimated, staff said.

On winter materials, staff reported the city has historically purchased rock salt under the Tennessee statewide contract from Morton Salt at $121.28 per ton and asked for authorization for an amount not to exceed $40,000. Staff said the city typically estimates it may need about 300 tons and that some stock remains in storage from prior years; a staff member reported Fire Station 4’s building can hold roughly 1,200 tons and current on‑hand inventory may be close to 1,000 tons.

Why it matters: These routine procurement items set up vendor contracts and materials availability for public‑works operations. The paving contract provides a pre‑priced option for patching work after main breaks or other localized repairs; the salt authorization ensures the city can obtain rock salt quickly during winter storms.

What was clarified in discussion

Staff emphasized that bid unit quantities are estimates and that the contract uses unit pricing; the paving contract can be extended year‑to‑year for up to two additional years. On salt, staff said the city does not purchase the same quantity every year but maintains inventory to avoid shortages during severe winter events.

Ending

The items were presented as routine consent matters and staff recommendations; the transcript does not record a formal vote or final commission action on these specific items.","Staff presented a low bid recommendation for roadway and driveway patching services and sought authorization to purchase winter rock salt under the Tennessee statewide contract; no formal vote appears in the transcript.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6491078,"Brentwood commissioners signal preference for Alternative A on Old Smyrna Road after public input",2445,804000,3249000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776312-dc360749a66c692c2411e01093f586f3&start=804&end=3249","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776312-dc360749a66c692c2411e01093f586f3/thumbnail_804000.jpg","/articles/6491078/Brentwood/Williamson-County/Tennessee/Brentwood-commissioners-signal-preference-for-Alternative-A-on-Old-Smyrna-Road-after-public-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491078-85189f5b52e258e0bfa39bfe2dad8d45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095985&Signature=Vb-TOnjFiGSMSNZUPru4DU5b5C5xTdTnlW9PIdkFyNECKgggjKrM2U8z0sZZgyIeF9e5p3tCcV7au4go00xIWvHiCJKEUYLQbG5vhB59bC1wo5d5eptJwZLoWy~Dgl805eTYU6mkbX430zYZ7bYy8qS7WBmpWqrVgXvETNkBiS3v-SFKfjD1YWC2lC~6NMo6jhnWurfkca8YdQiH4BXaayCfw7wqQLhTPZ~RyvyaHHDXFYSbpJ3TwaLUv4FqwZuOz4D4AKFFm9X2jVt2~zZK3pTqvcCmWbNC5OItYEVkvEpFenqxtM3OscybvKNZqPttkMZCgcanx4NBjo579e3Jng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brentwood — Brentwood city staff and consultants presented results of a public meeting on Old Smyrna Road and briefed commissioners on the design alternatives, after which the commission signaled consensus to present Alternative A as the preferred option while reserving a final decision for when a design contract is returned.

The commission’s preferred-option direction follows a public-input summary the project consultant said showed overwhelming support for Alternative A: “86% of the people at the meeting … wanting alternate A,” consultant Dickey Sullivan said, adding that among residents who live on Old Smyrna Road support was about 82 percent.

City Engineer Derek Baskin told the commission staff will bring a design contract back for a formal vote: “Your final determination on which alternate is chosen will be after this meeting when we bring to you a contract for the design,” Baskin said.

Why it matters: Old Smyrna Road is a long‑running roadway project in Brentwood. Choosing a preferred alternative guides design, property negotiations, and future construction; the design that emerges will shape traffic patterns, tree and wall impacts, and the project’s pedestrian and stormwater treatments.

What the preferred option contains and public reaction

Consultants described Alternative A as a two‑lane arterial alignment with a converted pedestrian trail along the existing Old Smyrna Road corridor and new shoulders and a concrete ribbon curb outside the travel lanes. Sullivan said the alignment would be designed for a 35 mph design speed and that traffic‑calming measures such as a roundabout could be used where appropriate.

Sullivan told commissioners the public meeting showed strong support across groups: 90 percent among neighborhood respondents and 78 percent among commuters, with overall support at 86 percent. He said the city previously recommended Alternative A and that public comments generally sought adjustments within that alternative rather than a wholesale change.

Key impacts and clarifications

- Tree removal: Consultants reported Alternative A would remove five trees; three were described in the presentation as being in poor health (an ash noted as affected by emerald ash borer, two declining hackberries), plus a walnut and an 18‑inch cedar.

- Historic wall: Presentation slides stated Alternative A would affect roughly 85 feet of wall that staff said could be removed and reconstructed elsewhere; Alternative C was shown as affecting about 60 feet. Staff emphasized (and a presenter repeated) that some segments described as modern wall would be treated differently than older, historic wall.

- Driveways and crossings: The project area includes seven driveways crossing the proposed pedestrian trail; presenters said design details (narrowing trail widths at crossings, low landscaping treatments) would be used to improve pedestrian awareness and safety.

- Right of way and phasing: Staff said the city already controls much of the required right of way from subdivision dedications and that the engineering contract under negotiation will determine final tie‑ins and stormwater work; final design work could change specific impacts once detailed drainage and topography are engineered.

What the commission asked and next steps

Commissioners pressed staff on process and timing. Commissioner (first name) Dunn asked whether the commission would be reaching consensus before residents saw a final plan; staff said the intent was to identify a preferred option to present at follow‑up public meetings and then return with a design contract for the commission’s formal approval. Commissioner Donahue and other members discussed traffic calming, sightlines, and landscaping details.

Baskin and consultants said the contract for design will be the formal point at which the commission chooses the final alternative for design and right‑of‑way acquisition. Staff indicated they will return to the commission with contract documents and more detailed plans and will present design options for driveway crossings, storm drainage and any proposed roundabouts during the design phase.

Ending

Commissioners’ indication of a preferred alternative lets staff and consultants focus design work on Alternative A, but staff emphasized that nothing is final until the commission votes on the design contract and that detailed engineering may change some impacts.

","After a public meeting and engineer presentations, the commission indicated consensus to present Alternative A as the preferred design for Old Smyrna Road; staff said a formal decision will occur when a design contract returns to the commission.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners discuss refresher training, onboarding for volunteer boards and return of quarterly community meetings

City staff recommend low bid for roadway patching; request approval to buy rock salt under statewide contract

Brentwood commissioners signal preference for Alternative A on Old Smyrna Road after public input