OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Council Regular Meeting on February 4, 2025

Metropolitan Council — Tuesday, February 4, 2025
BodyNashville, Tennessee
SessionMetropolitan Council
DateTuesday, February 4, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

I believe Councilmember Stiles has a presentation.

0:04

Councilmember Styles, are you ready?

0:08

The first presentation is for the Ford Ice Center.

0:22

Give me one second, Councilmember Styles.

0:31

Sandy.

0:32

Sandy.

0:36

We're up there.

0:37

It's hard today.

0:38

Am I on?

0:39

Okay.

0:40

Excellent.

0:42

Thank you very much, Pro Tem.

0:43

I appreciate it.

0:45

We do have two presentations.

0:47

This evening I am taking over one and the other one is mine.

0:51

So we're going to get started.

0:53

Uh council members, if you are we'll get somebody to take a picture.

0:58

You can come and be over here.

1:00

Um the first that we're going to do is a resolution recognizing January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Nashville and Davidson County.

1:12

Whereas human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, manipulation, purchasing, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of commercial sex acts or forced labor for the use of force, fraud, deception, or coercion.

1:27

And whereas human trafficking victims can be of any age, sex, race, or background, with particularly vulnerable populations, including children, survivors of child abuse, runaway and homeless youth, victims of interpersonal and intimate partner violence, those struggling with substance abuse disorders, and those impacted by conflict, poverty or the failure of systems meant to support community members in their time of need.

1:55

And whereas human trafficking encompasses prostitution, escorting online advertisements, digital platforms, and all forms of commercial sexual exploitation and whereas the existence of human trafficking in today's society recognizes that for many the perceived choice to sell one's body arises from a lack of safer, more accessible, and dignified options and resources, and whereas human trafficking robs victims of their safety, freedom, and dignity, tears apart families and communities, fuels interpersonal violence, and undermines the security of society at large.

2:40

And whereas Davidson County is home to several organizations providing direct services, support, and advocacy to and on of behalf of survivors of human trafficking, prostitution, and commercials, sexual exploitation, including but not limited to the Metropolitan Nashville Office of Family Safety, Thessal Farms, ACOA, Tennessee, and the Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition Coalition, and whereas the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Court Systems, and the Davidson County District Attorney's Office have committed to combat human trafficking through legislative efforts, robust policy implementation, and collaborative partnerships aimed at eradicating this immoral enterprise.

3:37

And whereas dedicating a month to promote education, awareness, resources, and community efforts will equip Nashville residents with the tools to identify and address human trafficking, support survivors, prevent exploitation, and ow perpetrators accountable.

3:58

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the council of the Metropolitan Government of Davidson County, the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Nashville and Davidson County, encouraging all residents to join in efforts to raise awareness, support survivors, and end human trafficking.

4:20

This resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption.

4:23

The welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

4:35

Okay, well, we we do have a Amanda McClellan here, but she has decided that she wants to be shy.

4:40

So we want to thank you for the work that you're doing.

4:43

Thank you very much for allowing us to honor the work that you are doing.

4:47

And I think we want to take photos now, if you don't mind.

4:51

Okay.

4:55

Okay.

5:01

Come in, come in, come in.

5:03

If you'll hold this, and we can all squeeze.

5:06

Some people are gonna have to come on this side.

5:10

We balance we need one more.

5:17

Yeah, yeah.

5:18

Okay, good.

5:21

Okay.

5:23

There you go.

5:26

Say something.

5:27

Did you get all of us?

5:29

Yeah.

5:29

Okay, awesome thoughts.

5:32

Okay, fantastic.

5:36

Thank you, Councilmember Allen.

5:38

Um, I wanted to briefly before we roll into our next presentation.

5:43

I just wanted to let the public know that tonight we're standing here in support.

5:47

You see so many of us in blue, we're wearing blue ribbons or blue clothing or Antioch blue t-shirts supporting Antioch High School in Antioch.

5:57

And Councilmember Harell is in the back, but we need him over here.

6:02

Lifting up your school, sir.

6:04

So, our next presentation.

6:07

I I know you have not been able to see the large Nash walking around in chambers.

6:14

Has he dis no?

6:15

He's over there in the corner.

6:18

Yes.

6:20

Come on.

6:21

Nash, will you join us?

6:23

Fantastic.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Youth Programs████████8%
Zoning and Land Use███████7%
Affordable Housing██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Cannabis Regulation█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Public Libraries███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Council Regular Meeting on February 4, 2025

The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County held its regular meeting on February 4, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Historic Metro Courthouse. The meeting covered a wide range of appointments, public comments, hearings on resolutions and ordinances, and final votes on third-reading bills. Key outcomes included confirmation of several board appointments, passage of beer permit exemptions, approval of a consent agenda with numerous items, and a contentious debate leading to the passage of a nighttime code enforcement memorandum of understanding.

Consent Calendar

  • The consolidated consent agenda was adopted (34-0), including:
    • Resolutions: RS2025-1008 (WIOA grant amendments), RS2025-1010 (settlement $100k), RS2025-1011 (Urban Area Security grant), RS2025-1012 (environmental health contract amendment), RS2025-1013 (Continuum of Care grant amendment $381,251), RS2025-1014 (Rocklife Youth contract increase $22,866), RS2025-1016 (Centennial Park pavilion feasibility study), RS2025-1017 (Nashville Parks Foundation in-kind grant), RS2025-1018 (Seven Oaks Park water fountain), RS2025-1019 (transportation art agreement), RS2025-1020-1029 (various encroachments and infrastructure acceptances), RS2025-1030 and RS2025-1031 (settlements $15,850 and $69,678.21), RS2025-1036 (National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day).
    • Ordinances on second reading: BL2025-691, 692, 693, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702 (including various agreements, easements, and infrastructure projects).
    • Ordinances on third reading: BL2024-594 (bar/nightclub definition), BL2024-619 (Two Story Overlay), BL2024-644-676 (numerous zoning changes), BL2024-677 (Ancestry.com digitization agreement), BL2024-678 (street centerline layer), BL2024-679 (encroachment), BL2024-680 (sewer acceptance).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Regular Public Comment: One speaker, Verna Wyatt, voiced support for a community safety camera network ordinance (BL2025-690), citing victim advocacy.
  • Pre-Budget Public Comment: Over 30 speakers addressed the council, covering topics such as:
    • Demand for more skate parks and youth spaces.
    • Funding for Metro Animal Care and Control and spay/neuter programs.
    • Support for the Varsity Spending Plan (youth safety and violence prevention), with multiple speakers urging full $10 million funding.
    • Increased funding for Nashville Public Library collections and operations.
    • Affordable housing investments, including at least $50 million for the Barnes Housing Trust Fund.
    • Living wages and COLA for Metro employees, including support staff and dispatchers.
    • Funding for the Office of Homeless Services, community safety programs, and the Indigent Defense and Excellence in Advocacy (IDEA) pilot project.
    • Requests for investment in transportation, climate resilience, and public land for community benefit.

Appointments, Confirmations, and Nominations

  • Appointments (reported by Rules Committee, re-referred for later confirmation): Frank Stevenson (MDHA), Dr. Chike M. Nzerue (Hospital Authority), Katy Varney (Public Library Board), Catherine Armwood (Sustainability Advisory Committee), Christina Karpynec (Zoning Appeals Board).
  • Confirmations (approved unanimously by council): Cara Ince to Human Relations Commission, Damita Beck-Taylor to Solid Waste Region Board, William Alan Slone to Transportation and Licensing Commission.
  • Nomination: Council member Allen nominated Matt Wiltshire to the Health and Educational Facilities Board; election to be held March 4, 2025.

Discussion Items

  • Beer Permit Exemptions: RS2025-1005 (Fly Pelican Fly) and RS2025-1006 (Curry Boys BBQ) were adopted after brief public hearings with no opposition.
  • Zoning Ordinances on Public Hearing: Multiple zoning changes (BL2024-623, 681-682, 683, 684, 685-686, 687) were advanced to second reading after public hearings with no testimony.
  • Debated Bill – Nighttime Code Enforcement MOU (BL2025-689): After a lengthy debate involving motions to defer (one meeting vs. April 1), tabling, and roll calls, the council passed the MOU on second reading by a vote of 28-3-4. The MOU creates a pilot program for nighttime code enforcement, starting in downtown and expanding countywide, with two inspectors transferred from Codes to the Night Mayor’s office.
  • Community Safety Cameras (BL2025-690): Deferred one meeting per committee recommendation.
  • Third-Reading Bills:
    • BL2024-621 (rezoning at 4212 Ashland City Highway): Approved as substituted (30-0-1) after a substitute changed zoning from R10 to R15.
    • BL2024-641 (car wash at 3101 Nolensville Pike): Approved as amended (34-0) clarifying the car wash type.
    • BL2024-642/643 (River North Urban Design Overlay): Approved as amended (34-0-0) updating design standards.

Resolutions (Non-Consent)

  • RS2025-992 (T-Mobile location agreement): Deferred by rule.
  • RS2025-1007 (Arts Commission grant criteria amendment): Approved (33-2) extending spending deadline.
  • RS2025-1009 (mutual aid with Fairfax County): Approved as substituted (36-0) for emergency communications.
  • RS2025-1015 (robotic mowers contract): Deferred one meeting by rule.
  • RS2025-1032 (honoring Larysa A. Jackson): Adopted (36-0) with all yes votes as cosponsors.
  • RS2025-1033 (30th anniversary of Belfast sister city partnership): Adopted as substituted (36-0) with late-filed substitute and all yes votes as cosponsors.
  • RS2025-1034 (60th anniversary of Human Relations Commission): Adopted (36-0) with all yes votes as cosponsors.
  • RS2025-1035 (Black History Month proclamation): Adopted (36-0) after being pulled from consent; all yes votes as cosponsors.

Key Outcomes

  • Confirmed three board appointments (Ince, Beck-Taylor, Slone).
  • Adopted two beer permit exemptions (Fly Pelican Fly, Curry Boys BBQ).
  • Approved consent agenda (34-0) covering numerous resolutions and ordinances.
  • Passed BL2025-689 (nighttime code MOU) on second reading after procedural votes.
  • Deferred BL2025-690 (community safety cameras) and BL2025-688 (Music Commission) to future meetings.
  • Approved third-reading zoning changes including BL2024-621 (30-0-1), BL2024-641 (34-0), and BL2024-642/643 (34-0).
  • Adopted four proclamations (Black History Month, Human Relations Commission 60th, Belfast sister cities 30th, Larysa Jackson remembrance).
  • Set nomination for Health & Educational Facilities Board with election on March 4, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

I believe Councilmember Stiles has a presentation. Councilmember Styles, are you ready? The first presentation is for the Ford Ice Center. Give me one second, Councilmember Styles. Sandy. Sandy. We're up there. It's hard today. Am I on? Okay. Excellent. Thank you very much, Pro Tem. I appreciate it. We do have two presentations. This evening I am taking over one and the other one is mine. So we're going to get started. Uh council members, if you are we'll get somebody to take a picture. You can come and be over here. Um the first that we're going to do is a resolution recognizing January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Nashville and Davidson County. Whereas human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, manipulation, purchasing, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of commercial sex acts or forced labor for the use of force, fraud, deception, or coercion. And whereas human trafficking victims can be of any age, sex, race, or background, with particularly vulnerable populations, including children, survivors of child abuse, runaway and homeless youth, victims of interpersonal and intimate partner violence, those struggling with substance abuse disorders, and those impacted by conflict, poverty or the failure of systems meant to support community members in their time of need. And whereas human trafficking encompasses prostitution, escorting online advertisements, digital platforms, and all forms of commercial sexual exploitation and whereas the existence of human trafficking in today's society recognizes that for many the perceived choice to sell one's body arises from a lack of safer, more accessible, and dignified options and resources, and whereas human trafficking robs victims of their safety, freedom, and dignity, tears apart families and communities, fuels interpersonal violence, and undermines the security of society at large. And whereas Davidson County is home to several organizations providing direct services, support, and advocacy to and on of behalf of survivors of human trafficking, prostitution, and commercials, sexual exploitation, including but not limited to the Metropolitan Nashville Office of Family Safety, Thessal Farms, ACOA, Tennessee, and the Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition Coalition, and whereas the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Court Systems, and the Davidson County District Attorney's Office have committed to combat human trafficking through legislative efforts, robust policy implementation, and collaborative partnerships aimed at eradicating this immoral enterprise. And whereas dedicating a month to promote education, awareness, resources, and community efforts will equip Nashville residents with the tools to identify and address human trafficking, support survivors, prevent exploitation, and ow perpetrators accountable. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the council of the Metropolitan Government of Davidson County, the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Nashville and Davidson County, encouraging all residents to join in efforts to raise awareness, support survivors, and end human trafficking. This resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption. The welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it. Okay, well, we we do have a Amanda McClellan here, but she has decided that she wants to be shy. So we want to thank you for the work that you're doing. Thank you very much for allowing us to honor the work that you are doing. And I think we want to take photos now, if you don't mind. Okay. Okay. Come in, come in, come in. If you'll hold this, and we can all squeeze. Some people are gonna have to come on this side. We balance we need one more. Yeah, yeah. Okay, good. Okay. There you go. Say something. Did you get all of us? Yeah. Okay, awesome thoughts. Okay, fantastic. Thank you, Councilmember Allen. Um, I wanted to briefly before we roll into our next presentation. I just wanted to let the public know that tonight we're standing here in support. You see so many of us in blue, we're wearing blue ribbons or blue clothing or Antioch blue t-shirts supporting Antioch High School in Antioch.

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