Final update: What happened at the 9/18/12 Council meeting: Midtown rezoned, poll books bought

09/18/12 Metro Council Meeting

Meeting of the Metro Council on September 18th, 2012 More

Click on the above link to watch the Council meeting.  Below are the highlights with notation of where to go in the video to see the more interesting portions of the meeting.

It is announced that Juvenile Judge Betty Adams Green resigned effective the day prior to the Council meeting. The Council will fill the vacancy. Nomination for the office are to be in the clerk's office by September 25, and the Council will fill the position at the Oct 16th meeting. It will be interesting to see who the Council chooses to fill this vacancy. The Council gets lobbied hard on filling vacancies for these plum positions.

Three bills are pulled from the consent agenda.  This rarely happens. The three bills are Resolution 412 which would appropriate $400,000 from the 4% fund to purchase electronic poll books for the election commission, Resolution 412 which approves an agreements between TVA, NES and Metro for the purchase, interconnection, and operation of electricity generated by solar units installed at two fire halls, and Resolution 428 which authorizes the parking of vehicles at the former Stokes Middle School property.

Discussion of Resolution 410 (purchase of poll books) starts at 16:10. Budget and Finance had approved unanimously. Charlie Tygerd explains that the issues surrounding the controversy of problems with the electronic poll books were fully explained at the B&F committee and half the books have already been purchased and the new poll books save time and money.

Bo Mitchell who is running for a State House seat, gets a lot of TV face time grandstanding on the issue and says the B&F committee did not get adequate answers. He makes a motion to defer. Duane Dominy Speaks and says the answers to the questions raised by Mitchell were provided in committee. On a machine vote the motion to defer fails, 15 for deferral and 24 against.

Councilman Maynard attacks the integrity of the Election Commission and Charlie Tygerd defends the election commission. (This is good stuff. Maynard starts at 29:45; Tygerd at 33:25.) Tygerd gets frustrated and heated and does a great job responding to Mannard. Councilman Tony Tenpenny also takes to the floor revealing his frustration. Several other members speak on the motion and the resolution passes by voice vote. The way I see it, those who are attacking the election commission are simply not wanting to understand the explanation that were offered and are grandstanding.

Resolution 412 which approves an agreements between TVA, NES and Metro for the purchase, interconnection, and operation of electricity generated by solar units installed at two fire halls is discussed. Thanks to Charlie Tygerd, the questions I wanted asked were asked. (See it at 37:10) The return is a twenty year return on investment. That is a bad deal! Great job Councilman Tygerd! 

 Councilman Stein points out that the money has already been spend and all this bill does is enter into a contract to recoup some of the money already spend. On a machine vote, the resolution passes 37-2 with the two "no" votes being those of Tygerd and Duvall. If I had been in the Council, I also would have voted no. This measure was nothing more than a feel-good green project that was not in the city's best interest. The Council should have voted against this bill and sent General Services a message to stop the feel-good green stuff and only engage in green projects if they are good investments.

Councilman Evans explains her opposition to Resolution 428 which authorizes the parking of vehicles at the former Stokes Middle School property. (see 42:52) The resolution passes on machine vote 34-4-1

Each proposed charter amendment is considered separately.

• RS2012-279 by Tygard which would have Nashville’s mayoral, vice mayoral and Metro Council elections at the same time was withdrawn following a recommendation against the bill from the Council's Charter Revision committee. 
• RS2012-280 by Gilmore that would prohibit the Metropolitan Government from inquiring about a job applicant’s criminal history on the initial job application is withdrawn following a negative recommendation of the Council Committee. 
• RS2012-377 by Garrett, which would clarify the duties of the sheriff’s office passes. 

ORDINANCE NO. BL2012-237 on second reading amends the Metro Code to implement a number of the recommendations of the study and formulating committee pertaining to employee and retiree benefits and pensions. This ordinance basically curtails the benefits of employees going forward. This is a wise move. Many cities are going broke because of liberal defined benefit packages and retirement plans. The bill passes.

An attempt is made by Councilman Clairborne to amend the bill so that going forward, former council members would not be eligible for the subsidized health insurance unless they had served 10 years and then they would pay the same rate as retirees who had served 10 years. (see 1:09:15 for discussion) Councilman Clairborne withdraws the amendment after several council members raise objections that the amendment has not been to committee, but he promises to bring it back as a separate bill.

Prior to term limits there were not that many former council members; with term limits there is growing number of former members of the Metro Council. Claiborne's proposal should be adopted.

ORDINANCE NO. BL2012-241 by Dominy, on second reading to require the annual contract for services between the Metropolitan Government and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce for the Partnership 2020 economic development program to be approved by resolution of the council and would require 21 affirmative votes to be approved, is deferred for two meetings.

BILL NO. BL2012-195 which would rezone more than 1500 properties over a 450 acre area in Midtown (between Charlotte and West End from I-440 to downtown) passes. The discussion starts at 1:32:50.

Below are news reports regarding this council meeting.

Council approves Midtown rezoning
 also. approved purchase of poll books


by Michael Cass,The Tennessean, Sep 18, 2012

The Metro Council voted Tuesday to approve a 455-acre rezoning in Nashville’s Midtown area and agreed to put five proposed charter amendments up for public votes in November.

 The council also voted to appropriate $400,000 to buy controversial voting equipment for the Davidson County Election Commission, agreeing to honor a contract with a vendor over objections about the technology’s performance in the August primary.(link)

 Metro Council Purchases Controversial Voting Equipment
 from NewsChannel5.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Metro Council Members exchanged some heated words over controversial electronic poll books during a meeting.

Despite the debate, the council voted to appropriate $400,000 to buy the equipment for the Davidson County Election Commission.  The money will purchase 200 machines and upheld a contractual agreement signed last year.

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Community Carnival to support Robert Duvall

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Fairgrounds informational event coming up Oct. 1

Those who want to save the fairgrounds, need to stay involved. The battle is not over.

State Fairgrounds neighbors, stakeholders, and the general public can learn about possible uses for the Fairgrounds and share their thoughts and opinions at an open house from 5-8 pm Monday, October 1, at the Fifty Forward Knowles Center, just outside the Fairgrounds gate at the corner of Wedgwood and Rains.  This will be a "drop-in" session; visitors can come and go at any time with no need to stay for the entire event.

Phase 2 of the Fairgrounds Master Plan Study examines the marketability, economic impact, and physical characteristics of potential mixed-use development on the Tennessee State Fairgrounds site; the Master Plan webpage has more information about the process.

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Join me in the Walk to End Alzheimer's Oct. 13th

2012 Walk to End Alzheimer's 

Nashville Walk - Nashville, TN

October 13, 2012 
Registration 8:00 am / Walk 9:00 am 

Centennial Park (Band Shell Area) 

Please join the "Rod and Louella Team" in the walk to end Alzheimer.  Click on this link, to sign up for the walk or to contribute.  

Any contribution will greatly appreciated. Your donation will support Alzheimer's care services, programs, and vital research. You can click on this link and pay by any major credit card. After submitting your donation you will receive a confirmation message

If you are more comfortable paying by check, make the check out to  Alzheimer’s Association and mail it to me and I will turn it in. My address is Rod Williams, 758 Roycroft Pl. Nashville, TN. 37203.

As many of you know, my sweet wife Louella is afflicted with this disease. I would be honored if you would join Louella and me in this walk on October 13.  Your words of encouragement, prayers and concern are greatly appreciated.

The Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s™ is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s unites the entire community — family, friends, co-workers, social and religious groups and more --- in a display of combined strength and dedication in the fight against this devastating disease.

Our mission
To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Our vision
A world without Alzheimer’s disease®.

Learn more about our mission-related activities or contact your local chapter for information about programs and services in your community.

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Reagan Vs. Obama - Social Economics 101

This is Great!

If you are a liberal and do not agree with the economic message or apolitical and just don't care, watch it for the humor. The cartoon depictions of Regan, Obama, Clinton, Palin, Nixon, and the Bushes is priceless. The personality quirks and wit and mannerisms of the various personalities is really captured. .

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Metro, not state, hurts students

Metro, not state, hurts students
The Tennessean, Letters.
 It is Rep. Jones’ comrades on the Metro board who have acted foolishly by choosing to break the law and, as they knew it would, deprive Nashville children of millions in state dollars. Blaming the state instead is rather like blaming the principal for spanking a student who clogged up toilets. Both the student and the board knew they would be punished.(link)

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Tennessee Public Charter Schools: Get the Facts

The Tennessee Charter School Incubator and the Tennessee Charter Schools Association have partnered to produce a new informational video, "Tennessee Public Charter Schools: Get the Facts."

The video features many prominent community and educational leaders, including Mayor Karl Dean, Tennessee Speaker of the House Beth Harwell, State Representative John DeBerry, Tennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman and Achievement School District Superintendent Chris Barbic, in addition to testimony from parents of children who attend public charter schools in Tennessee.

 For more information on Tennessee charter schools, visit www.tncharterschools.org and www.charterexcellence.org.

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Eroding economic freedom in the U.S.

The Fraser Institute issues a well-regarded ranking of countries by economic freedom. 
The U.S. ranking is sinking rapidly:

Before 2000: #1
2000: #2
2005: #8
2010: #19
2012: #18


We're sandwiched in between Qatar and Kuwait, both Muslim countries, with Qatar an absolute monarchy and Kuwait a theocracy. What a disgrace! (To read more, follow this link)

 

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Nashville parents explore taking over schools

Never-before-used state triggers law allows public schools to be converted into charters

Sep 19, 2012, The Tennessean

Dissatisfied parents and elected officials from West Nashville are exploring a never-before-utilized state law that would allow a public school to be converted into a parent-controlled charter school.
Under the so-called trigger law, if 60 percent of the parents or teachers at a public school sign a petition, the school board then votes on whether to approve converting the school into a charter. (link)

This is a positive development. Congratulation to Council Member Emily Evans for her leadership roll in exploring  this option for education reform.  

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Tax penalty to hit nearly 6M uninsured people

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 6 million Americans — significantly more than first estimated— will face a tax penalty under President Barack Obama's health overhaul for not getting insurance, congressional analysts said Wednesday.  Most would be in the middle class.

The new estimate amounts to an inconvenient fact for the administration, a reminder of what critics see as broken promises.

The numbers from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office are 50 percent higher than a previous projection by the same office in 2010,... (link)

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Nashville is on hook for millions even if Predators don't play

Nashville is on hook for millions even if Predators don't play

www.tennessean.com

Under terms of Metro government’s agreement with the team, it will still be on the hook for millions of dollars in subsidies to the Predators even if the games don’t resume.

..... doesn’t affect Metro’s obligation to provide the team up to $8.6 million a year.
 In the past five years, the city has given the Predators $38.6 million.

NHL Lockout Could Cost Metro Nashville Millions
News Channel 5
If NHL owners and players fail to come to an agreement before the start of the season, the lockout could cost Metro Nashville millions of dollars.
more>>

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State Senate Candidate Dickerson commends Governor Haslam’s Decision on Great Heart Academies

NASHVILLE, TN. - Dr. Steve Dickerson, the Republican candidate for the State Senate in District 20, has announced today that he supports the expected decision by the Tennessee Department of Education and Governor Bill Haslam to withhold non-classroom, administrative BEP funding from the Metro Nashville Public Schools as consequence of the districts refusal to follow new state law.

“Later today, Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman and Governor Bill Haslam are expected to announced that the State will withhold the BEP funding to the MNPS; while this is an unfortunate situation, it is a necessary consequence for a district that has violated state law,” stated Dickerson.

The withholding will be approximately $3.4 million of non-classroom, administrative BEP funding from the school system; the BEP money is the state’s share of the non-classroom components of the state Basic Education Program funding formula. The BEP funding does not affect classroom spending for the school district.

“This issue is one that brings into opposition two of my most deeply held beliefs of maintaining local autonomy and improving education in Tennessee; at times when two principle conflict with each other, we must evaluate each situation on a case by case basis.” Dickerson continued, “In this instance, when you have a school district that has chosen multiple times to not comply with state law, even after advice from their own legal counsel advising otherwise, the State will be making the right decision to step in to ensure that the students of MNPS are afforded the right to school choice.”

Steve Dickerson is a practicing physician and founding partner of Anesthesia Services Associates. Dickerson attended the University of the South in Sewanee graduating with a B.A. in History. He then received his medical degree at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University. Steve Dickerson has been married to his wife Katrina for 19 years and they have three sons, Reid, Evan, and Bennett.

For more information about the Steve Dickerson campaign or to schedule an interview with Dr. Dickerson contact: 615-519-1896 or visit www.votestevedickerson.com

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