SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION NO. RS2009-690

A resolution expressing the Metropolitan Council’s intent that federal economic stimulus funds received by the Metropolitan Government be used to purchase goods or services from United States companies.

WHEREAS, the economic downturn is having a critical impact on everyday Americans who are struggling to maintain or find jobs in an increasingly difficult environment; and

WHEREAS, Congress has approved and President Obama has signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a nationwide effort to create jobs, jumpstart growth and transform the United States economy for the 21st Century; and

WHEREAS, the American Recovery and Investment Act includes a taxpayer-sponsored economic recovery plan that will provide billions of dollars to help cities and states provide jobs through infrastructure rebuilding, green energy projects, and other projects that will require manufactured components; and

WHEREAS, in Tennessee, this plan will deliver immediate, tangible impact, including the creation or saving of 75,000 jobs, making college affordable for 87,000 Tennessee families, offer additional unemployment insurance benefits, and provide funding for school modernization and infrastructure construction for roads, bridges and mass transit; and

WHEREAS, our taxpayer dollars should be spent to maximize the creation of American jobs and restore the economic vitality of our communities; and

WHEREAS, domestically produced products that are purchased with economic renewal funds will immediately help struggling Tennessee and Davidson County families and help stabilize our economy; and

WHEREAS, any public project that involves construction, alteration, maintenance or repair of a public building and public works projects should incorporate goods or services produced in the United States to the greatest extent practical; and

WHEREAS, spending of economic renewal funds must include a commitment from the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County to “Buy American”, that is, to buy materials, goods and services from companies that are produced within the United States, which employ those workers who pay taxes that sponsored this economic recovery plan in the first place.

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

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as expressing its intent that federal economic recovery plan funds be spent on products and services made or performed in the United States to the greatest extent practical to ensure that Americans are kept employed and new jobs are created in this country. The Metropolitan Council further desires that such a “Buy American” policy also equally apply to all Metropolitan Government contractors whose contracts exceed $50,000 in federal recovery plan funds.

Section 2. The Metropolitan County Council further requests the Metropolitan Purchasing Agent to submit any necessary amendments to the Metro Procurement Code to establish a procedure for domestic preferences when evaluating competitive bids or other Metropolitan Government purchases, so that American products and services can be identified and certified in order to maximize the success of our nation’s economic recovery program.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Mayor Karl Dean, to Finance Director Rich Riebeling, and to Purchasing Agent Jeff Gossage.

Section 4. 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: Bo Mitchell, Vivian Wilhoite