METRO COUNCIL UPDATE October 2024

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Allen, Burkley (Council Member)

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Oct 8, 2024, 7:18:41 AM10/8/24
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EVENTS
Election Day is November 5.   In addition to the presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump , there are races for US Senate, Congress, and State Senate and Representative.  The Senate race is between Marsha Blackburn and Gloria Johnson.  Nashville is now split into three congressional districts.  District 5, which is the southeast third of the county is contested between Maryam Albofazli and Andy Ogles.  District 6, the northeast portion of the county, is between Lore Bergman and John Rose.  District 7, the western part of the county is between Megan Barry and Mark Green.   
Additional state races can be found on the sample ballot https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Sample_Ballot_November_5_2024_Elections.pdf?ct=1726085007   Early voting runs from October 16 through 31.  The last day to request an absentee ballot is October 29.  Find everything you need to know at https://www.nashville.gov/departments/elections/services/find-2024-election-information
Election Signs can be a useful indication of support for a candidate or issue  when they are deployed in compliance with the local regulations.  In Davidson County, signs should be place only on private property with the permission of the property owner.  Signs on public right of way are in violation and may be removed by NDOT or Metro Codes.  Signs should be removed by 10 days after the election.  The metal parts can be recycled at any of Metro’s four convenience centers at 939A Anderson Ln, 943A Doctor Richard G. Adams Dr, 3254 Ezell Pk, 1019 Omohundro Pl. The plastic parts can be cleaned and  taken to Turnip Green Creative Use at 1413 3rd Ave South.
 
 Nashville’s Transit referendum is also on the ballot. A proposed half cent increase in the local sales tax would fund better Service, Signalization, Safety, and Sidewalks.  Specifically bus service would be improved with higher frequency, longer hours, more crosstown buses, and twelve new transit centers to link multiple routes together.  This will make it possible to get to more places in Nashville any time of day or night without having to go downtown. It will also speed up the construction of sidewalks that connect to transit.  For those who may never ride the bus, it will improve the operation of over 600 traffic signals and improve safety at Nashville’s 35 most dangerous intersections.  As a council member, I have already voted to put this on the ballot.  After studying the proposal, I am fully supportive, and I encourage everyone to vote FOR better transportation options for everyone.  Learn more about this at  https://www.nashville.gov/featured-initiatives/transit  Request a sign at
https://secure.everyaction.com/wXCsZjvXgU23jF3r3ksM7w2?emci=78050061-7e70-ef11-991a-6045bda8aae9&emdi=602e39f3-8f70-ef11-991a-6045bda8aae9&ceid=1863165&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAab4uijGTY7PXw2fGfVwv1uE05re-IE9n8EEfC1ukDFJOqDDEfM0XBTIMgc_aem_xAghG_Uv6LkWb8H21ApXSw
WeGo semi-annual route and schedule changes are scheduled to start Sunday, Oct 6.  The only route adjustments is on 71 Trinity – eastbound routing change; buses traveling eastbound on Clarksville Highway turn right on Cliff Drive, continue left on Cliff Drive, and turn right on Buena Vista Pike to directly serve the Kelly Smith Towers (effective June 2).  There are schedule adjustments for   3 West End,  6 Lebanon Pike, 14 Whites Creek, 18 Airport, 42 St. Cecilia/Cumberland, 52 Nolensville Pike, 84 Murfreesboro, 86 Smyrna/La Vergne, 93 Star West End Shuttle .  Customers can access information, including schedules, as at WeGoTransit.com
 
The Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) is updating its Coordinate Human Services Transportation Plan (CHSTP) for the Middle TN and Southern Kentucky Region. This Plan will help us improve GNRC’s local and regional on-demand transportation services for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes. See the attached general info flyers for more information.  Those who benefit from having this transportation service can provide  helpf feedback via the survey links below. GNRC hopes to start finalizing the plan this month.   
Website Link: GNRC.org/CHSTP
 Surveys:
Hurricane Helene: How to Help
The recent impacts of Hurricane Helene have left us all heartbroken as many parts of East Tennessee, western North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and South Carolina have been completely devastated, including the loss of over 115 lives. UT’s County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) has compiled a variety of links that are accepting either monetary or item donations.    
How You Can Help
Currently, monetary donations are the best way to help as they can be deployed quickly and flexibly to meet changing needs. Per TEMA, impacted counties do not have the capability to receive material donations or additional volunteers at this time. Do not self-deploy; it hinders disaster relief operations in impacted counties.
Stay up to date:
Donations - Money
Southeastern United States: United Way Worldwide has established a fund to direct resources to local United Ways addressing critical needs across affected states. Click here to donate.
Donations - Items
Currently, monetary donations are the best way to help as they can be deployed quickly and flexibly to meet changing needs.
Please see below for the most up-to-date list of donation centers. Before bringing supplies, please contact the county to determine what the communities needs are:

CARTER COUNTY - (423) 542-1801
Elizabethton Parks and Rec
300 West Mill Street
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
UNICOI COUNTY - (423) 743-9391
Donation Drop -Off Center:
Evergreen Free Will Baptist Church
910 Hoback Street Erwin, TN 
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Donation Pick up sites:
Southside Freewill Baptist Church
1313 Chestoa Pike Erwin, TN
Temple Hill Elementary School
797 Old Hwy Road Erwin, TN
Flag Pond School
917 Old Asheville Highway Flag Pond, TN
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WASHINGTON COUNTY - (423) 753-1850
Crossroads Baptist Church 
1300 Suncrest Dr. Johnson City, TN
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (seven days a week) 
Volunteering
TEMA urges civilians not to self-deploy to disaster areas, as road conditions remain dangerous and unplanned arrivals can hinder organized relief efforts.
The American Red Cross is recruiting volunteers to support temporary shelters in Northeast Tennessee. Training is required. Click here for more information.
Please check the United Way volunteer webpage as volunteer opportunities become available.
Also check the Hurricane Helene page on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) webpage for opportunities.
 
The Nashville Public Education Foundation is accepting applications for its 2025 Teacherpreneur program.   Teacherpreneur is a unique cohort experience designed to harness your creativity and provide professional learning to build out your innovative ideas. Through five interactive and highly engaging sessions, Teacherpreneurs will deepen their understanding of root causes of inequities in our schools, build strategies for getting buy-in and support when creating change, develop their solutions using design thinking principles, and create implementation plans for their ideas.
This application is open to any Nashville public school teachers and other certificated non-administrative staff (librarians, counselors, etc.). Cohort work sessions are in January and February. The program culminates in a pitch event in early March.
Applicants with questions about the program or the application process can visit nashvillepef.org/Teacherpreneur or email Colleen Gilligan at Colleen....@nashvillepef.org.  Applications are due November 10, 2024
 
The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) has announced a new tactical urbanism program that supports and facilitates community-led installation of temporary transportation projects in neighborhoods.  Also known as “planning by-doing” or “pop-up urbanism,” tactical urbanism has been present in Nashville  over the past decade. A prominent example is the Civic Design Center's ‘PARK(ing) Day Nashville’ project, where street parking spaces are repurposed once-a-year into small parks and places for art and public gathering.  It is a great way to try out an innovative idea and get feedback to help decide if it should become permanent. 
Neighborhoods can apply for funding to try out a new idea like a traffic calming circle (start with hay bales and potted plants) or wayfinding signs.   Potential applicants should first review the contents of the Tactical Urbanism Guide to become acquainted with design guidance for the program. Community organizations and neighborhood groups can then submit a project to be considered for funding by sending a Tactical Urbanism Permit Application to tactical...@nashville.gov.  Details on scoring for the program can be found on the Tactical Urbanism Funding Program Project Prioritization Guide.
Applicants who would like to be considered for project funding should select “Yes” on the question “Apply for Tactical Urbanism Program Funding?” 
Project applications will be reviewed and funded on a quarterly schedule. Projects not funded in a particular quarter are eligible for reconsideration in subsequent quarters.
The next quarterly submission deadline is targeted for mid-to-late November.
 If needed, potential applicants are welcome to schedule a pre-application consultation with NDOT staff by e-mailing tactical...@nashville.gov. 
For community organizations that have already completed planning for a tactical urbanism project and have secured funding to install the project, the next step is seeking formal approval to install the project by requesting a Tactical Urbanism Permit. Existing project managers can review the Tactical Urbanism Guide for guidance on items reviewed in the permitting process and email completed permit applications with all supporting documentation to tactical...@nashville.gov.
 
To encourage the scaling of projects that contribute to community-building and local safety, NDOT will also provide funding for the materials and installation costs for a select number of tactical urbanism plans through a competitive application process.  For more information on Tactical Urbanism, visit Nashville’s Tactical Urbanism Program webpage.
 
 
Any citizen can help fix problems  affecting a Metro Nashville property, right-of-way, or street by reporting to HUB Nashville.  This on-line reporting tool can be used for codes violations, potholes, street light outages, and many other nuisances and system issues.
To report a non-emergency issue, visit hub.nashville.gov or call 311.
 
Members of the public are always welcome to attend council meetings, and there is an opportunity for public comment at the beginning of each committee meeting and the council meeting.  https://www.nashville.gov/departments/council/public-comment-period
 
Brush Pick-up for
Area 6 (Brentwood, Crieve Hall, Grassmere, Abbay Hall, Sidco, WeHo ) on October 2, and
Area 7 (Edgehill, 12th South, Battlemont, Green Hills) on October 11
Area 8 Green Hills, Hillsboro West End, Belmont Hillsboro, Percy Warner, Devonshire on  October 17. 
Area 9 Bellevue, West Meade, Hillwood, White Bridge, Cherokee Park, Richland West End, Sylvan Park, Sylvan Heights, Hadley, Fisk, Watkins Park on October 22
 Area 10 – Whites Bend, Charlotte Park, Cockrill Bend, Nations, TSU, College Heights, Germantown, Buena Vista pick-up beings November 1
Neighbors can confirm dates on the NDOT website at https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2024-04/2024-2025BrushFlyer.pdf?ct=1714407446   Remember to put leaves in compostable bags and place brush piles away from utility poles so the machinery can pick them up safely.  Bag leaves in compostable bags rather than blow them into the gutter, where they can clog storm drains. 
 
There’s still an opportunity for parents to sign  5th-8th graders up for a FREE afterschool program! NAZA-funded programs offer high-quality afterschool learning experiences that help youth thrive and develop to their full potential. Programs are offered at dozens of convenient locations citywide - find one near you and apply online for FREE: www.nashvillez.org/afterschool
 
October is breast cancer awareness month.  One out of eight women will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime.  Early detection can mean the difference between an effective cure and a much worse outcome.  Yearly mammograms are recommended for all women over the age of 40.  
ISSUES
September and October are bird migration months.  Nashville has issued a bird safe proclamation/resolution to encourage building owners to minimize unnecessary lighting at night, which can cause confusion and disorientation, and to install bird safe glass to reduce bird strikes against windows.  Structural collision with windows and buildings is the leading cause of death among wild birds in North America, accounting for anywhere between 100 million and one billion bird deaths each year. More information is available at https://www.audubon.org/news/what-does-bird-safe-glass-even-mean .
 Council members have been receiving lots of emails about the streetlight replacement project.  There are differences between the output levels of fixtures on residential streets versus corridors and highways.  Fixtures actually differ not just between the type of area, but also depending on the individual application (corner vs straightaway, presence of turn lane vs not, etc.).  All fixture decisions are analyzed by NDOT who provides the direction to NES (and then to the contractor) regarding what fixture needs to be installed in which location.  In most instances, preference has tended more towards providing increased pedestrian and driver safety (i.e. greater brightness) but where appropriate, purely residential areas are kept to a  minimum level of output.  Residents can use the following links depending on the nature of the request:
 
The Centers for Disease Control recommends everyone six months old and older get a flu vaccine, preferably before the end of October. Flu shots are available at most doctors’ offices and at CVS and Walgreens.  Walk-ins are available, but scheduling an appointment may save time.   Many businesses have programs for their employees.  Flu, RSV,  and COVID-19 vaccines can be taken at the same time.  Vaccination is still seen as the best way to avoid serious complications from disease.
 
Metro has close to 80 Boards and Commissions that provide citizen input and oversight to many departments through their volunteer members.  Members are nominated by the mayor or vide-mayor and confirmed by the Metro Council.  There are openings on the Procurement Standards Board, the Community Review Board,  Metro Development and Housing Authority (MDHA), Solid Waste Regional Board, and Transportation Licensing Commission.  Registered Nashville voters can indicate interest on the board’s website at https://www.nashville.gov/boards
 
Fall brings a special set of challenges to Metro’s storm water system.  Keeping leaves and debris out of the street can go a long way to keeping the system functioning well.  In the older parts of Nashville, the storm sewer and sanitary sewer were built in the early 1900’s as a combined system.  Leaves that get into the system make their way to the sewage treatment plant and add a lot of unnecessary load to what has to be treated and disposed of.  In other parts of the city everything in the storm drain goes straight to the river including leaves, sticks and trash.  Please remember not to blow your leaves into the street.  Metro will pick them up if they are bagged in compostable bags, which can be bought at most hardware stores.  Report clogged drains at hub.nashville.gov.  Metro Water also has a street sweeping program.  The Street Sweeping Schedule is published monthly on Metro’s Open Data website  https://datanashvillegov-nashville.hub.arcgis.com/datasets/af57006f52e0459793289c205ad6e1c1_0/explore .    Click on the “View Data” button, and then filter by your district.  You should be able to find your street and when it will be swept.  Moving cars off the street on sweeping day will help Metro Water Services get debris and leaves off the street before they end up in the storm sewer system and clog it up. 
 
 
Football and soccer fans can ride WeGo bus free to home games on weekends.  For Titans games, the 4, 14, 23,and 56 routes from Shelby, Whites Creek, Dickerson, and Gallatin Pikes go right to the stadium.  Most other routes end at WeGo Central at 4th and Charlotte, and fans can walk or take the shuttle from there.   For Soccer, the 56 Nolensville route and the 77 Thompson/Wedgewood routes go right by Geodis Park.  There are also park and rides for $2 from Murfreesboro and Antioch  Get details at https://www.wegotransit.com/titans/ and  https://www.wegotransit.com/community/nashville-sc/ .
 
 
 
 
I hope everyone is staying safe and enjoying the arrival of fall.  I’m optimistic that the change of seasons and an upcoming election will bring new opportunities, and Nashville can move forward with expanded transit options.  Please contact me with your thoughts and suggestions at burkle...@nashville.gov or 615-383-6604.  Sign up for my newsletter at www.burkley.org
Burkley

Burkley Allen
Metro Council At-Large

Council Committees - Budget and Finance - Past Chair
                               Planning, Zoning, and Historic- Past Chair
                               Transportation and Infrastructure
Audit Committee
Tax Abatement Study Committee - Chair
Women's Caucus - Past Chair 

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