Committee approves amendment to Cumberland River grant to expand tree recipients

The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on Monday approved an amendment to an agreement between the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and the Cumberland River Compact that extends the grant term and changes eligibility for distributed trees.

Rebecca Doan of Metro Water Services’ stormwater department told the committee the amendment would 1) extend the contract term and 2) replace a requirement that tree recipients show proof of residency with a provision allowing any property located within Metro Nashville and Davidson County to receive trees. Doan said the change was intended to allow properties — not only named residents — within the county to benefit from trees planted under the program.

Councilmember Rowley asked for a reminder of the amendment’s substance; Councilmember Brown said he supports the program and asked whether the grant obligates the city to spend all allocated funds on tree planting or whether funds could be used for other canopy-preservation work. Metro Water staff replied that spending the grant on land preservation rather than direct planting would require a change to the code.

The committee first voted to approve the proposed amendment (9-0). The bill then moved as amended and was recommended for approval by the committee in a second recorded vote (9-0).

Discussion vs. decision: the amendment was discussed and approved as procedural changes to the grant contract; the committee did not change the underlying code during this meeting. The deputy director clarified allowable uses would require code changes.