ORDINANCE NO. BL2000-499

An ordinance amending the Metropolitan Code of Laws to add a new Chapter 6.14 to provide for administration and approval of agreements to operate foreign trade zones and foreign trade subzones.

Whereas, federal law provides for the establishment of foreign trade zones under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Foreign Trade Zones Board (the "Board") to promote economic development by encouraging exports and imports; and,
Whereas, in 1981 the Board authorized the Metropolitan Port Authority to establish, operate, and maintain Foreign Trade Zone No. 78 (the "Zone"); and,

Whereas, upon the dissolution of the Metropolitan Port Authority by Metropolitan Council Resolution No. RS99-24, the power to establish, operate, and maintain foreign trade zones and subzones under T.C.A. §7-5-112 passed to the Metropolitan Government; and,

Whereas, the Board has approved the transfer of the Zone to the Metropolitan Government; and,

Whereas, the administrative duties in support of foreign trade zones and subzones that once were performed by the Metropolitan Port Authority are now performed by the Mayor's Office of Economic Development; and,

Whereas the Metropolitan Port Authority had the power to execute agreements for the operation of foreign trade zones and subzones, but that now no existing agency of the Metropolitan Government has that authority; and,

Whereas, consequently any agreement for operation of a foreign trade zone or foreign trade subzone is subject to approval by the Metropolitan Council; and,

Whereas, it is in the best interest of the Metropolitan Government to expedite the approval of agreements to operate foreign trade zones and foreign trade subzones by resolution of the Metropolitan Council receiving twenty-one (21) votes.

Now, therefore, be it enacted by the Council of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan Code of Laws shall be amended to add a new Article 6.14 entitled "Foreign Trade Zones" which provides, as follows:

6.14.010. Establishment, management.
The establishment and management of foreign trade zones and foreign trade subzones as authorized by Tennessee Code Annotated §7-85-101, et seq., as the same may be amended or recodified, shall be an administrative responsibility of the Mayor's Office of Economic and Community Development.

6.14.020. Approval of Agreements.
Any contractual agreement for the operation and maintenance of a foreign trade zone or foreign trade subzone may be approved by resolution of the Metropolitan Council receiving twenty-one (21) votes.

Section 2. That this Ordinance shall take effect from and after its final passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Howard Gentry

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	November 9, 2000
Passed First Reading:	November 9, 2000
Referred to:	Budget & Finance Committee
Passed Second Reading:	November 21, 2000
Passed Third Reading:	December 5, 2000
Approved:	December 12, 2000
By: