Playground Ethics

Metro Board of Ethical Conduct finds Councilmember Courtney Johnston in violation of failing to disclose her position on the board of the Music City Children’s Museum.

From Megan Podsiedlik

Earlier this year, the council put its signature on the East Bend by passing new zoning legislation that will help transform the former PSC Metals scrapyard into a mixed-use neighborhood near the East Bank. Though the rezoning legislation did not specifically include a children's museum, the changes helped advance discussions about potentially establishing a home for the Music City Children’s Museum in the East Bend.

As the legislation made it through council, an ethics complaint featuring Councilmember Courtney Johnston was filed by Melanie Cochran and Elizabeth MK Sullivan. The two East Nashville residents alleged that Johnston failed to disclose her position on the museum board and didn’t recuse herself from the council's vote on proposed rezoning legislation.

Ethics Board This morning, the Metro Board of Ethical Conduct heard the complaint and decided to issue Johnston a written warning citing a violation for failing to disclose her position on the museum's board. The ethics board also found that Johnston's conduct gave a reasonable basis for the impression that another entity could improperly influence her.

The members took time deliberating over whether it was appropriate to issue a public censure before unanimously landing on the decision to issue the lesser written warning. Ultimately, the board found no evidence of wrongdoing, bribery, or personal financial gain and concluded that Johnston did not improperly influence other council members. Several members also stressed they did not want the decision to discourage council members from serving on nonprofit boards. Instead, they hope the case serves as a reminder to officials about the importance of disclosures and avoiding situations where a nonprofit role overlaps with official duties.

The Back-and-forth Promptly after the complaint was originally filed, Councilmember Johnston corrected her disclosure and ultimately resigned from the Children's Museum Board. Johnston has been a supporter of establishing a children’s museum in Nashville since 2021, when proponents of the Music City Children’s Museum were eyeing a building in her district.

“I think it'd be wonderful to bring a children's museum to Nashville, and so I was absolutely supportive of that,” said Johnston while testifying. “When the ethics complaint was filed, I felt like it was, at that point, a distraction to the museum and counterintuitive to the mission there, and I don't want to be a hindrance to anything, and I just felt it best to step away.”

The complainants see Johnston’s involvement with the board differently. During the meeting, their lawyer, Bryan Pieper, painted a nefarious picture of Johnston’s relationships with the museum, the East Bend developers, and the lobbyist involved with the project. 

When presenting Johnston’s exchanges about the project, Pieper categorized her communication as “belittling the concerns of people, mocking them.” At one point, the line of questioning disintegrated into a fishing expedition unrelated to the complaint in front of the board. The scrappy antics—more reminiscent of a middle school playground fight than serious discussion—were eventually put to bed.

Johnston’s Response Councilmember Courtney Johnston will not be appealing the board’s decision and issued no comment in reaction to the outcome of today’s meeting.

✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH

New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)

HEADLINES

• 🐒 O'Connell seeks eminent domain to block Nashville Zoo data center. Mayor Freddie O'Connell's administration intends to file eminent domain legislation today, which would allow Metro to take ownership of the property near the Nashville Zoo where a data center is planned. “We're filing this condemnation legislation because Metro has a legitimate need for this property," O'Connell said through a spokesperson. "I have carefully followed the concerns from the community and the Zoo and also remain deeply concerned about the proposed use." (Axios)
• ♨️ Extreme heat prompts Metro heat patrols. Nashville's Office of Emergency Management has launched heat patrols as dangerous temperatures and heat indices above 100°F continue across Middle Tennessee. Crews are distributing water and checking on vulnerable residents throughout the week. (OEM)
• 🏨 The state's new Joint Capital Tourism Board has its members. The board controls ~$30M in annual excess downtown tourism tax revenue and sits as a state-controlled intermediary between the Music City Center and East Bank authorities, both of which are majority mayor-appointed. Appointees:
  
  -Gov. Bill Lee Butch Eley (former Lee aide), Bill Haslam (former governor)
  -Lt. Gov. Randy McNally Dr. Steve Dickerson (former state senator), Sara Beth Urban (Hospitality & Tourism Association CEO)
  -Speaker Cameron Sexton Bill Miller (downtown venue owner), Colin Reed (Ryman Hospitality CEO)
  -Automatic seats Charles Starks (MCC CEO), Deana Ivey (Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. CEO)
  -Mayor O'Connell Designee TBA
• 🎶 Alan Jackson plays his farewell concert in Nashville. Country music legend Alan Jackson performed the final show of his farewell tour at Nissan Stadium, marking the end of his touring career after decades of hits. The concert celebrated Jackson's legacy and drew thousands of fans from across the country. (Rolling Stone)

DEVELOPMENT

• Investment giant buys Franklin apartment complex for $43.5 million (NBJ)
• Melrose-area commercial building listed for $1.6M (Post)
• CAA relocates to Nashville Yards (Post)

THINGS TO DO

View our calendar for the week here.

📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.

🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.

👨🏻‍🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.

TONIGHT

🎸 Wilson, Johnson, McGettian, Saddic & Gleb @ Skinny Dennis, 9p, No Cover, Info
+ blend of country, folk, and roots music

🎸 Dave Gibson and Greg Crowe @ The Local, Info

🥁 Sofia Goodman Trio @ Rudy's Jazz Room, 6p, $15, Info

🪕 Classic Country Tonight hosted by Faith Groves @ Station Inn, 8p, Info

🪕 Bluegrass Mondays with Kyle Tuttle @ Dee's Lounge, 6p, $10, Info

🪕 Val Storey, Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle & New Monday @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info

💀 Grateful Monday @ Acme Feed & Seed, 7p, Free, Info

🕺 Motown Monday @ The 5 Spot, 9p, $5, Info

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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.