Hey Nashville: The Boring Co. is hosting a virtual meeting about the Tesla tunnel today at 4 p.m. on the former Twitter. Allegedly they will be fielding questions from the peanut gallery. In case you’re free.

An Amendment to Rules of Procedure, Rule 29, got deferred. This would add a 60-day required deferral for “large-scale zoning ordinance or a countywide zoning text amendment.”

Rules change like this requires a supermajority. The committee voted against and we had a number of speakers. Motion fails 12-14-1

At the council meeting tonight. CM Sepulveda speaking out against the change to Rule 12, which changes how honorary and other non-binding resolutions are handled. She notes how little time is actually spent to acknowledge important things and putting it on record.

Victories like this start with work in your community to build collations and power. We’re coming together across Middle Tennessee (and not just in Nashville). Join us. midtndsa.org/sign-up/ 🌹

CM Welsch now giving a brief comment. Says that we need to call things what we are if we don’t want to lose our humanity. Interrupted by CMs Cash, Kupin and others. VM Henderson allowing her to speak further, but says that she’s gone past the will of the body.

Resolution RS2025-1545 “We say things to make ourselves feel better. But we don’t do anything.” Give CM Suara’s statement a listen. Asks how we can watch children dying in a genocide and say nothing, but pass this resolution (does say it’s a good resolution).

Reposting the council session here for convenience. Public statements on the Palestine resolution are pretty early on. Will try and get time codes when I can (will post below): www.youtube.com/live/au_LIL5...

I would strongly recommend viewing the YouTube length for the comments in their entirety. I failed to sufficiently keep up with folks’ words.

Public statement speaker and PSL member urging the council to take up the resolution. Notes that cities in the 80s issued resolutions to denounce nuclear weapons. In the 2000s others denounced the Iraq War. “Do it for your children and our children.”

Nashville Metro Council was rescheduled to tonight due to the Special Election Primary for TN7. CM Welsch put forward RS2025-1547 to denounce the actions of the U.S. gov’t and state of Israel in committing genocide against the people of Palestine. It was deferred indefinitely by Rules Committee.

DSA is great. Big tent org that doesn’t compromise on core values. Middle TN has a strong local in @midtndsa.bsky.social

I’m catching up to missing noting Porterfield’s earlier win for President Pro Tempore of Council.

Short term rentals appeal board (two year term). CM Parker nominated CM Cash. Only CM who has served on it since its very recent creation. Notes that STR rental law is complicated b/c of state regulation. Notes Cash sees a lot relevant in his district.

Audit Committee is next. This is a two-year term. First nominee is CM Styles by CM Toombs. Notes that she likes to challenge status quo and shake things up. Styles reaffirms Toombs’ assessment and notes that they’ve had a lot of accountability issues. Cites her experience heading Metro Arts.

Traffic and Parking Commission Rep up next. CM Preptit nominated CM Parker, speaking to his getting results for his constituents. Parker talks about some of those gains in Choose How You Move and other efforts.

Planning and Zoning Committee Chair up for two-year term. CM Horton is the first nominee to speak. He and his nominee CM Toombs. Speaks about need for affordability. CM Rutherford (former Vice Chair of this committee) starts by saying that he “isn’t against density, but….”

Accompanying UDO vote passes.

The zoning bill passes 25-9 with one abstention.

Minority Caucus addressing asking for an apology from CM Parker to CM Ellis. Says that they will speak to VM Henderson separately to address. CM Parker apologizes to CM Ellis. VM Henderson asks that members don’t speak inappropriately to one another. Asks disruptions to move to hallway.

The motion to approve didn’t pass. We’re back to debate to approve the UDO bill with amendments.

CM Horton notes that number of units per lot depends size of lot. Says a lot like his could have four. Says companion bill does limit height. CM Welsch says many folks speaking in opposition don’t live there. Very loud reaction from a member who was mentioned. VM Henderson has to get out the gavel

The opponents in the crowd all have their phones raised as CM Horton provides a statement on an amendment to the bill. Another friendly amendment being added. Motion to amend passes by voice vote (initial no votes appeared to be on the bill, not amendment).

CM Suara objects to TN Dept of Homeland Security’s (TDOSHS) access to patient data and presence with patients during EMT training by RS2025-1440. Says she’s a no vote, but appreciates backstops including ability to unilaterally end the contract by Nashville Fire Department. Resolution passes.

Vote to defer fails 10-to-26.

RS2025-1436 taken off the consent agenda by CM Welsch. Two speakers during public comment noted issues with the vendor providing property management, etc, for Strobel House Permanent Supportive Housing.

The Nations Urban Design Overlay (UDO) is on third reading tonight after overwhelmingly passing last council meeting. Opponents and supporters facing off in the general public comments, with people speaking on a few other bills peppered between them.

CM Horton’s bill on the Nations passes. Several no vote CMs leaving before companion bill votes.

Motion to end debate has passed after CM Benedict calls the question.

CM Weiner objects on similar grounds to other objecting CMs: wants more from constituents. At this point, I believe that deferrals are off the table.

CM Evans Segall mentioning the repeated ways in which people were notified. CM Ellis tried a motion (turned down) that she was insulting antis. Evans Segall asks for CM Horton to have time to talk about it.

Notes that were not going to constructively get debate on details on the floor. Notes that this can be amended on 3rd reading and will be in front of committee (Monday before next council meeting). Says best place for amendments is there.

CM Eslick implies tnat the groups with shirts and that showed up for other issues aren’t “real people” but somehow the people with stickers and lanyards are real people (ignoring the people who showed up in support with no shared merch).

Parliamentarian advising (Vice Mayor ruling) that the motion isn’t proper as it isn’t sufficiently different. Back to the debate.

By voice vote, CM Benedict’s tabling of CM Styles’ deferral carries. Now we’re back to debating the bill itself.

Shoutout to Robert’s Rules, folks. We’re getting into it. CM Benedict moves to table the motion to defer. Notes that the original bill has gone through the full process and already been deferred. “Hasn’t seen anything” like a 6mo deferral before. Antis laughing, commenting dismissively.

CM Styles calling for a deferral, saying that CM Horton needs to hear from more of his community. Suggests six meetings or so. Parliamentarian noting that planning commission wouldn’t be able to hear it again. Antis happy, vocal.

CM Pretit confirming with a parliamentary inquiry that the bills on The Nations can be amended in third reading. CM Horton describes his substitution bill. Antis in the crowd are scoffing and providing angry commentary.

Listening to the speakers supporting CM Horton’s bills to allow for more affordable homes and make improvements. Lots of dismissive snickering and huffing in the audience from the “anti” crowd, particular to people speaking up for working class Nashvillians.

CM Benton has indefinitely deferred his bills to rezone 23 acres on Franklin Limestone Rd from agricultural to industrial after massive community pushback and pressure from folks like those at Sunrise Movement Nashville. Love to see it.

Yesterday, in a vote of 221 to 209, Congress approved a staggering $831.5 billion to the Pentagon. This will be used to fund militarism abroad and Israel’s ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, instead of the services and protections that working people desperately need. Our statement:

Tonight’s ordinance (BL2025‑846) before the Metro Nashville Council consolidates more money and influence over an unaccountable body. Click the link below and open the tool on the page for a very approachable walkthrough. Civics nerd credentials not required.

Even here in Middle Tennessee, socialists can and have won elected office. It starts in the community. Wherever yours is, join us in making it better for all of us.

This vote is tonight. You can watch live here: www.youtube.com/live/n0nVH-V... There’s a public comment period for bill 742 first (on historical commission), which is likely to take up some time. Agenda (and further details): nashville.legistar.com/MeetingDetai...

Why is DSA's national convention SUCH a big deal? This is the first in a series of calls to get us started together on the road to August! We’ll cover some basics—and what’s new this time. Whether you're a first-timer or long-timer, any interested DSA member can join! act.dsausa.org/signup/what-...

This was never a good idea to begin with, but even worse in light of our current state and federal governments. Reach out to your council member and let them know that you oppose any bill that helps bring FUSUS forward. This Tues at 6:30 is the vote on the “guardrails,” not the full bill.

This is a good reminder for next time someone on Metro Council brings up surveillance technology (or “guardrails” for it). 🦞 Nashville: Talk to your CM (and the five at large). Even the ones who actually recognize the danger! They can make a stronger case against it with constituent support.

To beat fascism, we need socialism. The Democratic Socialists of America stands with everyone under assault by the Trump administration. We call on everyone ready to fight back to join us and organize for a better world. Read the full statement here: www.dsausa.org/es/statement...

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