METRO COUNCIL UPDATE
Allen, Burkley (Council Member)
March 2024
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Metro Council Update |
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EVENTS
Election Day is March 5 for presidential primaries, school board, property assessor, and special election for 4th Circuit Court judge. Polls will be open from 7 am to 7 pm, and voters will be required to vote at their assigned precinct. A photo ID is required. Because this is a federal and county primary, voters will need to declare which party primary they want to vote in. Not every county position has candidates for both parties. Voters should check the Davidson County Election website https://www.nashville.gov/departments/elections/services/find-2024-election-information for voting locations and sample ballots. There is a judge special election to fill a vacancy in Division IV of the Circuit Court from the death of Judge Philip Smith. This court is known as Family Court and handles divorces, child custody, and orders of protection. There are four candidates, Tusca Alexis, Audrey Anderson, Stan Kweller, and Stephanie Williams. There are two candidates for Property Assessor, Tomesia Day and Vivian Wilhoite. Only odd numbered school board positions are up for election this year. School Board District 1, which is the Joelton, Whites Creek and parts of Bordeaux, is the only contested race and includes Dominique McCord-Cotton, Robert Taylor, and Latonya Winfrey on the Democratic primary ballot and Demytris Savage-Short on the Republican primary ballot.
The Globe at Night citizen science project generates data showing how fast light pollution is growing around the world. The next observation period is March 1-10 to look for the constellation Orion and report how visible it is from your part of Nashville. https://globeatnight.org/ . Nashville now has Dark Sky lighting regulation to guide outdoor lighting and minimize light pollution, which affects our health, our environment, and our economy. Hopefully our observations will show that we are slowing the growth of light pollution. Tornado weather is just beginning. Severe weather awareness resources can be found here: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/emergency-management/disaster-preparedness/be-informed . Nashville is working to establish “Safe Places” in every council district for people who live in vulnerable structures to go in case of severe weather. This is an initiative of Meteorologist Heather Mathis at News 5 after seeing the devastation at several motor home parks during the last tornado. Community Centers, Non-Profits, and Faith Communities that would be interested in operating as a Safe Place can sign up at safep...@newschannel5.com
The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) works through a neighborhood driven traffic calming application process to determine where to install speed humps, traffic chicanes, pedestrian refuges, and other traffic calming measures on local streets. There are two traffic calming application periods per year. Neighborhoods can submit completed applications during each of these multi-week time periods. Once the application window has closed, NDOT begins data collection on each of the submitted neighborhood streets to determine how they score. Projects will be evaluated based on traffic count, speed, and incident data so that the most dangerous areas can be addressed first. Neighborhoods that qualify will be considered for lowered speed limits, speed humps, chicanes, traffic calming circles, and other traffic calming infrastructure. To learn more about the traffic calming program visit the NDOT website at https://www.nashville.gov/departments/transportation/plans-and-programs/traffic-calming . Stop sign and sidewalk requests are separate and not included in the traffic calming program. Neighbors can request those through the hubNashville website, by calling 311, and working with Council Members. NDOT opened the current Neighborhood Street Traffic Calming application window March 1, 2024 and the window will be open for 2 full weeks.
Brush Pick-up begins for Area 6 (Brentwood, Crieve Hall, Grassmere, Abbay Hall, Sidco, WeHo) on March 13 Crews are still catching up from the delays caused by the snow, so pick-up may be delayed up to a week.
Cumberland River Compact’s biggest volunteer opportunity of the spring is here! March 11-15, you can participate in the
largest suburban stream restoration project in Tennessee history. As part of the volunteer crew, you’ll plant native tree species– such as sycamores and oaks– along the streambanks of Trace Creek in the Stephens
Valley neighborhood, which borders the Natchez Trace west of Nashville. The goal is to plant almost 1,000 trees over the course of the week!
The Tennessee Environmental Council is hosting Tennessee Tree Day on March 16th. Each year Tennessee Tree Day engages thousands of volunteers in a fun, meaningful, family-friendly, event that results in multi-generational benefits to our environment, communities and public health. Since 2007, TEC Tennessee Tree Day events have mobilized almost 100, 706 residents in planting 924,760 native trees in Tennessee and surrounding states. Some plant trees to replace those lost to development. Others plant trees to help to repair degraded streams and improve water quality or to increase habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Some plant trees for purely aesthetic reasons. No matter the reason, all trees planted will improve the health of our environment by capturing stormwater, sequestering CO2, reducing air pollution, providing wildlife habitat, and enhancing Tennessee's magnificent tree canopy. Native tree saplings can be ordered at https://www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeday.html and picked up at designated locations on March 16. Pick-up sites include Cheekwood, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cosecha Community Garden, The Good Fill, and E3 Innovate.
The Metro Council is sponsoring a resolution encouraging Nashville to join many other cities around the globe in celebrating Earth Hour on Saturday March 23, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. As one of the first cities in the south to adopt a Dark Skies ordinance, Nashville is already ahead of the pack in recognizing the energy and ecological impact of overlighting the night sky. Nashvillians are encouraged to turn off lights for this hour on March 23 to show their support for climate action. Organized by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour is a global grassroots movement uniting people to take action on environmental issues and protect the planet. Earth Hour was first held on March 31, 2007, in Sydney, Australia, when more than 2.2 million individuals and 2,000 businesses turned their lights out for one hour. It has since grown to engage millions of supporters in more than 185 countries and territories, inspiring individuals and organizations worldwide to take action for the environment, and driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the crowd. Earth Hour is held annually on the last Saturday in March. More information www.earthhour.org .
Neighbor2Neighbor (N2N) invites everyone to attend its Conference for Neighborhoods C4N Nashville 2024. Scheduled for Saturday, March 23 at the Cal Turner Center on the Meharry Medical College campus, the conference will focus on major issues facing our neighborhoods today and ways to make our neighborhoods clearer, greener, safer, and better. Registration is on a sliding scale ranging from $20 to $75. Sign up at https://www.n2n.solutions/c4n. Registration deadline is March 15.
With the beginning of Ramadan on March 11, The Islamic Center of Nashville invites members of the community to learn more about them through a Ramadan Iftar Dinner and Class. Every year during Ramadan the Islamic Center of Nashville welcomes guests from across the city (neighbors, non-profits, government officials, athletes, educators, places of worship, etc.) to share an Iftar dinner and break our fast, preceded by a one-hour presentation on Islam, Culture & Diversity - Understanding Your Muslim Neighbors in Nashville to help build bridges of understanding while addressing common misconceptions, their history in Nashville and addressing questions (great for DE&I initiatives). ICN will be hosting at both of mosques: ICN 12South - 2515 12th Ave S - Thurs. March 14th | Sun. March 24th. ICN Bellevue -7337 Charlotte Pk- Wed. March 20th | Tues. Apr. 2nd. Make a reservation at https://form.jotform.com/Islamic_Center/outreacheventsrsvp
WeGo public transit is proposing bus route and schedule adjustments specifically related to the anticipated opening of the new Dr. Ernest “Rip” Patton, Jr. North Nashville Transit Center (NNTC) to be effective March 31, 2024. Improvements and adjustments are proposed for routes 9 MetroCenter, 14 Whites Creek, 22 Bordeaux, 41 Golden Valley, 42 St. Cecilia/Cumberland, 71 Trinity (new crosstown route connecting NNTC and Gallatin Pike), 75 Midtown, and 77 Thompson/Wedgewood. visit https://www.wegotransit.com/community/proposed-changes/
WeGo and Nashville Soccer Club are once again partnering to make it easy to get to home soccer games. On regular season home weekend games, passengers can ride for free all day on routes 52 Nolensville Pike and 77 Thompson/Wedgewood. Additionally, route 84 Murfreesboro will be available from Murfreesboro and Antioch park and rides for $2 each way. Riders must use QuickTicket or exact cash. The drop-off and pick-up location at GEODIS Park will be on Wedgewood Avenue near parking lot 11. All WeGo buses are ADA compliant. More details can be found at Nashville SC | WeGo Public Transit (wegotransit.com)
The Richland Creek Run is returning for its 18th year on April 6! Runners can support Greenways and enjoy a certified 5-mile course through Historic Sylvan Park and along the beautiful Richland Creek Greenway, and a fun post-race party at M.L. Rose Craft Beer & Burgers with awards, door prizes, silent auction, and beer specials. Information is available https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Nashville/RichlandCreekRun .
Metro Water offers a great opportunity to learn more about where Nashville gets its water and how that water is cleaned before and after we use it. The Citizen’s Water Academy (CWA) is an opportunity for Metro Water Services (MWS) customers to #DiscoverWater and learn about our most precious natural resource, water, and how Water Services manages it from “river to river.” Citizen’s Water Academy is an in-person interactive program. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with Water Services Staff and experience the treatment process by touring various Water Services facilities - including the Research and Analytical Laboratory and historic Omohundro Water Treatment Plant. The next session will be in late spring. MWS is currently accepting applications at https://www.nashville.gov/departments/water/community-education/citizens-water-academy .
Fix a Leak Week is March 18 – 24. It is important to fix water leaks both inside and out to save money, reduce waste of treated water, and to eliminate sources of contamination in local water distribution. EPA’s WaterSense website has a lot of resources. - Fix a Leak Week | US EPA . Director Scott Potter discussed leak detection in homes during Metro Water Services February Face Book Live. See the video at MWS February Facebook Live – Leak Detection MWS will provide a leak adjustment to our customers once every 12 months, if necessary. - MWS Water Leak Adjustments . Follow MWS on Social Media where we will celebrate World Water Day on March 22nd!!
Judge Lynda Jones is accepting summer internship applications from high school students who have an interest in legal careers. Parking and lunches are provided for 2 weeks while students are exposed to both criminal and civil litigation. Please call 615-880-3672 for an application. The deadline for submission is April 30.
ISSUES
Metro has over 75 Boards and Commissions who provide invaluable expertise and perspective on issues ranging from the Airport Authority to the Zoning Appeals Board. These boards are made up of citizens from all over Nashville who volunteer their time to ensure that Metro’s policies are implemented fairly. As openings occur, the mayor’s office is always looking for interested citizens to fill vacant slots. People interested in serving can visit https://www.nashville.gov/boards to see what the different boards are, what they do, and when their members might be rolling off. The Greenways Commission, Human Relations Commission, Parks Board, Transportation and Licensing Board, Farmers Market Board, have terms ending in April and May that might present opportunities for new members. Anyone interested in serving can submit an application through the portal at https://www.nashville.gov/boards . Human Relations and TLC are nominated by the council, so interested applicants should find a council sponsor in addition to applying on-line. In addition NDOT is looking for applicants for the Vision Zero Advisory Committee at https://www.nashville.gov/departments/transportation/plans-and-programs/vision-zero/application . The deadline for application is March 8.
The Metro Council will consider a development contract for the Metro-owned portion of the East Bank in the upcoming weeks. The administration has been negotiating with The Fallon Company, Inc. who was chosen through an RFP process driven by Metro Planning in accordance with the Imagine East Bank development plan. The council will consider a number of different documents, including a Master Development Agreement, Campus Operations and Use Agreement, Declaration of Covenants, Parking Agreement, and Amended and Re-Stated Site Coordination Agreement. These documents will determine the development of the thirty acres around the existing stadium, referred to as the IDA (Initial Development Area). The plans call for parking, affordable housing, retail, future office space, a hotel, and a new home for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
The council also has a slate of bills intended to reduce zoning obstacles to housing affordability and create options to build “missing middle” housing. BL2024-181 through 186 deal with Codes issues that make it expensive to build small multifamily structures, and they propose zoning changes to make it easier to include duplexes up to quadplexes within neighborhoods. Known collectively as the NEST (Nashville’s Essential Structures for Togetherness) bills, all have been deferred to allow more time for community education and input. There are a number of community meetings being held, which are advertised on the Metro Calendar https://www.nashville.gov/event-list or the NEST website https://www.musiccity.homes/ . It is likely that some of these will be significantly amended when they are brought back before council. The goal of increasing housing affordability is laudable, and very specific targeting of some zoning changes at intersections or on larger streets could be appropriate. Metro Planning and its Housing Division are working to finish up research that would be informative as this is fleshed out.
Happy Spring and Happy Pi Day (3.14)! It’s a great time to help a student learn to love math. Please let me know how Metro can serve you at burkle...@nashville.gov or 615-383-6604.
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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