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2026-05-07 - Metropolitan Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes (a special meeting under Rule 46.1; approved at the May 19, 2026 meeting). No video or agenda is on file.

  • Special meeting at 6:30 PM with Vice Mayor Henderson presiding. 34 members present; absent: Gamble, Welsch, Horton, Taylor, Weiner, Johnston and Rutherford. Minutes of the April 21, 2026 regular meeting were approved. The invocation was given by Pastor Rick Roberts of St. John's Lutheran Church.
  • Mayor's messages: the Mayor reported he had filed the fiscal year 2027 operating budget, recommending a 22% cut in the local sales tax on groceries, $69 million for the Unified Housing Strategy and full funding of year two of the employee pay plan, and reported the 2026 Series D general obligation refinancing ($556,660,000 at 3.188%, net present value savings $18,830,686). See Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget and Grocery Sales Tax Reduction.
  • Elections and confirmations: Nick Cavin elected to the Health and Educational Facilities Board; thirteen Midtown Central Business Improvement District board members and five other appointees confirmed unanimously; a dozen other appointments and election nominees re-referred to the next meeting; one appointment withdrawn.
  • Nominations for two Transportation Licensing Commission seats closed; election set for June 2.
  • Rule 46 (Council meeting scheduling) amendment deferred under Rule 8.1.
  • Public hearing on a long list of zoning bills: day care and home occupation text amendments passed second reading as substituted; downtown rail corridor rules passed second reading with one abstention; Specific Plan and planned development projects on Old Lebanon Dirt Road, Skyline Ridge Drive, Melvin Road, 8th Avenue South, Weber Road and Taylor Street passed second reading; the Abernathy Road project was deferred indefinitely and a Belmont-area conservation overlay was withdrawn.
  • Consent agenda adopted 31-0-0 (grants, utility acceptances, a Belmont Village PILOT, a $1,000,000 Barnes Fund grant to Inspiritus, Inc., a $400,000 Safe Haven Family Shelter appropriation, CMA Fest special event zone and more).
  • Arts Commission grant criteria for fiscal year 2027 adopted 27-5-0; authority for the interim Council Office director adopted 32-0-0; the Electric Power Board no confidence resolution was deferred; a sandwich board sign bill passed third reading 29-0-0.

Mayor's messages

  • Budget message: the budget "requires Metro to tighten its belt" while continuing to invest in schools, services and safety. The Mayor thanked the Department of Finance. See Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget and Grocery Sales Tax Reduction.
  • Bond report to the Comptroller's forms: Moody's, S&P and Kroll reaffirmed Metro's credit ratings. The 2026 Series D bonds, authorized by Resolution RS2026-1772 on February 3, 2026, refinanced outstanding bonds.

Elections, appointments and confirmations

  • 26-067 Health and Educational Facilities Board (term to September 30, 2028): Nick Cavin, nominated by Capp, recommended by the Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections Committee; Cash moved to confirm; unanimous. See Health and Educational Facilities Board Election.
  • Confirmed unanimously on Cash's motion after committee recommendation: Jon Michael, Action Commission (26-068, term to June 30, 2028); Dr. Michelle Steele, Parks and Recreation Board (26-070, to March 30, 2031); David Kleinfelter, Short Term Rental Appeals Board (26-071, to April 7, 2030); Cesar Castro (26-046) and Laura Donahue (26-072), Sustainability Advisory Committee (to March 14, 2028).
  • Thirteen Midtown Central Business Improvement District board members (26-073 to 26-086, except 26-082) confirmed unanimously on Cash's motion: Michael Babb, Walt Burton, Lisa Haller, Andree LeQuire (three-year terms); Julia Baker, Bob Franklin, Allie Hall Eagles, Emily Schneller, Donovan Sheffield (two-year); Charly Couture, Chris Gala, Malik Gaye, Keith Siebenaler (one-year). Andrew Cook (26-082) was re-referred. See Midtown Business Improvement District Funding.
  • Re-referred by the Rules Committee to the next meeting: Marcus Shute, Jr. and Steve Swartz (Airport Authority, 26-090 and 26-091, terms to April 5, 2032); Winston Wright (Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, 26-092); Nathaniel Carter (East Bank Development Authority, 26-087, election set for May 19; the nomination of Bob Braswell was withdrawn); Sylvia Marcela Gomez (Farmers Market Board, 26-093); Elizabeth Mayhall (Historic Zoning Commission, 26-069); Dr. Sybril Brown and Mark Hayes (Tourism and Convention Commission, 26-094 and 26-095); Andrew Cook (MBID, 26-082).
  • Nominees for the Property Standards and Appeals Board (Grafton Brittle, nominated by Kupin; Roger Farmer, nominated by Evans) and the Short Term Rental Appeals Board (Diamond Bell, nominated by Toombs; Kevin Griffith, Kupin) were re-referred, with elections set for May 19. See Property Standards Appeals Board Election and Short Term Rental Appeals Board Election.
  • Withdrawn by Cash: Caroline Everett, Sustainability Advisory Committee (26-047).
  • Nominations, Transportation Licensing Commission (26-096, two seats to April 30, 2028, election June 2): Erica Penley (Spain), Jalilah Haqq (Toombs; the minutes also print "Jalila Hague") and Annie Klaver (Kupin). See Transportation Licensing Commission Election.

Public comment

  • Registered speakers addressed the Council on matters of interest within the 20-minute total limit and two minutes each. The minutes record no names or positions.

Rules of Procedure

  • Rule 46 (Council meetings; scheduling): the committee recommended deferral and the amendment was deferred under Rule 8.1. See Council Meeting Schedule Rule.

Bills on public hearing (second reading)

  • BL2025-1175 and BL2025-1176, a Neighborhood Conservation overlay for 38 acres near Shackleford Road and Belmont Boulevard: withdrawn by Preptit. See Belmont Conservation Overlay Withdrawal.
  • BL2026-1296, requiring district Council member notice of unenforceable conditions on approved Specific Plan districts: no speakers; passed second reading by voice vote on Cortese's motion; referred to Planning and Zoning.
  • BL2026-1317, day care use regulations: no speakers; substitute adopted and passed second reading as substituted (voice votes) on Spain's motions. See Day Care Zoning Rules.
  • BL2026-1318, home occupation regulations: no speakers; substitute adopted and passed second reading as substituted (voice votes) on Parker's motions. See Home Occupation Zoning Rules.
  • BL2026-1326, Downtown Code rail corridor entitlements: one citizen in opposition; passed second reading by voice vote on Evans's motion, Porterfield abstaining. See Downtown Code Rail Corridor Rules.
  • BL2026-1337 and BL2026-1338, Old Lebanon Dirt Road planned development amendment (77 multi-family units): speakers for and against; passed second reading, Evans-Segall abstaining. See Old Lebanon Dirt Road Planned Development Amendment.
  • BL2026-1339 and BL2026-1340, Skyline Ridge Drive Specific Plan (280 multi-family units): no speakers; passed second reading on Parker's motions. See Skyline Ridge Drive Multi-Family Amendment.
  • BL2026-1341, 1703 River Drive from RS10 to R10 (0.6 acres): no speakers; passed second reading on Kimbrough's motion.
  • BL2026-1342 and BL2026-1343, Melvin Road and North New Hope Road Specific Plan (164 single-family lots, 50 acres): no speakers; passed second reading on Huffman's motions. See Melvin Road Single-Family Rezoning.
  • BL2026-1344, 1304 and 1306 Jones Avenue from RS5 to MUN-A-NS (0.21 acres): no speakers; passed second reading on Parker's motion.
  • BL2026-1345 and BL2026-1346, Abernathy Road Specific Plan (63 detached multi-family units with 9 accessory apartments): deferred indefinitely on Kimbrough's motions (voice vote). See Abernathy Road Multi-Family Rezoning.
  • BL2026-1347 and BL2026-1348, 8th Avenue South and Bass Street Specific Plan (365 multi-family units, 3.05 acres): no speakers; passed second reading on Vo's motions. See Eighth Avenue South Specific Plan Amendment.
  • BL2026-1349, BL2026-1350 and BL2026-1351, 5309 Weber Road (cancel part of a planned unit development; R10 to Specific Plan for 18 multi-family units): speakers for and against; passed second reading on Huffman's motions. See Weber Road Specific Plan Rezoning.
  • BL2026-1352, 2400 to 2404 Brick Church Pike from CL and RS7.5 to MUL-A-NS (0.95 acres), on Toombs's motion; BL2026-1353, 2318 Foster Avenue from RS5 to R6-A (0.17 acres), on Harrell's motion; and BL2026-1354, 100 Taylor Street from IG to Specific Plan for mixed use (1.32 acres), on Evans's motion: no speakers on any; all passed second reading by voice vote.
  • Considered together under Rule 40: resolutions from RS2026-1928, second reading bills from BL2026-1363 and third reading bills from BL2026-1327. Yes (31): Suara, Porterfield, Evans-Segall, Allen, Hill, Kimbrough, Toombs, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Huffman, Gregg, Vo, Cash, Druffel, Gadd, Preptit, Nash, Benton, Ellis, Sepulveda, Lee, Ewing and Spain.
  • Board of Equalization: extended the Tax Year 2025 special session (RS2026-1928), called regular and special sessions starting June 1 and June 29, 2026 (RS2026-1929) and approved hearing officers (RS2026-1930).
  • Housing: Belmont Village Apartments PILOT (RS2026-1933, see Multi-Family Housing PILOT Agreements); a Barnes Fund grant not exceeding $1,000,000 to Inspiritus, Inc. to fund a previously expired grant for affordable or workforce housing (RS2026-1934).
  • Money and grants: $400,000 to Safe Haven Family Shelter for hotel rooms for families with minor children (RS2026-1936); senior nutrition and transportation, family safety, EMS and Fire data software (ImageTrend), Byrne Justice Assistance, REACH health equity and EPA recycling infrastructure grants and contracts (RS2026-1937 to 1939, 1942, 1944, 1945); a historic African American cemeteries study grant application (RS2026-1932).
  • Purchasing and leases: Hustler Turf Equipment master agreement (RS2026-1935); Governmentjobs.com workforce software for Police (RS2026-1941); a sixth lease amendment with Signature Center, L.P. for the Police PASS program (RS2026-1940); CSX preliminary engineering for bridge repairs at Cleveland Street, Hamilton Avenue, Myatt Drive and Sidco Drive (RS2026-1943).
  • Water and sewer: a participation agreement with Legacy South Builders (RS2026-1946); option purchases of three flood-prone properties (RS2026-1947); acceptances of public water and sewer infrastructure (RS2026-1948 to 1953 and BL2026-1366, 1367, 1335, 1336).
  • Honors and other: Fisk Jubilee Bridge Area Revitalization (RS2026-1955); notaries public (RS2026-1960); downtown Special Event Zone for CMA Fest, June 3 to 8, 2026 (BL2026-1363); alley and right-of-way abandonments (BL2026-1365, 1331); an Animal Care and Control Commission code change (BL2026-1327, see Metro Animal Care Commission Elections); a pedestrian signaling participation agreement (BL2026-1329); Riverwalk Nashville homeowners association encroachments (BL2026-1330); Townes Drive and Kenwood Drive stormwater easements (BL2026-1332, 1333).

Resolutions

  • RS2026-1926, courtroom audio and visual equipment master agreement with For The Record, Ltd.: deferred under Rule 8.1 on committee recommendation.
  • RS2026-1927, authority for the interim Council Office director: adopted 32-0-0 on Capp's motion. See Council Office Leadership Authority.
  • RS2026-1931, Arts Commission Operating Support and Thrive grant criteria: Benedict called the previous question; adopted 27 yes, 5 no (Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Ellis, Styles). See Arts Commission Grant Criteria.
  • RS2026-1954, lack of confidence in the Electric Power Board over Winter Storm Fern: deferred under Rule 8.1. See Electric Power Board No Confidence Resolution.
  • Recognition resolutions adopted without dissent: Jewish American Heritage Month (RS2026-1956, 30-0-0), ALS Awareness Month (RS2026-1957, 30-0-0), Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (RS2026-1958, 30-0-0), and Period Poverty Awareness Week, May 11 to 17 (RS2026-1959, 30-0-0).

Bills on first reading

  • BL2026-1368 (donating a structure in Centennial Park to the Nashville Steam Preservation Society), BL2026-1369 (Stones River to Opry Mills greenway license), BL2026-1370 (Nashville Riverboats dock lease for Police and Fire), BL2026-1372 to 1375 (sewer and water easements and acceptances) and BL2026-1376 (Tyco Fire Products and Chemguard water system settlement funds) passed first reading on motion.
  • BL2026-1371, Vanderbilt police training partnership: passed first reading by voice vote on Toombs's motion, with Kimbrough, Capp and Gadd abstaining. See Vanderbilt Police Training Agreement.

Bills on second reading

  • BL2026-1355 (Council Office code section): withdrawn by Ellis. See Council Office Leadership Authority.
  • BL2026-1356 (right-of-way appraisal requirements): deferred with re-referral to committees on Toombs's motion. See Right-of-Way Appraisal Requirements.
  • BL2026-1357 (Department of Law, Chapter 2.40): passed second reading on Toombs's motion, voice vote.
  • BL2026-1358 (NDOT fees): deferred to June 2 on Toombs's motion. See Transportation Department Fee Schedule.
  • BL2026-1359 (removal of obstructions in the right-of-way): withdrawn by Evans-Segall.
  • BL2026-1362 (annual tax abatement review): deferred under Rule 8.1. See Tax Abatement Annual Review.
  • BL2026-1364 (74,374 square feet of office space at 1283 Murfreesboro Pike, Hessel Properties, GP): passed second reading by voice vote on Toombs's motion, Kimbrough voting no. See Murfreesboro Pike Office Lease.

Bills on third reading

  • BL2026-1255, sandwich board signs: Amendment No. 2 adopted; passed as amended 29-0-0. See Sandwich Board Sign Rules.
  • BL2026-1328, Fire Marshal fee schedule: deferred to June 16 on Toombs's motion. See Fire Marshal Fee Schedule.
  • BL2026-1334, Vultee Boulevard sewer acceptance: passed on Evans-Segall's motion, 31 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (Allen).

The meeting then adjourned.

Sources