OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Nashville Metropolitan Council Meeting - May 6, 2025

Metropolitan Council — Tuesday, May 6, 2025
BodyNashville, Tennessee
SessionMetropolitan Council
DateTuesday, May 6, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:11:37

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

All right.

0:02

We do need to go ahead and get started.

0:06

And council members again start getting in the queue if you want to speak during this announcement period.

0:13

All right, awesome.

0:28

Uh while you want it.

0:31

Yeah.

0:34

Oh, appreciate you.

0:35

Thank you.

0:35

Thank you.

0:36

There we go.

0:36

Gotta gotta be fresh.

0:37

Gotta be fresh.

0:39

Uh thank you, Madam Pro Tim.

0:41

First and foremost, congratulations to the Hillsborough High School uh boys basketball team.

0:51

So they have uh scored a historic victory for the Hillsboro High School.

0:56

Um and so we we passed a resolution last meeting um and wanting to to present them with with this incredible honor for the amazing feat that they've had.

1:03

So if council members will join me in reading this resolution, this is resolution RS 2025 1169, a resolution recognizing the Hillsborough High School boys basketball team for winning the 2025 TAASAA Class 4A state championship.

1:22

So whereas the Hillsborough High School Boys basketball team won the 2025 TAASAA Class 4A state championship with a 47 to with a 57 to 42 win over Oak Ridge High School and whereas the Bureau's victory on March 22nd, 2025 clinched the first boys' basketball championship in the school's history and whereas the team is the first Metro Nashville public school to win a large class championship in the sport since 1981 and whereas the state title capped the borough's 34 win season that included district and regional championships and whereas the team is coached by Rodney.

2:18

I'm gonna say right, I want to say it correctly, sweet, who has led the squad to multiple state tournaments since joining the school in 2006, and senior Tyne Tyron Fisher, okay, with senior Tyron Fisher was named the tournament's most valuable player.

2:44

Okay.

2:55

And whereas senior Cortez Graham Howard led the team with 20 points in the championship game and was named a finalist for the 2025 TSSAA Mr.

3:07

Basketball Award for his efforts during the season.

3:11

And whereas it is fitting and proper that the I'm sorry, whereas each member of the borough's boys' basketball team represents the squad's worth work ethic persistence and commitment to excellence, and whereas it's fitting and proper this Metro Council recognizes the borough state champion and wishes the team members success in their future endeavors out.

3:45

Now, therefore it be resolved by the Metropolitan Council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record recognizing the Hillsborough High School Borough's boys basketball team for its TAAA TAASAA Class 4A state championship.

4:05

This resolution shall take effect from its from and after its passage.

4:09

The welfare of the Metropolitan Government of National and Davison County requiring it.

4:13

Congratulations.

4:26

No, not prepared.

4:28

Um we're just honored to be here and celebrate this in front of you guys and it's such a prestigious place.

4:34

Um so many important people that we could spend our time um talking to.

4:39

And I I just really want to tell you, I'm just glad to be a part of it.

4:42

Um I've never seen a group of boys so hungry and work so hard for this championship.

4:47

And you talk about 40-something odd years, it wasn't by luck.

4:52

Um four years.

4:53

I can't say only one of these seniors.

4:55

I'm not gonna tell his name, but the rest of them every day, six o'clock in the morning, they met the coaching staff at the school.

5:04

And a lot of days, three a days, three three practices, weights.

5:09

Um, you know, it's just amazing accomplishment.

5:14

This is the first time in a senior's career they get to walk around to school during dead time and just be kids, and they deserve it because they work so hard uh and committed themselves so much to this goal.

5:24

And you know, when you put that type of work in at this age and you learn that it pays off, uh I'm most proud of that.

5:31

And on top of that, they are were awarded TAASAA IGPA, outstanding GPA.

5:38

They're not just basketball players, they're good kids with high character, and I'm just proud of them, and I'm glad to be a part of you guys' accomplishment, and that I got to be their coach.

5:47

Thank you for having us.

5:52

Coach, present y'all with uh this company's resolution.

5:59

Y'all didn't call for no reason.

6:03

Yes, we've been asking one, two, and three.

6:12

One and three excellent.

6:22

I give it to the sponsor.

6:25

All right.

6:26

Congratulations once again to the Hillsborough High School.

6:30

Uh boys basketball team.

6:34

All right.

6:35

Council members, I am going to kick off announcements and then you all can uh go after me.

6:44

Um there are a couple of things that I want to remind the community of and say.

6:53

And um, I want to start off by what happened over the weekend in South Nashville along the Nolansville corridor.

7:03

Um good portion of it in my district.

7:08

Um, and to many of you all that large members, your constituents, my constituents.

7:16

Um it is absolutely disgraceful to see families be being ripped apart by ICE, Homeland Security, Highway Patrol, anyone else who might have been involved, and we'll get some more information soon.

7:38

But it's absolutely disgraceful that this governor would say that they did these operations because there is high percentage of crime and gang violence, etc.

7:56

Which is not true.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████34%
Zoning and Land Use███████████████████████23%
Public Engagement████████8%
Public Safety█████5%
Immigration and Inclusion████4%
Historic Preservation████4%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Sports And Recreation██2%
Public Health██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Nashville Metropolitan Council Meeting - May 6, 2025

The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Historic Metro Courthouse. The meeting included public hearings, debates on zoning and land use, resolutions on grants and agreements, and a procedural battle over military training on County Hospital Road. Council members also addressed community concerns about recent ICE enforcement actions and gun dispossession for domestic violence offenders.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved 37 resolutions and ordinances on a single consent vote, including grants for child welfare, police overtime, library lease, stormwater improvements, and multiple cooperative purchasing agreements. Also approved street renaming ordinances (Toney Road to Lillard Lane, Alley #1892 to Frankie Alley), and several bills on second and third reading that had unanimous committee support.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • A speaker opposed agenda item 63 (RS2025-1198, a traffic safety grant), arguing that funding MNPD supports collaboration with ICE and led to the mass detention of nearly 100 residents over the weekend, calling it "mass kidnapping."
  • Linda McFadden Ketchum (Moms Demand Action, District 24) supported resolution RS2025-1211, citing 2024 data from the Office of Family Safety: 302 alarming cases of domestic violence protective order noncompliance, 212 with incomplete forms, and 90 suspected dishonesty. She urged creation of a dedicated gun dispossession investigator.
  • Richard Miller supported infrastructure items (sewer improvements) and urged affordable housing considerations. He also opposed RS2025-1188 (military training), arguing it affects multiple districts and the entire city.

Discussion Items

  • ICE Raids and Community Support: Multiple council members (Pro Tem, Welsch, Suara, Gadd, Ewing, Preptit) condemned the weekend ICE operations in South Nashville, calling them racist and disgraceful. They urged community vigilance, donations to affected families, and attendance at a special Public Health and Safety Committee meeting on May 7 at 4 p.m. Councilmember Welsch announced a vigil at Glencliff High School.
  • Surveillance Technology Resolutions (RS2025-1173 to 1176): Councilmember Porterfield clarified that these resolutions authorize NDOT and Water Services to use cameras and sensors for monitoring salt trucks, garbage trucks, and vehicle diagnostics—not facial recognition or license plate reading. All four were approved with votes ranging from 32-0 to 33-0 (one abstention on RS2025-1174).
  • Thompson Lane Zoning and Urban Design Overlay (BL2025-793, 794, 808): Sponsor Welsch moved to indefinitely defer after lengthy debate, criticizing the Planning Commission for preordained disapproval and lack of substantive discussion. She argued the planning department is out of step with the community's housing needs. The deferral passed unanimously.
  • Military Training on County Hospital Road (RS2025-1187, 1188): A procedural battle over Rule 9.2 (deferral for district-only legislation) erupted. Councilmember Kimbrough sought a one-meeting deferral for RS2025-1187, arguing her district had not received proper notice. Councilmember Rutherford challenged the chair's ruling, but the council voted to sustain the ruling (voice vote, affirmed on appeal). The resolution was deferred to May 20. RS2025-1188 was similarly deferred to May 20.
  • Neelys Bend Conservation Overlay (BL2025-739, 740): Sponsor Hancock presented the overlay as a community-driven effort to preserve mid-century homes and prevent McMansions, noting the neighborhood's median income of $26,000 per person. Councilmember Welsch opposed, calling it a downzone that reduces housing options. The overlay passed on third reading with 27 in favor, 2 against, and 3 abstentions.
  • Domestic Violence Gun Dispossession Investigator (RS2025-1211): Councilmember Gadd and Moms Demand Action urged passage, citing 6,100 individuals in Davidson County with active protective orders still having access to guns. The resolution passed unanimously with rule 12.3 (co-sponsors added).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: RS2025-1172 (short-term rental exemption at 2301 Elliston Place) – 29 yes, 0 no, 3 abstain.
  • Approved: RS2025-1173 (NDOT salt truck cameras) – 33 yes, 0 no.
  • Approved: RS2025-1174 (Water Services Rubicon) – 32 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain.
  • Approved: RS2025-1175 (Water Services Verizon) – 32 yes, 0 no.
  • Approved: RS2025-1176 (Water Services Zonar) – 33 yes, 0 no.
  • Deferred to August 5: BL2025-703/704 (Historic Landmark Overlay at 4301 Harding Pike).
  • Deferred to July 1: BL2025-727 (800 Gwynn Drive rezoning).
  • Passed second reading: BL2025-741, 751, 761, 787/788, 789/790, 791/792, 795, 797/798, 799, 800/801, 802/803, 804, 805/806, 807, 809/810 – all zoning bills with public hearings.
  • Indefinitely deferred: BL2025-793/794/808 (Thompson Lane area).
  • Deferred to July 1 (with re-referral): BL2025-752/753 (Cane Ridge Road).
  • Deferred to July 1: BL2025-796 (107 East Campbell Road).
  • Deferred to May 20: RS2025-1187, RS2025-1188 (military training).
  • Deferred to June 3: RS2025-1206 (sewer abandonment), RS2025-1209 (investigation of Emergency Communications), BL2025-760 (Hillside Road rezoning).
  • Adopted (with amendments): RS2025-1142 (East Bank Development Authority IGA).
  • Adopted late resolution: RS2025-1219 (tobacco prevention grant).
  • Passed third reading: BL2025-739/740 (Neelys Bend Conservation Overlay) – 27 yes, 2 no, 3 abstain.
  • Honorary resolutions adopted: RS2025-1212 (Delta Rae Frye), RS2025-1213 (Pope Francis), RS2025-1214 (Morgan Price), RS2025-1216 (Foster Care Month), RS2025-1217 (Lesbian Day of Visibility).
  • First reading bills approved: All except BL2025-830, 831, 832 (deferred to August 5).
  • Second reading bills approved: BL2025-811 (boards and commissions) and BL2025-812 (taxicabs) as amended.

Announcements & Recognitions

  • Council recognized the Hillsboro High School boys basketball team for winning the 2025 TSSAA Class 4A state championship.
  • Several members announced upcoming events: budget town halls, youth in local government day, street sweeping program, and community meetings.

Meeting Transcript

All right. We do need to go ahead and get started. And council members again start getting in the queue if you want to speak during this announcement period. All right, awesome. Uh while you want it. Yeah. Oh, appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you. There we go. Gotta gotta be fresh. Gotta be fresh. Uh thank you, Madam Pro Tim. First and foremost, congratulations to the Hillsborough High School uh boys basketball team. So they have uh scored a historic victory for the Hillsboro High School. Um and so we we passed a resolution last meeting um and wanting to to present them with with this incredible honor for the amazing feat that they've had. So if council members will join me in reading this resolution, this is resolution RS 2025 1169, a resolution recognizing the Hillsborough High School boys basketball team for winning the 2025 TAASAA Class 4A state championship. So whereas the Hillsborough High School Boys basketball team won the 2025 TAASAA Class 4A state championship with a 47 to with a 57 to 42 win over Oak Ridge High School and whereas the Bureau's victory on March 22nd, 2025 clinched the first boys' basketball championship in the school's history and whereas the team is the first Metro Nashville public school to win a large class championship in the sport since 1981 and whereas the state title capped the borough's 34 win season that included district and regional championships and whereas the team is coached by Rodney. I'm gonna say right, I want to say it correctly, sweet, who has led the squad to multiple state tournaments since joining the school in 2006, and senior Tyne Tyron Fisher, okay, with senior Tyron Fisher was named the tournament's most valuable player. Okay. And whereas senior Cortez Graham Howard led the team with 20 points in the championship game and was named a finalist for the 2025 TSSAA Mr. Basketball Award for his efforts during the season. And whereas it is fitting and proper that the I'm sorry, whereas each member of the borough's boys' basketball team represents the squad's worth work ethic persistence and commitment to excellence, and whereas it's fitting and proper this Metro Council recognizes the borough state champion and wishes the team members success in their future endeavors out. Now, therefore it be resolved by the Metropolitan Council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County that the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record recognizing the Hillsborough High School Borough's boys basketball team for its TAAA TAASAA Class 4A state championship. This resolution shall take effect from its from and after its passage. The welfare of the Metropolitan Government of National and Davison County requiring it. Congratulations. No, not prepared. Um we're just honored to be here and celebrate this in front of you guys and it's such a prestigious place. Um so many important people that we could spend our time um talking to. And I I just really want to tell you, I'm just glad to be a part of it. Um I've never seen a group of boys so hungry and work so hard for this championship. And you talk about 40-something odd years, it wasn't by luck. Um four years. I can't say only one of these seniors. I'm not gonna tell his name, but the rest of them every day, six o'clock in the morning, they met the coaching staff at the school. And a lot of days, three a days, three three practices, weights. Um, you know, it's just amazing accomplishment. This is the first time in a senior's career they get to walk around to school during dead time and just be kids, and they deserve it because they work so hard uh and committed themselves so much to this goal. And you know, when you put that type of work in at this age and you learn that it pays off, uh I'm most proud of that. And on top of that, they are were awarded TAASAA IGPA, outstanding GPA. They're not just basketball players, they're good kids with high character, and I'm just proud of them, and I'm glad to be a part of you guys' accomplishment, and that I got to be their coach. Thank you for having us. Coach, present y'all with uh this company's resolution. Y'all didn't call for no reason. Yes, we've been asking one, two, and three. One and three excellent. I give it to the sponsor. All right. Congratulations once again to the Hillsborough High School.

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