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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Council Regular Session Summary – October 6, 2026

Metropolitan Council — Tuesday, October 6, 2026

BodyNashville, Tennessee

SessionMetropolitan Council

DateTuesday, October 6, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 4:58:27

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:05

Am I working out?

0:09

Number 237, how to shut up a politician, right?

0:12

Turn the mic

Unassigned speaker

0:13

off.

Speaker 1

0:15

Okay, so it's uh October the 6th.

0:17

I will start out with a couple of things.

0:19

Um one uh yesterday was uh the last day of early voting, so I ask everybody to uh make a plan to vote, make sure that you're ready.

0:27

Early voting starts uh from the 14th to the 29th.

0:30

Uh also real quick, uh any council members want to sneak out there and get your uh flu shot.

0:35

I got mine already.

0:36

Takes like literally five minutes, so you can zip out there, fill out a little form, sit down, then ask you two questions, and then you can get it done and be out of the way.

0:44

Uh it's flu season, so stay on top of that.

0:47

Um this is uh domestic violence awareness month, so I asked people to uh stay safe, but if you get in the situation, stand up and uh and speak out.

0:58

It's also uh LGBT History Month and Brent's breast cancer awareness month, so make sure you you get that and uh national disability employment awareness month.

1:10

So, what I want to do is open it up and for Mr.

1:13

Benton first, if you're ready, sir, and we'll do your presentation and then we'll do announcements from the council members, and then we'll come to uh Mr.

1:21

Cortez Delest.

Speaker 2

1:32

Tim is my mic on.

Unassigned speaker

1:35

Thank

Speaker 2

1:36

you, Pro Tim.

1:39

Tonight we are here to honor the life and legacy of Catherine Domini.

1:46

And tonight we have with us a lot of Dwayne Domini's family, and Dwayne is a former council member in District 28, that's my district, and we're excited to have everyone here tonight.

1:58

Um this resolution honoring the life and legacy of Catherine Domini.

2:07

Whereas Catherine Domini passed away on July 24th, 2026.

2:13

At the age of 59, Catherine Dominey was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

2:19

Whereas from an early age, Catherine Domini demonstrated an aptitude for many areas while at Tullahoma High School.

2:26

Ms.

2:26

Dominey was a member of the marching band, Flag Corps, Mathematics Honor Society, and the Mu Alpha Theta, and received the Presidential Academic Fitness Award.

Unassigned speaker

2:41

And

Speaker 3

2:42

whereas upon graduation from Tullahama High School, Catherine Dominey moved to Nashville to study elementary education at Belmont University, and whereas Catherine Dominey had a long career with Metro Nashville Public Schools, teaching over 35 years.

2:56

While with MNPS, Ms.

2:58

Domini taught at Paragon Mills Elementary School, Tom Joy Elementary School, Hattie Cotton Elementary School, Inglewood Elementary School, and Cole Elementary School, and whereas she was recognized with the Blue Ribbon Teacher Award in 2023 for our outstanding contributions in MPS.

Speaker 4

3:20

Whereas outside of her work with MNPS, Mrs.

3:23

Domini was passionate about sign language and directed the deaf ministry at Christ Church Nashville for over 30 years.

3:31

She was ordained as a deacon on July 18th, 2012.

3:35

And whereas Catherine Domini is survived by her husband, former council member Dwayne Domini, her three children, Alexandria, Anna, and Aaron, her grandchildren, and many other living family and friends.

3:47

And

Speaker 5

3:49

whereas she continued her desire to educate after her passing by donating her body to science through Restore Life USA, a Tennessee-based nonprofit organization specializing in medical research.

4:00

And

Speaker 6

4:04

whereas it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council honor the life of Catherine Domini for her lifelong passion for education and her demonstrated penchant for service.

Speaker 7

4:21

Now therefore, be it resolved by the councils and Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davison County.

Unassigned speaker

5:44

Okay,

Speaker 1

5:45

we're gonna go ahead and move to announcements.

Unassigned speaker

5:58

Go

Speaker 1

5:58

ahead, Miss Benedict.

Speaker 8

6:00

Thank you, Pro Tem.

6:02

Um I am here tonight.

6:03

Thank you for giving me the honor of um honoring my sister.

6:07

It's her birthday today.

6:08

She's my little big sister, I like to say.

6:11

She's the smallest of us all, but she's the oldest of us all, and I'm glad that she's the oldest, not me.

6:16

So happy birthday, Dawn.

6:18

And um, we're going to be celebrating with cupcakes in the room.

6:22

She's out in Portland, Oregon.

6:23

So we're also gonna have some hats on.

6:28

And so, Dawn, happy birthday.

6:29

Uh, I also do have a community meeting tomorrow night uh relative to a development on Due West, it's at the Madison Library.

6:37

But Dawn, we're celebrating with you, and this is Councilmember Cap and Councilmember Allen, and everybody here is grateful to celebrate you.

6:44

Thank you so much, Pro Tem.

6:47

Happy birthday.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural███████████████████████████████31%

Public Safety████████████12%

Planning and Zoning█████████9%

Zoning and Land Use█████████9%

Traffic Management███████7%

Community Engagement█████5%

Public Engagement█████5%

Budget and Oversight████4%

Personnel Matters████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Council Regular Session Summary – October 6, 2026

The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County held its regular session on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Metropolitan Courthouse. The 37-member council addressed a substantial agenda including board appointments, a contentious Motorola public safety software contract, numerous zoning ordinances, a debated 'No Right on Red' proposal, and a measure on employee surveys. The meeting began with recognitions, proclamations (including the 50th anniversary of the Kurdish community in Nashville), and remarks on public health initiatives like flu shots and cancer awareness.

Public Comments & Testimony

Item 99 (Focus Strategies Contract): Steve Ryder opposed the $250,000 contract with Focus Strategies for a Permanent Supportive Housing Strategic Plan, arguing Metro has a proven track record of internally executing such projects (e.g., Strobel House).
General Comment: Shauntay Pichay urged the council to prioritize housing and homelessness funding, ensure infrastructure is ready before approving development, and protect residents over tourism.
Item 30 (Motorola Agreement): Michael Lacey flagged concerns over non-CAD provisions. Bethany Fancher urged a boycott over Motorola's ICE/CBP contracts. Trina Hewell requested the resolution be strictly limited to Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), excluding drone software and the Callio app without future council approval.
Item 93 (No Right on Red): Ezra Howard and Adam Nicholson supported Councilmember Sepulveda's proposed substitute map as data-driven over competing amendments. Pedestrian safety advocate Kim Unertle shared her personal story of being hit by a driver and strongly urged action. Michael Mara opposed the bill, arguing it harms downtown accessibility and traffic flow.
Item 69 (Greenway): John Bull raised concerns about the impact of planned greenway improvements on a homeless encampment along Seven Mile Creek.

Discussion Items

RS2026-2264 (Motorola Public Safety Software): After extensive debate, the council voted 26-7-1 to adopt the resolution accepting the cooperative purchasing agreement. An amendment scoping the contract strictly to Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) functionality was adopted. Motions to defer the resolution for one or two meetings to allow for further contract review failed.
BL2026-1497 (Right Turns on Red): This ordinance to restrict right turns on red at 59 downtown intersections led to significant floor debate. Councilmember Kupin offered an amendment narrowing it to 18 intersections. Following extensive discussion, the council approved a motion by Councilmember Spain to defer the entire ordinance for one meeting and re-refer it to the Transportation & Infrastructure, Budget & Finance, and Public Health & Safety committees.
BL2026-1514 (Employee Surveys): A spirited debate occurred between requiring annual third-party employee surveys immediately (CM Styles substitute) and mandating a study first (CM Ellis substitute). The council rejected the Styles substitute (12-19-2) and adopted the Ellis substitute, passing the bill on its second reading.
BL2026-1433 (Daycare vs. Childcare): An ordinance updating code terminology from “day care” to “child care” and “adult day services” passed its second reading. The council adopted amendments to better integrate adult day services regulations and clarify provisions related to short-term rentals.
Rule 21 Amendment: An amendment to the Rules of Procedure separating the consideration of initial bond resolutions from the Capital Spending Plan (CSP) was unanimously adopted.
Elections and Confirmations: Councilmember Deonté Harrell and Christy Borthick were elected to boards by the full council. F. Cory Mason, Joseph L. Umberger, Jackson Ferrell, Ben Vaught, and Tod Roadarmel were confirmed to various boards and commissions.

Key Outcomes

Elections:
- Deonté Harrell elected to Contract and Compliance Board (34-0).
- Christy Borthick elected to Human Relations Commission (21-0, 10 abstentions).
Resolutions Adopted:
- RS2026-2264 (Motorola Public Safety Software) adopted 26-7-1.
- RS2026-2293 (STR Exemption) adopted 29-0.
- RS2026-2294 (Rivergate Infrastructure District) adopted 31-0.
- RS2026-2296 (Fisk University Grant, $43,192.28) adopted 30-0-1.
- RS2026-2302 (Mary Parrish Center Grant, $110,000) adopted 30-0-1.
- RS2026-2307 (Barnes Fund Grants, $1,392,032) adopted 29-0-2.
- RS2026-2325 (Honoring Jason Gooch), RS2026-2326 (Honoring Jerry Vandiver), RS2026-2327 (Filipino American History Month): Adopted unanimously.
Bills Deferred:
- BL2025-703/704 (Harding Pike Historic Overlay) deferred to March 2, 2027.
- BL2026-1497 (No Right on Red) deferred one meeting and re-referred.
- BL2026-1567 (East Bank Redevelopment Plan) deferred to Nov 5.
- RS2026-2324 (Airport Authority Resolution) deferred to Nov 5.
- BL2026-1450 (Online Extremism Initiative) deferred one meeting.
- RS2026-2305 (General Obligation Bonds $544M) deferred one meeting by rule.
Bills Passed on Final Reading:
- BL2026-1536 (Small Business Incentive Grants) passed on third and final reading 28-4.
Bills Passed on Second Reading:
- BL2026-1400/1401 (Cane Ridge Road, 68 units) passed.
- BL2026-1433 (Childcare/Adult Day Services) passed as amended.
- BL2026-1514 (Employee Surveys) passed as substituted (Ellis).
- BL2026-1553/1554 (McCann Street, 311 units) passed.
- BL2026-1558/1559 (Barnes Road, 109 units & 78 lots) passed, third reading deferred.
- BL2026-1568 (Focus Strategies Permanent Housing Plan) passed.
Bills Withdrawn:
- BL2026-1518 (Solid Waste Generator Fees).
- BL2026-1605 (1326 3rd Avenue North Zoning).

Meeting Transcript

Am I working out? Number 237, how to shut up a politician, right? Turn the mic off. Okay, so it's uh October the 6th. I will start out with a couple of things. Um one uh yesterday was uh the last day of early voting, so I ask everybody to uh make a plan to vote, make sure that you're ready. Early voting starts uh from the 14th to the 29th. Uh also real quick, uh any council members want to sneak out there and get your uh flu shot. I got mine already. Takes like literally five minutes, so you can zip out there, fill out a little form, sit down, then ask you two questions, and then you can get it done and be out of the way. Uh it's flu season, so stay on top of that. Um this is uh domestic violence awareness month, so I asked people to uh stay safe, but if you get in the situation, stand up and uh and speak out. It's also uh LGBT History Month and Brent's breast cancer awareness month, so make sure you you get that and uh national disability employment awareness month. So, what I want to do is open it up and for Mr. Benton first, if you're ready, sir, and we'll do your presentation and then we'll do announcements from the council members, and then we'll come to uh Mr. Cortez Delest. Tim is my mic on. Thank you, Pro Tim. Tonight we are here to honor the life and legacy of Catherine Domini. And tonight we have with us a lot of Dwayne Domini's family, and Dwayne is a former council member in District 28, that's my district, and we're excited to have everyone here tonight. Um this resolution honoring the life and legacy of Catherine Domini. Whereas Catherine Domini passed away on July 24th, 2026. At the age of 59, Catherine Dominey was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Whereas from an early age, Catherine Domini demonstrated an aptitude for many areas while at Tullahoma High School. Ms. Dominey was a member of the marching band, Flag Corps, Mathematics Honor Society, and the Mu Alpha Theta, and received the Presidential Academic Fitness Award. And whereas upon graduation from Tullahama High School, Catherine Dominey moved to Nashville to study elementary education at Belmont University, and whereas Catherine Dominey had a long career with Metro Nashville Public Schools, teaching over 35 years. While with MNPS, Ms. Domini taught at Paragon Mills Elementary School, Tom Joy Elementary School, Hattie Cotton Elementary School, Inglewood Elementary School, and Cole Elementary School, and whereas she was recognized with the Blue Ribbon Teacher Award in 2023 for our outstanding contributions in MPS. Whereas outside of her work with MNPS, Mrs. Domini was passionate about sign language and directed the deaf ministry at Christ Church Nashville for over 30 years. She was ordained as a deacon on July 18th, 2012. And whereas Catherine Domini is survived by her husband, former council member Dwayne Domini, her three children, Alexandria, Anna, and Aaron, her grandchildren, and many other living family and friends. And whereas she continued her desire to educate after her passing by donating her body to science through Restore Life USA, a Tennessee-based nonprofit organization specializing in medical research. And whereas it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council honor the life of Catherine Domini for her lifelong passion for education and her demonstrated penchant for service. Now therefore, be it resolved by the councils and Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davison County. Okay, we're gonna go ahead and move to announcements. Go ahead, Miss Benedict. Thank you, Pro Tem. Um I am here tonight. Thank you for giving me the honor of um honoring my sister. It's her birthday today. She's my little big sister, I like to say.

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