General Forum, 2023-2027 Term

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Sheri Weiner regarding Ordinance No. BL2025-952, an ordinance establishing the Metropolitan Animal Care and Control Commission.

From CM Sheri Weiner:

Vice Mayor Henderson and Colleagues,

As outlined in the agenda for our upcoming meeting on Tuesday night, I’ve introduced legislation—BL2025-952—proposing the establishment of a dedicated commission to support Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC). This proposal is part of a broader, multi-faceted strategy to finally provide the long-overdue support that MACC staff need and deserve.

The work done by MACC is both vital and emotionally demanding. As described by the staff themselves, working at an animal shelter is “wonderful, stressful, fun, heartbreaking, frustrating, rewarding, and depressing—and we wouldn’t think of doing anything else. The most frustrating part is that we do not have the tools to do the job as we know we should. We want to offer more, do more, and help more. We just don’t have the staff, facilities, or technology to make it happen. We need help.”

These words should not be ignored.

MACC staff’s unwavering commitment to serve our pet population with limited resources is remarkable. Yet commitment alone is not enough. We must recognize the structural and systemic gaps that have made it difficult for MACC to fulfill its mission at the level our community expects and deserves. This commission is intended to close those gaps and elevate the support for MACC to a more strategic and sustainable level.

Some may ask why a new commission is necessary given that MACC technically falls under the Board of Health. The reality is, through in-depth conversations and site visits—including work alongside the Health Department’s John Finke, former Director Ashley Harrington, and MACC’s exceptional staff—it became clear that meaningful engagement from the Board of Health has been absent for years. A visit to MACC and a conversation with its staff will quickly demonstrate just how critical this support structure is.

The proposed commission will consist of seven members who bring relevant and diverse experience in areas such as veterinary medicine, animal welfare nonprofits, shelter operations, and pet ownership. One seat will be reserved for a non-voting council member to ensure ongoing legislative insight and connection. Commissioners will meet quarterly and serve as advocates, strategists, and sounding boards. Most importantly, they will bring the subject-matter expertise necessary to understand MACC’s realities and help shape thoughtful, effective solutions.

This initiative is not symbolic—it is urgently needed. I hope you will see, as my co-sponsors and I have, that now is the time to act.

I appreciate your time and consideration.

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Jennifer Webb regarding cooperative housing developments.

From CM Jennifer Webb:

RS2024-592 approved a Barnes Fund grant for a cooperative housing project in my district. Would you call this home ownership if you have to ask for permission to sell that home?

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Tasha Ellis regarding Metropolis Parking.

From CM Ellis:

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Quin Evans Segall regarding Resolution No. RS2025-1167, a resolution requesting the Metropolitan Department of Water and Sewerage Services make revisions to the Stormwater Management Manual to address stormwater drainage across Nashville and Davidson County by updating the infill tree credit and including multi-family structures as residential infill.

From CM Evans Segall: 

I have sent the following questions to Stormwater in order related to RS2025-1167. I will post the responses from them once they are received. 

The way I understand the code is as follows:

1. The requirements of 15.64.131 (residential infill) only apply if the requirements of 15.64.110 (all other storm water and grading not otherwise exempt) do not apply.
2. The statute defines "residential" as one and two family.
3. Therefore, a 3 unit building would never be considered residential.
4. If 1 and 2 are correct, then a 3 unit building would never qualify for "residential" infill under 15.64.110 and thus should never be governed by 15.64.131.
   1. Instead, a 3 unit building would always be governed by 15.64.110 (unless it meets one of the other exceptions listed therein).
5. 15.64.110 requires a grading permit so 3 unit buildings are always required to get grading permits.

Is this understanding incorrect?

15.64.110 also seems stricter than 15.64.131, but please let me know if that is incorrect?

Finally, have we looked at whether we can address the issue of people sort of gaming the system by adding impervious surface post closing? I hear a lot about this, as you might imagine!

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Ginny Welsch about potential Council involvement in the Community Health Improvement Plan, or CHIP, this year.

From CM Welsch: 

I have already mentioned this to some of you, but the Community Health Improvement Plan, or CHIP, was designed to improve the overall health and well-being of the citizens of Nashville on every level. The committee is having a hard time getting real traction toward its goal and feels like if council got involved on some level it would help move things forward.             

I would like to put together some sort of program that could draw people in. Hikes for Health was one idea, with different council members committing to lead a hike on a given day that community members could participate in. If 12 hikes were set up over a three or four month period, it would have an impact.       

I am open to any ideas people might have on how council could get involved. I’d love to launch something in mid-to-late May, and run it over the summer and into the fall.  It would be proof of concept, if nothing else. If hikes aren’t your thing, we could combine any number of activities to create a program. 

Please let me know your thoughts and if you would be willing to participate. Thanks!

Here is a link to the 2023-2025-Community-Health-Improvement-Plan.pdf 

Documents discussed in this topic can be found at this link: Let’s Get Healthy – CHIP 2025

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Thom Druffel concerning his resolution to request that the Mayor establish a working group to develop and coordinate youth success strategies and agree on a permanent coordinating mechanism.

From CM Druffel: 

Colleagues, 

I am sponsoring a resolution filed today, 3/11, for our Council Meeting on 3/18 to request the Mayor establish a working group to develop and coordinate youth success strategies and agree on a permanent coordinating mechanism.

The resolution requests funding for a Gap Analysis to examine data on youth populations, employment, and key social determinants to identify neighborhood patterns and discrepancies as part of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget. A proposal is ready.

I have outlined a call to action with opportunities to significantly impact our youth. Your support is appreciated!

Thom

Youth that are at risk of meeting their potential

Assumes 15,000 high school students in MNPS schools.

• Youth Justice: 1,500/year, 10 Years- 15,000 
• Non-graduates: 713/year (19% of seniors), 10 years- 7,130
• Dropouts: 1,200 (8% of all high school students), 10 years-12,000
• Immigrants needing language support: 24,000 (30% of 80,000 total students), 10 years 240,000.
• Students below grade level in reading and math by 3rd grade: A long-term success metric

• Students who drop out are 8 times more likely to go to prison and not eligible for 90% of new jobs.
  • Third-grade students below grade level in math present challenges for incremental improvement and long-term success.

Call to Action

The number of young people not reaching their full potential is significant, extending into the thousands. Including future generations, this number reaches into tens of thousands.

• Evidence-based results indicate that youth summer and after-school programs can enhance school outcomes and reduce youth justice involvement by 20%. Successful programs integrate activities that encompass holistic skills, academic improvements, and career exploration.
• Enhanced youth success greatly benefits the social and economic fabric of Nashville.
• Given the variability in funding sources, it is crucial to diversify and expand these sources while optimizing program delivery by leveraging opportunities with industry partners, workforce initiatives and collaborating with non-profits.
• Currently, programs face a shortage of partnerships and employers for the upcoming summer. We must construct a long-term sustainable model addressing current needs and incorporating best practices for future generations. By coordinating efforts and aligning stakeholders, we can positively impact the lives of thousands of our youth.
• The initial steps involve developing a coordinating mechanism to strategize for sustainable programming growth across MNPS, Metro Dept of Youth Safety, Director of Youth and Children initiatives, NAZA and Power Youth Dept and other youth programs. There are opportunities to bridge youth initiatives in career exploration with Nashville State and TCAT. Two former youth initiatives and studies. Mayor Dean in 2010 and Mayor Cooper in 2023 provide a strong framework with evidence-based strategies.
• Conduct a gap analysis that would identify youth population patterns, employment trends, and key social determinants at the neighborhood level will highlight disparities and inform targeted interventions.
• As Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized in his book *Why We Can’t Wait*, there is an urgency to address our youth's needs immediately. Every day we delay results in more of our youth not realizing their full potential.

More information can be found at the following Sharepoint: https://metronashville.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/MCO/EnCu2KfX_cJFg3tlHaDmLXQBhiLmbtLV8GBmahFITgbyzw?e=Sa5vPa

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Burkley Allen concerning the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference 2025.

From CM Allen: 

Colleagues attending the NLC Cities Congressional City Conference 2025, this discussion topic is a place where everyone can share what they've learned for future reference and for those who couldn't attend. All topics, links and resources are welcome!

Documents discussed in this topic can be found at this link: https://metronashville.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/MCO/EozOj1ak9XJHg_-erjnKl6YBaIuA0FW6myISWJQArNATRg?e=ksD3nc

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Ginny Welsch regarding questions related to FUSUS, which are linked below in the Sharepoint.

From CM Welsch: 

Though we have been discussing FUSUS for quite a while now, we have been flying blind, without any actual data to back up the numerous claims made by various stakeholders about its safety and actual efficacy. Before we take another vote on FUSUS implementation, I think we need answers to the many questions still hanging out there, so we have all relevant information we need in hand.  

Mike Lacy has put together a list of very thoughtful questions that I believe once answered will help us make a more informed decision about whether FUSUS is the way to go.  I am looking for responses from the administration, Metro Legal, Axon and MNPD.  You will find the questions in the Sharepoint file linked in this post.  Thanks. 

Documents discussed in this topic can be found at this link:  Questions Related to FUSUS 

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Delishia Porterfield to discuss the Special Called Budget and Finance Committee Meeting that will be held on Thursday, February 27 at 5:30pm. 

From CM Porterfield:

Hello everyone,

This discussion topic was requested by Council Member Emily Benedict to discuss Ordinance No. BL2025-742, pertaining to the Metropolitan Historical Commission and the Metropolitan Historic Zoning Commission. 

From CM Benedict:

Colleagues,

As promised, starting this thread seeking your feedback on BL2025-742 relative to the historic zoning commission. 

Having concluded two meetings, latest this morning, with Director Tim Walker, I sent a list of questions to Director Lucy Kempf. The responses will be shared here immediately. 

My respect for the community engagement process is genuine, and during our March 4 meeting, I will make a motion for a public hearing on March 18. This is important and your support is requested. I want to hear from people. Genuine feedback is always helpful. If an amendment makes legislation better, then we will explore them.  

This legislation has been in the works for a year. It’s important to share some challenges I’ve had over the years.

First, Historic staff coordinated with Litton High School alumni organization prior to requesting a bill for historic landmark designation for the shuttered school. Litton High School, which was a segregated school, closed in 1971 rather than integrating. This history lesson was a revelation to them during our discussion. 

This history was compelled to be part of any landmark designation requiring my involvement with the matter. And then, only after consideration of other, more appropriate places were searched.

This snafu was further complicated by staff incorrectly asserting to the alumni association it was already approved. We can do better.

Secondly, a home in a conservation overlay where the homeowner sought permits to build an addition on the back of their house. When historic reviewed the permit, they noticed the house had a un-permitted side porch, clearly one there for years, likely pre-dating the overlay. Historic would only approve the requested permit if the homeowner removed the side addition. During the MHZC meeting, this was discussed by the commissioners, who expressed sympathy to the applicant. However, commissioners sided with staff and even offered as possible recourse this applicant might have regarding the side porch is pursuing possible claims against the seller. This is wasteful, unreasonable, and punitive for aesthetics. 

Lastly, when the Inglewood Place Overlay was developed, marketed, and adopted in reliance on, as a way to stop “tall/skinnies.” It was adopted by residents with over 80% approval in 2016. Yet five years later in 2021, with little engagement, 600 impacted property owners were added to the new Consolidated Guidelines in the overlay. 

This changed the overlay dramatically. Instead of preventing “tall/skinnies,” reviews now include windows, roof pitch, and siding type. When I took a case to the MHZC, staff analysis described how the application would revert siding guidelines to the *original* overlay. Revealing staff’s involvement in opaque behavior when those guidelines were added, impacting 600 property owners.

Here are a number of press pieces about the ways ordinary Nashvillians are being treated, and demonstrating the need for action. Here are links to some of those articles:

https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/citylimits/historic-overlays-nashville/article_f2fc784a-8316-11ee-81a4-7bc02992b4f0.html

https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/citylimits/metro-historic-planning-department/article_3098c59c-ed7d-11ef-9967-bbe2a8e93b73.html

https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/02/11/historic-zoning-proposal-move-to-planning-department

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2025/02/13/nashville-bars-historical-preservation-development/78428638007/

https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/citylimits/downtown-nashville-new-design-code-guidelines/article_95383b20-1206-11ef-9bc1-2bf112273f64.html

A Sharepoint folder with links to documents discussed below is available at this link: BL2025-742 - Historic Zoning Commission Historical Commission Legislation