RESOLUTION NO. RS2009-1066

A resolution recognizing a set of guidelines recommended by the Neighborhood Resource Center for use in community meetings.

WHEREAS, the Neighborhoods Resource Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting Nashville residents in the formation and development of neighborhood-related organizations, and which assists residents by providing information, leadership training, consulting, and supportive services, as well as by forming collaborative relationships with, and providing support to, institutions that serve neighborhoods.

WHEREAS, the Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC) has experience in holding community meetings on important topics that impact our constituents, including meetings regarding controversial issues; and

WHEREAS, at the request of Members of Council, the NRC has provided a copy of its “Top Ten Guidelines for Holding Controversial Community Meetings”, a copy of which is attached to this Resolution; and

WHEREAS, Members of Council have a mutual interest in coordinating community meetings that are balanced, honest, respectful, and informative; and

WHEREAS, at any community meeting regarding a controversial topic, individuals and/or advocacy groups can be overly zealous in their expressions, or attempt to exert improper influence over the content or outcome of the meeting; and

WHEREAS, the attached NRC guidelines may be helpful to Members of Council in planning community meetings regarding upcoming issues of community and public interest; and

WHEREAS, as an example of upcoming issues of community and public interest, the Metropolitan Council will soon be presented with a financing plan for the construction of a proposed new downtown convention center and adjacent hotel; and

WHEREAS, once the financing plan is presented, Members of Council will schedule community meetings within their respective districts to determine the preferences of their constituencies and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal; and

WHEREAS, these NRC guidelines may be helpful to Members of Council in planning community meetings regarding the upcoming convention center financing proposal, as well as any future issues of community or public interest; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council desires to affirmatively endorse these guidelines for use in community meetings, recognizing that these guidelines are not intended as the sole or exclusive recommendations for organizing or structuring community meetings.

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

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby endorses the Neighborhood Resource Center’s “Top Ten Guidelines for Holding Controversial Community Meetings” as potential guidelines for use in community meetings, recognizing that these guidelines are not intended as the sole or exclusive recommendations for organizing or structuring community meetings.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Mike Jameson

Attachment(s) on file in the Metropolitan Clerk's Office