City of Nashville Homeless Services Gap Analysis Committee Organizational Meeting (October 29, 2026)

The newly established Gap Analysis Committee, convened by the City of Nashville Division of Public Health and Community Services, held its first meeting on October 29, 2026, at 1:01 PM in the Aldermanic Chamber. Bobby Bagley served as interim chair to guide the committee through organization and officer elections. The committee is tasked with a comprehensive 90-day gap analysis of the city's homeless services system, covering emergency shelter, mental health, substance use, housing pathways, and street outreach.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No formal public comment period was held during this organizational meeting. Chair Jane Goodman acknowledged observers in the chamber and invited them to return to share their perspectives at future meetings.

Discussion Items

• Election of Officers: Alderman Greg nominated Jane Goodman for Chair, praising her public health background and role as a community partner. The nomination was seconded by Alderman Lopez and approved unanimously. After a discussion about the committee hierarchy, Tonya Nisley was elected Vice Chair and Alicia Gregg was elected Clerk to handle procedural logistics and minute-keeping. All elections were concluded via unanimous voice vote.
• Meeting Protocol & Rules: The committee decided to operate under Mason's Rules of Order rather than Robert's Rules. A procedural cheat sheet and script were requested from the administrative office to ensure consistency, with Donna Graham identified as the resource for the script.
• Meeting Logistics:
  • Location: The Aldermanic Chamber was selected as the primary venue for its recording capabilities, public access, and microphone setup, despite some members expressing a preference for a more intimate or flexible space.
  • Cadence: The committee will meet weekly on Thursdays at 1:00 PM. Holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's) will necessitate schedule flexibility; alternative dates (e.g., Tuesdays) will be explored.
• Scope and Vision: Members extensively discussed the definition of "city" in the resolution. Latonya Mussioli clarified that the formal recommendations target the municipal entity (Board of Aldermen) rather than the community at large, though the group acknowledged overlap. Key themes included identifying uncomfortable gaps (e.g., individuals banned from all shelters), balancing hard data with qualitative human stories and context, and mapping all city spending (proactive and reactive costs across departments such as Police, Library, and Public Works).
• Data Collection Strategy: Multiple members emphasized the importance of both quantitative data (PIT counts, HMIS data, budget figures) and qualitative data (lived experience, provider capacity). Latonya Mussioli offered to submit existing compiled data. A glossary of terms (HIC, HMIS, PIT) was requested to aid public understanding.

Key Outcomes

• Officers Elected: Jane Goodman (Chair), Tonya Nisley (Vice Chair), and Alicia Gregg (Clerk) were elected by unanimous voice votes.
• Administrative Support: Jessica Connors (Public Health) was designated to manage minutes, meeting notices, and document distribution.
• Data Submission: Committee members were directed to submit any relevant data, reports, budget overviews, and terminology glossaries to Jessica Connors before the next meeting to establish a baseline for the gap analysis.
• Next Steps: The committee will meet at 1:00 PM on the following Thursday to review compiled data and formally structure its work plan. The formal 90-day completion deadline for the report runs from this meeting date.