Council Member Burkley Allen Metro update

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Allen, Burkley (Council Member)

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Jul 31, 2025, 9:32:48 AMJul 31
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METRO COUNCIL UPDATE
August 2025
EVENTS
 
The Urban Run-Off 5k is taking place on Saturday, August 2 in Shelby Park.   Nashville’s Metro Water Services, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry, the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC), and the Tennessee Stormwater Association (TNSA) are teaming up together for the 13th Annual chip-timed 5k Urban Runoff run and Water Quality Festival in Nashville.  The race is held at Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Nature Park to showcase a park setting and weaves its way past several cool and innovative green stormwater management practices. A fun and educational and free Water Quality Festival held at the same time will provide entertainment and environmental information!  All runners, walkers, strollers, families and dogs are all welcome.  Sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Nashville/NashvilleUrbanRunoff5K
 
Metro Schools begin on August 5 with a half day for pre-K and Kindergarten and full days for grades 1-12.  Information on enrollment, meals, immunization, transportation, school attire, and family support can all be found at https://www.mnps.org/back-to-school
 
Brush pick-up is scheduled for the following areas:
    • August 5 - Area 1: West Madison, Capital View, Douglas Park, Cleveland Park, McFerrin Park, Highland Heights
    • August 12 - Area 2: East Madison, Inglewood, Neely’s Bend, Peeler Park, Maplewood Heights, Iverson, Maxwell Heights, Edgefield, Eastwood, Shelby Bottoms, Shelby Hills, and Lockland Springs
    • August 26 – Area 3: Old Hickory, Lakewood, Hermitage, Stones River, Two Rivers, River Trace
 
Walk Bike Nashville and NDOT are hosting the second of three Open Streets day on August 17.   Open Streets is a program that temporarily closes selected streets to cars to encourage people to reconnect to their communities, get active, support local businesses, and play in the street. Open Streets is designed to stir the imagination to rethink public spaces - understanding that our streets can have a multitude of uses. Participants can enjoy a streetscape activated with artists, music, businesses, and activities of all kinds!  Biking, walking, rollerskating, skateboarding, scooters, hopscotching, dancing, double-dutching on the street is encouraged.    From noon to 5 p.m. on August 17 and September 7, NDOT and WBN will close a five-mile loop downtown to cars and invite Nashville to walk, bike, and explore.  There’s no registration required to participate. Just hop on your bike — or grab a skateboard, roller skates, or a comfy pair of walking shoes — and join WBN for a massive street for people.  The route, which was also the five-mile City Tour route at Tour de Nash, loops along the Cumberland River through neighborhoods like Rolling Mill Hill and The Gulch.
Trees of any species in Davidson County can be nominated by anyone. The trees can be on the property of the nominator, a neighbor, friend, or stranger, or on public property. The owner's permission is suggested but not required. Nashville Tree Foundation is the only organization in Middle Tennessee that awards trees with tree tags. Winners are judged by circumference, height and crown spread.  The Big Old Tree Contest is open to all residents and organizations within the Nashville area. Nomination period for the 2025 contest is now open. Deadline for nominations is August 31. Winners will be announced at NTF’s Tree Spree in November. The contest and event are free and open to the public.  To view contest guidelines, entry forms and previous winners, visit https://nashvilletreefoundation.org/what-we-do/big-old-tree-contest/
 
 
 
The Transit Citizen Leadership Academy (TCLA) is the Transit Alliance’s award-winning program designed to equip participants across the 10 counties of Middle Tennessee with the tools and resources to understand how transit intersects with our lives, contributes to a higher quality of life, sustains a vibrant economy, and builds pathways to equity.
The TCLA is an eight-session program with presentations led by industry experts and leading professionals. Participants synthesize vital information about regional transit issues through presentations, panels, discussions, homework, and reports. Industry-leading experts lead compelling and fact-based conversations and give participants the knowledge and tools to become thought leaders on the vital role of transit in the region today and into the future.
TCLA participants learn about the following:
  • the process of funding transit and infrastructure;
  • the impact transit has on our economy, health, environment, and equity;
  • the responsibilities of local, state, and federal players;
  • the importance of regional, corridor, and other studies and plans; as well as 
  • the emerging mass transit options that can address our mobility needs today and well into the future.
Registration for TCLA 25 is open at https://www.thetransitalliance.org/transit-citizen-leadership-academy.  Class sessions are held Wednesdays, 4-6:30 PM, August 13th-October 8th. Classes are in-person at various locations, with some being experiential–meaning participants WILL be riding the bus and the train. 
 
Beginning this September, the Metro Historical Commission will offer its second Citizen Historic Preservation Academy.  The application deadline is September 1.  The Academy is an opportunity for Nashville residents to learn how they can participate in local preservation and the related benefits and resources. The Academy meets at historic Metro sites, with an opportunity to tour the sites in some instances. Class size is limited, and the selection process is competitive. The ideal candidate is someone who has the means and desire to share what they learn with others. Past attendees included neighborhood leaders and influencers, architects, realtors, and council candidates. Participants must commit to attending at least 5 of the 7 sessions and submit a letter of recommendation from their metro council member or neighborhood/merchant association. Certificates will be provided for those that fulfill the requirements of the academy. The Academy will take place on Mondays, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. The tentative start date is September 22.
Interested candidates should send a recommendation from their council member and answers to the following questions to historical...@nashville.gov by September 1 , 5:00 p. m.
  1. What is your Council District or address?
  2. Why are you a good candidate for the Citizens Historic Preservation Academy? Please include what you would like to learn from and share with the Academy and any qualifications/special interests you believe to be important.
  3. How do you plan to share information you learn from the Academy with your neighborhood or organization?
  4. Also include a letter of recommendation from your metro council member or neighborhood/merchant association.
 
 
For anyone who wants to learn more about how our water gets cleaned and treated for drinking, MWS  is accepting applications for the Fall 2025 Citizen’s Water Academy. The  CWA will include five interactive sessions, held in-person over the course of two and a half weeks.   This is a great opportunity to   learn how MWS manages water from “river to river” and I encourage you to apply.  Participants will have the opportunity to interact with MWS Staff and experience the water treatment processes by touring various MWS facilities - including the state-of-the-art Research & Analytical Laboratory and the historic Omohundro Water Treatment Plant.  All MWS customers are eligible, but class size is limited, and the selection process is competitive. Through the Academy, MWS hopes to build a diverse network of leaders and influencers, representative of all of Nashville, willing to  and share their knowledge within the community.   Participants must commit to attend all the sessions below, which will be held at various MWS facilities. The  dates are as follows:
Tuesday, October 14; - “Imagine a Day Without Water” at the K.R. Harrington Water Treatment
                                            Plant
Thursday, October16; - “Protecting the Environment” at the Whites Creek Water Reclamation
                                             Facility
Tuesday, October 21; - “A Sustainable Future” at the Biosolids Facility
Thursday, October 23; - “Protecting Public Health” at the MWS Research and Analytical Laboratory
Tuesday, October 28; - “The Value of Water” at the Omohundro Water Treatment Plant
       * ALL sessions are held from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
 
To apply, complete the application available online at https://www.nashville.gov/departments/water/community-education/citizens-water-academy The application deadline is September 15. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by September 22.
 
 
ISSUES
The Nashville Department of Transportation  (NDOT) is updating its Residential Permit Parking  (RPP). RPP allows residents to apply for a program to install signs on their street that restrict the hours of parking for non-residents.  Residents currently pay $10/year for their residential parking permit.  After many years with no dedicated personnel for enforcement, NDOT is looking at the actual cost to run the program more effectively.  NDOT will be meeting with each council member to discuss the needs of each district and talk about how the program may change in the future. 
 
 
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been in Tennessee for several years now, and untreated ash trees are beginning to die as a result.  This little beetle out of Asia burrows under the bark, and ultimately kills most of the trees that it invades unless the tree is treated regularly.  Because the trees can suddenly fall over once they are weakened, they need to be removed if they are showing signs of distress, which is usually visible first at the top of the trees.  Nashville is full of ash trees, and all the ones in parks and on public right of way have been marked with a big blue circle on the trunk.  Metro is working to remove any that seem to be a danger to anyone, but there are thousands of trees affected, so it is necessary to prioritize those that are most likely to fall soon and threaten life or property.  Everyone can help by keeping an eye out for trees with the blue circle that have dead branches in their crowns and pale patches on their bark, where birds have removed the bark looking for the beetles underneath.  Distressed trees can be reported on HUBNashville under the tree tab.  Homeowners can inspect their own ash trees for signs of infestation and check with a professional arborist about whether the tree can be treated or should be taken down. More information on the EAB can be found at    https://www.nashville.gov/departments/water/stormwater/tree-information/emerald-ash-borer.  Replacement shade trees of another species can be planted this fall through the Root Nashville program.  Find information on free trees at https://rootnashville.org/    .
 
Root Nashville is our city’s drive to plant 500,000 trees by 2050.   This is a public-private campaign led by Metro Nashville and the Cumberland River Compact. Trees are instrumental in absorbing stormwater and filtering pollutants before they enter our streams and rivers; the growth of Nashville’s tree canopy supports the Compact’s goal of improving water quality for residents of the Cumberland River basin .  Tree planting season is quickly approaching - and the search for tree recipients and planting sites is in full swing  There are a few ways to request free trees for Davidson County homes or neighborhoods this fall: 
  • property owners can order up to 3 for their yard, 
  • businesses and organizations can apply for 10 or more at their office, HOA, place of worship, or other community space,
  • anyone can suggest a public planting site (like a park or street) via HUB Nashville
 
 
 
Get involved and help grow Nashville’s tree canopy this year - each tree contributes to the Root Nashville campaign’s goal of planting 500,000 trees in Davidson County by 2050. Now is the time to start planning to plant a tree in the fall.  Order at https://rootnashville.org/ or email he...@rootnashville.org  .  The Nashville Tree Conservation Corps is also helping with this effort.  Their tree sale extends through the winter.  More information is at https://www.nashvilletreeconservationcorps.org/tree-sale
 
Mosquito season is at its peak.   In addition to causing itchy bumps, mosquitos can carry serious diseases like West Nile Virus for people and heart worms for pets.  Getting rid of all outside standing water every week can prevent mosquito breeding, and creating a mosquito bait station (bucket of doom) can stop the next generation from hatching.  A small bucket of water with some leaves and grass and a quarter of a BT disk uses a natural larvicide that won’t hurt any other insects.  Joanna Brichetto (one of Nashville’s local naturalists) has more tips on using this effectively.
1)  Start with one bucket, increase as needed. Site exposure, elevation, size, airflow, vegetation, and how nearby properties deal with standing water mean every yard is unique. She has to use 4 buckets, but other neighbors with similar-size yards are fine with one.
 
2) Bti dunks are formulated to last at least 30 days. So add a new 1/4 of a dunk every 30 days. One whole dunk treats 100 sq. feet of surface area, so 1/4 is more than enough for one bucket. Dunks are easy to break into 4 pieces. They can be bought at hardware stores.
 
3) Some mosquito species are attracted to the water as it gets muckier. To prevent build-up of algae, keep the bucket in the shade (where mosquitoes prefer to hang out). But if the bucket starts to smell bad to a human, go ahead and dump the water and start over.
 
Joanne has lots of details on her website, https://sidewalknature.com/2022/05/08/mosquito-bucket-of-doom/
 
Metro’s new Waste Services Department is busy looking at ways to dispose of waste most efficiently while decreasing the city’s impact on the environment.  Here are some of the issues they are looking at. 
Balancing and optimizing all collection routes. 
Waste Characterization Study  
Materials Recycling Facility Feasibility  
Organic Waste Study
Convenience Center Study on the facilities, programs, and services
 
Metro Arts has a great Lending Library Collection  https://www.metroartsnashville.com/lending-library  This initiative began in 2020 as a direct response to Nashville artists dealing with impacts of the March 3 tornado and COVID-19 outbreak. In 2021, Metro Arts purchased sixty works of visual art from local artists and launched the Lending Library partnership with Nashville Public Library. The Lending Library is a unique art lending program which allows library card holders to browse and check out works of art in 3-month blocks of time. The collection includes framed paintings, photographs, and mixed media.. The Of the purchased artworks, thirty were based at Madison Branch Library and thirty at Southeast Branch Library.  Hundreds of library patrons have checked these works out since the collection launched in 2021, and many works carry a waitlist. At any given time, most Lending Library works hang in patrons’ homes rather than on the library wall.  Because of this success, Metro Arts has continued to add new works from local artists to the Lending Library.  Art is now distributed across seven Nashville Public Library locations: Available at Donelson, East, Green Hills, Hermitage, Madison, Old Hickory, and Southeast.  Artwork can be checked out on the Library website https://library.nashville.org/services/metro-arts-lending-library-collection
 
 
Boards and Commissions  Metro has over 75 Boards and Commissions that help implement the goals and policies of the Metro Departments.  These are made up of citizens from all over the county who bring their diverse perspectives and expertise to ensure good decision making.  Board members are appointed by the mayor or vice-mayor and approved by the Metro Council.  The Mayor’s Office is always looking for good people to serve.  Within the next few months, there will be openings on the Charter Revision Commission, Housing Trust Fund, Mechanical Plumbing and Electrical Appeals Board, Work Release Commission, Stormwater Management Commission, Transportation Licensing, Procurement Standards, and Community Review Board.   If you are interested in serving, you can fill out an application at https://www.nashville.gov/boardslist
 I hope everyone  enjoys the last month of summer.  Please let me know what concerns or suggestions you have for Nashville.  You can reach me 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
Sustainability Commission
Tax Abatement Study Committee - Chair
Women's Caucus - Past Chair 

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