Nashville City Council changes meeting time
The Nashville Police Department is still operating two vehicles short after the two were severely damaged earlier this month in a pursuit with a reckless driver. During Monday’s city council meeting, Police Chief Amy Marion said the city lost a 2012 Dodge Durango and a more recent model Chevrolet Tahoe, when the suspect began ramming city and county police vehicles with his personal vehicle. Insurance has totaled the Durango, which the city had approved replacing last year. It’s still to early to tell how much damage the Tahoe will have. Mayor Jones said the city has ordered two new units to replace the damaged ones. However, the process has been extremely slow, due to production being down as the result of COVID-19
Council members gave approval for the fire chief to purchase a new vehicle. Chief Justin Thornton said the new unit will replace the 2007 Dodge Durango he has been driving. That vehicle was previously used by the police department and is starting to have some repair needs. Thornton was given approval to purchase a new Tahoe. The unit is expected to cost around 46 thousand dollars, once it has been outfitted for emergency use.
Council members have voted to change the meeting time for their monthly session. Since Monday’s meeting was the first of the new council term, aldermen established their meeting dates and times. The monthly council meetings in Nashville will continue on the 4th Monday of each month, but will now begin at noon, instead of 6 p.m. The time change came on a motion from Joe Hoen and was approved by all nine council members who were in attendance. Hoen was sworn in by Mayor Jones prior to the start of last night’s meeting.
There’s also a vacant position on the council. Jimmie Lou Kirkpatrick has resigned her Ward Four seat. Kirkpatrick is moving to Fayetteville. She has served on the council since June 6th, 2006. Mayor Jones said city officials are reviewing potential prospects for the vacancy, and he hopes to have the open seat filled by next month.
