File #: RS2023-93    Name:
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 10/30/2023 In control: Metropolitan Council
On agenda: 11/7/2023 Final action: 11/7/2023
Title: A resolution recognizing News Channel 5 meteorologist Heather Mathis and the Safe Places Shelter Program.
Sponsors: Sheri Weiner, Joy Styles, John Rutherford, Erin Evans, Bob Nash, Courtney Johnston, Tonya Hancock, Tasha Ellis, Jacob Kupin, Terry Vo, Antoinette Lee, Burkley Allen, Ginny Welsch, Sandy Ewing, Jennifer Gamble, Jennifer Webb, Quin Evans-Segall, Russ Bradford, Sandra Sepulveda, Brenda Gadd, Kyonzte Toombs, Delishia Porterfield, Emily Benedict, David Benton, Clay Capp, Tom Cash, Mike Cortese, Thom Druffel, Jeff Eslick, Jeff Gregg, Deonte Harrell, Olivia Hill, Rollin Horton, Jordan Huffman, Joy Smith Kimbrough, Sean Parker, Jeff Preptit, Jason Spain, Zulfat Suara, Brandon Taylor

title

A resolution recognizing News Channel 5 meteorologist Heather Mathis and the Safe Places Shelter Program.

 

body

WHEREAS, News Channel 5 meteorologist Heather Mathis grew up in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. She went on to graduate from Mt. Juliet High School and earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University. She earned a second degree in Meteorology from Mississippi State University; and

 

WHEREAS, Mathis worked at WBBJ-TV in Jackson, Tennessee, and WAAY-TV in Huntsville, Alabama, before returning to Nashville to join News Channel 5’s Storm 5 weather team; and

 

WHEREAS, after hearing from concerned viewers, Mathis spent years researching and reporting on the lack of severe weather shelters open to the public in Middle Tennessee; and

 

WHEREAS, Mathis worked with Tennessee State Representative Jason Powell on the “Safer Places Bill”, which was signed into law in April 2023 and allows organizations to open their doors to the public as a severe weather shelter without liability for loss, damages, injury, or death; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Mathis has worked with News Channel 5 to create the Safe Places Shelter Program; and

 

WHEREAS, the Safe Places Shelter Program works as follows: local organizations that are interested in becoming a Safe Places partner can contact News Channel 5 at safeplaces@newschannel5.com. From there, local emergency management agencies will review the space and ensure that it meets the necessary criteria to be designated a safe shelter. When severe weather is anticipated, emergency management agencies will list the designated shelters as “Open” and the shelters will appear on the NewsChannel 5 Safe Places website listed by county; and 

 

WHEREAS, the Safe Places Shelter Program provides an accessible list of shelters open to the public to allow individuals living in vulnerable housing to have a safe place to go during severe weather; and

 

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper to recognize Heather Mathis for her work in creating the Safe Places Shelter Program, which helps to ensure Nashvillians and those throughout Middle Tennessee take refuge during severe weather.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

 

Section 1. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing News Channel 5 meteorologist Heather Mathis for her commitment to finding safe places for Nashvillians during severe weather and further recognizing the Safe Places Shelter Program, which connects residents to shelters in their area during severe weather.

 

Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.