The Metropolitan Council held its 15th regular meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 12:45 PM. The meeting included an invocation, approval of minutes, elections, appointments, public comments, consideration of numerous resolutions and ordinances, and a late-filed condemnation of white supremacy. Key actions included the passage of resolutions recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month, Period Poverty Awareness Week, and Harvey Milk Day, as well as the failure of a resolution authorizing an aerial encroachment for a business associated with Morgan Wallen. Several items were deferred or withdrawn.
Come to order. Today is Tuesday, May 21st. This is the 15th regular meeting of the current term of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County. Will all members of the council as well as the public please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance? The invocation is being offered this evening by Dr. Hubert D. Cunningham. He is the pastor of Forest Grove United Methodist Church in Joelton. Dr. Cunningham is the guest of District 10 Councilmember Jennifer Webb. Go ahead, sir. Let us pray. On behalf of the collective voices of this body, uh petition the Almighty to come tonight and make yourself known to us. I pray that you will bless these that have been chosen to lead us. May their decisions be tempered with justice and with compassion. And may the people from Joelton to Cain Ridge from Bellevue to O'Hickory and all the communities in between be known tonight that they are being taken care of by people that are serving because of a calling and because of a compassion to do things that would be better for our world. We pray this in your holy name. Amen. Colleagues, summer is almost upon us, and it is graduation season in the Athens of the South. So many of our colleges and universities have had recent ceremonies. I think uh councilwoman Sepulveda was on a bus this afternoon with a whole bevy of uh uh folks in academic uh regalia going to a ceremony. Um, and high school ceremonies are beginning across the city. So I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all the seniors out there and also take a moment of personal privilege to congratulate my own dear daughter who graduated from college this past Saturday. So congratulations to Eleanor who graduated with honors this past Saturday. So thank you to all the teachers and staff, the parents, family members, and mentors who have helped Nashville's young people along their education pathways. And may we all, young and old, endeavor to be lifelong learners and to continue to listen and learn from each other. May is bike month, if you as you've heard from me already. So a quick thank you to Walkbike Nashville and to all the council members who participated in the Tour de Nash bike ride together on Saturday, May 18th. This annual uh event along with the 51st Avenue Open Street were a great way to experience Nashville's potential to be a safer and more enjoyable place to be on a bike. And so I hope council members will support and encourage more open streets from small neighborhood potlucks and bike rodeos to big business district festivals in your own districts. We need to expand bike share across this city and keep working to plan, fund, and build a comprehensive network of greenways, neighborways, and bikeways for Nashville's of all ages and abilities. This council has confirmed many appointees to the new or somewhat renewed uh bicycle and pedestrian advisory commission over the last few months, um, including two more members, hopefully, in just a few minutes. Um, and the BPAC uh is having its inaugural meeting this evening. Uh so we do wish them well. Uh lastly, I want to thank Mayor O'Connell again for addressing the council at the 61st annual state of metro address last Tuesday and encourage all Nashvilleans and council members who are not able to attend or watch live to be sure to watch that recording online. Okay. Without objection, we will suspend the calling of the roll and ask the clerk to record the names of the members present throughout the meeting. Is there a motion for approval of the minutes of May 7th, 2024? Okay, properly moved and properly seconded without objection. The minutes of the meeting of May 7th are approved. Mr. Clerk, are there any messages from the mayor? There are no messages from the mayor. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Okay. Now we move into section E of our agenda. This is uh an election. Um Chair Sepulveda, uh, first year committee report for the nominees for this election, please, ma'am. Thank you, Vice Mayor.