The Shelbyville City Council unanimously approved Thursday night in regular session to allow Middle Tennessee State University to lease 4.8 acres of additional property for 12 months.

The property is not part of the 10 acres MTSU has asked to purchase or six acres to be leased under the proposed contract if the project for their Aerospace campus is approved. The 4.8 acres, known as the “L-shaped” lot, were included in the original proposed lease agreement but was cut by the Shelbyville Airport Authority.

City Attorney Ginger Shofner informed the council they would be voting on giving MTSU an option for the 4.8 acres.

“We received a call from MTSU saying the 4.8 acres was holding up their design plans with the state,” Mayor Randy Carroll said. “They need this for the design plan and that is the reason we have added it back to the lease agreement.”

If MTSU fails to exercise the option the city will retain the ownership of the property.

Some members of the audience wanted to speak concerning the MTSU project, but Carroll informed them a public hearing was on the agenda.

Under the consent portion of the agenda the following items were unanimously approved:

*A payment of $2,500 to the Gilliland Historical Resource Center, Inc., for the 2023 Juneteenth Celebration with the funds paid from the Hotel/Motel funds appropriated for tourism.

*In accordance with his contract a salary increase of $5,000 for City Manager Scott Collins.

*Mayor Carroll was given authorization to sign Amendment No. 1 (adding general terms and conditions) to the agreement for professional service with Neel-Schaffer, Inc., for the TAP V, Greenway/Riverwalk Trail System and River Overlook Project.

*It was approved and authorized for the mayor to sign a Hold Harmless Agreement with Fieldstone Homeowners Association for Fieldstone Sanitation Services.

*The establishment of a Communications and Development Coordination Team to include the City Manager, Planning Director, Building and Codes Director, Public Works Director, Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage CEO/GM. Shelbyville-Bedford County Partnership Representative and any other staff member or community stakeholder that may be deemed necessary for effective communication on community development was approved.

*The City Recorder was authorized to advertise for two citizen board members for the Shelbyville Power Board. All applications must be received at City Hall by April 28, 2023, at 4 p.m.

*The council authorized and approved the July 1st renewal of the City’s medical insurance with BlueCross BlueShield at a rate of 9.78 percent with the same current coverage. A dental insurance plan with the same current benefits and a 4.55 percent increase as well as a renewal of the vision coverage at the current rates were also approved.

*The purchase of security camera upgrades for the airport through Metro Nashville-Davidson County Contract was awarded to Eye in the Sky from Nashville. The total amount for the project is $25,544. The budgeted amount was $34,600.

*The acceptance of the low bid from Adams Roofing, Inc., with all options for the Community Development Center roofing project was authorized. The total amount is $39,352.06, under the budgeted amount of $40,000.

*The low bid by Olde Town Lock and Key from Jonesborough, Tennessee was authorized for the installation of accessible door openers for the Shelbyville Recreation Center. This ADA Transition Project for fiscal year 2023 was budgeted at $35,000.

Three ordinances were passed unanimously on first reading:

1. The approval of the rezoning of 0.55 (t/-) acre owned by Greg Curl from the medium density, R-3, residential district to a low density, R-1, zoning district.
2. The approval of the rezoning of 1.00 (+/-) acre owned by Joe M. Lambert and located on the South side of Colloredo Blvd. from general commercial (C-2) district to high density residential (R-4) district.
3. An ordinance regulating the use of engine compression braking devices.

 All three ordinances require three readings for final approval.

Three grant resolutions were authorized and approved unanimously:

A. A contract for $25,000 with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security for the Tennessee Highway Safety Office Grant for fiscal year 2024.

B. A grant application with the Tennessee Department of Health for a Healthy Environments Grant, Phase 1, for assessment and /or planning for a Trails and Greenways Master Plan. The maximum award is $50,000 with no local share.

C. An Airport Improvement Project (AIP) Supplemental Grant application with the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, for a maximum amount of $8.9 million in coordination with Middle Tennessee State University for Airside Improvements for the Aerospace Department relocation.

Under business items the council unanimously approved a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the sale of two city-owned buildings: 100 South Spring St. formerly known as the Kyle Building and 104 South Spring St., formerly known as the Trollinger Building.

The consideration of a motion to establish a City Tourism Department and authorize City Administration to staff and develop the department passed 5-1 with Councilman Henry Feldhaus casting a “no” vote.

A proposal for the Shelbyville Municipal Airport to use Campbell Oil Company for the next five years as its new fuel supplier was approved unanimously. The Shelbyville Airport Authority also has to approve the measure.