Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #MetroCouncil
Most recents (24)
#ImpactFees in 2020 @dsjernigan had his attempt for #MetroNashville to impose #ImpactFees shot down by Republicans in favor of #RealtorsLobby and have the audacity to blame Nashville for not being capable of keeping up with the growth demands.
In 2022 they killed it again as #metrocouncil offered it as a compromise to hosting the #RNC in 2024. Cepicky who is backed by the same group paying to kill #ImpactFees authored his own #ImpactFee bill, but refused to work with @dsjernigan for a bipartisan movement.
His also didn’t get any traction because the @TNGOP is beholden to donors not #voters. The lackluster response by Cepicky is who spent more of his time in the #TNLeg talking adolescent genitalia than helping prevent the need for a #MauryCounty property tax hike.
Like many Nashvillians, I just received this postcard reminding me of new water rates taking effect Jan 1, 2021.
The postcard implicates #MetroCouncil in approving this plan. That’s not the whole story, which is an important one.
The postcard implicates #MetroCouncil in approving this plan. That’s not the whole story, which is an important one.
#MetroCouncil actually serves as a local utility board for @NashvilleMWS, which has no separate independent board of directors. For _years_, MWS was informing mayors of increasing fiscal strain. And for years, mayors told them not to tell Council.
Meanwhile, @TNCOT was _also_ telling Nashville’s mayors about an increasingly severe issue with our utility’s finances. These messages _also_ never reached #MetroCouncil.
(We have since resolved this so this should not happen again.)
(We have since resolved this so this should not happen again.)
4 years ago, at a @NOAH_Action meeting, I asked @DaronHall7 if this was possible. He entertained my question in good faith and asked for time to explore it, which he and his staff did very responsibly.
Today is a huge moment: we have ended private prisons in Nashville.
Today is a huge moment: we have ended private prisons in Nashville.
En route, we made sure that any future contracts would have improved transparency and monitoring and that #MetroCouncil would be empowered to review future private contracts.
nashville.gov/mc/ordinances/…
nashville.gov/mc/ordinances/…
If you want to see how thoroughly @NashSheriff evaluated the transition process, they worked hard on a detailed report that assessed both cost and risk:
drive.google.com/file/d/1jP_Tue…
drive.google.com/file/d/1jP_Tue…
One of the ways effectiveness happens in #MetroCouncil is committees, which are largely established by the vice mayor.
New committee chairs were just assigned by @JimShulman3, and I don’t understand the logic. Few vice chairs elevated. A few chairs not previously on cmte.
New committee chairs were just assigned by @JimShulman3, and I don’t understand the logic. Few vice chairs elevated. A few chairs not previously on cmte.
The committee process ideally strikes a balance between capability and interest.
We can pursue city priorities, collaborate, and foster leadership.
I don’t know what to make of the start of our second year in that regard.
We can pursue city priorities, collaborate, and foster leadership.
I don’t know what to make of the start of our second year in that regard.
As our new Executive Committee gets underway, one of our top priorities must be to demonstrate that we can actually conduct a virtual meeting without technical difficulties.
Happening in #MetroCouncil Budget & Finance committee: a discussion of adjusting our benefits to accord with a recent compensation study to retain access to insurance but reduce the lifetime subsidy.
I support this bill, as I did last term. It’s fiscally responsible.
I support this bill, as I did last term. It’s fiscally responsible.
Right now, CMs enjoy a public option inaccessible to the rest of the public.
I have long been a supporter of universal #healthcare. Watch how controversial this discussion is among CMs, and you’ll discover that access to affordable coverage is popular.
I have long been a supporter of universal #healthcare. Watch how controversial this discussion is among CMs, and you’ll discover that access to affordable coverage is popular.
Measure fails 5-7 in committee. I suspect it fails on the floor, as well.
I’m exploring cost of offering similar benefit to all Metro employees as well as a resolution supporting universal healthcare.
I’m exploring cost of offering similar benefit to all Metro employees as well as a resolution supporting universal healthcare.
We had a big milestone at today’s HMIS Advisory Committee meeting today.
@HIDNashville is our HMIS Lead, and @rachel0c has diligently helped us get important documents finalized to finally allow new providers to become participating agencies in HMIS with secure data sharing.
@HIDNashville is our HMIS Lead, and @rachel0c has diligently helped us get important documents finalized to finally allow new providers to become participating agencies in HMIS with secure data sharing.
Why is this important? HMIS is our local implementation of a Homeless Management Information System. It’s basically our way of tracking people (with informed consent) experiencing homelessness to ensure that they get the best services possible and eventually secure housing.
In 2018, #MetroCouncil passed BL2018-1199, which represented a fundamental transformation of what had been our Homelessness Commission, aligning it with our local Continuum of Care.
nashville.gov/Metro-Clerk/Le…
nashville.gov/Metro-Clerk/Le…
Much of my work on #Liberate37208 began in part last term, like investing deeply in @BVES_MNPS, among other projects.
Huge credit to CM Taylor for leading a committee through giving it more shape and to @whittlz for ensuring young voices were heard.
nashville.gov/Portals/0/Site…
Huge credit to CM Taylor for leading a committee through giving it more shape and to @whittlz for ensuring young voices were heard.
nashville.gov/Portals/0/Site…
At our last #MetroCouncil meeting, the CMs from the committee passed a resolution calling on @JohnCooper4Nash to complete a fines and fees study initiated almost a year ago.
Our criminal legal system too often criminalizes poverty itself.
Our criminal legal system too often criminalizes poverty itself.
For years, Metro collected so-called jailers’ fees. We literally charged pre-trial inmates—people who could not afford to post bond—$44/day to be incarcerated. But it didn’t go to the jailer; it came to the general fund.
We stopped doing that in 2018.
nashville.gov/Metro-Clerk/Le…
We stopped doing that in 2018.
nashville.gov/Metro-Clerk/Le…
Tonight, #MetroCouncil is very likely to vote on an operating budget and supporting tax levy for fiscal year 2021 (Jul 1, 2020 - Jun 30, 2021).
We have three basic choices:
* Make dramatic cuts: @Stevegfg has introduced a budget proposal that pursues this approach, and even it requires a substantial property tax rate increase.
* Make dramatic cuts: @Stevegfg has introduced a budget proposal that pursues this approach, and even it requires a substantial property tax rate increase.
* Raise taxes significantly: @JCooper4Nash recommended a budget proposal that pursues this approach, and the Chair's substitute from Metro Council's Budget & Finance Committee is modeled on it.
Sitting in on a consequential Budget & Finance committee meeting. #MetroCouncil
I offered an amendment to the Chair’s budget that would reduce the #MetroCouncil budget to a tax levy of no more than $1 through some targeted reductions.
The committee did not recommend it, by a vote of 2-8.
The committee did not recommend it, by a vote of 2-8.
Here is a summary of my amendment.
What we need most right now is for @JohnCooper4Nash and Chief Anderson to jointly lead an immersive conversation about what real public safety is in Nashville.
And it should have some clear goals. It should deal with challenging data and expect to agree to meaningful reforms.
And it should have some clear goals. It should deal with challenging data and expect to agree to meaningful reforms.
Specifically and especially, that means publicly grappling with the troubling data revealed by the @gideonsarmyutd "Driving While Black" report:
…ileblacknashville.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/drivin…
…ileblacknashville.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/drivin…
It means grappling with that data having been reinforced by the @policingproject:
static1.squarespace.com/static/58a33e8…
static1.squarespace.com/static/58a33e8…
Body-worn cameras are not a panacea for transparency nor a complete reform.
I don’t intend to fight the initiative, but I do intend to fight for the rights of the surveilled as they are deployed.
I don’t intend to fight the initiative, but I do intend to fight for the rights of the surveilled as they are deployed.
Here is a good primer from @EFF on concerns we all should have:
eff.org/pages/body-wor…
Imagine all peaceful protestors being unwitting participants in a massive facial recognition initiative.
Imagine knock-and-talks becoming warrantless camera-based searches.
eff.org/pages/body-wor…
Imagine all peaceful protestors being unwitting participants in a massive facial recognition initiative.
Imagine knock-and-talks becoming warrantless camera-based searches.
Months ago, I asked the #MetroCouncil office to begin drafting two important pieces of policy:
* Metro data-sharing policy.
* comprehensive privacy policy
This increases the urgency of both.
* Metro data-sharing policy.
* comprehensive privacy policy
This increases the urgency of both.
This is what hangs with me from last night: we didn’t just forget our history; we literally destroyed a piece of it.
For so many of us, the weekend is a time for rest, reflection, and faith. As I reflect on last night, I have faith that Nashville and Nashvillians can do better together. But the healing will be hard.
I came up in a protest movement, when America was waging unjust, preemptive wars. And the people I joined in protest were committed to non-violent resistance.
Non-violent resistance has an incomparable power.
Non-violent resistance has an incomparable power.
I’m having to work harder to understand now. The rally I left was important and peaceful.
After Jocques Clemmons was shot, protestors occupied #MetroCouncil. We subsequently became more accessible and transparent.
After Jocques Clemmons was shot, protestors occupied #MetroCouncil. We subsequently became more accessible and transparent.
After Daniel Hambrick was shot, @OversightNow and others worked hard and successfully to establish @MNCONashville.
@NJLVotes worked hard to elect members of this #MetroCouncil. I know I and many of my colleagues listen intensely to community concerns and try to act.
@NJLVotes worked hard to elect members of this #MetroCouncil. I know I and many of my colleagues listen intensely to community concerns and try to act.
I am very aware that trust in Metro has ebbed, and we must continue to make reforms to rebuild it.
But I don’t know how profane messages opposing the President defacing a local civic structure deliver an effective message.
But I don’t know how profane messages opposing the President defacing a local civic structure deliver an effective message.
Today, I’m requesting the Council office work with @NashFinance to prepare a budget for #MetroCouncil to consider that leverages the @federalreserve’s Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) and reduces the property tax levy to $0.37 from $1.
The details of the mechanics of the MLF were not available to the mayor’s office by the time @JohnCooper4Nash was required to recommend a budget, so I hope he will be able to support this approach with more information.
Collaborative governance is always challenging. It’s even more challenging with a 40-member legislative body with limited staff capacity. And it’s especially challenging during a public health crisis.
So here’s some information about how it’s working right now.
So here’s some information about how it’s working right now.
As you look to #MetroCouncil for information about our local #COVID19 response, understand that we have been advised to submit all questions about the Metro response centrally through the Council office for review by the administration and #COVID19 task force.
So far, we have a once-weekly readout of selected responses in a 30-minute session with members of the #COVID19 task force and then separately receive written responses.
I haven't been able to attend some of these sessions, and some of my questions have only been answered there.
I haven't been able to attend some of these sessions, and some of my questions have only been answered there.
For the past four years, I have served as chair of the advisory board of Nashville’s District Energy System.
Today @JohnCooper4Nash announced that, after a procurement process exploring the sale of the system, Metro would retain control of this asset.
nashville.gov/District-Energ…
Today @JohnCooper4Nash announced that, after a procurement process exploring the sale of the system, Metro would retain control of this asset.
nashville.gov/District-Energ…
Our District Energy System provides steam and chilled water to any building opting into the system within its capacity footprint, lowering building costs and providing long-term energy efficiency.
The current gas/electric system is a replacement for the old thermal incinerator.
The current gas/electric system is a replacement for the old thermal incinerator.
After a year of reviewing reports on the advisory board, I noticed two things:
* We were experiencing capacity constraints that we were not prepared to deploy capital to resolve.
* We were not acquiring many new customers despite extraordinary growth within the DES footprint.
* We were experiencing capacity constraints that we were not prepared to deploy capital to resolve.
* We were not acquiring many new customers despite extraordinary growth within the DES footprint.
Currently in virtual Public Works committee. #MetroCouncil
I am not wearing a suit, but I am wearing pants.
I am now also in Planning. I’m doing something that was previously impossible: sitting in two meetings at once. #MetroCouncil
I’ve been tracking @VUMChealth’s response to #COVID19 carefully. They’ve been slowly escalating their response and communicating consistently with staff.
With this announcement, it’s clear that @MetroNashville needs to follow suit.
With this announcement, it’s clear that @MetroNashville needs to follow suit.
We need to understand on a department-by-department basis what happens if a Metro employee tests positive for #COVID19.
What happens if a firefighter or police officer contracts it? Or a librarian or paving manager?
When do we move to an essential services posture?
What happens if a firefighter or police officer contracts it? Or a librarian or paving manager?
When do we move to an essential services posture?
We need to understand what payroll and scheduling look like for Metro employees.
But we also need to be giving regular, authoritative guidance to the general public of Nashville.
But we also need to be giving regular, authoritative guidance to the general public of Nashville.
This afternoon, we’ll have a joint meeting of the #MetroCouncil Budget & Finance and Public Safety committees to discuss @emilyfor7’s BL2020-148, which seeks to prevent Metro from privately contracting for operation of prisons.
nashville.gov/Metro-Clerk/Le…
nashville.gov/Metro-Clerk/Le…
This is an important conversation about how to #CutTheContract that began for me as we worked to pass BL2017-542, which increased oversight and newly empowered #MetroCouncil to review such contracts.
nashville.gov/mc/ordinances/…
nashville.gov/mc/ordinances/…
I prepared for this term working with @NashSheriff to understand the cost of locally assuming operations of the “Metro” Detention Facility (where locally sentenced state inmates are housed).
That work is captured in this report: readyforfreddie.ngpvanhost.com/files/dcso-cor…
That work is captured in this report: readyforfreddie.ngpvanhost.com/files/dcso-cor…
To watch: new zoning categories allowing greater discretion to prohibit non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, reducing parking minimums, ending prison privatization in Metro, rent increase notice, #affordablehousing acceleration, sidewalk waiver fee.
#MetroCouncil
#MetroCouncil
Also: @JimShulman3’s special committees have all issued their initial reports. Chairs will present on those.
@JimShulman3 To listen to:
One of the very first #affordablehousing tools created by the last #MetroCouncil class was the housing incentive pilot program (HIPP). If we don’t take action tomorrow night, it will sunset.
I’ll be late-filing a resolution to allow this Council to consider keeping this tool.
I’ll be late-filing a resolution to allow this Council to consider keeping this tool.
Here’s the bill that created HIPP: nashville.gov/mc/ordinances/… #affordablehousing
Here’s more about how it’s administered: nashville.gov/Mayors-Office/…
The good: Metro has a budget approved by @TNCOT, which means our mix of revenues and cuts balances.
The bad: #MetroCouncil proved unable to prevent $5m in impoundment from affecting the Barnes Fund.
The bad: #MetroCouncil proved unable to prevent $5m in impoundment from affecting the Barnes Fund.
The ugly: a PILOT for @NashvilleMWS tucked into the just-approved water/sewer rate increases that was not connected to the corrective action plan till after it was approved.
I think many of us might’ve wanted to increase the amount of the PILOT had we known more.
I think many of us might’ve wanted to increase the amount of the PILOT had we known more.
So far, to my eyes, we appear to be using the same old bag of fiscal tricks in a way that makes effective public scrutiny difficult.
This troubles me, and it should trouble Nashvillians.
This troubles me, and it should trouble Nashvillians.
I’m at #MetroCouncil for a Special Budget and Finance Committee Meeting.
This is to review a corrective plan of action that might result in an FY20 budget approved by @TNCOT.
This is to review a corrective plan of action that might result in an FY20 budget approved by @TNCOT.
Ladies and gentlemen, your corrective plan of action from @NashFinance.
@NashFinance In my opinion, the $5m partial impoundment of the Barnes Fund should not be on this list.
I’ve spent the past 24 hours reflecting on yesterday’s announcement that the FY20 Barnes Fund allocation was being reduced by $4.5m.
I still think this is a problematic decision. Why?
I still think this is a problematic decision. Why?
First of all, this is the second time the Barnes Fund has been an early target of fiscal tightening.
With Barnes being our only tool in Metro right now that is effectively capitalizing #affordablehousing, we cannot leave the impression that this is reasonable.
With Barnes being our only tool in Metro right now that is effectively capitalizing #affordablehousing, we cannot leave the impression that this is reasonable.
Secondly, this isn’t just about the Barnes money. Of the two projects cut, we’re jeopardizing $30m in creative private funding sources that non-profits have worked hard to secure. In turn, this jeopardizes 100+ units.
