Council amends Stormwater Management Commission membership, expands eligible legal appointees

The Rules, Confirmations & Public Elections Committee of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County voted to put an amendment on and then approve an ordinance amending Title 15 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to change membership and credential requirements for the Stormwater Management Commission.

Council Member Evan Siegel, who offered the amendment, said the change removes the word "specialty" from the lawyer requirement because it is "a term of art for lawyers," and broadens eligibility so retired attorneys who have practiced in this area may serve. Siegel said the Nashville Bar Association does not have a large roster of environmental lawyers and that making the seat a mayoral appointment would allow a wider pool of applicants.

The amendment passed on a voice vote with nine in favor and no opposition; the committee then voted to advance the bill as amended, also 9-0. Chair Toombs presided over the votes.

The committee had deferred the measure at the previous meeting for one cycle to allow additional questions from council members; Siegel referenced that earlier deferral in explaining the amendment. No public testimony or outside legal interpretations were recorded in the committee discussion on the ordinance during the transcripted segment.

The ordinance text as read amends Title 15 to revise membership and credential language for the Stormwater Management Commission; specific amended code sections and effective dates were not specified in the transcript.

The committee recorded no abstentions and no recorded amendments beyond the lawyer-credential language described in Siegel's explanation. The item moves forward to the next legislative step per the council's rules.