OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Council Meeting - June 4, 2024: Budget Hearing, Appointments, and Resolutions

Metropolitan Council — Tuesday, June 4, 2024
BodyNashville, Tennessee
SessionMetropolitan Council
DateTuesday, June 4, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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1:09

Hi, everyone.

1:14

We're gonna go ahead and start uh today's presentation and announcement.

1:19

Yeah.

1:21

I had to remember what it was.

1:31

Thank everyone for being here.

1:32

It's uh June fourth, and our first presentation will be IRS twenty twenty-four-three twenty, Nashville fire department, EMT of the year.

1:43

Council member Evans.

1:51

That's right, baby.

1:57

Um, if any of my public health and safety colleagues would like to join to read a section of this resolution, please go ahead and come forward.

2:05

Um, this is a resolution recognizing Nashville Fire Department employee Marcus S.

2:11

Bagwell Senior as 2023 EMT of the year.

2:16

Whereas the Tennessee Ambulance Service Association or TASA named Metro Nashville Fire Department employee Marcus S.

2:25

Bagwell as their organization's twenty twenty-three EMT of the year and get your number one.

2:34

Whereas TASS EMT of the year award is given to an individual in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field of emergency medical services and committed to the well-being of the community they serve.

2:47

Whereas Marcus S.

2:49

Bagwell Senior joined the Nashville Fire Department in 1985 and currently serves as an AEMT and whereas NFD deputy director of EMS operations, Fred Smith noted that Bagwell is the gold standard for patient care, kindness, professionalism, compassion, and dedication to doing his very best every shift and whereas National Fire Department Director Chief William Swan commented Bagwell commended Bagwell for the much deserved honor from TASA.

3:30

Noting that working in the field of emergency response is not an easy career, adding that Bagwell performs his duties at the highest level and serves as a stellar example to others in the department.

5:02

Thank you.

5:12

Thank you, Mr.

5:12

Bagwell.

5:13

We're very grateful for your service.

5:20

Sure, one of these time anyway.

5:50

I appreciate it.

5:51

Yes, yes.

6:07

Thank you.

6:08

Thank you.

6:09

Thank you.

6:10

Thank you very much.

6:10

Congratulations.

6:11

Thank you very much.

6:20

Thank you.

6:22

The next presentation is RS 2024-476, uh recognizing period poverty awareness week.

6:29

Councilmember God, you're recognized.

6:37

Um thank you, Speaker Sware.

6:41

Give us just one moment if you don't mind.

6:44

One woman.

6:46

All right.

6:47

Anyone we got you all lined up here?

6:51

Uh Speaker Pro Tem Suara, I'm gonna turn this over real quickly to Councilmember Greg.

7:00

No matter the need, flood, tornado, or period poverty, the CRC is a constant source for those in crisis.

7:12

I want to thank Tina Donegar and her staff for their amazing work that they do, and we are so proud to have them in District 15 and celebrate them today.

7:24

Thank you so much, Councilmember Greg.

7:26

He has the great honor of having the community resource center in his district, and we are all uh better for it.

7:32

So thank you so much.

7:34

Um I would like to turn this now over to Councilwoman Joy Styles, and um we'll be reading through the resolution as we recognize period poverty awareness week.

7:46

Um, I just wanted to let folks know you may not know what period poverty is, but it is a lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, waste management, education, um, an entire um an entire system that is actually solvable, and we've got folks here today who work to do that, as everyone here in the council does.

8:06

Uh I'm gonna turn this over to Chairwoman Styles.

8:12

Thank you very much, Councilmember Gadd, and I want to thank you for bringing this item to the women's caucus and making this one of our initiatives this year.

8:20

This is a success for us, so thank you very, very much.

8:24

It is an honor for for all of us to be standing here in support.

8:27

A resolution recognizing May 20th through 28th, 2024 as period poverty awareness week in Nashville and Davidson County.

8:36

Whereas period supplies are a necessary monthly product for millions of people in the United States, and whereas, according to the Alliance for Period Supplies, approximately 40 percent of women and girls in the United States struggle to afford the necessary period supplies to meet their monthly needs, a circumstances a circumstance known as period poverty, and whereas the lack of supplies can detrimentally affect students as well as nearly one in four American students struggling to afford these materials, and whereas period poverty adversely affects the health and well-being of menstruators, and whereas period poverty can force menstruators to withdraw from daily life, losing pay or educational opportunities, and whereas inadequate access to safe ministeral heist gene products can also lead to serious health complications, and whereas local nonprofits aim to address this problem by providing more than one million period supplies to those without access to them in 2025, and whereas additional reforms would help make these necessary medical supplies accessible and affordable, including eliminating the sales tax on period supplies in Tennessee and placing these products in all women and unisex restrooms in metropolitan government buildings.

10:01

And whereas additional reforms would help make these necessary medical supplies accessible and affordable, including eliminating the sales tax on period supplies in Tennessee and placing these products in all women and unisex restrooms in metrop metropolitan government buildings.

10:20

And whereas it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council raise awareness about the need of additional supplies to additional supplies and reforms to make period products more accessible for those in greatest need.

10:36

Whereas it's fitting and did you just do this?

10:39

I did.

10:41

Okay.

10:41

Thank you.

10:42

I was paying attention.

10:43

So the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing May 20th to 28th, 2024, as Pure Aid Poverty Awareness Week in Nashville and Davidson County.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████18%
Public Safety███████████11%
Youth Programs██████████10%
Budget and Oversight█████████9%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Labor and Worker Rights██████6%
Public Health████4%
Housing and Tenant Rights████4%
Education Funding████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Council Meeting - June 4, 2024

On June 4, 2024, the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County held its regular meeting at 6:30 PM in the Metropolitan Courthouse. The meeting included a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 operating budget (BL2024-373) and the Capital Improvements Budget (BL2024-389), elections to the Human Relations Commission, confirmations of multiple board and commission appointments, and a vote on a short-term rental exemption resolution. The meeting drew significant public testimony, with over 50 speakers addressing the budget, affordable housing, worker protections, and youth safety. The council also considered and acted on numerous resolutions and ordinances.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (37-0): The consent agenda included numerous resolutions and ordinances on second and third reading, such as RS2024-472 (stormwater easements), RS2024-480 (Mental Health Court grant), RS2024-485 (settlement of property damage claim for $295,000), RS2024-487 (lease amendment at John C. Tune Airport), RS2024-488 (ARPA fund extension for Urban League/Nashville State), RS2024-489 (ARPA fund extension for Big Brothers Big Sisters), RS2024-490 (reallocation of ARPA funds from housing to Barnes Fund), RS2024-493 (agreement for 607 Bass Street), RS2024-494 (cellular services contract), RS2024-495 (fire training materials contract), RS2024-496 (settlement of $38,000), RS2024-497 (breast and cervical screening grant), RS2024-499 (violence prevention grant), RS2024-500 (public health threat grant), RS2024-501 (CDC grant correction), RS2024-502 (Community Health Workers grant amendments), RS2024-503 (tobacco prevention grant), RS2024-504 (grant from Friends of Metro Animal Care), RS2024-505 (animal control claim settlement of $35,000), RS2024-506 (library youth enrichment grants of $20,840), RS2024-507 (increased library grants of $64,265), RS2024-508 (Shelby Park golf course renovation agreement), RS2024-509 (Project Safe Neighborhood grant), RS2024-510 (motorcycle headset contract), RS2024-511 (Carmanah traffic control devices contract at 10% discount), RS2024-512 (TDOT agreement for traffic safety improvements), RS2024-513 (Healthy Built Environment grant for Antioch Pike), RS2024-514 (settlement of $137,500), RS2024-515 (Franklin Miller parts contract), RS2024-516 (water meter reading agreement with Goodlettsville), RS2024-517 (water meter reading agreement with White House Utility District), RS2024-518 (settlement of $10,750), RS2024-519 (request to change fiber installation requirements), RS2024-520 (recognizing 20th anniversary of Nashville in Harmony), RS2024-521 (recognizing June as Nashville Pride Month), RS2024-522 (recognizing June 7, 2024 as Gun Violence Awareness Day), and several ordinances on second and third reading including BL2024-377 (lease at 401 Church Street), BL2024-378 (fire EMS billing contract extension), BL2024-379 (Bethel University tuition agreement), BL2024-380 (Nashville P.A.L. agreement), BL2024-381 (East Bank Stormwater District), BL2024-382 through BL2024-388 (various water and sewer easement acceptances/abandonments), BL2024-345 (water and sewer system extension approval), BL2024-347 (July 4th special event zone), BL2024-350 through BL2024-370 (various easements, encroachments, and utility acceptances).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Comment Period (Section H): Several speakers addressed legislative items on the agenda. Ethan Link spoke in support of BL2024-375 (contract compliance board), citing construction worker deaths and wage theft. Jessica Marquez Munoz also supported the bill, calling it essential for worker safety. Keith Branson spoke in support of fully funding the Barnes Fund, noting his organization's use of Barnes funds to repair homes for low-income seniors. Steve Ryder expressed concerns about the reallocation of ARPA funds (RS2024-490) and called for a financial analyst to assist the council. Michael Lacey spoke on the settlement for former Metro Arts Director Daniel Singh (RS2024-492), urging the council to define the purpose of Metro Arts funding.
  • Public Hearing on Budget (BL2024-373): Over 50 members of the public testified during the public hearing on the FY2025 operating budget. Key themes included:
    • Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): Numerous Metro employees and teachers (e.g., Jessica Kerr, Lisa Bubert, Mason Caples, Ann Still, Mead Forsyth, Mary Jo Cram, Charlie Colbertson, Bobby Nagron, Christy Weiser, Silva Brooks, Donna Clay, Cassie) urged a 5% COLA instead of the mayor's proposed 3.5%, citing rising costs of living and the need to retain workers.
    • Barnes Fund for Affordable Housing: Multiple speakers (e.g., Keith Branson, Mike Hodge, Carlene Dowell, Corey Jenkins, Kristen Stewart, Rico X, Mike Hodge, Carlene Dowell) urged the council to maintain the $30 million allocation for the Barnes Fund, highlighting its leverage of $9 in matching funds for every $1 from Metro.
    • Varsity Spending Plan: Youth organizers and members of the Southern Movement Committee (e.g., Paige Hodge, Anay Gaines, Vokie, Zion Orr, Correll Herford, Megan Hall, Lyric Stewart, Mia Willis, and others) asked for a $10 million investment in youth safety, including $4 million for community centers, $4 million for an Office of Youth Safety, and $2 million for high school restorative justice programs.
    • Contract Compliance Board (Build It Right): Several speakers (e.g., Isabel Felix, Armando Arzate, Anitalia Graf) urged the council to allocate $300,000 to fund a contract compliance board to enforce safety and wage standards on construction projects.
    • Police Funding and Solidarity Budget: Some speakers (e.g., Trina Hewell, Cara Harris, Phyllis Hildreth) called for divestment from the police department and reallocation of funds to community programs, citing 173 vacant police positions and a pattern of misconduct.
    • Other Requests: Speakers also asked for funding for Nashville General Hospital ($63 million), full funding of Metro Arts, increased library staffing, and funding for the Office of Family Safety therapy programs.
  • Public Hearing on Short-Term Rental Exemption (RS2024-479): Steve Ryder spoke in opposition, arguing that the council should not grant exemptions for short-term rentals when there is a housing shortage. The developer's representative, John Cooper, spoke in support, stating the project would revitalize a building damaged by the 2020 bombing and would include on-site security and management.

Discussion Items

  • Elections to Human Relations Commission (24-160): The council elected six members to fill vacancies. After multiple rounds of voting, the following were elected: Ben Tran (29 votes), Erin Coleman (29), Dahron Johnson (28), Whitney Pastorek (26), Todd McKinney (25), and Garlinda Burton (22 in the final round).
  • Appointments and Confirmations (Sections F and G): The council deferred several appointments (e.g., Airport Authority, Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission) for further review. The council confirmed eight appointments unanimously: Fletcher Foster, Benjamin McDaniel, Nancy VanReece (Auditorium Commission), John Norris (Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission), Carolyn Ziegler (Board of Health), Anne Havard (Social Services Commission), Stephanie Teatro (Sustainability Advisory Committee), and Leesa LeClaire (Tourism and Convention Commission).
  • Rules of Procedure (Rule 13 Amendment): Deferred to July 2, 2024.
  • Resolution on Pay Plans (RS2024-482, RS2024-483, RS2024-484): All three resolutions were deferred by rule to June 18, 2024, to track with the budget.
  • Resolution on ARPA Funds for Fisk University (RS2024-491): Passed 35-1 (one no vote) after committee approval.
  • Settlement for Former Metro Arts Director (RS2024-492): Passed by voice vote after discussion. Council Member Styles criticized the administration's handling of the situation, while Finance Director Crumbow stated the department was headed for a deficit. The settlement of $200,000 was approved.
  • Resolution on Group Violence Intervention (RS2024-498): Deferred one meeting after Council Member Suara requested more information.
  • Ordinance on Arts Commission Membership (BL2024-343): Deferred two meetings after debate. Council Member Styles wanted to move forward, but a two-meeting deferral motion passed.
  • Ordinance on Music, Film & Entertainment Commission (BL2024-344): Deferred two meetings.
  • Ordinance on Contract Compliance Board (BL2024-375): Deferred one meeting.
  • Zoning Ordinances on Third Reading (BL2024-271, BL2024-272, BL2024-317, BL2024-318): Deferred one meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • RS2024-479 (Short-Term Rental Exemption at 160 2nd Ave N): FAILED by roll call vote: 18 yes, 7 no, 8 abstain (21 votes required for passage).
  • Human Relations Commission Elections: Six members elected after multiple rounds of voting.
  • Confirmations: Eight appointments confirmed unanimously.
  • Consent Agenda: Approved 37-0.
  • BL2024-373 (FY2025 Budget Ordinance): Passed on second reading with re-referral to Budget and Finance Committee.
  • BL2024-389 (Capital Improvements Budget): Passed on second reading with re-referral to committees.
  • RS2024-491 (ARPA Funds for Fisk University): Adopted 35-1.
  • RS2024-492 (Settlement for Daniel Singh): Adopted by voice vote.
  • Deferrals: Numerous items deferred to June 18, 2024 (or July 2, 2024 for rules amendment).
  • Next Meetings: Special meeting on June 11, 2024; regular meeting on June 18, 2024.

Meeting Transcript

Hi, everyone. We're gonna go ahead and start uh today's presentation and announcement. Yeah. I had to remember what it was. Thank everyone for being here. It's uh June fourth, and our first presentation will be IRS twenty twenty-four-three twenty, Nashville fire department, EMT of the year. Council member Evans. That's right, baby. Um, if any of my public health and safety colleagues would like to join to read a section of this resolution, please go ahead and come forward. Um, this is a resolution recognizing Nashville Fire Department employee Marcus S. Bagwell Senior as 2023 EMT of the year. Whereas the Tennessee Ambulance Service Association or TASA named Metro Nashville Fire Department employee Marcus S. Bagwell as their organization's twenty twenty-three EMT of the year and get your number one. Whereas TASS EMT of the year award is given to an individual in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field of emergency medical services and committed to the well-being of the community they serve. Whereas Marcus S. Bagwell Senior joined the Nashville Fire Department in 1985 and currently serves as an AEMT and whereas NFD deputy director of EMS operations, Fred Smith noted that Bagwell is the gold standard for patient care, kindness, professionalism, compassion, and dedication to doing his very best every shift and whereas National Fire Department Director Chief William Swan commented Bagwell commended Bagwell for the much deserved honor from TASA. Noting that working in the field of emergency response is not an easy career, adding that Bagwell performs his duties at the highest level and serves as a stellar example to others in the department. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Bagwell. We're very grateful for your service. Sure, one of these time anyway. I appreciate it. Yes, yes. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Congratulations. Thank you very much. Thank you. The next presentation is RS 2024-476, uh recognizing period poverty awareness week. Councilmember God, you're recognized. Um thank you, Speaker Sware. Give us just one moment if you don't mind. One woman. All right. Anyone we got you all lined up here? Uh Speaker Pro Tem Suara, I'm gonna turn this over real quickly to Councilmember Greg. No matter the need, flood, tornado, or period poverty, the CRC is a constant source for those in crisis. I want to thank Tina Donegar and her staff for their amazing work that they do, and we are so proud to have them in District 15 and celebrate them today. Thank you so much, Councilmember Greg. He has the great honor of having the community resource center in his district, and we are all uh better for it. So thank you so much. Um I would like to turn this now over to Councilwoman Joy Styles, and um we'll be reading through the resolution as we recognize period poverty awareness week. Um, I just wanted to let folks know you may not know what period poverty is, but it is a lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, waste management, education, um, an entire um an entire system that is actually solvable, and we've got folks here today who work to do that, as everyone here in the council does. Uh I'm gonna turn this over to Chairwoman Styles. Thank you very much, Councilmember Gadd, and I want to thank you for bringing this item to the women's caucus and making this one of our initiatives this year. This is a success for us, so thank you very, very much. It is an honor for for all of us to be standing here in support.

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