Nashville Metropolitan Council Regular Meeting – May 20, 2025

The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County convened on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Courthouse. The meeting included elections, confirmations, public testimony, and votes on resolutions and ordinances related to the FY2026 budget, zoning changes, and community safety. Key actions included indefinite deferral of the Mixed-Income PILOT program adjustment, approval of the Rivergate Mall Economic Impact Plan, and creation of a new Department of Waste Services.

Consent Calendar

• Resolutions (RS2025-1191 through RS2025-1255) – Numerous resolutions were approved unanimously, including grant acceptances for recovery courts, mental health programs, emergency rental assistance, affordable housing contracts, parks improvements, and intergovernmental agreements. Also approved: cooperative purchasing master agreement, personal injury settlement ($65,000), property acquisitions and easements for Metro Water Services, and recognitions for Judge Cheryl Blackburn, Jewish American Heritage Month, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Building Safety Month.
• Ordinances on Second Reading (BL2025-818, 821-828) – Approved unanimously, including amendments to the Nashville Music, Entertainment, and Film Commission; a temporary special event zone for July 4th celebrations; an agreement with Lipscomb University for a capstone research project; a solar services agreement for the Southeast Police Precinct; repeal of a stormwater capacity fee; and several utility easement authorizations.
• Ordinances on Third Reading (BL2025-741, 751, 761, 787-788, 791-792, 795, 797-798, 800-807, 811-817) – Approved unanimously, covering zoning changes for specific properties, street renaming (Lillard Lane and Frankie Alley), modifications to boards and commissions, taxicab requirements, code readoption, and stormwater improvement projects.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Eldon Spraker and Tanya Zuckerman (property owners) – Expressed urgent concerns about crime (drugs, prostitution) on Bronner Street in Madison, requesting increased police presence, lighting, and code enforcement to protect local businesses.
• Stephen Maudlin – A disabled combat veteran and business owner on Bronner Street, stated he is closing his business due to three shootings, overdoses, and lack of police response, pleading for action before a child is killed.
• Joel Christopher Cottrell – Introduced himself as the new president of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), representing approximately 2,000 law enforcement members in Nashville and Davidson County.
• Aaron Whitis – Spoke in support of Resolution RS2025-1253 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month, noting anti-Semitism and the positive contributions of the Jewish community in Nashville.
• Sam Petchelot (Executive Director, Music City Construction Careers) – Thanked the council for supporting the pre-apprenticeship program, which has graduated over 300 individuals (70% placed in union apprenticeships). Highlighted a woman named Mary who went from $12/hour to $70,000/year with benefits after completing the program.

Discussion Items

• RS2025-960 – Mixed-Income PILOT Program Adjustment – Council Member Allen moved a substitute to adjust the program (changing from a tier to a calculator, raising AMI from 75% to 80%, and extending abatement to cover the full affordability period). After adoption of the substitute, she moved to defer indefinitely, stating further work with stakeholders is needed. Approved by voice vote.
• RS2025-1167 – Stormwater Management Manual Revisions – Council Member Druffel withdrew the resolution, explaining the need to convert the non-binding language into binding ordinance form.
• RS2025-1187 and RS2025-1188 – Military Training License Agreements – Council Member Hill withdrew both resolutions.
• RS2025-1218 – Certified Tax Rate Resolution – Council Member Porterfield substituted the resolution and then deferred to June 17, 2025, to align with the budget schedule.
• RS2025-1220 – Interfund Tax Anticipation Notes ($158 million) – Deferred to June 17, 2025, to track with budget.
• RS2025-1223 – Rivergate Mall Economic Impact Plan – After a motion to amend (requiring disclosure of tax assessment appeals) by Council Member Evans-Segall, the amended resolution was adopted by a vote of 32 in favor, 0 against, 1 abstention (Allen). Council Member Webb expressed gratitude; Council Member Styles asked not to forget the first blighted mall in District 32.
• RS2025-1254 – Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – Council Member Vo moved adoption; adopted by voice vote with remarks on resilience and cultural contributions.
• BL2025-819 – Creation of Department of Waste Services – Council Member Parker moved the bill as amended on second reading. An amendment by Council Member Allen added reporting requirements for recycling and deleted a section. Passed by voice vote.
• BL2025-837 – Eliminate Minimum Parking for Bars/Nightclubs – Passed on first reading; second reading deferred to August 5, 2025.
• BL2025-789/790 – Specific Plan at 535 Boyds Hilltop Drive – Council Member Gamble substituted the bill to add conditions on height; passed on third reading with companion building materials bill (34-0).
• BL2025-799 – Downtown Code Bonus Height Program Update – Council Member Kupin substituted and passed on third reading (34-0).
• BL2025-809/810 – Dickerson Pike Mixed-Use Development (106.9 acres) – Deferred one meeting by Council Member Toombs.

Key Outcomes

• Elections – Council Member Joy Styles elected to Cheatham County Rail Authority; Jermaine Cole to Human Relations Commission; Council Member Erin Evans to Nashville & Eastern Rail Authority; Roger Ligon Jr. to Procurement Standards Board (other nominees withdrawn).
• Confirmations (unanimous) – Daniel B. Dwyer (E-911 Board), Cedric Duncan, Morey Hill, James Moore (Greenways and Open Space Commission), Jeff Haynes (Metropolitan Transit Authority), Sherry Franklin and Thomas Petrillo (Tourism and Convention Commission), Ron Parham (Work Release Commission). Four appointments (Health Board, Parks Board, Transportation Licensing Commission) referred back for interviews (referred to June 3 meeting). Father Edward Steiner’s reappointment deferred one meeting.
• Rule 9.3 Amendment – Deferred to July 1, 2025, per Rules Committee recommendation.
• Budget Bills on First Reading – FY2026 Operating Budget (BL2025-833), Tax Levy (BL2025-834), Capital Improvements Budget (BL2025-835) passed first reading and set for public hearing on June 3, 2025.
• Other First Reading Bills – BL2025-836 (alarm permit display), BL2025-838 (new city positions), BL2025-839 (remnant property sale), BL2025-840 (park donation from Greystar), BL2025-841 (honorary street name), BL2025-842 (Cumberland River Compact agreement), BL2025-843-845 (utility easements).