Patrick Baggett

The City of Franklin is updating its Strategic Plan to define the direction, priorities, and actions needed for long-term success, balancing limited resources and citizen needs. The plan includes a vision of being 'America's finest hometown, driven by excellence, balancing preservation and progress' and emphasizes values such as a culture of excellence, collaboration, service-driven actions, heart, and purposeful problem-solving. The plan is guided by six strategic goals developed collaboratively by the Board of Mayor and Alderman and senior staff.

The meeting included a public hearing and discussion regarding a resolution to create a special assessment district for sanitary sewer improvements in the Monticello Subdivision area. Residents voiced concerns about the increased costs and mandatory tie-on requirements. Additionally, there was consideration of creating an assessment district for the Columbia Avenue Enhancement Project, which sparked debate about the allocation of funds and the benefits to property owners. The board also discussed and approved various consent agenda items, including revisions to zoning ordinances, fire service agreements, and event permits.

The meeting included a debriefing on Workshop 3, which was beneficial for progressing the Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP) and helping Stakeholders understand the IWRP process. Alternatives were developed for five of the project Objectives, and additional Options were identified. The five grouped alternatives developed at Workshop 3 were distributed and discussed. Technical meetings have been well received. A similar demonstration to BOMA will help gain their confidence and trust in the IWRP process. Upcoming meetings were also discussed, including a July Steering Committee Meeting, a BOMA Working Meeting, a Public Forum, an August Steering Committee Meeting, and Stakeholder Workshop 4.

The committee discussed and approved several key actions, including those related to the Recovery Act-Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. They also discussed sanitary sewer improvements and a special assessment district creation for the Monticello Subdivision area. Additionally, the committee considered a sole-source purchase of UV lamps and related equipment for the city's Water Reclamation Facility, a change order for the Goose Creek Area Water System Improvements Project, and the award of a construction contract for the Boyd Mill Water Line Extension. Other topics included the possibility of the city owning and maintaining pedestrian tunnels in the Fieldstone Farms Subdivision, an agreement with Mallory Valley Utility District for water main relocation, funding for property acquisition for the South Carothers Parkway Extension Project, and options for the Jim Warren Park Stormwater Pond Improvements. The committee also received updates on FY 2009 CIP priority rank projects and other CIP projects.

The meeting included a status update of the IWRP project, discussion and consensus on the Performance Measures. Stakeholders provided weighting for the 9 Objectives by submitting the Objectives Weighting Form; results of these forms were compiled for presentation. The IWRP will evaluate all the water systems in a holistic manner; this concept was demonstrated with a process diagram showing the water cycle that governs this project, and how a single change may affect multiple systems. Potential project options for each system including water, wastewater, stormwater, reclaimed water, and the Harpeth River were reviewed.