by Councilman Robert Swope, July 27, 222- The ordinance to approve the contract between the RNC and Metro to host the 2024 Republican National Nominating Convention has been re-filed with the Metro Clerk to be heard by the Metro Council on August 2nd. Additionally, we have filed a Resolution alongside the ordinance welcoming the RNC and DNC conventions to Nashville and welcoming a discussion with the State of TN enabling Development Impact Fees to be implemented in Davidson County, like they are in 93 of 95 TN counties.
Now is the time to ACT. And WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please email ALL COUNCILMEMBERS with your comments asking them to SAY YES to the RNC !
The direct email to all members is: Councilmembers@Nashville.gov.
Both pieces of legislation will be considered at the August 2nd Metro Council meeting, and here are countless reasons to say YES, including:
Nashville, Tennessee has recently been named by National Geographic magazine as being the Number One place in the World to visit, furthering our international status as one of the greatest cities in the world, and has, for decades, been globally recognized as one of the most Welcoming Cities in America;
Nashville has flawlessly executed enormous citywide events including the NFL Draft, the 4th of July Celebration, the NRA Convention, the News Years Eve Bash, and numerous other events bringing tens of thousands of guests into the downtown area without incident;
Nashville has the unique and esteemed opportunity to host the 2024 Republican National Committee National Nominating Convention in the summer of 2024 and the opportunity to host the 2028 Democratic National Committee National Nominating Convention in the summer of 2028.
In consideration of this opportunity, a contract between the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County has been negotiated that fully indemnifies Metro from any and all financial obligations as the host of the 2024 RNC Convention. The estimated revenues from hosting this convention are estimated to exceed $200 Million dollars net to the Metropolitan Government, and will further create additional and considerable revenue for the entire middle TN region. The Federal contribution for this convention is $50 Million, the State of TN has committed $25 Million, and the Nashville Host Committee has agreed to cover any and all additional expenses Metro may incur;
Regarding security, it is common practice for any National Nominating Convention (RNC or DNC) to supply over 5000 additional police, fire and EMT personnel to assist in the security of these conventions, and will operate under the direction of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department;
In our capacity to host world-class events, Nashville can further its stellar reputation for welcoming respectful civil discourse on an international stage by welcoming these conventions.
PLEASE email the Metro Council, Invite your friends and family to do the same. This is a one-time vote to show we are the Welcoming City we claim to be!
by Rod Williams - Councilman Robert Swope running for reelection in District 4, was the victim of
a malicious act of vandalism Saturday during the last day of early voting. As an attention-getter, he had an antique car parked at the Edmondson Library early voting locations where he was campaigning. Some one keyed the car. The car had great sentimental value to Robert. Below is what he wrote to Facebook explaining what happened. You can feel his disgust about this and feel the love for that car.
I am utterly disgusted with the vitriolic hatred that some people live
their lives within. I am running for re-election in a NON PARTISAN
race. My personal beliefs have NO BEARING on the service I give to the
City of Nashville. BUT... Today, the last day of early voting at
Edmondson Library, after 8 days of meeting and greeting constituents
from 8am though 7pm, ONE SICK SOB decided that only their viewpoint can
be correct. At approximately 1:20 this afternoon, someone decided
to KEY THE DOOR of the 1950 Chevy Fleetline Delux that i personally
built/restored for my father and gave to him on his 60th birthday. It
is the replica of his first car, and has been a pride within the family
for over 18 years now. I can never match the paint again, and now have
to repaint the entire car. Thank You. You just cost me months worth of
grief, sweat and labor... not to mention money. To whoever did
this.... YOU ARE ONE SICK INDIVIDUAL. Please pray that I never find
you. I just may do something I know I will regret. The Library is
currently pulling up video footage for MNPD.... there WILL be more to
this story.....
On June 16th Robert wrote about the car in a Father's Day tribute in an article published in The Tennessean in which several prominent Nashvilliams paid tribute to their fathers:
My father believed that there are
only three things a man needs to do in life to succeed: Don’t lie, don’t
cheat and don’t steal. He instilled in me if I did my homework, worked
harder than those around me, and believed in myself, anything in the
world was possible. He also taught me how to build a car.
When my dad turned 60, my family decided that he deserved a present he
would never forget. My mother’s eyes teared up talking about his first
car, the 1950 Chevy Fleetline that he cherished. He bought it worn out,
rebuilt it, painted it his high school colors, courted and married my
mother in it.
I found
an unrestored, low-mileage, rust-free ‘50 Chevy in New Mexico and drove
it back to Nashville. After hundreds of long hours on my part, the car
was now completely restored, identical to my father’s original love.
When I pulled into my parents’ driveway that August afternoon,
surrounded by 200 people there to celebrate my father, he stopped in his
tracks and almost fell over.
When I handed him the keys, he cried, I cried, my mother cried,
everybody cried! It was one of those moments in life when I could say a
real, tangible thanks to the man who raised me to believe that
anything in the world was possible.
Twenty years later, my mother and father still regularly drive the Chevy. I love them both. Happy Father’s Day, Pop!
Regina and Robert Swope
Damage to this beloved car is a despicable act. I hope whoever committed this criminal act is brought to justice.
Robert is facing a serious challenge in his race in District 4. While political parties usually stay out of the non-partisan council races, the Davidson County Democratic Party has targeted Robert for defeat and contributed money to his opponent and local Democrats are working for Robert's opponent. Robert also, for some unknown reason, has incurred the wraft of a wealthy individual who has poured thousands of dollars into the campaign of Roberts opponent. That man is Emmit Jackson Martin. He contributed in his own name $1600, the maximum an individual can contribute, to Roberts opponent. He owns two pedal tavern companies and a company that provides river rides to tourist. In the name of these three companies he also made maximum contributions to Robert's opponents. Almost half of the money Robert's opponent has raised came from these two sources, The Democratic Party and Emmit Martin. Robert has not been on a campaign to ban pedal taverns and told me he does not know Mr. Martin nor his motivation for trying to defeat him.
Robert has also had a disadvantage this campaign season, in that he is on crutches and cannot campaign door to door. A few months ago he was hit with a rare life-threatening infection that resulted in operations on his leg and weeks of rehabilitation. For months he could not drive himself and his wife Regina had to chauffeur him everywhere he went. While he has recovered for the most part, he still has to use crutches. As you can well imagine, this has hampered his ability to aggressively campaign.
With the election, this coming Thursday, time is short to impact the outcome. However, last minute door-to-door, phone banking and election day poll workers can tip the balance in a tight race. To reach out to Robert and see it there is any help you could give him, contact him at Swope for Nashville.
by Rod Williams - The Tennessean reports this morning that Speedway Motorsports has struck a deal the fairgrounds racetrack operator Tony Formosa that paves the way for the return of NASCAR to the fairgrounds. While there are still some details to work out and while the deal must be approved by the Fair Board, this is significant. It is reported that Tony Formosa would continue to offer eight races a year at the fairgrounds.
It is not known what kind of improvements would have to be made to the historic track to meet NASCAR standards or who would pay for them. There is already approved $1.7 million for track improvements by Metro, but that would not be sufficient to upgrade the track to the desired level. For years the city has ignored the track hoping, many believe, that if would eventually deteriorate so badly that it would be prohibitively expensive to continue offering racing at the track. If Speedway Motorsports is granted a long-term lease, there is speculation they would pay for the upgrades. Speedway Motorsports is one of he largest owners of NASCAR tracks in the country including Bristol Speedway.
Opposition to the track centers around noise complaints. When races are going on they can be heard miles away. I live very near the track and think the noise complaints are exaggerated. Some people just love to complain. Currently the number of races permitted at the track are capped at ten per year. One can expect that some will fight to keep the ten-race cap. It is unknown how many races would have to occur at the track for the deal to be viable. In addition to noise, I am convinced that there are those who want to demolish the track because it does not fit the image they would like for a progressive Nashville. There are those who seem embarrassed by anything that smacks of Nashville's old identity. They seem to be embarrassed by gun and knife shows, flea markets, country music and stock car racing. Former Mayor Karl Dean tried to have the track destroyed as part of his plan to sell off the fairgrounds property to private developers.
If the return of NASCAR is successful, much of he credit must go to Councilman Robert Swope. Speedway Motorsports had expressed an interest in the racetrack a long time ago, but city officials would not give them the time of day or even return their calls. Swope got involved and made the city entertain proposals from Motorsports and he got Formosa and Speedway Motorsports negotiating. For more on how Swope got us to this point, follow this link. Unfortunately, The Tennessean does not even mention Swope's name in their article.
by Rod Williams - At the September 4th Council meeting, the council voted to approve several
Robert Swope
pieces of legislation necessary to finalized the MLS deal. This issue had been before the Council for months and pitted soccer fans, city insiders, and elites against advocates of saving the fairgrounds. The part of the deal of most concern to those who support saving the fairground was the giveaway of ten acres of fairground property to the wealthy developers bringing MLS soccer to Nashville. They contented that to make the deal work they had to have the ten acres for mixed-use development.
Of all of the pieces of legislation before the Council to finalized the deal, the one piece of legislation that had the least chance of passing and thereby the best chance of derailing the MLS deal and the ten acre giveaway was Substitute Bill BL2018-1289. This legislation approved the demolition of certain buildings and structures
necessary for the construction of a new Major League Soccer Stadium and
the imposing of a privilege tax on the sale of tickets to events at the
new
Major League Soccer Stadium. The reason this was the best chance to derail the MLS deal was because this bill required 27 votes to pass instead of a simple majority. It passed by a vote of 31 to 8.
Recently I posted How they voted on the Fairground giveaway and who switched sides. Included among those who voted in favor of the MLS deal who had previously been opponents was Councilman Robert Swope. This came as a shock to many. Robert had been a critic of the deal. On this and other issues, such as the transit issue, Robert Swope had always taken the conservative position and had emerged of one a very few dependable conservative voices in the Council and a Republican leader in Nashville.
I asked Robert to explain his vote which he did graciously and in detail. I am posting below his explanation in full.
Rod,
As you know, the Fairgrounds
Nashville MLS Soccer deal is a highly emotional and complicated issue.
In light of this fact, I have, for months, attempted to not only
accommodate soccer in Nashville, but protect the existing Fairgrounds
and all the activities that currently reside there. I do believe that
both can exist together, if sane minds prevail.
For
the past 20+ years, every mayoral administration has attempted to
bulldoze the fairgrounds to make profits off of public land. This has
been an ongoing WAR. The 1902 land grant, the 1962 Charter of
Nashville, and the 2011 referendum have done their best to protect this
117 acres.... but for the last 2 decades, the war has intensified. With
each battle becoming harder to fight.
In my humble opinion, the war needs to end.
How
does this happen? Protect the elephant in the room. In the 117 acres
that is Fairgrounds Nashville, the elephant is the speedway. One of
the oldest tracks in America, producer of more NASCAR drivers than all
other tracks in America combined, and a jewel that is currently in
desperate need of love and attention. If you want to "Save The
Fairgrounds"... then you need to save the elephant. Long Term.
Something that no other person or group has managed to do in the last
two decades.
When the MLS deal was
proposed last October, I fought it tooth and nail. What was proposed
would be the start of the end of the speedway.... and as a consequence,
the State Fair and the Flea Market... and ultimately the Fairgrounds
itself. I consider these three things the 3 legged stool that IS the
Fairgrounds. And I have spent months working to save them all. Months
spent on my own dime, my own time, and my own energy.
To
make a very long story short (considering I have personally spent over
600 hours working this), Speedway Motor Sports (SMI), the folks who own
Bristol and a half dozen other tracks, approached me two months ago.
After numerous meetings and calls, at my request, they wrote a letter to
the Mayor and all Councilmembers expressing their interest in a long
term contract to manage the Speedway. This letter fell on totally deaf
ears. This was totally amazing to me. No-one even had the time to
respond. Except myself.
So.... I began
calling, meeting, and emailing the mayor, council members, Tony
Formosa, Melissa Smithson, Shane Smiley, John Rose and numerous others
attempting to bring everyone to the table to once and for all Save The
Fairgrounds. This was an intensive all out drive to convince the Mayor,
and everyone else, that in order to save the three legged stool, we
need to save the elephant. If the speedway were to be contracted on a
30 year deal, then everything else would be saved as well.
There
are a hundred other things involved here... .including the needs of the
State Fair, the monthly Flea Market vendors, Christmas Village, Hunters
Auto show, the Botanical shows, Boat Show, and hundreds more. All of
these were at risk IF the speedway were to fail. I took my time and
energy to speak with most, if not all of them. Including chairing two
Codes Fairgrounds and Farmers Market Committee special meetings in
council.
This is a very complex
issue....with hundreds of variables, and I wanted to see this from all
sides before I acted upon anything.
Please
make note: I was out of the country on business when the council vote
occurred last November. IF I had been in chambers that night, I would
have voted no. Since that time, and until the third reading, and final
vote, I have abstained (essentially voting no) from every vote. I did
this because during this entire process I was working my *** off to
"Save The Fairgrounds" by bringing SMI to the table, coordinating with
the State Fair, the Flea Market vendors, the Save The Fairgrounds
coalition, the mayors office, the Fair Board, and others. Basically
bringing a company, and its owners, who are worth far more than the
entire Nashville Soccer group combined, to protect the elephant.
Each of these groups agreed with me on several key issues that become the mantra of my personal mission. They are:
1) The Formosa family shall remain promoting and operating local racing. (This was agree to by SMI from our first conversation) 2) SMI would receive a 30 year contract to promote NASCAR racing at the speedway. 3)
SMI would agree (and they have) to SHARE the expense of rebuilding the
speedway with the city. 50-50. This includes safety upgrades, new
seating, new PA, new lighting, a full television/media center, sound
barriers, and numerous other upgrades. No other private entity has EVER
offered the city such a deal. 4) The State Fair and the
Flea Market vendors would have voting seats on the design board for the
new exhibit space (this is being done now) 5) The State Fair would be offered a 30 year deal from the city IF the speedway were secured for the same time period.
All
of these things are currently being done. It will take weeks for these
deals to be consummated... but I have personally shaken hands with the
mayor and the SMI folks and feel comfortable that these men will honor
their promises.
This all comes down to
trust. I am a man that lives up to his word. And I expect, and demand,
that others do as well. My yes vote on the stadium and additional 10
acres of development came at a VERY high price.
My price was the protection of the remaining 100 acres of Fairgrounds Nashville for generations. My price was the end of a 20+ year war. My price was saving a 100 year old treasure from any and all further development. My price was creating a crown jewel where there is now a run down facility for all to enjoy. My price was never having to spend hundreds of hours of my life again in protecting this treasure we all love in different ways.
My
concession was having to agree to the additional 10 acres of land.
This was a pill I HATED to swallow.... but agreed to based on solemn
promises made to me by the mayor, SMI and others. It was the hardest
vote I have had to make on this council.
I
expect all of these agreed to promises to be consummated within the
coming weeks. SMI has been in town three times and has taken meetings
with all the parties relating to the "three legged stool". So far,
everyone seems to be in agreement. They will be back in town within a
week and written agreements are forthcoming as I write this to you. I
TRUST that men who have agreed in principle will honor their words
moving forward.
Again... this is about
trust. Something this city desperately needs to regain. I hope I have
played a part in rebuilding that trust, for the betterment of all, the
protection of the Fairgrounds property, and in building a facility that
we are all proud of....... and not simply been played. Time will tell.
It always does.
All the Best,
Robert
Robert Swope Metro Councilman - District 4 Nashville, Tennessee
by Rod Williams, August 15, 2018 - Councilman Robert Swope was interviewed on WTN 99.7 radio yesterday. He explained what is going on at the fairgrounds. This is insightful and informative. If you care about the future of he fairgrounds, you really need to hear this interview. Follow this link.
The interviewer ask Robert about a proposal to place a classic car action and a racing museum at the fairgrounds. There has been some concern expressed about these proposals. Swope explains this is just talk at this point but if it comes to fruition It could be a good thing.
My view is that a proposed classic car auction operation at the fairgrounds would not be a detrimental development but a positive development and compatible with other uses at the fairgrounds. A race track hall of fame or museum could be a great addition. This is the first I had heard about a proposal for a classic car auction. Apparently, they bring in people from all over the country and are a really big deal.
I have heard this idea of a racing museum floated for a long time and think it would be a great addition. It would be compatible with other Fairground uses and could make money for the Fairgrounds, and enhance its recognition. Nashville has a rich racing history and a museum to display that history and memorabilia would give tourist one more thing to see in Nashville. I think it would be a big hit, if done right, and am supportive. Swope points out that no one has proposed the city fund such a museum or a classic car auction and that these uses would not cost the taxpayers but make money for the city.
Swope reveals that Speedway Motorsports, Inc which owns Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol, Vegas, and other major speedways, has made a proposal to the city to invest millions in upgrading the speedway and leasing it from the city. Swope says the city will not give them "time of day." This is a big deal. Speedway Motorsport is the largest player in the racetrack industry, yet the city is not even interested in talking to them. This is an outrage.
I am convinced the city insiders are determined to eventually get rid of the race track, the fair, and the flea market. I simply think they are embarrassed by those aspects of Nashville that reflect working-class or middle-class values or "old" Nashville. While in the last twenty years, Nashville movers and shakers have embraced Nashville as "Music City," for a very long time the same class of people who are embarrassed by flea markets and race tracks were embarrassed by country music. Flea markets and race tracks are not compatible with the hip vibe they want the "it" city to project.
Thanks to Robert Swope and others like Steve Glover, and before them, councilmen like Duane Dominy and Robert Duvall, the fairgrounds is still here. I think if the ten acre giveaway occurs the days of the fairgrounds are numbered.
Councilman Robert Swope is one of the few self identified Republicans in the Metro Council and he
Robert Swope
was Trump's Tennessee State Director. He is the most conservative member of the Council and yet is effective and respected by his colleagues. He is running for a position on the Republican State Executive Committee challenging Ron McDow for the District 20 Republican State Executive Committeeman seat. The election is August 2.
Apparently Ron McDow dug up some dirt on Robert Swope. Swope was charged with
the misdemeanor of soliciting prostitution on Sept. 11, 1998. He paid a $1,000 bond and there was never a disposition of the case, indicating that it is still open.
Swope told The Tennessean he had stopped at a gas station in Chattanooga while driving back to Nashville from Atlanta and a woman banged on his window and propositioned him and "out of complete curiosity, I said 'How much?'" Then blue lights shown up and he was sited with solicitation of prostitution and released.
That sounds perfectly reasonable to me. I have been approached by prostitutes who asked, "You want a date?" I have engaged them in conversation, probably also asking how much. It could happen to anyone.
Swope told this story near the end of the Council meeting on Tuesday night. "In the decades since this long-forgotten episode, I've grown... met an
incredible woman, gotten married, and tried to serve my community and my
country as honorably and as well as I could," Swope said. "This alone
doesn't absolve me from my past transgressions, but my youthful
indiscretions were just that -- youthful indiscretions."
He later told The Tennessean that when he showed up in court, they had no record of
his arrest and sent him on his way. The Tennessee reports that Hamilton County court records have
no court date listed for Swope or any indication that a subsequent
failure-to-appear warrant was issued.
Swope made his public statement because he said he wanted to "get out in front of this." "I respect my wife, my family, and my constituents of this
city far too much to let this come out without hearing it from me
first."
Ron McDow who is apparently the one responsible for digging up the dirt on Swope, has a lengthy record accusing him of beating his wife. (link)
Nashville Business Journal - Autonomous vehicles and double-decker highways: Those are the lynchpins of Metro Councilman Robert Swope's vision for mass transit in Nashville, which he unveiled Tuesday.
Dubbed
"Intelligent Transit for the It City Nashville," Swope's plan — which
was formed in coordination with Memphis-based The Digit Group — suggests
implementing new technology to help alleviate the region's growing
mobility problems. (read more)
Metro Councilman Robert Swope plans to
unveil his own transit plan on April 10 as an alternative to the proposed $9 billion mass-transit plan which will be on the ballot as a referendum question on May 1. Early voting for the May 1 elections starts April 11.
Swope told The Tennessean, his plan was “intelligent transit for the ‘It City.’” He did not reveal any specifics about his plan but said, "China, Dubai, New Zealand and a lot of other countries are scheduling
implementation of a number of these transit options right now. So if we look at technology to assist and aiding the transit
problems in this city, this isn't something that we have to 'wait five
years for technology to get there.' It exists today." "Every single part of this, we're doing somewhere in the world right now," he said of his transit plan.
On July 6th the Metro Council met in regular session and among the items on the agenda was BILL NO. BL2017-739,the
sanctuary bill. It was withdrawn by the sponsor. On June 20th the bill
had passed second reading by a vote of 25 in favor, eight opposed and
four abstentions. Between second reading and third reading, the mayor
had come out against the bill, the sheriff had come out against it and
said if it passed he would not enforce it, the Metro legal department
had issued an opinion that the bill was not enforceable and the Council
could not compel the sheriff to abide by the bills requirements, the
state legislature let it be know they were considering going into
special session to nullify the Council's action should the bill pass,
and there had been a howl of pubic protest opposing the bill.
Steve Glover
Sheri Weiner
On
July 20th when on second reading Councilman Robert Swope led the
opposition and gave a powerful speech arguing against it. When it came
to a vote, only eight council members voted against it. The eight "no" votes were Robert Swope, Doug Pardue,
Steve Glover, Sheri Weiner, Russ Pulley, Davette Blalock, Tanaka Vercher, and Jacobia Dowell.
These council members who had the courage to vote against this bill
should be applauded. If you see them, please thank they for their vote.
The members of the Council voting for the sanctuary city bill were
John Cooper, Erica Gilmore, Bob Mendes, Sharon Hurt, Jim Shulman, DeCosta Hastings, Brenda Haywood, Scott
Davis, Brett Withers, Anthony Davis, Nancy VanReece, Bill Pridemore, Jeff Syracuse, Mike Freeman,
Colby Sledge, Burkley Allen, Freddie O’Connell, Mary Carolyn Roberts, Ed Kindall, Mina Johnson, Kathleen Murphy,
Jeremy Elrod, Karen Johnson, Fabian Bedne, and Dave Rosenberg.
Russ Pulley
Davette Blalock
Four council members, Nike Leonardo, Larry Hagar, Keven Rhoten, and Angie Henderson abstained.
To place a face and council district number with the names, follow this link.
If you are going to watch the Council meeting, you need a copy of the Council agenda and the Council staff analysis or you really will not know what is going on. You can get the agenda and analysis and my commentary on the agenda at this link.
The big news of the night is that the Council passed on Second Reading BILL NO. BL2017-739, the controversial sanctuary city bill. To go directly to that portion see timestamp 1:45:05. This bill would prohibit Metro government from using city funds or facilities to assist in enforcing federal immigration laws. It would prohibit Metro from honoring a federal request to hold illegal immigrants in Metro jails until federal agents could pick them up. Even murderers and rapist would be released under this bill.
The bill only passed the Public Safety Committee by a vote of 3 in favor and 2 opposed. Metro legal and the Council attorney have not yet offered a final legal analysis of the bill but the Staff attorney says it is opinion, at this time, that the bill could not force the sheriff to comply with its provision. Sheriff Hall has said that if passed, he will not stop cooperation with federal authorities. The bill has 14 sponsors.
The argument in its favor is that this bill would cause illegal immigrants to have more trust in the police and immigrants would be more likely to cooperate with the police and thus it would improve pubic safety. The arguments against it are that we would be protecting criminals from capture and punishment. Another argument is that the State legislature is likely to punish Nashville for taking this action since the State already has a law prohibiting sanctuary cities and stronger legislation on the topic is pending.
Robert Swope
Councilman Robert Swope makes a well-reasoned, fact-filled, passionate argument against the bill Robert Swope's speech is one of the best ever delivered from the Council floor. To view it, see timestamp 1:48:17.
Inn a prepared speech he says this bill will give illegal immigrant criminals preferential treatment not even available to American citizens. He says in such matters as being stopped for a traffic violation it gives illegals aliens preferential treatment and discriminates against U.S. citizens. He also says, "we are purposely provoking the State yet again." He says it will cost the city millions of dollars.
Councilman Davis makes a passionate plea in favor of the bill that gets prohibited applause from the visitors in the chamber. Councilman Bedne also speaks in favor of the bill as do a few other council members. Council member Sheri Weiner moves to defer the bill but that motion fails. The bill passes by a vote of 24 in favor, 8 opposed, 2 abstentions and 2 not voting.The consideration of this bill concludes at timestamp 2:42:18 in the video.
All appointees to Boards and Commissions are confirmed without objection except for one nominee who withdraws her nomination.
There is a ceremony presenting to a gay activist the resolution that the Council passed last meeting honoring homosexuals and the homosexual festival called "Nashville Pride." While the resolution may reflect the will of the Council, it is not an official action of the Metro government, since it was not passed in the manner prescribed by the charter. The mayor returned the resolution to the Council unsigned, which the Charter calls a "disapproval." For it to be an official position of the metro government, the mayor would have to sign it or the Council would have had to pass the resolution a second time by a roll call vote that got a two-thirds vote of the full Council. As a matter of policy, the mayor does not sign any memorializing resolutions. A resolution of this nature called a "memorializing resolution," represents the opinion of only those members who voted for it. To view that section of the charter that addresses how a resolution becomes "effective," follow this link. Despite a resolution not properly enacted is of no effect and therefore meaningless, I am very disappointing that not a single member of the Council voted to oppose this resolution.
The Budget
While the normal order of business is to consider resolution following the voting on nominees to Boards and Commissions, the Council takes the Budget out of order and it is the first legislative action of the evening. The budget is taken up at timestamp 19:28 in the video and concludes at timestamp 1:03:14. There was not a whole lot of drama surrounding the budget this year. For one thing, the mayor did not propose a tax increase and yet due to a massive increase in revenue the city had a lot more money to spend so there were fewer hard choices to make.
Many people do not understand how the process of passing a budget works. The mayor proposes a budget. Almost always (I do not know of a time when it didn't happen), the council substitutes their budget for the mayor's budget. The substitute may not be that much different but the council may shift some funds and tweak it here and there. In a year in which a mayor proposes a tax increase, the council usually offers a substitute with a lesser tax increase. Here is the important part: A "No" vote on the substitute has the effect of voting for the mayor's budget. There is not a clean "no" vote on the budget. The charter stacks the deck in favor of a strong mayor. Over the years, in years in which we had tax increases, some council members not wanting to raise taxes as much as the substitute does will vote "no" on the substitute and then claim they voted against raising taxes. They either don't understand what they did or they are being deceptive. The effect of a "no" vote on the substitute is a vote for the mayor's budget instead of the substitute. The effect of abstaining or not voting is to vote for the mayor's budget. The charter states that, "If the council shall fail to adopt a budget prior to the beginning of any fiscal year,
it shall be conclusively presumed to have adopted the budget as submitted by the mayor," (sec 6.06). There is not an effective way to vote "no" on the budget before you.
The council substitutes the mayors budget by a vote of 35 in favor, one "no" and one "abstain" and then various amendments to the substitute are offered. To see the mayor's budget and have it explained see A Citizens Guide to the Metro Budget. The mayors budget is for $2.2 billion dollars which is a $122 million more than last years budget. It includes $7 million more for mass transit, $36 million more for schools,.a pay raise for Metro employees including a $8,100 pay raise for the Metro Council members, money for police walking patrols, and funding for various non-profits. The major change made by the Council is to fund about twelve school nurse positions.
An effort was made to increase the funding for General Hospital. It is not mandated that the city have a charity hospital and since poor people can almost always go to the hospital of their choice, there is little need for a city hospital. General can not fill its beds and keeps needing a greater and greater subsidy. I am pleased to see fail the proposed amendment to increase by $5 million the $35 million subsidy in the mayor's budget. The $5 million dollars would have come out of a reserve fund. In my view, in addition to opposing the subsidy, I think it is dangerous to rob the saving accounts at a time when the city is awash in money. We should be saving for a rainy day when there may be a drop in revenue. The vote on this amendment was 20 opposed and 15 in favor. In a latter post I will list how council members voted on this amendment.
Resolutions
Following the action on the budget, the regular order of business is resumed. All resolutions are initially on "consent." Below are the resolutions of mild
interest.
RESOLUTION NO. RS2017-682 adopts the certified tax rate. Following a general reappraisal, the local governing body must adopt a
tax rate that bring in no more money than would have been brought in
prior to the reappraisal. Currently the combined General Services
District (GSD), which in most places would be the "county," and the
Urban Services District (USD or "city") is $4.516. The new combined
lower rate is $3.155. The tax rate is applied to each $100 of
assessment. It passes.
RESOLUTION NO. RS2017-685 adopts a new fee structure for animal control. Under the new schedule if you dog is picked up, the impound fee is $50
and the daily boarding fee is $18. It passes.
RESOLUTION NO. RS2017-717, RESOLUTION NO. RS2017-718RESOLUTION NO. RS2017-719 adopt new pay plans for Metro employees,
with the exception of
the Board of Education. These provide a 2.0% across-the-board pay
increase effective July 1, 2017, continue increment
pay, and to provide for the possibility of merit pay increases for some
employees.
They all pass.
RESOLUTION NO. RS2017-759 relates to a zoning matter in Councilman Davis's district and to me appears insignificant
and not of general interest but is the subject of considerable
discussion and then passes unanimously. Why it was simply not passed on
"consent," I don't know.
RESOLUTION NO. RS2017-764 approve an application to be submitted to the State for approval of an Adventure Tourism District for Fontanel based
on their providing zip lining, road biking and mountain biking as
outdoor adventure activities. This designation provides the businesses
within an Adventure Tourism District to apply for State tax credits. It is deferred indefinitely.
Bills on First Reading are all lumped together and pass by a single vote as is the norm.
Bills on Second Reading. Below are the ones of interest.
BILL NO. BL2017-726 would add a requirement for the Department of Finance to maintain a
written debt management policy for the metropolitan government.
While revenue has been increasing to Metro, we have at the same time
been increasing our debt obligations. Our debt is manageable now, but
if and when Metro's growth slows, along with insurance obligations to
retirees and Metro pension obligations, much of the budget will be
untouchable and essential services will have to be cut. My view is that
now is a time we should be reducing debt, not adding to debt. This bill
would require Metro to have a debt policy including pension liability
and establishes certain criteria for establishing the debt policy. This
alone will not bring fiscal responsibility to Metro Government; that
takes courage and will, but this is a good step in the right direction. It passes.
BILL NO. BL2017-737 would subject "platform vehicles" in Nashville to the regulations of the Transportation
Licensing Commission. This is vehicles like open deck buses are a trailer pulled behind a tractors. This does not adopt specific regulations but would make these vehicles subject to regulations to be adopted by separate future legislation. It passes on a voice vote.
BILL NO. BL2017-738 would prohibit motels from marketing or renting rooms for a period of less than ten hours. In my view, why you rent the room for less than ten hours, should be no ones business. For a city so liberal that it
promotes acceptance of homosexuality among the youth of our city, this
seems somewhat puritanical. It passes on a voice vote.
BILL NO. BL2017-743is a companion to Bill 739. It terminate a contract the city has with the U.S. Marshal Service to house federal inmates.
The intention of this is to negotiate a new contract that does not
include Nashville holding illegal aliens. This is deferred.
Bills on Third Reading.
BILL NO. BL2017-645 would allow passengers in horse-drawn carriages to drink and ride
as long as the beverage was in a plastic or foam cup. It passes.
BILL NO. BL2017-724 establishes the low-income elderly tax relief program for 2018. This
is a continuation of a program that has been in place for many year.
The State provides a certain amount for tax relief for the low-income
elderly and this program is Metro's expansion of the program to provide
more tax relief than the State. The income limit to be eligible is
$29,180 and applicants must be over the age of 65. This cost Metro $3.9
million. It is approved, I support it and its approval was never in doubt.
BILL NO. BL2017-725 establishes a Greenways Commission and a Conservation Assistance Grant Fund and appropriates $500K to the fund. The purpose of this is to preserve properties having
great natural, cultural, and environmental importance. From what I know
about it, I support this. As we grow, it becomes important to preserve
certain features of our community that make Nashville livable and
enjoyable and unique. The commission could not appropriate any funds without coming
back to the Council. It is approved.
BILL NO. BL2017-735 creates 54 new positions in Metro Government. This have to be created by the Council in order to be included in the pay plan. Approved.
Councilman Robert Swope writing in today's Tennessean explains the Opryland water park deal that many have criticizes as "corporate welfare." He points out that no public funds are going toward the project but that instead Opryland Hotel is getting a limited tax abatement. He contents it is good deal for the city. To read his article see, Water park won't cost local taxpayers.
As the author of A Disgruntled Republican I often post items which I think may be of interest to the conservative, Republican, libertarian or the greater community. Posting of a press release or an announcement of an event does not necessarily indicate an endorsement. Rod
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