Metropolitan Council

Agenda

1. Announcements and Presentations - 6:00 p.m.
2. Call to Order

   The Metropolitan Council met in regular session on this date at 6:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Courthouse.

3. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

   The invocation was offered by ​Ms. Carolyn Naifeh, Co-Founder of Our Place Nashville. The Metropolitan Council gave the pledge of allegiance to the American Flag.

4. Roll Call

   The roll was called and the following members were present during the progress of the meeting:

5. Approval of Minutes

   The minutes of the regular meeting on May 20, 2025 were approved.

6. Appointees and Nominees
7. 25-045 Historic Zoning Commission Reappointment of Ben Mosely for a term expiring on June 1, 2030.
   Appointment

   The appointee appeared before the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee for consideration. The Committee approved a re-referral for the appointee to be considered at the next meeting.

8. 25-046 Social Services Commission Appointment of Chandra Allen for a term expiring on April 3, 2030.
   Appointment

   The appointee appeared before the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee for consideration. The Committee approved a re-referral for the appointee to be considered at the next meeting.

9. 25-028 Work Release Commission Reappointment of Father Edward Steiner for a term expiring on January 1, 2029.
   Appointment
   Action: deferred

   Council Member Preptit moved to defer the appointment to the July 1, 2025 Council meeting, which motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of the Council.

10. Confirmations
11. 25-041 Health Board Appointment of Heather Powell for a term expiring on May 30, 2030.
    Appointment
    Action: approved

    The Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee recommended the appointment. Council Member Preptit moved to confirm the appointment, which motion was seconded and adopted by a unanimous vote of the Council.

12. 25-042 Parks and Recreation Board Appointment of Alice Hudson Pell for a term expiring on April 30, 2030.
    Appointment
    Action: approved

    The Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee recommended the appointment. Council Member Preptit moved to confirm the appointment, which motion was seconded and adopted by a unanimous vote of the Council.

13. 25-043 Transportation Licensing Commission Appointment of Ann Butterworth for a term expiring on January 31, 2026.
    Appointment
    Action: approved

    The Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee recommended the appointment. Council Member Preptit moved to confirm the appointment, which motion was seconded and adopted by a unanimous vote of the Council.

14. 25-044 Transportation Licensing Commission Appointment of Juan Mera for a term expiring on October 10, 2026.
    Appointment
    Action: approved

    The Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee recommended the appointment. Council Member Preptit moved to confirm the appointment, which motion was seconded and adopted by a unanimous vote of the Council.

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16. Public Comment Period
17. Public Comment Period Members of the public, who are Tennessee residents, wishing to speak may sign-up at a table outside of the Council Chamber from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the day of the Council meeting. Public Comment is limited to twenty minutes total at Council meetings and each speaker is allowed up to two minutes to speak. Requests for interpretation services should be directed to the Council Office at 615-862-6780. Las solicitudes de servicios de interpretación deben dirigirse a la Oficina del Consejo a 615-862-6780.
    Report

    Members of the public who registered in advance spoke upon matters of interest.

18. Bills on Public Hearing
19. BL2025-835 An ordinance adopting the 2025-2026 through 2030-2031 Capital Improvements Budget for The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County as the official Capital Improvements Budget of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
    Bill
    Action: passed on second reading

    The bill was approved by the Planning Commission. The bill was approved by and re-referred to the Budget and Finance Committee and the Planning and Zoning Committee. Council Member Porterfield requested a hearing from the public on this bill which had been previously advertised. The President asked if anyone desired to be heard for or against the bill and citizens were heard in favor of and in opposition to the bill. The President declared the public hearing closed. Council Member Porterfield moved to pass the bill on second reading with a re-referral to the Budget and Finance Committee and the Planning and Zoning Committee, which motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of the Council. The bill is referred to a joint meeting of the Budget and Finance Committee and the Planning and Zoning Committee.

20. BL2025-833 A bill to be entitled: The Budget Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee for Fiscal Year 2026.
    Bill
    Action: passed on second reading

    The bill was approved by and re-referred to the Budget and Finance Committee. Council Member Porterfield requested a hearing from the public on this bill which had been previously advertised. The President asked if anyone desired to be heard for or against the bill and citizens were heard in favor of and in opposition to the bill. The President declared the public hearing closed. Council Member Porterfield moved to pass the bill on second reading with a re-referral to the Budget and Finance Committee, which motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of the Council.

21. BL2025-834 An ordinance establishing the tax levy in the General Services District for the fiscal year 2025-2026, and declaring the amount required for the annual operating budget of the Urban Services District, pursuant to section 6.07 of the Metropolitan Charter.
    Bill
    Action: passed on second reading

    The bill was approved by and re-referred to the Budget and Finance Committee. Council Member Porterfield requested a hearing from the public on this bill which had been previously advertised. The President asked if anyone desired to be heard for or against the bill and no one came forward to be heard. The President declared the public hearing closed. Council Member Porterfield moved to pass the bill on second reading with a re-referral to the Budget and Finance Committee, which motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of the Council.

22. Consent Agenda

    Pursuant to Rule 40 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council, the following resolutions, ordinances on second reading, and ordinances on third reading were considered together under the Consent Agenda. The resolutions on consent begin with RS2025-1206. The bills on second reading consent begin with BL2025-836. The bills on third reading consent begin with BL2025-760.

23. Resolutions
24. RS2025-1206 A resolution authorizing The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County to abandon existing public sanitary sewer main, and to accept new public sanitary sewer mains, at three properties located on Hickory Highlands Drive and Bell Road, offsite of the project location at 2920 Hamilton Church Road, also known as Autumn Lake Offsite Sewer (MWS Project No. 24-SL-244 and Proposal No. 2025M-041ES-001).
    Resolution
    Action: adopted
25. 2. A resolution requesting the Mayor’s Office to initiate an investigation into the operations, practices, and leadership culture of the Davidson County Department of Emergency Communications and report findings to the Metropolitan County Council.
    Resolution
26. RS2025-1227 A Resolution authorizing the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency to negotiate and enter into a PILOT Agreement and accept payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes with respect to a multi-family housing project located at 2920 Hamilton Church Road known as Autumn Lake.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Budget and Finance Committee and the Planning and Zoning Committee.

27. 4. A resolution reallocating $2,220,235 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Fund #30216 to provide legal representation to low and moderate-income Davidson County renters to defend against landlord eviction.
    Resolution
28. RS2025-1257 A resolution accepting a grant from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the State Trial Courts, to provide Tennessee Certified Recovery Court treatment services to non-violent offenders as an alternative to incarceration.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Budget and Finance Committee and the Public Health and Safety Committee.

29. RS2025-1258 A resolution adopting a new pay plan for the general employees of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, excluding employees of the Board of Health, Board of Education, and the Police and Fire Departments, effective July 1, 2025.
    Resolution
    Action: deferred

    The resolution was recommended for deferral by the Budget and Finance Committee and the Government Operations and Regulations Committee. Pursuant to Rule 8.1 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council, the resolution is deferred.

30. RS2025-1259 A resolution adopting a new pay plan for employees of the Metropolitan Departments of Police and Fire, effective July 1, 2025.
    Resolution
    Action: deferred

    The resolution was approved by the Public Health and Safety Committee and recommended for deferral by the Budget and Finance Committee and the Government Operations and Regulations Committee. Pursuant to Rule 8.1 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council, the resolution is deferred.

31. RS2025-1260 A resolution adopting a new pay plan for employees of the Metropolitan Board of Health, effective July 1, 2025.
    Resolution
    Action: deferred

    The resolution was approved by the Public Health and Safety Committee and recommended for deferral by the Budget and Finance Committee and the Government Operations and Regulations Committee. Pursuant to Rule 8.1 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council, the resolution is deferred.

32. 9. A resolution initiating the creation of an expanded Downtown Central Business Improvement District and setting a public hearing regarding the creation of the same.
    Resolution
33. 10. A resolution approving amendment one to a Where It Starts: Breaking Barriers to Business grant from Living Cities in partnership with Main Street America and the Truist Foundation to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Finance Department, to strengthen the relationship between local government and commercial corridor business support organizations with the goal of fostering an equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem and address systemic barriers for business owners during each stage of business development and growth.
    Resolution
34. RS2025-1289 A resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Belcourt Theatre.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee. Council Member Cash moved to adopt the resolution and that all members voting in the affirmative be listed as a cosponsor pursuant to Rule 12.3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (30): Suara, Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Weiner, Preptit, Nash, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Styles, and Lee; No (0); Abstain (0).

35. RS2025-1274 A resolution authorizing the Metropolitan Department of Law to compromise and settle the claims of Deana Watson, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Claude Garrett, against the Metropolitan Government’s former employees in the amount of $300,000.00, with said amount to be paid from the Judgments and Losses Fund.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Budget and Finance Committee. Council Member Porterfield moved to adopt the resolution and that all members voting in the affirmative be listed as a cosponsor pursuant to Rule 12.3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (32): Suara, Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Taylor, Weiner, Preptit, Johnston, Nash, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Styles, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (1): Kupin.

36. RS2025-1292 A resolution recognizing and honoring the month of June 2025 as Pride Month in Nashville and Davidson County and uplifting the strength, legacy, and ongoing contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee. Council Member Hill moved to adopt the resolution and that all members voting in the affirmative be listed as a cosponsor pursuant to Rule 12.3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (30): Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Preptit, Nash, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Styles, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (0).

37. RS2025-1256 A resolution reallocating $2,220,235 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Fund #30216 to provide legal representation to low and moderate-income Davidson County renters to defend against landlord eviction.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Budget and Finance Committee. Council Member Suara moved to adopt the resolution, which motion was properly seconded. After discussion, Council Member Benedict called for the previous question, which motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of the Council. The matter recurred on the motion to adopt the resolution, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (32): Suara, Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Huffman, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Preptit, Johnston, Nash, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Styles, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (1): Benton.

38. RS2025-1262 A resolution approving amendment one to a Where It Starts: Breaking Barriers to Business grant from Living Cities in partnership with Main Street America and the Truist Foundation to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Finance Department, to strengthen the relationship between local government and commercial corridor business support organizations with the goal of fostering an equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem and address systemic barriers for business owners during each stage of business development and growth.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Budget and Finance Committee. Council Member Porterfield moved to adopt the resolution, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (30): Suara, Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Kupin, Weiner, Preptit, Johnston, Nash, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Styles, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (1): Benton.

39. RS2025-1209 A resolution requesting the Mayor’s Office to initiate an investigation into the operations, practices, and leadership culture of the Davidson County Department of Emergency Communications and report findings to the Metropolitan County Council.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted Passed

    The resolution was approved by the Public Health and Safety Committee. Council Member Ellis moved to adopt the resolution, which motion was properly seconded. Council Member Styles moved to defer the resolution to the August 5, 2025 Council meeting, which motion was seconded and failed by the following roll call vote: Yes (10): Evans, Huffman, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Johnston, Nash, Rutherford, Styles, and Ewing; No (24): Suara, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Webb, Eslick, Bradford, Gregg, Kupin, Taylor, Weiner, Preptit, Benton, Ellis, Sepulveda, and Lee; Abstain (0). The matter recurred on the motion to adopt the resolution, which motion was properly seconded. After discussion, Council Member Benedict called for the previous question, which motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of the Council. Council Member Ellis requested a roll call vote. Without objection, the matter recurred on the motion to adopt the resolution, which motion was seconded and approved by the following roll call vote:

40. RS2025-1261 A resolution initiating the creation of an expanded Downtown Central Business Improvement District and setting a public hearing regarding the creation of the same.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted Passed

    The resolution was approved by the Budget and Finance Committee. Council Member Kupin moved to adopt the resolution, which motion was seconded and approved by the following roll call vote:

41. BL2025-809 An ordinance to amend Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the Zoning Ordinance of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by changing from IWD and RS7.5 to SP zoning for various properties along Dickerson Pike, Lemuel Road, Jones Street and Locust Street, approximately 343 feet south of Kennith Drive (106.9 acres), to permit a mixed use development, all of which is described herein (Proposal No. 2025SP-008-001).
    Bill
    Action: deferred

    Council Member Toombs moved to defer the bill, which motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of the Council.

42. Untitled item

    Having been unanimously approved by all of the appropriate committees, upon motion duly seconded, all of the items on the Consent Agenda were approved by the following vote: Yes (34): Suara, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Huffman, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Weiner, Preptit, Johnston, Nash, Benton, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Styles, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (0).

43. RS2025-1291 A resolution recognizing June 2025 as Immigrant Heritage Month in Nashville and Davidson County.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee. Council Member Vo moved to adopt the resolution, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (29): Suara, Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Taylor, Preptit, Nash, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Styles, and Lee; No (0); Abstain (0).

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