Update: 1/17/10

Good Afternoon MJ:

I’ll begin by wishing all a wonderful MLK birthday holiday celebration. I was particularly impressed by an article in Sunday’s Tennessean, which spoke about this being an opportunity to reflect on our past, consider how far we’ve come in the area of equality and human rights, and ponder the opportunities and challenges of our future. I thought it ironic that as we celebrate a national holiday residing on the values we hold most dear, while Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, struggles with the fallout of last week’s massive earthquake. We’ve received calls at City Hall asking how to help. We suggest what relief operations need most right now is money. You may wish to consider the Red Cross or other charities with the resources and infrastructure to ensure your gift goes to exactly to where you desire. If you have any questions you can speak with Sharon or Tina at City Hall (754-2552) and they’ll be happy to assist.

I had the privilege of speaking to the Del Webb Veterans Association last week, and had a wonderful time. They wanted an overall update on city-wide activities, so I based the discussion on the recent end of year report card provided the Board of Commissioners. I thought those on Nixle might be interested in reading some things you probably didn’t see in the paper. So, for your reading enjoyment, below is “Team Mt. Juliet’s” 2009 Report:

Board of Commissioners:

As we approach the end of 2009, I thought a short review of the tremendous work and accomplishments occurring throughout our community would be in order. Suffice to say as a staff, “Team Mt. Juliet” had one of our busiest and most successful years to date. Speaking for the Team, in looking back on 2009, we are extremely proud of the progress made and the possibilities of the new year. Just a few examples of what was done in 2009 include:

• The City of Mt. Juliet was the number one award winner from cities and counties across Middle Tennessee for projects and programs recognized by the Greater Nashville Regional Council.
• We established and fielded on-line payment systems for most city services. These systems are making a positive difference in our ability to handle program demands and population growth within the existing resources.
• With a mix of staff and contractors, we upgraded and relocated the city’s PD Dispatch Center at a fraction of the cost it would have taken to completely outsource the project. Mt. Juliet now has a state-of-the-art, TBI certified and approved center, with a functional and pleasantly designed Records Center that replaces two antiquated, potentially dangerous work areas.
• Led by the Parks and Rec Team, we remodeled the City’s Courtroom. It looks significantly better than it did just 3 months ago. The Team gutted and remodeled the former Archer building, transforming it into a one stop MJ Financial operation. Leveraging right-of-way expenses to our advantage, we reduced overall acquisition costs and used in-house personnel for most of the work. The MJ Finance Office is one of the finest in middle Tennessee and brings synergy to our financial management processes by aligning functional competencies under one roof.
• The Parks and Rec Team opened a 2.8k square foot expansion at the Rec Center that cost the city virtually nothing. Linking a new business interested in donating to the city with a world class recording artist resulted in a $400k gift that is now the pride of the MJ Parks and Recreation Department. This facility is literally transforming our business model by providing space for new services and programs.
• The Parks and Rec crew completely re-vamped business operations over the last year. Here’s just a few of their accomplishments and products:
1. A Frisbee Golf course
2. A Tournament Volleyball championship
3. A Fashion Show
4. A Flea Market and Holiday Bazaar
5. Zumba, Pilates and other athletic events
6. Movies in the Park, teen dances and concerts
7. Wilson County’s first “Bark Park” and Skate Park
8. A playground at South Park
9. A new, employee built pavilion at CD Park
• A combined team of staff and volunteers planned and provided exceptional community oriented events including our largest ever Easter and Halloween in the Park. We had a Christmas Parade with Astronaut Barry Wilmore as Grand Marshal, and a monsoon-like tornado threaten Fourth of July fireworks festival, where we effectively cleared the area with no known injuries. Those type of successful events occur only through the extensive efforts of an exceptional team and lots of careful planning.
• Leaders focused on continuous quality improvement by investing in people. In addition to numerous individual professional and academic training, two Department Heads completed capstone-level professional development programs (Deputy Chief Hambrick: Northwestern University Police Cmd & Staff and Mr. Martin: Oklahoma University Economic Development Pmg). Our focus on employee health initiatives was an enabler in driving lower claims from a larger covered population. We conducted an employee & family health and safety fair with more than 35 stations accentuating our concern for individual well being.
• We were able to remodel several Mt. Juliet low income residences through a Tennessee Housing Development Agency grant.
• The PW Team started and finished the long discussed “Reverse L”. Through extraordinary efforts and persistence, we secured an LIC grant that paid 50% of the $3m project, saving the citizens of Mt. Juliet approximately $1.5m.
• We created and fielded an on-line “Employment Assistance” site providing visibility and promoting opportunities to citizens in need of employment.
• This team established the first and only railroad “Quiet Zone” in the state of Tennessee!
• We identified, trained and equipped a volunteer fire-fighting contingent from within the City of Mt. Juliet. With the invaluable assistance of Mr. Shawn Donovan, we overcame countless obstacles to field a force of 12 volunteers who have very well served Mt. Juliet. At last review, a sizeable element of the volunteer force has been right beside the WEMA professionals at every actual structural fire in the city since they were constituted.
• The IT Team completely revamped the city’s web-page. Last year, the homepage averaged over 16k hits per month with more than 72k unique visitors from across the globe in its first year. Travis and Thomas also fielded the highly touted “Nixle” messaging alert system with nearly 700 users.
• We secured and moved forward on Wilson County’s first funded American Recovery and Relief Act (ARRA) project, the widening of North Mt. Juliet Road. Overall, this project has move forward extremely well. The Team continues to work with TDOT and the 6 separate and independent utilities to provide a coordinated effort. Heavily focusing on media, technology and personal interaction, this group has done a yeoman’s job in keeping citizens and businesses informed and involved in effort. Their diligence with this project resulted in securing funding and starting work at least 1 to 2 years earlier than planned.
• We built and opened the city’s first Animal Shelter. After just one year of operation the Mt. Juliet Animal Shelter is considered by many to be a model for other communities. Capitalizing on the efforts and contributions of nearly 300 volunteers, the Shelter has brought in over 600 animals and adopted over 600 animals; a success rate unheard of in other communities. Despite thousands of uncertainties in opening the city’s first shelter, the staff has kept right to the budget, while raising over $30k in additional contributions. The Animal Shelter has been a simply extraordinary accomplishment.
• Team PD efforts led to a reduced crime rate in the city by 10% from last year. At the same time, they responded to over 20k more citizen or PD initiated calls than in 2008. Despite the challenges presented by a growing population and businesses, the professionalism and diligence of this small force has been nothing but exceptional. Last year, the men and women of your Police Department orchestrated the largest drug bust in the city’s history, had 2% more arrests and oversaw a reduction of auto crashes by 44% from CY08.
• The entire Team strove to provide an top notched economic and community climate. The product was unprecedented business growth in the city. A record 192 new businesses opened their doors in Mt. Juliet last year, including some of the nation’s and region’s largest and most well known stores. The city saw the Panattoni complex finished and operating. Staying the course to bring more “white collar” development to Mt. Juliet, we secured a broader educational and medical care footprint with the announcement of Cumberland University and the University Medical Center coming to town. Despite the recession, the environment we have in Mt. Juliet, as evidenced by the city’s sales tax collections, was extraordinary. . . monthly sales tax revenue in 09 exceeded 08 every month through November. Finally, through the continued efforts of a superb financial team, the city secured its first Moody’s “Double A” bond rating.
• Members of the Team saved Mt. Juliet over $400k by closely working with competent, uniquely experienced professionals to refinance an old, highly volatile variable rate bond. This is a success story that will continue add to the city’s coffers for many years.
• We carried the city’s message to the community. Through especially designed meetings with HOA members, school leaders and the city’s clergy, we reached out and were well received by these overlooked elements of Mt. Juliet that have been absolutely crucial in promoting our city.
• With Kenny Martin at the lead, the entire Team secured tens-of-thousands of dollars in contributions. Aside from the Animal Shelter donations, the city was given cars, uniforms, thousands for the Shop with a Cop program, a remodeled Economic Development office, Christmas contributions, gravel, office furniture, food, exercise equipment, computers, and much more. ’
• We’ve built and promoted an environment focused on timely, quality customer service delivered in a respectful and courteous manner. It has been a team approach rather than the individual. The centerpiece is that public service is a tremendously honorable profession and the foundation is an assurance that our ethics are above reproach.

On behalf of Team Mt. Juliet, it has been an absolutely remarkable year. Thank you for your support and commitment to what we do. All of us look forward to serving you in an even better 2010.

A couple final notes for this posting. First, sales tax revenue from November, 2009 was reported last week, and MJ up approximately $60k from November 2008. As reflected above, sales tax revenue in 09 was higher every month thru November than in 08. Lastly, I’d ask everyone to be alert to litter. As we compete for homes, businesses and industries, something as simple but as distracting as litter can be a show stopper. Remember, there’s only get one chance to make a good first impression.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

Sincerely,

R. Robertson