Private Acts of 1959 Chapter 173

SECTION 1. That the Quarterly County Court of Rutherford County, is hereby authorized to create and establish a Parking Commission in said County to be composed of three (3) members, who shall be elected for a term of two (2) years, and until their successors are elected and qualified.

The Parking Commission herein created shall have the authority to make and issue all such rules and regulations which they deem necessary and advisable in connection with the regulation of the parking of motor vehicles on the inner circle, being property owned by Rutherford County, and the same being adjacent to the Court House yard in Murfreesboro.

The Parking Commission shall also have the authority to make and issue rules and regulations in connection with the parking of motor vehicles on any other property owned by Rutherford County, or which may be acquired by Rutherford County, the same to be situated either in the City of Murfreesboro or outside the City of Murfreesboro and all such areas shall be classified as off street parking areas, and within the provisions of this Act for the purpose of regulating motor vehicles parked thereon.

SECTION 2. That the Quarterly County Court is hereby expressly authorized to pass and adopt any such resolution necessary and deemed advisable in order to carry out any of the provisions of this Act with reference to the parking of motor vehicles on the inner circle adjacent to the Court House yard as well as including the parking of such motor vehicles on any of the off street parking areas which may now be owned by Rutherford County or which may be acquired by Rutherford County under the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 3. That the Parking Commission, with the approval of the Quarterly County Court, is hereby authorized to acquire land, either by gift, purchase, or condemnation, in the name of the County for the purpose of establishing off street parking areas, pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Said land may be located in the City of Murfreesboro, or the same may be acquired outside the corporate limits of said City, in the discretion of the Parking Commission. The Quarterly County Court is expressly authorized to issue bonds in such amounts to be fixed by the Court in order to defray the cost of acquisition of any of such property and the Court is likewise authorized by proper resolution to appropriate sufficient funds for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 4. That the Parking Commission is further authorized to contract for, purchase, erect, install, maintain, and operate parking meters on any or all of the property or off street parking areas as authorized under this Act.

The Parking Commission is likewise authorized to fix the rates to be charged for the parking of motor vehicles in or on such property or areas, and said Parking Commission is likewise authorized to fix and regulate the hours of parking on such property and on such areas as in their discretion they may deem advisable and proper.

That all parking fees, funds, revenue and fines received and collected under the provisions of this Act shall be paid into the general fund of Rutherford County.

SECTION 5. That the Parking Commission is hereby authorized to enter into a contract or contracts with the City of Murfreesboro, individuals or firms in connection with the operation of any of the off street parking areas, as authorized under this Act.

SECTION 6. That the Parking Commission, with the approval of the Quarterly County Court, is hereby authorized to employ sufficient personnel in order to carry out the provisions of this Act. The compensation of such personnel shall be fixed by the Quarterly County Court and paid out of the funds and revenue received under the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 7. That the Sheriff of Rutherford County and his Deputies are hereby expressly authorized and directed to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act, including the arrest and prosecution of any and all persons violating any of the parking rules, regulations or ordinances which may be passed or adopted in connection with the regulation of the parking of motor vehicles under the provisions of this Act. The Sheriff and his Deputies shall have the same authority and duty with respect to parking meters as authorized hereunder.

In addition, the Sheriff of Rutherford County is likewise authorized to employ sufficient Deputies to assist in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act and all such rules, regulations and ordinances which may be passed or adopted in connection with the parking of motor vehicles on any of the areas herein designated or outlined, and also for the violation of any rule or regulation or ordinance in connection with parking meters.

SECTION 8. That the Sheriff of Rutherford County and his Deputies are hereby expressly authorized to issue citations or arrest warrants against any person for the violation of any parking rule or regulation, including parking meters, under the provisions of this Act. Any such citation or warrant issued shall be returnable and tried before the Court of General Sessions of Rutherford County, and said Court shall be authorized to levy a fine of not less than five dollars ($5.00), nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) against any person found guilty of violating any of such parking rules or regulations, including rules and regulations in respect to the parking meters.

The provisions of this Section shall include any violation in connection with the parking of motor vehicles on any of the property owned by the County or any property which may be acquired by the County under the provisions of this Act, as well as violations of parking of motor vehicles with respect to parking meters.

All fines levied and collected under the provisions of this Act shall be paid into the general fund of the County.

SECTION 9. That the provisions of Chapter 777 of the Private Acts of 1949 are hereby repealed in their entirety.

SECTION 10. That this Act shall have no effect unless the same shall have been approved by a two-thirds vote of the Quarterly County Court of Rutherford County, Tennessee. Its approval or non-approval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of said body and shall be certified by him to the Secretary of State, at Nashville, the public welfare requiring it.

Passed: March 12, 1959.