Thursday's meeting of the Murfreesboro City Council included an extensive consent agenda, which typically passes unanimously without discussion.

However, Mayor Tommy Bragg did raise questions concerning a consent agenda item dealing with recommendations by Fire Chief Cumby Gaines to fund firefighter training and renovation of the women's locker room at MFD headquarters.

Bragg questioned Gaines as to the cost of the requests and desired "line-by-line details about cost and purpose" of the funding.

Gaines explained the expenditures were related to additional firefighter training and "unforeseen problems" associated with removal of asbestos discovered in the flooring of the locker room.

Bragg seemed intimately familiar with the asbestos remediation process.

"This is also found around pipes and can simply be covered up, but it is best to get rid of it," he quickly interjected.

The consent agenda was then passed by unanimous vote.

The council then moved on to a resolution changing the name of the Murfreesboro Fire Department to the Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department due to recent expansion of its services.

The proposal was accompanied by a video presentation by Gaines and his staff detailing the history of the department dating back to its inception as a hose and ladder crew in 1880. The council was also provided commemorative hats by the MFD (now MF&RD) staff.

The resolution passed unanimously.

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Taken up next were three changes to the city's absence and leave policy.

City Manager Rob Lyons proposed the changes based on feedback from employees regarding the current statute, which he regarded as "well-intentioned but impractical."

Instead of each "excused" or "unexcused" absence determined by the submission of a doctor's note, the policy would allow for three consecutive work days to be missed before requiring a doctor's note for additional excused absences.

The proposed new policy also includes additional familial relationships for bereavement leave.

Bragg sought assurance that step-children and step-parents would be included in those changes.

After some discussion, it was determined by staff that Bragg's request was included in the proposal.

"That's good because we have extended families these days," he said.

The resolution passed unanimously.

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Also passing unanimously:

• Third reading to rezone an area North of Kimbro Road and West of Barfield Road to Single Family Residential Ten.
• First reading to amend the city's Self-Insurance Program for purposes of modifying and maintaining the long-term disability and life insurance benefits independently of other city employee benefits
• Scheduling of public hearings for Sept. 22 for annexation and zoning applications including multiple requests by World Outreach Church and Pinnacle Bank to rezone several parcels along Hwy 99 to Commercial Highway and Residential Multifamily.
• A request by the Office of Community Development to fund asbestos removal at 1014 N. Maple St.