Everyone, today is Thursday, May the seventh, and I would like to open up our announcement period.

I would like to open by acknowledging that this meeting is being held on the unceded stolen land of the Cherokee Shiny and UC people, and to remind you all that no one is illegal on stolen land that was built by stolen labor.

Councilmember Ellis, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

So I rise to um let the public know that on May the twenty third, I'm going to be hosting a aging well session uh in connection with United Way, and it's where you can come learn about um wills, power of attorneys, um, and things to protect your uh asset.

And it's a free event.

It is from ten until twelve.

Um, some of you may not know, uh, last year about eleven months ago, uh, the council had passed a resolution to grant money to United Way through the um, I forget exactly what it's called.

But anyhow, your tax dollars have gone to service, uh, legacy planning options for you.

And I'm hosting an event, Smith Springs, uh, community center from ten AM until noon on May the twenty-third.

So come out.

Thank you, Councilmember Ellis.

Council Member Styles, are you looking to be recognized?

Councilmember Styles, you recognize.

We are having an all Antioch cleanup.

It is districts 8, 28, 29, 31, 32, and 33.

We will be at the Southeast Community Center, also in the parking lot of Compton's, as well as the parking lot of Hamilton United Methodist Church.

And we will be doing shredded, recycling, bulk items, and there will be a clothing collection at the Hamilton United Methodist Church location.

So we'll also be having neighborhoods doing cleanups.

So this is everyone in Antioch coming together to clean up and make our neighborhood beautiful.

So if you are living in any of those districts, look for the flyers.

We'll all be sharing them as council members and also beautification commissioners.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Styles.

Councilmember Surra, you're recognized.

Thank you, Pro Tim.

I really don't have an announcement, but I just feel the need to get up and say something about what went down at the state capital this week.

A lot of people think what just happened was about Memphis, but it's not about Memphis only because that map actually affects Nashville as well.

But what was apparent from what went down is that everything that was done was intentionally done to raise the voices of black people.

As a student of the civil rights movement, as somebody who talks about Lewis and Nash and the students in this city that stood, that fought, that were beaten, that were jailed to to be able to get the rights to votes and for everything that it did for all of that to be rolled back with the voices of blacks are be taken.

And what was so unful and was so sad about this whole thing was how intentional, how uncaring, how malicious it felt.

I'll I'll how you can tell that people the GOP was doing this on purpose.

And they did not care that black people were being hurt after everything that blacks is going through in this country, 250 years later of independence, 400 years of uh of what's been here building this city.

That chamber was built by slaves by black people, and what they did then to today was an insult to the people that build those chambers, to the voices that have gone that have left.

So I just uh I had to say something.

I couldn't say it all in there, but I felt like at least I have a voice in here.

And uh there is a quote by Angela Davis that says in the racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist.

You must be anti-racist.

So what are we all doing about it?

It's gonna affect all of us at the end of the day.

But today is such a sad day, and um, history is gonna tell on all the people that did it.

Just like we're celebrating the people that fought for freedom after we all are gone, the people that did today, history.

We remember them as people that ruled things back and that they were coward, that we that that they had no soul, and the with me.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Sora.

I was gonna wait to the um end of the announcement period to comment on it personally, but I'll um just piggyback off of uh what you said.

Um I'm sitting here with no voice because I've spent the last three days at the Capitol.

Um and Councilmember Sora was was there as well as some of my other colleagues uh being originally from Memphis and native uh Memphian, lifelong Tennessee, and it was extremely frustrating, extremely hurtful, extremely disappointing.

Um, but what we saw was beautiful resilience and hope and um even when people try to bury us, we still rise and to see so many elected officials, organizers and community groups and clergy stand together um to stand for uh fair maps in Memphis and to sit stand for fair representation uh was truly inspiring.

So um while we are uh we took a hit today, we are um our heads are bloody but unbowed, and we will continue the fight.

So thank you, Councilmember Sora.

Council Member Bo, you are recognized.

Thank you so much, Pro Tim.

Um and I do want to, of course, thank everyone who came out to vote on our May 5th election.

I hope that we remember that we continue to need to use our voices and um of course, I stand in support with Councilmember Swara and uh Pro Tim Porterfield um in their comments.

Uh we cannot be silent um in this time.

Um lots of things are happening in District 17, and I want to um share these moments and um opportunities for community.

Uh on Saturday, May 9th, there will be a group walk.

Um they'll be doing meet at Fair Park Dog Park at 7:30 a.m.

And then later that day after you do a walk, you can head to 12 South.

At 11 a.m.

they are doing AMAC and the Islamic Center is doing it.

Understanding your Muslim neighbors.

I encourage everyone to go to these wonderful events.

I have a community meeting on Monday, May 11th.

This will be focusing on stormwater on Vox Lane.

Of course, everyone is invited who's interested, but that will be at Sevier Park at 6 30 p.m.

So I invite my constituents to head to that.

And a quick call for um grant panelists.

The Metro Arts is seeking community members to serve as paid grant panelists.

And if you're interested, you want to learn more, just um go to the Metro Arts website.

And the deadline to apply is Monday, June 15th.

And I hope that you will engage in local government.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Councilmember Vaux.

Councilmember Gag, you are recognized.

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker Pro Tim.

I would like to also uh lift my voice up to join uh you uh council member Suara and Councilmember Voe and lifting up uh the resistance and the work that was done here from uh community organizers from across the state, but many and all of our constituents who have uh been present, lifting their voices, sharing their um perspectives and resistance to the the overt racism um exhibited by our Tennessee legislature and general general assembly by uh implementing um the Jim Crow maps that they did um in a race trying to erase uh people's voices in Memphis.

So um a big thank you to all uh constituents who um have been reaching out um and seeing what they can do.

Um everyone's doing it by lifting their voice.

So thank you and um thank you to those from Memphis for coming all the way here to make sure that they are heard and seen.

Um and so um uh and that Nashville can welcome them while they're here.

Um with that, I'd also like to share just a couple of things uh that are coming up in the district that we're very very excited about.

Um the Friends of McCabe and our McCabe community center.

We will be opening up our new playground um and uh it's almost complete.

And on May 15th, we will have um our version of a ribbon cutting to support that.

Uh the Friends Group has uh worked really hard to raise funds uh to have this uh ADA accessible as well as an all-age accessible uh park.

So we are incredibly excited about that.

So stay posted on the specific time and um for those who were not able to join yesterday evening's uh Athena Bikeways um uh N DOT planning meeting, uh community meeting for Ackland Park in the district.

We are um we have that posted on the N DOT website for the entire community meeting that was uh held.

And I would also like to invite my colleagues to um look around and be aware of some things will be coming your inbox so you can participate in period poverty awareness week.

Um, we'll have a resolution a little bit later today, and um uh my call our our colleagues uh will be reaching out to you very soon on ways you can engage.

Thank you, council member um gadcilmember Allen.

You're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I don't think this has been announced yet, and I want to make sure people don't miss the um Tour de Nash, which is this Saturday, uh May 16th, beginning downtown.

That is the opportunity to either do a family bike ride that's not very long or a good tour of uh many bikeways and greenways um within Nashville or a 45-mile tour of the whole darn county by golly.

Um it's not a right, it's not a race, it's a ride, um, which is just a fun way to discover what great bike infrastructure we have in Nashville and where we can do better.

So I invite people to go to Walk Bike Nashville website and uh and sign up and show up for whatever length works for you.

Thank you so very much, Councilmember Allen.

Councilmember Cooping, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Pro Tem, and wanna just echo my my colleagues um elevating the atrocity that happened today.

I was at the Capitol um watching this, watching this go down, and Tennessee um has been known as the place where women got the right to vote, shifting um voting rights in this country, and today it's gonna be known as the the place that democracy um was under attack.

Uh it just it's it's important to me.

It's awful to me to have a sitting U.S.

senator and and sitting legislatures say that we don't like the results we're getting from elections, so we're gonna redraw the maps to get the result that we want.

Um, from that's dictatorship that's not democracy, um, and it disenfranchises voters, and it's it's uh horrific and awful and racist, and uh just want to elevate my voices in standing against that and sharing the appreciation for the folks that came out today and spoke and peacefully protested and raised their voice and just standing in solidarity with everyone who I believe is uh hurting pretty bad today.

So thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Culpin.

Councilmember Vaux, you're recognized.

Thank you so much, Pro Tem.

Um, I completely forgot whenever I stood up to talk.

Uh, I wanted to, of course, wish everyone a happy um Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

I am really proud.

I send out a press release to share all activities going out throughout the city, but I'm really proud tonight that in the second um on the second floor in the mezzanine, you can see in a photograph exhibit called Almost Asian, Almost American, um, by a local photographer and director, Diana King.

I hope that you all will take a minute um to go and see this exhibit um because it just focuses on um the lived experiences of Asian American women and the challenges when it discusses um acceptance and beauty standards and the complexities of all of that.

Um if you go to my Instagram, you'll see a video component, but in the hall is the digital um side.

So please go ahead and um uh view that before tonight.

It'll be up through the end of council.

And uh just um thank you so much, and I hope you'll celebrate with us um every day, uh, but especially in May.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Vaux, Councilmember Kimbrough, you are recognized.

Thank you.

On um Tuesday May 12th next week at six o'clock.

I will host a district one community meeting regarding a rezoning um near Cumberland Elementary School, and um it is for the development of several homes.

It will be at six o'clock at the Ivy Center, which is located at 4344 Ashland City Highway.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilmember Cambro.

Is there anyone else that would like to be recognized?

Any other colleagues that would like to be recognized?

Well, I will uh before I close the announcement period, I will take a moment of uh personal privilege.

Um yesterday I had the opportunity to celebrate my birthday, but more importantly, on this day, 19 years ago, I had the honor of becoming a mother.

So I just want to say happy birthday to my beautiful, brilliant, smart college freshman daughter, Janaya.

She turned 19 today.

She is taking her final exams for her freshman year this year, and I'm so incredibly proud of her.

So happy birthday, Janaya.

And with that, I'll close the announcement period.

Today is Thursday, May seventh, twenty twenty six.

This was the eighth meeting of twenty twenty six and the sixtieth meeting of the current term of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville in Davidson County.

Well, 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 Pastor Rick Roberts of St.

John's Lutheran Church.

He is the guest of District 15 Council Member Jeff Gregg.

Welcome, Pastor Roberts.

You are recognized.

Thank you.

In our tradition, we begin prayers with the Lord be with you and people responding also with you.

It's kind of like Are you ready?

Let's go.

The Lord be with you.

Good and gracious God.

You are known by many names, by many different people and different faith traditions.

We thank you for this day that you have given us.

We thank you for the many blessings that you continue to shower down on all people.

Help us to know those blessings, help us to share those blessings.

And as we go through this meeting, may we truly listen to each other and hear each other and work together for the common good.

We lift all this up in your most holy name.

Amen.

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States.

To the Republic, one nation, God.

Thank you very much, Pastor Roberts.

Welcome, Council, and community members on what is a dark day for democracy and voting rights in Tennessee.

I do still want to make sure to thank everyone who put themselves forward in Tuesday's local election.

Congratulations to those who prevailed and thanks to those who volunteered in support of candidates, and especially uh thank you to the voters.

With not quite 6% of active voters having participated in Tuesday's election, it is so very important that we encourage all of Davidson County's 478,000 registered voters to exercise that right in upcoming elections, and for all eligible persons to make sure they register to vote.

As elected officials, we will do our best, as always, to make sure Nashvilleans have the information they need to exercise their vote in an increasingly confusing and unfair environment where partisan state officials are disenfranchising Tennesseans and choosing their voters.

Young people, I will tell you, you are going to get a lot of disheartened questions about what is going on in the United States.

Experience their urban design and walkable neighborhoods, their investments in bikeable infrastructure, and bring that knowledge and expectation back to Nashville too.

This is bike month after all.

Guests in the last year for our local government 101 presentation.

They had very pointed questions about the rise of fascism in America and about racism in the United States.

They were not afraid to use those words.

And they were highly interested in Nashville's civil rights history and legacy.

So I hope you will talk about all this with the families with whom you are staying and represent Nashville and the United States honestly and well as citizen diplomats.

These human connections in dark times when history is reversing and repeating itself are very important.

All right.

We have 11 great local area schools represented here today.

MLK, USN, St.

Cecilia, Whites Creek, Hunter's Lane, Hartbeth Hall, MBA, Brentwood Academy, and BGA will allow it.

Y'all are a little outside of Nashville, but you're in the greater Nashville region.

James Lawson High School with the largest representation from Hume Fogg High School with nine students.

Welcome to you all and to your family and your chaperones.

We will now proceed to the oath administration and the sister cities ambassadors' oath.

Would the students who will be Nashville's ambassadors to Mendoza please rise?

Students who will be ambassadors to COM, please stand.

And now the students serving as ambassadors to Magdeburg.

All right.

Would you all please raise your right hand and repeat after me?

I pledge to represent the city of Nashville.

To the best of my abilities.

As an official sister city's ambassador.

I will share the culture of Nashville.

I also share the culture of Nashville.

And respect the culture of my host city.

And respect the culture of my own city.

I will honor our partners and partnerships.

I will honor our writers and priorities.

As I do my own part.

In this important international exchange.

All right, congratulations to you all.

All right, you may be seated.

All right.

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 April 21st, 2026?

There is a motion properly seconded without objection.

And seeing no one seeking to be recognized for a change to the minutes.

Okay.

The minutes of the meeting of April 21st are approved.

Mr.

Clerk, are there any messages from the mayor?

Yes, Vice Mayor, we have two messages.

All right, Mr.

Clerk, go ahead.

Dear Vice Mayor Henderson and members of council.

Last week in my state of Metro address, I laid out a vision for a city that's affordable, safe, and a place where we can all achieve a better future we imagine for ourselves.

I followed up the address on Friday by filing the third operating budget of our shared term, one focused on addressing affordability for our residents and employees.

And my budget, I recommended cutting the local option sales tax on groceries by 22%, so that in a time when almost everything costs more in Nashville, it will cost a little less to feed your family.

The budget recommends a sixty-nine million dollar investment into the unified housing strategy to improve housing affordability, and it fully funds the second year of our employ employee pay plan so that Metro employees can also keep pace with the growing economy.

Overall, the budget continues to invest in quality schools, reliable services, and overall safety.

It also reflects the economic realities of the local, state, and national level and requires Metro to tighten its belt to ensure we remain financially strong and stable.

That's attached to this message.

Please also find our recent state of Tennessee reporting forms, which include recently reaffirmed credit ratings from the three primary bond rating agencies.

Thank you for your support and partnership on our shared priorities, and I extend my thanks to our Department of Finance for their impressive work.

Sincerely, Mayor Freddie O'Connell.

Dear Vice Mayor Henderson and members of council.

Pursuant to regulations of the Tennessee Comptroller's Office, please find the attached state of Tennessee reporting forms for the 2026 Series D general Obligation Bonds in the amount of 556,660,000.

The 2026 Series D bonds were issued to refinance outstanding bonds and were authorized through resolution RS 2026-1772 on February 3rd, 2026.

Metro Nashville strong financial management was recognized by the three primary bond rating agencies who reaffirmed our credit ratings.

Moody's SP and Kroll rating agencies specifically acknowledged Metro's well-maintained financial operations supported by sound financial debt and fund balance policies.

Metro secured a favorable aggregate interest rate of 3.188% for its 2026 D bonds, which resulted in net present value savings of 18,830,686.

As always, we appreciate the Metropolitan Council's support on these important financing initiatives.

Sincerely, Freddie O'Connell, Mayor.

All right.

Um thank you, Mr.

Clerk, and uh thank you, Mr.

Mayor, for those messages.

All right.

Next, um uh we are on section E of our agenda um elections.

Um candidates in this uh category uh were subject to a recommendation vote by the rules confirmations and public elections uh committee and an election by the council item E1 is uh an election to fill one vacancy on the health and education facilities board with a term expiring September 30th of 2028 without objection um with only uh one candidate uh uh mr.

Chair, do you do you have a report to share, sir?

Yes.

Uh go ahead.

We we voted in favor of Nick Cavan seven to zero to zero.

Thank you, sir.

Um again without objection with only one candidate and having uh heard the report of chair cash uh for this uh vacancy this seat on the health and edge uh education facilities board uh we can do this election um by voice um no objection there okay uh would all members in favor of Mr.

Nick Cavan please say aye any no's or abstentions all right council has elected Mr.

Nick Cavan.

Congratulations.

All right.

Um next is Section F.

Um, appointees and nominees.

This portion of the agenda shares all persons who are scheduled to appear before the rules confirmations and public elections committee for an interview this evening.

Referrals back to the committee will be by rule as part of the council's two meeting process for elections and confirmations.

No votes will be taken by the body in this section of the agenda, other than for deferrals.

Chair Cash, your brief report, please.

No vote totals necessary, simply the name of those interviews and for which seats, and if a person in the appointment and confirmation process was unable to attend your committee this evening, at what next meeting they will appear, please, sir.

Go ahead.

All right.

Appointment of Winston Wright, East Bank Development Authority, um, I'm sorry, those are, yeah.

We we uh interviewed um, sorry, Nathaniel Carter and um Mr.

Bob Roswell was withdrawn.

Okay, uh farmers market board appointment of Sylvia Marcella Gomez.

The Historic Zoning Commission, uh reappointment of Elizabeth Mayhall, Midtown Central Business Improvement District Board of Directors Andrew Cook, Property Standards and Appeals Board.

Uh we interviewed uh Grafton Brittle and Roger Farmer for the Short-Term Rental Appeals Board.

We interviewed Diamond Bell and Kevin and Kevin Griffin.

I'm sorry, Griffith for the Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Uh Caroline Everett was withdrawn for the Tourism and Convention Commission, the reappointment of Dr.

Sybil Brown, and Mark Hayes for Tourism and Convention as well.

Okay.

Um, all right.

Um uh you've heard the report of Chair Cash, and just um to uh be clear, because all referrals uh will be uh by rule um to the next step.

Uh but Mr.

Bob uh Braswell has been withdrawn um from consideration for the East Bank Development Authority, and um uh Miss Caroline Everett has been withdrawn um for consideration for the sustainability advisory committee.

All right.

Um now for G confirmations.

Chair Cash, you're recognized again for your committee report on the appointees in the second step of your committee's two meeting process with vote totals and a consolidated motion for the confirmation of those persons, or first for a deferral motion if there are any.

With the action commission, the appointment of John Michael or Midtown Central Business Improvement District.

I'm about to read a bunch of them.

Um Michael Babb, Walt Burton, Lisa Holler, Andre LaChoir, Julia Baker, um Bob Franklin, Allie Hall Eagles, Emily Schneller, Donovan Sheffield, uh Charlie Couture, Chris Gala, Melik, uh Keith Sebenauler, uh, those were all for the Midtown Central Business Improvement District Board of Directors, then Parks and Recreation Board, reappointment of Dr.

Michelle Steele, short-term rental appeals board appointment of David Kleinfelter, um, sustainability advisory committee reappointment of Cesar Castro and Sustainability Advisory Committee appointment of Laura Donahue.

Again, all those votes were seven in favor, zero against zero not voting.

All right.

Um, could you make a motion, Chair Cash, um, to confirm uh all these appointees?

I move we confirm the appointees.

Okay, properly seconded.

Does anyone wish to remove an item from this consolidated motion for purposes of an individual abstention or no vote?

Okay, seeing none, all in favor of the remaining uh confirmations, please say aye.

Okay, um uh council has confirmed these appointees, and so to those confirmed appointees.

If you chose to return to the council chamber this evening, which I see quite a few of you did, welcome.

Uh that is not required, um, but do please stand as I call your names.

So council has confirmed um uh the uh appointments of uh John uh Michael to the Action Commission.

Uh to the Midtown Central Business Improvement District Board of Directors.

Council has confirmed Michael Babb, Walt Burton, Lisa Hallor, Andre Laquir, uh Julia Baker, Bob Franklin, Allie Hall Eagles, Emily Schneller, Donovan Sheffield, Charlie Couture, uh Chris Gala or Gayla, um, Malik Gay, uh, Keith uh Sebenaler, and then uh to the Parks and Recreation Board, uh the council has confirmed the reappointment of Dr.

Michelle Steele.

Um to the short-term rentals board, council has uh confirmed the appointment of uh uh the honorable David Kleinfelter.

Um, and uh to the sustainability advisory committee, uh council has confirmed the reappointment of uh Cesar Castro and um the appointment of Laura Donahue.

Congratulations to you all.

Whether here in person or watching from home, we appreciate your willingness to serve our city.

All right, council, we're gonna keep on rolling.

Um, you can continue to thank those individuals, but I would ask if you do have a nomination, we are in section H of our agenda.

Nominations to the Transportation and Licensing Commission.

If you're gonna thank these folks, please thank them quietly so we can proceed with our agenda.

Um, this is item H1 nominations to fill two vacancies on the commission uh with terms expiring April 30th with an election to be conducted at the June 2nd council meeting.

Um council members will have received a memo from me on April the 20th announcing these two vacancies, and this was also announced um from the dais it last meeting.

So I will now open nominations.

First in the queue is Councilmember Spain.

You're recognized.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, on behalf of Council Member Prep T and myself, I'd like to nominate Erica Penley.

Okay, um, Councilmember Spain and Prep T have nominated Erica Findley Penley Penley, Erica Penley, thank you.

All right.

Um uh council member tombs, madam chair, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

I'd like to um nominate Jalila Haig.

Okay, Councilmember Toomes has nominated Jalila Haig.

All right, and Councilmember Coopin, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President.

Annie Claver, please.

Okay, Councilmember Coopin has uh nominated Annie Claver.

All right.

Seeing no one else seeking to be recognized.

Uh the nominations are closed.

Uh please be on the lookout um for communication from the clerk's office, um, uh, to provide uh the contact information for your nominees.

All right.

Um next, uh, we are on to public comment, um, section I of our agenda.

Members of the public who are Tennessee residents wishing to speak at public comment may sign up at a table outside the council chamber from 5 to 6 p.m.

on the day of a council meeting.

Public comment is limited to 20 minutes total at council meetings, and each speaker is allowed up to two minutes to speak.

Uh, persons speaking on agenda items must be prioritized to comply with state law.

All right.

Um for public comment, um, we have two folks this evening.

Uh the first is Barbara Ann Jones, uh, speaking regarding the Barnes Fund in support um after uh Barbara Ann Jones will be Davey Tucker.

Uh go ahead and come forward.

Uh Ms.

Jones, you are uh recognized.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Again, you know my name.

Ms.

Jones, might you pull that microphone down a little bit closer to there?

You go.

Thank you.

Yes, ma'am.

We can hear you a little better.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Again, you know my name.

I'm here to speak on behalf of the uh Barnes Housing Trust Fund.

In 2013, the Barnes Housing Trust Fund was created and named after Reverend Bill Barnes.

The intent of the fund was to provide competitive grants to nonprofit organizations to create and preserve affordable housing.

The Department of Housing Urban Development HUD defines affordable as a household, paying no more than 30% of their gross income for housing cost.

That's whether it's rental or home ownership, plus utilities.

Typically, the fund focuses on serving residents at or below low to moderate incomes, the area median income, AMI, of 60% for rentals and 80% for homeownership.

The fund aids tremendously in addressing Nashville's affordable housing.

There is a shortage, and it definitely has to do with rentals and home ownership.

The Barnes Fund is also able to help nonprofit developers navigate the various entities within Metro Government, such as building codes or plumbing and electricity, zoning, and metro water.

Nashville, our its city, is in a housing crisis, the worst affordable housing crisis ever.

The need is urgent.

Last year, 16 grants were awarded to builders, totaling 870 homes.

The total for that was 35 million six hundred and six thousand dollars.

Ten of those were your time lots expired.

Yes, ma'am.

Sorry.

No worries.

Okay.

Next is Davy Tucker.

Go ahead.

Last week was probably unsettling for most of us in this room when the Supreme Court gutted the voting rights act.

And all the states that moved rather quickly, Tennessee included, to restrict representation.

I want to be clear that you became more important today.

Because this is the last representative body for the 800,000 Tennesseans.

You're the last representative body.

As we look at these five different um districts, those people share no commonality with us.

It's not that they're bad, but they don't share our shared vision.

They don't see home in the same place.

Do we have that anymore?

That ought to be untenable.

That ought to be something that makes us mad.

This is not just a black issue.

Yes, we fought early on because we were brought over here against our will.

But now many others have come.

So it's not a black issue, it's a brown issue, but it's also a class issue.

I've heard you talk about not poking the bear.

It didn't do anything.

Here we are.

You all are the last brink while we wait for the Supreme Court to rule on what this is gonna be.

Thank you, Mr.

Tucker.

All right, that uh concludes our public comment.

Only two folks haven't signed up.

Next um is Section J.

Um, a rule of uh procedure.

We take these up as we do uh legislation.

Agenda item J1 is an amendment uh to the rules of procedure.

Uh rule 46 regarding uh scheduling meetings.

Um the sponsor is council member prep T.

You are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor Committee Reports.

Uh Chair Cash for your report, please, sir.

We voted to defer one meeting, seven in favor, zero against zero not voted.

Okay, um, so that is a deferral by rule um eight point one.

Um that will be deferred to our uh next meeting, the second meeting in May.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Thank you.

Okay, all right.

Um, next um we move into uh section K of our agenda, bills on public hearing.

Spanish interpretation services are provided for all Metro Council public hearings.

Council office team member Karina Valdez is here as the interpreter.

Uh Ms.

Valdez, will you please share uh how you can help?

All right.

For those wishing to speak this evening as part of public hearings, please do state your name, but it is not required for you to provide your exact address if you do not wish to do so.

You may want to tell us in what neighborhood or area you live, your connection to an agenda item or project, or who your council member is.

All right.

So uh the first items um on public hearing are uh companions to each other, agenda items one and two.

Uh sponsor member uh or scheduled rather for a public hearing, uh sponsor uh prep T is uh ordinance BL 2025-1175 and its companion 1176.

1175 is an ordinance to amend title 17 of the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by applying a neighborhood conservation zoning overlay to various properties located north of Shackelford Road, west of Belmont Boulevard, east of Oriole Place, and south of Glen Echo Road, uh zoned RS 10 and R 10.

This is 38 acres.

Um, and again, 1176 is the companion which requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings.

Councilmember PEPT, you're recognized, sir.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Uh move to open the public hearing.

All right.

Um uh I declare the public hearing open um for uh council member prep T's uh bills one one seven five and one one uh seven six.

Um would all members of the public here in support of these bills, please raise your hand.

Would all members of the public here in opposition to these bills, please raise your hand.

Okay, I think Mr.

Prep T is conferring with staff.

Brief indulgence.

Go ahead, sir.

Mike's back on.

Yeah.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

At this moment, um, I'm going to uh withdraw the this piece of legislation.

Okay, um, I appreciate that.

I had a note here, and I I thought maybe some things had changed.

Um, but uh just uh for the record, as I know there may be members of the community uh interested in that.

Um you are then withdrawing um uh ordinance uh 2025 1175 um and its companion 11 uh 76 regarding uh the conservation zoning overlay.

Is that correct?

That is correct.

Okay, um those items have been withdrawn.

All right.

Uh next is agenda item uh three, ordinance BL 2026-1296, sponsor Cortez.

This is an ordinance amending chapter 17.40 of the Metro Code to require district council member notice of unenforceable conditions associated with approved specific plan, SP zoning districts, and their associated development plans.

Councilmember Cortez, you're recognized, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Uh move to open the public hearing.

All right.

I declare the public hearing open uh for council member Cortez's ordinance one two nine six.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill, please raise your hand.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill, please raise your hand.

All right.

Um seeing no one here on either side, I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for a motion on your bill.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Move to approve with a brief comment.

All right, is there a second?

Go ahead, sir.

Just to give a little uh context for the legislation.

Uh, at one point in my term, a uh legal decision was handed down uh for a project that passed before I was in office, and I was not made aware of that decision until about a year and a half after that legal decision was made.

Um it caused some consternation within the community.

So I worked with the planning department on this on this language just to make sure that regardless if it's legislation you passed or uh a previous council member had passed.

If it is your district, you will receive notification when a piece of an SP is uh deemed unenforceable.

All right, I appreciate the explanation.

Um let's see, there is a motion to approve, and it was properly seconded.

So we are on to discussion.

Um are any members seeking to be recognized for discussion of this item on its second of three readings?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right.

Um this has passed its second of three readings.

Uh next is agenda item four, ordinance BL 2026-1317.

Sponsors Horton Spain, Coop and Welsh, Huffman, Cap, GAD Allen, Evans Siegel, Swara, Evans, Parker, Ewing, Tombs, Vo, Benedict, Greg, Weiner, Cortez, Bradford, Ellis, Prep T, Sepulveda, and Harel.

This is an ordinance amending chapter 17.04, 0.08, 0.16, and.20 of the Metro Code of Laws to modify regulations pertaining to daycare uses.

I know that um council member Horton um uh is not with us this evening.

Mr.

Spain, um, co-sponsor, uh, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to open the public hearing.

All right, um, I declare the public hearing open.

Uh for uh councilmember Horton and Spain's and many other members, uh ordinance 1317 uh regarding uh daycare uses.

Uh would all members of the public here in support of this bill, please raise your hand.

Okay, would all members of the public here in opposition to this bill, please raise your hand.

All right.

Um seeing no one here uh on either side, uh I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for a motion on the bill, Mr.

Spain.

Move approval, brief comment.

All right, go ahead, sir.

I'd actually like to move the uh substitute by council member Horton.

Okay, um that's a proper motion.

So there's a motion to substitute um uh with a uh substitute from the planning department.

I think it applies the planning commission recommendations um uh from my notes there, um, and that motion to substitute is properly seconded.

Is there any discussion on the motion to substitute?

Seeing none, all in favor of the substitute, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, and if you renew your motion to approve is substituted, so moved.

All right, thank you.

Any discussion on that motion?

See none.

Um all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right.

This has passed its second of three readings as substituted.

All right.

Um next is agenda item five.

This is ordinance uh BL2026-1318 sponsors Parker and Horton.

This is an ordinance amending uh chapter 17.16 of the Metro Code of Laws to amend uh the regulations on home occupations.

Uh councilmember Parker, uh, you are recognized, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I would like to open the public hearing.

All right.

I declare the public hearing open uh for council member uh Parker and Horton's uh ordinance 13 uh 18 uh regarding home occupations.

Uh would all members of the public here in support of this bill, please raise your hand.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill, please raise your hand.

Seeing no one here on either side, council member Parker, I will declare the public hearing closed, and it's back to you for a motion to get this bill before us.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to move the substitute with a brief explanation.

Okay, if you could please move approval first, sir.

Uh move the substitute.

Okay.

Move approval of the bill first, please, sir.

My apologies.

That's okay.

So uh move approval of the bill.

Perfect.

And then I heard you also make a motion to substitute, which was subsequently sub uh seconded as well.

So now we're on the motion to substitute.

Would you like to have the floor for that?

Thank you.

Yes, um, just a brief explanation.

This was a substitute that came over to us from the planning commission.

Um it fixes improves some language around um allowed uses still prohibiting uh motor vehicle repair, but allowing things like exercise equipment, bicycles, etc.

to be um assembled or repaired um on the premises of a of a home occupation site.

So that's what it does.

All right.

Um there is a motion uh to substitute, it's properly seconded, and you have heard um uh a description of that substitute by uh the sponsor, and we're on to discussion, uh, with no one seeking to be recognized.

Um, all improved.

Oh, on the motion on the substitute, sir.

Okay, uh Councilmember Benton, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I just had a clarifying question for maybe legal.

Um I just I want to understand the consistency.

So for home occupation permits under this uh 2026 13 18.

Short-term rental permits and even permits where someone has to attest that they have permission from say a property owner.

Metro is going to rely on the applicant's sworn statement.

And the statement if the statement is false, Metro just simply revokes the permit and issues a stop work order.

Would you like me to address that um question to special counsel Wilson?

Uh okay.

Um uh Mr.

Wilson, you're recognized sir.

Uh council member, this uh uh this bill doesn't have a connection to short-term rules as I can tell home occupations are for uh home businesses.

Right.

I'm talking these are areas where we might ask for an affidavit or attestation if uh noticed uh I think it's uh 6B maybe.

There would be a an affidavit, within within the substitute, sir.

Okay.

If you can give me one moment, uh we'll pull uh six B.

And I'm not sure if anybody from the planning table, given that that the substitute was offered or um sponsor, would you like to respond?

That is not affected by the substitute.

Um that aspect I believe is in the code today of requiring uh permission of the property owner for a tenant to get a home occupation permit.

Okay, um, I it might have been changed slightly in the new language, but that's in the code today.

Okay, um, Mr.

Benton, so we are on a motion to substitute.

Um you heard uh the sponsor share that that um that affidavit uh piece uh that you may be seeing in the bill is is already in the code today.

I don't know if planning can speak to if there's a slight modification on that in the substitute.

Um Mr.

Lehman um uh for the planning department, go ahead.

There's no change in the substitute that and I believe the councilman Parker's correct that that's in the current code.

Okay, so to continue on that thought process.

So basically, what happened?

We're relying not on actually upholding anybody's contract, Mr.

Benton.

If we could let let's let's dispose of the substitute, we're on a motion to substitute.

That's what I'm on, because it's language in the substitute.

I just want to understand the consistency.

Go ahead, sir.

Um, when someone attests a certain way, Metro is not going to go and enforce contract law.

The attestation is strictly to it's basic in a truthful statement versus not truthful statement, and if they give us a false statement in this affidavit, then what is the remedy?

All right, what is the remedy for a false statement in the attestation that is in the bill?

It it appears the sponsor wants to address that.

Go ahead, sir.

Think of Iceman.

So I sat for um several years on the short-term rental appeals board.

Um, if you uh get a permit for Metro under false pretenses, I mean we have the right to revoke that permit.

Um, I don't think this would be any different than an STR permit.

Um, if Metro is um uh becomes aware that that was um falsely uh attested to, then I I think we would revoke the permit, yes.

All right.

Um uh special counsel is also uh nodding his head, yes.

Do you want to opine on that, Mr.

Wilson?

Uh I have nothing further to uh excuse me.

I add there um it would go through the typical enforcement process that would exist for uh violations of this code.

Okay, is that clarify everything, Mr.

Benton?

I think so.

So we're just it's based on them making a truthful statement.

That's it, correct?

Yes, sir.

Okay, that's good.

Okay, thank you.

All righty, um, we are on a motion to substitute.

Is there any further discussion?

Seeing none.

All in favor of the substitute, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, and if you would please renew your motion to approve is substituted.

I'll renew my motion to approve as substituted.

Ms.

Benedict is already uh pre-seconded that.

Is there uh any uh discussion on that motion?

Okay, go ahead, Ms.

Allen, you're recognized.

Thank you, madam chair.

Two questions.

What this first one may have already been answered.

One of the things that we're doing is to align with state law, and so we are getting rid of the um 20% of the home square footage definition to ensure that it's subordinate and going, I think with apparently with what's consistent with state law, saying that it has to be incidental and subordinate.

And my question is: how in the world is that enforced?

I mean, you could you can walk in and measure square footage, it's kind of hard to walk in and measure incidentalness.

And what was the other word incidental and subordinate subordinate?

Um, do you want to address that question to special counsel or to the planning table?

I'll I'll take either one.

I see Matt raising your okay.

Uh we'll go to the planning table.

Um Mr.

Lehman, you're recognized.

I mean, I think ultimately if there's someone that files a complaint, the zoning administrator would have to make the determination as to whether it's in compliance or not, and they would do a site inspection and and look at the property to make that determination.

Right.

Um go ahead, Miss Allen.

Thank you.

I had one other question.

Um also as I understand it.

This um removes a prohibition on outdoor repair of equipment, um, which can be a good thing, but I just wondered.

I mean, some people, you know, have have uh concerns about cars up on blocks in front of the houses or whatever.

Is there any accompanying requirement for screening or anything that would alleviate that concern?

Sponsor, do you want to address the question about screenings?

So I I believe that the substitute that planning sent us does not allow for the repair of equipment outdoors, whether powered or unpowered.

Um that was a clarification that the commission sought, and I believe is in the substitute.

Okay, all right.

Um, does that answer your question, Ms.

Allen?

All righty.

Um are there any uh uh further questions on um the motion to approve as substituted uh 1318 um on second of three readings.

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining.

Okay, this is passed its second reading as substituted.

All right, um, next is agenda item six ordinance BL 2026-1326, sponsor coupon.

This is an ordinance to amend Title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro government to clarify the entitlements of properties which are adjacent or within rail corridors within 17.

Uh 37 of the downtown code, all of which is described therein.

Okay.

Uh council member.

Oh, okay.

Um, Ms.

Evans, you are recognized.

Thank you.

I am uh substitute council member coupon for this legislation.

And I'd like to uh move the bill, please.

All right.

Um there is a motion uh to approve.

Um, well, let's see, we're on public hearing.

To open the public hearing, okay.

Um, I declare uh the public hearing open um uh for uh council member coupon and evans's um uh ordinance 1326.

Uh would all members of the public here in support of this bill, please raise your hand.

Would all members of the public here in opposition to this bill please raise your hand?

All right, um uh seeing um that there are um folks here in uh opposition.

Um, if there are any persons here in support um that uh wish to speak, um supporting speakers will go first.

Um so I do want to give another opportunity.

Anyone here in support wishing to speak?

All right, seeing none, those persons in opposition are welcome to uh come forward and speak if you would like go ahead, sir.

You're recognized.

Uh uh I request that the 2026 1326 be removed from the consent agenda for discussion.

Uh I represent the board at Riverfront condominium.

Alrighty, this this is not on the consent agenda, sir.

It is it is on public hearing.

It wasn't on the consent agenda.

No, sir.

It's on public hearing.

We're having that public hearing now.

If you would like to speak about this bill, you're welcome to do so.

So we're in the midst of our public hearing portion.

This is an ordinance that has three readings, and it's presently on its second reading.

Its second reading is a public hearing, and that's what's transpiring now.

So you're welcome to speak on the bill.

It is not on consent.

Okay.

Uh we as a board, would you please raise the mic microphone?

Yes, sir.

Go ahead.

At Riverfront condominiums as a board, we just recently did a new survey, and the survey showed that we had more property than we had before, and some of its overlapping railroad property and adjacent to other property that's been developed.

And we want to make sure that our easements and our uh and all that is is this is the new survey is put on public record, so it's considered that that it's known that this is our property.

Okay.

Right now, it's not it was somehow it was it was it was incorrectly put in and when we hired the surveyor, they came back with the survey, and we've got it uh posted out there.

We've got the sticks, the stakes, and everything, and uh some of the railroad properties on our property, and then adjacent to our property, another development has developed, and it's on our property also.

We just want to make we just want to be recognized that that is our property.

Alrighty, I appreciate that.

That is on the record now.

I would also encourage you to reach out um to your council member.

Uh Councilmember Coopin.

Um this legislation is um being uh uh advanced this evening by Ms.

Evans.

Um, so I'm sure she can uh uh be in touch uh with you.

Um anything else you wish to share, sir.

No, ma'am.

Okay, thank you.

Um is anyone else seeking to be recognized in uh to speak in opposition?

Okay, go ahead, sir.

Oh, okay.

Um all right, so I declare the public hearing uh closed.

Um and it is back to you, Ms.

Evans, for a motion on this bill.

Thank you.

I'd like to move approval, please.

Okay.

Um there is a motion to approve, it's properly seconded.

Um is there any further discussion on this bill uh that's on its second of three readings?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Uh uh Ms.

Porterfield is uh asking to be recognized as an abstention.

Um, Mr.

Clark, please.

Okay.

Um all right.

Uh this has passed its second of three readings.

Next are agenda items seven and eight.

They are companions to each other, also council member uh Evans.

Uh agenda item seven is ordinance BL 2026-1337, and agenda item eight is uh BL 2026-1338.

1337 is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by amending a portion of a planned unit development overlay district on properties located at Old Lebanon Dirt Road, unnumbered and 1704 Robards Way at the terminus of Dutch Falls Cove.

This is 11.23 acres.

It is zoned RM9 and located within a planned unit overlay district to permit 77 multifamily residential units, and again, it's companion 1338, uh, which requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings as mentioned in 1337.

Um all right.

Uh council member Evans, you are recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing, please.

I declare the public hearing open for council member Evans's ordinances uh 1337 and 1338.

Would all members of the public hear in support of these bills please raise your hand?

Okay.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to these bills?

Please raise your hand.

Okay.

Um will those persons wishing to speak in support, seeing that there is opposition, please come forward to the podium.

Um supporting speakers uh will go first.

Go ahead, you're recognized.

Good evening.

Uh John Claxon, Thomas and Hunt Engineering, um, representing the developer on this project.

Um, we've worked with council member Evans on this project.

We've uh we met with multiple neighbors after the planning commission meeting and helped alleviate the concerns we had heard um on this PUT amendment.

We are keeping 43% of the site undisturbed, and we're no longer crossing the stream adjacent to the site as part of this PUT amendment.

So we feel it's a better situation to maintain that stream and existing tree line and everything else.

So appreciate the time.

We hope uh you'll support this bill.

Thank you.

All right.

Is there anyone else seeking to be recognized to speak in support?

All right, seeing none, we'll move on to opposition.

Um I believe I saw a hand in the back.

Is that you, um, sir?

And folks, um, anyone who would like uh to speak in opposition is welcome to come forward to the public podium, please.

Go ahead, you're recognized.

Uh thank you, Vice Mayor.

Um, I I guess uh hearing your first bit, I I do want to understand how close to uh, you know, we're not crossing the stream anymore, but what does that exactly mean?

I'd be able to do the sketches.

It's it seems like it's still going right up to it, if not kind of taking it over.

Uh I'm just I'm looking for some clarification on where that's where to stop in relation to that.

I would agree.

Welcome you to converse um afterward.

If you want to express your concerns to this body, go ahead and and do that.

Um, but I can't have y'all kind of addressing each other back in there.

Totally fine, understandable.

Um, I mean, I I think a lot of us that live in that neighborhood are in opposition to the building in entirely.

I know that the bill is about making those changes.

Uh, if if the creek is being left alone, I think that's that makes it a lot a lot more bearable for a lot of us.

I mean, we've you can throw a rock from that the space that they're um that they're proposing, and there's six or seven houses with with kids, and that's their one slice of nature that they can walk to.

Uh and you know, Tennessee's I think that the appeal to Tennessee is its is its beauty and it's uh in its natural state, and we keep losing that at kind of an alarming rate.

And um, you know, that's the that's where our kids are gonna grow up, and I don't want to lose what little slice of that we have, uh, especially for just more uh you know, housing that already drive through our neighborhood, drive through the uh the adjacent neighborhoods and in condo complexes and there's rent and sales signs everywhere because we already can't fill the houses that we have uh because it's everyone's priced out of living comfortably.

So um, you know, I I again I'd like to, you know, I don't know if I'm trying to oppose the entire the building of the entire um of the project uh by staying up here or if I'm just opposing a certain bill.

Uh but I just wanted to say that.

So thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

Um is there anyone else um uh here seeking to be recognized to speak in opposition?

Um go ahead, come on down.

You're recognized.

Thank you.

This is my first time.

Welcome.

Thank you.

My concern is that it is a beautiful area back in there.

I live in the neighborhood, and I am between old Lebanon Dirt Road and Central Bike, and we have so much building all past that way to where you have two lane roads, and we're already so congested.

I also have concern for our wildlife that you know makes that place a home.

And if they can keep some of that, that would be great, and maybe limit it to how much property they're going to take and increase the population that we're already overly populated.

So that's my concern.

All right.

Thank you for sharing that with us.

Anyone else seeking to be recognized in opposition?

Okay.

Go ahead.

Hi there.

Also, first time doing this, so this is exciting.

But um, kind of echoing the same type of concerns, just being in the neighborhood and seeing how much of the just surrounding areas around our neighborhood and some of the adjacent neighborhoods that are already being all the trees, everything being torn down, all the wildlife going, and just more and more apartments and townhomes.

And I understand that people need a place to live, but we also don't have a lot of um, I guess, infrastructure to handle a lot more people coming into such a small area.

The traffic is getting bad, just trying to get kiddos to school.

Also, what he was saying, um, the first gentleman about how, like, I mean, I live in the neighborhood as well, grew up right there, played in that creek, and just don't want to see that in some of those areas that are wooded completely gone because it's a very important part to the community and to the environment and just to the kiddos that are growing up in that area.

My son is just right down the road, both my sons, and I hope they would get to bike and play and do all those things just like I got to do in this neighborhood, and you know, also just want to make sure that I can still get to them to school on time with everything going on um in the area with the new apartments and the new in and out and the new Wawa and all the other fun things that are happening in Hermitage.

But um, but yeah, so those are just my concerns and uh agreed.

I think if we can kind of minimize how much of the land is disturbed and built upon to where we can still continue to have some of that green space for those people that are becoming into that around us, as well as us that are already there, would be wonderful.

Um, sorry, I'm a little jabbery like I said, I've never done this.

Not at all.

You still have 17 seconds.

Well, you know what?

So, how about that weather we're having, y'all?

It is just nutty.

Thanks so much.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

All right, um, uh seeing no one else seeking to be recognized.

I will declare the public hearing closed, and it's back to you, Ms.

Evans, for a motion on this bill.

Thank you.

I'd like to move approval with a comment and and um my appreciation to the folks that came out, especially since it's your first time, and it could be a little nerve-wracking finding your way here and then speaking to all of us and being on YouTube and all that good stuff.

So I appreciate that.

I would like to um after we finish this part to go out in the hallway with the team, and then we can talk a little bit further, and I really do appreciate you coming.

Um, and so uh ultimately this is um some land.

I I will call it it's been challenging land to navigate in my district uh since the uh when we originally started last term.

Um, and so I do feel like this is a good use of this land because of the um access to you know grocery store and a lot of things kind of right in that area.

Um, and it's taken a long time to get to this point for us to have this public conversation.

So I do appreciate the feedback.

Uh we'll work with the team outside, answer any additional questions, and I hope my colleagues will be in support.

Thank you.

All right, um, there is a motion to approve 1337 and its companion 1338 on their second of three readings.

Is there any uh discussion on uh this motion to approve?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining.

All abstain.

Um uh Mr.

Clerk, if you would please record Ms.

Evan Siegel as an abstention on 1337 and 1338.

Okay.

These have passed their second of three readings.

All right, um, next are agenda items nine and 10.

Again, they are companions to each other.

Uh, agenda item uh sponsor Parker.

Agenda item nine is ordinance BL 2026-1339, um, and agenda item 10 is the companion uh ordinance BL 2026-1340.

One three three three one three three nine is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by amending a specific plan for properties located at 915 and 927 Skyline Ridge Drive, approximately 911 feet west of Skyline Memorial Court.

This is two 21.95 acres to permit 280 multifamily residential units, uh zoned SP.

And again, 1340 uh requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings um at the addresses in 1339.

Uh council member Parker, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing.

Okay.

I declare the public hearing open for council member Parker's uh companion ordinances 1339 and 1340.

Would all members of the public here in support of these bills please raise your hand?

Okay.

Would all members of the public here in opposition to these bills, please raise your hands.

Seeing no one here in opposition to the persons here in support seek to be recognized to speak.

They are shaking their head no, Mr.

Parker.

So I will declare the public hearing closed, and it's back to you uh for a motion on these bills.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to move approval.

Okay, it's properly moved and seconded.

Um uh any discussion.

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right.

Um, these have passed their second of three readings.

Next is agenda item 11, uh ordinance BL 2026-1341, sponsor Kimbrough.

Uh, this is an ordinance to amend Title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from RS 10 to R 10 zoning for property located at 1703 River Drive, located approximately 275 feet east of Hydes Ferry Road.

This is 0.6 acres.

Uh Miss Kimbrough, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing.

All right.

I declare the public hearing open.

Uh for Miss Kimbrough's bill 1341.

Uh would all members of the public hear in support of this bill.

Uh, please raise your hand.

Thank you.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill?

Please raise your hand.

All right.

Seeing no one here in opposition.

Do the persons here in support seek to be recognized and speak?

They are shaking their head no, Miss Kimbrough.

And so with that, I will declare the public hearing closed.

And it's back to you for a motion on your bill.

Thanks.

I'd like to move for approval.

Okay.

There's a motion to approve, properly seconded of Ms.

Kimbrough's uh ordinance uh 1341 on uh second reading.

Uh is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right.

This has passed its second of three readings.

Next are agenda items 12 and 13.

They are companions to each other.

Sponsor Evans.

The first is ordinance BL 2026-1342.

Uh the second is 1343.

1342 is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro government by changing from RS 80 to RS 15 and RS 15 to SP zoning for properties located at 3033, 3221, 3255, Melvin Road, and 6227-6237, and 6317 North New Hope Road, Melvin Road unnumbered, and North New Hope Road unnumbered, located east of North New Hope Road, north of Central Pike, and south of Landings Way.

This is 50 acres to permit 164 single-family residential lots and again 1343, the companion requires certain materials to be restricted and the construction of buildings at all those addresses mentioned in 1342.

Um council member Evans, Mr.

Huffman, okay, Mr.

Huffman's gonna take it.

Um go ahead, sir, you're recognized.

I'd like to open the public hearing.

All right.

Um I declare the public hearing uh open uh for uh council member Evans' bills 1342 and 1343.

Uh would all members of the public hear in support of these bills, please raise your hands.

Thank you all.

Uh would all members of the public hear in opposition to these bills, please raise your hand.

Seeing no one here in opposition, do the persons here in support seek to be recognized uh to speak?

They are shaking their head no.

Just an abundance of caution.

Nobody wants to speak.

All right.

With that, then I will declare the public hearing closed.

Um and uh Mr.

Huffman, are you signing on to this, sir, for purposes of making the motion?

Yes.

Okay.

Um uh Mr.

Huffman, uh, it's back to you for motion.

Move for approval.

All right.

Um there's a motion to approve, properly seconded uh for 1342 and 1343 on their second of three readings.

Is there any discussion?

All right.

Uh seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right.

These have passed their second of three readings.

Next is agenda item 14, ordinance BL 2026-1344, sponsor Parker.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from RS5 to M U N ANS zoning for properties located at 1304 and 1306 Jones Avenue.

Located approximately 191 feet north of Douglas Avenue.

This is 0.21 acres.

Councilmember Parker, you are recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing, please.

All right, I declare the public hearing open for Councilmember Parker's ordinance one-three four-four.

Um, would all members of the public hear in support of this ordinance?

Please raise your hand.

Thank you.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this ordinance, please raise your hands.

Seeing no one here in opposition, does the person here in support seek to be recognized to speak?

He is shaking his head no, Mr.

Parker.

And so with that, I will declare the public hearing closed.

And it's back to you for a motion on your bill.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to move for approval.

All right.

It's properly moved and seconded.

Is there any discussion?

Seeing none.

All in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right.

This has passed its second of three readings.

Next are agenda items 15 and 16.

They are companions to each other.

Sponsor Kimbrough.

The first is ordinance BL 2026-1345.

And the second is ordinance BL 2026-1346.

1345 is an ordinance to amend Title 17 of the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro government by changing from RS 15 to SP zoning for property located at 3854 Abernathy Road, approximately 549 feet west of Clarksville Pike.

This is 8.48 acres to permit 63 detached multifamily residential units with nine accessory apartments.

And then again 1346, the companion, which requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings at the addresses mentioned in uh Bill 1345.

Ms.

Kimbrough, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

The developer Mr.

Kantz has asked me to defer this indefinitely.

These two.

Okay.

Um there is avert the further.

Okay, there's a motion uh to defer uh indefinitely.

Um is we second that.

Um is there any discussion on that?

Um seeing now uh none all in favor of an indefinite deferral, uh please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right.

Um these two bills, uh 1345 and 1346, sponsor Kimbrough have been deferred indefinitely.

All right, um uh next are agenda items 17 and 18.

Um they are uh companions to each other, sponsor vo.

Um agenda item 17 is ordinance BL 2026-1347, and agenda item eighteen is ordinance B L 2026-13.

Excuse me, 48.

1347 is an ordinance to mend Title 17.

The Metro Code of Laws is zoning ordinance of the Metro government by amending a specific plan for properties located at 900, 904, 910, 912, 914, and 916 8th Avenue South, and 901 909, 911, 913, 915, 917, 919, 921, 923, and 925 Bass Street, approximately 240 feet south of Interstate 40 East, zoned SP.

This is 3.05 acres to permit 365 multifamily residential units.

And again, 1348 requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings at all those addresses in 1347.

Ms.

Vowe, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I like to open the public hearing.

All right, I declare the public hearing open uh for Ms.

Vowe's bills 1347 and 1348.

Would all members of the public hear in support of these bills, please raise your hand.

Thank you.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to these bills, please raise your hand?

All right.

Um seeing no one here in opposition to the persons in support uh seek to speak and be recognized.

They are shaking their head no.

Um, and so with that, Ms.

Vo, I will declare the public hearing closed.

And it's back to you for a motion on these bills.

Thank you.

I move to approve.

Okay.

Um uh properly moved and seconded.

There's a motion to approve on second reading uh companions 1347 and 1348.

Is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, those have passed their second of three readings.

Um uh next are three bills that are companions to each other.

Agenda items 19, 20, and 21, all sponsors Huffman.

Um agenda item 19 is ordinance BL 2026-1349.

It's 1350 and 1351.

1349 is an ordinance to amend title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the ordinance of the Metro Government by canceling a portion of a planned unit development overlay district located at 5309 Weber Road, approximately 85 feet west of Andrew Jackson Parkway.

This is 2.02 acres, and it is zoned R 10.

Now agenda item 20, uh ordinance 1350 is an ordinance to amend Title 17.

The Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government, by changing from R 10 to SP zoning for property located at also 5309 Weber Road, approximately 85 feet west of Andrew Jackson Parkway.

This is also 2.02 acres.

This permits 18 multifamily residential units.

And then lastly, uh the companion uh 1351, which uh requires certain materials to be restricted in the construction of buildings um at the aforementioned addresses in uh 1350.

All right, Mr.

Huffman, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing.

All right, I declare the public hearing open for Council Member Huffman's uh companion bills 1349, 1350, and 13 uh 51 regarding Weber Road.

Um would all members of the public here in support of these bills please raise your hands.

All right.

Would all members of the public here in opposition to these bills, please raise your hands.

All right.

Um seeing that there is someone here in opposition, um, uh do the persons here or a person here in support uh uh seek to be recognized to speak.

Go ahead.

Um if you do, come on down forward, please.

And then um likewise, if you do wish to speak, whether in support or opposition, I would encourage you to come on um down front for expediency.

Uh go ahead, sir.

You're recognized.

Uh yes, my name is Brent Smith.

I'm a resident here of Nashville, Tennessee, and the developer of this project, and we've worked with the council members and we worked with the we've had several neighborhood meetings and we've addressed all of their issues.

We've worked with planning staff and addressed any issues they've had.

And um we've designed this project uh to fit into the community.

We instead of just lining up townhouses like most developers do, we've done this in a very community type arrangement where we've broken things down into small, smaller buildings, small groups of buildings.

We've met um again, we've we've met all the requirements of planning and zoning and answered any questions that the community have.

We're really actually surprised that there's opposition here.

So we'll be happy to hear any any comments they have and address them as we can.

Alrighty.

Um does anyone else uh here in support seek to be recognized or speak?

Seeing none, we'll move on to opposition.

Um would you like to speak in opposition?

You're welcome to come forward.

Go ahead, you're recognized.

Hi, I've grown up here uh and I've grown up on Weber Road uh since the late 60s, so that property uh I'm very much aware of.

So I'm glad it's not as many houses developed there, but I do have concerns because there is a school right there.

You know, I don't know what their plans are as far as building a red light, and just because the amount of traffic that is already on the road that we live on.

There's there's many seniors, there's children, and they already are treating it like NASCAR for this very small short little road.

So I just want to make sure that it's safe for the people that live there.

Um I personally take my life in my own hands just to go to the mailbox to get the mail.

So thank you.

Thank you for sharing that.

All right.

Um, is anyone else seeking to be recognized?

Uh to speak in opposition.

Seeing none, I will declare the public hearing closed.

Um, and it's back to you, uh uh, Mr.

Huffman.

For uh, you can make a consolidated motion on all these bills if you wish.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to move for approval on all three of these with a brief comment.

All right, properly seconded.

Go ahead, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Colleagues, I'll keep this very brief.

This uh particular project has been uh at the uh center of a I think two community meetings at this point.

Essentially, the neighbors of Weber Road have been really, really great to work with.

Uh really appreciate you too, ma'am, coming out.

And what what the lady says is is very true.

I mean, Weber Road is one of those roads that is still very much a country road.

We still have those in Davidson County.

The property in question is located at the end of Weber Road at the corner of Andrew Jackson Parkway for those that are familiar with the Hermitage area.

And on the site currently is an abandoned house that has been the subject of ongoing vandalism, trespassing issues, and so on.

So we're getting rid of a nuisance here.

We're adding some housing that is badly needed in our area, not only our area, but all of Nashville.

And we're doing it in a way with the developer that it's going to be affordable for folks.

Now it's not going to be built cheap.

Mr.

Mr.

Smith is uh known for his quality.

So I'm excited about that.

He also has made some concessions in this in regards to the way that the they are facing the road, ensuring that the setbacks have some proper uh tree coverage.

I think this is a project that the residents of Weber Road are going to be proud of, and I ask for your support.

Thank you.

All right.

Um there is a motion to approve agenda items 192021 uh all related to each other companions in a consolidated motion.

It's properly seconded.

Is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining.

All right.

Uh these have passed their second of three readings.

All right.

Next on public hearing is agenda item 22, ordinance BL 2026-1352, sponsor Tombs.

This is an ordinance to amend title 17.

The Metro Code of Laws, uh, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government.

Uh changing from CL to RS 7.5 to or from that um both to M U L ANS zoning for properties located at uh 2040, 2402, and 2404 Brick Church Pike at the northwest corner between Avondale Circle and Brick Church Pike.

This is 0.95 acres.

Ms.

Tombs, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor request to open a public hearing.

All right.

I declare the public hearing open uh for Ms.

Tombs' ordinance 13 uh 52 um uh regarding uh church pike um uh would all members of the public uh here in support of this bill please raise your hand thank you would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill, please raise your hand.

Seeing no one here in opposition, does the person here in support seek to be recognized or speak?

He is shaking his head no.

And so with that, I will declare the public hearing closed, and it's back to you, Ms.

Tombs for a motion on your bill.

Move for approval.

Okay, properly moved and seconded.

Uh is there any discussion on this bill?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, this has passed its second of three readings.

Agenda item 23, ordinance B L 2026-1353 sponsors Welsh and Horton.

Um neither of whom are here at present, but I do see Vice Chair Harrell for planning and zoning.

Um uh this uh 1353 is an ordinance to amend title 17 of the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from RS5 to R6A zoning for property located at 2318 Foster Avenue.

This is located approximately 134 feet north of Peachtree Street.

This is 0.17 acres.

Uh Vice Chair Harrell, you are recognized.

Madam Vice Mayor, I'll be signing on to move forward on behalf of Horton and Welsh.

Okay, great.

Um, would you like to open the public hearing?

Absolutely, thank you.

All right, I will uh declare the public hearing open um uh for uh uh Ms.

Welsh Horton and Harrell's bill 13 uh 53 um uh regarding uh Foster Avenue.

Um would all members of the public hear in support of this bill, please raise your hand.

Okay, uh, would all members of the public here in opposition uh to this bill, please raise your hand.

Seeing no one here on either side, Vice Chair Herrell, I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for a motion on this bill.

I'll move forward.

Oh, with approval.

Okay, um there's a motion to approve, and it's properly seconded.

Is there any discussion?

All right, seeing none.

All in favor, please say aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining.

Okay.

Uh this has passed its second of three readings.

Um, all right.

Our last uh bill on public hearing um is agenda item twenty-four ordinance BL 2026-1354, sponsor coupon.

Um, this is an ordinance to mend Title 17, the Metro Code of Laws, the zoning ordinance of the Metro Government by changing from IG to SP zoning for property located at 100 Taylor Street, approximately 194 feet east of 2nd Avenue North.

This is 1.32 acres to permit a mixed use development.

Um is there a co-sponsor for this, Ms.

Evans, okay.

You are recognized.

Go ahead, ma'am.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to open the public hearing, please.

All right, I declare the public hearing open for council member uh Koopens bill uh 1354 regarding Taylor Street.

Would all members of the public hear in support of this bill, please raise your hand.

Would all members of the public hear in opposition to this bill?

Please raise your hand.

All right, um, seeing no one here on either side, Ms.

Evans, I will declare the public hearing closed and it's back to you for a motion on this bill.

Thank you.

I'd like to move approval, please.

Okay.

Um, there is a motion to approve, and it's properly seconded.

Is there any discussion on uh this bill on its second reading?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining.

All right, um, that concludes uh the public hearing portion of our agenda.

Next, we will roll right into uh section L, um which is our consolidated consent agenda.

All resolutions and second read and third reading ordinances on this agenda are included on the consent agenda if recommended for approval unanimously by all the committees to which the item was referred.

Items on the consent agenda will be voted on at a single time.

The item number along with the resolution and ordinance number of the items on the consent agenda will be read by me.

And members of the council may remove any item from the consent agenda by request before the consent agenda vote is taken.

All right.

Um I will now begin to read uh the items proposed for consent.

Uh first among those in resolutions, uh, is agenda item 26.

Uh, resolution 2026-1927.

Agenda item 27, resolution 2026-1928.

Agenda item 28, resolution 2026-1929.

Agenda item 29, resolution 2026-1930.

Agenda item 31, resolution 2026-1932.

Agenda item 32, resolution 2026-1933.

Agenda item 33, resolution 2026-1934.

Agenda item 34, resolution 2026-1935.

Agenda item 35, resolution 2026-1936.

Agenda item 36, resolution 2026-1937.

Agenda item 37, resolution 2026-1938.

Agenda item 38, resolution 2026-1939.

Agenda item 39, resolution 2026-1940.

Agenda item 40, resolution 2026-1941.

Agenda item 41, resolution 2026-1942.

Agenda item 42, resolution 2026-1943.

Agenda item 43, resolution 2026-19446.

Agenda item 446, resolution 2026-1945.

Agenda item 45, resolution 2026-1946.

Agenda item 46, resolution 2026-1947.

Agenda item 47, resolution 2026-1948.

Agenda item 50, resolution 2026-1951.

Agenda item 51, resolution 2026-1952.

Agenda item 52, resolution 2026-1953.

Agenda item 54, resolution 2026-1955.

Agenda item 55, resolution 2026-1956.

Agenda item 56, resolution 2026-1957.

Agenda item 57, resolution 2026-1958.

Resolution 58, or rather, agenda item 58, resolution 2026-1959.

Agenda item 59, resolution 2026-1960.

All right, now for items on second reading proposed for the consent agenda.

First among those is agenda item 70, ordinance BL 2026-1356.

Agenda item 71, ordinance BL 2026-1357.

Next is agenda item 75, ordinance BL 2025-1363.

Agenda item 77, ordinance BL 2026-1365.

Agenda item 78, ordinance BL 2026-1366.

Agenda item 79, ordinance BL 2026-1367.

And then lastly, for items on third reading proposed for the consent agenda.

First among those is agenda item 81, ordinance BL 2026-1327.

Next is agenda item 83, ordinance BL 2026-1329.

Agenda item 85, ordinance BL 2026-1331.

And then lastly, agenda item 90, Ordinance BL 2026-1336.

Do any items need to be removed from the consent agenda?

If so, if members would please join the queue to request that.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Can we please remove agenda item number 55 and agenda item 57?

Okay.

Agenda item 55.

Okay, is uh resolution um uh 1956 um will be removed from consent and then I apologize.

Did you say 57 is bow?

Yes, okay.

Agenda item 57 is resolution 1958, and it will also be removed from consent.

Thank you so much.

Okay, next is Councilmember Gadd, you're recognized.

Uh thank you so much, Madam President.

Uh I'm asking to remove item number 58, uh RS 2026 1959.

All right.

Uh agenda item 58, uh resolution 1959 has been removed from consent.

Um uh Ms.

Evans Siegel, you are recognized.

Um, I would like to remove item 70, BL 2026 1356.

Okay, um agenda item uh 70 uh ordinance uh 13 uh 56 um will be uh removed from consent.

Um council member Allen, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to remove item 88, BL2026 1334.

Okay, agenda item 88, uh ordinance 1334 has been removed from consent.

Uh council member Toombs, you're recognized.

Thank you.

Um thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

I would like to remove number um 82.

Okay, agenda item 82, uh which is ordinance uh 1328, um has been removed from consent.

Um and then council member Porterfield, you are recognized.

Madam Pro Tim.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I like to remove um I believe it's agenda item 261927.

Okay, agenda item 26.

Um uh resolution 1927 uh will uh be removed from consent.

Okay, and then um number 71 uh 1357.

Okay, um agenda item uh 71 um uh which is ordinance 1357 um uh that will also be removed from consent.

Thank you, and then lastly number 56, um Argus 2026, 1957.

Okay, agenda item 56, uh ordinance 1957 um will be uh has been removed from consent.

All right.

Are any uh member other members seeking to be recognized to remove uh uh items from consent?

All right, um seeing none um uh Mr.

Clerk are all uh committee reports in for the items uh on remaining on the consent agenda.

Yes, all committee reports are in.

Alright, thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Um, members, is there a motion for approval of the consent agenda?

Okay, properly moved and seconded.

All in favor say aye.

All right, council has passed all items on the consent agenda.

Uh we will now go back uh through um in uh agenda order um uh for items uh that were not on consent.

All right, um and uh first among those.

Let's see, um number 25.

Okay, I did not mark that quickly there.

Okay.

Um this is uh uh resolution uh 2026-1926 sponsored uh tombs and gad.

Uh this is a resolution accepting the terms of a cooperative purchasing master agreement with the for the record limited for courtroom audio and visual equipment uh service and storage for state trial courts.

Uh council member tombs, uh you are recognized.

Thank you, madam vice mayor, committee report budget and finance voted to recommend a one meeting deferral.

Eight in favor, zero against, zero not voting.

All right, um, so that is a mandatory deferral by rule eight point one.

Um that uh item uh or resolution will be deferred uh to the next meeting in May.

Okay, uh next is agenda item uh 26, uh resolution uh 2026-1927 uh sponsors uh cap and ellis.

Um this is a resolution authorizing the interim director and special counsel of the Metropolitan Council Office to make personnel decisions until a contracted successor is employed.

Uh council member cap, you're recognized, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, Vice Mayor Committee reports.

This matter was uh considered by the Charter Revision Committee earlier today, which recommended seven in favor, zero against zero not voting.

Okay, um thank you.

I believe there's any other committees.

No, sir.

Go ahead.

So I move approval.

All right.

All right, it's properly moved and seconded.

Um go ahead uh we're on to discussion.

Anything you want to say at this time before we uh as sponsor before we recognize those in the queue?

Yes, thank you, Vice Mayor.

This is a simple, straightforward resolution to clarify that our interim special counsel has the same powers as our contracted special counsel uh with respect to personnel decisions.

Uh that was something that was in the contract of our previous special counsel, and since um we now have an interim and the all the responsibilities have devolved upon that person without his asking for them.

Uh my view is that the um the competencies ought to uh land on that same person as well, and this simply clarifies that.

Alrighty, and with that I ask your support.

All right.

Um uh Ms.

Porterfield, you are next in the queue, Madam Pro Tim.

Go ahead.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I just had a clarifying question.

Um, uh in the event that the um interim special counsel chooses to apply for the position to be special counsel director, would they still then be a part of that hiring process?

No.

Um go ahead, special counsel uh uh Wilson.

Uh council member uh the hiring process for a permanent uh special counsel for the office is governed by charter.

In that case, uh the vice mayor, uh the council would authorize the vice mayor to hire a member.

That that process for hiring uh would not be uh the interim director would not have a part in that process.

It would be through the vice mayor and the executive committee.

Thank you.

Um Ms.

Porterfield.

All right, um, is there any uh further discussion on uh resolution 1927?

All right, um, seeing none, uh all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no?

Any abstaining?

All right, this resolution has passed.

Next is uh agenda item 30.

Uh, this is resolution 2026-1931, sponsors tombs, vote and styles.

This is a resolution to approve the criteria for operating uh support and thrive grants for fiscal year 2027 for the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission.

Uh Ms.

Toombs, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Committee reports, budget and finance voted to recommend approval, eight in favor, zero against, zero not voting.

All right, and for the report of the arts, parks, libraries, and entertainment committee, Chair Bo.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

The committee voted six in favor, one against zero not voting.

Okay.

Um got it.

All right.

Uh back to you, Ms.

Tombs, uh, for a motion to get this before us, move for approval.

All right, um, it's properly moved and uh seconded, and we're on to discussion.

Uh first in the queue is council member Benedict.

You're recognized, previous question.

Okay.

Um the previous question has been called.

It requires a second, which we have heard.

Um this is a non-debatable motion.

Um, it requires uh two-thirds of those uh voting.

Uh, if you are in favor of the previous question, um that would uh um end debate um and we would move uh straight to the vote.

Um if you uh vote no, um that means that you uh want to have a discussion on this matter.

As always, we will try it first by voice.

I would remind folks it is number, not volume.

Um all in favor of uh the previous question, please say aye.

Aye.

Um all uh um not in favor of the previous question, please say no.

All right, I believe the ayes do have it.

Um uh and so with that, we will move uh straight to the vote.

Um uh I knowing that this is a resolution um uh that only has uh one reading, and given that there are no votes, I am guessing um in the in the room, given the committee report and the vote on the previous question.

Uh Mr.

Clerk, could you please uh load the vote um uh for uh resolution 1931, please, sir with all votes in.

Um Mr.

Clerk, if you would please show the vote.

All right, this resolution has passed with 27 votes in favor, five against, and zero abstentions.

Okay, um next is agenda item 53.

Uh this is uh uh resolution 2026-1954 sponsor styles.

This is a resolution expressing a lack of confidence in the performance and leadership of the electric power board of the Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County for its failures during winter storm fern.

Uh Ms.

Styles sponsor you are uh recognized.

Thank you.

Uh committee reports, please.

All right, for the report of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, uh Chair Evan Siegel.

Um do you need we had some interim reports on various motions that were made, or do you just need the final motion?

Just the final one.

Final, please.

Thank you.

Um we voted nine in favor, zero against zero not voting to defer one meeting.

Okay, defer one meeting.

Um, okay, for the report of the rules confirmations and public elections committee, Chair Cash.

Um, this is uh Ms.

Styles Ordinance 1954 about the power board.

Uh we move to defer one meeting.

All right.

Um with that, Ms.

Styles, that's a mandatory deferral by rule 8.1.

Um all right.

Next is agenda item 55, resolution 2026-1956.

Sponsors Coupen Cortez, Gad, Ellis, Greg Nash, Alan Vaux, Suarez Styles, Lee Spain, Juffle, Tombs, and Cap.

This is a resolution recognizing May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Nashville and Davidson County.

Um uh sponsor Coupen um is uh not with us.

Um who who is the member who removed it from consent?

Mr.

Cortez, did you remove this from okay?

Um, Mr.

Cortez, do you have any objection um to me recognizing uh Ms.

Vowe, who is also a sponsor, her having removed it from consent.

Okay, Ms.

Vowe, I will recognize you on this one.

Go ahead.

Okay.

Um I just I was I was removing it for council member coopin, but unfortunately he's not here.

So it's a move to approval.

Okay.

Um uh so there is a uh motion to approve.

Um it is properly seconded.

Is there any discussion on this resolution?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining.

All right, this resolution has passed.

Um uh agenda item 56, resolution 2026-1957 sponsors uh SWARA Spain and Ellis.

This is a resolution recognizing May 2026 as ALS awareness month in Nashville and Davidson County.

Uh Ms.

Swara, you are recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor Committee Post, please.

Um for the report of the rules confirmations of public elections committee, Chair Cash.

We approve six in favor, zero against zero not voting.

All right, it's back to you, uh Miss Suara for a motion.

Thank you.

I'd like to move for approval.

Uh now, like to vote.

Uh to apply rule 12.3, such okay, so there's a motion to approve with rule 12.3 applied such that all those voting in the affirmative will be listed as co-sponsors.

Uh, it's properly seconded.

Go ahead.

Thank you.

I'm not gonna say much.

Uh, just uh this was sent to me by somebody from Vanderbilt, but we all know about the Lugery disease and the people that it impacts, and so May't have to.

So maybe is uh here this month.

And we want to recognize uh uh and just then with the poor folks that uh impacted by the disease.

And with that, I ask for your vote.

Thank you.

All right, um, thank you very much.

Um uh councilmember Porterfield, um uh you are recognized.

Um, thank you so very much.

Vice Mayor, I stand and supported his legislation, and I just wanted to take a moment to speak the name of Addy Barkin, who was a renowned progressive attorney and health care activist who died on November 1st, 2023 at the age of 39 due to complications from ALS.

He was diagnosed in 2016, and he turned his terminal diagnosis into a fight for health care reform, founding the Be a Hero organization, which fights for health care justice for all by organizing people across the country who have been harmed by our broken health care system and works to advance the ideas that health care is a human right that should be guaranteed to all.

After his diagnosis, ID became a leading voice for Medicare for All, arguing that health care is a human right, and in 2017, a video of him confronting then Senator Jeff Flake on a plane regarding health care cuts went viral.

He was the subject of the 2021 documentary not going quietly, which chronicled his activism despite his advance and paralysis.

Addy continued to advocate for justice and health care access until his death, leaving behind his wife Rachel and his children Carl and Willow.

He was recognized for his intense dedication to social justice, often stating that fighting for a better world provided him with purpose despite his diagnosis.

Idi was many things.

He was a proud father, son, and husband, and to his family, he was everything.

He was a fierce organizer who was remarkably brilliant, wickedly sharp and wildly ambitious.

He was a fighter who refused to back down when things got tough, especially after his ALS diagnosis, and he used every opportunity to speak truth to power.

Idi was also the founding director of local progress, and while working at the Center for Popular Democracy, he helped envision which is now a network of thousands of local elected officials across the country.

Thank you.

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting uh no or abstaining.

All right.

Uh you have passed that resolution with all those voting in the affirmative uh listed as co-sponsors.

Next is agenda item 57, resolution 2026-1958.

Sponsor Vo and Ellis.

This is a resolution recognizing May 2026 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Nashville and Davidson County.

Councilmember Voe, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'd like to move to approve with the brief comment.

All right.

Is there a second?

All right, go ahead, ma'am.

Thank you so much.

Tonight, as Nashville recognizes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, uh, we affirm that our 26,000 um AA and HPI neighbors are not only part of Nashville's story, they are essential to its future.

This resolution matters because history matters.

On this day, 182 years ago, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the US.

And shortly after, um, on May 20th, sorry, May 10th, 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed and um by the labor of so many Chinese immigrants.

So in a time when communities across Tennessee are feeling the impact of division, exclusion, and policies that we can trust in belonging, Nashville must continue choosing inclusion, dignity, and solidarity.

This week, especially, many many Tennesseans are hurting as our state has raised fears about whose voices, histories, and rights are valued.

Uh celebrating AA and HPI Heritage Month is a reminder that our city is strongest when every community is seen, respected, and protected.

Today, Nashville's AA and HPI residents are educators, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, artists, public servants, and families who help shape the culture and economy of our city every day.

Their stories deserve recognition, not just in May, but year-round.

As the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, I know how important it is for young people to see themselves reflected in leadership and public life.

This resolution sends a message that they belong here and that national stands against hate and division in all forms.

May we continue building a city where every person, regardless of your race, heritage, language, or background, feels safe, welcomed, and valued.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Bo.

Um, all right.

Are there uh any further uh uh discussion?

Um, Councilmember Pepti, you recognize her.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

I rise in support of this resolution and thank the sponsor for for bringing it, um, especially in a time where a number of communities are under attack in this state and across the country.

We know that black and brown communities are under assault, and and uh we know um throughout the history of this nation, the AAPI community has also been under assault, and also want to recognize the fact that the AAPI community, especially um in California, helped to pioneer a lot of the the uh cases, both in uh local district courts as well as at the federal supreme court that helped to pioneer a lot of the case law that we utilized um throughout the the civil rights movement.

Um so I want to thank the sponsor for bringing this legislation, rise in support of it, um, and want to say to every member of every community uh across the state that we stand with you um and that we will continue to fight to protect every single person in this state.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Prepiti.

All right, uh any further discussion?

Seeing none, uh all in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Any voting, no or abstaining.

All right, you have passed this resolution.

All right, next is agenda item 58, resolution 2026-1959 sponsors Gad and Ellis.

Uh, this is a resolution recognizing May 11th through the 17th, 2026 as period poverty awareness week in Nashville and Davidson County.

Ms.

Gadd, you're recognized.

Uh thank you so much, uh, Madam President.

Also, I want to thank my colleagues for the last few years of support when we've taken the time to recognize um the existence of period poverty and what that is, and what that refers to is a lack of access to period products and menstrual education.

People who experience period poverty, they can't afford to buy period products.

They that is needed on a monthly basis, which results in them being unable to go to work, attend class, or participate in their day-to-day routine.

That happened um uh in our school system, one in four students experience this.

It also happens to our Metro employees, because believe it or not, sometimes you just can't predict when you're gonna menstruate.

So, for those of us who've had that experience, having access to basic hygiene products just like we do toilet paper, just like we do hand soap in our restrooms is absolutely vital.

It is also something that's not abstract, it's not rare, it's not someone else's problem, and it's something we actually get to solve here.

There's so many things that we try to tackle that is so expensive and it's so laborious, or the state restricts our access to our ability to do.

This is actually something that is doable in a $3.8 billion budget, the one we're gonna consider.

Is all it takes.

The 150,000 couple of years ago, we set aside what we have learned um over the last two years of education and outreach to um other cities that are doing this for that same amount.

We can cover nearly 200 restrooms that Metro government owns and runs.

So when we're thinking about our budget this year, 150,000.

Um, and I'm really thankful to the mayor's office, who's been so receptive and so supportive, um, the Department of Health in the past as well as we try to look for real efficient solutions.

Um, we're really fortunate also to um have the CEO of Aunt Flow come and meet with many of us um while we were here while she was in town.

And so um, and she'll be back in town, I hope.

But what we learned through that is that um we have the new Titan Stadium that is jumped on board with providing period products in the restrooms.

Um we actually have um the soccer stadium.

Geoda's um is doing it.

Um the preds when we got to meet with them, immediately, they understood the value, not only to their employees, but to the customers and their clients.

Um, so they are working to do that and also in their youth hockey league places.

One thing I'd like to um also just bring attention to um is that while we look to make this access uh available for all of us to participate in.

Um I just wanted to take a moment and and say thank you all for your attention and constant work on this.

With that, I'd like to ask for uh rule 12.3 on this resolution and appreciate everyone's support.

All right.

Um uh Miss Gadd has amended her motion to approve to apply uh 12.3 such that all members voting in the affirmative will be listed uh as uh fellow co-sponsors that was properly seconded.

Um all right, uh we are on to discussion.

Uh Councilmember Vaux, you're recognized.

Thank you so much, Vice Mayor.

I also stand and rise in support of um RS 2026 1959.

I literally was having a conversation um with community members uh last week about period products.

And uh I really do also want to recognize um Lyona Local 386 because um they um had a recent project where they're also providing uh menstrual products, and I think that's so great that uh we shouldn't have to uh we should all be working together in all different areas from schools to workplaces to um our professional sports teams, and I just think it's really important um that uh we should be able to not miss anything in a part of our national life um because we can't afford period products.

So um I just rise in support and thank the sponsor.

All right.

Uh Councilmember Peptier recognized her.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Um, I also rise in support of this piece of um legislation as well as the efforts by the main sponsor for this.

Not only is it providing uh uh she talked about um uh later budget allocations that we'll have the opportunity to vote on.

So not only does this provide those vital resources to folks who need them, but it also removes the stigma around a basic bodily function that nobody can choose whether or not not um um it's something that happens.

Um and so I I again thank the sponsor for this and and the important work that she's doing on this topic, um, and we'll uh uh support her in all of our efforts.

So thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Thank you, Mr.

Brepti.

All right, is there any further discussion on this resolution?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, you have passed uh this resolution.

Thank you, Miss Gadd.

All right.

Um that concludes our uh resolutions, and now we're on section N, bills on introduction and first reading.

By rule, all items on first reading shall be voted on at the same time unless requested otherwise by a primary sponsor or by two other members.

Do any items need to be removed from the collective uh vote on first reading?

All right, uh Councilmember Cap, you're recognized.

Just requesting the removal of number 63 so that I can be marked as an abstention.

Okay, all right.

That will be removed from the consolidated vote.

Um is there anyone else seeking to be recognized?

All right.

Um is there a motion for approval of all the items remaining on.

Oh, um I'm I'm sorry, Miss Kimbrough.

Uh something else on first that you need to remove.

Yes, ma'am, we're on first reading.

So that's all gonna be just a consolidated vote by rule.

Mr.

Capp removed one item for purposes of an extension.

Do you have something on first?

Okay.

Um all righty.

So there was a motion uh to approve all uh the remaining items on first consideration.

I heard a proper second.

Um so without objection, um you have approved all items on first reading.

Um and now we will uh go back to agenda item uh 63 on first reading.

This is ordinance BL 2026-1371 sponsors Toombs and Huffman.

This is an ordinance approving a memorandum of understanding between the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, MVPD and Vanderbilt University acting uh through its police department, a component of Vanderbilt University Public Safety to establish a training partnership between the agencies.

Um let's see, uh Ms.

Toombs, and it's properly seconded.

Is there any discussion on this item on first reading?

Okay, Miss Porterfield, go ahead.

Thank you.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Could we hear from I guess maybe the administration on a partnership like what does this partnership entail?

Or we can we can direct that to the administration, sure.

I don't care who answers it.

I'm just interested in knowing what the partnership is.

Absolutely.

We'll make sure you get that information.

Um Mr.

Rosenberg for the administration.

Go ahead, sir.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh Councilmember, uh, this allows uh this is for Vanderbilt to use existing MNPD training facilities, equipment, curriculum, and personnel to help their police uh department employees gain certification through the Tennessee Post Commission.

Um Ms.

Porterfield, does that answer your question sufficiently?

Okay, is there any further uh discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no?

Any abstentions?

Okay, um, so there are three abstentions.

Uh CAP, GAD, and Kimbrough, Mr.

Clerk.

All right.

Okay, that has uh passed.

Um it's uh first of three readings.

Okay, that concludes our uh first reading items.

So next uh we're on to agenda section oh, bills on uh second reading.

Um first among those that was not on consent is agenda item 69.

This is ordinance BL 2026-1355.

This is an ordinance amending section 2.04.030 of the Metro Code of Laws relative to the Metropolitan Council Office, uh sponsor Ellis.

Um uh Miss Ellis, you are recognized.

Thank you, uh Madam President.

Uh want to withdraw.

All right.

Um uh this item will be withdrawn.

Thank you.

All right, um, next is uh on second reading is agenda item 70.

Uh this is ordinance BL 2026-1356, sponsors Tombs and Evan Siegel.

This is an ordinance amending chapter 2.24.225 of the Metro Code of Laws modifying appraisal requirements for certain real estate acquisitions made by the National Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure, also known as NDOT, and for choose how you move projects.

Um sponsor Tombs, you are recognized.

Thank you, madam vice mayor, committee report, um budget and finance voters to recommend approval seven in favor, zero against zero not voting.

And for the report of the transport transportation infrastructure, um chair uh Evan Siegel.

Uh, the transportation infrastructure committee.

Um recommended approval ten in favor, zero against zero not voting.

Okay.

Um all right, it's back to you to uh for a motion, please, ma'am.

Move for one meeting deferral.

Okay.

Um uh there's a motion for one meeting deferral.

Is there second?

Okay.

Um, so we are on to discussion on a deferral motion.

Um, first in the queue is Ms.

Evan Siegel.

Go ahead, madam chair.

Uh, thank you.

I would ask if my colleague would consider amending that to uh one meeting deferral with a re-referral to committee.

Um Ms.

Toombs, would you like to amend that motion?

Yes, okay.

Um is there a second for that motion to be amended with the re-referral?

Go ahead, ma'am.

Okay, I thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Um, this is being asked to be deferred because if anybody um looked closely at it, you would have noticed that it's sort of an odd and small number, and we're gonna work to make it more consistent with state and federal law and other um caps within the code and bring an amendment back that cleans that up.

Okay, I appreciate the explanation.

Um, is there any further discussion on this um motion to defer uh one meeting with a re-referral?

All right, seeing none.

All in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, um, that will be deferred one meeting.

Um next, just agenda item 71 ordinance BL 2026-1357 sponsors Tombs and Benedict.

This is an ordinance amending chapter 2.40 of the Metro Code of Laws relative to the Department of Law.

Ms.

Tombs, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Um, committee report.

Budget and finance voted to recommend approval.

Seven in favor, zero against zero not voting.

Okay.

Um yours is the only committee report.

Do you want to make a motion?

For approval.

Okay, properly moved and seconded.

Um we're on to discussion.

Uh um Ms.

Porterfield, Madam Pro Tim, you are recognized.

Thanks, Ms.

Mayor.

I have all the questions tonight.

Um, I was just curious to know uh like what um kind of what uh brought this legislation to be.

Okay, do you want to address that to special counsel Wilson?

Sure.

Okay.

Um a special counsel, do you want to take it or would you like to refer it to the department of law?

Um I would need to refer this to department of law to determine uh how this uh law came about.

Came about, okay.

Um Miss Amos for the Department of Law, you're recognized.

I'm sorry, go ahead, ma'am.

Sure.

So the question was about the changes to this section of the code and the necessity.

So this legislation uh as it is proposed, um, amends Metro's ability to settle claims.

So our office has a claims division that functions a lot like an insurance company, and this change would allow us to settle claims less than $25,000 without consulting with the department head first.

So, like if we damage defense, it would allow us to repair the fence without then consulting with the department head before we pay.

And you all would still receive quarterly reports.

The department head would still receive quarterly reports for those settlements under $25,000.

For the settlements above $25,000, we will still consult with the department heads before paying those claims.

And the following subsection 11 that um allows us to not consult with department heads before we are receiving money.

So say someone runs into a school bus and our claims division is settling a dispute with their insurance company.

We don't have to consult with the fire department or fleet before we get the money.

I can.

There's a minute remaining uh in your time.

I'm happy to do that.

Um next in the queue is Ms.

Benedict.

Go ahead, ma'am.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

So um, colleagues, this is uh a change.

Um Ms.

Bussell from the Department of Law and I were working on this.

Um earlier this term, we passed a law that said that any claims over, I believe $25,000 have to go to the head of the department that's impacted, and that was to give better oversight to claims that are coming through.

We want to make sure that the department's aware of the payouts that they're giving because that was not a step in the process before.

What came to light um as the result of that is that these claims um we actually end up um risking more money because we're not settling these claims fast enough, and this is s strictly for the claims.

So it's uh to the examples that Miss Amos Miss Amos um gave.

This is not something that would, you know, the things that were meant to bubble up to the department were not this, and so that's why this um amendment to that that bill that we passed earlier this year um is in front of us.

So I I would I know that I'm not the sponsor, I'm a co-sponsor and I would seek approval from the body.

Thank you, Miss Benedict.

Um, Miss Porterfield, can I go back to you now?

There's no one else in the queue except Ms.

Suarez in the queue now.

Um, but I'll I'll go back to Ms.

Porterfield first.

Go ahead.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

That's what I understood it to be, but when I read it, and maybe I'm reading it wrong, it seems like it's saying that they are consulting with the department head for both under 25,000 and over 25,000, which is why I'm trying to get clarity because it says that um the Metropolitan Attorney is authorized to settle any property damage claim against the Metropolitan Government for an amount not to exceed 25,000.

Um, that's not the part.

Sorry, hold on.

Um, if I could just get clarity on that, because we're saying that it is that they're not gonna have to consult with somebody if it is, um, if it's under 25,000, which makes perfect sense to me, and I'm in full support of that, but it seems like the language is saying that they would have to consult with them regardless.

It says the proposed ordinance would clarify the Metro attorney or delegate delegate shall consult with applicable department head or delegate for all litigation before final approval of a settlement if the settlement is 25,000 or less.

So it seems like they are still saying that they're consulting with them.

Are you are you reading the analysis?

Yes.

Okay.

Um Mr.

Wilson, do you want to comment on that and address maybe that confusion there or if there's perhaps a discrepancy?

We certainly we do have the ordinance uh before us.

Ms.

Amos has spoken to the language in the ordinance specifically.

Okay, Ms.

Amos, go ahead.

You're recognized.

Sure.

So this section, the ordinance as it was um filed, it removed the section entirely and re-added in some language.

So the litigation requirements are different than the claims requirements.

So for litigation where there is an actual lawsuit that Metro is a party to, that's different, and we treat those differently than we do our claims.

So the claims division is more like an insurance piece, and then the litigation, all of those lawsuits we're still gonna be consulting with the department heads before we settle.

This allows the folks in our claims division to settle claims under 25,000 without consulting with a department head first.

Alrighty.

Uh Miss Swara, do you still seek to be recognized?

Vice Mayor, not a question, but uh maybe a clarification.

Um these claims, even though we're contacting or consulting the department, I know people from Department of Budget.

We have a simple an item for setting all this claims and and the stuff, right?

So this is just like an FYI situation for them to know something that the Department of Law is doing that impacts the department.

Is that correct?

That's correct.

And the departments will still receive quarterly reports, and so will the council on claims that are below this amount.

I think that language was kept in there, so departments know if you know trucks are getting into accidents more frequently or we're damaging property more frequently.

All right, Miss Swar, does that address the concerns?

Okay, or questions?

All right.

Um uh is there anyone else seeking to be recognized on uh this ordinance on um second reading?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, this has passed its second of three readings.

Next is agenda item 72 ordinance BL 2026-1358.

Sponsors tombs, Evan Siegel, Coupen Vaux, Gad, Ellis, Cash, Taylor, Welsh, Benedict, and Horton.

This is an ordinance amending certain sections and subsections of chapter 2.62, chapter 12.56, and Title 13 of the Metro Code of Laws to modify fees charged by the National Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure in DOT and make various other changes.

Uh Councilmember Tombs, you're recognized.

Thank you, madam vice mayor.

Committee reports, budget and finance voted to recommend a two meeting deferral, seven in favor, zero against, zero not voting.

Okay, and for the report of the transportation and infrastructure committee, uh, Chair Evan Siegel.

The transportation infrastructure committee recommended a two meeting deferral.

Ten in favor, zero against, zero not voting.

Okay, it's back to you, Ms.

Tombs, for a motion on this bill.

Move for a two-meeting um deferral with a re-referral to committee.

All right, okay.

Um uh is there any further?

There's a motion properly seconded for a two-meeting deferral and a re-referral.

Is there uh any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, this is deferred two meetings.

Uh, so it will be back on the agenda at the first meeting in June.

All right.

Next is agenda item 73 ordinance BL 2026-1359.

Sponsors Evan Siegel, Coopin, Voe and Horton.

This is an ordinance amending chapter 13.32 of the Metro Code of Laws relative to removals of obstructions in the right of way.

Sponsor, you are recognized.

Alright.

Um this uh bill um 1359 by Ms.

Evan Siegel has been withdrawn.

Okay.

Next is agenda item 74 ordinance BL 2026-1362.

Sponsors Alan Ellis Evan Siegel and Spain.

This is an ordinance requiring an annual review and an annual presentation to the budget and finance committee of the Metropolitan Council from all boards, commissions, departments, and authorities offering tax abatement incentives.

Um Ms.

Allen, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President.

Committee reports, please.

Uh let's see for the report of the budget and finance committee.

Chair Toombs, go ahead.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Budget and Finance voted to rec um to defer the bill as amended, one meeting.

Seven in favor, zero against, zero not voted.

Okay.

Let me see.

As amended, let me ask about our rule then.

Um yeah, so um uh the report uh then was a one-meeting deferral, with typically by rule eight point one would be a mandatory deferral, but I think it was deferred as amended, though it's not really technically amended.

Maybe you just recommended the amendment in committee.

So is this a rule eight point one special counsel relative to the amendment and so forth?

Uh yes, vice mayor.

This would be a rule 8.1.

Uh the amendment can be refiled and reconsidered uh at the next meeting.

Okay, um, all righty.

So I will I will admit to a deferral with a brief explanation if I might.

One meeting deferral.

Just want to thank my co-sponsors and we'll bring it back.

All right, thank you.

Um agenda item 76 um is uh ordinance BL 2026-1364.

Uh sponsors Bradford Tombs, Horton and Hill.

Um, this is an ordinance approving a lease agreement between the Metro government and Hessel Properties, GP for the use of 74,374 square feet of office space located at 1283 Murphy's borough Pike.

Councilmember Bradford, you're recognized.

Okay, um, next uh in the order of sponsors is Ms.

Toombs, budget and finance chair.

Go ahead, ma'am.

Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor.

Um committee reports, budget and finance voted to recommend approval.

Seven in favor, zero against zero not voting.

Um, okay.

Uh thank you for that report.

Um, given that, uh, would you like to make a uh motion?

Oh, I'm sorry, no, I've uh Paige Turner there.

Um uh for the report of the planning and zoning uh committee.

Uh Vice Chair Hurrell.

Um uh this is regarding property on Murphursboro Pike, uh 1364 uh sponsor Bradford Tombs Horton and Hill.

Um do you have a committee report, sir for planning and zoning?

I do.

Um so everything that we voted on for that it was seven in favor, zero against zero no voting.

Okay, and for the report of the government operations and regulations committee, Chair Hill.

Thank you, Mayor Vice Mayor.

We recommend approval seven in favor, uh one against zero not voting.

Okay, um thank you for that report.

Okay, now it is back to you, uh Ms.

Tombs uh sponsor for a motion, please.

Move for approval.

Okay, there's a uh motion to approve and it's properly seconded.

Is there any further uh discussion um on this item?

Uh council member Kimbrough for discussion.

You're recognized.

Thank you.

I just wanted to uh be noted as a no on this, and I wanted just to say why.

Um I believe that this is an abuse of taxpayer money.

I think that this is too much to pay in rent starting year one with 1.6 uh million.

Each year it goes up three percent.

Year 10, year ten it's over 2 million, uh, especially in light of the fact that we have entry, I'm sorry, empty metro buildings that we're not using like schools.

Uh we have several schools that are just empty, and I just think we could uh make better use of taxpayer money.

And for that reason, I'm voting against this.

Alrighty, um, okay.

Um, this is on its second of three readings.

Uh is there any uh further discussion?

Okay, seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no?

Okay, uh any abstaining.

All right.

Okay, now we are on um to bills on uh third reading, section P of our agenda, um items that were not uh on consent.

Uh first is agenda item 80, uh ordinance BL 2026-1255.

Uh sponsors Huffman, Horton, Coopin, and Spain.

This is an ordinance amending chapter 13.08 of the Metro Code of Laws related to sandwich board signs in the public right of way.

Uh councilmember Huffman, um, you are recognized uh first to get the bill before us, please, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Move for approval.

All right, um, go ahead, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Uh I need to suspend the rules to get an amendment across.

Okay.

Um uh Chair Cash.

Okay, all right.

Um, so uh no report um from the rules committee.

Um there is a uh request uh to suspend the rules uh for purposes of offering uh an amendment.

Is there any objection to the suspension of the rules?

Seeing none, the rules are suspended.

Um go ahead, sir.

You can uh make your motion to amend.

I'd like to move to amend with uh well move to amend and then I'll do the explaining after if that's okay.

Okay, sure.

It's properly seconded.

Go ahead, sir.

Thank you, Vice Mayor, and thank you, colleagues, for uh allowing me to suspend the rules here.

Uh I appreciate your trust in me for that.

Uh the reason for the rule suspension is to get an amendment across that Metro Legal is comfortable with.

Uh for those that have not been following the trials and tribulations of sandwich boards, um, this bill has been withdrawn once.

Uh, it's been deferred to its max, and we are here at the end.

And I see a lot at the end of the tunnel.

Uh we had this bill before traffic and parking a couple of weeks ago.

Metro Legal presented some concerns uh at that meeting.

Uh since that time, I've met with Metro Legal.

We have resolved their concerns, and just to get it on the record so you don't have to believe me.

I would like to ask Metro Legal just to confirm that.

All right.

Um Ms.

Amos for the legal department, you're recognized.

Go ahead, ma'am.

Sure.

I can confirm that the attorneys in our office that represent the traffic and parking commission are comfortable with this legislation as it's amended.

Okay.

Um already.

Go ahead, sir.

So just a brief explanation of some changes that we made.

Uh there is some uh expanding of the definition of uh what a sandwich board can include.

There were some First Amendment protection uh situations there that were easily clarified through some language.

Also, there was a section regarding uh two signs being allowed per location.

We cleared that up to where uh two signs cannot be at the same entrance or exit.

So for example, if you've got uh a coffee shop that has two entrances, they could have two sandwich board signs.

Uh outside of that, there was uh a change regarding the hours of display, just to make it a little clearer.

We have changed that to uh only being allowed Monday through Thursday in the downtown area during daylight times uh specifically that is just to account for any potential tripping issues.

Outside of that, colleagues, uh this legislation also has some weighting and stabilization um components to it as well.

Uh going through this for the past six and a half months.

I can confidently say that this is the most comprehensive sandwich board legislation in the country.

And I ask for your support.

All right.

Um so you've heard an explanation of uh some of those things that were incorporated in uh to the amendment.

Um uh there is a motion to amend.

Um is there any other discussion uh regarding the amendment?

Seeing none, all in favor of the motion to amend.

Please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

All right, and if you would renew your motion, please, sir, uh, for approval as amended.

Uh move to approve is amended.

All right.

Um is there any discussion on that motion?

All right.

Um, so we will uh move uh to the vote.

Um uh this does uh require um 27 votes, um, giving the initial uh recommendation of um the traffic and parking commission, but again, as um the sponsor has addressed in the legal department as well.

Um the amendment uh addresses um some of the concerns of the traffic and parking commission, but even so um by uh procedure um uh and will we need to do a roll call?

Okay.

Um so uh Mr.

Clerk, if you would please open the vote um for agenda item 80 1255 approval on third and final reading as amended.

Um so please uh dial in colleagues um uh and let's open the vote, no, I have a lot of the number of all votes are in.

Uh Mr.

Clerk, please show the vote.

All right.

Uh this has passed its third and final reading as amended with 29 votes in favor, no votes against, and zero abstentions.

Okay.

Um let's see um uh next is agenda item 82.

Um, this is ordinance BL2026-1328, sponsors tombs, huffman, and benton.

This is an ordinance to amend chapter 10.64.018 or oh one yeah, one eight of the Metro Code to establish an updated fee schedule for the fire marshal's office.

Um Miss Toombs, you are recognized, Madam Chair.

Thank you, madam vice mayor.

Move to defer three meetings to the June 16th meeting.

Okay, there's a motion to defer uh three meetings to the second meeting in June.

Um it's properly seconded.

Is there any discussion on that deferral motion?

Okay, seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no or abstaining?

Okay, um, all right.

Uh with that, um, that gets us uh toops.

Um I was getting ahead of myself.

Thank you, special counsel.

Agenda item 88.

Um ordinance BL 2026-1334 sponsors Bradford Horton and Evan Siegel.

This is an ordinance authorizing the metro government of Nashville and Davidson County to abandon existing reservoir drain line and to accept new public sanitary sewer main, sanitary sewer manholes, and easements for property located at 1431 Voltee Boulevard, also known as Jetway uh logistics.

I know Councilmember Bradford is no longer here.

Mr.

Horton, um and Ms.

Evan Siegel, um that you are next sponsor by virtue of your chairmanship on this.

Are you okay to take this one up?

I am and I have consented already to do so.

Okay, you are recognized then.

Um I would move for approval.

Okay.

Um uh there is a motion to approve.

Is there a second?

All right, it's properly moved and seconded.

Is there any discussion on this matter?

Seeing none, all in favor, please.

Oh, I'm sorry, Ms.

Allen.

Um, go ahead, ma'am.

You're recognized.

Thank you.

I just need to be recorded as abstaining, okay.

Okay, we'll do.

Um, uh, is uh there any further discussion?

Okay.

Um seeing none, all in favor, please say aye.

Any voting no?

Any abstaining?

Ms.

Allen is an abstention.

All right, um, that concludes this evening's agenda.

Our next council meeting will be on Tuesday, May 19th.

Um, I will mention that in the meantime, Chair Tombs will have council's operational budget hearings well underway.

And as well, Pro Tim Porterfield has uh requested a moment of personal privilege.

Go ahead, Pro Tim, you're recognized.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I will be super fast, everybody.

Um, y'all, we're not yet adjourned.

Go ahead.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

I'll be super fast, everybody.

Um, thank you for all the beautiful birthday wishes on yesterday.

But today is my daughter's 19th birthday.

So I just wanted to tell Janaya happy birthday and good luck on your finals.

She is a freshman in college and she's taking her last final tomorrow, so thank you.

Yay, and happy birthday to you as well.

We are adjourned.

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