Milt Capps
Published Thursday, December 18, 2008 8:48 am

Metro Councilmember At Large Jerry Maynard

Metro Councilmember At-Large Jerry Maynard told VNC late yesterday he'll ask Vice Mayor and President Diane Neighbors to convene a Council working session on Metro economic development on Jan. 6, 2009.

That would come nine days ahead of a Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Business Outlook Summit.

The January meeting would be a followup on Council's earlier public forum. Maynard told us he wants the Council, itself, to explore innovative ways to increase sales-tax revenue; generate non-tax revenue (e.g., from advertising or naming rights linked to public venues and assets); and, ensure that Metro fees and procedures are not unduly hampering developers and small business, generally.

Maynard explained that he's heard from individual business execs about alleged problems in these areas, but he's not certain whether these instances are "exceptions" or more typical, and he'd like the entire Council to compare notes.

Maynard said he thinks the session might help "jumpstart" some helpful legislation or other initiatives. He said he intends to invite members of Mayor Karl Dean's cabinet to participate Jan. 6. ♦ [Update: Jan. 7- TCP/NP covered last night's hearing, click here.]