Franklin staff preview multiple contracts and resolutions, from liquor licenses to sewer availability

Franklin — The Board of Mayor and Aldermen reviewed a slate of recommended non-legislative items and contract previews at its Nov. 11 work session, including liquor licenses, a contract addendum for the Cool Springs conference center, an interlocal auto-aid agreement with Williamson County, burn-building repairs, PUD parking modifications, Lockwood Glen completion work and several administrative contracts.

Liquor licenses: staff introduced liquor-license items for Bam Franklin LLC, Franklin Bottle Shop and Whiskey Wonderland. Ryan Mercurio, speaking on behalf of Franklin Bottle Shop LLC, identified himself as available to answer questions about the applicant.

Cool Springs conference center: a proposed Addendum 2 to City contract 2013-0041 with Williamson County and Chartwell Hospitality would extend the Cool Springs conference-center operating agreement; Michael Sanders sat in for questions during the preview. Staff characterized the extension as a multi-year term; final contract language will return for formal approval.

Public safety and facilities: staff described an interlocal auto-aid agreement with Williamson County (Contract 2025-0164) to provide firefighting response on the I-65 corridor down to I-840, and presented Contract 2025-0216 for recommended repairs to the city burn building. Chief said the burn building—constructed about 2004—needs upgrades to maintain training and ISO credit.

PUD and subdivision items: staff recommended a revision to parking standards for the West Franklin Park PUD subdivision to apply current parking standards while leaving other vesting in place, and described calling remaining sureties on Lockwood Glen and recommending awarding work to Graco Constructors LLC to finish site infrastructure using surety funds.

Parks software and SRF assistance: parks staff presented a contract with Vermont Systems for online registration and reservation software; staff said the recurring annual fee is $9,700 and last fiscal year the department recorded 307 facility reservations. Engineering staff recommended a contract with LDA Engineering to pursue state revolving fund (SRF) loan assistance for Pearl Park/Wastewater design; staff cited prior successful SRF work and described an SRF approval around $17.5 million for South plant design with LDA supporting application and disbursement processes.

Sewer availability: staff recommended granting sewer availability for 1359 Caroline Circle (a failing septic on a property near the Goose Creek interceptor) and denying availability for 1104 Ridgeway Drive and 2625 McLemore Road because those sites are not serviceable by the current system; staff said denials are appropriate for county permitting and do not constrain future service expansions.

What’s next: most items were presented as previews or recommendations; staff will return with formal contract documents and ordinance/resolution language for board action in subsequent meetings.