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Record of Proceedings

Nashville Metro Council Meeting – November 19, 2024

Metropolitan Council — Tuesday, November 19, 2024
BodyNashville, Tennessee
SessionMetropolitan Council
DateTuesday, November 19, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

All right.

0:06

It looks like it's Councilmember Kimbrough that will be presenting it.

0:11

Is that correct?

0:11

Yes, Councilmember Kimbrough.

0:13

All right.

0:14

Are you ready?

0:16

Yes, thank you, Pro Tim.

0:24

Resolution number RS 2024 641.

0:29

A resolution recognizing the street naming of Lawson's Ridge Drive in honor of Nashville native James E.

0:38

Lawson.

0:39

Whereas James E.

0:41

Lawson is a longtime resident of White's Creek and former chairman of the Nashville Metro Planning Commission.

0:50

And whereas Mr.

0:51

Lawson served as an appointed member of the Nashville Metro Planning Commission for 14 years from 1992 to 2006, and was elected chairman during that time for four terms.

1:06

And whereas Mr.

1:08

Lawsons was reappointed as a member of the Metro Planning Commission to serve a four-year term ending March 31st, 2024.

1:17

The appointment was made official during the June 16, 2020 Metro Council meeting.

1:24

And whereas Mr.

1:26

Lawson has been a dedicated community leader, having also served on the Metro Board of Parks and Recreation from 2006 to 2012.

1:38

And right here?

1:42

Okay.

1:42

All right.

1:43

And whereas Mr.

1:45

Lawson worked in various roles in the banking industry, including in business development and community investment throughout his professional career that spans nearly 30 years.

2:03

And whereas Mr.

2:07

Lawson is a Nashville native and 1967 graduate of Fisk University.

2:12

He married his college sweetheart, Judith Gunn, in 1967, and they have four children, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

2:19

And whereas in 2017, Lawson's Ridge Drive in Nashville was named in honor of Mr.

2:24

Lawson's leadership in Nashville and the Northwest community and whereas Mr.

2:31

Lawson's leadership in the planning process has helped guide Nashville's growth and future development and has been instrumental in raising awareness of perspectives of Nashville residents and whereas it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognize and commemorate the naming of Lawson Ridge Drive in her honor of James E.

2:55

Lawson.

2:56

Now therefore there be it resolved by the council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

3:10

The Metropolitan Counter County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing and naming Lawson's Ridge Drive in Nashville, Tennessee, in order of James E.

3:24

Lawson.

3:26

The resolution takes effect from the moment and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville of Davidson County requiring it.

3:44

Wow.

3:47

Um I know you got a lot of business to attend to.

3:54

So I want to I'm deeply grateful for this resolution.

4:14

And the entire council for approving it.

4:22

Crafting Metro Nashville's development plan, making sure it was a community engagement.

4:31

Such was Nashville next at the time.

4:37

And thanks to this body, Nashville continues to grow in a planned manner that is dynamically changing.

5:10

Okay, uh congratulations.

5:13

Uh next would be council member Bradford, right after they're done with their picture.

5:19

Uh Council members, let me ask you while they're uh getting ready for the next one.

5:24

Are you able to get into the queue or do I need to take names?

5:31

No, you could get in the queue, it looks like all right.

5:33

So so yes, I could see you.

5:35

So if you are planning on having announcements, if you want to go ahead and start getting in the queue uh while we wrap up resolutions, that would be great.

5:46

All right, next is Councilmember Bradford presenting a having a presentation for sister cities.

5:57

Thank you.

5:59

We might do something in the community, I hope to do it again and the site.

6:03

That's what I would like to do.

6:04

Okay, but the side of this champion of the north.

6:06

Okay, okay.

6:07

Thank you.

6:33

Congratulating Sister Cities of Nashville for its 2024 Sister Cities International Innovation in Arts and Culture Award.

6:41

Whereas Sister Cities International is a non-governmental organization formed in 1956 with a goal of citizen diplomacy and building relationships across the world.

6:51

And Sister Cities was founded in 1990, and as a chapter of the Sister Cities International, it is a volunteer organization that connects Nashville's with friends around the world through exchanges, cultural programs, and partnerships.

7:07

And whereas sister cities relationship have been formed between Nashville and 10 international cities, Belfast, Northern Island, Cain, France, Edmonton, Canada, Habil Kodistan, Iraq, Kamakura, Japan, Maj Book, Gemini, Mendoza, Argentina, Chengdu, China, Taiwan, China, Taiwan, China, and Tamwood, Australia.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Public Safety█████████████████████████25%
Technology and Innovation█████████████13%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Public Engagement█████5%
Zoning and Land Use█████5%
Immigration Policy██2%
Alcohol Regulation██2%
Cultural Heritage█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Nashville Metropolitan Council Meeting – November 19, 2024

The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County met on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Courthouse. The meeting covered a public hearing on a controversial surveillance technology contract (Fusus), multiple resolutions accepting grants, several zoning ordinance approvals on third reading, and appointments to various boards. The meeting lasted several hours with extensive public comment.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of November 7, 2024.
  • Confirmed multiple appointments to boards (Community Correction Advisory Board, Community Review Board, Hospital Authority Board, Property Standards Appeals Board) by unanimous votes.
  • Adopted the consolidated Consent Agenda (including RS2024-863 through RS2024-875 and numerous zoning ordinances on second and third reading) by a vote of 29-0, with items removed as noted below.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Tucker (via public comment) urged deferral of RS2024-791 (Zencity platform), arguing for a more independent community survey approach.
  • Craig Bardo (Party for Socialism and Liberation) opposed the Fusus contract, calling it a "Panopticon" surveillance system.
  • Michelle Flynn expressed concern that Zencity would be seen as a PR tool and asked for a broader survey.
  • Lucas Glossman and Isabel Skrelix spoke in support of greenway easements and the infant-toddler court grant, respectively.
  • Tala Saad opposed the SRO grant, citing increased criminalization of students.
  • Tawana Chick (Cane Ridge community) asked for deferral of BL2024-574 (Burkitt Road development), alleging lack of adequate community meeting.
  • Giovanna Meeks supported the Sexual Assault Center grant.
  • Edmundo Chaparro raised concerns about property tax increases and road conditions.
  • During the Fusus public hearing, 30+ speakers testified, with supporters citing public safety benefits (including David Steed, Steve Hirsch representing Jewish community, Tawana Chick as retired police sergeant) and opponents raising privacy, civil liberties, and risks to marginalized communities (including Sabina Mohideen, Bronson Schmidt, Michael Durham, and many others).

Discussion Items

  • Fusus Contract (RS2024-792): Public hearing held. A motion to defer by Council Member Evans was debated. A motion to table the deferral failed 16-22. After further debate, the deferral motion passed 20-18, deferring the item to December 3, 2024.
  • Zencity Blockwise Platform (RS2024-791): Council Member Benedict moved a one-meeting deferral to allow Metro Human Relations Commission to present an alternative survey approach. The deferral passed by voice vote.
  • Traffic Enforcement Resolution (RS2024-873): Council Member Eslick withdrew the resolution.
  • Rosetta Miller-Perry Resolution (RS2024-876): Deferred by rule to next meeting.
  • Late Resolution (RS2024-877): Accepted grant for broadband, passed unanimously after rules suspension.
  • Zoning Ordinances on Third Reading:
    • BL2024-486/487 (Ewing Drive, 29 units) passed 36-0 with amendment.
    • BL2023-99/100 (Clarksville Pike, 590 units) passed 35-0 with one abstention.
    • BL2024-570 (Neely's Bend) passed 36-0 after substitute.
    • BL2024-574/575 (Burkitt Road, 288 units) passed 30-2 with two abstentions, despite a deferral motion that was tabled.

Key Outcomes

  • Fusus contract deferred to December 3, 2024 (20-18 vote).
  • Zencity grant deferred to December 3, 2024.
  • Sexual Assault Center grant (RS2024-867) approved 34-0.
  • Violent Crime Intervention Fund grant (RS2024-869) approved 35-2.
  • School Resource Officer grant (RS2024-871) approved 28-6.
  • Turkey Icehouse beer permit (RS2024-862) approved 34-0.
  • Consent Agenda adopted 29-0.
  • BL2024-597 (Securus contract extension) passed second reading.
  • Multiple zoning ordinance changes approved on third reading, as detailed above.
  • Appointments confirmed for Community Correction Advisory Board, Community Review Board, Hospital Authority Board, and Property Standards Appeals Board.

Meeting Transcript

All right. It looks like it's Councilmember Kimbrough that will be presenting it. Is that correct? Yes, Councilmember Kimbrough. All right. Are you ready? Yes, thank you, Pro Tim. Resolution number RS 2024 641. A resolution recognizing the street naming of Lawson's Ridge Drive in honor of Nashville native James E. Lawson. Whereas James E. Lawson is a longtime resident of White's Creek and former chairman of the Nashville Metro Planning Commission. And whereas Mr. Lawson served as an appointed member of the Nashville Metro Planning Commission for 14 years from 1992 to 2006, and was elected chairman during that time for four terms. And whereas Mr. Lawsons was reappointed as a member of the Metro Planning Commission to serve a four-year term ending March 31st, 2024. The appointment was made official during the June 16, 2020 Metro Council meeting. And whereas Mr. Lawson has been a dedicated community leader, having also served on the Metro Board of Parks and Recreation from 2006 to 2012. And right here? Okay. All right. And whereas Mr. Lawson worked in various roles in the banking industry, including in business development and community investment throughout his professional career that spans nearly 30 years. And whereas Mr. Lawson is a Nashville native and 1967 graduate of Fisk University. He married his college sweetheart, Judith Gunn, in 1967, and they have four children, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild. And whereas in 2017, Lawson's Ridge Drive in Nashville was named in honor of Mr. Lawson's leadership in Nashville and the Northwest community and whereas Mr. Lawson's leadership in the planning process has helped guide Nashville's growth and future development and has been instrumental in raising awareness of perspectives of Nashville residents and whereas it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognize and commemorate the naming of Lawson Ridge Drive in her honor of James E. Lawson. Now therefore there be it resolved by the council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. The Metropolitan Counter County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing and naming Lawson's Ridge Drive in Nashville, Tennessee, in order of James E. Lawson. The resolution takes effect from the moment and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville of Davidson County requiring it. Wow. Um I know you got a lot of business to attend to. So I want to I'm deeply grateful for this resolution. And the entire council for approving it. Crafting Metro Nashville's development plan, making sure it was a community engagement. Such was Nashville next at the time. And thanks to this body, Nashville continues to grow in a planned manner that is dynamically changing. Okay, uh congratulations. Uh next would be council member Bradford, right after they're done with their picture. Uh Council members, let me ask you while they're uh getting ready for the next one. Are you able to get into the queue or do I need to take names? No, you could get in the queue, it looks like all right. So so yes, I could see you. So if you are planning on having announcements, if you want to go ahead and start getting in the queue uh while we wrap up resolutions, that would be great. All right, next is Councilmember Bradford presenting a having a presentation for sister cities.

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