SECOND SUBSTITUTE ORDINANCE NO. BL2004-245
An ordinance amending the Metropolitan Code of Laws to provide public notification requirements for meetings of boards and commissions of the Metropolitan Government.
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County for the Metropolitan Government to increase its efforts in notifying the public about meetings of Metropolitan boards and commissions; and
WHEREAS, a centralized government Internet website designed to inform the public about board and commission meetings would further the goal of providing adequate notice.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That Chapter 24 of Article 2 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws shall be and the same is hereby amended by adding the following new Section 2.24.150:
“2.24.150.
Website calendar for board and commission meetings.
The department of information systems shall construct and maintain an Internet
website providing a calendar listing the date, time, location and agenda
of all meetings of boards and commissions of the metropolitan government.
Such calendar shall be updated on a weekly basis and shall be easily accessible
from the nashville.gov website. Such information shall be posted in conformity
with the policies adopted pursuant to Section 2.68.020.”
Section 2. That Chapter 68 of Article 2 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws shall be and the same is hereby amended by adding the following new Section 2.68.020:
“2.68.020.
Public notification of meetings.
A. Each board or commission of the metropolitan government shall develop a
policy, approved by the department of law, for providing adequate notice
of all board or commission meeting dates, times, locations and agendas. Such
policy shall include a procedure for submitting such information to the department
of information systems for posting on the website calendar as provided in
Section 2.24.150.
B. In addition to publication on the metropolitan website as provided in
subsection A, the metropolitan government, each Friday, shall make available
to all newspapers
of general circulation published in Davidson County a calendar of all meetings
of the boards and commissions of the metropolitan government scheduled for
the following week, including the dates, times, locations and agendas of said
boards and commissions. The publication and notification requirement contained
in this section shall not prevent a board or commission from holding a meeting
on shorter notice in the event of an emergency, nor shall the provisions of
this section prevent the benefit board from adding individuals to the agenda
of any meeting of the benefit board so long as the subject matter of the addition
to be considered by the board only concerns the individual requesting to be
added. For purposes of this subsection, “emergency” means any circumstance
where compliance with the notice provision in this section would result in
significant financial harm to the metropolitan government or applicant, and
where neither the metropolitan government nor the applicant is responsible
for the delay.
C. Any member of the public, upon request, shall be entitled to receive written
notice by mail of the meeting date, time, location and agenda of any board
or commission of the metropolitan government. Each board or commission shall
maintain a list of all such persons requesting written notice and shall mail
and/or e-mail such written notice in conformity with the policy adopted pursuant
to subsection A. Should a person fail to receive written notice as provided
in this subsection, this shall not be considered lack of adequate public notice
so long as all other means for notification required by state law or other
applicable law have been satisfied.
D. The public notice requirements provided in this section shall be in addition
to any other public notice provisions required by state law or any other applicable
law or regulation.”
Section 2. The provisions of this ordinance shall not become effective until January 1, 2005.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect from and after its enactment, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Sponsored by: David Briley, Brenda Gilmore
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY |
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Introduced: | May 18, 2004 |
Substitute Introduced: | May 18, 2004 |
Passed First Reading: | May 18, 2004 |
Referred to: | Rules & Confirmations Committee |
Deferred to July 20, 2004: | June 1, 2004 |
Deferred: | July 20, 2004 |
Second Substitute Introduced: | August 3, 2004 |
Passed Second Reading: | August 3, 2004 |
Passed Third Reading: | August 17, 2004 |
Approved: | August 18, 2004 |
By: | ![]() |