Metro Council Meeting Summary - November 18, 2025

The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County convened on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, for its twenty-first meeting of the 2025 term. The session began with land acknowledgments and various councilmember announcements regarding community events, including the 40th Donaldson Christmas Parade and Transgender Day of Remembrance. Following the invocation and approval of prior minutes, the Council conducted a judicial election, confirmed six appointees to various boards and commissions, and processed a wide range of legislation, resolutions, and rule amendments, including the failure of a major procedural rule change and the deferral of several zoning and code amendment items.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved all items on the consolidated consent agenda after three items (Res 1654, Res 1656, Ord 1092, Ord 1095, and Ord 1096) were removed by councilmember request for individual consideration.
• All resolutions and ordinances remaining on the consent agenda, including Resolutions 2025-1627 through 2025-1651 and Ordinances BL 2025-1117 through BL 2025-1112 (excluding pulled items), were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Steve Ryder opposed Bill 1113 (a tax-related ordinance), requesting clarification on whether the bill remains amendable at its third reading. He expressed concern that raising taxes could further harm struggling small businesses, citing specific closures and the potential burden on medium-sized businesses.

Discussion Items

• Judicial Election: The Council elected Jody Bell to fill the vacancy in General Sessions Court, Division Six. The final vote tally was 20 for, with no other major tally details provided for the other nominees. Candidates made the following positions clear:

  • C. Michael Robinson: Expressed full support for being appointed, arguing that his experience as a third-term judicial magistrate allows him to "start the job day one" with efficiency. He emphasized his ability to distinguish between criminal and civil dockets and his history of public service.
  • Mark Andrew Cole Sr.: Stated his desire to serve, asserting his unique experience in both criminal and civil court compared to other candidates who were primarily focused on criminal law. He expressed a position of readiness to listen to litigants and act as a fair decision-maker from his first day.
  • Le Roy J. Ellis: Voiced his position that his multilingual abilities (speaking about 10 languages) and family history of civil rights advocacy (founding the ACLU locally) allow him to relate to diverse communities and ensure justice is accessible regardless of language or race.
  • David Jones: Expressed the position that he is the most qualified candidate due to his extensive experience as an Assistant District Attorney handling both criminal and civil matters in General Sessions Court. He argued that his hands-on prosecutorial experience gives him a unique understanding of how cases are handled.
  • Jody Bell: Expressed a position of ensuring dignity, respect, and fairness for all individuals appearing before her, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender, or origin.

• Rule 12 Amendment (Item J1): Council debated and voted on a rule change that would move non-binding honorary and memorializing resolutions to the proclamation category for efficiency.

  • Councilmember Sepulveda, Councilmember Cash, and Councilmember Boe all expressed opposition to the rule change. Councilmember Sepulveda argued that honoring history outweighs minimal time savings. Councilmember Cash noted the lack of support from minority, LGBTQ, and immigrant caucus members. Councilmember Boe positioned that resolutions provide necessary transparency and community autonomy that proclamations lack.
  • The motion for the previous question passed, ending debate. The amendment failed with 12 votes in favor, 14 against, and one abstention (insufficient for the required 27-vote supermajority).
  • Councilmember Johnston sponsored an amendment to Rule 12.3 which was defeated 5 against 0.

• Zoning and Code Amendments: Several items were deferred for further committee review or public input:

  • Ordinance BL 2025-1092: Councilmember Horton moved to defer one meeting to allow for an additional community meeting.
  • Ordinances BL 2025-1095 and 1096: Councilmember Vo and Welsh moved to defer both companion bills one meeting.
  • Ordinance BL 2025-1115: Councilmember Vo requested a one-meeting deferral for a fence permit requirement.
  • Ordinance BL 2025-1113 (Midtown CBD): Councilmember Koopin was notified of a mandatory one-meeting deferral by rule.
  • Ordinance BL 2025-1114 (Employee Surveys): Councilmember Evans noted a mandatory one-meeting deferral by rule.
  • Ordinance BL 2025-1063 (NDOT Fees): Councilmember Evan Siegel moved to defer to January 20, 2026, with re-referral to both Budget and Finance and Transportation Infrastructure committees.

Key Outcomes

• Election: Jody Bell was elected General Sessions Judge (Division Six) with 20 votes.
• Appointments Confirmed: The Council confirmed six appointees: Jeffrey Stovall (Board of Health), David Lawrence (MDHA), Arya Dang (Planning Commission), Janie Camp (Stormwater Management), Jay Fulmer (Stormwater Management), and Carrie Rogers (Transportation Licensing Commission), Chris Weinman (Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission), and Katie Eldhouse Jackson (Human Relations Commission).
• Rule Change Defeated: The amendment to Rule 12 to move resolutions to proclamations failed (12-14-1), preserving the current resolution process for community recognition.
• Legislation Deferred:
  • Resolutions 2025-1533 and 2025-1534 (Homeland Security grants) were deferred two meetings to December 16.
  • Resolution 2025-1655 (Emergency Communications reforms) was deferred one meeting to December.
  • Ordinance BL 2025-1146 was approved on first reading with second reading deferred to March 3, 2026.
  • Ordinances BL 2025-1095, 1096, 1113, 1114, and 1115 were deferred one meeting to December.
  • Ordinance BL 2025-1063 was deferred to January 20, 2026.
• Legislation Adopted:
  • Resolution 2025-1637 (Air pollution control grant) was adopted as substituted.
  • Resolution 2025-1644 (School Resource Officer grant) was adopted (23-2-2).
  • Resolution 2025-1654 ($32,710 claim settlement) was adopted (with one abstention).
  • Resolution 2025-1656 (Carson/W. Bill Beck Memorial Bridge naming) was adopted with a late typo amendment.
  • Ordinance BL 2025-956 (Street parking) was adopted as substituted.
  • Ordinance BL 2025-1061 (Animal Care and Control Commission) was adopted as amended.
• Meeting Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following the final votes, with the Chair wishing members a happy Thanksgiving.