Tennessee Code Title 7. Consolidated Governments and Local Governmental Functions and Entities § 7-5-104

(a) Any metropolitan government having a population of not less than one hundred thousand (100,000) may create a metropolitan port authority in the manner provided in this chapter.

(b) The governing body of the creating municipality, if it shall determine the public convenience and necessity requires the creation of a metropolitan port authority, shall adopt, and the executive officer of the creating municipality shall approve, a resolution so declaring and creating an authority, which resolution shall designate the name and principal office address of the authority. A certified copy of the resolution shall be filed with the secretary of state and with the commissioner of transportation, and upon adoption and filing, the authority shall constitute a body politic and corporate, with all the powers provided in this chapter. A copy of the resolution shall also be filed with the department of community and economic development, or its functional successor.