A resolution passed appropriating $500,000 funding a grant to Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi to be used for education and supplies. Title 10 federal funding does not allow funds to be used for abortion services. Navigation could be considered abortion services. It passed with a vote of 19 yes, 13 no, and 3 abstained. A resolution passed approving a grant of $2.5 million to the Mental Health Cooperative to provide funds to operate a 24/7 Mental Health Coop Treatment Center to provide urgent mental health care alternatives to the emergency room or jail.
A resolution approving an amendment to a grant to increase by $222,000.00 from $48,000.00 to $270,000.00 to the Metropolitan Board of Health, to provide reimbursement for certain costs associated with providing long-acting reversible contraception.
An Ordinance to prohibit smoking and the use of vapor products in certain age-restricted venues passed on second reading. Exceptions were made for cigar bars and hookah bars and hemp derived cannabinoid vape products that are sold on site. The purpose is to protect health of musicians and employees. After 3rd reading, plan will go into effect on March 1, 2023.
An ordinance to provide free family planning services to all residents of Nashville by the Department of Health was deferred indefinitely. Currently, the Metropolitan Department of Health provides these services and charges a fee based on the family income of the patient. Currently, patients with family income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level are not charged.
A resolution passed appropriating $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to increase Metro’s existing public emergency response reserve for vaccination and assessment centers, homeless emergency shelters, personal protective equipment, sanitization, signage, telework, and information technology.
A resolution passed accepting a grant of $1.6 million from the state to the Metropolitan Board of Health, to implement and coordinate activities and services related to HIV/STI prevention, testing, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance.
Housing/ Unhoused/Affordable
An ordinance was passed on second reading with controversy to amend zoning from AR2a (agricultural requiring 2 acres for a house) to SP for property located at 14656 Old Hickory Boulevard, at the southern terminus of Harris Hills Lane (81.38 acres), to permit 291 single family residential units. Property has hills, a stream, and a small wetland. Many residents spoke negatively about the planned development at the public hearing. They expressed concerns about the increased traffic, water runoff, destruction of hilltops, drainage of fertilizer into Percy Priest Lake, etc. This is in southeast Davidson County in a part of town called Cane Ridge.
Riverchase had a 2 meeting deferral of its zoning. This is a confusing multi use project near downtown with 1000+ living units that has been deferred many times since February. Was supposed to include 225 affordable units for legacy residents to return to after construction. This is being questioned now. Riverchase was an apartment complex that accepted Section 8 vouchers. Tenets have all moved out and buildings destroyed. Some are now homeless. Some need larger units than 2 or 3 bedrooms. Many children missed school due to lack of lease to prove address. Because of the zoning deferrals, construction has not started. Many people spoke at public hearing on 10/4, for and against.
A resolution approving a contract for services was adopted. Metro will pay $355,200 to Neighborhood Health, Inc., to provide homeless individuals with medical and dental services at two or more clinics in or near downtown Nashville.
Mayor asked the council to approve use of $50 million in ARPA funds, which they did. $25 million is to provide low-cost loans to developers for the addition of deeply affordable housing units, with loan proceeds to be used to address affordable housing and homeless services. $25 million was approved to go to the Metro Homeless Impact Division of Metro Social Services. The breakdown is $9 million to build capacity in Housing First case management services. $9 million for temporary interim gap housing. $7 million to establish a low barrier housing collective and to fund competitive grants for support services. An amendment was added to have metro council approve the grants.
A resolution passed approving a grant from the state of $369,000 to provide housing stability services to eligible households under the THDA’s Rent Relief Program.
A resolution passed approving a grant of $4.5 million for a contract between the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and Community Care Fellowship, to operate an expanded Mobile Housing Navigation Center program.
Safety/ Transportation/ Traffic/Police
A resolution passed approving a grant of $1.4 million to Mental Health Cooperative to provide expertise and staff in emergency behavioral health care to support the launch and pilot year of the MNPD’s co-response model, Nashville Partners in Care.
An ordinance passed on 2nd reading to codify traffic calming projects and allow for private funding. There was discussion about equal vs. equity as bill mandated there be projects in every district. On 3rd reading, “rescinded our actions and send back to 2nd reading at next meeting.” Bill is being rewritten.
Two resolutions passed accepting a Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) grant from the state to Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. $40,000 to reduce gun violence in Nashville. $214,000 to create and foster safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in violent crime.
Environment
A resolution passed affirming the intent of the Metropolitan Government to explore a commercial property assessed clean energy and resiliency (C-PACER) program within Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. Unlike commercial loans, C-PACER financing is secured by a local government lien and it has a long-term, fixed-rate that makes annual payments more affordable. Purpose is to finance clean energy and clean water improvements for commercial and industrial Projects. Memphis passed a C-PACER project on 9/21. Public hearing held on 10/4. 2 people spoke from companies eager to loan money.
Metro Council Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and are open to the public. Here’s where you can watch Metro Council Meetings:
- Stream.Nashville.gov
- Comcast Channel 3
- AT&T Uverse Channel 99
- Metro Nashville Network Roku Channel
