Metropolitan Council Meeting - September 17, 2024
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Metropolitan Council Meeting - September 17, 2024
The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County held its 23rd regular meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Historic Metro Courthouse. The meeting included a public comment period, approval of a consent agenda, and debate on several resolutions and ordinances. Key actions included the election of Council Member Sandra Sepulveda as President Pro Tempore, adoption of a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis, and passage of a resolution requesting a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct at the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD). The council also approved over $26 million in Barnes Fund grants for affordable housing and advanced several zoning and code amendments.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved a consolidated consent agenda by a vote of 33-0, which included 22 resolutions and numerous second- and third-reading ordinances. Items covered grants for mental health, cemetery preservation, housing PILOT agreements, affordable housing amendments, public health grants, library programming, stormwater improvements, and recognitions. Several items were removed from consent for separate discussion (see below).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jane Steinfelds (speaking in support of BL2024-510): Expressed support for the amendment on masks and disguises, citing concerns about neo-Nazi groups and affirming the need for police accountability. She noted that over 34 years of activism, she has observed both positive and negative interactions with police.
- Robert Wincoop (speaking in opposition to BL2024-511): Argued that the buffer zone ordinance would infringe on First Amendment rights and urged the council to consider constitutionality, warning of potential lawsuits.
- Cade Wooten, Diamond Bell, LaShonda Humphrey, Pamela Doss (Stand Up Nashville): All spoke in support of RS2024-709 (Barnes Fund), emphasizing the need for affordable housing, community control, and stronger tenant protections. They also promoted the Shift Nashville platform for housing, jobs, and transit.
- Delbert Campbell (speaking on bills 35-38): Urged passage of the package of public safety bills related to demonstrations, noting that hate groups have targeted Nashville and that the community needs protection.
- Michelle Glenn, Alicia Haddock, Jill Fitcheard: Spoke in support of RS2024-728 (zero-tolerance sexual misconduct policy for MNPD). Glenn shared personal experiences of sexual violence and called for accountability. Haddock, Chair of the Community Review Board, noted that the policy was developed based on best practices from cities under DOJ consent decrees. Fitcheard highlighted citizen complaints and the need for a trauma-informed policy.
Discussion Items
- President Pro Tem Election (Item E1): Council Member Sandra Sepulveda was elected President Pro Tempore with 24 votes to Council Member Bradford's 9 (1 abstention).
- Elections to Boards: Quinta Martin was elected to the Property Standards and Appeals Board (24-10) after Jayla Thomas was withdrawn. Ramon Simmons was elected to the Short Term Rental Appeals Board (24-9, 1 abstention).
- Confirmations: Seven appointments were confirmed unanimously: Jeffrey Ezell (Agricultural Extension Board), Morgan McDonald (Board of Health), Dr. Arie Nettles (Hospital Authority Board), Brittany Campagna (MDHA Board), Colby Sledge (MDHA Board), Charlotte Peacock (Social Services Commission), and Fiona Haulter Abbott (Stormwater Management Commission).
- RS2024-708 (Settlement - Jonathan Saad): The resolution to settle a claim for $150,000 from the Arts Commission fund was deferred for two meetings and re-referred to the Budget and Finance Committee after extensive discussion. Council Member Welsch moved the deferral, citing unanswered questions. The motion passed by voice vote with one no and one abstention.
- RS2024-709 (Barnes Fund Grants): After a late-filed amendment (correcting a scanning error) was approved, the resolution authorizing up to $26,234,615 in grants for affordable housing passed 34-0 (1 abstention). Council Member Allen abstained.
- RS2024-727 (Racism as Public Health Crisis): Passed unanimously (33-0) with all affirmative votes added as co-sponsors. Council Member Toombs highlighted health disparities, including maternal mortality rates.
- RS2024-728 (Zero-Tolerance Policy for MNPD): After a motion to defer for two meetings failed (10-24), the resolution was adopted 30-0 (4 abstentions) with a late amendment correcting a typo and adding
Meeting Transcript
For today, September 17th, and we have a presentation. This presentation uh being conducted by Councilmember Toons and Council Member Bow. And let me turn on the public podium. Thank you, Chair Gamble. Um my colleagues and I, we're gonna uh stand in for Council Member Taylor, who did resolution 2024 703, recognize in September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and also recognizing the outstanding work that the Lloyd C. Elam Mental Health Center does. Uh and we do have representatives from uh the center, including Sarah Evans, who's the clinical director, and she'll speak after we do the reading. So I will start us out. Whereas suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of over 47,000 individuals each year, and whereas, according to the centers for disease control and prevention, one person dies by suicide every 11.7 minutes. And whereas suicide is the second leading cause of deaths for ages 25 to 34, and third leading cause of deaths for ages 15 through 24, and whereas the suicide rate for 2021 in Davidson County was 14.3 individuals per 100,000 residents, and whereas in 2022, the Metro Public Health Department reported 115 Metro Nashville residents died by suicide, the highest number seen in the last five years in Davidson County. And these tragies deeply affect the family, friends, and communities of those individuals and whereas the Metropolitan Council publicly places its full support behind those who work in the fields of mental health, education, and law enforcement assisting and life-saving measures to prevent suicide and whereas the Lloyd C. Elm Mental Health Center provides essential mental health services, including initial assessments and ongoing care for mental health and substance use disorders to the residents of Metro Nashville, Davidson County, and the state of Tennessee, thereby playing a crucial role in suicide prevention and whereas every day in Davidson County, adults and teens are receiving care and treatment from Lloyd C. Alum Mental Health Center embarking on the road to better mental health and wellness and whereas Metropolitan Council truly appreciates the Lloyd C. Alum. Elam Mental Health Center, Maharry Medical Group, Maharry Medical College, and its faculty, physicians, clinicians, counselors, nurses, and employees for their work in keeping residents of Davidson County healthy in body and mind. Thank you, Metro Council members and Vice Mayor Angie Henderson. I am Sarah Evans, the clinical director of Maharry Medical College, Lloyd C. Elam Mental Health Center. I am extremely passionate about individuals living with mental ill illnesses and co-occurring substance abuse disorders. Today's public resolution by this body helps to helps decrease the stigma associated with mental illness and suicidality and brings visibility to the role everyone in our community can play in preventing suicide by encouraging them to know the signs, find the words, reach out to someone they are concerned about. We encourage all Davidson County residents to connect with the Lloyd C. Elam Mental Health Center near Maharry Medical College so that they'll know us before they need us. Thank you again. Thank you. Thank you for the great work you all are doing for suicide prevention. Is someone else speaking? Okay. We're gonna get a picture. At this time, if council members have announcements, if you will get in the queue, and we will start with the taking announcements from the floor. Starting with councilmember Bradford, you're recognized. Thank you. Uh just a reminder for residents, District 13 this Saturday. Well there will be two events going on uh simultaneously. First will be coffee with your councilman at the Duncan Donuts there on Broadley Parkway starting at uh nine o'clock, ending at 11. Meanwhile, uh our beautification commissioner is also scheduled a neighborhood cleanup on Glastonbury Road starting at nine o'clock. Anyone wishing to participate can park at the Agave Mexican restaurant there on uh Glastonbury. Um so reminders, you got coffee with the councilman this week as well as a beautification. Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember Preptee. Let me get your there you go. Thank you. Um first and foremost, I want to uh uh do a shout out and in a celebration about National Voter Registration Day and wanted to remind everybody to get out and vote and exercise your civic rights. Um we live in a great country where you're able to, so make sure that you're registered and that you'll be able to vote this November. Um also the Hillsborough High School students um will be putting on uh uh Shakespeare in the park and be performing much ado about nothing. Um you can get your tickets on the PTA website uh for Hillsborough High. Um show times will be uh Thursday, September 26th, well, all show times at 7 uh PM. So on uh Thursday, September 26th, Friday, September 27th, Saturday, September 28th, Sunday, September 29th at 4, and then Monday, September 30th at 7. So come out and uh see some some good theater. Thank you.
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