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 ​District 1 School Board Member Robert Taylor. 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 September 2, 2025 were approved.

6. Elections
7. 25-082 Historical Commission Consideration of nominees to fill one vacancy on the Commission with a term expiring August 10, 2029, with an election to be conducted at the September 16, 2025 Council meeting. Phil Claiborne nominated by CM Gregg Betsy Phillips nominated by CM Benedict
   Appointment
   Action: elected

   The President called for an election to fill a vacancy on the Historical Commission for a term expiring August 10, 2029. Nominations previously made were: Phil Claiborne and Betsy Phillips. The following vote was taken on the nominated candidates: Betsy Phillips (23): Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Huffman, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Gadd, Preptit, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, and Ewing; Phil Claiborne (11): Allen, Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Gregg, Weiner, Johnston, Nash, and Benton. President Henderson declared that Betsy Phillips was elected to the Historical Commission.

8. Appointees and Nominees
9. 25-095 Action Commission Reappointment of Michael Cousin for a term expiring November 15, 2028.
   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.

10. 25-096 Action Commission Appointment of Megan Godbey for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
    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.

11. 25-097 Auditorium Commission Appointment of Van Pinnock for a term expiring June 30, 2028.
    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.

12. 25-089 Board of Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Examiners and Appeals Reappointment of Weston Iler for a term expiring on September 21, 2029.
    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.

13. 25-091 Board of Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Examiners and Appeals Reappointment of Morgan Miller-Wallace for a term expiring on September 21, 2029.
    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.

14. 25-099 Historical Commission Appointment of Kaitlyn Jones for a term expiring August 10, 2026.
    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.

15. 25-098 Historic Zoning Commission Appointment of Kaitlyn Jones for a term expiring June 30, 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.

16. 25-094 Procurement Standards Board Reappointment of Shannone Raybon for a term expiring on July 20, 2028.
    Appointment
    Action: withdrawn

    The Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee recommended withdrawal of the appointment. Council Member Cash withdrew the appointment.

17. Confirmations
18. 25-088 Arts Commission Appointment of Camille Greer for a term expiring January 1, 2027.
    Appointment
    Action: approved

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

19. 25-090 Board of Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Examiners and Appeals Reappointment of James Lasater for a term expiring on August 1, 2029.
    Appointment
    Action: approved

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

20. 25-092 Employee Benefit Board Appointment of Bradley Pinson for a term expiring on June 30, 2028.
    Appointment
    Action: approved

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

21. 25-093 Fire and Building Code Appeals Board Reappointment of Marina Ntoupi for a term expiring on June 20, 2029.
    Appointment
    Action: approved

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

22. Public Comment Period
23. 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.

24. 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 RS2025-1477. The bills on second reading consent begin with BL2025-1003. The bills on third reading consent begin with BL2025-796.

25. Resolutions
26. RS2025-1477 A resolution appropriating a total of $200,000 from the Juvenile Court of Nashville and Davidson County to various nonprofit organizations selected to receive Community Partnership Fund grants.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

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

27. RS2025-1478 A resolution setting the compensation of the chair and members of the Metropolitan Board of Equalization and requesting administrative and operational modifications for the board.
    Resolution
    Action: substituted

    The resolution was approved with a substitute by the Budget and Finance Committee. Council Member Toombs moved to adopt the resolution, which motion was properly seconded. Council Member Toombs moved to suspend the Rules of Procedure to introduce a late filed substitute resolution. Without objection, Council Member Benedict offered a substitute resolution and moved that it be adopted, which motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of the Council.

28. 3. A resolution authorizing the Metropolitan Department of Law to compromise and settle the civil rights claims of Alan Dosky against the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, in the amount of $70,000.00, with said amount to be paid out of the Judgments and Losses Fund.
    Resolution
29. RS2025-1480 A resolution authorizing the Metropolitan Government to join the State of Tennessee and other local governments in amending the Tennessee State-Subdivision Opioid Abatement Agreement and approving the related settlement agreements.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

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

30. RS2025-1481 A resolution approving the Benefit Board’s waiver of repayment of pension benefit overpayments for Herman Peters under section 3.08.230 of the Metropolitan Code.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Budget and Finance Committee and the Government Operations and Regulations Committee.

31. 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 (33): Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Benedict, Harrell, Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Huffman, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Weiner, Gadd, Preptit, Nash, Benton, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (0).

32. RS2025-1506 A resolution recognizing the 45th anniversary of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the centennial anniversary of the War Memorial Auditorium.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee. Council Member Kupin 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 (34): Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Bradford, Huffman, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Weiner, Gadd, Preptit, Johnston, Nash, Benton, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (0).

33. RS2025-1508 A resolution approving a $260,000 settlement agreement between the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by and through the Information Technology Services Department, and Comcast of Nashville I, LLC.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted Passed

    Council Member Toombs renewed the motion to adopt the resolution. After discussion, Council Member Weiner 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 roll call vote:

34. RS2025-1478 A resolution setting the compensation of the chair and members of the Metropolitan Board of Equalization and requesting administrative and operational modifications for the board.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    Council Member Benedict moved to adopt the resolution as substituted, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (35): Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Huffman, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Weiner, Gadd, Preptit, Johnston, Nash, Benton, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (0).

35. BL2025-954 An Ordinance amending Title 6 of the Metropolitan Code to amend the definition of Entertainment Transportation Vehicles and to regulate the operation of Seated Sightseeing Vehicles.
    Bill
    Action: passed on second reading

    Council Member Kupin moved to pass the bill on second reading as substituted, which motion was properly seconded. After discussion, Council Member Evans 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 pass the bill on second reading as substituted, which motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of the Council, with Council Members Eslick and Welsch abstaining.

36. RS2025-1503 A resolution urging the Metropolitan Government to conduct a disability audit, as requested by the Mayor’s Council for People with Disabilities, to evaluate the accessibility and inclusivity of facilities and accommodations for the disabilities community in Nashville and Davidson County.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Government Operations and Regulations Committee and the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee. Council Member Ewing moved to adopt the resolution, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (35): Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Huffman, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Weiner, Gadd, Preptit, Johnston, Nash, Benton, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (0).

37. BL2025-908 An ordinance amending Chapters 17.08 and17.16 of the Metropolitan Code, Zoning Regulations to amend and add regulations pertaining to the “beer and cigarette market” use (Proposal No. 2025Z-005TX-001).
    Bill
    Action: passed on third reading as amended

    Council Member Benedict moved to pass the bill on third reading as substituted, which motion was properly seconded. Council Member Kupin moved to suspend the rules of procedure to introduce a late filed amendment. Without objection, Council Member Kupin offered Amendment No. 1 and moved that it be adopted, which motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of the Council. Council Member Benedict moved to pass the bill on third reading as substituted and amended, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (33): Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Huffman, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Weiner, Gadd, Preptit, Nash, Benton, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Lee, Ewing, and Spain; No (0); Abstain (0).

38. RS2025-1504 A resolution supporting the passage of Cameron’s Law, which accelerates rare disease innovation and access, by the United States Congress.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee. Council Member Ewing moved to adopt the resolution, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (31): Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Kimbrough, Toombs, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Harrell, Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Huffman, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Weiner, Preptit, Johnston, Nash, Benton, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (0).

39. Late Resolutions
40. RS2025-1479 A resolution authorizing the Metropolitan Department of Law to compromise and settle the civil rights claims of Alan Dosky against the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, in the amount of $70,000.00, with said amount to be paid out of the Judgments and Losses Fund.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Budget and Finance Committee. Council Member Toombs moved to adopt the resolution, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (35): Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Huffman, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Weiner, Gadd, Preptit, Johnston, Nash, Benton, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (0).

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42. BL2025-882 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 amending a Specific Plan on properties located at 1007 and 1009 Solley Drive, approximately 150 feet west of Gallatin Pike, zoned RS7.5 and SP (3.31 acres), to permit 55 multi-family residential units, all of which is described herein (Proposal No. 2023SP-020-002).
    Bill
    Action: deferred

    The bill was approved by the Planning and Zoning Committee. Council Member Benedict moved to defer the bill to October 21, 2025, which motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of the Council.

43. RS2025-1505 A resolution urging the Tennessee General Assembly to support reforms to the state’s Property Tax Freeze Program to include those with disabilities.
    Resolution
    Action: adopted

    The resolution was approved by the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee. Council Member Cortese moved to adopt the resolution, which motion was seconded and approved by the following vote: Yes (33): Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Kimbrough, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Huffman, Gregg, Welsch, Vo, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Weiner, Preptit, Johnston, Nash, Benton, Ellis, Sepulveda, Rutherford, Lee, and Ewing; No (0); Abstain (0).

44. Message from the Mayor

    Vice Mayor and Members of Council, Two years ago this month, we were elected together with the goal of dedicating ourselves to public service on behalf of our shared constituents and working to make it easier for more of us to stay. We've put our heads down, overcome challenges, and made progress on important issues. School performance is up, we've invested in better city services, and crime is down significantly. Metro Schools followed up its record high graduation rate last year and was recently named one of 17 districts out of just 145 in Tennessee to reach Level 5 status for four consecutive years - another historic first for Metro Schools. We continue to expand more reliable services across the county, like improved routes for clearing snow and creating a standalone Department of Waste Services. Safety is up and crime is down across the board as our Metro Nashville Police Department continues to work with community leaders and expands into a new southeast precinct, and we're standing up alternative, community-based strategies like the Office of Youth Safety alongside proven co-response models like Partners in Care and REACH. Now we look ahead: Choose How You Move, the landmark program you voted to put on the ballot and worked to see passed—with majority support in every single Council district—is on the go with implementation already delivering better, more reliable transit access. And we're just getting started. I've enjoyed being with so many of you across the county as we've cut the ribbon on beautiful new housing developments, almost always with attainable homes. Together, we've created our first budget that implements recommendations from the Unified Housing Strategy. Our work together over the past two years is helping make Nashville more affordable, safer, and an even better place to live and we have much more yet to come. It's been an honor to partner with you, and I'm excited to continue to work with you to make it easier for our neighbors to stay. Freddie O'Connell Mayor