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

Section 1. That Title 2 of the in the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by adding the following new Chapter 2.150 entitled “The Metropolitan Neighborhood Improvement Fund Commission”:

Chapter 2.150 – The Metropolitan Neighborhood Improvement Fund Commission

2.150.010 – Established.

There is hereby created and established a commission to be legally known as the “Metropolitan Neighborhood Improvement Fund Commission,” referred to in this chapter as “the commission.” The Department of Finance and Department of Law shall provide support and assistance to the commission as necessary.

2.150.020 – Membership and term of office.

The commission shall be composed of seven members, who shall serve as such without compensation. One member of the commission shall be designated by the Board of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency. One member of the commission shall be a member of the council designated by the Vice Mayor for a term of two years. The remaining five members of the commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the metropolitan council. Said five members shall serve terms of five years each, provided that the first members appointed shall serve terms of one, two, three, four, and five years respectively. Any vacancy due to any cause shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

2.150.030 – Purpose of the commission.

The purpose of the commission shall be as follows:

A. To promote neighborhood stability by eliminating blight through remediation and rehabilitation;

B. To provide financing and other assistance for home ownership opportunities for families and individuals in existing structures;

C. To oversee the management and operation of the Neighborhood Improvement Fund

2.150.040 – Powers and duties.

In order to carry out and facilitate the commission's general purposes and oversight of the Neighborhood Improvement Fund, the commission shall have authority to:

A. Enter into one or more contracts with nonprofit agencies, procured under the Metropolitan Procurement Code, to assist the commission in carrying out its duties and in the management of the Neighborhood Improvement Fund;

B. Elect a chairman and such other officers as it may deem necessary to carry out the functions and duties of the commission;

C. Promulgate and maintain its own regulations and bylaws;

D. Conduct its affairs, to select advisory committees or panels of experts as necessary to assist in the discharge of its duties;

E. Solicit, accept, and receive gifts of funds, goods, and services donated to the commission and to the Neighborhood Improvement Fund;

F. Receive and expend any money allocated to the Neighborhood Improvement Fund by the metropolitan government or donated to the Neighborhood Improvement Fund for the purposes expressed in this chapter;

G. Make recommendations to the metropolitan council regarding the awarding of grants from the Neighborhood Improvement Fund, including funds appropriated yearly by the metropolitan council through the operating budget ordinance, to deserving nonprofit organizations and nonprofit civic organizations, or as otherwise authorized by state law, supporting the purposes of the commission. Criteria for the awarding of such funds shall be established by the commission. The commission shall submit a recommendation to the metropolitan council for the appropriation of funds to deserving nonprofit organizations consistent with T.C.A. § 7-3-314, as it may hereafter be amended. Once funds have been appropriated by the metropolitan council to the deserving nonprofit organization(s), the commission shall enter into a grant contract with each such organization. No such grant contract shall become effective without the approval of the metropolitan department of law and director of finance.

H. Perform any additional functions authorized by state law and consistent with the purpose of the commission.

Section 2. That Section 5.12.060 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting the final sentence of subsection A.4., and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

(4) One-sixth of the proceeds shall be deposited in the general fund of the metropolitan government. Effective January 1, 2018, the portion of transient occupancy privilege tax revenue deposited into the general fund that was generated by short term rental properties regulated under chapter 6.28 of the Metropolitan Code shall be dedicated for appropriation evenly between (a) the Barnes Fund for Affordable Housing established pursuant to Substitute Ordinance No. BL2013-487, and (b) the Neighborhood Improvement Fund, found in chapter 2.150 of the Metropolitan Code.

Section 3. That this Ordinance shall take effect immediately after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Scott Davis