Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Achievements & Awards

Administration

The day-to-day business of operating the city is the responsibility of the city manager, the chief administrator of the city appointed by the city council. Through various departments, he is responsible for providing and maintaining the essential services of the city. Acting in much the same way as a chief executive officer of a corporation, the city manager is concerned about the efficient and cost-effective operation of the city. Citizens require and depend upon the city for certain services; among them are fire and police protection, recreational facilities, parks, sanitation and streets. The city manager delegates responsibility and coordinates the many tasks performed daily by city employees.
   A duty that is the direct responsibility of the city manager, however, is the preparation of the city's annual budget. The budget reflects the expected revenue and projected expenses for the ensuing year, and is the subject of public hearings. The city manager, in carrying out the responsibilities of fiscal planning and of other areas of city government, has the authority to appoint the heads of the various administrative departments and divisions.
   Council determines policy and overall direction for the city through legislation. Execution of council's decisions is the paramount responsibility of the city manager.

During FY 06, the City Council approved recommendations from the Murfreesboro Gateway Commission to sell property of $1.2 million. Additionally, a 2.5 acre parcel was donated to Primary Care and Hope Clinic. This brings total land sale contracts to over $35 million in the Gateway project, exceeding the city’s expenditures to date on the project.

Municipal Airport and Heliport

The City of Murfreesboro owns and manages the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport providing fuel services (Avgas and Jet A) and accommodations for aircraft with both tie-downs and t-hangars. Of the 79 General Aviation non-air carrier airports in the state of Tennessee, the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport is one of four that operates on a self-sufficient basis. During this period, the Airport received its eleventh consecutive "Front Door" Award from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and Tennessee Division of Aeronautics. There are currently 115 based aircraft at the airport and approximately 60,000 annual operations. The Airport staff also oversees the Grace Hospital Heliport facility located on the campus of Central Middle School. As budgeted, the General Fund reimburses the Airport Fund for the annual maintenance expenses of the heliport.  

Building and Codes

The Building and Codes Department is responsible for enforcing nationally recognized minimum public safety construction standards for new construction and alterations to existing construction. Inspection personnel are trained and certified by the State of Tennessee. During FY 06, the department issued 1,922 (FY05 – 1,814) permits for new single-family dwellings and 419 (FY 05 – 1,196) new multifamily dwelling units. The total valuation of all construction permitted was $451 million (FY05 – 394 million).

The Department is also responsible for enforcing minimum property maintenance standards for existing buildings and properties. During FY 06, the department issued 2,102 correction notices for violations of the minimum property maintenance standards. This includes such violations as buildings in disrepair, overgrown grass, inoperable or unlicensed vehicles, and accumulation of rubbish.

Cable Television

The Murfreesboro Cable Television Department under advisement of the Murfreesboro Cable Television Commission is responsible for managing Murfreesboro’s government access cable channel (located on Comcast cable channel 3), administering cable television franchise agreements for the city, and assisting city cable television subscribers in resolving disputes with Comcast.

The department received national recognition for government access programming from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisers with a 1 st place award for City School News and Adventures in Murphry’s Burrow which are cablecast on Murfreesboro City Channel 3.

The department completed a major upgrade to the video production equipment used to cover public meetings in the City Hall Council Chambers and at City Schools Central Office. School Board meetings taking place at City Schools Central Office are now being cablecast live on Channel 3.

The department cablecast 112 city public meetings on City Channel 3 and oversaw a total of 328 first run/produced programs and videos.

City Schools

The Murfreesboro City School System operates eleven kindergarten through sixth grade public schools with an enrollment of 6,455 students. In addition, approximately 334 preschool students qualify to be served based on need. The system has a budgeted per pupil expenditure of $6,872 for FY 05-06 and employs in excess of 1,000 full-and part-time employees.

The City System is known for innovation that brings about high achievement for children evidenced by excellent test scores. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has accredited all schools and the Central Office; the System maintains a 1:20 average teacher-pupil ratio. The nationally recognized Extended School Program offers before-and after-school services to families who need those services; and all classrooms are technologically equipped.

The Murfreesboro City School System has entered into a major partnership agreement with Middle Tennessee State University involving all university departments, which results in additional resources and educational opportunities for children. In addition, the district collaborates with the Jennings and Rebecca Jones Foundation and MTSU to offer leadership, arts, and science/math/technology camps for graduated fourth and fifth graders. The System has been the recipient of over $5 million in grants during the past three years, including three 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants and a LEAP Grant that have provided additional after-school and summer services for children and their families.

The System has been recognized within the last two years with nine preschools by the Governor’s Preschool initiative, Hobgood Elementary was designated a NASA Explorer School 2006-2009, Bradley Academy, “An Arts Integrated School”, was named one of three “Value Plus” schools in the state for a special arts integration program administered by the Tennessee Arts Commission 2006-2010, Bellwood Discovery School was established in 2005 to serve 220 high-achieving students in the system, and Mitchell-Neilson Elementary and Scales Elementary have received Excellence in Education awards by the Tennessee School Boards Association. Murfreesboro City Schools has more teachers (seven) named to the “Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame” than all other systems in the state.

The City System is a leader in the state with its outstanding Child Nutrition Program and the new Health and Wellness Program. The School Nutrition Program has been recognized as a “District of Excellence” (1 of 68 nationwide), “USDA-Sunshine Award” by the Summer Food Service Program (Southeastern U.S. Winner and National finalist), “Spotlight on...” Award- the “got milk” mustache campaign (first district recognized nationally for this program), “Dairy Promoter of the Year” from the Tennessee Dairy Association (only school district ever to receive this award), “Health Now Award” for the Bellwood Discovery School Pilot Cafeteria Program, “Best Practices Award” from the TN. State Nutrition Department, a $10,000 Health and Wellness Grant (1 of 10) awarded through the Wellspring II Conference, and a $75,000 Coordinated School Health Program Grant (1 of 19) from the state of Tennessee.

Community Development

As an entitlement city, the City of Murfreesboro received Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Community Development Department administers CDBG funding, with the highest priority placed on activities which benefit low income residents of Murfreesboro.

The Department also oversees two grants awarded to the City from the State of Tennessee: A HOME grant from THDA, which is used to leverage CDBG funding for the department’s Housing Rehabilitation Program; and an Emergency Shelter grant from the Department of Human Services, which is used to assist three homeless shelters and a program which provides emergency energy assistance for vulnerable households.

During the year, the Housing Rehabilitation Program assisted six homeowners with rehabilitation of their homes and reconstructed three homes for which rehabilitation was not feasible. The Department’s Affordable Housing Assistance Program provided closing cost and down-payment assistance to 17 first-time homebuyers. Two homeowners received assistance to remove dead trees which were deemed safety hazards.

The Department assisted four agencies through grants from the city’s CDGG funds: The Adult Day Care Program administered by St. Clair Street Senior Center assisted 27 clients; The Tender Care Parenting Program administered by the Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse assisted 35 young mothers and their children; STARS served 56 at-risk young people in a summer program; and the Salvation Army provided services for the homeless to 563 people.

The Department is an active member of CADCOM, a coalition of public- and private-sector agencies and individuals that is working to provide anti-drug activities and education in the City. The Department also serves as the City’s liaison on the Mayor’s Homeless Task Force.

Murfreesboro Fire Department

The City of Murfreesboro has a full-time professionally staffed fire department and enjoys a Class 3 Insurance Services Office (ISO) fire rating.

The Murfreesboro Fire Department was awarded two federal grants from the Department of Homeland Security totaling $148,000 in federal funds. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant funds will be used to purchase diesel filtration systems for each apparatus. The Fire Prevention and Safety Grant funds will be used to purchase a Combination Sprinkler/Fire Safety House. “Freddie the Fire Truck” was purchased with funds donated to the department for fire safety education and prevention. This animated fire truck will be used to educate children about the dangers they encounter around their house.

Mobile data terminals (MDTs) were placed in service on each fire engine and service company, and several staff vehicles allowing personnel to receive emergency information on streets, hydrants, etc. while en route to incidents. Three new Chevrolet trucks were purchased for Staff. Two new fire engines with equipment were ordered to replace older fire engines.

Also during the fiscal year, the City served as host for the Fire Inspector Conference and the Tennessee Firemen’s Conference.

Fleet Services

The Fleet Services Department has been charged with servicing the City of Murfreesboro's fleet vehicles. The vehicles range from police cars, pick-up trucks, tractors, garbage trucks and fire engines.

Fleet Services Department conducted preventative maintenance and safety inspections on all city vehicles, trucks, trailers on a regular basis.

Emissions testing for all city vehicles was completed and the City's fleet was certified by the state. Provided ASE testing to all mechanics in Middle Tennessee. The department reviewed and acted on all safety recalls and technical service bulletins for all city vehicles. It conducted an auction to sell used outdated vehicles and equipment and discarded all salvage wrecked beyond repair and Risk Management-purchased vehicles. The department assisted in reviewing and recommending the specifications of new vehicle purchases.

Judicial

The primary functions of the Judicial Department are to keep records of all violations of city ordinances and to collect all fines and costs. The court and legal department have taken several steps to improve the collection of fines and costs. The Court has implemented the issuance of garnishments and executions to collect outstanding judgments.

Legal

The Legal Department provides legal services to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, Department Heads, and the Boards and Commissions of the City. The Legal Department also advises the officials and employees of two municipally created entities, the Murfreesboro City Board of Education and the Murfreesboro Power Board.

Legal services provided by the Legal Department include drafting ordinances and resolutions for the City Council; preparing or reviewing bids, construction contracts, contracts for goods and services, leases, deeds, inter-governmental agreements, sections of the Employee Handbook, and other legal documents; advising about personnel matters; representing the City and its employees in litigation as a plaintiff or a defendant; collecting back taxes; obtaining land easements or rights-of-way for City purposes; certifying bonds, capital outlay notes and other financial and debt instruments; and, advising about new cases and statutes and their application to City activities.

The Legal Department is also responsible for the City's Risk Management Program. This includes identifying, minimizing and preventing risk exposures through employment of a Safety Director and regular inspections of City facilities; providing educational training videos for City employees; receiving and responding to complaints about City activities or employees allegedly causing personal injury or property damage; managing the fire, boiler and machinery, and other casualty insurance coverages for City-owned properties; and, handling workers' compensation claims from City employees. Murfreesboro is a self-insured city for workers' compensation and liability claims and has created the Risk Management Fund for this purpose. The City Attorney is the Administrator of the Risk Management Fund and, with the Risk Manager and Safety Director, works with the Risk Management Committee.

Old Fort Golf Course

Old Fort Golf Course once again played host to the TSSAA State Golf Championships during October. The state and national Moose Lodge Tournament were held during the summer months, hosting some four hundred to five hundred golfers in Murfreesboro. The golf course is being well received by the golfers after the 2003 renovation and the future of the course should be outstanding. The course also hosted the USGA Junior National Qualifier, with players from across the state and several surrounding states. The growth of the Old Fort Golf Leagues has been good this year in all areas, Men's, Ladies, and Seniors.

Parks and Recreation

The Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation Department’s mission is to plan, organize, implement and promote a comprehensive delivery system of programs and facilities which enhance the community’s quality of life. The Parks and Recreation Department manages over 1,000 acres of property, operates and maintains 10 parks and 6 community centers/building complexes and offers a diverse program of activities, athletics and special events.

During FY 06, the 132-acre Richard Siegel Park Phase I, which includes ten full-size soccer fields, was opened for community use. The soccer complex includes a central concession building comprised of meeting rooms, restrooms and a plaza area for award presentations, congregating and eating. The focal point of the soccer complex is the championship stadium which seats 1,064 spectators and the beautiful Bermuda grass fields. The park also offers spacious parking, picnic pavilions, restrooms, an age-appropriate playground and maintenance compound.

The Richard Siegel Park along with McKnight Park and Old Fort Park played host to the 2006 Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Spring Fling which is the state high school sports championships in soccer, girls’ fast-pitch softball and tennis. The tennis court complex at Old Fort Park was resurfaced and color coated in preparation for this event as well. The Spring Fling was a great success and the department received rave reviews.

Also completed was Phase I of the Stones River Greenway Extension which runs from the Overall Street Trailhead through Old Fort Park and terminates at Old Fort Parkway. The greenway trail which meanders through the park is a 13-foot wide asphalt trail connecting the existing Stones River Greenway System with Old Fort Park and its various venues, such as Fortress Rosecrans, tennis courts, ball fields, picnic pavilions and Old Fort Golf Course. The Phase I construction was highlighted by the beautiful new pavilion with seating for 144 patrons and includes restrooms and a spacious concession facility.

Master planning began for the Gateway Trail to enhance the Murfreesboro Gateway project. In addition, a master plan was started to renovate and improve the Walter Hill Park that the City acquired in 2005.

During FY 06, more work was finished on the wetlands projects. The Murfree Spring Wetland Project saw renovations to the pump house completed and additional drainage issues addressed. Construction began at Oakland Park on a new picnic shelter, parking area and playground to enhance the Oakland Mansion and park area. Additions were also made to the trail of Tennessee Trees within the park. The Oakland Park project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the 2006 year.

The Parks and Recreation Department received the 4-Star Award for best new facility from the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA) for the state-of-the-art Murfree Spring Wetland project which features a boardwalk winding through the wetland, amphitheatre, playground and trailhead. TRPA also presented our department with the 4-Star Award for best program: The Small Fry Tri.  

Personnel

The Personnel Department is responsible for all human resource functions for the City. This includes accepting all employment applications for the City-General and the Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department. During FY 06, the Personnel Department accepted 3,277 applications for 80 full-time positions and 1,590 applications for 102 part-time positions. The Personnel Department is also responsible for the calculation and generation of payrolls, retirement benefits, medical, life, and long term disability insurance and flexible benefits. Other responsibilities include the administration of the City’s Drug and Alcohol policy, sick and annual leave accrual and disbursement, wage assignments, employee verifications and reference checks, Employee Assistance Program, Family Medical Leave, Americans with Disabilities Act, the Return to Work Following Illness or Injury, and explaining and responding to questions regarding City benefits and policies.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the City of Murfreesboro embraces diversity and the fair and equitable treatment of its employees. The City strives to identify qualified minorities and females in the creation of a more diverse workforce that is reflective of the ethnic diversity of our community. The City of Murfreesboro does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age disability or veteran status in the provision of services, in programs, activities or employment opportunities and benefits.  

Planning, Engineering, Traffic, and G.I.S.

The Planning and Engineering Department is responsible for coordinating the physical development of the City. The G.I.S. Section of the Department provides digital mapping services for all City departments and the public. The Traffic Section coordinates the City’s traffic program. The Planning Section coordinates the agendas for the Murfreesboro Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Historic Zoning Commission and assures public input on a variety of issues including annexations, re-zonings, R.O.W. actions, and ordinance amendments.

During FY 06 the Planning Department reviewed 69 preliminary plats involving 2903 lots, 136 final plats involving 2034 lots, and 156 site plans involving a variety of commercial and multiple family dwellings. The Planning Commission conducted public hearings on 76 items involving annexations, re-zonings, and ordinance amendments and provided recommendations for each to the City Council.

The Board of Zoning Appeals conducted 103 public hearings to consider a variety of applications for variances of setback requirements, variances of the sign ordinance, and special use permits. The Historic Zoning Commission considered 13 applications for certificates of appropriateness.

During FY 06 the Planning Staff, in conjunction with Ragan – Smith Associates, Inc., began development of community wide design standards. Plans for The Avenues of Murfreesboro lifestyle mall were reviewed and approved.

Engineering

The City of Murfreesboro Planning and Engineering Department completed a number of Capital Improvement Projects during the FY 06. Construction projects completed include:

• North Tennessee Avenue Extension
• Cherry Lane Widening
• Manson Pike Reconstruction (Fortress to Blackman)
• Lokey Avenue Improvements
• Wilkinson Pike/Old Nashville Highway Connector Road

The Department also bid several construction projects during the year. The constructions which were advertised and bids were opened during the FY 06 are as follows:

• Florence Road Improvements
• Greenland Drive Widening
• Irongate Boulevard Extension
• Kings Ridge Extension
• Southgate Boulevard Extension

In addition, the Department responded to numerous drainage complaints and initiated various engineering studies. The Department also participated in the review of all public and private developments within the City of Murfreesboro.

Traffic

The Traffic Department is involved in the planning and operational aspects of the City’s existing and planned roadway infrastructure. At the end of FY 06 the department managed 106 signalized intersections of which 51 are currently interconnected and addressable from the Traffic Operations Center located at City Hall. The City‘s closed circuit television system provides substantial viewing capacity of the City’s arterial roadway network which enables monitoring of the roadways and associated signalized intersections and provides the staff with the ability to evaluate and remotely modify traffic signal timings. The City is currently in the design phase of a project that will add an additional seven (7) closed circuit television cameras to the existing nineteen (19) already in operation. The project will additionally interconnect nine (9) existing signalized intersections into the current system. The combination of interconnected traffic signals and CCTV cameras provides invaluable assistance in providing optimized intersection operation throughout a large portion of the city’s most heavily traveled roadway system.

Provisions for implementation of an inter-city transit system are continuing to be studied. Continued sections of the Greenway system are being both planned and built as an inter-modal component of transportation.

Murfreesboro Police Department

Uniform Division Patrol Services

In an effortto better serve the community, the Police Department has continued the Neighborhood Policing Initiative as well as the C – Star Program. Both these programs concentrate more officers in smaller areas thus reducing crime and improving community relations.

Vehicles purchased as part of the FY 06 budget were outfitted with a new, more contemporary stripe package, including the Department’s patch that symbolizes the “Heart of Tennessee”. “ Murfreesboro” is prominently displayed on both the driver and passenger side doors, along with a black stripe and thin blue line. Uniformed Division officers selected the design after considering several different options.During the month of June 2006, approval was granted allowing the formation of a Crime Suppression Unit. The unit is comprised of Community Policing Officers, Detectives and Vice Officers who take a direct approach in addressing crime and neighborhood problems. In addition to enforcement duties, the unit is responsible for intelligence gathering and graffiti eradication.

Traffic and Special Services including Special Operations Unit (SOU)

The Special Operations Unit added two additional personnel to the Unit to allow senior personnel to be assigned to the command post during operations to improve the command and control function of the Unit. The Special Operations Unit also added a Tactical Medic to the Unit. The Medic is a sworn officer who is a licensed Paramedic and can provide immediate life-saving care to a Unit member, suspect, or civilian should the need arise.

New load bearing vests were purchased for Unit members to improve their performance in the field during tactical operations.

Operations Division

In February 2006 the department applied for and received a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) award of $44,734 from the U.S. Department of Justice for law enforcement use. This grant, which took the place of LLEBG, must be shared equally with Rutherford County. Subject to an agreement between the two entities, each will receive $22,367. The city’s portion will be used to purchase equipment, and Rutherford County plans to use their share to purchase equipment, also.

Captain Anita Flagg and Sergeant Eddie Peel have investigated thirty (30) citizen complaints, of which twenty percent (20 %) were sustained.

Records Section

The number of incident reports entered into the computer this fiscal year was 20,771 along with 8,052 arrest reports.

The Records Section took in 842 packages of property at the front window and 2,071 packages through the overnight property room, giving a total number of 2,913 additional packages of property stored in the property room. We released 236 pieces of property to the rightful owners, which shows that a great amount of property still remains in the property room until the officer releases the property for disposal or auction.

There were 298 packages of property carried to the TBI Lab in Nashville for various tests that officers requested on the evidence they submitted.

We released 6,451 reports at the front window, which included requested mail, reports for officers and reports to the public. This number does not include the undetermined amount of reports sold at the front desk.

Information Systems

During FY 06, the Information Systems staff has undertaken the following projects.

• Installation of mobile data computers, modems and global positioning system (gps) equipment was completed for an additional 18 Police vehicles. This places our Mobile Data Fleet at 140 vehicles in operation. Replaced forty (40) existing patrol cars and 20 Mobile Data Computers in Fire Responder Vehicles.
• Implemented a controlled access system for all Police buildings. Photo ID Cards produced and programming of access points and cards completed.
• Upgraded run card system for fire calls.
• Veripic digital photograph evidence storage system updated tolatest version.
• Installed two (2) new call–taker positions in Communications. Began process for additional radio console equipment placement.

Administrative Services Division

In 2006 the department participated in the annual National Night Out in August and won a national award again from National Association of Town Watch. All 183 officers were trained for a total of 21,300 training hours. Of that number, required training hours by the State of Tennessee totaled 7,320. Optional career development training hours totaled 13,980. Thirty-three (33) full-time employees were hired which included twenty-four (24) Police Officers and nine (9) Dispatchers. The department graduated two (2) Citizens Police Academy classes. To date there have been 1,507 alarm permits processed for a total revenue of $45,810. A total of 387 false alarms were collected totaling $9,675. D.A.R.E. Officers taught the D.A.R.E. curriculum to 5,506 students in twelve (12) schools in kindergarten, second, fourth, and fifth grades. There were three new “Resist Aggression Defensively” (R.A.D.) classes offered to school children aged eight to twelve this past summer and a total of thirty children. Criminal Investigations Division

In 2006 the Criminal Investigations Division received several newly promoted detectives who have been a tremendous asset to the division. They have increased our ability to investigate criminal activity and hold the guilty responsible for their actions. The Division has purchased a new Crime Scene Unit that, when completed will be “State of the Art” for processing crime scenes, as well as fatal accident crash scenes and any other special needs as required.

The Vice/Narcotic Section continues to pursue “Street Level” drug dealers and users throughout the city as well as larger drug operations. The most recent example being a street level user investigation that developed into the largest Heroin case in the country, which shows that even a small case has ties to the larger drug problem.

The Domestic Violence Section has completed their move into new offices located on the second floor of the police department giving them much needed room and space. Domestic Violence cases continue to increase and require many man-hours in both prosecuting the offender and providing assistance to the victim and family members affected.

The two (2) Intelligence Section detectives have moved into one office to assist with the expansion of the Domestic Violence Section. This section provides support to detectives and patrol officers along with background investigations, Sex Offender Registry, suspect composites, and crime scene drawings.

The Pawn Shop Detail maintains the daily pawn shop transactions through out the city and has moved forward with new technology, “Leads on Line”, which is a data base that links all user pawn shops across the country. This assists with recovery of property that may be pawned outside of the jurisdiction where the property was stolen.

St. Clair Street Senior Center

The St. Clair Street Senior Center offers an array of services and activities to enhance the quality of life for individuals 60 years of age and over at the facility located at 325 St. Clair Street. During FY 06, over 4,700 senior adults were provided a total of 180,492 units of service in a variety of areas.

During the year, a consortium of local agencies and the Senior Center sponsored the 12 th annual “Dynamics of Elderly Caregiving featuring the Eden Alternative: Creating an Environment Promoting Respect, Safety and Hope for Those We Love.” The keynote speaker was Dr. William H. Thomas, international authority on geriatric medicine and elder care.

The Senior Center applied for and received several grants during FY 06. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee funded $1,200.00 to support the week long Clown Boot Camp in February, instructed by Tom King, nationally known clown from Charleston, WV. Thirteen senior individuals developed clown identities, perfected make-up and costume skills. They have formed a club and appear at community events from time to time. A grant of $650 from the Community Foundation’s Art Build Communities Program provided a “Don’t Worry, Be Happy Song and Dance” program attended by 100 senior adults. Students from Scales Elementary School made goodie bags and table decorations for the event. The local Parks and Recreation Department partnered with the Senior Center for this special occasion.

The Senior Center and the Japan Society of Tennessee co-sponsored the Bon Odori intergenerational, multi-cultural Dance Festival. Traditional dances from the United States and Japan and ethnic food were featured – bridging the gap between generations and cultures.

Solid Waste Department

The Solid Waste Department provides once per week curbside garbage collection to the citizens of Murfreesboro, using automated side loaders. Accomplishments during the fiscal year included:

• The Solid Waste Department diverted 27,430 tons of yard waste from the landfill. This saved $1,186,347.00 in disposal cost. The Solid Waste Department mulching operation moved to the new location at 4765 Florence Road this year. The City of Murfreesboro and the Town of Smyrna entered into an inter local agreement to process the yard waste from the Smyrna’s Public Works Department. This agreement has increase our tonnages along with helping the Town of Smyrna increase their diversion and saving time and monies on longer trips to the landfill.
• The Solid Waste Department picked up 33,682.00 tons of garbage from the residents of Murfreesboro. The City of Murfreesboro has an agreement with the BFI Middle Point Landfill for free disposal. This agreement saved the City of Murfreesboro $1,456,746.00 in disposal cost.

Street Department

The Street Department is responsible for a variety of activities associated with the maintenance of the right of ways and easements within the City of Murfreesboro. These activities include the following: full pavement overlays and repairs to the streets; installation and maintenance of the storm drainage systems, curbs and gutters, and street signage; street sweeping; mowing; litter pick up; leaf collection; and ice, snow, or debris mitigation during severe weather conditions.

The department issued 271 permits totaling $6,950 for construction occurring within our easements and right of ways. The paving of our city streets is performed through an annual paving contract and during the last fiscal year approximately 52 lane miles of city streets were paved at a cost of $1,507,646. Approximately 80% of these funds were spent in the repaving of our Central Business District.

We also spent approximately $190,000 in the installation of reflectorized tape for the delineation of the parking spaces and travel lanes. Both of these improvements have greatly revitalized the appearance of our streets in the downtown and were made possible by our State Street Aid funding which is derived from the gasoline sales tax.

Our major storm drainage projects are performed through our annual concrete and storm drainage contract, which is also funded from State Street Aid and local sales tax. We have performed approximately $1,352,018 worth of improvements under this contract during the last fiscal year.

We also are partners in a state maintenance contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation which provides approximately $230,000 in funding for maintenance of state routes within the city limits each year.

Urban Environmental

The Urban Environmental Department is responsible for the landscape maintenance of over 40 City owned properties such as Medical Center Parkway, Civic Plaza, Children’s Discovery Center, and Oakland’s Trail of Trees. In addition to landscaping, the U.E.D. tree division maintains over 400 miles of City owned right of way. The department also reviews landscape plans for commercial developments, as well as administering the City’s Landscape Ordinance and Tree Management Ordinance.

In FY 06, the department received approximately $1 million to guarantee the installation and maintenance of commercial landscape projects in the City of Murfreesboro. This is a 40% increase over FY 05.

Water and Sewer

Administration

Increased water rates by 6 cents per 100 cubic feet and sewer rate by 6 cents per 100 cubic feet.

Increased sewer connection fees by $250 to $1,800 per single family unit.

Accounting

Created 148 new work orders. Closed 119 work orders.

Engineering

• Approved bids for the Overall Creek Contract 7
• Approved Policies and Procedures for Repurified Water
• Approved Utility Improvements for Middle TN Blvd Main to Broad.
• Approved Contract 3 Repurified Water Line from WWTP to Coleman Farm.
• Approved Sewer Rehabilitation Plan.
• Approved bids for the Repair and Painting of the Mill Street and Tiger Hill Water Storage Tanks.
• Approved bids for Medical Center Parkway 1, Phases 1&2 Sanitary Sewer
• Created the Medical Center Parkway Sanitary Sewer District.
• Approved bids for Biannual Sewer Rehabilitation Contract
• Approved bids for Southwest Interceptor Sewer Phase 2
• Approved bids for utility work related to Greenland Drive Reconstruction
• Approved professional design services for the Rockvale Sanitary Sewer Interceptor

Operations & Maintenance

Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems

• Replaced 36 sanitary sewer manholes
• Replaced 8,126 LF of 8 inch sanitary sewer
• Replaced 2,925 LF of 6 inch residential sanitary sewer service lines
• Replaced 126 house service connections and laterals
• Installed 1,300 new house service connections
• Televised 270,000 LF of sanitary sewer main
• Washed/cleaned 325,000 LF of sanitary sewer main

   Water Distribution Systems

• Improved water lines to provide fire protection for approximately 75 residents
• Replaced approximately 85 residential water service line and meters
• Replaced approximately 4,500 LF of 4 inch water line and 2 inch water line
• Installed 18 new fire hydrants
• Installed 152 new meter connections
• Installed 180 new taps on residential and commercial service line
• Installed 4 repurified residential and commercial meter connections
• Installed 337 stubs to residential lots
  
  Water Re-Use System

• Old Fort Golf Course, Siegel Soccer Complex and Medical Center Parkway began use of repurified water for irrigation.

Wastewater Plant

• Contracted for professional services with Smith Seckman Reid Inc. for the Preliminary Engineering report for the Expansion of the WWTP.
• Completed pilot study for potential use of ballasted flocculation clarification.

Water Plant

• Occupied new 14,000 square foot operations building.

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