RESOLUTION NO. RS2013-665

A resolution establishing a Residential Caucus to actively address municipal issues of the resident citizens of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.

WHEREAS, the first Metropolitan Government Charter submitted for referendum in 1958 proposed a Metropolitan Council consisting of only twenty-one (21) elected representatives; and

WHEREAS, concern was raised at the time that the minimally-sized Metropolitan Council would fail to provide appropriate representation to a consolidated city/county government; and

WHEREAS, on June 17, 1958 the Charter referendum was defeated at the polls by the resident citizens of Davidson County; and

WHEREAS, the second Metropolitan Charter (1962) proposed an increase in the Metropolitan Council to 40 members; and

WHEREAS, on June 28, 1962 the second Charter referendum was supported by the resident citizens of the city of Nashville and Davidson County, and the newly-consolidated government became effective on April 1, 1963; and

WHEREAS, the 40-member Metropolitan Council represents the third largest municipal legislative body in the nation; and

WHEREAS, the developed landscape of the overwhelming percentage of Metropolitan Council districts is residential; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is the most representative urban legislature in the nation with each member representing approximately 17,000 resident citizens; and

WHEREAS, only the citizens who reside in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County have the right to vote in local elections; and

WHEREAS, there have been numerous municipal issues that involve controversial spending, department policy, infrastructure upgrades, and development legislation that have adversely impacted the resident citizens of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County; and

WHEREAS, a caucus is a group within a legislative or decision-making body seeking to represent a specific interest or influence a particular area of policy; and

WHEREAS, a Residential Caucus will represent the citizens who reside in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that a Residential Caucus be established to allow members of the Metropolitan Council to provide a unified voice on municipal issues that have adversely impacted the resident citizens of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.

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

Section 1. There is hereby established within the Metropolitan Council a Residential Caucus for the purpose of providing adequate representation on all municipal issues to the citizens who reside in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.

Section 2. Membership in the Residential Caucus shall be available to the entire Metropolitan Council.

Section 3. The Residential Caucus shall give adequate public notice of all meetings in compliance with applicable Tennessee law concerning open meetings.

Section 4. That 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: Bruce Stanley, Carter Todd, Scott Davis, Tony Tenpenny