Council - Regular Meeting

I won't go. You don't need any room. I believe tomorrow.

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Hey, how are you? Good to see you. Well, you know, shower Eric because technology.

Hey sir, how are you doing? I knew it would He's too quiet. I've been keeping up with that. Keeping up.

Yeah. I don't know.

I don't mind. Yeah. So, What the hell? You know what?

I think it's great. I think he was 6 years I want this to be a stupid matter. Everybody else. We did a check on that. How far Yeah.

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sitting there. Yeah, baby. Good. Good.

Yes, for sure. Yeah, we'll probably going Yeah. Water. Yeah. Yes. All right.

Yummy. Nice. By the way, I voted no. Looks just like a Come on. Good boy. Good surprise.

That's what I was going to say. Thank you. I got a long time. The situation.

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She wasn't All right. Well, good evening everyone. I would like to welcome this nice big crowd to our city council city hall uh chambers this evening uh for what will be a good productive meeting. I feel sure I'd like to say welcome to all of you who may be here for the first time. If it is your first time, we say welcome and you're welcome back anytime. If it's not your first time, we're glad you're back and we welcome you to any of our city council meetings uh in the future as well. Uh I'd like to ask Mr. Jablonsky to please call the role, please. Mr. McCullen, Mr. Huffman

here. Miss Secret. Mr. Marshall here. Mr. McKelby here. Vice Mayor McBrroom here. Mayor Moulder

here. Let the record reflect those members of council who are present. Um we do before we go into the invocation this evening I would like to uh make mention of one thing as many in this room may have heard by now uh former mayor Dean Dicki uh passed away um early this morning and um all of us uh on this council and um in this city government and in this community as a whole were saddened by that news. Uh, Mayor Dicki was many things to me personally. Um, he was indeed an opponent uh of mine, but more than that, he was a friend and he was a good man and he was a statesman and he was a fine mayor for this community. Above all of those things, he was a husband and a father and a grandfather and even a great-grandfather. Um, many of us had an opportunity to serve with Mayor Dicki on various boards and capacities. Um, even on this council, I see former Vice Mayor Krista Martin, who I know served with Mayor Dicki for for many years. Um, but Mayor Dicki will be missed by this community and this community is a better place because of Dean Dickiy's service and commitment to moving Columbia, Tennessee forward. And so I just wanted to um say the remarks on behalf of all of us on this council. We express our condolences to his family um and his memory uh and his service to this community will not soon be forgotten. Um there are others on this council um who have a special connection with Mayor Dicki, including the vice mayor. And vice mayor, I wanted to provide the floor to you for a few words. as most of y'all know and I've told you um Mayor Dicki got me started in politics and

he was a true mentor to me. I even tried to call him a month ago that and just talk and help us through these situations. He was a a good man. He's one thing I want to tell you was he was not afraid. He knew where he was going and that's a comfort to me. He was happy. He had a great life. He married his childhood sweetheart out of 70 years. That should tell you everything. I'll tell you one story real quick. Mayor Dicki played football with Johnny Majors and we happened to run into Johnny Majors and we told him the connection and we said, "Uh, Coach Majors, what was your opinion of Mayor Dicki?" And he said, "All I remember was he was always chasing me." So, um, let's not forget what Mayor Dicki represented and, um, he would truly be missed.

Thank you, Vice Mayor. our condolences to to your family as well. Okay. Um we will proceed uh with the next item on the list beginning with our invocation by Lee Shadric of Highland Park Baptist Church. And um as Lee comes to the podium for tonight's invocation. Um I would ask if we could to have a moment of silence briefly before your invocation, Mr. Shadrich, if if that is okay with you. So we will if we're able uh in the room all please stand as you're able for the invocation and please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance which I will lead us in this evening. Father we thank you for giving us your son God. We just got done celebrating the birth of your son given to us as a sacrifice that can enable us to have access with you for eternity. We thank you for that wonderful, good, generous, free gift that you give us. Uh, Father, we do thank you that we live in a country that we are free to elect leaders and to have a voice in how our um government and our community is run. We thank you for that freedom, that gift. God, we do thank you for uh selfless leaders. Uh God, you said you set up leaders uh in our communities, God, to uh to lead. We thank you for those that lead selflessly and represent others. Lord, think about Dean Dicki and God, the example he was, the friend he was, the leader he was. Uh Father, as we remember his life, Lord, help us to celebrate it. And God, be truly thankful uh for his service. And Lord, we do ask that you would provide comfort and encouragement and draw near to his family and loved ones who dearly loved him. Lord, the what a blessing it is

when there is a hole left when you leave. And God, it sounds like there'll be a great he'll be missed greatly. Lord, we do thank you for these leaders we have today. God, I pray that they would fear you, God, that they would honor you. And God, that they would be godly examples and representatives for those who place them in these positions, God, that they would not do it lightly or flippantly. Lord, they would take it seriously. And Lord, they would be willing to endure the stones that come with this type of position. And God, I pray tonight as as the the meeting is held, Father, that people that voice their opinions would do so without malice. Father, with respect. Uh and father those here that may have differing opinions uh as time goes on that God we can leave here as friends as well. God would you give wisdom and guidance and direction to those who lead our community. And God Lord I do thank you for the wonderful community that we have here in Colombia, Tennessee. May you be honored by what is done here this evening. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen.

Please face the flag and recite the pledge of allegiance with me. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Be seated and thank you Pastor Lee Shadri for your words. All right, we're on section four, approval of the agenda. You have the agenda in front of you this evening. It's been moved and properly second. Any discussion on section four? Hearing none. Mr. Jablonsky, Mr. Huffman, Miss Secret, Mr. Marshall.

Hi. Mr. McKelby. Hi. Vice Mayor Mc Broom. Hi. Mayor Moulder. I. That item is approved. There being no items under section five presentations, we'll move on to section six, organizational business. Item 6.1, approve the retirement benefits for Jeremy Alip, police chief, police department, and presentation of retirement plaque by Mayor Moulder. I will make this motion to approve. It's been properly seconded. Any discussion on this matter? Hearing none, Mr. Jonsky, call the vote, please. Mr. Huffman, Miss Secret, Mr. Marshall, hi. Mr. Mckelby, Vice Mayor Mc Broom, Mayor Mulber. Uh, that item is approved. I'd now like to invite council to please meet me down at the well for the retirement plaque.

All right, Chief. Well, we thought about maybe not putting you at the head of the agenda uh that that might force you to to stay, and I don't think we're going to be able to compel you to stay after this presentation, but we are pleased to be able to provide this recognition. As as many of you may know, uh earlier today, uh the new police chief for the city of Columbia, Jeremy Haywood, was sworn in, and we took great pride and joy in that. But with that pride and joy and optimism and hope for Chief Haywood's service comes some sorrow. uh because we are losing a very fine man and a very good police chief for our department for the city of Columbia Police Department. Uh Jeremy Alip has been someone that that I've known a long time going back to my adolescent days when uh I might not have want to known him in that capacity. Um and then going on to my time as an attorney uh knowing that he was an officer that served with conviction, integrity, and character. uh and then having the opportunity to serve in the office of mayor of Colombia and seeing him uh progress through the chain of command uh up to the assistant chief and uh ultimately to the chief of police. There will have been three police chiefs during my time in this office as mayor. Uh Chief Alip will have been the one that served the longest. Uh and so therefore the chief that I've gotten to know the best. Um, every time that I had an opportunity to speak with Chief Alip over the telephone, and it may have been more times than he would care to remember, he would always say before he got off the phone, "Mayor, let me know if there's anything I can do." And it wasn't just lip service. He truly meant that. Um, his core mission was to keep this community safe and in turn make it a better place. So, Chief, I would like to present this plaque to you. It's the retirement recognition presented to Jeremy Alip dated effective

Jeremy January 9, 2026. So maybe that means we can still keep here. This award is presented in appreciation for 27 years of dedicated service. Your loyalty, friendship, and professionalism will be long remembered on behalf of the city of Columbia mayor and city council. Let's give a round of applause. Can I take a group?

Yeah, there we go. One, two, three. Um I I will give uh former chief also an opportunity to speak and perhaps Chief Haywood might would like an opportunity as well. But before I do that, any member of council uh wish to be heard on this presentation. Vice Mayor,

hey, I want to thank the chief. You know, when I got into doing this, he all like the mayor said, he always said the last thing, call me if you need me. And that meant a lot for me. He's a new politician or whatever you want to call us now. I appreciate you, Chief. U like somebody said, dear be beware. Thank you.

Well, I just want to thank you for everything. I mean, we we started together pretty much uh and spent some time on night shifters patrol officer together in the detective division together. I had that opportunity to be your second in command. I've learned a lot. I appreciate everything that you've done for me preparing me for where I'm at and I wish you would call me if you need First of all, thank you. I I didn't expect so many people to come from our appreciate. I know the room will clear when I leave. I just it all take I know you had a long meeting tonight and uh I want to say thank you to the city of Columbia for allowing me to participate in the greatest profession. So, thank you. The chief is has given his final handshakes and departing. I want to point out that one thing that we uh realized and and saw firsthand at swearing in is that it's truly a family police department. But in addition to the feeling like a family, there's also actual. You're here tonight, Chief, with your wife and your family has also been a bedrock to you and your support and in a lot of ways. uh the service is not just with the person that is serving but also the people that are behind that person. We also want to say thank you Jeremy Alip. I guess I can be the last one to say you are excused.

Thank you.

All right, that takes us to item 6.2, approve the minutes of the December 11, 2025 city council meeting. Motion's been made to approve by council member Mckelby. been properly seconded by council member Marshall. Um any discussion on item 6.2 hearing none. Mr. Jabonssky Mr. McCullen Mr. Huffman Miss Mr. Marshall Mr. McKelby Vice Mayor Mc Broom Mayor Moulder

I that item is approved. Now we will move to public hearings. Um I want to point out on public hearings there are a couple people that signed up that indicated that they wanted to speak regarding public hearing. public hearing will provide an opportunity for anyone that wants to speak whether they signed up or not to speak. So I'll actually not be referring to the list for the public hearing. Um we will open the public hearing and anyone that wishes to come speak uh we ask you to please come to the podium and identify yourself and you'll have three minutes to speak. Um and we would also ask for there to be a little bit of a flow for that. So, if you are um if you're able to please come um and if you're ready to speak next, come on up and and we can form a small line here to keep the flow going. Um you are welcome to speak during the public hearing and during the public comment stage if you signed up for the public comment. You do not have to speak both at the public hearing or the public comment. If you're here to speak tonight and only want to speak once, you can speak at the public hearing or you can speak at the comment public comment portion of the agenda. If you're here tonight and want to speak both times, you are more than welcome to do that. Uh but again, for public hearing, I'm going to open the public hearing up and as you wish to be heard, please come up to the podium and identify yourself. And again, you'll have the floor for three minutes. So, we'll begin with public hearing number one. Public hearing on ordinance number 4574, an ordinance to amend ordinance number 4487, the connect Columbia Comprehensive Plan by reclassifying the future land use designation for tax map 112, partial 17 and 18.02 located off of Trotwood Avenue and Foster Lane from rural transition to suburban neighborhoods. This is Ward One. Anyone in the audience this evening wish to be heard on public hearing number one? Hearing none. Anyone on council wish to be heard on public hearing number one? And I would just note that public hearing number one and public hearing number two relate to two items on the agenda that are going to be deferred, but they're still already notice for public hearing, which is why they're kept on public hearing. So, anyone on council wish to be heard on public

hearing number one hearing? None. Entertain a motion to close public hearing number one. Been properly motioned and may and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none, Mr. Jablonsky. Mr. McCullen, Mr. Hman, Miss Mr. Marshall. Hi, Mr. McKelie. Hi. Vice Mayor McBroom. Hi, Mayor Molder.

I public hearing number one is closed. Public hearing two, public hearing on ordinance number 4575, an ordinance to ordinance 4400. The same being the zoning ordinance of the city of Columbia, Tennessee by zoning property being annexed by resolution number 2583 located off Trotwood Avenue in Foster Lane being tax map 112 partial 17 to large lot neighborhood character district and civic district. Again, ward one. Uh, anyone in the audience this evening wish to be heard on public hearing number two. Mr. Pvetti, come on up. You'll have the floor for three minutes.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of city council. My name is Eric Pervidi. I live at 101 Casey Valley Drive in Colombia. I live in the uh fourth ward, but I am the uh district commissioner for the second district of Murray County. Um, anytime you say the word growth in Trotwood Avenue, I have to get up there and say Trotwood. can't handle it. We are packed to the max. Um there's just uh that road can't be expanded and you know we had issues with the uh last set of neighborhoods that came up that were going out over by uh by the ball field by really field and it's the same problems there and so I realize this item is deferred and I'll be back again but since like just like you said you had the public comment. If I may for just a second, if Dean Dicki was also a mentor of mine. I've known him since I was 13 years old with with Giant Foods and he's also one of the reasons I got into politics. I used to spend hours at his house. I was over there every month having to work on Jo-Ann's computer. And uh we would talk politics for hours and you know I I actually spoke to him a week ago. I was telling him about me uh and what I was getting ready to do with running for mayor and and we talked for a long time about that. So, I'm glad I got to have that conversation with him over this, you know, last time. But, uh, he will be missed. He is a giant in this town. Thank you.

All right. Anyone else wish to be heard on public hearing number two? Yes, sir. Um, thank you for this chance to speak about this issue, too. Um, I live at 111 Centime Drive, which is right down from Trotwood Avenue. And yes, Trotwood Avenue has way too much traffic on it. And uh with the overgrowth of development in this city, uh Trotwood is just packed with cars around the clock. And um and also with the issues we have with water and other other problems u uh we have less development, we would have less need for water. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else wish to be heard in the audience wish to be heard on public hearing number two? Seeing none, anyone on council wish to be heard on public hearing number two. Hearing none, entertain a motion to close public hearing number two. Motion's been made, properly seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. Mr. Jablonsky, Mr. McCullen. Hi, Mr. Huffman. Hi, Miss Secrets. Mr. Marshall, hi. Mr. McKelie, Vice Mayor McBroom, hi. Mayor Mold,

I public hearing number two is closed. Next item, public hearing three, public hearing on ordinance number 4576, an ordinance to amend title 18, chapter 3 of the Columbia Municipal Code by amending 18310 to increase the water impact fee upon new water customers to serve the demand for water system capital facilities and public improvements. This is public hearing number three. Does anyone in the audience wish to be heard on public hearing number three? As you wish, please come to the podium um to speak. Mr. Prevetti, looks like your hand raised first. If anyone else wishes to be heard on public hearing number uh three, please also be making your way to the podium.

Again, I'm Eric Vervidi, 101 KC Valley Drive, Columbia, Tennessee. I serve on the county commission in the second district. Growth should pay for growth. Uh we all know that saying, and I definitely support the passage of the impact fees to do that. Now, granted, it doesn't. It's just a piece of that pie, but we need to get as many pieces of that pie as possible from the developers and the people moving in and all the new growth. So, I do support this happening. Thank you.

All right. Anyone else wish to be heard on public hearing number three? Please, please come on to the podium as you're able. Thank you. My name is Neil Blair again. I live in that same neighborhood, 111 Sunny Me Drive. And um we do need to get alternative sources for revenue for our water and the developers and development that we've had throughout Murray County, Colombia, and Spring Hill. Uh we need to keep it off of the rateayers here in Colombia and have it on the developers and the people that bring all the growth and are building all the different uh housing and projects throughout the city and the county. And uh appreciate that. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Anyone else wish to be heard on public hearing number three? All right. Anyone on council wish to be heard on public hearing number three? Hearing none. Entertain a motion to close public hearing number three. Motion's been made. Properly seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. Mr. Jablonsky. Mr. McCullen. Hi. Mr. Huffman. Hi. Miss Mr. Marshall. Hi. Mr. McKelby. Hi. Vice Mayor McBrroom. Hi. Mayor Moulder.

I. Public hearing number three is now closed. Next item, public hearing number four, public hearing on ordinance number 4577, an ordinance amending title 18, chapter 3, section 18303 of the municipal code of the city of Columbia by replacing it in its entirety present schedules A and B and adopting and approving the following schedules A and B. This is public hearing number four and any member in the audience wish to be heard during this portion of the opportunity to speak at public hearing as you wish, please do come forward for public hearing four. Mr. Pum, welcome. You'll have the floor for three minutes.

Mayor, members of council, my name is Bruce Peyton. I live at 66004 St. John's Way, Columbia, Tennessee. I support the proposal that's put forth by Columbia Power and Water System for our long-term water supply for the following reasons. Columbia Power and Water is a notfor-profit arm of this city. There are no private owners, no shareholders, and contrary to the conventional wisdom out here on social media, there are no pockets to be lined with this proposal. I've been a Columbia Power and Water customer for 45 years. During that time, they have never once failed to provide an ample supply of clean, clear, odorless, and safe water for this city at a reasonable cost. They suck water out of the Duck River and they deliver it to my kitchen halfway to Mount Pleasant for less than a penny a gallon. We have a looming water supply problem. As for the best way to approach a solution to that problem, I'm going to listen to the people that have never let me down in 45 years. The county has never produced a single drop of water. I'm going with the proposal from Columbia Power and Water, and I respectfully ask you to do the same. Sometimes being a lead leader or decision maker can be extremely difficult. This is one of those times for you. Nobody wants to pay more for anything. Nobody wants to pay more for water. I don't want to pay more for water. But sometimes we don't have any choice. Increasing everyone's water bill is not easy. It's not going to be pleasant. It's unpopular. It might cost

you the next election if you have a next election. But that's the price of being a true leader and doing what needs to be done. Some of you have been accused of conflicts of interest, accused of ethical violations, illegal activities, corruption, governing with dishonesty. I regret that you individually and as a legislative body have had to endure such ridiculous false accusations. As for me, I've been accused of being paid by Columbia Power and Water System. The last time I was on a government payroll was 30 June 1981, which was my last day on active duty with the United States Marine Corps. To those of you that vote for this, I wish you well. To those of you that vote against it, I also wish you well. Good luck and my thanks to all of you for being willing to endure the slings and arrows of public criticism in your service for this city and its people. Thank you.

All right. Thank you, Mr. P. Next up on public hearing number four, please please come forward as you are able on public hearing number four. Come on. Come on up. We're not going to um this is you're not signed up here. You're just able to come. This is public hearing. Just preventing. You have four three minutes.

Um y'all know who I am. Okay, that said, um I'm here to speak for the fixed income residents who say that their council person is not listening to them. Again, I live I am a county commissioner for the second district. I am not on this body. I live in Ward 4. And so I was elected to represent those people and and they they're saying that their council person is not listening to them and and that you know it's it's been told to me that city council is mad at the county for interjecting themselves into a city matter. This is not a city matter. Um I like coffee. It takes water to make coffee. And in my district alone, right there in front of the hospital and upuh up toward the mall, there's McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts, Burger King, Dutch Brothers, Cabin Coffee. We got a lot of coffee joints. Um, too many, but that's another discussion. But you get to go drink your coffee where you want. If you pass this, you're raising the price of my coffee. You're raising the prices of everybody's coffee. It takes water to wash those dishes and those coffee pots. even though sometimes coffee is better in an old pot. Um, but the point that I'm getting at is that with small business, this affects the small businesses and they're going to have to raise their prices and some of them, we've got businesses downtown that are closing because the rent's too high, cost of business is too high. And their increase in the water is not going to be $4 a month, $5 a month. It's going to be severe. So that said, you know, I'm I'm told that city council is mad that the county's up here speaking and it's not their business. Well, it is our business because we're all in the county together. We are roommates. We're all in this together. And and roommate number one brings the sofa. Roommate number two brings the dishwasher and the washing machine and everybody, you know, has to go through the pay the bills, half the bills and and take care of this. So,

this is this is a county matter. It's your vote. But that said, you know, I I I'm I'm a county elected official. So if you're mad that the countyy's up here, I'm gonna take my badge off. My name is Eric Pervidi. I live at 101 Casey Valley Drive here in Columbia, Tennessee. My representative is in Ward 4. This is your own website. It's the city chart of the organization chart. At the top of that chart, it says Colombia citizens. That means we're your boss. So your boss is saying, "Put a pause to this. Let's see what else is going on. Let let's let you know, Representative Stupiki, Mayor Bud spoke. They've asked for a pause. Everybody that's come to me, I've not heard anybody say do this. So, according to this chart, the citizens are above city council. Right there, city council is under the citizens. So, I encourage you guys to do the right thing and put a pause to this. Thank you. Welcome. You're on the floor for three minutes.

Welcome.

My name is Bob Kiteon. I live at 1049 Cranford Hall. I'm a little nervous tonight because some of my former Agathos students are here, members of the national champion MCM mock trial team. So hopefully they'll grade me a good grade. All right. Listen. Um, I've lived here for 20 years and I come from the business world where we I always try to find a win-win solution. You guys have a tough decision and you're in a tough spot. I've been in those kind of spots. One of the things that concerns me is that you are a shareholder and a approving body of these rates. In the United States, utilities usually have to go before a public service commission that has does not have financial interest in their operations. Now, that doesn't make you bad people. That's just the way it is. I have a confession to make. I've lived here 20 years. I've not I've not known much about this water situation until really the last 30 days. That's on me. I've got to go learn. Now, I was a registered professional engineer. I worked on Wall Street for many years and I have done large utility deals all over the world. Talk communism. I've done deals in Poland and Hungary and other places of a utility nature. Now, I've looked at the financials of CPS and they are good people. They are they are good people. I listened to him the other night. My dilemma is I would like to ask them a lot more questions. Now, I would say there are many citizens in this county that are just like me. They're not up to speed. Either they don't have the understanding or they've not made the effort to find out more. You guys need to be back here with us and let's put the company up here where we can ask questions. Not on a

confrontational basis, but to educate ourselves so that whatever decision is made by you, by the company, we as the public are in a better position to understand it and to support it. Right now, we're all in the dark, I think. And so, one of the things I was thinking, how do you make this a win-win? I would have some sort of public meeting in a bigger bigger room than this. This is ridiculous having this crowded thing. Have a public meeting with a a person that can come in and ask questions kind of like Phil Donahghue or Dr. Phil rather than Jerry Springer and ask questions about from the company and and educate us so that as we go forward and we all face the same challenge, we all want the same solution. As we go forward, we go forward together, not an us versus them. That's going to build trust for you guys. That's what you want. You want trust and credibility. Right now, that's in jeopardy. And if you can go forward with us together with the public and educate all of us together, that's going to build trust for you and credibility. I am all for that. And that's the win-win solution that I would put forth to you. Thank you. Thank you,

Mr. Mayor, council members. I'm Bart Watley from Koka, Tennessee, 262 24 2626 East Sheep Neck Circle. Um, like recognize my grandson over here, the first one in Notre Dame. I'm proud he's here. Um, I've been watching this situation as some of you may know for ever since I've lived here 40 years. Kyoka, I've written many letters about it. I uh I knew um Mayor Dean and I remember him telling me how disappointed he was that they were not going to raise the Normandy reservoir because it was the TVA was wasn't because it was originally designed for flood control and that's the way they wanted it. Now maybe they're going to change their mind. Now when they say they're going to raise the reservoir to get us water, they're not talking about raising the dam. They're not talking about raising the dam. They're talking about raising the water level. What's that going to do to flood control? But on our subject of 17 miles to an intake that catches water, that has got to be some of the most polluted water in Murray County that runs off the phosphate mines and runs from the storm water runoff off of Monsanto. That's what we're going to be pumping up here, filtering, and then reusing the affluent water again over and over, trying to get water out of a dying river and a overcapacity Normandy reservoir. We should be using captured water and take advantage of the Columbia Dam. CPWs stopped supporting the Columbia Dam and

latched on to to the Duck River ay's plan which 85% of it was raised in Normandy reservoir and 15% was this intake 17 miles down here that gives so little water such a marginal solution when we need a 50 to 100year solution. Let's give it a little more time. Use the resources we got to buy time. We can do that. Do a feasibility study on the dam. If it won't work, I'll shut up and do the best thing for the people of Murray County. Thank you very much. We remain on public hearing number four. Looks like we have a couple or at least one more coming on up. Welcome. You have the floor for three minutes. All

right. Thank you so much. I hope this is the right place, the right time. I signed up for comment. I'm getting tired of standing. So, I'm going to speak now. You have that opportunity, sir.

Fabulous. Thank you so much on it, Tim. Um, I am here to advocate to the council as a whole and to Mr. McKelie in particular as my representative here on the council for W 5. By the way, my name is Ken Newell. I live in W five 745 Cottage Drive and I am a Californian by birth but a Tennessian by choice. Tim um I believe so I'm here to advocate a council every member here to vote no on this issue and hopefully I can make a compelling case on why I think that this is the best course of action at this time. A no vote is not a never vote, but I believe a vote to say we need to look again. As the saying goes, measure twice, cut once. And I might add, don't be like the guy who cut the board twice and complain that it was still too short. There are two things I find interesting from the conversations I've been hearing. The first thing was who is to blame we were at? I don't know who is to blame but I do know this in a practical sense it does not really change the place we find ourselves we are here we are all here and we need water is important or I should say very important water is life the need for clean safe flowing water does not discriminate it does not care what letter is after your name for party affiliation It does not care what age you are, what race you are, if you've lived here your whole life, or a newer resident. It does not care. The second thing was from the study session. Not one average Joe citizen was in favor of moving forward. I did hear one tonight though, so need

to correct that. Um, moving forward. While experts give us technical answers, the citizens who spoke gave us heart answers. Sometimes the technical says yes, but the heart says no. Whose voice calls the loudest to you? What this measure does not address and perhaps cannot address is what I believe is the path forward for water security in the city of Colombia, Murray County, and the southern middle Tennessee area. And that is regional resources, regional collaboration, regional voices to address a regional issue. A no vote at this time allows the city, the county, and yes, even neighboring counties a chance to ask, can we do this together? We need to try. A yes voy will not allow the birth of a new era of regional cooperation on a vital issue such as water. It is time for all of us to come together in a bigger way to provide water security. A no vote gives us a chance to work together. A yes vote says we can go it alone. And I implore you to say if you do change your vote, you you have that right. And I am imploring you to change your vote now. If you change your vote from yes to no, I will not view you as being weak.

I will not view you. Thank you so much.

Thank you for being here. I keep following very eloquent speakers. The one thing that the one gentleman was talking about when he was talking about coffee and how he loves his coffee, I'm coming from where I have livestock and I take a lot of what I get to the food pantry. Well, if if I we're not getting rain and I have to carry water out, what about the farmers who have to get water for their cattle because it may be a dry year? You know, it's it's not just a few dollars for someone who lives in the city that doesn't feed livestock, that doesn't feed a lot of extra the crops that require water. All of this, if the price of water goes up, will equate to higher beef prices, which are exceedingly high right now, higher poultry, higher, you know, just everything. And it's just, you know, it's it's just not a simple, well, it's just a few dollars. Well, maybe it is a few dollars for someone who lives in town, but not someone who lives in the country. Thank you.

Anyone else wish to be heard on public hearing number four? You'll come to the podium and again, if you'll please identify yourself and you'll have the floor for three minutes. Thank you, Mayor Mo Moulder and Vice Mayor Randy McBroom and the rest of the council. Thank you for letting the public uh speak on this issue. Uh my name is Neil Blair. I live at 111 Sunny Me Drive here in Colombia. Uh I've lived here all my life for 62 years and uh my granddaddy was uh at one point on the board of uh power and power and water board at Columbia Power and Water System a long time ago and God rest his soul. And also my dad was the first chairman of the Murray County water system. Uh he was uh put in a position by Taylor Raburn when he was the county executive. What what used to be county executive as county mayor now is Sheila Bud is. Um I want to go back to you know back in the8s when they they started the dam. They built the dam for $90 million. They spent $10 million and tore it down. Frank Fly was the um attorney for the environmentalist that got it shut down. We've all suffered. I remember my granddad taking me over there to it. He said, "Neil Freeman, you're going to uh you and your family and all your friends and all going to have fun recreation and have fun on this lake." And unfortunately, that didn't happen because it was shut down. But going back, uh they uh bought all the land from all these people in Murray County. The land was deed over to uh people in Murray County. It went to the state through uh imminent domain and then it was given to the state and it's been called Yali now. And all those people had no chance to be able to buy their properties back and that land still had a chance of becoming a Fountain Creek Reservoir at one point. That's one option that was a

possibility along with the Columbia Dam. Now, there's also the possibility of getting water from the Harpath Valley Utility District. There was also one plan possibly of getting water off of uh Tims Ford Lake, possibly getting it off Normandy. Of course, there is the 5-ft raise of the Normandy Dam possibility. There's a lot of things to possibly give us a reason to make a pause on this situation. Um, one of the things too is for u $12 million is all I mean 12 million gallons make that is all we're getting out of this possibly and it may not be enough for a drought even if it is passed. and we are putting this $55 million on our kids and grandkids. And then that $35 million with the interest on those municipal bonds, it's going to cost possibly over a billion dollars with the interest added to it in our water rates. And and another problem, um we continue to uh give water permits to Spring Hill. Um, Spring Hill could be getting their water elsewhere along with Murray County Water System, but especially Spring Hill because they're the ones that get a lot of the growth. Um, part half of Spring Hills in Williamson County, they could get their water from Harpath Valley Utility District instead of getting it off in the Duck River and getting it off the Cumberland River. So there's there's just a lot of alternatives to get the uh stress off of the customers of Columbia Power Power and Water System so that the local people here in the city of Columbia and Murray County aren't stuck with the bill for 30 to 40 years or more.

Thank you, sir. Thank you. All right. Anyone else wish to be heard on public hearing number four? You'll come to the podium. You'll identify yourself. You have the floor for three minutes. Welcome.

Thank you, Dustin KD. I am a resident of the county and I'm going to talk first about conflicts. That seems to be the uh word of the day on these. Um and I'm I talked the other night about council members that had potential conflicts. Tonight, let me talk about the attorneys that may have potential conflicts. First of all, the question here is who is protecting these residents? Who is protecting the citizens that are going to be impacted by this? And there are a few stop gaps that should have been in place in this. Number one, you have the county attorney who should be looking out for the interest of the county residents who are desperately impacted in comparison to the city residents. However, the county attorney is also the attorney for Colombia Power and Water. So, you as you might imagine, there has been nothing that's been filed on behalf of the county opposing this. I appreciate the leadership from the county mayor and also from many county commissioners, but it shouldn't have been their job to post and and uh bring up these legal challenges. The second uh conflict that I will mention is that Columbia Power and Water has certain wholesale uh companies that they sell water to. One of those would be the county, as I mentioned, uh, where the county attorney has a potential conflict, but another one is the city of Mount Pleasant. And the city of Mount Pleasant is actually represented by the mayor's law firm. And I would make the argument that that law firm cannot protect the interest of the residents there with the mayor serving on this city council. And that has not been disclosed. And of course, uh, Mayor Moulder has not decided to abstain. Uh the third conflict that I'll reference is perhaps the first person in the last 10 years that wasn't affiliated with Columbia Power and Water were this uh body who has actually stood up and said they were in favor of this and that was Bruce Peyton who came before you earlier. Now unfortunately I think Mr. Peyton left his stove on and had to

leave but uh and I I was glad to get to talk with him for a few minutes earlier but let's talk about Bruce Peyton's conflicts and why he might have got up here and made those statements. If you look back about over 20 years ago, there was a law passed that that was for the adequate facilities tax. And what that did is we recognized at that time that we needed to shift the burden. We had that was when GM had come in. Um and we needed to shift the burden. We had this infrastructure. We had these companies coming in. They were requiring industrial volumes of water. And so we wanted to be sure that growth and development paid for growth. that adequate facilities tax allowed us to do that so that the burden was not placed on the residents. If you look up there is a case and it's actually um reported we pulled it up the homebuilders association sued over that and they sued so that they could shift that burden back to the residents so that development did not pay for the cost of that infrastructure. The attorney representing the homebuilders association was Bruce Peyen. I will also add that uh while I have not checked the records, I know that we have at least one home builder uh who is on the city council and I would question whether they are a member of the homebuilders association.

Thank you, Mr. K. that Mr. Peyton has represented. Can I have 30 additional seconds? No, but you can speak. I just wanted to get that on the record. Thank you. Anyone else wish to be heard on public hearing number four? Public hearing number four. if you'll please identify yourself and you'll have the floor for three minutes. Welcome.

Thank you. My name is James Dallas. I live at 1608 Mary Court in City of Columbia, Ward One. I have a work obligation. I signed up uh on the sheet, but this is kind of in lie of that. Um as you may know, I serve as chair of the Murray County Democratic Party. Uh because several Republican officials have spoken their opinions. Uh my initial concern that kept me from speaking that me being here would make this partisan I think at this point is moot. Uh I happen to disagree with them and because of that I feel obligated to speak tonight as a citizen. Uh I will say just this one paragraph on behalf of Democrats. I ask that city council have a civil debate that focuses on facts not personalities and on the shared values of love of our planet particularly the duck river and love for our neighbors particularly those who are economically vulnerable. Otherwise, the Democratic Party as a whole takes no position. I know that there are good Democrats who are for and against this tonight. Now, my personal opinion is this. I believe that CPWS's long-term water supply program is the most sustainable and affordable choice before this body tonight because the rate ordinance tonight is necessary to begin work on that project. I personally encourage you to vote yes. There's a saying, cheap is expensive. Other proposals will also result in water bills going up. This includes pausing and planning. The alternative proposals are less mature, have hidden or recurring costs, and delay will mean increased costs due to inflation. I do not believe this ordinance is perfect unless this council amends the ordinance later. A typical Colombia residential customer using 5,000 gallons per month will see their water bill increase from about $38 today to about $95 in 2030. That burden is on top of the increase in price of everything else in this economy. People are right to be worried and angry and we must listen to them, but we are not obligated to take every comment seriously. And I don't want to pick on anyone individually. I happen to like uh Commissioner Pvetti. I get along well with Mayor Butt, but but you know, I

bought this coffee or tea actually earlier for $5 and I know the amount of the cost that went into the water is about one penny out of the $5. I like coffee too, but I don't think this water increase is going to affect that. Um, with regard to the county budget, which was mentioned on Tuesday night, I I happen to disagree about the impact there. The water and sewer line items in the county budget make up about one quarter of 1% of the county's budget. The sewer costs are not going to be affected by that. And that is water and sewer how it's listed in the budget. And all the county doesn't buy all of its water from CPWs. So, this ordinance affects a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the county budget. Uh if our county taxes go up, it won't be because of this ordinance. There are workingclass folks, senior citizens, and others who will struggle to find the extra 50ish dollars a month to pay their water bills. And so we must stop the personal attacks and fight like hell to keep Colombia as affordable as possible. Based on the discussion on Tuesday, as well as the fact that y'all are passing impact fees, I believe you've already started to do that, and I thank you tremendously for that. Uh the end of year 2026 rate review as required by the ordinance will be an important checkpoint to try to bring this worstase 149% impact down. So let's not waste that opportunity. Before I go, I do want to say I know several speakers have urged you to follow public opinion on this vote. Uh I do think CPWS has broader support in the community than these meetings would indicate, but secondly, you cannot lead people to where they already are.

Thank you, Mr. Dallas. That's your three minutes. Thank you very much. Thank you. All right, we're still in public hearing number four. One wishes to be heard. Please continue to make your way. Looks like we have two coming on up. Welcome. If you'll identify yourself, you'll have the floor for three minutes.

Hi, I'm Denise Rody, 1821 Scrier Avenue here in Columbia. I grew up Lewisburg. Moved away when I was 18 to Florida where they have water restrictions. Never heard of a water restriction in my life cuz water is everywhere. moved to Utah. They shipped most of their water to California. Now they have a water crisis due to all the growth that was created by the Olympics out there. I come home, we've got buildings left and right. No impact fees were going on. They knew there was a water problem 10 years ago. Why was this not already addressed? Why are we not doing things not only to think of bringing water in, but creating ways to conserve our water? Disney waters its golf course with brown water. They have a reclamation plant to recycle. Why are we not doing something like that? Why is it let's destroy the third richest biodiverse river on the planet. Let's destroy it because when Hickman needs more water, Marshall needs more water, Lawrence needs more water, what are we going to do? Where are we going to get it from? And nobody's addressing that. So 500 million solves the problem today. What happens tomorrow when the other counties need more water? Do we not need to address it now to prevent that long down the road problem from existing? And each of you were elected by us. Each of you have a responsibility. We elected you to be our voice, not our brain. You don't just make a decision and say you're going to live with it whether you like it or not. That's not what this

country was built on. And if you do that to us, shame on you. And don't claim yourself to be an American. Thank you. Mayor, city council. My name is Danny Grooms. I'm a commissioner in the 10th district, current chairman of Murray County Commission. There comes a moment in every community when people must rise together and say we we deserve to be heard. And that moment is now. We are not gathered here to argue po politics. We are here because thousands of families are being affected by decisions made without their voices. Decisions about something as basic and as essential as water. Water is not optional. And when leaders make choices about water rates without inviting the community into the conversation, that is not a minor oversight. It is a failure of the most basic responsibility of public service. Abraham Lincoln said it clearly. No man is good enough to govern another man without the other's consent. When elected officials make decisions without the will of the people, they step outside the boundaries of servant leadership because leadership, true leadership, is service. And when you sit in those council seats, you hold the trust of the entire community in your hands. Your duty is not to speak over the people, but for them. Not to close doors, but to open them. not to dismiss concerns, but to face them head-on with transparency and respect. But when residents feel ignored, when their concerns are brushed aside, when decisions are made without honest and open dialogue, trust begins to evaporate. Confidence begins to collapse, people start asking themselves, why should I speak up? Why why should I attend? Does my voice matter at all? This is a dangerous place for any community to be. When decisions appear to when decisions

appear to ignore the will of the people, the very purpose of government is shaken. The decisions has awakened something powerful in this community. Not just anger, but a deep sense of injustice. People feel blindsided. They feel unheard. They feel as though their struggles are considered acceptable sacrifices, but they are not. There are seniors living on fixed incomes who might have to choose between medication and utilities. There are working parents stretching every dollar. There are young families trying to build a future. These are not abstract numbers on a report. These are human lives shaped by every vote cast in this chamber. Servant leadership reme authority is not owned. It is borrowed. It means acknowledging that when the people say feel unheard, the correct response is not defensiveness. It is humility and correction. It means recognizing that trust takes years to build and moments to destroy. The community is not a demanding special treatment. They're asking for fairness, for transparency, for a seat at the table, for the simple dignity of having their voice heard. And it is never too late to listen. Good leaders defend the people. Great leaders listen to the people. But the best leaders do both consistently, courageously, and with humility. Tonight, we call on this city council to live up to that standard. Not for politic politics, not for appearances, but for the community you and I swore to serve. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Anyone else? Please come forward. You'll identify yourself. You have the floor for three minutes. Thank you, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council. I'll be very brief because this is more of a side note for what I want to speak on later. Uh, a couple quick questions. Uh, this increase that we're needing, is this for You could identify yourself, please. I'm sorry. You could identify yourself.

I am so sorry. Mike Kuzowinsky, 100 Stonewall Road. Thank you. My question would be, is this increase that we're looking for, the the the need for this water, is this water that we actually need for our citizens right now, or is this for open permits that we've already extended out and and promised to other people? Is this for uh future development or is this water that we're actually needing right now? I I think you got to take a look and be honest and transparent with what is the need for us for this water. Do we need water? Yes, I'm sure we do. But are we being completely honest about why we're pushing for this fil million gallons? Uh are we just trying to bring in more development? Uh so that's all I have right now. I'll have a little bit more later and I do appreciate it. Anyone else wish to be heard on public hearing number four? You'll please come to the podium and identify yourself. You have the floor for three minutes. Name is uh Robert Lacy. I am a a Murray County resident. I live in Mount Pleasant. Uh good evening, mayor, council members. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make the study session earlier this week. I got off work late and uh the army doesn't like us to show up for political things in uniform. Uh I did however watch the first live stream of this meeting. I saw people from all walks of life, lawyers, nurses, farmers, everyday people. What they all had in common was that they were all against this project. I watched a CPWS claim this was the only option as they stated it would only be a $50 increase at the end of five years with no regard for the fact that only $50 makes a huge difference in the lives of families and individuals who struggle monthto months to pay their bills. They held up their binders of reports and justified their

plan. What's the rush that this this has to be done? I've heard you've been studying this for 10, 15, 20 years. Which is it? I've heard them all. I'm not sure which. Well, because I said I've heard them all. We need to pursue pause and allow the governor's commission to study this and come up with other options. I also saw a comment from CPWS that this is to guard against the drought of 2029. Do they have a crystal ball? How is drawing 12.5 million gallons from the Duck River going to protect against a drought if you're sucking it dry? I also watched commissioners raise questions to Representative Sepiki asking him why he hadn't found money for this. Did any of you ever call and ask him to look for money for this? Did any of you call Congressman Ogles and ask him to find federal money for it? I also watched some at the end of the council meeting after Mr. KD spoke, council member talk to the audience as if they were children and shout, "That's enough. I'm sick of it." That's not the way for a leader to act. I have 20 plus years of service serving this country, so I know what service means. During that time, I served in the Navy. I sailed the Pacific and the Indian oceans. I've also served in the Army and carried a rifle on the other side of this planet to defend people's rights. I've had good leaders and bad. What you

need to ask yourselves is which are you going to be? Bad leaders who do what they want regardless of the opposition or good leaders who listen to the people who elected them? Thank you. Thank you.

Good evening. My name is Dave Webb. Live at 507 Jonel's away. Mr. Mayor, Vice Mayor, members of council, thank you for your time and for your attention for just a couple minutes. I would like to ask you respectfully to vote no on this particular issue now for two very specific reasons. one, a no is not permanent, but it seems like the proposal about adding the new inlet is the first and easiest thing that comes to mind. And yes, it has been studied for a while. I was in this room when it when you were told by CPWS that it would be about 300 million. And now we're talking 500 million plus interest. You and I both know that'll be between 800 million and a billion dollars depending on interest rates. But it seems like other options exist that have not been fleshed out and studied and analyzed as well as this particular one has. So it seems like there's a favorite horse in the race and the others are being ignored. And this is a long long-term decision. So I would ask you to consider respectfully to look at those other options in further detail. The second reason I would ask you to defer on this is because there's an issue we need to learn from and that's causation. What has caused the need for this much new water? When I first started paying attention to the numbers and the growth of the city

of Columbia, there were approximately 2,000 homes that had been approved for development. And over the last six years, I've seen that grown to over 15,000 new dwellings approved. It seems to me that the long-term residents of Colombia didn't sign up for that kind of breakneck speed. They didn't they didn't sign up for the crowded roads and shops, for the schools that are overcrowded. And yes, that's not your problem to fix, but the decisions you make have made it worse. There there are agenda items on your agenda tonight to expand new neighborhoods and improve higher density. So I would ask you to look seriously at what the causation is. Mayor Moulder, you've sat in that chair and says if a city is not growing, it's dying. And there's a difference between 500 new units a year and 2500 new units a year compounded year after year after year. So I think we need to know what the real causation is and how to address the real causation.

Thank you sir. Thank you for your time. Thank you.

Next up if you'll identify yourself. You have the floor for three minutes.

Wayne Rossburg 214 Birwood here in Columbia. I've been a friend with a lot of y'all for years. Carl, we've seen a lot of water go under the bridge. Share that. Charlie, Pam's going to tell you to keep talking to me. Kenny, you've done a bunch of work for me and I still have a boat for you to weld. Cheryl, mayor, Randy, Brian, y'all welcome to Chick-fil-A and have the conversation that me and Randy had last Saturday for 30 minutes. And you don't even have to buy me a cup of coffee because I get senior coffee there. But anyway, what I want to talk about tonight, a lot of mistakes have been made here. A lot of it, I'm going to have to say a lot of it's on council. A lot of it's on Columbia Power and Water. I mean, I hate to say it, but we the council has never found a development it didn't like and approved. These impact fees that you're voting on tonight should have been voted on five, six, seven years ago. that would have helped this because right now everybody knows city of Columbia's under damage control. CPWS is under damage control. Look at their social media. Look how much stuff has gone out lately on social media about it trying to protect yourself. I've got more to say later, but one thing I want to ask for you to consider. I hope somebody's brave enough not to vote no tonight, but vote re recognition to table this for a couple months. Give Columbia Power and Water a chance to have some open meetings where they can come out and discuss and sell this to us. There's other options I'm going to talk about later, so I'm going to back down now, but I will be back for the other comments. Thank you. Public hearing number four. Mr. Spiky, you have the floor for three minutes.

Thank you, uh, Mayor. Um, I'm sorry I'm late. Um, two days ago, I was tasked by one of your members here to try to find money. I'm the chairman of the Tennessee Israel Caucus. I've over the last six months, I've been to Israel twice. I've toured their water water treatment facilities. They have probably one of the most state-of-the-art water treatment facilities and delivery systems in the world. There's a potential and I need time. There's a potential you I might find you a partner to partner with you in water treatment and delivery for the people of Murray County and southern Middle Tennessee. Maybe. I don't know. But I was asked to reach out and I did. I need time. But what if you already got the plan before you, but what if we were able to save you hundreds of millions of dollars by finding you a partner from the state of Israel? I'm asking you for time. That's all I'm asking you to do is consider to give us time. And if it doesn't come to fruition, you're right where you were before this meeting started. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Right.

You be up next. My name is Anson Anderson. I'm not going to be before you long. One of the guys said something early about the development that was going on. And one of my friends sent me a text message and said, "Make sure you say this. His name is Luke." And it says, "For which of you intending to build a tower siteth not down first and continueth the cost and countereth the cost whether he has sufficient to finish it?" least happily after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish it. All that behold it began in Tam saying this man began to build and was not able to finish. I'm done.

Welcome. You identify yourself on the floor for three minutes. Hi, I'm Andy Oshunis and I live off of Williamsport Pike in a 100-year-old farmhouse. I don't have much to say and it may be too little too late, but I just wanted to physically be present here personally as someone whose front yard and driveway and creek and tree line will be impacted as part of the pipeline route and installation. Um, I realize that to project P planners, this is just a casualty or feels like small potatoes, but it's our home. It's our property. It matters to us. It matters to our neighbors. And I don't know that many people are aware of what this looks like on a more micro level. Um, my husband and I have conversations about this regularly for almost the past two years because this is, like I said, our home, our space, and um, we just really want to, you know, I'm grateful that I have an opportunity to speak outside of the four walls of our home about it. So, thank you for hearing us out and we just urge you to consider an alternative solution. Thank you for your time. Hello. Um, my name is Kyle Kyle. We live off of uh 3.18 Williamsport Pike in Sawdust. Um, yeah. Thank you for letting me and my wife speak. Um, I am not myself a Tennessee native, but my wife is. Um, and we take a lot of pride in our community and living in Williamsport and value its history and culture. Um, to us there has, even though we're directly impacted, there still has not been as much transparency and there continues to be no signs that that will change. As we live in Sawdust, um, we are directly in line with the pipeline

and our experience has been rather challenging. We heard the other day that the easement acquisition is at 60%. I'm saddened to hear that it was that that many. The project is going to take years to build and even the construction easements will last up to four years. This makes us not only uh stuck to bear the full burden of this change but limits our ability to live freely for a significant amount of time. We are being sold the idea that we need water now and this is our only quick and feasible option. For those of you who are not aware, the pip pipeline easement is spaced not only just for one but for two three-foot pipelines. That means there is actually a plan to build another water pipeline sometime after this one is built. This also means that there will be double the amount of millions of gallons of water pulled from the Duck River at a day um at a day than that they are actually proposing. Why isn't there a detailed map of the proposed pipeline for the public to see? Has there been a study done for how pulling this much water out of the river will affect those of us on wells? Why are who are the contractors being used? Are they out of state? Um, or no. The engineers that have put the plans together aren't even an American company. I have also heard that the budget is between five to 600 million. What's the detailed breakout of this budget? How much money has already been spent on the project that still has not been received a full notice to proceed? What happens if they go under budget? Is that money ever returned? If they go over, will we have to pay more? I can't help but see this as somewhat of a cash grab for many companies to make money off our land and our problems. This isn't a permanent fix. So why would we rush into the this into fruition? I left a state that has mismanaged its water resource. I never thought I would be in another area that appears to be on track to do the same. Please help do the right thing and put a pause on this decision until all facts, data, options, and transparency are presented to the community. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Welcome. You'll have the floor for three minutes if you identify yourself, please. Thank you.

Thank you all. Keith Harrison, 1917 Lynwood. Um I appreciate the opportunity to be able to come together and edify. Um just simply that senior citizens shouldn't have not only an increase but a decrease and um and I won't move forward with anything else right now. That's all. Thank you. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Council. Uh, my name is Tim Mullen, uh, 302 Cadet Court, Spring Hill, Murray County resident. I have lived in Spring Hill and Murray County for over 30 years, and I've seen firsthand how the growth has shaped our community. The infrastructure strain that we're experiencing here in Middle Tennessee did not happen overnight, and it should not surprise anyone. In 2007, I ran for city council in Spring Hill as alderman, advocating for smart and controlled growth. I supported capital improvement planning, impact fees, and even de development moratoriums to ensure infrastructure kept pace and developers shared responsibility. Those ideas were unpopular at the time, but today we are living with the consequence of failing to plan ahead. Now, instead of thoughtful regional solutions, we are rushing to catch up. In doing so, the city of Columbia through CPWS is advancing a $520 million water project that has already doubled in cost with limited transparency, no meaningful input from surrounding communities, and no clear exploration of alternative solutions. Investing $520 million into a single project without broad regional buyin is reckless. Public officials have a fidiciary responsibility to explore all viable options and invest responsibly. At minimum, this process should in involve a joint commission of affected municipalities and coordination with state and federal partners. As a Spring Hill and Murray County resident, I am deeply concerned by the proposed water incre water rate increase of nearly 149%. No family should have to

choose between paying for water or keeping the lights on. I will continue to urge our local leaders in Springfield to protect residents from unforeseeable cost for an essential resource. Murray County is not a metropolitan government. While Colombia is the county seat, it should not unilaterally dictate the household budgets of Spring Hill residents or Murray County residents or our neighboring communities. This decision demands collaboration, transparency, and regional accountability. Thank you. Yield back my time. We're on public hearing number four. Welcome. If you identify yourself, you're on the floor for three minutes.

My name is Gail Courtney Moore. I'm standing here today to support the Columbia Power downstream intake because for me, this comes down to two things. Water quality, economic consent, economic common sense, and saving our duck river. About four years ago, um u I got a call from a friend who said, "You better get you better find out what's going on in Monsanto." At that point, there was someone who was going to build a huge landfill with uh tire shredders and um like it would be it was 1,000 ft from the Duck River. This a huge dump. So at that point, four years ago, we started looking into it like what is going on? And and really I started studying the duck river for four I've been studying it for four years. And at that point we got a group together with Ted Deck, Scott Zapiki, Senator Hinsley, the Sierra Club, all the major players. And at that point, four years ago, this wasn't a secret meeting. This was open to the public. We were begging people to come. That meeting, Columbia Power, the Sierra Club, the whole group said, "Well, we have this plan, and it is that there will be an outtake at the Williamson County line." This is this is not anything new. This is not a secret. No one has been transparent. I don't know why suddenly it's it's like someone's been trying to hide something from us or that there's a conspiracy because there's not. Colombia Power has

to provide water for us. That's their job. They're doing what they can. So I I just want to be clear on the fact that this does not need to divide our community. This is the best solution for short term. If we don't do this, you know, when this comes back around, you're going to say, "Well, why didn't you tell us about it or why why are we doing this now?" This has been they've been working on this for 10 years, people. It's nothing new. The city, Columbia Power, they're trying to get us water. This will get us a little ways down the road. Then we have to come up with another solution, and that's in the works. A pipeline probably to the Tennessee River. So, um, as I say, I've been working on this. I've been in millions of meetings with all the different groups. And I just want to say if we don't do this, we're going to be sad in about two or three years because all the other things we need to do, you have to go through so many processes that Columbia Power has already done in the past 10 years. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Gilmore. All right. Anyone else wish to be heard on public hearing number four? Again, we will conclude public hearings and have an opportunity to be heard at public comment, but if you would like to be heard at public hearing number four, um, and I believe the folks that have been that were in the overflow room have now made their way down that have been that have been wanting to speak on the public hearing portion of the agenda. So, anyone else in the audience this evening wish to be heard on public hearing number four? Okay. Any Okay. All right. Come on up. if you identify yourself, you have the floor for three minutes.

Yeah. My my name is Matthew Blley. Um I'm very pleased to be uh uh gone before by my grandfather and my former science teacher. Um I live at 319 West 8th Street in Rally Hill. Um all I would like to say is that the young people are also watching and we do have a vote. So um yeah, thank you very much. All right, if you'll come forward, you have the floor for three minutes.

Yes. My name is Annie Kelly. I live off of Palasti Highway here in Columbia. Thanks, Matthew. I have a a similar thing that as I'm watching you all and everyone who's speaking, um I just wanted to say something from the younger generation. U Miss Mor pointed out, it's a short-term solution. What's going to happen, you know, in 10 years? Are we going to be back here in 10 years having the same arguments? Are we going to be back here in 20 years? You know who all of us are going to be impacting in 20 years, 30 years, 40 years? Are we going to have to stand here in 40 years and say, "Well, we were here before they made this plan and now we have to deal with a fallout and now we have to deal with X, Y, and Z." So, from the younger generation, um, I ask that you take us into consideration. Are we going to have to deal with the get? Are we going to have to deal with the fallout? Thank you.

All right, we're still in public hearing number four. If you'll come forward, identify yourself. You're on the floor for 3 minutes.

Yes, my name is Jason Gillum. I live at 2704 Beer Road in Colombia. Listen, I just wanted to make note of something that was just said. these pipelines that these people are talking about. The uh Mallerie Valley utility district, the Mallerie Valley utility district study that was just completed last year, the 30-mile pipeline from the Cland River was $2 billion. $1.7 billion is what it was. Iron ductal pipe, 54 in iron ductal pipe that would carry that water is $1,150 a foot. So, you talk about a pipeline to the Tennessee River. It wasn't feasible to do the $ 1.7 billion pipeline. It was shelved because it's too expensive. We can't afford it. It's farther to the Tennessee River than it is to the Cumberland River. That cost is going to exceed $3 billion. I know it as sure as I'm sitting here. So, we can forget about these legs to the Tennessee River and these legs to the Cumberland River. They're not going to work because we can't afford it. So, I just wanted to make that clear. Thank you.

All right. Anyone else wish to be heard on public hearing number four? If you'll come forward and you'll have the floor for three minutes if you'll identify yourself and welcome.

Hi, I'm Paula Wood, 259 Clarage Court in Colombia. First, I want to thank you all and thank anybody that has served um because it's sometimes and often very often a thankless job. I don't know where to start, but I guess in my heart I want all of us to have water. We need water for life. I need living water for my heart. We need physical water for our bodies. I really think we had we opened our home and asked people to come. I worked I can I can actually say this with Brian McKelie for almost seven years. And he's a man of integrity. I didn't always agree with him, but if he was wrong, he'd come and he'd apologize. I have to say he wasn't very often wrong, but I'm not his wife. So, but um one thing I opened up our home and we had CPWS, we had Mr. McKelie there. Three people in our neighborhood showed up. So, I can identify when somebody says, "I've been working on this for a long time and I know the issues." I don't know the issues. I've been a resident for over 30 years in Spring Hill and in Columbia, but I know we have issues. We have growth, too much growth for a lot of us. And I worry for our farmers and I worry for our retired people and I worry for my grandchildren because there's going to be so much coming. But you know what? I want I need water. I want water. The one thing that I heard tonight with from Representative Sepeeki, if we could stall this vote and for a few other people, if if we could have

more input and listen, I know the people at CPWS have been doing this since 2015. They have worked a long time. They have all kinds of land use, the local, state, federal agencies that they had to do reports for that they had to pay for. They spent $32 million in seven years from my understanding. We are going to spend a lot of money and it's I don't know about y'all, but my cost of living goes up every year and I think I'm going to have to apply at Walmart when they open up that grocery store on 31. If you can get down 31 in Spring Hill, we proposed years ago I was on the Park and Wreck Commission for a short time and it wasn't the Parks and Wreck show you see on TV. But the biggest thing was that we there was a showing a need to have more streets and available. It took 15 years to develop Kedron Road in Spring Hill. It's taken a long time to get a water. I'm just concerned that if we do have a drought, if we do have a natural disaster, we will not have enough water. But I do think we need to take a couple more months. And listen, I don't agree with the pause for the dam or for this uh um Governor Lee. This has been going on too long. There's already

Thank you, ma'am. things that we need. Thank you for listening. Anyone else on public hearing number four? Welcome. And you'll have the floor for three minutes if you'll identify yourself, please.

Hello, my name is Theresa Briggs. I live on Plasky Highway. I am a third generation native of Columbia, Tennessee. Not the smartest in the room, definitely not the most wellspoken, and I did not come prepared to speak tonight, but have heard enough things I would like to speak just from my heart. Um, I do know that having grown up here in Murray County, having watched um myself being able to canoe on the duck, my kids have played in the duck. They have canoeed on the duck. I have um two stepsons and a daughter who have enjoyed the duck and the growth has been excessive. It's come without warning. A lot of us have not enjoyed the growth even though growth is a positive thing when done properly. Um I know that there is alternative ways that we can make this happen. also know that this could possibly work if we have had transparency. I think that it was spoken earlier. We could have meetings to inquire about this, to ask questions. That would be a fabulous idea. The Columbia Dam project is offering weekly sessions to ask questions and talk about their project. There's been transparency. Um, it's been open. We've been able to talk about it. They're having a feasibility study. Why can't we do the same with this project to to allow as citizens just in our great country? We have so many government officials who do not offer us transparency in our small town Columbia, Tennessee. That is where our citizens would most expect transparency.

We want to see our elected officials tr give us trust and respect. We put you in office. We would like to see you listen to us. We're asking for you to pause on this and answer some questions for us. Thank you. Mr. Summers, you didn't have to sign up for this one. Welcome back. You have the floor for three minutes. Well, you get to speak then as well. Welcome. You have the floor.

I'll try not to take up too much of your time either either either time, but uh Scott Summoners, uh Spring Hill, uh Murray County Commissioner District 5. It's good to see Mr. McCullum, Mr. McKelie, both neighbors of mine on the commission. Uh sorry, Brian, but Carl was more fun than sim. Uh a couple uh couple things I'd like to talk about. Uh, one is I think uh a pause is warranted and I think the pause is warranted because I think the Duck River Partnership should finish what they've started. And to me, I don't know why we're trying to rush this or you guys are trying not trying to rush this through. I know it's been worked on for 15, 20 years. I know it's been talked about for longer than that. uh a lot of red tape to go through. I understand that red tape, co more red tape, right? But I think the problem is a lot of it is control. I think uh everybody, not just the city of Columbia, CPWS, but everybody, every entity, public entity needs to take a step back, work together, and try to figure out what the best long-term solution is. I mean, short term, you're talking about a short-term solution. And that's what somebody just was just stating. Uh that gets me to my next point. $520 million for a short-term solution. As the chairman of the budget committee for the Murray County Commission, I'd have a hard time voting for $520 million. That's the biggest borrowing in the county's history. Uh, and you're talking potentially, I just ran the numbers on a 35-year loan with a 3.4% interest rate. You're talking about $26 million a year for 35 years. I won't

even be here then. Half this room won't even be here then. Maybe those folks right over there in the they'll be picking up the tab later then. But uh 30 $26 million a year for 35 years. That's if you pay for it every year. I know there's other types of options you can use. I haven't seen an amateurization schedule or anything, but that's a lot of money. It's a lot of debt. And I know these things are going to cost a lot of money. But if you if you wait for the governor's partnership, Doug River partnership to finish their work and and try to iron out a lot of this a lot of these issues, I think the public would be a little bit more understanding here, you know, then you because you've dotted all the eyes and crossed all the tees. So just just uh I just I just I just felt like I needed to to say something tonight because I don't typically get in the in the city's business. And y'all don't get into our business, but I represent folks that are being disenfranchised. They don't get a say in this, but yet their water bills will go up. They don't live in the city limits of Columbia. They live in the county and some live in Spring Hill. I just wanted to put my two cents in there and speak for them as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Summers. My name is Kevin Markham. I live at 2890 Palaski Highway, Columbia, Tennessee. I am a commissioner in the 9inth district in Murray County. And I almost hesitate to say that because I have represented my constituents. I've reached out to each and every one of you except Miss Secret. I did not have a phone number for her. Um, and we've had conversations. My request to you was that that we take a pause. And I wasn't planning to say anything tonight because I've already said what I want to say until I heard a few things. This entire city council voted to support looking at a Colombia dam. If we built a reservoir where the previous dam was, your pipeline would be one mile from there to the current intake. One mile. Less than two miles probably to the filter plant. One mile. The Columbia Dam's not ready to be put down yet because we haven't had that feasibility study. Representative Sepiki tonight, if for none other reason than this, he asked for time to find a partner that could pay for half of it, twothirds of it, we don't know. But what's 90 days going to do, folks? Interest rates are falling. Thank you very much.

welcome you on the floor for three minutes.

My name is Andrea Stiver at 212 Swani Circle. Good evening. I'm here tonight because the rateayers of Columbia and Murray County people who have no representation on this council are being asked to absorb a $520 million debt for the crisis that's been building for years. The public deserves clarity about how we got here about the network of overlapping roles that have shaped the decisions leading to this moment. The Ultium project advanced this in reverse. The plant was announced in 2021 construction began the same year and by the time the county commission voted in 2023 on resolution 102329. It stated the county and the municipalities are not party to the new pilot documents that effectively removed elected officials from the negotiation process and placed authority with an appointed board, the Murray County IDB. And in Murray County, the Murray Alliance is a group that brings projects to IDB recommends the incentives, packages, presents the wage and job data, and frames justification for pilot agreements. The IDB does not independently recruit companies or design incentives. It relies on the Murray Alliance recommendations and historically the IDB has approved the projects presented to it. The structure is not illegal, but it does mean the Murray Alliance effectively shapes decisions the IDB votes on. And when you look at the overlapping roles between Murray Alliance, the IBD, IDB, CPWS, First Farmers and Merchants Bank, and multiple elected officials, you can see why the public is concerned about structural conflicts of interest. Let me explain why. The mayor of Columbia serves on the Murray Alliance board and executive committee. His law firm holds the Mount Pleasant city attorney contract and he personally filled in as city attorney in 2024. His employee, the current Mount Pleasant city attorney, also previously worked for Harden Parks, Carter, and Kelly. The same law firm the mayor began his law career. At that firm, Judge Russ Parks was a senior partner and Parks Parks and Dalton Munger, the mayor's former partner,

served together on First Farmers and Merchants Advisory Board. Munger later moved to First Farmers, I'm sorry, Munger later moved to the First Farmers and Merchants Board of Directors. Dr. Christa Martin, the mayor's former vice mayor, serves on First Farmers and Merchants Board of Directors, MCPWS. Mount Pleasant Mayor Bill White, who sits on the M on the Murray County IDB, is a former senior banking executive of First Farmers and Merchants and also serves the Murray Alliance. According to public filings, the the mayor's statement of interest has a personal loan to First Farmers and Merchants. His congressional campaign filings list first farmers and merchants as the depository. His donor list includes First Farmers and Merchants top executives Dawn Moore, Robert Krimmel, and Brian Williams. First Farmers and Merchants has also served as the government depository for Colombia, Mount Pleasant, and Spring Hill. None of these facts are say are prove wrongdoing, but together they show a a tight overlapping network of influence surrounding the very entities that shape the decisions leading to this $520 million debt. Rateers deserve to know whether these decisions were made with full transparency, independent oversight, and clear separation of interest because they they are the ones being asked to pay for what you guys are asking us to pay for. Thank you.

Thank you. Welcome. You'll have the floor for three minutes. You'll identify yourself for the record, please.

Thank you, Mayor. My name is Jamil Lebron and I'm a longtime resident of Columbia, Tennessee. I stand here today to express my deepest dis disbelief and concern over the way members of the Columbia City Council have been verbally attacked on social media in recent weeks. What has occurred goes far beyond healthy disagreement and civic debate. The publishing of council members home address both online and through the mail is alarming and dangerous. The actions appear to incite hostile and unrest against individuals who are simply carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to them by our community. No elected official, and I repeat, no elected official, regardless of how one feels about their vote, should have to fear for their safety or the safety of their families. The bullying directed to the city council members who voted yes on the Columbia Power Water rate increase has been extremely troubling. One council member who is my council member for the third ward along with mayor motor and vice mayor McBroom was placed on a cartoon that invoke painful reminders of a time in history where degrading cartoon characters was used in newspapers to dehumanize people. While this issue is not about race, it is about respect, dignity, and doing what is right for our community. In September, hundreds of people gathered around the courthouse proclaiming that the death of a political activist brought them closer to Christ. I asked sincerely, "What happened?" Because the behavior we are witnessing now, it is not Christlike. Public humiliation, threats, harassment, and intimidation do not reflect love, grace, or compassion. Will a broader rate increase affect everyone? Yes, it

will. But so have rising costs of groceries, gas, housing, and basic necessities. These are difficult decisions, and they are never made lightly. Council members are tasked with making choices they believe are in the best long-term interest for our city, even when those choices are unpopular. I pray for peace and protection over our city council members and their family. Also pray for peace for those who have publicly humiliated them. Their hearts may be softened and understanding restored. Our city deserves better than division and hostility. May we move forward with civility, empathy, and respect for one another. God bless each of y'all. All right. Anyone else on public hearing number four? come on up. You'll have the floor for three minutes if you'll identify yourself for the record, please. Welcome.

Thank you. Uh my name is Kenny Marorrow. I'm a county commissioner for District 7, which is where this intake is supposed to be. Uh I've recently been studying some u some documents on the duck riveraggency.org website and there's some pretty interesting stuff on there. There's studies going back to information going back to 1972, studies going as back as far as 1980. Um, I think they took that study, that original 1980 study, and copied and pasted up through 2017. I understand there's been a new document uploaded. Um, in that study, there outlines either four or five alternates. Alternate A is to do nothing. Unfortunately, that appears to be what has taken place. I know there's been discussions. I know that there have been uh, you know, study sessions and that sort of thing. I know that there have been studies carried on professional by professional people, but ultimately what you're proposing now is the first real hard actions been taken. That's 45 years. We've been 45 years into this. I believe we could stand to wait a few months before taking any actual action. I don't think it would kill us to hold off a little bit. Um there are some other issues with some of the alter there's alternate there's options on intakes. There are nine viable options on intakes according to those reports. One of those is very short distance outside Colombia. The furthest option nine is the one that has been selected for this. Now I understand a little bit of that but you're talking about building two three feet water lines clear out to Williamsport. Option one is 41,000 ft shorter. You could build your intake there, have a much shorter pipeline, and if you need that three that other three in three-foot pipeline at a later date to tie into an

additional line to source from somewhere else, you could then build it at that time. That would save quite a bit of cost and quite a bit of time on the construction since this is a short-term solution, not a long term. Long term, all we can get out of the Duck River is 32,000 gallons per day, no matter what you do. According to those studies, the projected outlay by 2040 is over 40 million gallons. So, we're at kind of at the short end, at the short window on the short-term solution as we are. So, I would think it would be wise to cut as much cost as we can on a short-term solution, focus on long term. In addition, we have aging infrastructure issues to deal with, which is the aging Colombia dam. If you don't maintain a 100 cubic foot per second flow over that dam, you cannot disperse sewage water in there or treated sewage water. That's a hard number on those studies in every study in there. That is a hard hard ceiling number. You cannot go below that. If if you get below that due to drought or flood or whatever, you cannot discharge your sew your treated water. So these are things to be thinking about because we've got to do something about our aging infrastructure as well as what we're talking about building. Okay. But anyway, these are things to think about and I would encourage everybody to visit those websites and check out the information.

Thank you. Uh my name is Chris Wong. Uh 310 General Forest Drive uh in Colombia. Uh thank you for uh giving me this time. Mayor, vice mayor, city council. I appreciate you listening to us. I think I think for me the only thing that I would like to bring up um is uh so uh I came from New York City and from Seattle. Um don't throw stones at me, y'all. um and uh and and I worked on Wall Street and I've been in the technology world for the past 20 years and one of our um one of the the folks that we followed and we've been influenced by is an American entrepreneur named Peter Teal and Peter Teal wrote a book that has sort of been the Silicon Valley mantra which is um why uh build a business where you have to compete with a bunch of other businesses. is when you can build a monopoly because monopolies can control pricing um during COVID. If you're a social media platform like Facebook, they can silence you because of differing values. Um so in many ways that's why I moved to Colombia and Murray County. Uh so I think um outside of all the things that um people have raised, I think what's still important that we need to talk about eventually is why would I want to give Columbia Water all the power? Why would I want that to be the $520 million bet? Um I think there are things that of uh that are of common sense and I think just general wisdom that I implore you for us to talk about and that's why I suggest strongly that we table this conversation so that we can deal with a

variety of inputs that go into making a decision like this including uh an infrastructure in which one single entity will run the show. Thank you for your time. Public hearing number four. Welcome. You'll have the floor for three minutes.

Yes. Larry Hampton of 101 Pandywood Court. I come from another city. I retired two years ago from another city. Why are we putting this to you guys to pass a bond issue when it should be on a general election in November to have the whole everybody if there's a registered voter vote on it and I I I'm said like I said I come from a city government where on projects like this they had numerous The consultants had numerous public meetings with citizens with maps, drawings, and all this information for the public for months in advance. This is ridiculous that you guys are making this decision without those public meetings where you have the engineers and the consultants here to talk to the public. and let them ask questions and then come back with two and usually most of them consultants have two or three designs or solutions to see which one fits the best for people to say talk to. That's all I got to say. But you need to really think about that in going forward as a city council. And I come from a city that was a lot larger and that had a smaller council meeting council then but they they took people's the citizens uh word and worked on it. Thank you.

Hi, my name is Bethany Torino. I uh live at 700 Baker Road. I just realized sitting out there that even though I signed up for public comment or public whatever the difference is, I could try twice to say what I'm trying to say. If I get it out right now, I don't have to stay and wait. I um I'm in the middle on this. And the thing is is I wasn't going to come back tonight, but I've been accused of being political. And that is the last thing if anyone knows me that I am. I have friends on both sides. I have a friend up here, Cheryl Serest, who I love. I have a friend, Brian McKelie, who has answered every single question that I've ever wanted to ask of him. and I respect both of them and was thrilled when both of them decided to run for city council. Now, you got here a little different way, but that's okay. But what I'm what I'm trying to say is it it struck me so hard when someone thought that I was here because I was tricked to be here. Like, I can't think for myself. And that made me think that every person that I've been listening to, I'm thinking, you know what? What if they're what if we're already sitting up here and we've made up our mind and we're going, "Oh, they heard that person. Oh, they're with the county. Oh, they're this and that." That's not what this is. And I'm here because I have my own opinion and my own voice. And I have worked in this city. Am I at 3 minutes yet? Cuz I can come back.

I have worked in this city in homelessness. And I have been stonewalled by this city. That's why I'm here because I believe in coordination and I haven't gotten it. That's why I'm here. So, I believe that the coordination problem is a pattern and your own mayor doesn't like this plan. Your own city mayor is not convinced. I think that we should think about that. Why? That's all I have to say.

Thank you, Mr. Trina. All right. Okay, we're still on public hearing number four. If you'll come up to the podium, identify yourself. You have the floor for three minutes. Welcome.

Hello, mayor, vice mayor, members of council. My name is Eric Turner. Uh, longtime resident, lived here all my life. Um, my ancestry goes back to the before Murray County was even Murray County because they're landing in Rose Hill Cemetery. Uh, I stand on my my family name and I think it's a disgrace because they I've sent my family spent two centuries here. Um, I'm here today representing myself, my grandmother, my mother, my fellow neighbors, brothers, sisters, elderly, sick, shut in, and the ones that not able to make it here today. When we When we went and elected every person on this board to your rightful positions, we casted our vote for you to sit in front of us and take care of these detriment issues such as what we're here for today. We deserve to have faith in the ones that we have elected to serve this great county. We have had to sacrifice our valuable time to be here today to make sure our vote matters. So, please make the right decision and pause for further investigation or other viable options. Thank you. All right, public hearing number four. Come on up, sir. If you'll identify yourself, you'll have the floor for three minutes.

My name is Tom Peoples. Um I'm a citizen a resident of Nashville now. Although, uh mayor, you know that I practiced law here for 17 years. Um I am the chairman of the board of the Duck River Agency. And I feel old tonight. I looked over at Jeremy Alip and he was a little punk kid of my next door neighbor when I was growing up here. Bruce Peyton I've known for 40 years practiced law with. He's a very fine lawyer and honest, straightforward lawyer. Gail Courtourtney Moore, her father was my partner here for many years. It's it's sad coming down to to Colombia down I used to come when I was a little child Christmas to see all the development that's happened. It used to be maybe the most beautiful drive anywhere from Nashville down the Columbia Pike. Things have changed a lot. Climate's changed a lot. Back when the Columbia Dam it was decided that it was going to be torn down, it was provided by Tennessee Valley Authority. TVA came up with some solutions as to what to do about a problem that they saw even back then, 30, 40 years ago, that was that Colombia was not going to have enough water. So, one of those solutions was to put this outtake below Colombia because there's so much more water below Colombia than there is here where there's a pinch point. And make no mistake about it, Colombia is in danger because if that pinch point is reached, Colombia is in serious trouble. This is the best solution to that problem. the

outtake below Colombia. It's been studied and studied and studied and studied. It is the best solution. It's what the in the in the best estimate of the Duck River agency needs to be done and u I'm here to support that. Thank Thank you, Mr. Paples. All right, we're on still on public hearing four. If you'd like to be heard on this matter, please come forward. We see you have at least one more walking up. come on up. You'll have the floor for three minutes if you'll identify yourself for the record, please. Welcome. Thank you.

Thank you. U my name is Dale Mallister and I live on North Harden Drive in Ward Five. I'm asking that we pause on this a little bit so we can get uh some more there's got to be some more possible uh solutions out there. So that's where I'm at. I'm asking for a pause. We don't have to stop it or anything. Just pause it for a while, think about it. So, thank you.

Welcome. You'll identify yourself here on the floor for three minutes.

Hi, thank you. My name is Connie Goens. I live in Williamsport. I would like to speak later, but I did want to, while it's still fresh on our minds, refer back to what a recent speaker spoke about, the gentleman from Koka. He mentioned that um the intake proposed area was one of um our lower quality water areas. Also that the water there is very shallow. That alarms me. I think that we really need to look into the water quality. Maybe it needs to be somewhere else. But the pause again, let us do some studies and let's really look at that. That's a very serious issue. Let's say we go ahead and then we find out that that water is so darn polluted, it's going to cost us how much more to fix it. I don't want polluted water. I want clean water. So again for the pause and we'll talk later. Thank you.

Right. Public hearing four. Anyone else wish to be heard on this matter? Public hearing number four. All right. Welcome. Thank you.

I'm Joey Davenport, 1142 Loftton Road. And I think as we all realize um and we're paying for the past sins of government officials of government identities and other type of government agencies that failed us 40 years ago. I mean they started this uh they had visionaries in the 60s that was going to you know went through this process of doing the dam started the project got finished with the project and then we all know the end result and the only way you're ever going to get more water is you have to add more water to Murray County to have some kind of basin to be able to have more water. That is the most feasible way. I mean, it's just for me it's common sense. But, um, we went on there's I've been to every one of these meetings and I've listened to a lot of the concerns and the things that's happened. And like I said, the sense from the past, council members, we we've gone on for years and years knowing this is a water problem and we've continued to let too many people come into Murray County. I mean, that is the obvious fact. I mean, you cannot even drive to Spring Hill or even get back into Colombia in the afternoon. It's ridiculous. Um, I heard several of the council members say, I've been coming to these meetings that people should be able to do what they want with their land. Well, that's you would think that would be I mean, you would think this made common sense. That's nice for anybody to do what they want to their land, sell it off, put it in little 8 acre tracks when they have a 200 acre farm. But that is not

realistic. We've always had rules and regulations zoning to take care of that. Well, we've been failed by all that. I mean, failed badly. We knew we didn't have the water for all these people, but we went ahead and issued out all this zoning, created a population that we cannot sustain there. If you don't have the resources, you can't have the people here. I do not I do not understand it. And then we're faced with a with this problem that if I have an empty glass of water and I have a full glass of water, what is it matter if you can't afford that full glass? It's no different than the empty glass. So, this is something it's very serious. We are going to have to step back and look at all the options. I've I've heard many many options here that's better than what I've heard from Columbia Power. It's just got to take time to pull all these things together. I I just wish you would do that. Pull all your resources together and let's make a good common sense decision and don't create more sins for the future for our for our future people. Thank you very much.

All right. Public hearing number four. Anyone else wish to be heard on public hearing number four from the audience? Seeing none, recognizing we will have the opportunity of public comment. Um, anyone on council wish to be heard at this time on the public hearing? Hearing none, uh, entertain a motion to close public hearing number four. Move to close. Motion's been made, properly seconded. Any discussion on the motion to close public hearing number four? Hearing none, Mr. Jablonsky. Mr. McCullen, Mr. Mr. Huffman. Hi, Miss Secret. Hi, Mr. Marshall. Hi, Mr. McKelby. Hi, Vice Mayor McBrroom. Hi, Mayor Molder.

I public hearing number four is now closed. Next matter, public hearing number five, public hearing on ordinance number 4571 and ordinance to amend ordinance number 4,400. The same being the zoning ordinance of the city of Columbia, Tennessee by deanexing properties located off of Darksmail Road being tax map 52 partials 38.03, 38.05, and 38.06, and tax map 66 partals 1.01. 01 1.02 and 1.03. Anyone in the audience wish to be heard on public hearing number five. Seeing one welcome. You'll have the floor for three minutes.

Thank you, Mayor Moulder. Justin Bat, resident, 2311 Darkill Road, also representing True South Farm, our business located there, the Crouches and the Dansfields. Two other joining properties that are requesting deanexation. This committee's already heard this issue. We've gone through the planning as well, but wanted to one more time just state the the issue and the cause. 2311 Darksmail Road. Originally, the West family owned it and built it years ago. It was over,400 acres. And back in 1989, the property was approved after being denied twice for eventual planned unit development that the mayor at that time finally approved for 2400 rooftops. It was never developed. It sat in the pud all these years. The property was split up, divided up. The Crouches and the DRfields were the two daughters that grew up there. They have property that's still adjoining. And then we bought the property in 2020. Um that plan unit development is still sitting there. We're on an island out in the middle of nowhere in Murray County. We're not in the city. We have zero city services, none whatsoever from the city. And so it was great to listen to all the the talk before us because we don't have Columbia Power and Water. We have county water. And so our request for deanexation is just that that we are not a part of the city. We're on an island out there and we're requesting that our properties all be deanexed and the PUD be removed.

All right. Thank you, Mr. B. Um, appreciate you being here. Anyone else want to be heard on public hearing number five? Hearing none. Anyone on council wish to be heard on public hearing number five? Seeing none, any entertain a motion to close public hearing five. Motion's been made by Mr. Mckelby, second by Mr. McCullen. Any discussion on the motion to close public hearing number five? Hearing none. Mr. Jonsky, Mr. McCullen, Mr. Huffman, Miss Secret, Mr. Marshall, Mr. McKelby, Vice Mayor McBroom, Mayor Moulder,

I. That public hearing is now closed. We'll now move to the consent agenda. These items are deemed non-controversial, requiring no debate or further uh discussion. I'll read them through them collectively. will vote on them collectively unless a member of council wishes to remove any of the items from the consent agenda to have separate debate and discussion. 7 I'd like to pull out 7.2.

Okay, we will pull out item 7.2 from the consent agenda. Item 7.1 approved dispersions for the month of November 2025 in the amount of $4,74,985.91. Item 7.3 acknowledge receipt of form CT0253 report on debt obligation for water system revenue anticipation note series 2025. Item 7.4 approve and authorize the mayor to execute the enduser license agreement between the city of Columbia and local government corporation. Item 7.5 acceptance of the railroad and utility ad valorum assessments for the tax year 2025. Item 7.6 Six, approve and authorize the mayor to execute a 5-year lease agreement between Providential Broadcasting LLC and the city of Columbia allowing the installation and operation of equipment to receive and transmit signals on the tower located at 501 Reservoir Hill Road. Item 7.7, approved purchase from Wilson County Motors in the amount of $85,77544 a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 crew cab diesel pickup truck using statewide contract. Item 7.8, 8. Approve reimbursement in the amount of $427,500 to SDH Nashville LLC for partial shy release for Armstrong Meadows section 4. And item 7.9, approve and authorize the mayor to sign change order number two between the city of Columbia and Water Management Services LLC for materials installed to connect to the existing force main elevation for the Carter Creek Force main relocation project in the amount of $47,648. That is your consent agenda. Item 7.1 and then item 7.3 through 7.9. Entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. Motion's been made by Council Huffman.

Properly second by Council Mckelby. Any discussion hearing? None. Mr. Jablonsky. Hi, Mr. McCullen. Hi, Mr. Hen. Hi, Miss Mr. Marshall. Hi, Mr. McKelby. Hi, Vice Mayor McBroom. Hi, Mayor Mer. I The consent agenda is approved. We're now back on item 7.2. Uh, acknowledge receipt of form CT253, report on debt obligation for water system revenue anticipation note series 2023 extension. Council Huffman. Uh, could I get Mr. Harden come up here if you don't mind? Mr. Harden, if you come forward, please.

Okay. With this, how soon are y'all plan on paying this 30 to $40 million off? Is this the revenue anticipation note? So this is just the form that goes to the comproller. I understand that it's still a note to be paid back. Yes. The December uh December 2027 is the maturity date on this revenue anticipation note. So if this uh tonight if this were to not be passed then we would take that out in municipal bonds. If this vote were to be passed, it would be taken out by the WIFIA funding. Okay. All right. Thank you.

All right. But y'all y'all y'all plan on paying it off if if the the uh the five $500 million passes tonight, you going to pay that off? Yes, sir. It would be immediately taken out with WIPA funding. Thank you. All right. Um any other questions for members of CPWS on this matter? Hearing none. Entertain a motion on item 7.2. Motion's been made. Properly seconded. Any discussion further on item 7.2? Hearing none. Mr. Jablonsky. Mr. Mr. McCullen. Hi, Mr. Huffman. Hi, Miss Secret. Mr. Marshall, Mr. McKelie, hi. Vice Mayor Mc Broom, Mayor M.

I that item is approved. No items under section 8 administration. So, moving on to section 9 resolutions. Item 9.1, resolution 2601, a resolution accepting ownership and maintenance of the traffic signal as well as roadway improvements at Nashville Highway and Honey Farm in the city of Columbia. Motion's been made, properly second by Councilman Serest. Any discussion on item 9.1 hearing? None. Mr. Jablonsky. Mr. McCullen. Hi. Mr. Huffin. Hi. Miss Secret. Hi. Mr. Marshall. Hi. Mr. Mckelby. Hi. Vice Mayor Mc Broom. Hi. Mayor Molder. I. That item is approved. Next item 9.2 resolution 26-02 tax corrections. Motion's been made and properly seconded. That item 9.2. Any discussion? Hearing none. Mr. Jablonsky. Mr. McCullum.

Hi. Mr. Huffman. Hi. Miss Secret. Hi. Mr. Marshall. Hi. Mr. Mckelby. Hi, Vice Mayor McBroom. Hi, Mayor Malberg. I That item is approved. Next item. Next item 9.4. Excuse me. Resolution number 2604. Resolution to accept the ownership and maintenance of sewer improvement serving seven brew. Motion's been made and properly seconded. Any discussion on item 9.4 hearing? None. Mr. Jablonsky. Mr. McCullum. Hi. Mr. Huffman. Hi. Miss Secret. Hi. Mr. Marshall. Hi. Mr. McKelby. Hi. Vice Mayor Mc Broom. Hi, Mayor Moulder.

I That item is approved. That completes the resolution section 9. Now to section 10, ordinances, beginning with item 10.1. Second consideration on ordinance number 4563, an ordinance to amend ordinance 4,400. The same being the zoning ordinance of the city of Clemington, Tennessee by adopting the Did I skip 9.3? Skip 9.3. Something felt off on that. Thank you. Uh let me go back to 9.3. Resolution 2603, a resolution to accept the streets and drainage improvements serving Morgan Meadows subdivision phase 3 for ownership and maintenance. I apologize for that. Um, I'll make the motion to approve item 9.3. Properly seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. Mr. Jablonsky. Mr. McCullum. Hi, Mr. Huffman. Hi, Miss Secret. Mr. Marshall. Hi,

Mr. Mccel. Vice Mayor McBrroom. Mayor Moulder. I That item is approved. Again, I apologize back on item 10.1. I'll start over. Second consideration on ordinance number 4563, an ordinance to amend ordinance 4400, the zoning ordinance of the city of Columbia, Tennessee, by adopting the W's edge at Taylor Landing preliminary PUD master plan for tax map 90, partial 712 located off of River Road and Taylor Bend. This is W three. Looks like we have three individuals that have signed up to speak on item 10.1, beginning with Sean Henry. Uh, mayor, I'd like to know I've abained on this one.

All right, the record reflect. Vice mayor has abstained on this matter. Sean Henry. Sean Henry may be upstairs and if that's the case, we'll let Sean Henry speak when they get down. Next up on the list is Joshua Moore.

Um Josh Moore, I was wondering if I could have uh like one extra minute. I'm sorry. We we keep to the three-minute rule.

Okay. Thank you. Just have that on the record. Joshua Moore, 360 Coleman Court. I'm presenting our petition opposing W's Edge. 201 representing 107 Taylor Landing homes. I spoke three times at the September planning commission meeting where W's Edge was was approved. Um that meeting's video is missing. And at that meeting, I raised concerns about expired water availability letters and an outdated 148page traffic study and how development services and planning staff deleted and substituted documents two days before that meeting and after public review. There was another missing planning commission video from June where the adequ adequacy of a fireflow letter was raised. Why are the only two planning commission meetings with missing videos ones where concerns were raised that directly affect fire safety? And as my attorney has raised, the water availability problem for W's Edge has returned. The latest letter, the one relied on by this council at three prior meetings and votes and approved by the planning commission expired on January 3rd, 5 days ago. So, is the city council going to allow developers and city staff to delete and substitute documents again without planning commission or public review after approvals and votes in September, October, November, and December that relied on that water letter? Water availability is not just a technicality. It determines whether there was adequate flow in the event of a fire. And this is not hypothetical. Just two weeks before Christmas, one of our homes suffered a structural fire. A family, including three children, lost everything. And at 5:00 pm earlier today, Channel 5 aired the first part in their follow-up investigation. And I encourage you to watch it when you get done here. In the missing September video, I publicly exposed that the city issued certificates of occupancy for nearly one-third of Taylor Landing homes without required HVAC inspections. I began raising concerns about fire hazards at Taylor Landy nearly a year

ago and I was dismissed by city leadership, including the mayor and vice mayor, and told it wasn't the city's problem. At one point, the vice mayor blamed our HOA, but HOAs do not verify completed state electrical or HVAC inspections. HOAs do not issue certificates of occupancy. That is the city's responsibility. And now we've had an actual structural fire that could have been prevented if the mayor and vice mayor listened and acted instead of covering for their de developer friends. Since May, the state fire marshall's office has reinspected close to one-third of Taylor Landing homes and 70% have failed for serious fire hazards years after occupancy. So my final questions are these. Why has a city not taken responsibility and helped ensure all these homes are reinspected and and repaired? And how can residents be assured W's Edge will not face the same failures, especially with an expired water availability letter, if the city has not corrected the process that allowed this to happen? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mor. Then the Did Sean Henry make it back? Okay. And I assume Sean Henry no longer wishes to speak on that. And then the final person signed up to speak on this matter, Dustin KD. Mr. KD, welcome back. You have the floor for three minutes.

Dustin KD. I'm a county resident and uh all that Mr. Moore said sounded pretty serious and uh I know that he's spoken on the W's edge matter uh repeatedly at meetings and as he mentioned one of the uh meetings that uh he provided much of the information related to the fire hazards and and other issues was in September in the planning commission uh meeting and I couldn't help but notice that that planning commission meeting from September is not in the video archive for the city of Columbia. Uh, in fact, in looking back, if you look over the last three years, it's only one of two videos that I couldn't find. And so, I would like to put on the record that uh that video should be provided to the public. I consider it a violation that the uh video for the planning commission was not provided to the public prior to the vote that will be taken tonight. I would refer this body to your own charter, which defines how you pass an ordinance. This will be the third time you will have taken a vote. If you read what the requirements specifically state, it states that an ordinance shall be considered twice. It has to receive an affirmative vote in both of those meetings. So in October, the W's Edge matter failed. And as I have pointed out both in social media and also before this body, what happened between October and the meeting in November is a letter or I should say an email that was sent by the city manager Tony Massie to all of the city council members and it indicated the procedure by which they could take a new vote. But I would question that procedure and so would Robert's rules of order and so would case law because you cannot have a reconsideration if it's brought outside of the meeting that it occurred in. And again, I would go back to that definition of what an ordinance is to where you have two bites of the apple.

You've already I can't help the fact that you guys couldn't get on the same page and vote in favor of it in October. Um, and let me point out one other fact. Mr. Mc Broom abstained because he has property in the area. I talked about that in relation to the water pipeline issue the other day how he's not abstaining on that issue. But I couldn't help but notice that in October and I believe in November as well when it was brought back. While Mr. McBroom abstained, he chaired the meeting. And if you look in November when it was brought back, he actually made reference to the fact that they've had reconsideration in other matters. So, we have a city council member who is abstaining because they've acknowledged they have a conflict of interest and they're influencing the city process. I'll be back to speak more in the public comment period. Thank you. All right. That completes the public comment period for item 10.1 unless Sean Henry and last call for Sean Henry. Seeing no Sean Henry. All right. We're back on item 10.1.

Mr. Mr. Massie, Mr. Uh Paul Kelner, if you could come to the council chamber, please.

Good evening, mayors and city council. Mr. Ker, I guess maybe if you could just provide a quick overview of sort of the procedural posture of this matter on second consideration.

Sure. Sure. So, um, we've kind of gone over this a little bit, but just kind of a short history on where we are today with it. So, this property has seen quite a few different versions of plans throughout the years, um, from general commercial to medical hubs to subdivisions, and that's where we're at today. So, the original plan was done in 2019 for this particular piece of property. for the preliminary flood master plan. This is a plan unit development on this particular five acre track. The final pud master plan came in a year later, but no construction had commenced. And so after three years, the final pud master plan expires. So the applicant at this time is with requesting to bring that preliminary pud back. They have revised it some. Um they've gone down from 135 units down to 94 units I believe is what the county is. Yes, 94 units. They've had introduction of town homes as well as apartments into this uh mix. It was originally approved for nothing but just apartments. We did go through all the process with regards to u when the application came in with regards to development review committee the different traffic studies um and then forwarded that to planning commission. It came before this body from planning commission as a 60 vote in favor of recommendation of approvaling of the master plan. Should this master plan move forward then the applicant will then move forward to the planning commission with a final PUD master plan at that time. All right. Any questions on procedure for Mr. Kelner Marshall?

Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry. Does this meet all the zoning ordinances on this project?

Yes, sir. So, before you uh puds are unique. Um PUDS basically create their own ordinance. They create their own designation, their standards. Um that that's why it's a kind of a overlay sitting there and that's what they presented here. So within the PUD MU, which is what they're applying under, they have met all the standards except for two items. Um, one of those is a deviation in the frontage buildout, which is a 56% versus the 60, which amounted to a foot and a half of building width. Um, that was approved by planning commission as being acceptable. Um, as well as the window seal height. So in a pud and especially in a more urban type context, it wants the window seals bottom the heights to be up at 5T. They're requesting to go down to 4T. Um that is something that's fairly common within staff approvals. But with this being a pud, it went to planning commission. Planning commission also felt that that was appropriate as a 4 foot height versus the five foot. But outside of that, all other standards have been met. Any other questions, Mr. Governor? Mr. McClly.

So, this proposed water line that's going through Taylor's Landing, is it going through Taylor's Landing through the main road or through the roads of through the road um easements? Yes, sir. I from what I understand, it's going through the road. That would probably be a better question for Columbia Power and Water. Okay. I'm I'm not as familiar with the actual exact layout of going down the road. which side of the road, but looking at the documents I saw, it looks like it's going down the actual ride ofway. Mr. Harden, could you address that question or Mr. Wheeler, either one of you? Councilman McKelby.

Thank you, council. Uh, the proposed raw raw water transmission man for the long-term water supply project down River Road is fully within rightway. We have no easements from private property along that part of the alignment. And it's raw water, not treated water. That's correct. Okay, thank you. What about the water availability letter for this project that was referenced earlier?

I'm sorry I missed some of the comments um and couldn't quite hear but um water availability we we had that going through the planning commission. Um since that time the applicant has gotten an extension through Columbia Power and Water to March of 26 for that. When you say extension through March 26, that means that they have to commence what by that date. That is just for their water availability. So that is basically common pine water saying we can support the 94 units up until that date. At that point they would need to apply again um for them to issue another water availability letter or purchase the taps if I am correct for that in order to to to secure the water.

Is there a cost to that cost? Yes sir. Both both ways. Yes. Thank you. All right. Any other questions for Mr. Kelner? Hearing none. Entertain a motion on item 10.1. Motion to approve's been made. Properly seconded. Any discussion on that item. Just making sure that I didn't have anybody else signed up to speak on this item. I don't see that we did. Motion's been made, properly seconded. Any further discussion hearing? None. Mr. Jablonski. Mr. Mullen. Hi. Mr. Huffman. No. Miss Secret. Hi. Mr. Marshall. Hi. Mr. McKelby.

Hi. Mr. Mc Broom. M. Moulder. I. That item is approved. On second consideration. Next item 10.2. Second consideration of ordinance number 4567. An ordinance to amend title three of the Columbia Municipal Code regarding municipal courts. Motion's been made and properly seconded. Any discussion on item 10.2 hearing? None. Mr. Jabonssky. Mr. McCullen. Hi. Mr. Huffman. Hi. Miss Secret. Mr. Marshall. Hi. Mr. McKelby. Hi. Vice Mayor McBrroom. Hi. Mayor Mhler.

I. That item is approved. Next item. 10.3. Second consideration of ordinance number 4576. an ordinance to amend title 18 chapter 3 of the Columbia Municipal Code by amending 18310 to increase the water impact fee upon new water customers to serve the demand for water system capital facilities and public improvements. Um I know this is one of two water related items. Most folks that signed up uh did not list the agenda item. They simply listed water. So what I'm going to do is I'm going to call your name. If you would uh prefer not to speak because you already spoke, if you would please let me know. If you would prefer to wait until item 10.4, please let me know. Otherwise, come forward for 10.3. So, um, Andrea or Andreas Eastep.

Okay. 10.4 or Mr. East. Uh, Shauna Pounders. 10.4. Trevor Pennington. John Farmer. Mike Kuzinsky. Scott Sumner's Jamaa Brown, Trent Oggovie, Anson Anderson, Paula Wood, Bart Wley, Bethany Torino, Bob Gage, Connie Goens, Marshia Howard, Jax Howard, Gabe Howard,

Robert Kiteon, Mr. Kiteon, you actually did put 10.4. Thank you. Um, Eric Prevetti. All right, come on up. Eric Petti, 101 KC Valley Drive, Columbia, Tennessee. I live in the fourth ward. I'm a county commissioner for the second district. As I said in the public hearing earlier, I support this motion because we need to get all the impact fees. I don't know if you can answer questions or not, but I is this the maximum that you can charge and this new development that you just passed after hearing everybody said that growth was the problem when we just added 94 more homes to the water drainage, are they going to be uh applicable to these new impact fees? So, thank you.

Thank you. All right. Um, April Anderson. All right. Thank you. Uh, Wayne uh Rossberg. Sorry if I mispronounced the name. Jason Gillum. Um, Tamara Sangster to Lisa Hampton, Caliente Glenn, Mayor Butt, Amber John's, Scott Sepiki, Ken Newell,

Eric Turner, Andrea Stewart, Dave Webb, Tim Mullen, Andy Orenus, apologize I mispronounced that. and Dell Pearson, Kyle O Shunus, apologies again. Neil Blair, driver 104. 104. All right, Denise Rody, Rebecca Johnston,

you're passing on three and four. All right, Danny Coleman. pass 103. Uh Danny Grooms, Robert Lacy, four and Kristen Martin, four.

Four. Okay. So, I think that goes through all of the folks who have signed up to speak public comment section. Anybody signed up that did not hear their name, please let me know. Trying to make sure we air on the side of caution, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to speak on the matter that they came here to speak on if they signed up to speak. So, we're back on item 10.3, uh, which is the water impact fee. Motion to approve has been made by Council Mckelby. Seconded by Councelor McKenna Marshall. Any discussion on item 10.3? Hearing none, Mr. Jablonsky. Mr. McCullum. Hi, Mr. Huffman. Hi, Miss Secret. Hi, Mr. Marshall. Hi. Mr. Mckelley. Hi.

Vice Mayor Mc Broom. Hi. Mayor Mald. I. Item 10.3 is passed on second consideration. Item 10.4. Second consideration of ordinance number 4577, an ordinance amending title 18, chapter 3, section 18303 of the municipal code of the city of Columbia by replacing in its entirety present schedules A and B and adopting and approving the following schedules A and B. All right. Um, Andreas Eep. Welcome. Uh, if you'll identify yourself and you'll have the floor for three minutes.

Good evening, Mayor Moulder, Vice Mayor McGroom, and council members. My name is Andrea Eastep. I live at 4980 Ali Chun Road, Spring Hill, Tennessee, District 8. I am the current president of the Columbia Breakfast Rotary for Hi We we will not charge you the time for that. All right. Thank you, sir. Start over. Thank you.

Uh for transparency, I work in the engineering department for the power company. I am here as a Murray County citizen. I attended Murray County Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade and graduated in 1987. I remember when the dam was being built and 5 cents for every thousand gallons was and still is being collected from every CPWS water customer. This money has been collected for over 45 years and goes to the Duck River Agency. TVA conducted three feasibility studies in 1933, 1951, and 1966 that recommended that the building against against building the dam. However, the 1966 study was revised and presented in a more favorable case pressuring TVA to build the dam. 60 years later, we see this as a port barrel politics at its worst. This dam did not work then and in my opinion will not work now. I am a Murray County water systems customer. Currently, we pay 262% higher water rate than CPWs. Murray County Water System does not even treat this water. It's pre-treated by Columbia Power and Water. Why would we as Murray countians want a regional water authority if everyone would have to pay these expensive prices when CPWs already supplies potable water at a cheaper price? Colombia's current empoundment is 75 years old and the Riverside Dam is 100 years old. It is if when will it fail but or let me rephrase that. It is not if it will fail, but when will it fail. We could be one

natural disaster away from a catastrophic failure. Our city needs a redundancy in case of an imminent downfall. If this occurs, all of Murray County will suffer. Without a good, reliable water source, we are at the whim of mother nature. CPWS currently has the best plan to rectify this redundant source of water that will last for the next 50 plus or more years. CPWS currently is at 93% of capacity and the city of Colombia does not have time to pause at an additional cost of nearly $2 million per month. Please support CW CPWS's new raw water intake in Williamsport and treatment plant in Colombia by voting yes.

Thank you, mayor, vice mayor, and council. Shauna Pounder.

Shauna Pounders, if you'd like to speak on this matter, come on up. Welcome. You have the floor for three minutes. Thank you, Mayor Moulder, Vice Mayor McBrroom, council members. My name is Shauna Pounders. I'm a resident of Colombia in Councilman McCullen's Ward One. Thank you also to everyone in this room. Y'all are my friends and my neighbors, and I appreciate being allowed to speak tonight. I speak tonight wearing two hats. first as a long-term resident. I am a proud Columbia Central High School Lion, but it was hard when I came back to Colombia after college in the early 2000s. I remember plywood on the windows of our businesses in the downtown square. When I had my girls, I worried they're going to move away from Colombia. They'll have no choice. Colombia was hurting. But today, Colombia is beautiful and it is bustling. And it did not get that way by accident. It happened because of hard work of everyone in this room, our community, our council, and Columbia Power and Water Systems. And so that brings me to my second hat. I am honored to be one of your appointees to the Board of Public Utilities. Thank you for your trust in me and thank you for the work you've done on this project. When I joined the board in 2019, planning was already well underway. expanding capacity for a thriving community and adding redundancy to seriously aging infrastructure. You asked us to find the best solution. We evaluated many many many options and we have presented to you the one that we firmly believe is best. That solution before you today is not a concept or an idea. It has been fully

studied and vetted. It is ready to begin. From where I stand as a member of the Board of Public Utilities, there are no other concepts that can provide safe and reliable drinking water in a way that is less expensive or more timely. I ask you to support this solution. Your choices are not between this solution and a pause that is free. Your choices are between this solution and a pause that would cost our rateayers an estimated $1.8 million more per month every month we wait. That doesn't feel like a pause. It feels like a gamble with our water supply. with unknown future rate escalations while our current infrastructure continues to age and costs of concrete manpower and pipe only continue to increase. I thank you again for your faith in me and in my fellow board members and I thank you for the work that you have done so diligently. I ask you to support this long-term water supply solution. And I ask it as your appointee on the board of public utilities as a rateayer and as a mom who desires safe and reliable drinking water for the sake of her friends, her family, and her neighbor. Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Pounders. All right. Next up is Trevor Pennington, who just took a seat. We'll allow for him back up. And uh on deck will be John Farmer. And after that, Mike Kusawinsky. Mr. Pennington, welcome back. Three minutes.

Good evening. All of y'all know what I do for a living. All of y'all have heard my position on this. I come to y'all again tonight to know or to hope that y'all understand that the farmers in this county have an economic impact on this county. And this rate increase is going to have a greater economic impact against those farmers. So, a couple of numbers that I have for y'all tonight. There are about 37,000 head of cattle currently in Murray County. And that number can fluctuate obviously. That number of cattle that come out of here, so that makes about $17 million. And what that brings back to the community is about $20 million. Overall, farmers and ranchers in this community bring about $389 million in. And we turn that into $459 million that we put back into the community. The families that live here, they shop in Colombia. They buy their water from Columbia Power and Water. Now, while I can't say how many of those farmers are actually going to go out of business when this rate increase hits its full rate in five years, but they will because 90% of those cattle farmers in this county raise their water on city water. Whether they buy it from Murray County Water Systems or they buy it from Columbia Power and Water, those animals are fed water from a water that is fed from the city taps. And that increase a farmer can't handle anymore. Farmers are and ranchers are already taxed through the nose through their inputs. John F. Kennedy once said that farmers are the ones who buy everything at retail, sell everything at wholesale,

and they pay freight both ways. And I guarantee you, we do that every day. The farmers that stick here, they will stick here because we are all resilient. We don't give up. And for y'all who call yourselves public servants, farmers are true public servants because we stand here every day to face y'all to ensure that every one of y'all sitting on this council and everyone that works for Columbia Power and Water has something to feed themselves and their families. It is not a want for us to want this increase to not happen. It is an absolute necessity that it does not happen to the farmers and ranchers in Murray County. Thank you.

Next up is John Farmer. Mr. Farmer, welcome. You have the floor for three minutes. After that, Mike Guzwinsky and then Scott Summoners.

Good evening. Um, John Farmer, Greenwood Acres Drive, Colombia. I reside in Colombia. I've been a teacher in the school system for 30 years. I teach American government and civics. I encourage my students to become civic-minded, especially when it comes to local matters. I believe local government has much more impact on our day-to-day life than national government any day of the week. Each year, I require all of my students to write an email about anything that concerns them to any one of their elected representatives at any level of government. Many of you have probably received those emails. The first thing they say, and I'm going to piggyback off young Mr. Watley over here. The first thing they say when I give the assignment, those people don't care what we have to say. That's the first thing they say. Those people don't care what we have to say. Well, here we are. Do you care what people have to say? Okay. In a representative democracy, it is your obligation of elected representatives to serve the people by listening to their constituents and being responsive to their constituents and their concerns. There are members of this council who don't do that. They won't even return emails. And that isn't just on this matter. I've been sending emails to elected representatives of this council for years. Crickets. They just don't do it. Mayor, but Representative Sepiki summed it up beautifully on Tuesday's meeting. When in doubt, go with the people. The people have overwhelmingly been vocal that there needs to be a pause due to the tremendous cost involved in this project.

Six Six people have spoke in favor of this. This room, I've been to all three meetings. This room is a microcosm. Six. I would imagine your email is about the same ratio. I'm going to end it with a quote by Ronald Reagan. The people tell the government what to do. The government does not tell the people what to do. The people are telling you to pause this project. Thank you. Good evening again, mayor and city council. Mike Kuzinsky, Stonewall Road, Columbia. Trust is priceless. When you have someone's trust, you have the ability to influence as well. If you break that trust, you not only lose your influence, but you lose credibility as well. Over the last couple months, the community's trust has been broken multiple times due to lack of transparency, miscommunication, misinformation, disrespect for constituents, and manipulation of facts. When asked how much debt CPWS has, Mr. Harden's first response was zero. No debt. As president of a multi-million dollar business, you should know if you're in debt or not. I'm fine if he didn't know the exact number, but zero is unacceptable. We told no other projects are in the works, but a commissioner's video from onsite proves differently. We are told Hickman County is on board and in favor of this project. Yet, a letter from the county mayor to the governor does not support that. Until recently, the misleading narrative that it's required for a city member, city council member to be on the CPWS board has been spread without noting that the city manager who doesn't carry a vote could be the one appointed. We've been told over and over again, this project is fully permitted. Yet, we've learned that fully permitted only means mostly, partially, but not completely permitted. We've learned that not all the land has been acquired. You cannot be shovel ready and fully

permitted while lacking permits. That's a contradiction of your own statements. Using buzzwords and terms to manipulate the public breaks trust. Lastly, the disrespect and tone from the council toward the constituents. After a meeting in December, many took to social media concerning the rebuttal from the council and how the tone delivery came across very condescending, like we're being scolded and put in our place. In the last meeting, as our state representative spoke, you could hear huffing and scoffing from a council member to the point that those watching online couldn't hear the representative. A council member telling the crowd, "That's enough." Like their school children is unacceptable, unprofessional, unbecoming of an elected official. All these instances deteriorate the trust of the people. And now you want us to believe that you and believe and trust that you have our best interest in mind with a half a billion dollar project. This isn't asked. They've spoken. They've urged, they've encouraged, they've negotiated. But we will not beg. What we will do is we will remember, and we will vote. Tonight's vote is very pivotable. It will either define you as a true representative of the voice of the people, or it will confirm that you choose to purposely ignore the will of the people and break the trust to uphold your oath to represent and serve your constituents. Thank you. Next up is Scott Sumers. and then Jamila Brown and then Trent Ogleby.

Thank you, Mayor Council. I'll I'll be brief. Uh earlier I uh was talking about the the bond and how much the bond was going to be. I didn't I did not get to re I did I did not get I forgot to mention how much the total cost was going to be after is all said and done. 900 million $900 million almost a billion dollars to pay for this short term. short-term solution. So, I hope that all the water entities within this county region potentially are working on something that's more long-term than what is being proposed because we know this is a short-term solution. We've known it for 15, 20 years since the TVA released their study and since the Duck River Agency released their re-released their study in 2014. short-term solutions. I hope that everybody is working on a long-term solution. Now, Murray County government, we don't have a say in this, right? We don't own the water utility. They're governed by their own board, but you guys you you you manage CPWs. So, I'm hoping that you guys are are are fixating on a more longer term solution as well. Thank you.

Thank you. Miss Brown, if you'd like to speak again, looks like you do. Come on up. You'll have the floor for three minutes. And then Tren Oggov and then Anson Anderson. Welcome back.

Thank you, Mayor. This will be brief. Um, again, my name is Jamila Brown. I am a long-term citizen of Mary County. I do live in the third ward. Uh also represent the third district for Mary County public schools. What people don't always see and some may ask how do you know? Because I am an elected official. Also, many politicians care deeply when they disagree. Local officials especially are often underpaid are unpaid or underpaid volunteers. The loudest voices don't always represent the majority. Courage sometimes look like voting yes knowing it will cost you politically. In short, being a politician means serving the public while being judged by the public. It requires thick skin empathy, humility, and the strong sense of purpose, especially when doing the right things. Brings criticism instead of praise. City Council, I ask you tonight to do what's right for our people, for our citizen. We need clean water. We need um and I know people want to pause, but we've been pausing long enough. It's time out for pause. Pause is only going to cost us more later on down the road. And then we still going to have a room full of people complaining about prices 10 years from now. So, I ask you city council members to do what's best for the city of Columbia. Not everybody in Columbia is represented in this room, nor on social media. Thank you.

Thank you, Toggle. Mr. Welcome. You have the floor for three minutes.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and members of council. wanted to start tonight and um it's really um touching for me because I had wrote and prepared some statements that I wanted to give and the first person I thought about was Mayor Dean Dicki who called me on February 6, 2018 said, "Hey friend, I need you at city hall. Won't you be here at 1:00?" He didn't ask what I had to do. He didn't ask if I was busy, if I was in a meeting. He said, "Be here." I came to city hall. City manager was there. When I walked in, he said, "Uh, you don't know why you're here, do you?" I said, "No, mayor, I don't." And he said, "I have an appointment on the Columbia Power and Water System board." He referred to it as a power board, and I'm appointing you to the power board. He had had Betty Module, our city recorder, to print off the original bylaws and documents for CPWS from 1939. He put in my hand and he said, "This is an important board and we need to make sure that we take care of our city and our citizens." And tonight, I'm standing as a board member who was appointed reappointed by this council a few months ago. and I appreciate your trust in me. This is difficult. When I went to that first meeting, listen to me in February of 2018, I sat down on the agenda and saw what I thought was a misprint talking about long-term water supply 2018, $225 million. I said, "Wow, it's a lot." And here we are

eight years later and the cost is projected at 505 million. But yet we say let's continue to wait. We've had rampid inflation. We've gone through the process of getting the permits by the state's requirements by the federal requirements. We've gone through the bureaucracy process as board members set to two meetings a month. a study session and a voting meeting that allows for public comments and transparency. Our agenda has been published and we ask for information, opportunities, grants, anything that we can help this situation because we know it is a significant amount of money. But CPWS in the same time the 10 years has facilitated by investing in electric and water infrastructure $5.5 billion that has come into this county during that time. And tonight as a council you have to protect that investment because it is important that we have reliable water. the 20% increase over the next five years per month. It might seem like a lot, but I went this morning and asked Jonathan Harden and our staff, we need to print a letter to every rateayer and we need to have in that letter what is going to mean to their bill, the 20% every month because there's a lot of confusing information that has been presented. People don't know which rate. some people in the county, some people outside the county, and we do need transparency, but people need to know how it's going to affect their household. There are rateayers. We we require them to pay bills to us every month, and we need to be transparent to

let them know exactly how much is going to affect them. So, tonight, I ask you to vote on this matter. Don't put it off. Vote your conscience. Do what's right for the city. As Mayor Dicki told me uh years ago, sometimes things might be feel like it's political, but you are leaders to do what's best for the people and for our future. Vote yes or no, but vote tonight. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, sir. All right. Next up is Anen Anderson. Anen Anderson and then Paula Wood and then Bart Watley. Mr. Anderson, welcome back. You have the floor for three minutes.

Thank you. My name is Anson Anderson. I'm going to be before you long just real quick. Good evening, council members and fellow citizens. I appreciate you all friends, families, and sometimes some enemies. Um, there was I want to say it was Prince. He said, "Sometimes they make deals and they stick us with the bill." Stevie Wonder went on to say, uh, it's not too cool to be ridiculed, but sometimes you bring it upon yourself. And then the Bible said something I quoted earlier, building without call, uh, counting the cost. Now, some of y'all didn't have to have anything to do with building, but some of you did. Oh yeah. And then um thank the CPWS and Dr. Fouchy of Water. Everyone is here. Um council tonight you face a reckoning approval for this 520 million CPS extravagance sitting the Duck River intake expanding the PL the plant and condemn families seniors and business of cruising 20% annual rate hikes totaling nearly 150 thou 150% might as well be 150,000 by 2031. This rushed developer favoring scheme ignores the valuable alternatives like regional partnerships or raising Normandy dam and many other alternatives that's been brought up tonight. Commissioner Howard calls it ram through. He's right. Conflicts erode trusts ties to developers and undisclosed interest. Some may be underpaid, which is true. Some may have financial incentives in more ways than one. This burden falls heavily on Tennessee's fifth congressional district. Uh encompassing all of the Murray counties and parts of Davidson County, Williamson, Wilson, Lewis, Marshall. Skyrocketing bills would drive residents out, stifle growth, hurt businesses, and fuel voter rage or outrage across districts. Vote yes and

own the fallout. ruined reputations, recalls, electoral annihilation here in 2026. Citizens of the fifth district and Columbia, Tennessee, and countywide, awaken. Flood the meetings, demand transparency, leave comments everywhere you can. Vote out these enablers. Reject the greedriven grab and stop the dead tonight. Thank you, Paula Wood. and then Bart Watley and then Bethany Torino. Wood, welcome back.

Thank you. Thank you for this opportunity. Just want to say CPWS is a public utility. It is not a monopoly. And I don't call working and doing something for 10 years a ration rush decision. Rates are regulated by the TBA. Water is quality is regulated by TEC. CPAWS is not the bad guys here. They've worked for us and it's on if there's an Otus, it's on me for not being aware what's what has been going on with our water. It's my understanding that the 490% 5-year increase that's been put out there over and over again on me social media is only if there is no growth in Colombia. And I don't know if that's true, but that's what my understanding is. But there is growth. We've already talked about that not being able to get up 31. The CPAWS sells water to the county, but it's also my understanding that the county charges two and a half times more than what the city pays. Me being part of the city, I am intrigued by Sepek's uh comments about um being in Israel and seeing what has been done. But why hasn't he said something earlier? Why has earlier he and other officials at the state level rejected impact fees and only till recently now we're able to have impact fees? The only other thought I have is that I know a two-month moratorum may cost us $3 million, but I'm sorry in lie of 400 $55 million. What's another couple of million if we wait and we talk to people and have come back and see if there is any other viable process but actually I don't believe there is unless Israel can do something and they do by the way have flowers blooming in the desert now and sell to all of Europe. So if something is possible, I think we need to do pause for a couple months and consider it. But otherwise, I think this is the only viable option to get us watered. Thank

you. Wood, Mr. Watley, is he still here or is he left? Okay. Does his grandson want to speak for him? Thank you. All right. I'll go on to Mr. Miss Torino. Miss Bethany Torino. Does she like to speak again? All right, Bob Gage. Bob Gage, Connie Goens, Miss Goens, come on back. You'll have the floor for three minutes. Next up will be Marcia Howard, Jax Howard, and then Gabe Howard.

Thank you. Good evening. My name is Connie Goens. I live in Williamsport. I'm a registered nurse and I've served our community for several years. I'm going to ask you tonight to for a no vote because I do not believe that all the options have been considered or fully explored. The proposal by CPWS is the most mature plan to date. But is it the ultimate long-term solution for all of us? Being from a scientific background, I would like to offer some observations. Last summer, there were several days where I could literally walk across the Duck River. I wondered to myself at that time, how can a fish even live in there? Secondly, have all the studies been completed so that we can make educated decisions? And third is it taking the first option which is supposedly shovel ready the smartest move. I would like to share my experience as a registered nurse working in the hospital during CO. We were really afraid and our patients were dying. It was terrifying. And we were told that we had to take COVID vaccines because it was our only chance at survival. We all lined up for the vaccine because it was the only option that we were given and it was mandated in order for us to keep our jobs. This is not that. You know that other alternatives are possible. There is more than one way to get things done. I would ask you to please expand your

minds, explore all solutions, consider environmental impacts, and make decisions that are sustainable yet affordable. Think outside of the box, and give us a no vote so that we can explore all the possibilities. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Miss Goens. Marshia Howard, Mr. Howard, welcome back. My name is Marcia Howard and I uh live at 1092 Cranford Hollow Road, Columbia, Tennessee. Thank you, mayor, vice mayor, and city council. I serve as a board member on the Murray County Senior Center, and I'm speaking for myself as a senior, not for the board. My concern is the financial burden that will be put on us who are on fixed income by borrowing a half a billion dollars. Is there not another option? and are there other communities to assist in this cost. I believe the last council meeting and also in December and Tuesday, you heard from us, including state and county representatives. You said that you were listening, but were you? I asked for a no vote in this proposal. Please look at all options to protect and serve the people you have been elected to serve when you make your decision. And thank you very much.

Come on up, Jacks. Welcome back, buddy. You'll have the floor for three minutes.

Hello, my name is Jax Howard. I am 11 years old. I live at 1259 Redbud Lane. I am not an expert. I do not know all the numbers, but I do know this is important. I live here in Murray County. This is where I go to school. This is where I'm growing up and plan to live when I grow up. Water is something we all need. every family, every business, every kid. I've heard a lot of of adults talk about this decision. Some say it has to happen now. Others say it's moving too fast. When I hear that, it tells me this decision matters. I also heard hear that water bills will go up. That worries people. Some families already strug struggle. Some people are retired. Some don't have extra money. If this plan is approved tonight, it won't just affect this year. It will affect many years. I will be grown by then, but I will still be paying for it. I I'm not here to say no to water. I know clean water is important. I'm here to ask you to slow down, to make sure this is the right plan, to make sure nothing is being missed. Please listen to the people you represent. Please think about families and please think about kids like me. Please don't just vote for today. Vote for our tomorrow. Thank you for listening to me. Gabe Howard and then Robert Kiteon and then Eric Pvetti.

That is uh that's that's two hard uh speakers to follow. Uh thank you uh thank you mayor, vice mayor, city council. My name is Gabe Howard. I reside at 1259 Redbud Lane in Colombia. I'm also a Murray County Commissioner, but tonight I'm standing here as a neighbor, someone who pays bills, runs a business, and raising kids who live will live with the consequences of what happens in this room. Before I go any further, I want to acknowledge the people in this room. If you're here tonight because you believe this decision is important, regardless of where you stand, thank you for showing up. And if you're here because you're worried about what this vote means for your family, your business, or your monthly bill, you're not alone. This vote matters not because water isn't important. It is, but because how we make this decision will say a lot about who we are as a community and who you believe you work for. We didn't wake up one morning in a crisis. We didn't get here by accident. We got here because of the years growth was approved faster than the infrastructure and hard conversations were po postponed instead of faced. Yes was easier than not yet. And now the cost of that is being placed squarely on the backs of the people. Tonight, I'm glad we got to witness before this council another approval of almost a hundred units. So, let's be honest with each other. Tonight, you're being asked to approve a path that will raise rates dramatically for working families, seniors, and small businesses, many of whom are already stretched thin. Most of the people who will be affected don't even get representation in this room or this vote. Yet, they will still pay the price. And I want to be clear about something because collaboration matters. A joint city county session was initiated by myself and formally requested so we could work together on issues exactly like this. Water, urban growth boundaries, downtown parking, solid waste, and long-term planning for

the people of Murray County. That request was declined. What? That request was not declined by the county. That request was denied by Mayor Moulder. History reminds us of this. Public office is a public trust. Every vote cast in this room tonight is not owned by the person casting it. It's held on behalf of the people who sent you here. Not for timelines, not for pressure, not for momentum, for the families who will open their water bills and feel the impact of the decision every single month. You were elected to manage momentum. You were elected to represent people. This project may be necessary someday, but necessary does not mean rushed. Necessary does not mean unquestioned and necessary does not mean unaffordable. When the public is confused, when trust is fragile, when the financial burden is this large, the most responsible action is not to push forward. It's to slow down. Leadership is not measured by how fast we move. It's measured by whether we listen to the people when we're asking that are asking us to stop and take a breath. So, here's my ask. Do not vote yes tonight. Pause this decision. and commit to a transparent process that fully lays out alternatives, costs, timelines, and impacts.

Thank you, Mr. Howard. Let's do your three minutes. Next up will be Mr. Kiteon. Would you like to speak again, Mr. Kiteon? All right, Mr. Kite, then Eric Pvetti, and then James Dallas if he's still here. If not, then April Anderson will be up after that. Mr. Kite, we'll come back. You have the four three minutes. You do a good job coordinating everything, mayor. I appreciate this.

Bob Katon, 1049 Cranford Hall Road. Since I was up here last time, uh, I'm sure you've heard the word pause many times. You've heard not pause a few times. You've heard the words trust and credibility. Those are the things that are in jeopardy for you guys. That's not a threat. That's just reality. The other thing I've heard is a lot of confusion about what's what the facts are. Now, the company representatives are down. I really appreciate that. These are the good guys. These are not the bad guys. And I'm a business person. I got some I have an action step to propose. Step number one, vote. That's step number one. Step number two is tomorrow set up a process. Mr. Howard referred uh made reference to this is a transparent process. Well, what is that process? We can talk about these esoteric things, but until we do put solid steps in place, they're never going to happen. Let's set up a meeting, a public meeting in a bigger room than this. Get somebody to moderate this that's not a politician. You guys come back and sit with us. You're part of us. Let's bring the company forward. The good guys come up here and give them an opportunity to lay out everything they have done. They have studied this thing for years. I heard that. I know that. It's my fault for not looking up that, but I'd like to come up to speed. I'm smart enough. There's a whole bunch of people who are smart enough to understand all that, but I have a I have a gazillion questions I'd like to ask them. Not to threaten them, but I just to get understanding so that perhaps we can reach a point where we all agree on what has to be done and we go forward together. You know, I'd like to ask the company things about, okay, what about the maintenance costs on things are being proposed? I'm I'm a I'm I'm a Wall Street guy. Why don't you sell the broadband business? there's some money there. I like that kind of stuff. But

there's things that we get asked them and and it would get us to a place where we have an understanding. We have better knowledge. Now, one thing I didn't mention, I'm going to mention right now is you got a gift right now. If you go back 30, 60 days, you don't have this many people that are interested in this thing. I don't know how many people are looking at this on stream, but I'll bet it's a big number, bigger than what you would have had otherwise. You have the opportunity now to capture that attention that's being paid to this by the public and do what's necessary to bring the public up to speed so that they can support you rather than oppose you. Again, trust and credibility is at stake. I want to see your trust and credibility grow, not decline. You're here to serve us and and young lady made a good point about your volunteers. I thank you for your service. I know you're not making a lot of money doing this, if any. But I want you to sur I want you to succeed. And the way we will do that is get the right people up here talking and let's have a conversation with the public, not this sniping that goes on all the time.

So that's my uh tidbit. Now we've talked so much about law. Thank you, Mr. I got to go to the bathroom. All right. Thank you, Mr. Prevetti. Come on up. And then James Dallas if he's here. Then April Anderson. and Wayne Roomsburg.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, city council. My name is Eric Pervidi. I live at 101 Casey Valley Drive. We've been through that a few times. Um, back where I left off. I I use analogies to describe things. And as as I left earlier, this is not a city matter. They also sell coffee in Kolioa, Hampshire, Sani, and other stores that offer it. And as you just learned, the price of our ribe eyes are going to go up. So, if I go to Campbell Station, he's got to sell me a ribeye at a higher cost with that cup of coffee, and I got to pay more for him to wash the plate for the next person to get their ribeye. That said, the next analogy is that, you know, earlier we talked about Trotwood Avenue, and Trotwood Avenue can't handle any more traffic and yet, you know, we're looking at putting more homes on there. The Duck River is like Trotwood Avenue. It's only so big. It only holds so much. You're not going to make more water come down that river. So CPS does not make or CPWS, they don't make rain. God brings the rain. The amount of water that comes is the amount of water that comes and that's it. Raising Normandy Dam creates a parking lot. Now it doesn't give you more water. It gives you water longer. That the water sits in that parking lot and when it's needed, then it comes down. You build a new dam, you get a new parking lot. Hold that water. Normally, you would think, okay, with a traffic problem. When I was a child, James Campbell was called the bypass. You had bypass Deli because that was the bypass. There was no Tom J. Hitch. There was no 43. As traffic got congested, you build Tom J. Hitch. You built 43 bypass. You alleviate the problems. We just learned that the solution of building another road being a pipeline to the Tennessee is going to cost too much. Building up another road, a pipeline from the Cumberland is going to cost too

much. So, what we need is a parking lot to hold that water. I'm asking that uh you know, we take pause to this as everyone else has said before. And to the younger generation, thank you for being here, guys. But I'm here to tell you that this $910 million that Scott Sunders just told you about is going to be your problem and it's going to be your kids' problem. So y'all need to, you know, bear that in mind. Um, you know, we just need to do something. And and I guess it just really baffles me that, you know, we've had comments tonight talking about the problems with growth, that we've had too much growth, that we've brought in too much without the infrastructure, yet you just sat there and have voted for almost 100 more units to be put in, 100 more homes, that many more people using water, that many more people on the roads. If you know that there's the problem, it seems like we would be putting a pause to everything. Um, I do appreciate Gail Moore and everything that she says and does, but I I have to disagree with her in that this is not going to save the Duck River. Pulling out $12 million a day is not going to save the Duck River. It's going to kill it. And I support everything she stands for from keeping the river safe and pure and clean. But as she herself said, this is a shortterm solution and spending that much money on a short. We need to be thinking long term. We need to be thinking for the next generations. We need to be thinking for them and their grandkids. And that's why we need to put pause. Give the people their time. Let's hear this. At the end of that, if there is nothing,

then this is it. Thank you. All right. James Dallas, Mr. Dallas still here. I know he had indicated that he was having to leave. So, James Dallas, if he's still here, uh, April Anderson, Anderson, welcome. You have the floor for three minutes.

Thank you for letting me speak. Good evening, Mayor Moulder, Vice Mayor Mcroom, and council members. I come before you as a devoted mother, a wife, a faithfulpaying customer of CPWs, and as a probation officer here in Murray County who serves some of the most remarkable yet often vulnerable young families in our community who are still finding their way. I will not presume to fully understand the legal intricacies, the historical data, or the financial percentages behind the proposed water rate increase. I do however deeply respect the individuals who have taken the time to research and present information demonstrating that increase will have a significant and adverse impact on many households. The families I serve and most importantly the youth are already stretching limited resources to meet their basic needs. Many are quite literally robbing Peter to pay Paul simply to keep up with the rising cost of utilities month after month. For these families, there is no financial c cushion left to absorb yet another increase. While the option of a payment plan has been mentioned, it appears to have been addressed only in passing. From my professional perspective, this may be because CPWS anticipates payment plans as a universal option for those struggling financially. However, these families are already utilizing such plans. Probably 99.9% of my families are already using them. This is not a new resource for them. It is an exhausted one. When basic necessities such as water are at risk, families will find a way to survive. That reality may take a legal form or it often may not. When survival is at stake, choices are made out of desperation rather than intention. This leads me to ask a difficult but necessary question. Are we as a community prepared for the potential increase in crime as a consequence of this decision? And if so, how do we plan to meet these individuals and families where they are with support,

accountability, and solution rather than f further burdening systems that are already strained? I urge you to consider not only the fiscal implications of this increase, but the human ones as well. This decision made here will echo far beyond utility bills and into the lives of the most vulnerable residents. Sincerely and respectfully, April Anderson, a concerned member of society who feel feels the threat. Thank you. Thank you. All right, Wayne. Come on back. I'm back. Welcome.

Anyway, uh what I want to bring up real quick, have three minutes. I don't know if I can get it all in. And y'all are still welcome to see me Friday or Saturday at Chick-fil-A to have coffee, but one thing I'm not a big fan of the Duck River agency. They've always been against Columbia. They moved Columbia Dam was supposed to been built first. They went to Normandy after Joel Evans got his dam. Colombia failed. A lot of people don't know they hired an environmentalist that was working here who helped find ways to kill Colombia. Also, we still pay a nickel a,000 gallons. Right now, there's over $12 million in that account. Normy's been paid for. Colombia is only going to cost $7 million. There's $5 million in that account that should have been coming back to the rateayers, but no, it supports Duck River. So, I'm not a big fan there. Even though I do like your studies you put up there, okay, I do like them. Those studies go back to 1984. The main one we're talking about is 2000, but there was also studies in uh in the 90s, in the 2000s, and in the 2010s. We're basing it on 2000. That one says a pipeline was that was actually the second. The first alternative was nothing. Well, we've done that. Right now, that study was good for 50 years. We've already used 26 years. Nothing. Now, we're doing this pipeline's good. It also states in that study that hasn't been said one or more options. We're going to need another option. There's got to be another option. uh on the pipeline. Anybody thought about trying instead of I don't know I haven't seen anything on where the route goes. I hope there's no conflicts of interest along the way. Has anybody thought about using t dot rightways on the road? Don't have to pay ride don't have to pay right away uh

don't have pay the fees for the rideaways. That saves money. The old dam that's that is a big problem right there. That is a big dam though cuz if it fails, we're up that famous creek cuz we don't have water. Columbia Dam needs to be stabilized. Maybe try to be reinforced. Old dams can be rehabbed. They cost some money to do, but they have been successful. Read about them. You can find them on the internet. And now my phone goes dead. Of course, I had my notes right here. Uh, also Kenny Mara brought up a lot of things for me. the 132.8 mile marker on the river. That's a hard point. Has it been Have y'all tried to renegotiate that hard point to see if we can get that drop so we could actually pull more water a day? Remember 132.8. I'm sure y'all know it. Also, no matter what happens here, if we go with it or not, there's going to be lawsuits. We have to know there's going to be lawsuits about everything from environmentalists to this to that. Uh, you know, it used to be a joke if the city sued the county or the county sued the city one, somebody's going to finally win a lawsuit between the county or the city. We have a bad record of lawsuits. I'm sorry. Thank you, sir. That's your three minutes. Thank you very much. Glad to see you. Next up will be Jason Gillum. Mr. Gillum, if you'll come up after Mr. Gillum. Tamara Sangster, which I may be mispronouncing. I apologize again if I've mispronounced any names this evening. And then Tisa Hampton, Mr. Gil, y'all have to forgive me for a second. I'm my notes are behind this Miami Miss football game. My son is actually on the Old Miss football team. And so uh I have a vested interest in the game tonight. I've seen him on TV a couple of times. He's not a player, but he he's a manager

for the team. So we're we're really excited. Uh, so, uh, go Revs. But anyway, Mayor Moulder, Vice Mayor McBrroom, city council members, thank you for the opportunity to speak to you tonight about this extremely important consideration. I I I was I had my speech all planned out, but there's a couple of things that I want to address. You guys know that I'm on the board of the Murray County Water System, and I continually hear this mantra about how the Murray County water system is just absolutely exorbitantly expensive. two times more, three times more than the Columbia Power and Water System. And I want to explain something. It's all about the economy of scale. Columbia Power and Water System has 28,000 customers. They have a little over 500 miles of pipe in the ground for their water distribution. Murray County Water System has 475 miles of pipe in the ground. But we don't have 28,000 customers. we have 8,800. So naturally, with nearly the same economy of scale, we have to charge more to deliver that water to the rural parts of our county. So let's do a little play on some numbers here. If we were to reverse the roles and give Columbia Power and Water System 8,800 customers, do you know what their 5,000galon out of city water bill would be each month? The Murray County system water bill is just over $73 for that 5,000 gallons that we deliver to our our customers. If we did that, Columbia Power and Waters bill would be $149. Now, if you don't believe the math, you can do the math. It's there. But I'm telling you, economy of scale matters. And that is why we have to charge more to our customers to get them the water to the rural parts of the county when we only have less than one-third the

customers. So I hope that puts some of that to bed and people understand the economy of scale. At any rate, my name is Jason Gillum. I live at 2704 Bur Road. And I don't need three minutes for what I was going to say, but we've talked numbers until we are blew in the face. We know the numbers that we have been told. You know the numbers that you have been told. I'm not going to waste any more time discussing the enormous cost of the project or the detriment it would cause to so many people that live here. Those who have spent their entire lives here making this place what it is. I want to remind you each one directly of your role on the city council. Each one of you, every single one of you. Some of you who I talked to when you were campaigning before you were sitting on this council, you said that you wanted to serve your community. You said you wanted to be a voice for your people, for your ward, for the city of the columb of of Columbia.

Mr. Gil, that's your time. I gave you some extra time for the intro regarding yourself. Thank you. All right, Tamara Sangster. Okay. Um, Tisa Hampton Glenn, she's still here. She There she is. All right. Miss Glenn, you'll have the floor for three minutes. After that would be Sheila Butt and then Amber John's and then Scott Sepiki and then Ken Newell.

Thank you, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and the council. Um, I didn't expect to say anything at first, but that's what I get for writing my name down without really thinking about what I wanted to do. I try to make sure that in this season of 2026 that I learn how to keep my mouth shut sometimes and actually sit at the table and listen to people who are making the decisions. So while I did that and in reading what this plan consists of and reading the pros and cons of it, I realized that you have a very hard decision in front of you. I also realize that we have a lot of people who know a whole lot about logistics and geology and politicians but never run. Now with saying that I knew that I had to come to more than one meeting and I did that. I just say this. I know pausing the vote will allow people to or think that they will receive answers that they are looking for. I feel as if sometimes a pause means another pause and a pause means another pause. And before you know it, I have trickling water that I can barely see through because we keep pausing. I'm standing here because I didn't pause. Therefore, I want to make sure that whatever you vote on tonight that it moves our people forward. Whether you do or you don't, we still need water. We still need to take care of our people and our community. I want our community to understand this. Regardless of the outcome, we need to still be a community. We have all stood together through the good and bad. So

whatever happens tonight, I pray for my people's sake in my city that we can make it together. Thank you. Mayor Butt. Welcome back, Mayor But then Amber John's and Scott Sepiki.

Talk about a hard act to follow. Caliient is always a hard act to follow. Thank you so much you all for letting us be here tonight and speak about this. Mayor Moulder, Vice Mayor McBroom, council members, Sheila But Murray County Mayor live on Albert Matthews Road. Thank you for these nights allowing the people of Murray County to speak on this very important topic that affects every one of our lives and our children's lives. I sincerely hope you are listening. In all transparency, I have been an advocate of this project, of the possibility of going to to this project for the past two years while I've been on the Duck River Agency. This short-term solution has never been my option for a regional solution when only one entity has a voice and control. However, the big surprise to me, people will say, Sheila, you were on the Duck River agency, you were on the Duck River Planning Partnership. Why is this a surprise to you? The surprise to me is that CPS CPWs decided to place the huge cost of this project solely on the people of Murray County for 20, 30, or 40 years, many of whom are disenfranchised by this vote with no representation. They should have a voice. My argument is not nearly as much about the project and it as it is about the fact that we're bringing the cost to the people of Murray County for the next 30 or 40 years. I was also surprised as anyone that this rate hike was brought before this council before any of the recommendations of the Duck River Wing Water Planning Partnership were given to the governor and we gave them to them immediately. They brought this raise hike and none of those feasibility studies have been allowed to be done. During all of this time on the Duck

River agency and on the planning partnership, my goal has been to find a regional solution. I honestly thought that was all of our goal. I appreciate that CPWS has worked so hard keeping Murray County in clean water for a very long time. Murray County has done that as well at a very high cost because they've had to buy all of their water from Columbia Power and Water. However, listen to me. Times are changing and one local utility will not be able to afford to keep control of a state shared entity such as water. Our issues with shared resources and infrastructure from now on will not stop at the county line. We're all involved in the region in this. At a recent regional summit, Wilson County Mayor Roger Hutau pointed out the following. No single community can address growth challenges alone. We must collaborate. We must communicate. We must help one another and share resources. This short-term solution, yes, it's been talked about for 20 years. It's an old solution. Let's have the vision to give real regionalization a chance and an opportunity for a hearing. This process has reminded me of a verse that keeps coming through my mind in the past few days.

Mayor, if you I'll let you finish that thought on the verse, please. Thank you. They have ears but they cannot hear. You represent many many people and many many voices. Listen to them and have the vision to look at another way on economies of scale for us to be able to pay for something like this. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Mold. Thank you. All right. Amber John's. Is Amber John's still here? John's seeing no Amber John's. Scott Sapiki and after represent Piki, Ken Newell, then Eric Tu Turner, then Andrea Stewart.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, members here. First of all, I'm going to get in this pretty quickly. Um, you'll be raising my water bill. You'll be raising every every business's water bill that they're going to pass on to me when I go out to eat and spend money in Colombia or in Murray County. Do you know how much it's going to cost our assisted living? I do. I went and saw him the other day. If you can't answer that question as council members, how can you vote on this? Those are our most vulnerable people in this in our area and you're going to put this burden on those assisted living and they're going to pass it on to those people that are that are going through end of life there. How can you do that to them without being able to answer that simple question? How much is it going to cost your assisted living? How much is it going to cost Murray Regional? because they're going to pass that on to us, too. How How much is it going to cost, Sheriff Roland? Because he's going to pass it on to the county commission and it's going to pass it on to you, too, that you're going to pass on to the people sitting here. It's not just my water bill. It's everybody else's water bill that I'm going to have to pay because of this decision. If this leaves here and you vote this in, you are giving away your control to the state of Tennessee. You better learn these acronyms because you're going to hear a lot of them. State Revolving Fund, T-Bore, and the Tennessee Local Development Authority. You better become very familiar with them because they're going to come down here and they're going to tell you what your rates are if you don't collect enough money to pay those debts back. And as as your representative, you are borrowing money from the taxpayers in Tennessee, and they're going to want their money back. And the federal government's going to want their money back, and the bond market's going to want their money back. You vote for this as it is, they're going to tell you what your rates are

because if if they're not if you're not collecting enough money to make your payments and keep this utility solvent, they're going to tell you what your rates are. Lastly, I was asked to find an alternative solution for you. And there's a possibility here. I've been on the phone since I've been sitting out there. In six months on the Israel caucus, a launch has partnered with the B bilateral agricultural research division of Israel. They're putting agricultural research in West Tennessee this year. UT Knoxville is partnering with higher ed in Israel to do masters programs and doctorate programs for our people at UT to go to Israel to study. We're looking we're partnering with Sheibba Medical Center in Tennessee to bring state-of-the-art technology of hospitalization here. Sheila Health is for is working with Vanderbilt University right now on preeclampsia, one of our our major problems in Tennessee. businesses. Israel Weapons International is now in Anderson County. We have an agricultural research company coming to Tennessee. We have two shocking. We have two more people, two more businesses from New York looking to come to to Tennessee and one from New Jersey. Let us work it for you. Let the general assembly work for you and see if we can come up with a partner for you. And by the way, this partner is state-of-the-art. And I'll finish up right here. Mr. James Pendergrass, you should be ashamed of yourself for the ugly anti-semitic comments you made on on a Facebook post. Thank you. All right, Ken Newell. Ken Newell. Ken Newell. Eric Turner. Mr. Turner, if you want to come on back. You'll have the floor for three additional minutes. Yes, sir. After that's Andrea Stewart,

Eric Turner 10008 Oldsburg Highway. I returned three years ago and noticed that a lot of the same issues are the same issues that was when I was growing up as a child here. That's what's in inspired me to be even standing here right now. Other than watching people do more for their community than I am. And I believe if more people thought that way, then we wouldn't have this problem. Just like the city getting 100,000 for crime, but if they spent the money on their community, they wouldn't have no crime, but then again, they wouldn't have a job. You know, the Lord tells us to take each other as our own. Treat each other as you treat yourself. Now, I know we're in 2026. That's kind of a dream fairy tale because it just don't work that way anymore. A lot of people's morals have went out the window. And I pray that everybody on this board still has some because everybody in this county is going to suffer if we don't come to a better solution. I know I've been in project manager for a good long time now. I know there's plenty of engineers in Huntsville and they're begging to do something for somebody cuz I just left there. There is always another way because where there's a will, there's a way. But we have to remember that in our mind just like our conscious decisions to do anything in this world. It's what we want to do. It's how bad we want to do it or how far we're going to make it. So I can say is please do the godly thing and thinking about your neighbors as much as you. Andrea Stewart Andrea Stewart. All right. Next up Dave Webb. Mr. Webb, is he still here? Would he like to speak again? All right. Tim Mullen. Mr. Mullen, you

want to speak again? You're good. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mullen. Justin Bat was on a different issue then. That brings us to Andy um on Williamsport Pike that I mispronounced the name, I'm sure, already. So, I don't want to mispronounce it again. Okay. Sounds like maybe Andy um Oxanis. I'll give it a shot just to make sure. Okay. Uh Dale Pearson. Mr. Pearson. See here. Is anybody still up? Is there anybody in the overflow room? Any Okay. All right. All right. Dale Pearson. Mr. Pearson. And then u looks like maybe a Kyle Oshanis. Yeah. Okay. All right. We're to the last page. Uh Neil Blair. Mr. Blair, come on up. You'll have four three minutes. Welcome back.

Thank you, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council. Neil Blair, 111 Sunny Me Drive here in Colombia. I've lived here all my life. Y'all have heard me now several times this week. Um, I just want y'all to really think about what you're doing here. You're going to make a very important vote here in a few minutes. and our kids, grandkids, all of us, these kids over here, our young people, they're the ones going to be paying for it. Most of y'all are about my age, and you know, we're not going to be around when this is paid off. There's no doubt about it. But um you know when we go you know it's not just the rate increase it's the sick and shutins it's the seniors it's people that just can't afford this increase I was a self-employed truck owner operator for 20 something years drove 2.5 million miles and every time I had a breakdown I was shut down I was suffering like the cattle rancher that spoke earlier tonight our our meat's going be high because there's not going to be anybody be able to do cattle. Anytime I broke down, it cost a lot of money. So, not just this rate increase, but our electric bills have gone up too. Our sewer bills have gone up. Our broadband's gone up and even the garbage has gone up on the Columbia Power and Water bills. So, you add this to the Columbia Power and Water Bill, the total bill goes up and up and up, 20% compounded for the next five years. And average water bill is something like $400 a year now. $35 a month and it'll be somewhere 90 to$100 $100 a month and $1,080 per year. And that's for only 12 million gallons. That's probably not going to be enough in a drought. We already know it's a short-term solution, not even a long-term solution for our kids and grandkids.

And we need to be thinking long term. We need to work with our regional partners in Coffee County and Bedford County and Marshall County and Hickman County. Um, we need to look at all the alternatives. Harpath water. They ain't got more permit to get more water than than we do. And uh, we just really need to look more longterm and look at what's best for the community. I've lived here all my life and I want what's best for Columbia. I want good clean water, but I also want it at an affordable rate so that we don't put small business out of business and we don't put people out of their homes because they can't afford it. People can't afford a shower. They have to cut back on their water, how much they can drink. I mean, you go to a local restaurant. You get the tap water, they're going to have to charge you three or four dollars just like they do a Sprite or a Coke. And it's going to hurt people that really are suffering. and the 61% are on the under of the average of the median income here in Colombia and Murray County. That's y'all got an important decision. Y'all represent us. You work for us, the people. We're asking you to make a very important decision and and just u think about the right thing to do as far as doing a pause on this thing and and really make sure we make the right decision. We need a pause.

Thank you, Mr. Blair. Thank you. Dustin KD, welcome back. Three minutes.

Thank you. Dustin KD, Santa Fe, Tennessee. Uh, I'm going to talk about a few things. First of all, I'll say that this is a great thing that we're actually engaging in a political process here. I heard it said earlier that we're trying to divide the community. If you don't think that the community is divided in thought already, then you're sadly mistaken. All that has happened is that the other side of this issue has been given a voice through this process and also publicly. The things that I have brought to light were conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest. And I' I've heard people come up to me tonight and they said, "How dare you call out a certain individual just because they own property along the water pipeline." That they're a person of integrity. I can't put a thermometer in your mouth to tell whether or not you're a person of integrity. If I ask everybody in this room whether they're a person of integrity, everybody would say yes. We have conflict rules for a reason. and and part of that reason is to advise the public when there's a conflict so that they can bring a challenge, but that has not been done. It's been completely ignored during this process. And I'll close by saying this. My point the other night that I didn't get to that I want to bring up tonight is a point that I don't think anybody has brought up today. And I didn't bring it up until now because I thought it might make people too angry. But I'm going to go ahead and say it because I know exactly how you're going to vote tonight. And I know we'll ultimately end up in court on this. There was a country mouse and a city mouse. That's the example of it. When you did your Columbia Power rate schedule, you you have an urban payer rate and you have a suburban payer rate. If I ask how many people in this room live outside the city of Colombia, the vast majority of those people, what you haven't told them is they pay a higher rate than your city residents do, and it's approximately 30%. the reason

that this ordinance will ultimately or this uh this uh act that you're trying to pass will ultimately be void abonio and I would appreciate attorney Hubble uh articulating on this issue before you take a vote would be the allocation of the rate. The only way that you could have made this legal is if you would have applied it per customer across the board on a flat rate, for example, $10 extra on a customer's bill. Instead, what you did was increased it by 20%. What that means is the customers from the county who are already paying a 30% increase that 20% is allocated to them disproportionately and beyond that it's it's aside from an issue of taxation without representation. You are using their funds to buy assets for the city. Not only that, someone come forward earlier and indicated that there would be debt paid down with that money and you are requiring the county residents to pay a disproportionate allocation of those funds. That's why this ultimately will get struck down. If you vote yes, you're voting yes to a lawsuit for the city of Colombia and it's a lawsuit you will not win. Thank you.

All right, Denise Rody. Denise Roddy, I hope I'm pronouncing that last name correctly, on Scriber. All right. Um, I think Rebecca Johnston and Danny Coleman both passed, but just making sure. All right. Danny Grooms, I think maybe he had to leave. Commissioner Grooms, Chairman Grooms, Robert Lacy, welcome back. You have the four three minutes.

Robert Lacy. uh Mount Pleasant. I I wasn't going to speak a second time, but I just want to reiterate the uh point of service that I brought up earlier. I joined the military when I was these young folks age. I joined out of high school. Um, I also in the past six months spent several evenings in Mount Pleasant at their city council fighting against them trying to get a housing development and a step system put in and watched city council members look down, give disgusted looks, Y'all are here to serve the people that are sitting in front of you. You were elected by those people. That's your sole purpose. You're not here to represent CPWS. You're here to represent all these folks. Just like I explained to the Mount Pleasant City Council, they weren't there to represent a builder. You all serve the community and I would hope that you would listen to these folks because the majority. They're not saying end this now. They just want to pause so that other options can be brought forward. You've got a governor's commission working on this. You haven't even heard the results of that yet. So, I'd ask you to please just take a couple months. I don't know where this $1.8 million a month number comes from. I Our mayor, Mount Pleasant, threw out bogus numbers at us, too.

So, I don't know where that comes from. Just take a pause and listen to the people sitting in front of you. I appreciate your time and I appreciate y'all's service, too. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Lson. All right, Bruce Peyton. I think Mr. Peyton maybe had to go check on a stove. Uh, and then last is Christa Martin. Dr. Martin, you're the last name on the last page of the list. You'll have the floor for three minutes. Welcome back.

Greetings, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Vice Mayor, and members of city council. My name is Dr. Christa Martin. I live at 2119 Poke Drive here in Colombia and I currently serve on the city's planning commission. My regards to each of you as most have a most difficult decision to make tonight. But you have done the work to prepare yourselves for this vote. The work did not begin last year, last month, or last week. The challenging work that you have been preparing for started as a long-term water supply response and it has been on agendas as an important issue for many years in Colombia. I cannot attest to what other agencies were doing for the last 25 years, but I know water supply, water rate, and associated services have been discussed under several mayors in my 30 years as a public servant elected by the people, city managers, city councils, utility boards, and other leadership. Planning has not been done in a vacuum. Many governmental agencies and elected officials at the federal, state, county, and city levels have been in and included in conversations. Tonight, my experience includes a vote that was taken some 25 years ago in regards to planning for long-term water and setting a rate that could be moved out year after year around two, three, or four cents. The rate increase was presented and only two members voted for that increase, myself and another council member. Needless to say, that vote failed two to five. A pause in my opinion occurred then. The Columbia City sits a council member on the utility board every term I have served on that board 2021 and 2022. During that time

approximately I attended eight long-term water supply meetings. Major deliberations, major people coming before us to talk about long-term water supplies. Very detailed reports from engineers and others who are experts in their trade. This funding was impacted by as you all know COVID and supply chain processing managers and management of other agencies asking for more details holding up progress by 160 days with every response calculating from the utility and current tariffs that have been implemented by the current administration at the federal level. In my opinion another pause has occurred. other costs impacting related to this project that was $261 million as I sat on the on the uh utility board and now we're looking at over 500 million in 2025 2026. No matter who controls this utility, the price of the project is going to be the same. Pipes don't care who controls. They charge for the length. I truly hope this is not about control. It's about the people, no matter what their level is, and how we give them consumable water. Everyone that has an agency, a grant, an impact fee, or anything that can make this cost decreased for our most gullible citizens, you ought to be happy to bring that information forward at any time.

Mr. Mayor, thank you for this plan. I hope that you all pass it. We need water that is consumable and I also too share in my sympathy for the family of our former mayor Dean Dicki. Thank you so much. Thank you, Vice Mayor.

All right, that concludes the public comment for the sheets that were signed up. Is there anyone that signed up to speak that did not hear their name called to speak? Just wanting to make sure that everyone had the opportunity that came here this evening with the anticipation to speak. All right. Uh so we are back on agenda item 10.4 which is the second consideration of this matter. Does anyone of council wish to call on anyone? I would note this evening that we do has been has been stated have CPWS in the room as well as some of our uh partners at uh Tekk which they have set through a lengthy meeting. Thank you for being here this evening. Um, is there anyone on council that wishes to ask any questions from any of those? Council member Huff,

I don't have any questions, but I'd like to make a motion if it be I'd like to defer this for 90 days to let Duck River partners and uh our representative to see if they can get CPWS some help so it won't be on all of the people, the rateayers of Murray County.

All right. So on a motion to defer, if ladies and gentlemen, if you if you don't mind, if you'll just please give us the respect to conduct the meeting in a professional way without being interrupted by applause while we're having the official meeting. We've tried to be as respectful to allow you to applause throughout every all night. And if if we can just continue on the meeting uh uninterrupted, please with all all due respect to each and every one of you. Uh Mr. city attorney. Um, if there's a motion to defer, I know it has to get a second, but isn't it true that if there's a motion out there that we would therefore until the motion has been disposed of be unable to call on Tekk andor anyone else that we want to be heard?

Well, if two things on the motion to defer, if there's a motion to defer, you can have discussion on it. It would just have to be only related to whether to defer or not. you couldn't get into substantive issues or substantive questions about the raid, about the project. Uh, second thing I would note, a motion to defer would just should just be for until the next meeting. Now, that wouldn't prevent you from making another motion to defer at that meeting and deferring it more than once. Uh, but the motion to defer uh would only go to the next meeting. So, a motion to defer in that case, Mr. trouble would disallow us to hear from state officials because we could just talk and discuss about the deferral motion. Just be talking about the deferral now.

Okay. All right. So, there's a motion to defer on the floor um from council 30 days for 30 days for for the next month meeting is

at the at the next council meeting which would be the February meeting. Is there a second to that motion? Is there a second to the motion to defer? All right. There is not a second to the motion. Going once, twice. Hearing no second. That motion fails for lack of a proper second. So, we're back on 10.4. Um, does any member of council wish to ask any questions from any TC officials or CPS? Mr. Councelor McKelby, I' like to ask Mr. Peoples to come to the stand, please. I'm not a commissioner. I know, but you're for the Doug River Agency. I am.

And I've heard tonight that there was 5 cents per thousand gallons that went to the Duck River Agency over the last 45 years. And I've heard that it's $15 million in I've heard $12 million in their U account, whatever you call it. But also Duck River Agency is giving $10 million to this project. Is that correct, sir? True. Yes. And you've given money for the beginning of the project for the intake area and when the project's completed, you'll give like 6 million, I believe, at the end. I don't remember exactly how it's all portioned out, but but it's $10 million regardless all together. It's 10 million. Okay. That's all I need. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. Anyone else? Vice Mayor McBrroom, I'd like to um speak to Tekk, please.

The TC representative, please. Mau come forward. Thank you for being here this evening. Um, thank you for coming back tonight. I guess my question is you've heard the pause. Everybody's talking about the pause. What is Tex's position on the pause? Last time I was here on earlier this week, I mentioned that that TDK rules, state rules, require water systems to plan for an expansion when they meet 80% of their design capacity. And I also mentioned to you that our records, those are monthly pumpage records that CPWS must submit to us as part of state state rules. Those records indicate that CPWS is currently at 93% capacity. They are required by the state to plan for this expansion. Columbia, Spring Hill, and Murray County water systems have all approved water cons water connections um that have not yet taken place that are not reflected in those monthly pumpage reports that we are receiving and those will consume that capacity soon. For the regionalization study that I mentioned the other evening, Tekk is charged with studying interconnection consolidation andor the formation of a regional water util water authority, excuse me, a water authority. We are charged with analyzing variables like water loss, financial outlook. Many utilities in the Duck River wershed and beyond will benefit from interconnection or other regional approaches and I'm very excited about those possibilities. I've committed to work with Representative Sepiki, Mayor But all of the water systems and others in inviting these utilities to be part of the regionalization study. We will also be inviting utilities beyond the Duck River wershed and surrounding communities to participate if they desire. Um I believe a letter to that effect may have gone out earlier today. A lot of good information will come out of that regionalization study and that will help water systems to make decisions on possibly merging, sharing assets, optimizing rates. TAC can identify ways that utilities could

consolidate or merge, ways that they might be governed or where board members might come from, but the regionalization study itself, and I know this was mentioning mentioned a lot after I left the other night, the regionalization study itself is not tasked with identifying another place where Columbia Power and Water could get 12 million gallons. for the Tennessee pipeline study which was also mentioned many many times that is a long-term water supply uh project or that we will be studying and that is for the entire Duck River wershed that is this is called the Columbia power and water plan is referred to as the long-term water supply plan for Colombia in Murray County when I talk about the pipeline I am referring to the long-term water supply plan for the entire Duck River area there's a difference for that Tennessee pipeline study um the alignments are indeed that we are considering are along T Dot rightways. I heard some of the public asking about that earlier. The goal of that pipeline will be to bring raw water into the Duck River wershed for those long-term water supply needs. That could solve water demands in the Duck River for the next several decades, but we're just at the feasibility stage right now. Tekk is charged with conducting that feasibility study by August of this year, but that raw water would still need treatment and we look to the largest treatment facility in the wershed. when I look at um a pause, I just want to make sure that none of the TEX studies that we are charged with will come up with an answer um that we're just not we're not tasked and we're not responsible for identifying another alternative for how Columbia Power and Water could get 12 million gallons a day.

Can everybody was there doing a lot of talking about it's rushed. Can you tell there's probably new people here like what you told us last time about the time frame that they have long they've been studying and they have to vet every possible idea.

Sure. Um, so I am the the water resources director of our statewide water program and I have personally attended meetings uh, you know, I live in this area in um, district uh, nine of the county and I've personally been attending meetings with um, in my deck role uh, related to this new downstream intake since 2018. That first meeting that I went to was a public meeting that was held at Columbia State. Um and uh I um since that time uh Tekk has um hosted and I personally have led nine public meetings since the year 2020 regarding Duck River water withdrawal permits including this permit. Um Columbia Power and Water applied for this permit with TKC in 2021. all of the permit application documents, um, alternatives, calculations, all of the, uh, maps, the justification for this project and intake in the Duck River, those have been on TDK's public website since, um, since we received those in 2021. Um, Tekk rules, as I mentioned the other night, they require a very robust alternatives analysis. TK is charged with evaluating all water supply alternatives, and we can only select or permit the one that has the least adverse impact on the Duck River. After we completed that required alternatives analysis, TDC proceeded with permitting for this downstream intake. The water withdrawal permit was placed on public notice, uh we're only required to have a permit on public notice for 30 days, but we doubled that in this case um because of the interest in the Duck River. A public hearing was held in Colombia. I led that personally in the fall of 2023. Several people in this room I recognized as being present at that meeting. Public comments were um as I mentioned, accepted for double the normal time, 60 days. and Ted issued that permit in 2024. Environmental groups did appeal um that permit and that was later resolved through a settlement. So that asked us to add um water loss and drought management provisions to the permit which TK did and that pre permit that

permit was reissued in 2025. This project is fully permitted. I was asked earlier to speculate on whether additional permits would be required. There are no additional permits required at this time. It's too early to speculate on whether or not storm water permits from TEK may be uh required during the construction phase. That may be the case. Those are usually granted in less than 30 days. I got a technical question I want to ask. Go ahead.

Well, after all you've heard, I mean, and we've heard a lot of stuff, but you seem to been here from the beginning to the end. You're you're with the state of Tennessee. you're the one that has to issue all this stuff. And is there anything you would like to add to this that we're missing or what you've heard so you can give people reassurance?

I would like to emphasize that um uh Tekk is not aware of any other alternatives to bringing in 12 MTD into this area. Um, I have been asked uh since Tuesday whether or not um there I've asked several alternatives. I I have a list of alternatives if y'all have questions about alternatives. Uh but but in the interest of time, one of the alternatives that I did not hear much about the other night, but I've been asked several times um since Tuesday. Would TK approve more than the 20 million gallons that is currently permitted at the current intake? And the answer is no. TC would not approve that. The federal government would likely not approve that. We must maintain that flow that was mentioned earlier. It's 100 cubic feet per second that must be maintained in the river. That has been uh the number that we in the federal government have used for um a couple of decades now. That is necessary for the assumive capacity for the city of Columbia's um uh wastewater treatment plant discharge downstream. this new intake which as we've mentioned has been discussed for quite some time. Um this new intake is downstream of the wastewater plant dis treatment plant discharge. Uh it's downstream in an area where there is much more flow not only because of the discharge. There are multiple tributaries that enter the duck river uh downstream of the current intake and there are groundwater permits that I mean excuse me groundwater inputs. There is so much more flow in the new intake that TK did not require flow requirements that we required for other permits up and down the river and the flow requirement that exists for Columbia Power and Water's current intake of 100 CFS. Um, we would not be able to approve this further because we now know that there is a least impactful alternative on the table and it is this new downstream intake that has been the topic of so much discussion this evening. Thank you. She's watching my question. Oh, I do have a question.

Heard about Harpath Valley again tonight. Is there any indication that Harpath Valley would uh consider any more water coming to Murray County?

Um, do you mind if I revisit some of the things I said on Tuesday just for clarity to make sure I don't miss anything? So, I'll just remind you that I discussed on Tuesday night that Murray County Water System um has an interbasin transfer permit. That's something that's required by TDC in order to move water from one basin to another. In this case, we have permitted Murray County Water System to move 3 million gallons a day from the Cumberland River Basin um in Nashville area to the Duck River Basin where we are today. Tekk um gave that project awarded Murray County Water System a grant of I believe $7.7 million in order to fund that project. And on Monday of this week, uh, Tekk met with Cumberland River, excuse me, uh, utilities from the Cumberland Basin, Harpath Valley Utility District that you're asking about, as well as HB&Ts. They purchase water from Harpath Valley Utility District and, um, serve Murray County, excuse me, serve Williamson County. We met with both of those entities from the Cumberland Basin along with Murray County Water System to ask about the possibility that I'd been heard heard much about in recent weeks of purchasing more than that three million gallons a day. Specifically asked about whether or not they may have 12 million more gallons for a total of 15 million gallons. Harpath Valley has an intake in the Cumberland River and the idea is that they would treat and deliver water via HB&Ts through Williamson County to Murray County Water Systems on the um on the county line. Harpath Valley told us that they do they currently do not have the permit from Tekk. They do not have the permitted capacity. They do not have the intake pumps that are needed and then they do not have the um treatment capacity to sell any more water to Murray County Water System than the 3MGD that that has been permitted, that has been funded and that is currently under construction. Harpath Valley further told us that they cannot tell yet whether or not they will have capacity in the future or how much it might cost until the Army Corps of Engineers completes its study of the Cumberland River Basin in late 2026. And I am very familiar with that study and

have had multiple conversations with the core about that and I know that to be true. Harpath Valley did confirm that they would need to add additional intake pumps as I mentioned in treatment capacity at their existing uh treatment plant. They would actually need to add an entire um parallel treatment train to what they already have and that their cost to add this treatment for 12 million gallons a day would likely be the same as Columbia Power and Water Faces for the same amount of water treatment. It would cost Harpath Valley the same amount. This water from Harpath Valley is florinated. Is that correct?

That is correct. Harpath Valley um Florida provides fluoridated water to HB&Ts. As you know, Columbia Power and Water has not fed fluoride in their water for some time. I'll remind you that Ted Deck is neutral on fluoride. So, it's really up to Murray County Water System or any other water system that's buying the water. Uh what that what is right for their customers. If they do feed fluoride, we regulate it. Thank you. Thank you, Catherine McCullen. Yes. Uh, we thank you for coming. Yes, sir.

Sitting through all this long hours and what we doing here. But I I want to make sure I'm hearing right. Uh, the comments I've been hearing, they said there hadn't been much public participation in this process and you know that some were done shady under under a shady deal but has taken place. Can you speak to the public participation?

Um, certainly. So, Tekk has a um a public a transparent process. we put our um all of our documents uh we we do retract a few little things like the location of critical infrastructure intake. There's a state law requiring that. But we just sort of black out those very sensitive uh things and have um hundreds of pages of documents that we've received from Columbia Power and Water. As I mentioned, those have been on our website since 2021. Um in oh, I may have to check the dates uh to remind myself. Um, when we went on public notice, um, we put a draft permit on public notice in the fall of 2023. Uh, we held a public hearing for that. We did receive, I don't know the number of comments, I'm going to say dozens and dozens of comments on this particular permit. Uh, during those 60 days, we considered those before we issued the permit. Um, we've held uh, nine public meetings um, since 2020 on Duck River water withdrawal permits in general. And then I'll also um mention that in uh November of last year, Governor Lee came out with the executive order 108. He established this 19 member uh planning partnership that has been mentioned on Tuesday night and mentioned many times tonight that is led by Tekk Commissioner David Sers who is uh you know one of my one of my bosses and um that uh that um executive order also provided separate directives for TK and other agencies. That partnership has met uh six times over the past several months. Those meetings are open to the public. We received public comments at the end of those meetings as well. Um the partnership in November um just a couple of months ago provided recommendations to Governor Lee and those recommendations are what charged TK with conducting the feasibility study for the pipeline to the Tennessee that would benefit all of the Duck River wershed as well as the regionalization study which holds great promise for interconnectivity and uh governance and other things but is not tasked with coming up with an alternative for bringing 12 million gallons of water into this wershed.

Um, I just lost train of thought. Um, so you've had Columbia Power and TD Deck has had multiple public meetings about this. Yes. Okay. Thank you. May I offer uh that I also brought my TK colleague with me, Vina Jones. I'll just remind you that she's the manager of the state revolving loan fund program. And um Vina is much more knowledgeable about anything about the state revolving loan commitment. Uh yes, I know my limits and I would not be able to answer those questions. Sure. She's here if you need her. I'd like to hear what she's got to say.

All right. Miss, it sounds like Council Marshall maybe has a question for Miss Grippo before Miss Jones.

Uh uh the study to the river that includes our the the intake and going from there. Is that correct? We envisioned that the feasibility study would would work um two ways just for cost comparisons, but uh hasn't really been scoped out yet. But we did some rough numbers in the fall of this year. We hired a consultant to consider different um drought management alternatives or uh long-term alternatives for the entire wershed. I want to clarify that because I know that there's some question about this this Columbia Power and Water project and I want to specify that that would benefit the entire wershed. And so, um, the the we presented this to the partnership in December of this year that did not include, um, the new intake and the new pipeline that we're talking about tonight. It kind of just brought raw water all the way to the existing plant. Um, uh, but we also also anticipate looking at treating this um, ex this new downstream intake that we're talking about tonight as the first leg to the Tennessee River. So, we'll be able to look at that um in two different ways as a feasibility study. So, I'll add that um when the partnership recommended uh both of these studies, they they recommended that this would be a a thorough long-term analysis of um a pipeline from the Tennessee River and that this new intake at that time was considered as described as the first leg of the Tennessee. And I just also want to add that both the pipeline study and the regionalization study are in conjunction with consideration of this new intake. They are not were not intended to be in place of it. All right. Did someone want to hear from Miss Jones? Miss Jones,

you didn't know you were going to get called on, but you did. Thank you for being here. I think you were here on Tuesday as well. Yes, sir. Um, thank you for being here, Kelly. So, the the state revolving fund, that is a fund that protects rateayers. Is that correct? The state revolving fund is a federal state partnership of um federal capitalization dollars granted to the state annually in which we in turn that into lowinterest loans and grants to utilities um and and then those loan borrowers repay um this the SRF creating a perpetual fund for us to continue to loan into the future even after the capitalization grants have been sunset.

Okay. But they they're designed to protect rate payers. It is designed to provide lowinterest financing so that utilities can minimize the cost to rateayers. Thank you. Any questions for Miss Jones? All right. Hearing none. Any other questions for Miss Grippo? None. We're back on. Thank you, ladies. Um and councelor McKelby has a question for Mr. Harden and Mr. Wheeler and Miss um

Maddox. So, there was been a question tonight about the water going downstream past Monsanto and the water runoff off Monsanto property and that um can the CPWS treat the new water in the new intake going by all the Monsanto stuff? Uh, Councilman Mckelby, yes, we can. it's sufficiently past that location to where there's no water quality concerns for treating it and bringing uh bringing it back and treating it. And TEDex tested that water. I'm assuming they've tested all that.

We've passed all environmental scrutiny. Yes, sir. And uh what does Williamson County side of Spring Hill get their water from Columbia Power? That's going to be subject to uh HB&Ts and other providers in that area. Okay. Thank you. And the lifespan of an intake, how long is the lifespan? Does it last forever or is it 10 years? I can speak to our current intake. It's lasted 75 years. 75 years. Yes, sir. Thank you. And uh will GM be affected by this rate increase and ultimately?

Yes. So on this first year of rate increase, we did the flat 20% because we had just done a cost of service study to to know which rate classes to charge what percent. um all will receive that 20% increase including the industrial class which uh they would fall in years 2 through five. Uh in the ordinance it has that we will do that annual cost of service study. That cost of service study not only dictates the percent it then dictates kind of that uh inside outside city and which class gets what percent based on that cost to serve. So those will also be adjusted every year on top of the increase. So will your cost to serve each uh customer class.

And the percentage of easements, how many e what what percentage of ease e easements do we have now? I've heard I've heard 70. I've heard 60. We are at 63% and uh we have easements that are in closing that would bring that up to 75% in the next two to three weeks. Okay. And can building begin even when the easements are not all all the way done yet? Can you can you continue can you start this project without all the easements? Uh we can start on the uh downstream intake. We can start on the treatment plant. We can start on critical easements that we've already acquired with pipeline placement while we're acquiring the last small easements that exist.

Does this does this project cost $640 million million dollars?

No sir. We uh we have a total program cost of uh $520 million that we're talking about funding. And that total program cost includes everything from design through the permitting, easement acquisitions, mitigations of environmental um and uh historic properties uh I said design um construction costs and engineering services during construction. So it's an all-in cost for program. Normally when you hear people quoting uh costs of pipelines and things like that, they're only giving you that construction cost number. We have that total program cost that we are showing you and have done the uh fiscal analysis to show how we're going to cover it. The actual construction dollar cost we're expecting to come in around $468 million. I remember uh when I first got on council in February, this was discussed and uh we had a study session in that time and there was a number brought out to uh city council of $120 million in infrastructure cost and there was a price tag to that $19. It was going to be $18. is $9 the first year and $9 next year next year on the um fixed cost of your people's water bill. And city council said, "No, we want to turn that down." And they came back again with a $10 increase and council again said, "Turn that down." We we turned it they turned it down. And so um when I came on council in February in our study session uh there was some a lot of conversation and one one of the conversations we had was about this infrastructure stuff and the infrastructure stuff was you know we need a shorter list of infrastructure cost and and affordable and the cost was brought down from 110

120 million down to about $85 million. if I remember correctly. And the fixed cost was uh put uh at a $5 increase went from 11 to 16. If I remember correctly, the water rate went from 303 to 330, whatever that was. I can't remember what that was. And that passed. And so that amount of money that's been raised so far is paying for infrastructure cost that was approved by city council in the summer. Is that correct? You're referencing the distribution system improvement program. Yes. And those projects and yes, those were covered by that prior rate action. Okay. Okay. That's all I have.

I would like I mean y'all taken a beating and would y'all like just this is your time to add anything else you need to add. If you've heard rumors you want to get them taken care of, but please this is your moment to u dispel anything out there. Well, I would just add that I'm glad to be up here talking about a plan to continue providing safe, reliable, clean drinking water to the community I've lived in for a long time. I'd rather be doing this than talking about why we didn't plan and something happens to compromise our service. That's not an option in our business. We have to be prepared to serve. This has been vetted as the best and least cost option. We have a funding plan that is transparent. We're excited to talk about how we can uh incorporate this into making sure we can execute it and every year as we've discussed uh ensure that the cost of service drives rate actions and we keep that as minimal as possible.

I got one more question. So in 2001, TVA came to Columbia Power said, "You've got to move this intake. You've got to move this intake down down down river. It's in an environ environmentally sensitive area and we want it moved. Is that correct? Referencing the TVA study in 2001, that was the first mention of moving it for the area." Yes, sir. And we have a agent infrastructure at the empoundment there at Riverside that's over 100 years old. And you have done your due diligence on that empoundment to reinforce it and all that. Is that correct, sir?

We've spent millions in reinforcing that dam to the best of our ability, trying to make it last longer. And you will continue to do that even when the intake is downstream. Is that correct? We inspect it every year. We stay on top of it to ensure its integrity to the best of our ability.

Okay. And somebody mentioned about the drought. Um 2000 in 1988 there was a drought. U I'm I'm told 2008 2009 there was a drought. I lived it. And so about every 20 years or so there's a severe drought in this area. And so will Columbia Power be able to uh service water to the customers of Columbia Power uh if there's a drought in 2028 29? As has been mentioned, there's a flow by restriction in the river of 100 cfs. We understand if we had a 1988 or 20078 drought. Again, uh we would have a very difficult time meeting that flow by restriction. Quite possibly wouldn't be able to use the intake, uh would have to uh incorporate drastic cutbacks uh in order to maintain service in a drought.

I've heard about the growth and I I I assure you when I was on the county commission, I I fought against the growth. I I spoke my piece as a county commissioner to the district district five. I came to these meetings and I spoke against uh a lot of development here. Uh lost a lot, won a few, but um but I can assure you that horse is already out of the barn now. It's this is it's out of the barn and we can't do anything about that. But we have to secure what we have now. And this is a a this is a um Colombia asset and I'm sw I'm sworn to to protect the assets of the city of Columbia and I be daggum if I am going to let some other agency take over Columbia Power and Water. I'm not going to do it. I'm not going to stand by and let that happen. I'm not going to stand by. And if it's control, if that's when you say it's control, then so be it. But that is an asset of Colombia and I'm not going to let that go. Thank you.

Um Miss Maddox, um at the last or on Tuesday I had mentioned the federal low-income household water assistance program and you indicated you had some familiarity with that program. Is that program no longer up and running? We are not currently using it, but we have reached out to try to see if we can get anything going with that. Um on the other program you mentioned on the good Samaritan. Good Samaritan. Yeah. Did you find anything? Yes. I talked to Mr. Frierson today and we were able to get uh water covered under that as well and we did that effective immediately on all fronts. So that will be coming.

And the good Samaritan program is essentially a program that's in place that in the event that people are unable to afford their power bills previously and now water bills as well that people are able to one up or or dollar up on their bill and it goes into a fund that assists those who are unable to pay for their own. Yes, mayor. So you can uh we have a form on our website if you want to go to the good Samaritan program. There's a form you fill out. You can choose any amount. So if you have a little extra give, you're welcome to do that. And then that goes to people that need that money on our system. And it is handled by an outside independent party that decides who that is.

All right. I would be interested on the status of the the federal program if it's still in place and how we might be able to protect. We'll keep you updated as All right. Um, anyone else have any questions? Council

Hler. Um, I asked this Mr. Mr. Wheeler, while ago when y'all we passed a 30 mill 30 or $40 million loan for y'all that y'all I don't know where you don't have the money for it. Are you getting a better interest rate or what? But anyway, Miss Maddox said that y'all going to take part of this money and pay for it and you just stated that it is going to be used for that project. Is that right? We have spent money to date and Ashley might be uh better suited to speak to this but we have spent money to date out of pocket that is eligible for reimbursement from WIFIA. So the first time that we go for a WIFIA reimbursement or state revolving fund. Um the money we have spent to date is more than what's on that revenue anticipation note. So it will be able to take out that note.

And I All right. Uh Mr. Harden, I'd like to redact something you said. You said that watering intake's been over 75 years. It ain't done it. In the late 70s, if you go over and look, there's a transformer sitting right there beside the road. They changed it from 2300 volts to 7200 volts. And that's when they redone the intake over there in the late '7s. The treatment plant dates to 1952. And we had I understand they asked the intake. The intake. They asked about the intake. How long it been the river. We've been withdrawing from the river there for 75 years. You're a dumbass. Counc Let's don't I'm sorry.

Please. All right. Any other questions? Counc. Yes. Um that's hard. I understand. I heard one of your board members say that there going to be some kind of correspondence to the rateayers really have an understanding of what they've been paying over that period of time. Yes, sir. Uh one of our uh board chair uh our vice chair Trent Oggovy has asked us and I think it's a great idea too. That's why we didn't bring the bill presentation tonight. Uh if this were rate action were to go through, we will individually send mailers out to our customers on their last month's bill and what that projected increase would look like uh to fully prepare our customers for the rate increases they would be facing. That's going to come out pretty quickly.

We're going to do the best we can. Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you. ask you just mayor. Could I address one thing with CPWS and I want to say I think they said this maybe Tuesday but just to clarify and I want to make a statement to council that it's been my understanding that CPWS did significant work and relied on their rate consultants in developing the rates that are proposed here tonight. So I want to explain that that's my understanding CPWS didn't just make these up on their own that they relied on the consultants but I'd ask them to just elaborate for council a little bit more on that.

Sure. So uh we are working with Raft Telus. Uh they've been in the industry for 30 plus years. Uh they're known for water wastewater um and they've actually done a similar project. I believe it was North or South Carolina of this magnitude. Uh so we felt them to be adequate to prepare this study. uh we've worked alongside them since June on preparing these numbers and we used the most recent fiscal year to try to get the most accurate data. Um this is not something we have gone it alone nor would I trust myself to put that on my shoulders. Um so we have fully relied on on their expertise.

All right. Any other questions for CPWS? I don't I don't have a question but I do have a comment. All right. Y'all been through a lot, but I've been through a lot from November up until this day. Um, I appreciate all the the data that y'all have given. Uh, I appreciate the work that y'all have done and uh, I just want to say that, hey, I've had apologies for going through all this and I apologize for y'all having to go through it, too, because y'all did the work. All right. Thank you, Vice Mayor. I would like to speak before we vote. Um,

we need a we would need a we need a motion on No, I like to speak before we go. Okay. All right. Um, not during the discussion, but before I'm more on what has happened on social media. It's a But back up. I'm not upset, but I'm just worried. I've heard from CPWS employees were scared to go out and say they work for us.

All right. CPWS employees were scared to go out. I mean, they they're almost doing this abuse that they were taking if they voiced their opinion. Just people in general, they voiced their opinion. If they weren't on this the side of no, they got crucified. That's one reason why there's not more people here.

I mean, I've had people even come up to me and say, I will speak, but I if I say the wrong thing, I can't be on Facebook. That's wrong. I use the advice that Mayor Buck gave me years ago when I first started running. Miss But I mean, Mayor But you always told me that if there's not, don't put fuel on a fire because if you go to it, it's just going to keep the fire burning. And I've listened to you ever since then. That's why I'm not on Facebook. Why am I going to sit there and argue just nonsense? So, I appreciate that advice you gave me. It's good advice. I get along with everybody here. Everybody knows that. I try to do what's right. My integrity's been questioned. My family integrity has been questioned and that's not right. I've I've been above the board the whole time with everybody. So I appreciate it that what we're doing. We're trying to do our best. I've had to I've had more emails. I've had more text messages that I can imagine saying we believe in you. We believe you. I took over a hundred calls in the last three days. I only had one person that was against it because they were too scared to come and talk. Everybody else said, "I understand what you're saying. I appreciate it." Now, whether or not they vote or agree, they were civil and they were concerted. So, just remember what we're doing through here. We're trying hard. There's no no underlying connection, which everybody loves to go down the rabbit hole. So, I appreciate everything you're doing. I appreciate y'all here. I've got good friends up here. Neil, we went to school together. I had This is the first time I've seen you what, 40 years. I've had people on Cap County Commission say, "Hang in there. You're a good man." So,

I appreciate everything that everybody's done here, but remember, Facebook is the devil's playground. All right. Remember that. Thank y'all. Oh, I I got one more thing. All right. Council member Seers,

the things that I have get were getting over the emails were very nasty and dirty. I had people put it out on Facebook where she doesn't answer her email. Well, why would I when I have emails demanding that I say stuff emount I'm embarrassing, I'm obnoxious. I'm not going to answer anything like that. But I had people to email me, like you said, vice mayor civil emails that I did answer back. And I hope that that helped everybody. But then, you know, Gabe Howard, who said he didn't put the thing on the mailer, he stopped me in the hallway tonight and he apologized to me face to face for what happened. I appreciate that. But then you have Anson Anderson here who has a shirt on that says ABC. What that stand for, Anson?

No, that's that's not it. No. Anybody but Cheryl. That's what That's what that shirt stands for. Anybody but Cheryl. So, I'm I'm speaking for me, but you didn't you apologize for nothing you put on Facebook because when the mailer came out, you took a picture of it and shared it on Facebook with my mailing address on it. And that was real tacky. But anyway, I'm I'm done. I'm done. Thank you. Thank you.

Let me say uh a couple things. Um, first of all, let me let me say that uh and I think you guys can have a seat. CPWs. All right, I I'll call them back up. Let me let me say a couple things. Um, let me say first of all to this council, um, I think this council has endured a lot over the last 60 days. Um, it has not been an easy uh 60 days. Uh, because this issue is not an easy issue. If this is an easy issue, we wouldn't be here at 10:00. Uh, in fact, I think in my seven years as mayor, this is probably the latest um that that we've ever had a city council meeting. We're going back to the days when Christa Martin and Dean Dicki would stay here till 11 o'clock.

Mayor, we just had to disconnect the alarm system because it automatically goes

well. Um, and and of course it was over the holidays and we um we we were we were hearing about this over the holidays and and that's okay. We signed up for for that. We knew what we were getting into with respect to hearing from constituents. Uh what we didn't sign up for were some of the as accus acc accusations and and uh mistruths that were said and and and for that it's unfortunate. Um but we continue on and regardless of what happens with tonight's vote uh we are still a city council. We still care about this community. We would not be up here if we did not. And no one can ever take that away from any of you. regardless of how your vote is and regardless of what may be said on social media and regardless of what may go out in the mail regarding addresses or phone numbers. And so I just want you all to know that this community is one that values true public servants and all of you are true public servants. To those of you in the audience, I want you uh to know that we thank you for being here tonight. Um, some of you have taken advantage of all five opportunities to be a part of the public commenting. Uh, and to those of you, we will have a uh an award uh certificate at the door on your way out. Uh, but seriously, that that's important that we provide those opportunities because we want the public to provide input. Um, some of you, depending on how the vote goes tonight, may leave here unhappy. Um, I have myself attended a number of meetings, city meetings, county meetings, schoolboard meetings where I've left very happy and where I've left very disappointed, feeling like my voice was heard and feeling like my voice was not heard. And that is the beauty of this system that we're in, the beauty of this political system and this representative democracy that we have. to Columbia Power and Water System. Um, I want you to know that on behalf of all

of us on this council, we say thank you and to our state partners as well. Um, CPWS, um, has been working on this project for years and years. Jonathan Harden, it has been a project that has been on your radar since you arrived to CPWS. Um, and the board of CPWs, I have have constantly said that our CPWS board has to be one of the best board of public utilities in the state of Tennessee. It is a quality board. It is a board that understands the needs of our rateayers and of all the customers of the system. And my vote tonight is not a vote that is directed at my lack of confidence in CPWS. Um indeed I believe this is the right project at the wrong time. I believe it's the right project because the experts including our federal and state partners have said it's the right project. The US partners say it's the right pro project and it's been planned for decades. I just happen to believe personally for the one vote that I have on this council that the costs are a point today where they're skyrocketing and those on fixed income have been scared into oblivion over the fear of the potential increases here. And so that's why I cannot tonight justify a vote in favor. But it is not an indication of my lack of confidence in the project itself. It's the timing of the project that I have concerns with. So thank you councelor McCullum.

Yes, Mayor. uh council, it had been difficult for me to come tonight. My son is in the hospital, had a stroke,

but I thought this vote was important and this time was important. I've talked to a lot of uh my constituents. They called me. I explained it to them. I pointed them to to the I mean the website of the CPS CPWs. But I I made it. I got and before I came, I had been sleep a couple of days. I came here tonight. Before I came here, I got sick. I started to stay home. But I decided as a public official. I was put here to make hard and difficult decision. And I'm in favor uh Miss Martin to tell you we we we had some tough things going on when we was uh together. I've learned a lot from her. I just say that on for her sake. Appreciation. But sometimes you got to stay in there and uh sometimes you have to roll your sleeve up. And so I made it my business to be here. My son is doing better and I which I'm happy about that. I I'm in support of this and and as as I say Dean Dickens started some of this in uh I think 2015 I think we we we deal dealt with this and it was you know I was here when that drought took place and they was talking about rationing water. I think Spring Hill did it, but the Columbia didn't did. We got through that and uh since I've been in in in uh Columbia, they talked about Fountain Creek and they shut the damn down. It's a water is a problem. You can't can't keep putting it off and pausing say you're going to do this and you know all all this discussion I've been over over 40 years, same discussion about water. I think it's time for us to do something about that.

That's why I'm here tonight. Councelor McCullen just wants you to know that uh your son and family have have also been in all of our prayers this week and we're glad he's doing okay. All right, we're on 10.4. MC, did you have another um question? Any other statements? Any motion to be made on item 10.4? I want to make a motion to approve. All right, the motion to approve item 10.4 has been approve has been made by council member Marshall. It's been properly seconded by council Carl McCullen. Is there any further discussion on item 10.4? Hearing none. Mr. Jablonsky, take the vote, please. Mr. McCullum, hi. Mr. Hman, no. Miss Secret. Mr. Marshall, I. Mr. McCelie, I Vice Mayor Mc Broom, hi.

Mayor Moulder, no. Item 10.4 is approved on a vote of 5 to two.

All right. Item 10.6. Thank you all for being here this evening. And if you could leave in an orderly fashion, we do still have a few agenda items left and it is late for all of us. Please be safe going home. Thank you. Item 10.5 actually. First consideration on ordinance number 4574. An ordinance to amend ordinance 4487 to connect Colombia. If we could please leave in an orderly fashion. Quiet please. So we can continue with our business please. Thank you everyone. Please be safe going home. The connect Columbia comprehensive plan by reclassifying the future land use designation for tax map 112 parcels 17 and 18.02 2 located off of Trotwood Avenue in Foster Lane from rural transition to suburban neighborhoods ward 1. This item has been requested by the applicant to be deferred.

Yes, sir. Do we Does it require a motion? It does. Motion. I'll make the motion to defer item 10.5 properly. Second by councelor McKelie. Any discussion on that motion to defer? Hearing none. Mr. Jablonsky. Mr. McCullen. Mr. Huffman. Hi. Miss Secret. Hi. Mr. Marshall. Hi. Mr. McKelby. Hi. Vice Mayor Mc Broom. Hi. Mayor Moulder.

I that item is approved. Next item 10.6. First consideration on ordinance 4575, an ordinance to amend the ordinance number 4400. The same being the zoning ordinance of the city of Columbia, Tennessee by zoning property being annexed by resolution number 2583 located off Trywood Avenue and Foster Lane being tax map 112 parcel 17 to large lot neighborhood character district and civic. This is ward one. Also, a deferral request has been made by the applicant to the February meeting. I guess that would be right. Mr. Massie, I'll make the motion to defer item 10.6. six properly seconded by council member Huffman. Um any discussion on the motion to defer item 10.6 hearing none Mr. Jablonsky Mr. McCullum

Mr. Huffman Miss Mr. Marshall Hi Mr. Kelby. Hi, Vice Mayor Mc Broom. Hi, Mayor Moulder. Ah, that item is approved. Next item 10.7, first consideration on ordinance number 4579, an ordinance to amend ordinance 4400. The same being the zoning ordinance of the city of Columbia, Tennessee by deanexing properties located off of Darksmail Road being tax map 52, parcels 38,03.05, and 006 and tax map 66, parcels 1.01, 1.02, and 1.03. Um, I'm going to make I'm gonna let actually council Kelly make the motion on that one if he'd like to. I so I so move the motion.

All right, it's been moved by councelor McKelby and I'll properly second for purpose of discussion. I will to point out that I see that Mr. uh Bat is still here. Uh he also gets a certificate for for his presence this evening. I did not realize that you were still out there and that you were staying for this, but you did sign up to speak uh for public comment. And so if you would like to speak again, um now is your time for your three minutes. I think we're good. Okay. All right. Um, no further uh members sign up to speak on this item. Any discussion on item 10.7 that's been moved and properly seconded? Hearing none. Mr. Jablonsky. Mr. McCullum. Hi, Mr. Huffman. Hi, Miss Serest. Mr. Marshall, hi. Mr. McCelie, hi. Vice Mayor Mc Broom. Hi. Mayor Malder,

I that item is approved. Thank you for for being here this evening, all of you. Thank you. Item 10.8, final item. First consideration of ordinance 4580, an ordinance for the abandonment of a rightaway being Columbia Rock Products Road and authorizing the mayor to execute and deliver quick claim deeds to the property owner. Motion to approve. Second. Been moved and properly seconded. Any discussion on that item hearing? None. Mr. Jablonsky, Mr. McCullen, Mr. Huffman, Miss Secret, Mr. Marshall, Mr. McKelby, Vice Mayor McBroom, Mayor Moulder.

I that item is approved. That takes us to other business. any other business that wish to be had. I just want to again say thank you to this council once more uh for what was a long meeting, what's been a long 60 days uh but I think a good meeting because public input has been had. I think we all know more about the project that is underway. Uh and I think we can all work to ensure that this project has the most minimum impact on a trade payers as possible going forward. Just because the project is passed does not mean we cannot still work together to do that and ways to partner with state and federal uh partners who may be willing to to be a part of that. So um again I want to say thanks to this council for a good meeting. Anyone else on council wish to be heard under other business? Uh Mr. City Attorney, no need to go into executive session tonight. Is that correct?

No. All right then I will make the motion to adjurnn. Properly seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. Mr. Jagowski. Mr. McCullen. Mr. Huffman. Miss Secret, Mr. Marshall, hi Mr. McKelby. Hi, Vice Mayor Mc Broom. Hi, Mayor Moulder. I We are adjourned. Thank you, everyone.