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An ordinance amending Ordinance No. BL2019-11 to modify the requirements for the Rose Park advisory group.
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WHEREAS, The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (“Metro”) owns and, through the Department of Parks and Recreation (“Parks”), operates Rose Park; and
WHEREAS, E.S. Rose Park was created through urban renewal, opened in 1963 as a park for African Americans, and primarily served the Edgehill neighborhood for more than four decades, and
WHEREAS, the Organized Neighbors of Edgehill and other Edgehill residents have made extraordinary efforts to protect E.S. Rose Park and assure its future as a public park, and
WHEREAS, Metro and Belmont University (“Belmont”) are parties to the lease dated November 5, 2007, as authorized by BL2007-1544 and subsequently amended by Ordinance Nos. BL2016-458, BL2017-662, and BL2019-11; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. BL2019-11 called for the formation of an advisory group to ensure that the partnership benefitted the community; and
WHEREAS, the advisory group has met regularly since 2020 and discussed desired improvements such as better signage for parking, proper community access to the concession area, and consistent and accessible reporting on lease payments and park and batting facility use; and
WHEREAS, the advisory group has suggested modifications to its operation to ensure effective representation for the community.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That Section 3 of Ordinance No. BL2019-11 is hereby amended as follows:
Section 3. The batting facility to be constructed pursuant to the School Lease incorporated herein represents a new partnership between MNPS, Belmont, and the surrounding community partners. The facility will work synergistically with the existing partnership between Metro Parks and Belmont for the improvements at Rose Park. To facilitate the efficient implementation of the MNPS partnership and to ensure the new and continued delivery of benefits of both partnerships to all parties, Metro Parks and MNPS shall convene an advisory group representing a broad cross section of Edgehill community perspectives. This group will meet at least twice per year or more frequently as needed to review all aspects of the partnerships between Belmont, MNPS and Metro Parks to ensure that the benefits to all parties are being realized.
Some items for consideration shall include but is not limited to:
• Prioritize enabling online scheduling for all Rose Park facilities
• Distribution List for Metro Parks Annual Report on Rose Park
• Facilitating neighborhood access to park green space
• Parking at Rose Park, including recommendations for additional signage
• Park promotion and long term planning/suggestions for Easley Center
• Use of Concessions and other Park Facilities consistent with the Lease Agreement between Metro Parks and Belmont dated November 5, 2007
The composition of this advisory group shall include the following:
• One member appointed by Metro Parks
• One member appointed by MNPS
• One member appointed by Belmont University
• Three members appointed as neighborhood representatives by Metro Council Member for District 17
• One member appointed as a neighborhood representative by Metro Council Member for District 18
• One member appointed by the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods or its successor
• Council members for District 17 and 18 may serve as ex-officio members
The advisory group shall designate one neighborhood representative to serve as one co-chair and either the Metro Parks or MNPS representatives as the second co-chair. The two co-chairs shall be jointly responsible for meeting agendas.
Meetings of the advisory group shall be open to the public, and the Metro Parks representative on the advisory group (or his/her designee) shall be responsible for notifying Metro Information Technology Services to have advance notice of the meeting included on the Metro Government Calendar of Events. The neighborhood representatives shall serve a term of three years with the possibility of serving a second three year term if reappointed by the District Council Member. Terms for the neighborhood representatives shall be staggered with renewals for one District 17 term and the District 18 term in 2023, the second District 17 term in 2024, and the third District 17 term in 2025. Subsequently, the terms for all neighborhood representatives shall stagger on this schedule. Vacancies shall be filled in by the same appointing authority as the vacant appointment and, for neighborhood representatives, shall be for the unexpired portion of the term. Members missing two successive meetings can be subject to replacement upon a majority vote of the advisory group.
The advisory group shall have the authority to adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary for its operation, including a mechanism for the disclosure of conflicts of interest.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect from and after its final passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This ordinance amends Ordinance No. BL2019-11, which formed an advisory group regarding E.S. Rose Park. The Metropolitan Government had previously leased portions of the park to Belmont University for athletic facilities. The advisory group was meant to provide Metro Nashville Public Schools, Belmont, and Edgehill community partners to review the partnership among MNPS, Metro Parks, and Belmont and ensure that the benefits to all parties are realized.
The pending ordinance changes the minimum meetings for the advisory group from four per year to two per year with additional meetings as needed. The legislation also changes the composition of the board by removing a neighborhood representative appointed by the District 19 Metro Council Member, adding a third neighborhood representative appointed by the District 17 Metro Councill Member, and allowing the Metro Council Members from Districts 17 and 18 to serve as ex officio members. The terms of the neighborhood representatives would be staggered to end during different years. Lastly, the ordinance authorizes a procedure to fill vacancies and remove members who miss two consecutive meetings.