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An ordinance to amend Title 2 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to create a Sustainability Advisory Committee to guide Nashville and Davidson County’s efforts to increase sustainability and resilience and further community livability and economic competitiveness.
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WHEREAS, in the absence of significant mitigation- and adaptation-focused action, Nashville and Davidson County will face myriad climate hazards, including an increased number of intense storms and tornadoes, more frequent flooding and extreme heat days per year, and adverse effects from the economic and social disruptions resulting from climate change locally and globally; and
WHEREAS, climate-related risks present opportunities to foster innovation and creativity that can enhance community livability, equity, and economic development; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, including the Metropolitan Council, Metro boards and commissions, Metro departments, and community partners, has taken action to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including passage of legislation focused on renewable energy resources, green building, zero emissions fleets, and other approaches to sustainable development and operations; and
WHEREAS, Metro Council adopted RS2022-1358, which formally established a Metropolitan Government and community-wide target of an 80% reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions from 2014 levels by 2050; and
WHEREAS, the last four Mayors have convened their own ad hoc advisory bodies comprised of multidisciplinary stakeholders to identify and guide actions furthering livability, sustainability, and resilience, and each of those bodies has developed plans that include recommended actions for the city; and
WHEREAS, advancing the sustainability and resilience of Metro’s natural environment, built infrastructure, economy, community, and culture are highly interdisciplinary imperatives that relate to responsibilities of multiple Metro departments, and convening a council to guide these efforts will realize significant efficiencies, leveraging of financial and human resources, and collaboration opportunities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That Title 2 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws is hereby amended by creating a new Chapter 2.153 as follows:
Chapter 2.153 - Nashville Sustainability Advisory Committee
2.153.010 - Establishment.
There is hereby established a committee to be known as the “Nashville Sustainability Advisory Committee”, referred to in this chapter as “committee.”
2.153.020 - Composition, membership, and term of appointment.
A. The committee shall be composed of 15 members, to be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the metropolitan council for a term of two (2) years. All members shall serve without compensation. All members shall be residents of Davidson County. At least three (3) members shall be representatives of environmental, sustainability, and resilience interests from the private, for-profit sector. At least three (3) members shall be representatives of environmental, sustainability, and resilience interests from the non-profit community. At least one (1) member shall be a representative from higher education. At least two (2) members shall be representatives from the metropolitan council. At least one (1) member shall be a representative of the mayor. At least two (2) members shall be representatives of the general public.
B. The following individuals or their designees shall be invited to attend committee meetings: the director of general services, the director of metro water services, a member of the waste services team, the director of parks and recreation, the director of the Nashville department of transportation and multimodal infrastructure, the executive director of the metropolitan transit authority, the executive director of planning, the director of the office of emergency services, the director of social services, the director of schools, the executive director of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Authority, and the chief executive officer of Nashville Electric Service.
C. In the performance of its staff functions, the committee may utilize the office and clerical staff of the mayor.
2.153.030 - Meetings.
The committee should meet a minimum of quarterly, but more frequently if determined necessary. All meetings shall be open to the public in compliance with the Tennessee Open Meetings Act.
2.153.040 - Powers and duties.
The committee shall guide the metropolitan government’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and detrimental environmental impacts, such as negative impacts to air quality, water quality, and land resources, and increase economic competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience. Activities may include but are not limited to: identifying opportunities, issuing recommendations, and advising on implementation plans regarding climate mitigation and adaptation actions for the mayor’s office, the metropolitan council, departments, offices and agencies of the metropolitan government; identifying funding and financing resources that the metropolitan government can leverage in executing environmental, sustainability and resilience projects; advising the metropolitan government where there may be opportunities to collaborate across departments, across levels of local, state, and federal government, and with non-governmental organizations on environmental, sustainability, and resilience topics; and identifying opportunities to further equity and reduce disparate impacts resulting from the effects of climate change.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon its final passage the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This ordinance establishes the Nashville Sustainability Advisory Committee. The Committee would guide Metro’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and detrimental environmental impacts, and increase economic competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience.
The Committee would be composed of 15 members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. Members would serve for a term of two years without compensation. All members must be residents of Davidson County. Three members would be representatives of environmental, sustainability, and resilience interests from the private, for-profit sector, three would be representatives of environmental, sustainability, and resilience interests from the non-profit community, at least one member would be a representative of higher education, at least two would be representatives from the metropolitan council, at least one will be a representative of the mayor, and at least two will be representatives of the general public.
The following individuals or their designees would be invited to attend the Committee meetings: the director of general services, the director of water services, a member of the waste services team, the director of parks and recreation, the director of the Nashville department of transportation and multimodal infrastructure, the executive director of the metropolitan transit authority, the executive director of planning, the director of the office of emergency services, the director of social services, the director of schools, the executive director of the Metropolitan Development and Housing Authority, and the chief executive officer of Nashville Electric Service.
The Committee would be able to utilize the office and clerical staff of the mayor.
The Committee would meet at least quarterly but could meet more frequently if determined necessary.