Metropolitan Council Meeting Summary - April 1, 2025
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Metropolitan Council Meeting Summary - April 1, 2025
The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County met in regular session on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Metropolitan Courthouse. The meeting began with an invocation by Pastor Roberto Pagan, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. 40 members were present, with one absent (Weiner). The meeting covered appointments, confirmations, public comment, public hearings on multiple zoning bills and resolutions, a consent agenda, and several individual resolutions and ordinances.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda, approved by a vote of 39-0, included routine resolutions and ordinances that had unanimous committee support. Notable items included:
- RS2025-1105: Setting the location and time for the 2025 State of the Metropolitan Government Address.
- RS2025-1106: Approving the 2028 reappraisal plan for Davidson County.
- RS2025-1107: Contract with Middle Tennessee State University for social work fieldwork.
- RS2025-1108: Application for an ICLEI grant for sustainable housing and energy.
- RS2025-1111: $355,000 from the Community Safety Fund for South Nashville safety programs.
- RS2025-1112: Amendment to contract with The Village at Glencliff.
- RS2025-1113: Cooperative purchasing agreement for surplus auction services.
- RS2025-1114: Settlement of a property damage claim for $19,536.38.
- RS2025-1115: Settlement of claims by Jennifer Parker for $175,000.
- RS2025-1116: Amendment to a grant from TEMA for hazmat preparedness.
- RS2025-1117: MOU with ATF for crime gun intelligence strategy.
- RS2025-1119: Acceptance of a donation of life-saving medication from Hikma Pharmaceuticals.
- RS2025-1120: Settlement of personal injury claim for $14,000.
- RS2025-1121: Grant from Nashville Public Library Foundation for archival digitization.
- RS2025-1122: Grant application from AARP for Elizabeth Senior Center kitchen renovation.
- RS2025-1124: Aerial encroachment at 118 12th Avenue South for Nashville Gulch Lifestyle Hotel Owner, LLC.
- RS2025-1125: Settlement of property damage claim from McDonald's Corporation for $28,290.57.
- RS2025-1126: Option agreement to purchase flood-prone property at 3050 Boulder Park Drive.
- RS2025-1127: Settlement of claim by David Hill for $100,000.
- RS2025-1128: Settlement of property damage claim from Murphy Road Hotel Partners, LLC for $16,340.77.
- RS2025-1130: Resolution supporting preservation of federal tax exemption of municipal bonds.
- BL2025-772: Lease agreement with Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
- BL2025-773: Agreement with Belmont University for occupational therapy student experiential learning.
- BL2025-774: Abandonment of easement rights along Convent Place.
- BL2025-775: Abandonment and acceptance of sewer utilities on Riverside Drive.
- BL2025-776: Acceptance of water and sewer utilities on Katonka Drive (Evergreen Hills Phase 3).
- BL2025-777: Acceptance of water utilities on Harding Pike (Hill Center Belle Meade).
- BL2025-778: Acceptance of sewer utilities on Harding Pike (Brook Hollow).
- BL2025-779: Abandonment and acceptance of sewer utilities on Hunters Lane.
- BL2025-706: Greenway conservation easements with Rogers Group, Inc.
- BL2025-733/734: Rezone and material restrictions for 46 single-family lots at Lavergne Couchville Pike and Maxwell Road.
- BL2025-746: Underground encroachment at 311 3rd Avenue South.
- BL2025-747: Abandonment of Alley #1881 right-of-way.
- BL2025-748: Acceptance of water and sewer utilities at Donelson Pike.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Steve Ryder spoke in opposition to RS2025-1110 (settlement for Joseph Webb), arguing that the hospital board improperly retroactively granted deferred compensation.
- Kristen Andrews spoke in support of a pedestrian bridge connecting Peeler Park and the park across the river, noting the long drive between communities.
- Manon Hall addressed housing affordability, citing the housing and infrastructure study that showed the median Black and Hispanic family can afford a home in less than 1% of Nashville neighborhoods. He advocated for inclusionary zoning, community land trusts, and tenant protections.
- Simone Boyd spoke in opposition to the same settlement, describing poor conditions at Nashville General Hospital and arguing that the settlement was a "golden parachute" given the hospital's mismanagement.
- Several other registered speakers did not appear or did not speak.
Discussion Items
- RS2025-1109 ($10 million for Hospital Authority): Councilmember Porterfield explained the funds are needed to maintain operations through the fiscal year and address audit findings and anticipated state funding delays. Approved 37-0-1.
- RS2025-1110 (Settlement for Dr. Joseph Webb, $890,813.26): Extensive debate. Councilmember Porterfield and Law Director Deeds argued the settlement was conservative and necessary to avoid larger liability. Councilmembers Johnston, Bradford, Evans-Segall, and others opposed due to concerns about hospital mismanagement. Councilmember Toombs supported, citing Dr. Webb's contributions. Approved 34-1-4.
- RS2025-1118 (Cooperative purchasing for police unmanned vehicle systems): Approved without debate.
- RS2025-1123 (Preliminary engineering agreement for CSX bridge replacement): Deferred to April 15 by committee recommendation.
- RS2025-1129 (License plate readers procurement): Withdrawn by sponsor Hancock.
- RS2025-1131 (Honoring Commander Anthony McClain): Pulled from consent. Councilmembers shared tributes. Approved with all members in favor recorded as cosponsors (Rule 12.3).
- RS2025-1132 (Honoring Dr. Charles Kimbrough): A substitute resolution was adopted to correct a detail. Approved with Rule 12.3.
- BL2025-720/721 (Rezone at 1265 McGavock Pike for six multifamily units): Public hearing included supporters citing attainable housing and transit access, and opponents citing density, traffic, and environmental concerns. Councilmember Benedict negotiated changes. Approved on second reading with several abstentions.
- BL2025-739/740 (Neighborhood Conservation Overlay for Marlin Meadows): Public hearing with supporters emphasizing historic preservation and opponents concerned about restrictions. Councilmember Hancock noted the neighborhood's diversity and working-class character. Approved.
- BL2025-758/759 (Rezone on Valley View Road for 71 multifamily units): Developer and neighbor spoke. Councilmember Johnston noted the plan reflects community input. Approved.
- BL2025-760 (Rezone at 3101 Hillside Road): Public opposition from a resident citing traffic and lack of sidewalks. Councilmember Parker deferred to May 6.
- BL2025-761 (Amend Downtown Code to remove parking in Second Avenue Historic Overlay): Councilmember Kupin offered a housekeeping amendment. Deferred to May 6 as amended.
- BL2025-768 (Rezone at 5405 Hill Road Circle): Councilmember Johnston explained a previous downzoning error; she supported the motion but voted no due to neighborhood opposition. Passed on second reading.
- Several other zoning bills (BL2025-727, 728, 730, 741, 749/750, 751, 752/753, 754/755, 756/757, 762/763, 764, 765, 766, 767, 769) were either passed on second reading or deferred to a future meeting.
- Late Bills (M1/M2) (Rezone on Dickerson Pike area, 106.9 acres): Suspended rules to introduce. Passed first reading.
- BL2025-770 (Amend Chapter 2.40 regarding Department of Law): Deferred to April 15.
- BL2025-771 (Amend Stormwater Management Commission membership): Deferred to April 15.
Key Outcomes
- Confirmed Appointees: Jason Evans (Civil Service Commission), Edward Henley (Planning Commission), Mesut Keklik (Sexually Oriented Business Licensing Board), Amna Osman (Sexually Oriented Business Licensing Board), Frederick Cawthon (Solid Waste Region Board), Lisa Haller (Traffic and Parking Commission), and Lin Meng (Traffic and Parking Commission) were confirmed unanimously.
- Nominations withdrawn or deferred: Roger Ligon Jr. (Procurement Standards Board) withdrawn. Ron Parham (Work Release Board) deferred one meeting.
- RS2025-1109 adopted (37-0-1).
- RS2025-1110 adopted (34-1-4).
- RS2025-1118 adopted.
- RS2025-1131 adopted with 12.3.
- RS2025-1132 adopted as substituted with 12.3.
- Zoning bills: Most bills on public hearing were passed on second reading, except those deferred (BL2025-727 to May 6, BL2025-741 to May 6, BL2025-751 to May 6, BL2025-752/753 to May 6, BL2025-760 deferred one meeting, BL2025-761 deferred to May 6 as amended).
- Late bills (M1/M2) passed first reading.
- BL2025-770 and BL2025-771 deferred to April 15.
Meeting Transcript
Uh Metro ITS team for uh helping us through our technical difficulties, and that is the reason for our latest start. Will all members of the council, as well as the public, please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. Padre, te pedimos que tu sea dando sabiduría, dando entendimiento y discernimiento através del poder de tu Santo Spiritu. Que Padre is un Podel que tiene todo authoridad y que puede, Señor, cambialamente, Padre Veneil in unidad y entender y hacer lo mejor para tu pueblo, para tu nacion. Te damos gracias y te pedimos, Senhor, que in esta noche to the glorifique honra para ti, Senhor. In the Nombre de Tusantissimo Yohesus. Amen. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States to the Republic for which one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. Thank you, Pastor Pagan. Welcome, Council and Community Members to April and Earth Month. Um, it is also native plants month nationally and no mow month here in Nashville. Five council members so far are joining me in not mowing their lawns this April. Okay, thank you, thank you. Um, which helps uh strengthen uh the uh root system of grass, reduces erosion, and stormwater runoff. Clover, violets, henbit, and other wildflowers, which I know Mr. Huffman appreciates given his wildflower work, uh, grow in abundance when we do not mow, which supports our much needed pollinators and our food system. If an entire wildflower field and longer grass lawn makes you uncomfortable. Uh, even though this program is Metro Codes Department approved, you may want to leave just a small section of your yard unmown and see what happens. Or if you typically mow weekly, mow every other week this month. Metro's Agricultural Extension Office has Tennessee Smart Yard resources and programs year-round. So please be uh sure to follow them and see what you might implement in your own yard to save yourself some time and money. When we are thinking about the environment, we also know that more public transit service and fewer individual vehicle miles traveled is very good for our air and water quality and public health. So please do be on the lookout for transit month opportunities throughout April. Uh Pro Tim Sepulveda spoke to it earlier, but I'll touch on it again for those of you that were not in the room. Uh Nashvilleans may want to try transit to a soccer game or a special event downtown and avoid the parking cost and hassles. And council members, uh, with Weego Central, just one block from our historic courthouse in City Hall. Pros Tim Sepulveda and I will be in touch with you soon about trying transit for our April 14th committee meetings and or the April 15th council meeting. So find your quick ticket bus pass that you all received at the start of this term. Make sure you have the transit app on your phone and mark your calendars. Okay. Speaking of calendars, today is Councilman Tom Druffel's birthday. So happy birthday, Councilman. Of all days, right? Why did they pick that day? April 1st is also the birthday of our Metropolitan Government. Nashville was first in the nation to fully consolidate a city and a county. The mayor, vice mayor, and the 40 member council were inaugurated on April 1st, 1963, at the then recently opened municipal auditorium. Members regarding items on your desk. There is a memo announcing a vacancy on the Human Relations Commission and a notice uh regarding vacancies on the Cheatham County Rail Authority and the Nashville and Eastern Rail Authority. We'll take nominations at the next council meeting on April 15th. Additionally, there is a rules refresher, this time on deferrals, uh, which was also linked in your April newsletter from me that you will have received on Sunday morning. Okay. Without objection, we will suspend the calling of the roll and ask the clerk to please record the names of the members present throughout the meeting. Is there a motion for approval of the minutes of the meeting of March 18th, 2025? Okay, there's a motion properly seconded without objection. And seeing no one uh seeking to be recognized for a change to the minutes, the minutes of the meeting of March 18th are approved. Mr. Clerk, are there any messages from the mayor? There are no messages from the mayor.
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