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Committee confirms multiple board and commission appointments; interviews held for appeals and historic boards
Summary
The committee approved several nominee confirmations and reappointments for Metro boards, held interviews for the fire and building code appeals board and historic commissions, and consolidated multiple confirmations in a single vote.
The Rules, Confirmations & Public Elections Committee voted to confirm multiple nominees to Metro boards and commissions and conducted interviews for several reappointments during its Aug. 19, 2025 meeting.
Council nominations to the Industrial Development Board (IDB) — to fill three vacancies with terms expiring Aug. 31, 2030 — were read into the record. Nominees included Nancy Van Reese (nominated by Council member Gamble), Laura Yankee (nominated by Council member Benedict), Natalie Alvarez (nominated by Council member Allen), David Ware (nominated by Council member Evan Siegel), Takila Johnson (nominated by Council member Porterfield), Derek Lesleaf (nominated by Council member Hoopin) and Bob Braswell (nominated by Council member Webb). The committee took a consolidated vote on those IDB nominees and approved them in a single vote, recorded as 6 in favor, 0 opposed.
The committee also interviewed and voted on reappointments and appointments across several bodies:
- Raymond Andy Berry was reappointed to the Fire and Building Code Appeals Board for a term expiring July 20, 2029. During his interview Berry described his background as an architect and said the appeals board often resolves “misinterpretations or different interpretations” of codes; the committee approved his reappointment 7–0.
- Devinder Sandhu was reappointed to the Fire and Building Code Appeals Board for a term expiring July 20, 2029. Sandhu said the appeals board’s role is limited to cases where the fire marshal or codes division cannot resolve a question, such as issues involving historic homes. Committee members praised Sandhu’s prior volunteer work on pallet shelter engineering; the committee approved his reappointment 7–0.
- William (Bill) McGee was reappointed to the Historic Commission for a term expiring Aug. 10, 2029. McGee described his work in local history and said he seeks to make history “relevant to the community.” The committee approved his reappointment 7–0.
- Matthew C. Smith was appointed to the Historic Zoning Commission for a term expiring Aug. 21, 2028. Smith said his experience on the Metro Planning Commission gives him familiarity with inspections and regulatory overlap between planning and historic permits; the vote to confirm him was 7–0.
A consolidated vote confirmed a set of previously interviewed nominees and reappointments on the council floor: Topanga Baez (Metro Action Commission, reappointment to 08/31/2028), Gary Burke (Historic Commission, 08/10/2029), Jane Landers (Historic Commission, 08/10/2029), Reverend Shane Scott (Hospital Authority, 07/07/2029), Dr. Amy Crawford Charlton (Human Relations Commission, 07/21/2028), Hazel Smith (National Entertainment Commission, 06/20/2029), Fiona Halter Abbott (Stormwater Management Commission, 07/08/2029) and Catherine Hayes (Metro Transit Authority, 07/07/2030). The consolidated vote passed 7–0. The committee noted that one item — the Historic Zoning Commission appointment of James Hoover (term to 06/30/2030) — had been withdrawn prior to the vote.
Chair remarks closed the meeting; the chair noted that today was their last day presiding over this committee and congratulated the incoming chair-elect. The committee adjourned by unanimous procedural motion.
A full list of nominees, interviews and vote tallies is part of the public meeting record.
