Middle Tennessee DSA

He’s 20, no 15, abstain 2

Resolution against the Boring Co passes

CM Rutherford it would be easy to vote for this, but sometimes we need to do something hard.

Says project is happening. Says to set “politics aside” and follow CM Hill’s example.

Yes 22, No 15

The motion to defer the resolution by CM Hill is defeated.

Making an odd claim that it’s unfair to her constituents to not support the tunnel because she doesn’t like Elon Musk.

Kinda seems beside the point, no?

CM Hill describes requirements that digging has to follow. More in MSHA than OSHA.

Says this isn’t about Boring. “It isn’t our issue.”

Says we were fine with subway tunnels, but not this one.

Claims she hasn’t had an issue meeting with them. Not sure how others have.

CM Sepulveda describing labor violation and safety practice violations from the Boring Co.

Describes the work done to recover the body of a worker killed.

Says that the state will do whatever they want to do, but we have found courage, taken them to court and won.

CMs lining up to support resolution.

Some members in support of resolution lining up.

… an agreement with Boring.

CM Parker describes trying to have discussion with the state to give more voice to Nashville government.

Describes following rejections to a meeting and silence from Boring Co.

Cites $500M of state taxpayer money going to oversee it. Notes airport authority wasn’t informed, despite them signing..

VM Henderson notes a fourth deferral would be bad for the resolution.

CM Cortez asks where we go when we can’t listen to our neighbors without offending the state.

Says it’s becoming accepted practice for state to punish cities for disagreement.

Returns to this theme, but says that he understands CMs voting as their constituency wants.

CM Hill asks for a deferral, noting that she’s a progressive and may be making a mistake.

CM Hancock says this reminds her when she found out that some of our finances would be taken over by the state. Says mayor’s office didn’t communicate that to council.

Says that we as a city voted against tunnels. Will not support resolution, but understands it and yields her time to CM Hill.

“Why are we not talking about something more innovative and more of what we need? Why not what we voted on with this transit referendum?”

Notes environmental and safety concerns and those about the needs of the disabled communities.

CM Ewing disagrees and says her objections align with CM Porterfield.

Says company is coming to Nashville with “literally groundbreaking” project, “why work around us, not with us.

“Why not look at a more sensible model than a tunnel carrying fleet of singular cars (and not our cars?”

Gives an in-depth description of how they dealt with what they encountered digging, including an underground lake, which was piped to provide water to some of the grounds.

Says that she thinks that opposing what the state wants will come back on council.

CM Hill says that she doesn’t think anyone in the room is surprised about how she feels about Elon Musk, considering how he treats the trans community, even his own daughter.

Wants this to focus on the tunnel. Talks about her own experience in construction in Vandy.

Describes resolution as requiring more transparency with public around labor, safety, and other issues.

CM Porterfield giving backstory. Notes repeated attempts to meet with the Boring Co, lack of responses, and deferring this resolution repeatedly.

Notes her event with State Senator Charlene Oliver.

CM Gadd provides her with more time.

“This resolution gives an outline to getting public trust.”

A few substitutions being added.

We’re finally here, folks. CM Porterfield’s resolution against the Boring Company’s tunnel. Text of the bill here:

nashville.legistar.com/LegislationD...

24 in support, 4 against (Webb, Eslick, Johnson, Hancock), 3 abstaining (Styles, Benton, Druffel)

Bill passes with 24 for.

Eslick has denigrated other demonstrations of public support/opposition, but finds opposition to housing density to be a true expression of public sentiment.

CM Eslick rises against. Says it’s the same language in all these districting.

Says residents are “rising up” against heavy density. Says that it has to give you pause.

“Are you doing will of people or planning department and ‘the administration.’”

Claims he’s also for affordable housing.

CM Parker in support. Notes Gamble’s care on this and compromise.

CM Evans notes a dispute w/ another CM (Hagar—sp?).

Says that it isn’t a good path to go down.

Does say that she supports the bill.

CM Gamble says that bill was approved unanimously by committee. Doesn’t think compromise is possible with opposition beyond what she’s given.

Opposition responding in the negative in the gallery.

CM Hancock says we always have difficulty when developments happen at borders between districts.

Says that she respects Gamble’s efforts to include community and the feelings of constituents in opposition. Asks if she would be amenable to defer to allow for more amendments.

CM Gamble recognized to respond. Corrects an address is in the district (Webb claimed that it wasn’t).

Objects that she doesn’t listen to constituents.

CM Webb says that “nobody” in the area wants the development. Says to come visit the area. Opposition cheers her on.

Notes people came together to buy developing area to prevent changes.

Says it could be someone else’s neighborhood next.