Council signs liability release, approves partnership with TCAT for live “shop” work on city vehicles

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Murfreesboro City Council approved a partnership framework with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) to let TCAT students perform supervised live repair work on city vehicles, with council action including a release of liability to enable the arrangement.

Staff introduced the item as informational but asked the council to approve task orders to begin work with TCAT if councilmembers were ready to move forward. “This is, for information only. However, if you all deem it appropriate, we can move forward with some task orders immediately with TCAT,” a staff member said.

Raymond, a city presenter, described the proposal as a pilot focused on TCAT’s collision program and said the city would initially send a work-truck-type vehicle rather than emergency vehicles. He said the partnership could expand into other trades TCAT offers, including HVAC and electrical.

Eric Glove, lead instructor of collision and automotive at Tennessee College of Applied Technology, told the council the program gives students experience on live work and real scheduling expectations. “Basically, what we wanna do is give our students an opportunity to have something other than a trainer to do work on and repair,” Glove said.

The presentation explained city parts would be purchased and delivered to TCAT through the city’s fleet parts process; TCAT would waive the $5 shop fee for city vehicles. Staff also said the contract required the city to release claims against TCAT, which was the reason the item appeared on council’s agenda.

Councilmembers moved and seconded the approval and the roll call recorded members voting in favor. After the vote, staff thanked the presenters and council. The council did not specify the timing for the first task order or identify which department will manage ongoing coordination during the meeting record.