Timeline
  • December 17, 2025: Council voted 19-17 to defer $15M MOU after stripping LeoSight and Fivecast platforms
  • January 7, 2026: Renee Good killed by ICE agent in Minneapolis
  • January 9, 2026: O'Connell filed these 4 resolutions
  • January 20, 2026: Council vote scheduled

The Four Resolutions

RS2026-1733 $150,000

Video Cameras

Equipment
15 Axis Video Cameras
Claimed Purpose

"Traditional video cameras, consistent with existing public safety cameras"

The Problem

Metro Code 13.08.080 covers "cameras capable of monitoring public areas"—no exemption for "traditional" cameras. Requires public hearing and civil liberties review.

Download Resolution PDF View on Legistar
RS2026-1734 $430,000

Armored Rescue Vehicle

Equipment
1 Terradyne Gurkha MPV Armored Rescue Vehicle
Claimed Purpose

"Ballistic protection for SWAT members for city wide call outs on barricaded subjects, hostage situations"

The Problem

Nashville's price runs $30,000-$115,000 HIGHER than comparable recent purchases nationwide. At this price point, likely includes surveillance tech (thermal imaging, PTZ cameras, LRAD) covered by 13.08.080.

Download Resolution PDF View on Legistar
RS2026-1735 $2,000,000

Mobile Command Trailers

Equipment
2 ATC Trailer 48' Custom Command/Office Trailers + 2 Ford F-550s
Claimed Purpose

"Mobile meeting space and technology support for law enforcement incident management"

The Problem

These are surveillance integration platforms. Metro Code 13.08.080 covers vehicles "equipped with an electronic surveillance device."

Download Resolution PDF View on Legistar
RS2026-1736 $800,000

Command/Equipment Truck

Equipment
1 International CV Command/Equipment Truck
Claimed Purpose

"Self-contained vehicle for incident commands to transport and store equipment used for critical incidents"

The Problem

Another surveillance integration platform covered by 13.08.080's vehicle provisions.

Download Resolution PDF View on Legistar

Why Filing These as "Donations" Matters

The Mayor's Office previously claimed the MOU structure was necessary to "limit the Nashville Downtown Partnership." Now they're accepting the same equipment directly as donations, apparently to avoid:

  1. The MOU scrutiny that led to December's 19-17 deferral
  2. Metro Code 13.08.080's requirements for public hearings and civil liberties review
  3. Community input via The People's MOU process
The equipment still flows through Governor Lee's Downtown Public Safety Grant—the same fund that allocated $100M to the Memphis Safe Task Force (which includes ICE).

The Irony: O'Connell's Own Words

In October 2021, Councilmember O'Connell warned about "the mass surveillance state" and called police traffic cameras "spying" and "security theater."

He is now asking Council to accept Axis surveillance cameras—the same vendor he once criticized—without the public hearing he would have demanded.

Resolution 1733 cites $150,000 for cameras from "Axis Communications." At $10k per camera, these are the same high-end surveillance cameras he opposed as councilmember.

Download All Four Resolutions

RS2026-1733
Video Cameras
$150,000
RS2026-1734
Armored Rescue Vehicle
$430,000
RS2026-1735
Mobile Command Trailers
$2,000,000
RS2026-1736
Command/Equipment Truck
$800,000
Total Equipment Value
$3,380,000

What Council Can Do

  • Ask why Metro Code 13.08.080 was not invoked
  • Defer until a public hearing is held
  • Require the civil liberties review the law contemplates
  • Take feedback from The People's MOU and align funding with community desires

Contact Your Council Member Before January 20

Find Your Council Member

Key Documents & Resources

Reference Materials