Rules committee confirms nominations, approves late-file amendments and honors veterans leader

At its March 18, 2025 meeting, the Rules, Confirmations & Public Elections Committee moved a package of confirmations and procedural items and adopted two resolutions honoring community events and service.

The committee unanimously adopted RS202511O2, honoring Edna Murray on her retirement from Operation Stand Down Tennessee, and RS202511O3, recognizing March 31, 2025, as Transgender Day of Visibility in Nashville and Davidson County. The votes recorded in committee were 6–0–0 for the retirement resolution and 7–0–0 for the recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility.

Committee members also approved two late-file amendments: a late-file exhibit addition to a preliminary engineering agreement between CSX Transportation and Metro to facilitate replacement of a bridge on Eastland Avenue, and a late-file amendment to a zoning ordinance for property at 2151 Mile Parkway that would permit an 87-unit multifamily development. The committee voted to suspend Rule 13 and accept the late-file CSX exhibit (7–0–0) and to accept the late-file amendment for the rezoning (7–0–0). Officials said the Eastland Avenue bridge is in “fair” condition and that adding attachments to the agreement was necessary to avoid project delays.

The committee also conducted interviews and confirmation votes for multiple boards and commissions. Notable confirmations included the Civil Service Commission reappointment of Jason Evans (7–0–0) and the Planning Commission reappointment of Edward Henley (7–0–0). The committee confirmed business and licensing board nominees Mesut Keklik, Amna Osman, and solid-waste region board appointee Frederick Coffin (each 7–0–0), and it approved traffic and parking commission nominees Lisa Holler and Lin Meng by 8–0–0 votes. A set of advisory-committee nominations for the advisory committee on transportation were approved in consolidated votes; Amy Scruggs was taken separately and confirmed 6–0–1 (one not voting).

During the public-comment period, Steve Ryder urged the committee to include a question about Metro contracts on reappointment questionnaires and raised concerns about whether members of the Homeless Planning Council should be considered boards-and-commissions members for pay eligibility. Ryder also suggested Metro legal revisit whether members who serve on the Homeless Planning Council should continue to receive payments for attending meetings.

The committee concluded its agenda by approving an amendment to Rule 3.9.3 concerning the process for removing ordinances from omnibus first-reading votes; the amendment and the rule as amended were approved 8–0–0.

Votes at a glance

- RS202511O2 — Resolution honoring Edna Murray (Operation Stand Down Tennessee). Outcome: approved 6–0–0. - RS202511O3 — Recognize 03/31/2025 as Transgender Day of Visibility. Outcome: approved 7–0–0. - Suspension of Rule 13; late-file amendment to CSX preliminary engineering agreement (Eastland Avenue bridge). Outcome: approved 7–0–0. - Late-file amendment to BL2025-725 (rezoning for 2151 Mile Parkway; permits 87 multifamily units). Outcome: approved 7–0–0. - Advisory Committee on Transportation nominations (consolidated). Outcome: approved 7–0–0; Amy Scruggs confirmed separately 6–0–1. - Civil Service Commission reappointment — Jason Evans. Outcome: approved 7–0–0. - Planning Commission reappointment — Edward Henley. Outcome: approved 7–0–0. - Business Licensing Board appointment — Mesut Keklik. Outcome: approved 7–0–0. - Business Licensing Board reappointment — Amna Osman. Outcome: approved 7–0–0. - Solid Waste Region Board appointment — Frederick Coffin. Outcome: approved 7–0–0. - Traffic & Parking Commission appointment — Lisa Holler. Outcome: approved 8–0–0. - Traffic & Parking Commission appointment — Lin Meng. Outcome: approved 8–0–0. - Board confirmations (CATV special committee, Emergency Commission, etc.). Outcome: approved 8–0–0. - Rule change (amendment to Rule 3.9.3) — approved 8–0–0.

The committee’s confirmations included interviews in which nominees described relevant experience. Jason Evans emphasized four decades of government service, including HR and installation management; Edward Henley noted his land-use background, recusal history and service on planning-related boards; Dr. Lin Meng described university research on parking lots and urban heat island effects; and Frederick Coffin discussed circular-economy approaches to solid-waste management and potential uses of waste-to-energy technology.

Committee members and staff said the measures will move to the full council or return to committees as required by council rules.