Beautiful invocation from several Nashville organizers. Shows up right at the beginning of the linked video. Going to share that instead of attempting to type it out. VM Henderson follows it with a statement about standing together with members of our community. www.youtube.com/live/VDJecSf...

@sbworkersunited.org speaking at the Nashville Metro Council. You can watch their statement here, about five minutes into the announcements section: www.youtube.com/live/j7QBeca...

“No contract, no coffee!”

@sbworkersunited.org, Central Labor Council of Nashville and Mid TN, and several Metro Council members are calling for Starbucks to respect workers’ right to organize in their stores in Nashville. We’re hearing from many of them here at the downtown courthouse where council will be meeting soon.

If Starbucks wants to call Nashville home, they need to follow the law. Join us on Tuesday, May 19th at 5:30pm CT to show Starbucks that Tennessee stands with workers fighting for a fair union contract and an end to their unfair labor practices!

Discussion around BL2026-1294 was probably the longest of the evening, going from where I've tagged the recording below until almost the end. The bill, about some funding in response to those impacted by Winter Storm Fern, was deferred until the next session (2 wks). www.youtube.com/live/Vk6JzyE...

We're gonna keep playing the hits for you tonight, folks. Next up discussion on this bill, approving funds to Hospitality Hub of Memphis for providing interim housing. But first, relevant public comment on OHS: www.youtube.com/live/Vk6JzyE... Full bill discussion: www.youtube.com/live/Vk6JzyE...

We had two speakers in opposition to CM Taylor's controversial companion bills pertaining to an overlay on Buchanan St, plus a comment from CM Welsch. Eliot www.youtube.com/live/Vk6JzyE... Valeria www.youtube.com/live/Vk6JzyE... CM Welsch's comment: www.youtube.com/live/Vk6JzyE...

Listen to Andrew in his own words here: www.youtube.com/live/Vk6JzyE...

You can see more of what Mike has to say about this in his own words here: www.youtube.com/live/Vk6JzyE...

Public comment period can be viewed here, where you can listen to people in their own words, starting with the first speaker at about 19:53: www.youtube.com/live/Vk6JzyE...

Voice vote on BL2026-1294 passes with some no votes. VM Henderson calls for the voice vote. It gets deferred.

Attempt to move to a vote fails.

Discussion now about the bill for credit for folks impacted by Winter Storm Fern (BL2026-1294). CM Evans Segall noting that means testing impacts peoples’ ability to get back what they lost. CM Evans asking for clarification on funding.

CM Taylor has brought his bill on Buchanan St up for third reading. CM Welsch says she isn’t comfortable voting based on public comments and concerns about the state. Will abstain on this and companion bill. No other CMs discussing. We have a voice vote almost pass, but with one “nay.”

BL2026-1314 removed from the consent agenda. CM Horton moves to defer the second reading to first meeting in July. Council agrees by a voice vote. According to the brief cleans up typographical errors, etc.

CM Welsch speaking on RS2026-1840 says that we have title 6 complaints, issues with evictions, etc, with Hospitality Hub. Says the money being allocated lacks transparency. CM Kupin says that the group has great facilities for unhoused folks in Memphis. Echoed by Huffman

As always, Nashville’s Metro Council General Meetings (and committees) are broadcast live on YouTube. We’re live now: www.youtube.com/live/Vk6JzyE...

You should get the details from the man himself instead of my too-slow thumbs: readrichtext.substack.com/p/another-15...

Our chapter’s own Andrew Okeke speaks out for residents affected by ICE, citing Estefany Rodriguez of Nashville Noticia’s horrifying treatment. Notes that state law limiting Council’s ability to vote in any way against ICE has been removed. Asks for a resolution that city should not….

Todd Horn is our first speaker for public comments speaking out against a neighborhood development. Claiming nothing (environmental analysis, etc.) has been given to group in opposition. Believes CM Gamble has been hostile to them. Says his group would be open to “more favorable design.”

CM Rutherford it would be easy to vote for this, but sometimes we need to do something hard. Says project is happening. Says to set “politics aside” and follow CM Hill’s example.

CM Sepulveda describing labor violation and safety practice violations from the Boring Co. Describes the work done to recover the body of a worker killed. Says that the state will do whatever they want to do, but we have found courage, taken them to court and won.

We’re finally here, folks. CM Porterfield’s resolution against the Boring Company’s tunnel. Text of the bill here: nashville.legistar.com/LegislationD...

Contingent of six speakers plus three other attendees with stickers against BL2026-1275/1276. Current speaker says that he isn’t against housing, but wants it to stay “consistent with what’s in the neighborhood.” nashville.legistar.com/LegislationD... nashville.legistar.com/LegislationD...

Similarly, CM Kupin is asking to vote on the 2nd reading, defer the 3rd to April 7th. Passes on a voice vote.

Public hearing debate on two paired bills on a subdistrict in the East Bank that would extend the downtown zoning code. About 4-5 speaking both for and against. More on bills here: nashville.legistar.com/LegislationD... nashville.legistar.com/LegislationD...

Was going to be a voice vote. CM Ellis is requesting a roll call vote. Passes its second reading.

Public hearing is open now for the companion bill on Buchanan St. nashville.legistar.com/LegislationD...

Vote on the substituted bill passes overwhelmingly.

CM Taylor is moving a substitute bill that moves a single-family home outside of the overlay. Thanks public for being part of the conversation. Invites them to stay outside of this issue. Says overlay is abt proximity: should commercial businesses be right next to single family homes.

Council is also live streaming now. You can go back to watch the comments about boring sinkhole during public comment. Now we’re getting the public hearing on two bills about restrictions on businesses on North Nashville’s Buchanan Street, BL2025-1168 & …69. Links 👇

The public comments sure seems stacked with support despite this being an unpopular project. I wonder if anyone helped make sure people with a certain opinion were mobilized to get in line early?

So far two of the votes for separate items from the MOU pass. RS2026-1736 is now up for grant money to assist in purchasing a tactical support post.

CM Vo speaking against. Asks what happens when we lose local control for these vehicles and others kidnap our neighbors and people that look like her. Brings up example of ppl kidnapped from their homes bc of how they look or having a similar name. Do we need these vehicles?

Did you think it was over, Nashville? We have four more resolutions that the Mayor’s office put in to try and give MNPD more cameras and militarized vehicles—one of which is apparently made from a Wonder Bread truck? I do not remember that character in “Twisted Metal.”

Gonna get time codes for public speakers when I can. Won’t be able to until this is no longer live. But you should definitely check out our speakers tonight. www.youtube.com/live/zqQLPgI...

Playing catch-up with my Notes app from public comments. Shannee says we don’t need any more surveillance, we need housing solutions, traffic calming, homeless outreach, water stations, etc. “With ICE acting like slave catchers and police helping them,” we don’t need to give them more money.

MOU vote fails! Gallery reacts jubilantly!

Move to vote for MOU happens via voice vote. Vote going digital for MOU.

I have a backlog of public hearing statements. Gonna fill those in. Will get time stamps in the future for the video. Y’all gotta watch them. My fingers are failing their job and will be getting a severe talking to. Substitutes are currently being discussed.

I’m bringing my laptop next time 😅

Now returning to other items on public hearing. We’re back to the MOU to Nashville Downtown Partnership & MNPD. RS2026-1733. Lots of folks still here for this one.

Next items moved forward come from CM Preptit. Lots of folks leaving now that Buchanan Street resolution deferred. CM Preptit’s resolution applies a historic overlay, which would limit building materials in some properties N of Shackleton Rd.

Two of these resolutions by CM Taylor adds an overlay to North Nashville on Buchanan St. A companion bill accompanies. CM Taylor asks to defer public hearing to a future meeting, with comment.

Starting again at the top so folks can find the thread. Post below is the end of the last thread. Very full gallery tonight. Also very full outside the gallery. Rule 9.3 amendment is up now. Required multiple members to pull items from consent.

At Nashville Metro Council tonight. More legislation on surveillance will be up tonight. Find out more at: bit.ly/no-on-mou-nashville

We condemn Trump’s illegal war on Venezuela. Read our full statement: www.dsausa.org/statements/d...

Passes Yes (30), etc.

Public hearing now on Kupin's amendment to title 2 of Metro Code of Laws (BL2025-113). Amendment can be found here (underlined items are being added): nashville.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...