Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County 15th Regular Meeting – May 21, 2024
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Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County 15th Regular Meeting – May 21, 2024
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 Several items were deferred or withdrawn.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approved: Minutes from May 7, 2024, approved without objection.
- Election: Alan Williams was elected to the CATV special committee by voice vote.
- Confirmations: Nine appointments and reappointments to various commissions and boards were confirmed by a consolidated voice vote, including Nathaniel McDowell (Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission), Tina Franklin (Board of Health), Mina Johnson (Zoning Appeals Board), and others.
- Consolidated Consent Agenda: Resolutions and ordinances on second and third reading recommended unanimously by committees were voted on together. After multiple removals, the remaining consent items were passed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dan Horwitz (Rabbi, Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville) and other speakers expressed full support for Resolution 475 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month, citing rising anti-Semitism and the need for community solidarity.
- Annie Claver (owner, River Queen Voyages) and Andrew Ostrowski (business owner) spoke in favor of Resolution 351 regarding the Cumberland River, highlighting river activation and the potential for water taxis.
- Catherine Bennett (Community Resource Center) supported Resolution 476 on Period Poverty Awareness Week, noting that 2 in 5 students miss school due to lack of period products.
- Steve Ryder expressed concerns about Resolution 351, arguing it is overly broad and could create barriers to river access.
- Elizabeth Doros, Josh Goldberg (Cantor, Congregation Micah), Aaron Widis, and Friedman supported Resolution 475, emphasizing the Jewish community’s contributions and the need for official recognition amid threats.
- Cisco (leaseholder at 4000 Andrew Jackson Parkway) opposed agenda item 90 (zoning), citing floodplain concerns and increased traffic.
Discussion Items
- Rule Amendment (Rule 43.4): A proposed amendment regarding automatic deferrals of zoning bills was substituted by Councilmember Allen to exempt bills on public hearing. The substituted rule was adopted.
- Late-Filed Resolution (Condemning White Supremacy): Councilmember Porterfield introduced a resolution condemning white supremacy and recent hateful leaflets distributed in North Nashville. The resolution passed after suspension of rules, with several council members speaking in support.
- Resolution 351 (Cumberland River Study): Sponsored by Councilmember Coupen, the resolution requesting a comprehensive analysis of safety, housing for unhoused, and cleanliness along the Cumberland River downtown loop was approved as amended.
- Resolution 434 (Honoring Burdell Campbell): Resolved to honor her contributions to historic preservation and civic causes; passed with all voting in favor.
- Resolution 455 (School Property Purchase): A resolution to approve options for a new elementary school in Antioch was debated. Metro Legal advised the acquisition requires an ordinance and public hearing. Councilmember Styles moved a one‑meeting deferral to renegotiate expiring options; deferred.
- Resolution 467 (Aerial Encroachment for Morgan Wallen’s Bar): Councilmember Coupen explained his decision to support despite Wallen’s past misconduct, but after debate referencing racist comments and a chair‑throwing incident, the resolution failed with 30 no votes.
- Resolution 473 (Supporting MNPS Decision Not to Arm Teachers): Passed with Rule 12.3 applied, making all affirmative votes co‑sponsors. Speakers cited gun violence statistics and the Covenant shooting.
- Resolution 474 (Fire Station Infill in Historic District): Deferred one meeting.
- Resolution 475 (Jewish American Heritage Month): Passed with strong support; speakers noted local anti‑Semitism and the importance of official recognition.
- Resolution 476 (Period Poverty Awareness Week): Passed; speakers highlighted the lack of access to period products for low‑income individuals.
- Resolution 477 (Harvey Milk Day): Passed with Rule 12.3.
- Ordinance BL2024-187 (Housing in Commercial Service Districts): On first reading, a substitute was adopted to incorporate public and stakeholder input. The substituted ordinance passed first reading.
- Bills on Second Reading: Several items were deferred, withdrawn, or passed as amended. Notably, BL2024-354 and BL2024-355 passed after late amendments correcting technical errors.
- Bills on Third Reading: Four zoning items (BL2024-271, 272, 317, 318) were deferred one meeting at the sponsor’s request.
Key Outcomes
- Confirmed: Alan Williams (CATV committee) and nine other appointees to various boards and commissions.
- Deferred: School property resolution (455) one meeting; cultural event management resolution (460) one meeting; stormwater easements resolution (472) one meeting; fire station infill resolution (474) one meeting; four zoning ordinances (271, 272, 317, 318) one meeting.
- Failed: Aerial encroachment resolution (467) – 30 no votes.
- Passed: Cumberland River resolution (351) as amended; condemnation of white supremacy (late filed); honors for Burdell Campbell, Jewish American Heritage Month, Period Poverty Awareness Week, Harvey Milk Day; MNPS resolution (473) opposing arming teachers; housing ordinance (187) on first reading; and multiple consent items.
- Adopted: Amendment to Rule 43.4 regarding deferrals (effective in 30 days).
Meeting Transcript
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.
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