Lebanon council adopts rules-of-the-road code change, approves land‑use amendments and multiple budget items

The Lebanon City Council on voice votes adopted a new municipal code provision to adopt the state’s rules of the road for city enforcement and approved multiple budget, land‑use and contract items on the consent agenda.

Councilors voted to amend Title 15 of the municipal code by creating section 15.1.30 to adopt the rules of the road after staff said recent court decisions require a city to adopt its own rules to sustain traffic citations in city court. City Attorney Andy Wright explained the change was necessary because “cities have to actually adopt the rules of the road in order to enforce their citations in city court.” The ordinance passed on second reading with no recorded opposition.

On the consent agenda the council approved a range of items on second reading, including budget amendments for the street and drainage departments, appropriations for transportation equipment, and a change order and budget amendment for wastewater biofilter media replacement (Order Nos. 257198, 257199, 257208, 257207, 257209 and others as read into the record). The council also approved amendments to the future land use plan for parcels at 1635 Highway 109 North and 1928 Merschboro Road (Order Nos. 257192 and 257193) and authorized payment of attorney fees up to $35,000 in Tennessee Riverkeeper Inc. v. C11 Tennessee (Order No. 257214).

Other first‑reading and first‑reading approvals on the night’s agenda included a public‑private partnership agreement with Mark Vest Solar for public infrastructure improvements and contract items tied to water system improvements. The council approved the first reading to establish the sanitation fee (Order No. 257203) after public comment earlier in the meeting.

Council members and staff noted several operational items: construction and road‑closure notices on Badure (May 30–June 2) and Roan Pike (June 2–July 2); reappointment of Melissa Law to the Wilson County Library board; and updates on Enbridge maintenance in Ward 4 where emergency responders addressed a mishap during pipeline work.

Votes on the listed items were routinely taken by voice vote; for multiple items the mayor called “All in favor, say aye,” and the minutes record approval with no recorded nays. The council’s passage of the rules‑of‑the‑road ordinance was presented as a compliance measure to ensure traffic citations can be enforced in municipal court.

The council meeting also read into the record several first readings that will return for votes at subsequent meetings as required by local rules.