Murfreesboro Council approves budget amendment, multiple rezoning items and water and stormwater contracts

Murfreesboro City Council on Feb. 6 approved a fiscal year 2025 budget amendment on second and final reading and took action on several first‑reading zoning ordinances and contract awards for water, stormwater and construction services.

The ordinance on the consent calendar — fiscal year 2025 budget amendment, Ordinance 25‑0006 — was amended to move an information‑technology position budgeted in the Water department back to the general fund IT department, increasing city headcount, water revenues and payroll expenses. City staff recommended approving the amendment before adopting the ordinance on second reading.

Council members voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance as amended.

Why it matters: the amendment shifts personnel and payroll costs between funds and requires the city to reflect the moved position in the general fund budget and water department revenues.

In other business the council approved a series of first‑reading zoning ordinances and development amendments recommended by the Planning Commission. The items included:

- Ordinance 25 OZ 02 — an amendment to the Greystone Planned Residential District (PRD) to allow overhead electric infrastructure along Lyons Farm Parkway where the original PRD pattern book committed to underground electric. The applicant told council site constraints and a regional transmission requirement prompted the change. Planning Commission recommended approval, and the council approved first reading unanimously.

- Ordinance 25 Z 03 — rezoning roughly 4 acres at the southwest corner of North Rutherford Boulevard and Old Las Casas Road from CF (Commercial Fringe) to a Planned Commercial Development (PCD) to allow a Valvoline instant oil change use while limiting other high‑intensity commercial uses. Planning Commission recommended approval; the council approved first reading unanimously.

- Ordinance 25 OZ 04 — amendment to an Eastside Village PCD on North Rutherford Boulevard to replace a previously approved single multitenant building with two freestanding food‑service buildings with drive‑throughs. Staff said the proposed drive‑throughs would not use outdoor loudspeaker “squawk boxes,” and the revised pattern book strengthens buffers and fencing toward Yearwood Avenue. Planning Commission recommended approval; the council approved first reading unanimously.

The council also approved multiple procurement and professional services items for the Murfreesboro Water Resources department and stormwater programs, including:

- Purchase of a medium‑duty service truck from Wilson County Motors for $132,196, funded from the Other Capital Sources fund, to support increased field work by Fleet Services.

- Award of a contract to Calgon Carbon Corporation to supply granular activated carbon (GAC) at $2.18 per pound for an estimated $165,680 to replace carbon in one contactor at the water treatment plant.

- A 12‑month pilot task order with Smith Seckman Reid (SSR) to test GAC and ion exchange effectiveness on emerging contaminants; task order amount $235,541. Staff said EPA adopted regulations in 2024 that will become mandatory in 2029 for several per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and the pilot will inform treatment options and costs.

- Participation of stormwater funds to increase a parking renovation project at Old Fort to permeable pavers instead of asphalt, at a proposed stormwater participation of $373,580 (the paver bid total $733,082; asphalt alternative $359,502; difference ~$373,580).

- A task order amendment with SSR to cover additional work on the Water Resource Recovery Facility design; amendment $56,003.40, bringing that task order to $749,340 in total.

- A geotechnical services task order with TTL for materials testing and inspections for the wet‑weather upgrades at the Water Resource Recovery Facility, $89,108. Staff said the construction contract for the wet‑weather work is expected to mobilize in March.

Other routine items approved included an ownership‑change beer permit for a gas station at 1630 Bradyville Pike, recommended pending final building and codes inspections, and a motion to approve a fleet purchase and multiple consent items. Board and commission appointment items: none.

Votes at a glance (recorded roll calls): all listed votes below passed with unanimous 'Aye' votes from Miss Aberwater, Councilman Austin Maxwell, Vice Mayor Schacklett, Mr. Wade, Mr. Wright and Mayor McFarland.

- Ordinance 25‑0006 (FY25 budget amendment, as amended): outcome approved. Motion to amend then adopt; motion/second recorded; roll call all aye.

- Ordinance 25 OZ 02 (Greystone PRD amendment, first reading): approved (first reading). Motion/second; roll call all aye.

- Ordinance 25 Z 03 (Old Las Casas Road rezoning to PCD, first reading): approved (first reading). Motion/second; roll call all aye.

- Ordinance 25 OZ 04 (Eastside Village PCD amendment, first reading): approved (first reading). Motion/second; roll call all aye.

- Fleet service truck purchase, Wilson County Motors, $132,196: approved. Motion/second; roll call all aye.

- Granular activated carbon contract, Calgon Carbon Corporation, $165,680 (low bid $2.18/lb): approved. Motion/second; roll call all aye.

- SSR GAC/ion exchange pilot task order, $235,541: approved. Motion/second; roll call all aye.

- Old Fort parking renovations — stormwater participation, $373,580: approved. Motion/second; roll call all aye.

- SSR task order amendment (WERF filters/headworks), $56,003.40 (amendment; total $749,340): approved. Motion/second; roll call all aye.

- TTL geotechnical services task order, $89,108: approved. Motion/second; roll call all aye.

- Beer permit ownership change, 1630 Bradyville Pike (pending final inspections): approved. Motion/second; roll call all aye.

What to watch next: staff noted the wet‑weather upgrades contractor expects to mobilize in March; the SSR pilot will run 12 months and produce a final report with cost estimates; EPA regulations for PFAS‑type emerging contaminants become mandatory in 2029, and the pilot is intended to inform future compliance planning.

Staff announcements: city staff promoted an ongoing 2025 special census effort (www.murfreesborocensus.com) with a $100 gift card drawing and door‑to‑door outreach beginning the weekend after the meeting; a town hall for the Patterson Park/Bridles Pike area was scheduled at Olive Branch Church (1115 Minerva Drive) to discuss parks, roads and public safety.