Friends, The first part of this note is about the Metro Council meeting taking place this Tuesday evening, February 6th at 6:30 PM. I then share a few items from the last Council meeting, held on January 23rd.
If you cannot attend a Metro Council meeting in person you can stream it live at THIS LINK.
To find out dates for all of the upcoming full Council meetings AND Committee meetings OR to listen to a recording of a previous meeting you can go to THIS LINK.
Thanks for taking some time to follow the efforts of our Metro Council to look out for the needs of Nashville. Be sure to contact your Councilperson to thank them for their service HERE.
Wishing you a happy week ahead! Michele
February 6, 2024: Metro Council Meeting
If you click this line for the AGENDA you will be taken to the list of items to be discussed at the 2/6 Metro Council meeting.
If you wish to comment on an Agenda item you can do so during the Public Comment period that takes place during the early part of the meeting. You just need to sign up at the Metro Clerk’s office before 6:00 PM on Tuesday. You have up to 2 minutes to express your opinion/concerns.
One of the items to be discussed (again) is the FUSUS Contract. A report by the Community Oversight Board regarding the FUSUS can be located at THIS LINK.
January 26, 2024: Metro Council Meeting
Although a bit late, I thought you might be interested in a few items from the Council meeting last month.
The evening began with a Press Conference in the hall outside of the Council Chambers recognizing the defeat 15 years ago of a referendum to make Nashville the largest city in the US to “prohibit the government from using languages other than English.” With leadership from public and private individuals, Nashville voters defeated this referendum by a margin of 57 against and 43% for. Today, Nashville boasts one of the most racially, culturally, and gender-diverse Councils in the U.S.
Numerous community leaders who helped to defeat the referendum attended the Press Conference to celebrate the memory of this victory. I am sure many of you will recognize some of the people in the picture below who banded together to confirm Nashville IS a city for all.
Among those who gave short comments of praise for this important vote was At-large Councilperson Zulfat Suara. She linked this historic achievement of the past to the ongoing enrichment of our community today.
METRO COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
E. Elections and Confirmations
Among the 16 nominations to numerous Commissions and Authorities, all were approved except one that was withdrawn and one that was contested. The contested appointment was that of Dawana Wade to the Arts Commission. The 4 other nominees to the Arts Commission were approved unanimously but a roll call vote was requested for Ms. Wade’s nomination. She won approval, the vote was 22 in favor, 11 against, and 5 Abstentions.
F. Public Comment Period
Six individuals spoke during the Public Comment period against FUSUS and tied their comments to the war in the Middle East, specifically to the Palestinian cause.
Chris Bargo’s statement was reflected in that of the 5 speakers that followed him.
Rabbie Strausberg and one other person provided a contrasting view to that of Mr. Bargo, speaking to anti-Semitic violence and the need for technology such as FUSUS.
G. Resolutions on Public Hearing
Item # 1. RS2024-158 by Porterfield and Evans
RE: Sole source contract between Metro Nashville and Fusus to increase the value of the contract
Council voted to defer one meeting to allow the Public Health and Safety Committee to address the questions raised.
J. Resolutions
Item # 18. RS2024-159 by Porterfield
RE: Authorizes Metro Department of Law to “compromise and settle” the claim of Joy Harris against Metro for $30,000.
Joy Harris passed away and it was her family who brought this sexual harassment suit against a Metro employee of the Sheriff’s Department whose employment has been terminated. Council members asked what the original dollar request was but were not provided the answer by Metro Legal. Council members expressed concern that this former employee may seek a job with another police agency and Metro has no way to flag their employment record to stop this from happening.
The Council voted 13-0-0 to provide the compensation of $30,000 to the family of Joy Harris.
Item # 47. RS2024-188 by Porterfield, Capp, Benedict, and Lee
RE: Opposes Expansion of the Education Savings Account program in Tennessee.
Councilperson Clay Capp presented the Resolution. It is a proactive effort to let the Tennessee Legislature and the people of Nashville know that the Council is committed to public education and not the proliferation of Vouchers to redirect money to private schools.
Several other Councilpersons added their comments in support of the Resolution, including Tom Cash…
Jordan Huffman…
Brenda Gadd…
Antoinette Lee…
…and Delishia Porterfield.
During this comment period, Vice Mayor Henderson announced that the Council is in the final stages (waiting for just 3 signatures) of hiring a lobbyist to work at the Legislature on behalf of Nashville’s interests. The debate over the Governor’s voucher proposal is a great example of the kind of legislation that a lobbyist working directly for the Council and the people of Nashville will help to monitor and provide feedback about legislation that may be a hindrance to our city.
The Resolution passed 32 Yes, 0 No, and 3 Abstentions (by Councilpeople Jennifer Webb, Jeff Eslick, and Bob Nash.
Item #50. RS2024-191 by Suara, Sepulveda, Vo, Huffman, Gamble, Nash, Toombs, Styles, Welsch, Evans-Segal, Allen, Bradford, Capp, Porterfield, Ewing, Ellis, Gadd, Benedict and Prepitt
RE: Recognizes January 22 2024 as Language Justice Day in Nashville and Davidson County.
The Resolution, which was linked to the Press Conference held before the beginning of the Council meeting, passed unanimously.
Item # 83. BL2023-140 by Vo, Porterfield, and Gamble.
RE: Approves a Lease Agreement between Metro and LEAD Public Schools/Cameron College Prep.
This Resolution engendered a discussion about the place of Charter Schools within Metro. Councilperson Bradford suggested that Cameron had poor test scores and that they generally do not approve of Charter Schools. Councilperson Porterfield also spoke against the Bill. Councilperson Benedict said that while she is not a fan of adding more charter schools, this charter school is already in operation and the lease for the building is set at a fair market rate. It was mentioned that the Lease runs through 2031 (8 years from now) and that the school system could recoup costs if the bill were to pass. Councilperson Cash suggested that just looking at what Metro would be collecting from the lease is not enough; the Council needs to also look at what will be needed in the future to retain the building as usable. Councilperson Suara bemoaned the fact that charter schools are not held accountable to the greater Nashville public. Councilperson Vo confirmed that this Charter school will be paying for school renovations and that Metro will be paying for capital expenses. Vo went on to say that this school is located near her home and she has worked with the students there. She confirmed that the lease is at market rate.
The Bill passed, although not unanimously.
Item # 85. BL2023-142 by Kupin, Porterfield, Gamble, and Parker AND Item #86. BL2023-143 by Kupin, Porterfield, and Parker
RE: Agreement between Metro and the Stadium for the design and construction of a sewage pumping station AND establishment of a Central East Bank Redevelopment Area AND the authorization to recover costs incurred to construct the sewer pumping and conveyance facilities to serve the redevelopment area through a cost recovery charge applicable to the properties within the area.
Chief Development Officer for Metro (and former Councilperson) Bob Mendes answered Councilperson Suara’s question related to why the Stadium percentage of the cost is 20% and Metro’s is 80%. Mendes indicated that 100% of the cost over the long term would be assumed by the users located on the property.
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