ORDINANCE NO. BL2014-667

An ordinance amending Chapter 2.78 of the Metropolitan Code pertaining to the Fairgrounds Master Plan, and appropriating $200,000 to the Board of Fair Commissioners from the Reserve for State Fair Subsidy account in the General Fund of the General Services District.

WHEREAS, on February 1, 2011, the Metropolitan Council enacted Ordinance No. BL2010-820, as amended, to add specific duties for the Board of Fair Commissioners pertaining to the operation of the Tennessee State Fairgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Ordinance No. BL2010-820, as amended, included a requirement that the Fair Board, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Department of Parks and Recreation and the Metropolitan Planning Department, develop a master plan for the future development and operation of the Tennessee State Fairgrounds site and surrounding area; and

WHEREAS, at a minimum, such master plan was to include (a) provisions pertaining to the construction of a public park and restoration of Brown’s Creek; (b) recommended modifications to and/or removal of the existing facilities; (c) planned development of the site for mixed-use purposes; (d) recommended zoning or land use policy changes for the site and the surrounding area bounded by LaFayette Street/Murfreesboro Pike to the north, Interstate 65 to the west, Interstate 440 to the south, and Interstate 24 to the east; and (e) suggested infrastructure improvements on the site and in the surrounding area that would enhance the economic viability and liveability of the area; and

WHEREAS, once completed, such master plan was to be submitted to the Metropolitan Council for approval by a resolution receiving twenty-one (21) affirmative votes; and

WHEREAS, on August 4, 2011, prior to completion of the required master plan, the voters of Davidson County approved an amendment to the Metropolitan Charter to add the following provision applicable to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds:
All activities being conducted on the premises of the Tennessee State Fairgrounds as of December 31, 2010, including, but not limited to, the Tennessee State Fair, Expo Center Events, Flea Markets, and Auto Racing, shall be continued on the same site. No demolition of the premises shall be allowed to occur without approval by ordinance receiving 27 votes by the Metropolitan Council or amendment to the Metropolitan Charter.
; and

WHEREAS, Conventions, Sports and Leisure International, in conjunction with Venue Solutions Group and Convergence Design, was retained by the Metropolitan Government to prepare a report regarding Phase 1 of a Master Plan for the future development and operation of the Fairgrounds, which report was presented to the Metropolitan Council on February 21, 2013; and

WHEREAS, HDR Decision Economics, BNIM, Civil-Site Design Group, RPM Transportation and Connico, Inc., were retained by the Metropolitan Government to prepare a Phase 2 of the recommended Master Plan for the existing Tennessee State Fairgrounds, including a comparison between the Fairgrounds Best Practices model and the highest and best mixed-use development scenario; and

WHEREAS, Phase 2 of the Master Plan was presented to the Council on February 26, 2013; and

WHEREAS, both phases of the Master Plan contemplate significant capital investment by the Metropolitan Government toward improvements to the Fairgrounds property; and

WHEREAS, the August 4, 2011 Charter amendment approved by the voters essentially prohibits the cessation of any of the existing uses at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds or redevelopment of the property without a subsequent amendment to the Metropolitan Charter; and

WHEREAS, Substitute Ordinance No. BL2013-431, the Budget Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, included a $200,000 appropriation as a Reserve for State Fair Subsidy to be available for future appropriation by the Council pending action on the Fairgrounds Master Plan; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council delete the Metropolitan Code provisions pertaining to approval of the master plan and appropriate $200,000 to the Board of Fair Commissioners for operating support for fiscal year 2014.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Section 2.78.010 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting subsection C. in its entirety.

Section 2. That the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) is hereby appropriated from the Reserve for State Fair Subsidy account in the General Fund of the General Services District to the Board of Fair Commissioners for operating support.

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: Sandra Moore

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	February 4, 2014
Passed First Reading:	February 4, 2014
Referred to:	Budget & Finance Committee
Passed Second Reading:	February 18, 2014
Passed Third Reading:	March 4, 2014
Approved:	March 5, 2014
By: