Metropolitan Council Meeting - August 19, 2025: Elections, Nations Rezoning, and Homeless Services Funding Approved
Metropolitan Council Meeting - August 19, 2025
The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County met on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Metropolitan Courthouse. The meeting included elections for the Industrial Development Board, confirmations of numerous board appointments, nominations for leadership positions, public comments, a consent agenda, and debate on several resolutions and ordinances. Key actions included approval of a $3.5 million contract for homeless services at Strobel House, passage of the Nations neighborhood plan (rezoning and urban design overlay), and deferral of a parking minimum elimination bill.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (31-0) all items on the consolidated consent agenda, including resolutions appropriating $200,000 in ARP funds for Parkwood Community Club ballfields, approving grants for affordable housing, computer-assisted mass appraisal software, inmate communications, and numerous public works and sewer infrastructure projects.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Gray Skinner (Nashville resident) spoke in support of the Nations zoning proposal (BL2025-830, 831, 832), emphasizing its potential to address housing affordability for teachers and city workers.
- Woody Baum (Nations resident) spoke in support of the Nations plan, highlighting the inclusive process and improvements to tree canopy, stormwater, and height consistency.
- Steve Ryder spoke in opposition to Resolution RS2025-1436 ($3.5 million for Depaul USA at Strobel House), alleging financial mismanagement and policy violations by the Office of Homeless Services.
- Lauren Mackley spoke in opposition to the Nations plan, presenting a petition of 925 signatures and requesting a deferral to align the UDO with promised objectives (e.g., 4 units per lot, 35-foot height).
- Manon Hall spoke in support of the Nations plan and criticized removal of benches on KVB, linking it to homelessness.
- Ben Vaught (Nations resident, former civil engineer) spoke in support of the Nations plan, arguing it is a choice between density and sprawl.
- Chris Rimke (District 15) spoke in opposition to the Nations plan, asking for deferral to fix three issues: 4 units per lot, 35-foot height, and missing middle on corridors.
- Rachel Gladstone (23-year Nations resident) spoke in opposition, requesting deferral to align the UDO with stated neighborhood goals.
- Patsy Harvey (District 23) spoke in opposition, supporting deferral to allow further community collaboration.
- Michael Lacey spoke in support of RS2025-1436 but criticized lack of transparency and democratic norms in contract oversight.
Discussion Items
- Industrial Development Board Elections (25-069): After five rounds of voting, the council elected Tequila Johnson (22 votes), Nancy VanReece (20 votes), and Laura Yankee (22 votes) to fill three vacancies. Other nominees included Derek Lisle, Bob Braswell, David Ware, and Natalie Alvarez.
- Confirmations (G1-G9): Unanimously confirmed appointments to the Action Commission, Historical Commission, Hospital Authority Board, Human Relations Commission, Nashville Entertainment Commission, Stormwater Management Commission, and Transit Authority (MTA). The appointment of James Hoobler to the Historic Zoning Commission was withdrawn.
- Nominations (H1-H6): Nominations were announced for the Historical Commission, President Pro Tempore, Planning and Zoning Committee Chair, Traffic and Parking Commission, Metro Audit Committee, and Short-Term Rental Appeals Board; elections will occur on September 2, 2025.
- Resolution RS2025-1436 – Strobel House Funding: Debate centered on an expired contract and improper payments. Councilmember Vo moved to defer; motion failed 10-26. After discussion, the resolution passed 30-4-2. The Finance Department clarified that a new purchase order system would prevent recurrence.
- Resolution RS2025-1440 – MOU with TN Dept of Safety for EMT Training: Approved 27-6-2. Councilmember Suara noted concerns about patient data access but supported the fire department’s safeguards.
- Resolution RS2025-1459 – Parkwood 8U All-Stars: Approved unanimously with a substitute, making all affirmative votes cosponsors.
- Nations Neighborhood Plan (BL2025-830, 831, 832): After extensive debate and a recess, the council passed the rezoning (BL2025-830) 25-9-1, the urban design overlay (BL2025-831) and companion building materials ordinance (BL2025-832) 27-6-2. Amendments included clarification on existing short-term rentals and a requirement for a multimodal master plan. Councilmember Horton addressed height limits (35 feet on interior streets) and impervious surface ratios to mitigate flooding.
- BL2025-837 – Parking Minimum Elimination: Deferred one meeting to September 2, 2025, after Councilmember Gamble expressed concerns about impacts on elderly residents and neighborhood parking.
- BL2025-882/883 – Solley Drive Specific Plan: Deferred two meetings to September 16, 2025, on sponsor motion.
- Other second reading items (BL2025-954, 955, 956): Deferred one meeting per committee recommendations.
Key Outcomes
- Elected to Industrial Development Board: Tequila Johnson, Nancy VanReece, Laura Yankee.
- Confirmed Appointments: Topania Byars, Gary Burke, Jane Landers, Rev. Shane Scott, Dr. Amy Crawford Charlton, Hazel Smith, Fiona Haulter Abbott, Kathryn Hays.
- Approved Resolutions: RS2025-1436 ($3.5M for Strobel House, vote 30-4-2), RS2025-1440 (EMT training MOU, vote 27-6-2), RS2025-1459 (Parkwood All-Stars recognition).
- Passed on Third Reading: BL2025-830, 831, 832 (Nations plan) with amendments.
- Deferred: BL2025-837 (parking minimums, one meeting to Sep 2), BL2025-882/883 (Solley Drive, two meetings to Sep 16), other second reading items (one meeting).
- Next Meeting: September 2, 2025, with elections for President Pro Tempore and other leadership roles.
Meeting Transcript
Will the meeting please come to order? Today is Tuesday, August 19th, 2025. This is the 15th meeting of 2025 and the 44th regular meeting of the current term of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville in Davidson County. Will all members of the council as well as the public please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance? The invocation is being offered this evening by Councilmember at large, Berkeley Allen. Thank you. Let us bow our heads. Loving God, we thank you for your creation of abundance and beauty. We thank you for a city full of opportunity and potential. We ask you to give us all the wisdom to see where injustice keeps some from enjoying enjoying the fruits of this bounty. Show us where we can be bold to stand up for those who are hurting, hungry, or without housing. Be with this body tonight as we debate topics that affect people's lives and livelihoods. Help us to keep the good of all in front of us as we make tough choices so that we can make this world a better place. In your name we pray, amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Councilmember Allen. Council members, pursuant to my memo of this past Friday, we will have some changes in leadership effective September 2nd, and thus for some but not all of our committees. This is the last meeting for their current chair. So I do want to express my gratitude to budget and finance chair Delisha Porterfield, Public Health and Safety Chair, Aaron Evans, Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Parker, and all three of whom who've served uh for two years, um, uh as well as Chair Gamble uh for planning and zoning. Um still be presiding um at the next meeting. Um rules, confirmations in public elections, Chair Prep T and Arts Park and Libraries Chair Gadd. So thank you to them all. They have all served you well. Okay, um, I want to express the council's condolences on the passing of the Honorable Judge Bill Higgins, uh, who was also a two and a half term council member representing District 24 prior to his serving five terms, some four decades as a general sessions judge for Nashville and Davidson County. We are grateful for his service and wish also to mark the passing of the honorable judge Randall Wyatt. Um, we extend our condolences to both gentlemen's families, friends, and colleagues. At last meeting, we marked the return to school for our Metro Nashville public school students. And as the Athens of the South, we also have many college students arriving back on campus and getting their studies started this week. So they would we welcome them back to Nashville. And uh back to school month is also National Immunization Awareness Month. So we remind all Nashvilleans to please consult with their physicians regarding recommended vaccines to help keep Nashville healthy. And to that same end, council will be doing its part by joining with the Metro Health Department again for our third year to provide flu vaccines to everyone working uh in the historic courthouse and city hall and its environment and attending our first October council meeting. Um, regarding that first October council meeting, uh, please note that due to the primary election for the 7th district congressional seat, uh, the first October council meeting will be shifted to Thursday, October the 9th. Please make a note, and we will be noticing that shift as well as one for the first meeting in December in the coming days. Okay. All right. Uh, 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 August 5th? As okay. Um, there's a motion properly seconded, and so without objection, and seeing no one seeking to be recognized for a change to the minutes. The minutes of the meeting of August 5th, 2025 are approved. Mr. Clerk, are there any messages from the mayor? There are no messages from the mayor. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. All right. Um, the first item on our agenda this evening, Section E' elections. The first uh and only election that we have this evening is uh for the Industrial Development Board.
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