Committee approves signal‑system agreement, contract amendments, tree‑canopy funding and storm water/sewer bill credits

The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on March 2 approved several items on its agenda, including an intergovernmental agreement for downtown signal improvements, a sole‑source contract amendment for traffic control systems, amendments to a tree‑canopy funding ordinance, and a one‑time water and sewer bill credit to address customer charges from the January 2026 winter storm.

Connect Downtown adaptive signal system: Council approved RS20261819, an intergovernmental agreement between the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Government, acting through the Nashville Department of Transportation, to implement the Connect Downtown Adaptive Signal System Project. Brad Freeze of the Nashville Department of Transportation said the project combines GNRC (grant) funding and downtown capital funds to cover signals and related work. The resolution passed 8–0.

Sole‑source amendment for traffic control systems: RS20261820 authorizes amendment number one to a sole‑source agreement with Transportation Control Systems, Inc. to increase contract value and revise insurance language. Council Member Allen asked whether a previously negotiated 35% discount still applied; Chris Mitchell answered that the discount remained. The committee approved the amendment 8–0.

Tree canopy funding ordinance amended: The committee considered BL20261287, an ordinance to fund restoration and maintenance of Nashville and Davidson County’s tree canopy. Council Member Allen moved an amendment to eliminate the program’s sunset and to adjust funding allocations; the amendment and the bill as amended passed 8–0.

One‑time water/sewer bill credit after winter storm: BL20261294, authorizing a one‑time credit to water and sewer users because of the January 2026 winter storm, was pulled from consent for clarification. Council Member Benedict sought assurance that customers served by outside utilities (Madison Suburban, Harpath Valley) would receive appropriate credits. Shannon Fry of Metro Water Services said billing credits will be issued through Metro’s customer information system vendor and that the department had not coordinated credit issuance with outside utilities; Metro added sewer credits conceptually but did not factor in outside utilities when drafting the bill. The bill passed 8–0; Benedict said he would vet the details with Director Potter and Madison Suburban and consider a late amendment if needed.

Procurement items withdrawn: Items BL20261206 through BL20261235 were withdrawn and will revert to three‑year contract terms with two one‑year renewals. Amanda Demoy of the Department of Finance explained the reversion and said administrative amendments will be used to update design standards (including NACTO urban street and bikeway design) and to set consultant selection procedures.

Votes at a glance: - RS20261819 (Connect Downtown Adaptive Signal System) — Approved, 8–0. - RS20261820 (Amendment to sole‑source Transportation Control Systems contract) — Approved, 8–0. - BL20261287 (Tree canopy funding ordinance, as amended) — Approved, 8–0. - BL20261294 (One‑time water/sewer bill credit for January 2026 winter storm) — Approved, 8–0. - BL20261206–BL20261235 — Withdrawn; revert to three‑year contracts pending administrative amendments.

Next steps: Administration and departments will proceed with contract amendments and design‑standards updates as described; council members may file late amendments for the water/sewer credit if needed after further vetting.