Metropolitan Council Regular Meeting – April 7, 2026
Metropolitan Council Regular Meeting – April 7, 2026
The Metropolitan Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Courthouse. Thirty‑seven members were present. The meeting included invocation by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, approval of prior minutes, consideration of appointments, a rule amendment, public hearings, consent agenda, resolutions, and bills on second and third reading. Key votes addressed a change to board appointment procedures, a hotel‑to‑housing conversion in Joelton, a tax equity study, and a winter storm water bill credit.
Consent Calendar
- Approved by a vote of 32‑0‑0: 24 resolutions and 8 ordinances on second reading (including grants, contracts, easements, and zoning changes) that received unanimous committee approval. Removed from consent were items related to the Alyssa Lotkis Safety Act, tax equity study, honoring Reverend Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr., Child Abuse Prevention Month, and a Planned Unit Development amendment.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Philip Pillet (firefighter, Local 140) spoke on Article 25 of the Metro‑firefighter MOU, alleging that Kelly Day compensation may violate the Fair Labor Standards Act. He requested clarification from the appropriate committee.
- Dr. Leslie Benmark (Joelton resident, 55 years) opposed rezoning the Days Inn to 120 multi‑family units, stating that the motel serves the community and should remain a motel.
- During the public hearing for BL2026‑1311 (Gifford Place), 12 speakers addressed the council: four in support (developer, investor, two residents) and eight in opposition (including former State Representative Gary Moore, residents citing infrastructure, traffic, and community character).
Discussion Items
- Rules of Procedure Amendment (Rule 50) – Council Member Kupin proposed allowing a one‑meeting deferral for board/commission nominees who cannot attend the scheduled interview, with approval from the Rules Committee and full Council. Chair Cash offered a substitute that also defers the corresponding election. After debate, the substitute passed 27‑6. The rule takes effect in 30 days.
- BL2026‑1311 (Gifford Place PUD Amendment) – Proposal to amend a Planned Unit Development to convert a former Days Inn into 120 multi‑family residential units at 201 Gifford Place. Sponsor Kimbrough noted the property is not profitable as a hotel and called the conversion “workforce housing.” Opponents argued the area lacks infrastructure, transit, and jobs; supporters cited need for affordable housing and successful similar conversions elsewhere. Approved on second reading 29‑2‑3.
- RS2026‑1890 (Tax Equity Study) – Resolution requesting Metro to research and analyze tax rates and services between the Urban Services District (USD) and General Services District (GSD). A motion to defer failed 9‑26. Adopted 34‑1 after discussion about cost and scope.
- BL2026‑1273 (Downtown Code Amendments) – Extensive proposed changes to the Downtown Code covering hotel, parking, design, and traffic provisions. Sponsor Kupin moved a one‑meeting deferral with re‑referral to the Planning and Zoning Committee to consolidate 23 amendments. A motion for previous question failed 17‑14‑1, then the deferral with re‑referral was approved by voice vote.
- BL2026‑1294 (Water Bill Credit for Winter Storm) – Proposed one‑time credit for water/sewer users due to January 2026 winter storm. After the previous question passed 25‑8, the bill failed on third reading 16‑18.
Key Outcomes
- Board and Commission Confirmations: Unanimously confirmed Evan R. Brown (Arts Commission), Jessica Farr (Planning Commission, voice vote with one No), and four reappointments to the Sustainability Advisory Committee (Allen, Carney, Hamman, Teatro) on a single vote (removed Farr for individual vote).
- Rule 50 Amendment: Adopted 27‑6, effective May 7, 2026.
- BL2026‑1311: Passed second reading 29‑2‑3 (roll call).
- RS2026‑1890: Adopted 34‑1.
- BL2026‑1294: Failed on third reading 16‑18.
- Deferrals: BL2025‑703/704 (Historic Landmark Overlay) deferred to October 6, 2026; BL2026‑1266 (Murfreesboro Pike rezoning) deferred one meeting; BL2026‑1273 and BL2026‑1284 deferred to April 21, 2026 with re‑referral to Planning and Zoning.
- Other: BL2026‑1195 (bar/nightclub in shopping centers) withdrawn by sponsor; BL2026‑1255 (sandwich board signs) amended and passed second reading; BL2026‑1295 (community meeting requirements) passed second reading with multiple amendments; BL2026‑1315 (permit prioritization for affordable housing/daycare) passed second reading as substituted and amended; BL2026‑1316 (shopping center trash containers) passed second reading as amended; BL2026‑1297 (COBRA administration contract) passed third reading unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Evening, everyone. Today is Tuesday, April the 7th, and I would like to open up the announcements, period. We're gonna start off with a presentation from Councilmember Zolfat Sorora. We have a resolution, RS 2026-1765 from Councilmember Sorora, a resolution honoring the 90th anniversary of John Early Museum Magnet Middle School. And we also have a proclamation, a proclamation honoring the life of Iman Youssef Abdullah. Uh Sorora, you are recognized. Thank you, Pro Tim. Um, I'm so honored to be presenting this proclamation to John Early. Anyone that knew my story and have had me on the campaign trail and in every space that I am, I talk about this school. John Early is a school that I think gets enough recognition. Uh, John Early is a museum magnet school. The museum program in that school is phenomenal. Um, my daughter went through it. John Early is also a feeder to infog. A lot of people did not know that. Uh, the program, the academics, but the support uh of the staff there is just it helped shaped my daughter's life. Uh, she's doing mock trial and everything that she's doing now because of what she got there, the presentation, the attention. Uh, I and I just want to make sure that I we continue to leave that school up. Uh uh enrollment is dwindling. I mentioned this when we're talking about Buchanan Street and all of that the other time. And what about we need to do to continue to support that school and its area and for all that it's that it's done for uh not Nashville in the last uh 90 years. So this is a resolution honoring the 90th anniversary of John Early Museum Magnets Middle School. Whereas on November 6th, 2025, Joan Early Museum Magnet Middle School celebrated its 90th anniversary with an exhibition detailing the history of the school. And whereas the school was named the Davidson County Businessman Board of Education Chair, was named for Davidson County businessman, board of education chair, and lifelong community advocate John Early. With generous donations from the Scared Vennett Center, the school became a museum themselves, displaying many artifacts throughout the school and a dedicated exhibit space. And we're using this 90th year, the school earned a level five rating from the Tennessee Value Added Assessment System into Kitchen Academic Growth Beyond Expectations. And whereas it is fitted and proper to celebrate the scholars, faculty, and staff of John Early Museum Magnet Middle School for 90 years of service to the Nashville and Davidson County. Now therefore be resolved by the Council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. At the Metropolitan County Council, we are by goes on record, honoring John Early Museum Magnet School for 90 years of education in Nashville and Davison County. This resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the will feel the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it. I have with me the principal of the school and the famous Miss E. The reason why we went to John Early. Thank you, Councilwoman. We are definitely uh honored to be serving at John Early Middle School in North Nashville over by Metro Center. Uh we are a level five school for the first time this year, and we are meeting 11 out of our 12 focused outcomes by the district this year. So I'm excited for the growth that we have. And um, we also are a Vanderbilt Model School, and so we're excited about our partnership with Vanderbilt and our continued growth and our trajectory upward. But I will let our students speak because that's more powerful than me. Good evening. My name is Calissa Lester. My name is Dale Pratt. And my name is Tristan Meddox. I would like to say I am honored to receive this resolution on behalf of John Early Museum Magnet Middle School. I'm very thankful that you chose to give us this resolution, even though there are other schools that could have gotten it. In addition to that, I am so glad you let us, the students, accept this award. I'm positive that this will keep us growing at a high level rate and continue to be a level five middle school. I just want to say thank you for choosing this school and acknowledging John Early Middle School's 90th birthday. I appreciate you for giving us this resolution. I'm glad you see how great we are. This is a great opportunity for us.
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