Thursday’s meeting of the Murfreesboro City Council included a rematch for Transportation Director Dana Richardson’s recommendation to award a road contract and a request by the assistant city manager to secure funds for the capital improvement plan.

Richardson returned to council chambers this week seeking approval of a road contract with Mississippi-based Neel-Shaffer to widen and improve Bradyville Pike with federal monies.

The recommendation was deferred two weeks ago when Mayor Tommy Bragg questioned the awarding of a contract to Neel-Shaffer, an out-of-town contractor.

Bragg and other council members questioned awarding a contract to an out-of-state company “when we have qualified contractors based here in Rutherford County who can do the work.”

On Thursday night, Richardson provided additional materials to the council, but continued to maintain the work must be done by a contractor with significant experience in federal road projects since a significant portion of the monies will be secured from federal sources.

“Federal auditors are regularly in my office regarding such projects, and they can withhold the money after the project is begun if our contractors don’t follow federal guidelines,” he said.

“Do we not have local contractors who can follow those guidelines?” Bragg asked.

Richardson answered local contractors certainly have the ability to accomplish such projects, but that Neel-Shaffer was more experienced in that regard.

“Well, I just can’t vote for this because I just don’t like to see all this money go out-of-town when we have qualified contractors here,” Bragg replied.

Councilman Toby Gilley indicated support for awarding the contract to Neel-Shaffer regardless of Bragg’s concern for local contractors, and made such motion.

The motion was seconded by Councilman Ron Washington and passed on a 5-1 vote, with Madelyn Scales-Harris absent and Bragg voting against it.

City Manager Jim Crumley then informed the council Murfreesboro had secured $46 million in funding for the 2012 capital improvement plan and had locked in a fixed rate on the debt at 2.17 percent.

He requested approval for moving forward in securing the debt issue at such a favorable rate, as market forces had since caused rates to climb, and said citizens would have a chance to voice their opinions on the capital improvement plan during a later public comment period.

We would like to take advantage of this low rate now,” he said. “The rate has increased 30 basis points since we locked in this rate and we have until Oct. 14 to take advantage of the 2.12 percent rate.

City Manager Rob Lyons echoed Crumley’s concerns and said this initial approval would simply “get the ball rolling” in meeting the October deadline.

The recommendation passed unanimously.

Also gaining unanimous approval:

• Changes to the city’s bid procurement process
The change would allow city staff to review protests by a bidder prior to its hearing before the council. The council was forced to deal with such a protest earlier this year arising from the way the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department handled competitive bidding for the renovation of the Kids’ Castle at Old Fort Park.

• Phase II of the Hobgood Elementary School renovation
Phase I was recently completed and an additional $4 million is now allocated for additional renovations.

• Initial approval of a name change for County Farm Road, which will soon be known as Joe B. Jackson Parkway when the interstate interchange extension project is completed.