Rules, Confirmations & Public Elections Committee approves consent proclamations, confirms appointments and defers music commission ordinance

The Rules, Confirmations & Public Elections Committee met in Nashville on Feb. 7, 2025, and approved a consent agenda of proclamations and recognitions, confirmed multiple boards-and-commissions nominees and voted to defer proposed changes to the Nashville Music, Entertainment and Film Commission for one meeting.

The committee approved its consent agenda — including resolutions honoring Larissa A. Jackson, recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission, a Black History Month proclamation and a resolution recognizing National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day — by voice vote, with the chair announcing six in favor and none opposed. The panel also approved a late-file substitute to a resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Sister Cities partnership with Belfast, Northern Ireland; the substitute added language provided by the Sister Cities delegation and was approved to allow presentation to visiting delegates in late February.

Why it matters: the committee handles confirmations and council procedural items that shape how city boards operate and who leads them. This meeting advanced several mayoral appointees and kept in place the timeline for a Belfast delegation visit that the committee said it would like to present a formal commemoration to while the delegation is in Nashville.

Appointments and confirmations

Frank Stephenson was confirmed to the Metropolitan Development and Housing Authority board for a term expiring Feb. 4, 2030. Stephenson, who identified himself as a Nashville native and former resident of the J.C. Napier (University Courts) housing development, told the committee he wanted to “pay it forward” by supporting policies that preserve affordable housing for working families.

Dr. Nzewe (identified in the record as a physician who has worked at National General and with Meharry Medical College) was confirmed to the Hospital Authority board after a lengthy discussion about potential conflicts of interest. Council members, committee counsel and the mayor’s office…