Murfreesboro council approves multiple annexations, ordinances, debt resolutions and contracts

Murfreesboro — The City Council on Feb. 5 handled a broad slate of routine and policy items, approving annexations, first-reading ordinances, debt-authorizing resolutions and several contracts and reimbursements.

Land-use actions: The council held public hearings and approved on first reading a plan-of-services annexation/resolution for about 6.4 acres at Cicero Drive and Majesty Drive (staff noted sewer is available but relies on a neighboring pump station that applicants must study for upgrades). The council also approved on first reading the simultaneous rezoning of that parcel to RS-6 (single-family lots). Separately, the council approved the annexation and plan of services for about 10.3 acres along Elam Road that includes property owned by the Tennessee Kentucky Seventh-Day Adventist Church; staff said the annexation would allow the church and school to pursue planned additions and access city sewer.

Ordinances and zoning code updates: Council adopted on first reading an amendment to the sign ordinance permitting one permanent ground-mounted 'large flag sign' on lots of 20+ acres in industrial and park zones (maximum 4,000 sq ft; 150-ft pole; 200-ft setback; fall zone fully on the property). The council also adopted an amendment to single-family lot-coverage limits intended to align maximum coverage with market conditions and peer cities; Planning Commission had recommended both amendments.

Fiscal actions: Staff presented initial resolutions to authorize issuance of general-obligation debt tied to the FY2026 CIP (city and water projects). The council approved the initial debt resolutions and discussed a strategy of smaller, staggered borrowings to manage interest costs and IRS compliance.

Contracts and capital projects: The council approved a final change order that reduced the contract total for a park ballfield/parking/lighting project by $13,821 (from $3,056,492 to $3,042,671). A first amendment to the Calgon Carbon Corporation contract was approved to permit scheduled replacement of filter media (contactor #1) with a 1.1% price-index increase; staff said funding would come from the FY27 budget. Council approved a $52,395 purchase from BSN Sports LLC for two custom soccer shelters at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex (CIP-funded) and approved a $93,668.93 reimbursement to First Baptist Church for sidewalk work within the public right-of-way, proposed to be funded from state street aid funds. Council also approved two beer permits for new businesses, pending final inspections.

Procedural notes: Planning Commission recommended approval of the land-use items at its Dec. 3 meeting. Multiple items were approved by roll call or acclamation; where a specific roll-call was recorded, the transcript lists all voting members as 'Aye.' The council closed the meeting after brief staff and council remarks and a farewell to outgoing staff member Adam.

Votes at a glance (items referenced in transcript):
- Resolution 26RPSA03 — Annexation and plan of services, Majesty/Cicero Drive: approved (first-reading resolution).
- Ordinance 26OZ03 — Rezoning to RS-6 (simultaneous with annexation): approved on first reading.
- Resolution 26RPSA04 — Annexation/plan of services, Elam Road (Tennessee Kentucky Seventh-Day Adventist Church): approved (first-reading resolution).
- Ordinance 26-06 — Sign ordinance amendment (large ground-mounted flag signs): approved on first reading.
- Ordinance 26-007 — Lot coverage amendment: approved on first reading.
- Resolutions 26R02, 26R03, 26R04, 26R05 — Initial debt authorizations for FY26 CIP: approved.
- Park ballfield change order finalization — contract reduced to $3,042,671: approved.
- Calgon Carbon Corporation contract first amendment — filter media replacement with 1.1% PPI increase: approved.
- Soccer shelters (BSN Sports LLC) — $52,395 purchase: approved.
- First Baptist Church sidewalk reimbursement — $93,668.93: approved.
- Two beer permits for new businesses — approved pending building/codes inspections.

Next steps: Items recorded as first-reading ordinances will return for subsequent consideration consistent with municipal code; the annexations and rezoning actions include follow-up steps such as technical studies (e.g., sewer pump-station study) and compliance with any exceptions or standards the council granted.