There is a Metro Council Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm. We are back in the Council Chambers - Please join us if you'd like... An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

Redistricting

Every 10 years, after the U.S. Census, Metro Nashville must re-establish the boundaries for Metro Council and School Board districts. The new districts must be balanced in population and follow traditional redistricting criteria, in conformance with federal, state, and local rules. The Metro Charter assigns responsibility for redistricting to the Planning Commission, which makes its recommendation to the Metro Council for adoption.

I met with Metro Planning a few weeks ago to discuss the redistricting process. As for now there is a great possibility that parts of the 21st District will be amended; some areas may move into an adjacent district and other areas will be added into our district. This website will share more information regarding the redistricting process. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Metro Planning at [email protected]. 

WeGo Transit Center in North Nashville

Over the past year and a half, I have worked with the Mayor's office and WeGo (MTA) regarding a Transit Center at the intersection of 26th Ave N and Clarksville Hwy. We've submitted applications to the federal government for funding and we approved capital spending dollars from Metro last budget season. Below is a link to a survey - We are requesting your feedback, as a neighbor, to help us understand your thoughts and provide an opportunity for engagement throughout this process. 

Click here to take the WeGo North Nashville Transit Center Engagement Survey!

What I've Been Up To:

• WeGo is planning a development of a transit center at the intersection of 26th Ave N and Clarksville Hwy. I am working to schedule a community meeting to share more detailed information regarding their plans and timeline. This meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 21 at 10:00 am at the North Police Precinct. 
• I finalized the criminal justice fines and fees legislation to reduce and remove certain fines and fees. This bill passed during our last meeting. We were able to substantially remove fees that individuals are paying that keeps them in the pipeline of the criminal justice system.
• I've scheduled a ride-along with NDOT (Public Works) in the coming weeks to review the traffic calming areas of concern. We will highlight the problem areas and then take action immediately. 
• License Plate Readers (LPRs) Survey: I sent you a quick, 4-question survey regarding your thoughts on LPRs last week. Thank you for responding, if you haven't had the chance to complete the survey please do so now. This will be re-introduced to the council at the first meeting in July.
  • Click here to take the survey.

What's Happening Tonight

RS2021-1064 - A resolution appropriating a total of $120,000 from the Juvenile Court to various nonprofit organizations selected to receive Community Partnership Fund grants.

RS2021-1066 - A resolution appropriating a total of $85,000 from a certain account of the General Fund of the General Services District to various nonprofit organizations selected to receive Public Safety Violence Reduction Pilot Grant Funds.

RS2021-1074 - A resolution accepting a grant from oneCITY to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Nashville Parks Department, for improvements in Centennial Park and Centennial Park Dog Park.

Late File Resolution - A resolution appropriating a total of $850,000 from the General Fund of the General Services District for a grant to Community Care Fellowship and authorizing a grant agreement.

BL2021-830 - An ordinance amending Title 3 of the Metropolitan Code to delete obsolete provisions and add certain Department of Emergency Communications employees to the Fire and Police Service Pension Plan.

BL2019-3 - This ordinance will provide a tax abatement for properties that are to be determined historic by the Historic Property Review Board.

BL2021-792 - An ordinance amending Chapter 2.136 of the Metropolitan Code to require the Planning Department to provide periodic reports regarding the Metropolitan Government’s efforts to address the issue of housing affordability in Nashville and Davidson County.

Dates to remember:

• Community meeting to discuss a proposed rezone to change the property located at 2100 Buchanan St. from CS to MUL-A
  • Thursday, August 5 - 6:00 pm
  • 2100 Buchanan St. 
• (Tentative) WeGo North Nashville Transit Community Meeting
  • Saturday, August 21 10:00 am
  • North Police Precinct
  • 2231 26th Ave N
• (Tentative) District 21 Town Hall
  • Thursday, September 23 at 6:30 pm
  • West End United Methodist Church
  • 2200 West End Ave.

Lets Connect:

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon

There is a Metro Council Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm. We are back in the Council Chambers - Please join us if you'd like... An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

North Nashville Tree Recovery

Through the citywide Root Nashville tree-planting campaign, Metro Water Services is coordinating the planting of street trees in the right-of-way in targeted neighborhoods of North Nashville. Street trees reduce storm water runoff and flooding, provide shade and cleaner air, and of course, add neighborhood character and beauty.

The next zone to benefit from this planting campaign is the Osage/North Fisk neighborhoods (west of Dr. D.B. Todd Blvd around Fisk Park and Robert Churchwell Museum Magnet Elementary School). Linked below are a couple documents and a short recorded meeting that highlight the tree planting locations, proposed size, and planting time.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach out to Root Nashville at [email protected] or 615-862-4733.

Informational Links

• Fall Tree Planting Blog Post - https://rootnashville.org/fall2021streettrees/
• Recorded Information Session

WeGo Transit Center in North Nashville

Over the past year and a half, I have worked with the Mayor's office and WeGo (MTA) regarding a Transit Center at the intersection of 26th Ave N and Clarksville Hwy. We've submitted applications to the federal government for funding and we approved capital spending dollars from Metro last budget season. Below is a link to a survey - We are requesting your feedback, as a neighbor, to help us understand your thoughts and provide an opportunity for engagement throughout this process. 

Click here to take the WeGo North Nashville Transit Center Engagement Survey!

Dates to remember:

• North Nashville Community Public Safety Meeting
  • Thursday, June 29 - 6:00 pm
  • William D. Bodenhamer Building (North Police Precinct)
    • 2231 26th Ave N
• Community meeting to discuss a proposed rezone to amend the Sky Nashville SP
  • Monday, August 2 - 6:00 pm
  • West Nashville Police Precinct 
• Community meeting to discuss a proposed rezone and Community Plan Amendment - 41st Ave N and Indiana
  • Monday, August 2 - 7:30 pm
  • Location: TBA
• Community meeting to discuss a proposed rezone to change the property located at 2100 Buchanan St. from CS to MUL-A
  • Thursday, August 5 - 6:00 pm
  • 2100 Buchanan St. 
• WeGo North Nashville Transit - I am working with Representative Love, CM Toombs, WeGo, and the developer to host a meeting to discuss the proposed development at Clarksville Hwy and 26th Ave N. - Once scheduled, I will let you know immediately date and time and location.
• In August - I had to push it back a month -  I will be unveiling a new program to promote healthy activity and movement - "Meet Me Outside" I will be coming to your neighborhood for a stroll with you soon. Stay Tuned!

Lets Connect:

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon

There is a Metro Council Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm. We are back in the Council Chambers - Please join us if you'd like...  We will host public hearings on the respective ordinances, review the agenda for more information. An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

Hope your 4th of July Celebration was Great!

I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July celebration. You may have heard about an incident in the Bridge Building near the fireworks blast zone with metro officers...

Prior to the start of the fireworks, NFD Fire Marshal personnel spotted a person on the roof of the Bridge Building.  An MNPD helicopter flew to the area and confirmed that there was an individual on the roof.  The fire marshal advised that the show would not begin until the person was off the roof and the building cleared of anyone else.  SWAT officers were dispatched to the building and found all the doors locked.  They knocked and attempted to look into the building on every level that they could access from the stairwell on the building’s exterior.  No one came to any of the doors and they could not see anyone by looking through the windows at that point; however, NFD personnel relayed that Bridge Building security cameras showed people inside.  An employee of the Bridge Building was requested to come to the scene and provide access to the interior.  As they waited for the employee, officers could see persons through a window on the fourth floor.  They were directed to open the door.  Instead, they ran further into the building. 

Once the employee arrived and the officers gained access into the building, four persons, a Bridge Building employee and three of her friends, were located inside.  They were escorted out.  Eight SWAT officers then divided into two teams to clear the building to ensure that no one else was inside.  They started with the fifth and sixth floors to include the rooftop.  While the officers were still in the building and the helicopter remained close by, a security guard apparently relayed to an NFD employee that he was the last one in the building.  Without going through command and without checking with MNPD to ensure officers were out of the building, the message was relayed to start the fireworks show.  Command was not advised the show had commenced.

Due to the close proximity of the professional firework mortal shells and the fallout from detonated fireworks, the eight SWAT members sheltered inside the Bridge Building until the conclusion of the fireworks show.

 Upon being surprised by the show starting, the helicopter crew took immediate action to quickly move away.

No charges were placed against the four persons cleared from the building last night, although their actions continue to be under review as part of an open investigation.

The NFD is leading the review of the miscommunication that caused this situation.

Tax Referendum - Judge ruled against

For those of you that have been following this, you may have already heard. For others, here's a quick rundown of the highlights this referendum would have allowed...

1. Rollback the FY20-21 Budget that included a tax increase across the city. The budget passed last year would be removed, in turn ruling the current budget unbalanced.
2. Recall elected officials - This referendum would allow elected officials to be recalled by only 10% of voters in any given district. It takes 50 + 1% to elect officials, but this would only require 10% to recall or unseat the elected officials. Also, the recalled official would not be able to run again for a city office. I was on the list of recalls. This would be costly, it costs the city millions of dollars to host elections, and this would come from the tax payer dollars to host said elections.
3. Remove council insurance benefits.
4. Council would not be able to amend the Metro Code and Charter without an election. This would be costly, again, due to hosting a special election.

Overall, our tax dollars would have been spent on hosting several special elections to fulfill the actions describe in the proposed tax referendum.

WeGo Transit Center in North Nashville

Over the past year and a half, I have worked with the Mayor's office and WeGo (MTA) regarding a Transit Center at the intersection of 26th Ave N and Clarksville Hwy. We've submitted applications to the federal government for funding and we approved capital spending dollars from Metro last budget season. Below is a link to a survey - We are requesting your feedback, as a neighbor, to help us understand your thoughts and provide an opportunity for engagement throughout this process. 

Click here to take the WeGo North Nashville Transit Center Engagement Survey!

What I've Been Up To:

• I will be hosting community meetings again starting in August. I limited my community meetings at the beginning of the COVID Pandemic and I am now slowly adding them back into our District regimen. 
• WeGo is working to add a transit center at 26th Ave N. and Clarksville Hwy. These conversations have not reached the neighbors of that area, and I want to make sure that the voices of our communities are heard. I will be scheduling a community listening session with WeGo and the developer to connect with you and hear your thoughts regarding this proposed development.
• Alley Cleanup - The majority of the correspondence I receive from neighbors is regarding the illegal dumping in our District. This is an area that I work on daily as your council member. I had two meetings last week discussing options to mitigate the amount of trash and garbage throughout our alleys. In the coming weeks, I will visit with the Public Works Director, Mayor Cooper, and the Metro Water Director to present options that are needed to keep our neighborhoods healthy and clean.
  • I'm working to schedule this meeting soon. I've spoken with the Mayor's Office and others stakeholders. I'll keep you updated.
•  Scheduled a meeting with Public Works (NDOT) to survey the district to add traffic signs to help manage speeding.
• License Plate Readers (LPRs) Survey: I sent you a quick, 4-question survey regarding your thoughts on LPRs last week. Thank you for responding, if you haven't had the chance to complete the survey please do so now. 
  • Click here to take the survey.

What's Happening Tonight

We have a few Airport Authority appointments. There's also one Fair Board appointment that will have deep discussion and may require a roll call vote.

BL2020-716 - This has been an ongoing ordinance, the property owner has failed on numerous occasions to provide notices to neighbors to for the public hearing. This bill is on second reading and will allow Lexus of Nashville to change the zoning to allow for a parking lot. I'm sponsoring this bill.

RS2021-1020 - A resolution accepting a grant of $11,6000 with no match required from Metro Historical Commission Foundation to assess the historical concrete structures in Centennial Park.

RS2021-1021 - This resolution accepts a direct appropriation grant in the amount of $5,000,000 from the State of Tennessee. The State’s FY 22 budget included funding for direct appropriations to cities and counties based upon population up to a maximum of $5,000,000. The program is titled the Local Infrastructure Grant Program, but the language in the state budget appropriation act does not place any restrictions on the use of the funds so long as the funds are used for nonrecurring expenses. Metro will not be required to file a plan regarding the use of the grant funds.

RS2021-1035 - A Resolution to encourage alternatives to evictions as federal funding is made available for rent relief for tenants whose incomes have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

RS2021-1036 - A Resolution honoring the life of Jimmy Allen Ruth, bus driver for The Freedom Riders.

Dates to remember:

• I will be spending a lot of time with family this month... My availability will be limited. Thank you for understanding. The last year or so has been demanding and draining on public officials, and I've found some time to share July 2021 with family.
• Tentative: Community meeting to discuss a proposed rezone to amend the Sky Nashville SP
  • Monday, August 2 - 6:00 pm
  • West Nashville Police Precinct 
• Community meeting to discuss a proposed rezone to change the property located at 2100 Buchanan St. from CS to MUL-A
  • Thursday, August 5 - 6:00 pm
  • 2100 Buchanan St. 
• WeGo North Nashville Transit - I am working with Representative Love, CM Toombs, WeGo, and the developer to host a meeting to discuss the proposed development at Clarksville Hwy and 26th Ave N. - Once scheduled, I will let you know immediately date and time and location.
• In August - I had to push it back a month -  I will be unveiling a new program to promote healthy activity and movement - "Meet Me Outside" I will be coming to your neighborhood for a stroll with you soon. Stay Tuned!

Lets Connect:

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon

There is a Metro Council Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm. We are back in-person this evening at the Music City Center - Please join us if you'd like... An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

Tonight we will be discussing the budget... These bills are on public hearing. By law, we must vote on a balanced budget by June 30 each year or the previous years budget will prevail as the new budget.

CM Zulfat Suara created a very detailed list of highlights. See below...

• Schools: For the first time in many years, the mayor’s FY22 budget is fully funding MNPS. This is an $81 million increase from last year’s budget aimed mostly at improving teachers’ compensation, especially for mid-career educators.
• Affordable Housing: $2.5 million dollar increase to the Barnes Funds spending (from $10 to $12.5 million) with additional federal aid to create an overall increase of $37 million.
• Police: $16 million increase (from $210 to $226 million) in an effort to staff a new precinct in Southeast Nashville.
• Transit: $25 million increase to return us to a normal level after federal funds allowed the budget to relax last year (+$1 million to fund technology improvements on the commuter rail).
• Livability: Increases in parks (+ $4 million) and arts (+ $0.5 million).
• $52 million in real, organic budget growth 
• As projected for June 30, we will have $314 million in savings (this is still below the $400 million in fund balance/savings that the Government Finance Officers Association would recommend, but it is still an improvement)
• Debt service (the amount that a city pays for debt) is finally decreasing for the first time since 2015 and rests at 13.6% this year (which is in the “safe” range of 8%-15%) 
• A 7.3% increase in potential spending dollars (now $2.65 billion)

What I've Been Up To:

• Working to finalize legislation to reduce the criminal justice fines and fees. I told you this will be filed by the next meeting, but we have hit a few roadblocks. We are working through the challenges and I will keep you updated.
• There is a new Police Commander in North Precinct, Cmdr. Anthony McClain. I will be hosting an outdoor "Meet My Commander" meeting in the coming months. Meeting will be the first week of August.
• License Plate Readers (LPRs) Survey: I sent you a quick, 4-question survey regarding your thoughts on LPRs last week. Thank you for responding, if you haven't had the chance to complete the survey please do so now. 
  • Click here to take the survey.

What's Happening Tonight

There is a public hearing tonight for the budget. 

The following legislative items will be considered on 2nd reading during the Public Hearing.

BL2021-752 - This ordinance adopts the Capital Improvements Budget (CIB) for fiscal year 2021-2022 through 2026-2027. A link <https://www.nashville.gov/Portals/0/SiteContent/Planning/docs/CIB/2022/FY22_CIB_MayDraft.pdf>to the CIB is posted on the Council’s webpage. The CIB is a planning document and does not in itself appropriate any money. All capital projects must be provided for in this document before a capital improvement can be approved by the Council, except in the case of a public emergency.

BL2021-736 - This is the FY22 Metro Budget Bill... See what's in this bill, follow this link.

Dates to remember:

• No new neighborhood meetings scheduled at this time. 

Lets Connect:

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon

There is a Metro Council Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm. We are back in-person this evening at the Music City Center - Please join us if you'd like... An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

COVID-19

It's like it never happened... On Thursday, Metro Department of Public Health announced that Nashville/Davidson County will remove the mask mandate. As of Friday, May 14th, all of Davidson County's Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted. Many retail and other locations are still requiring masks in their establishments. I would ask you to please respect these establishments, as they are following the guidance of their leadership. On Saturday, I was out with my family and noticed, on several occasions, staff members being harassed by individuals that were citing the city's lift on mask restrictions. Remember, these employees are just implementing their company policies.

What I've Been Up To:

• Working to finalize legislation to reduce the criminal justice fines and fees. It will be ready for next meeting.
• Traffic Calming Program - I have received several correspondence regarding speeding. I am working with Public Works to take a deep dive into the traffic patterns in the district to find new alternatives that will adjust the speeding and change traffic habits.
• Lighting - We are working to find dark areas, areas with lights that are out and areas that don't have enough light. The study may take a while to complete, please be patient.
• There is a new Police Commander in North Precinct, Cmdr. Anthony McClain. I will be hosting an outdoor "Meet My Commander" meeting in the coming months. Stay tuned.
• License Plate Readers (LPRs) Survey: I sent you a quick, 4-question survey regarding your thoughts on LPRs last week. Thank you for responding, if you haven't had the chance to complete the survey please do so now. 
  • Click here to take the survey.

What's Happening Tonight

Tonight's meeting should be a relatively short meeting, the agenda is only 28 pages. However, there are a few items I'd like to share with you today...

RS2021-932 - This resolution is to certify the Certified Tax Rate (CTR) for Davidson County. Following the reappraisal, the CTR will be lowered.

BL2021-620 - This is an ordinance that will allow for an overlay tool be created for Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADU). One misconception that I have heard of this bill is that every residential district will have an overlay for DADUs, this is incorrect. This ordinance will only apply this as a tool for a community to apply to allow DADUs. The process will require property owners that want to add this overlay to go through the exact rezoning process each parcel or overlay rezone must go through. This will not be appropriate for all neighborhoods, but is extremely appropriate for others. - I am a Co-Sponsor for this bill.

BL2021-736 - This is the FY22 Budget ordinance. I mentioned it in my last newsletter. Follow this link to see the breakdown of the proposed budget from the mayor.

Dates to remember:

• Thursday, May 20 - Community Meeting discussing two rezoning applications near Clifton Ave and 25th, 26th, and 27th Aves N - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84091369094?pwd=SDJndUNtUnJGSFJOTktrbklCZ0QwZz09
  • Call In Number: +1 312 626 6799
  • Meeting ID: 840 9136 9094
  • Passcode: 705081

Lets Connect:

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon

There is a Metro Council Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm. We are back in-person this evening at the Music City Center - Please join us if you'd like... An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

~~~ Before we get started, I'd like to wish my beautiful wife, Damita, A very Happy Birthday this week! Please join me in wishing my better half a Happy Birthday!~~~

Mayor Cooper's Proposed Budget

On Thursday, April 29 at 10:30 am in the Music City Center, the City Council assembled for Mayor Cooper's State of Metro address (Click here to watch the State of Metro). It was a joyous occasion, as this was the first time Council Members have been allowed to congregate in person since last October. During the speech, the Mayor shared highlights in the proposed FY22 budget. Currently the recommended budget is $2.6 Billion a $180 Million increase over FY21 budget. By law, the Council must receive a proposed budget presentation by May 1 each year. Therefore, on April 30, the mayor shared the proposed budget with the Council. Below, I've listed a few highlights that I found interesting in the proposal...

Remember this is a proposed budget and is not yet been discussed by the Council - The first time we will have an opportunity to discuss this as a Council body will be at our next meeting, May 18 - The Budget Ordinance will be on first reading. If you want to get a head start on this conversation, you can review the current ordinance by clicking here - BL2021-736 - I will continue to share with you regarding the budget throughout the months of May and June.

• The tax rate will remain neutral - For some, the tax rate will decrease. As for us, in District 21, a few are likely to see an increase due to the substantial growth (+59%) in property value from the property reappraisal performed. I discussed this in the most recent newsletter.  Others in our district may see a decrease or just stay even.
• The forecasted cash balance will remain neutral - $306.4 Million - Remember, prior to the budget last year, the city's cash balance was $12 Million.
• The Debt Services will increase by $6 Million for a total of $360 Million - The Debt Services amount will decrease by nearly 1% - This is a good thing - The city is proposing to have fewer debts than the year before, and the year before that and so on.
• I will now discuss how the money will be spent - There's a large amount of funding slated for Education 
• 38% of the budget will be spent on Education - The budget proposes to fully fund the budget request ($1,014,661,600) from the Board of Education, as well as, an additional $50 Million to increase teacher pay by an average of nearly $7,000 annually.
• 20% will be spent on Public Safety & Criminal Justice 
• 14% spending on Debt Services - Metro is poised and in a position to pay down our debt.

Also, I'd like to highlight an area that I'm very proud of... The Mayor announced, from the recommendation of the 37208 Special Committee - which I have the honor to Chair, that the Criminal Justice Fines & Fees will be reduced by 50%. This is outstanding, and I'm grateful to my committee for their hard work and effort.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Metro Public Health Department is allowing WALK-INS for anyone 16 years old and older.  Anyone under age 18 will be required to have signed approval from their parent or guardian.  For more information, click here.

What I've Been Up To:

• I've been working with the mayor's office and Criminal Court Clerk Mr. Howard Gentry. We have been discussing the recommendation from the 37208 Committee to remove or reduce the criminal justice system fines and fees.
• Scheduled a meeting for residents to meet their new precinct commander - That is folks in the Midtown/Centennial Park area of the District - This meeting is Monday, May 10 at 6:00 PM.
• We hosted a neighborhood clean up on Saturday - We had a great turn out, and I am working with Mrs. Damita Beck-Taylor, District 21 Beatification Commissioner on bringing more clean up opportunities to your neighborhood as well.
  • Let me know if you'd like to host a clean up in your neighborhood.
• State of Metro - I attended the State of Metro last week - I shared my thoughts on that earlier
• The mayor has released the proposed budget - I have been working and fighting to ensure District 21 receives the capital improvements you all have asked for over the past year. I'm continuing to refine the budget conversations for us to see these investments.
• I've met with both the Mayor and Mr. Kent Oliver to discuss a possibility of renovating and growing or building a new Hadley Park Library.
• Please be on the lookout for information regarding a proposed round-a-bout update at Jefferson St. and 28th Ave N/Ed Temple Pkwy.

What's Happening Tonight

Representation is important - Please do not skip this note - We have a few Boards and Commission confirmations tonight. If you would like to be considered for an appointment or be elected to a Metro Government Board or Commission, please let me know. These are residents that help guide the decisions made in our city. Representation from all corners of the County means for equitable growth and decision making by all areas of government. Click here to learn more. This link will share the opportunities that exist within Metro Boards and Commissions.

BL2021-707 - This ordinance would change the property zoning of a property located at 1407 14th Ave N from RS5 to R6A - It is on public hearing tonight. I'm the sponsor.

BL2021-716 - This ordinance would change a current Specific Plan by amending it to only be used for a parking lot - The property is the Lexus dealership in Metro Center. I'm the sponsor.

RS2021-886 - A resolution requesting Mayor John Cooper, to the extent the Fiscal Year 2021 actual revenues exceed budgeted revenues, to provide funding for new public safety employees and for personnel to serve as project managers to assist the development community with navigating Metro’s approval and inspection process.

RS2021-908 - This is a resolution to approve the Economic Impact Plan for the River North Development, ie Oracle. To take a deeper dive into this proposed agreement, please follow this link. It explains, in detail, of what the conversations with Oracle have been.

BL2021-620 - This is an ordinance that will allow for an overlay tool be created for Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADU). One misconception that I have heard of this bill is that every residential district will have an overlay for DADUs, this is incorrect. This ordinance will only apply this as a tool for a community to apply to allow DADUs. The process will require property owners that want to add this overlay to go through the exact rezoning process each parcel or overlay rezone must go through. This will not be appropriate for all neighborhoods, but is extremely appropriate for others. 

BL2020-493 - This ordinance reduces the length of recreational vehicles that can be lawfully parked on the street at night. Section 12.40.190 of the Metro Code prohibits a school bus, a recreational vehicle with a length in excess of 24 feet (whether a standalone RV or connected to another vehicle), or a dump truck of more than 54,000 pounds of gross weight from being parked on parked on any of the streets or alleys within the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Government during the hours between sunset and sunrise. This ordinance reduces the maximum length of the recreational vehicle from 24 feet to 20 feet as it relates to the nighttime parking restriction.

BL2020-578 - This bill will change the preliminary plan for properties located at 1 City Avenue, 4, 5, 6, and 8 City Boulevard, 7 and 9 City Place, and City Boulevard (unnumbered) in the One City development to increase the maximum allowed residential units from 600 to 850 multi-family residential units.

Dates to remember:

• Monday, May 10 - Meet My Commander - Midtown Hills Precinct - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88370944085?pwd=MldCT0V1ZVduMVJOaGJsWk9FUHRDdz09
  • Call In Number: +1 312 626 6799
  • Meeting ID: 883 7094 4085
  • Passcode: 241473
• Thursday, May 20 - Community Meeting discussing two rezoning applications near Clifton Ave and 25th, 26th, and 27th Aves N - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84091369094?pwd=SDJndUNtUnJGSFJOTktrbklCZ0QwZz09
  • Call In Number: +1 312 626 6799
  • Meeting ID: 840 9136 9094
  • Passcode: 705081

Lets Connect:

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon

There is a Metro Council Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm… An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

Property Tax Rates - Up, Down, Up, Down

Last week Mayor Cooper held a press conference to discuss the property tax rates. He mentioned that the property tax increase that was voted into the budget last June will be reversed. This is not completely the case... Every four years, Davidson County goes through a property reappraisal process. This is a mandate by the State of Tennessee. This process will evaluate the current property value increase or decrease. The reappraisal process has happened and the property accessor and the State are now finalizing property values for Davidson County. Our property taxes are adjusted on a tax rate. In the reappraisal, your property value will either go up, down, or stay the same. Once the value of the property is determined, you can use the equation below to help you find your current property tax payment, or just click here and use the calculator.

Urban Services District Tax Rate $4.221

$25,000 / 100 = 250 x $4.221 = $1,055.25 or ($25,000 x .04221 = $1,055.25) for a tax bill of $1,055.25

Davidson County has to follow the state's Certified Tax Rate (CTR) process. You can learn about Tennessee's CTR process here. This is the process the mayor is mentioning in his press conference. The city cannot make more money on taxes than it did the year before, unless the Council votes to increase the tax rate; this is what happened last year. During the property reappraisal, neighborhoods that have seen a great amount of property value increase will see a fluctuation, mostly an increased fluctuation in your tax payment based on the equation above. We will not be certain of of the property values being reappraised until we hear from the property accessor. 

COVID-19 Vaccine

Metro Public Health Department is allowing WALK-INS for anyone 16 years old and older.  Anyone under age 18 will be required to have signed approval from their parent or guardian.  For more information, click here.

What I've Been Up To:

• There is a new Police Precinct Commander in Midtown Hills - I am working to schedule a meeting with neighbors in the Midtown and Centennial Park areas to meet and share thoughts and concerns.
• ShotSpotter: We are moving through the procurement process and are close to the next steps. 
• North Nashville fiber optic cable installation... I know you have seen this project all across the District. Contractors are boring through sidewalks and right-of-ways to install their cable lines. I have been working with Verizon and Public Works to receive more information. Once I hear more, I will follow up with you.
• Ride-Along with NES - Last week, NES and I drove the district to report any lights out.

What's Happening Tonight

RS2021-837 - This resolution, as amended, proposes an amendment to the Metro Charter to be voted upon at a special election on June 14, 2021. The purpose of this amendment is to provide an alternative to the Charter amendments submitted to the Metro Clerk by petition in March 2021. If enough signatures are verified and the petition language can lawfully go on the ballot, those amendments submitted by petition will be on the ballot at a special election to be held on June 14.

RS2021-878 - This resolution approves a federal pass-through grant in the amount of $10,000 from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to the Metro Health Department to implement a pilot STD/HIV Clinic Fast Track Study seeking to revise and improve the registration process and appointment-based system. There is no local match required for this grant. The term of the grant is through June 30, 2021.

RS2021-881 - This resolution approves an application for an Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant in the amount of $72,000,000 for the Jefferson Street Multimodal Cap and Connector to better connect the north and south sides of North Nashville. This grant would be federal pass through funds from the Tennessee Department of Transportation to Metro Public Works for the project. The project will consist of a “cap” over I-40 that could include public space and a public building such as a community or wellness center. As the Council is aware, when I-40 was built in the 1960’s, in divided North Nashville into two sections. This project would provide improved connections along Dr. D.B. Todd, Jr. Blvd. and 16^th Ave. N. to Jefferson Street, Fisk University, and Meharry Medical College.

BL2020-493 - This ordinance reduces the length of recreational vehicles that can be lawfully parked on the street at night. Section 12.40.190 of the Metro Code prohibits a school bus, a recreational vehicle with a length in excess of 24 feet (whether a standalone RV or connected to another vehicle), or a dump truck of more than 54,000 pounds of gross weight from being parked on parked on any of the streets or alleys within the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Government during the hours between sunset and sunrise. This ordinance reduces the maximum length of the recreational vehicle from 24 feet to 20 feet as it relates to the nighttime parking restriction.

BL2020-526 - This ordinance will change the zoning at 4000 Walter S. Davis from IWD to CS to allow for a multi-family residential development.

BL2020-578 - This bill will change the preliminary plan for properties located at 1 City Avenue, 4, 5, 6, and 8 City Boulevard, 7 and 9 City Place, and City Boulevard (unnumbered) in the One City development to increase the maximum allowed residential units from 600 to 850 multi-family residential units.

License Plate Reader (LPR) legislation will be covered tonight. I hosted a meeting to discuss this bill. There are several amendments and substitutes to these two bills. Please click on each below to see the conversations that will take place on the Council floor this evening.

BL2020-581 - This bill will permit the use of LPRs within the law enforcement vehicles. 

BL2020-582 - This bill will permit the use of LPRs at fixed locations.

Click here to review the proposed amendments and substitutes for the LPR legislation.

Dates to remember:

• Thursday, April 29 - State of Metro Address - 10:30 am
• Thursday, April 29 - District 21 Virtual Town Hall Meeting - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - SAVE THE DATE
• Saturday, May 1 - Mayor Cooper would like to partner with District 21 to kickoff Spring Cleaning with a Community Clean up - We are recruiting volunteers to help. - Two Locations!
  • Lee Chapel AME Church - 1200 DR. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd.
  • Pearl-Cohn High School - 904 26th Ave N
  • The clean up will begin at 9:00 AM and End at Noon
  • If you are joining, please wear a mask, closed toe shoes, and long pants

Lets Connect:

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon

There is a Metro Council Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm… An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

COVID-19 Vaccine

Metro Public Health Department is scheduling appointments for anyone 16 years old and older.  Anyone under age 18 will be required to have signed approval from their parent or guardian.  For more information, click here.

What I've Been Up To:

• There are several opportunities to support the clean up efforts from the flooding - Sign up for a volunteer slot with Hands on Nashville.
• ShotSpotter: We are moving through the procurement process and are close to the next steps. 
• North Nashville fiber optic cable installation... I know you have seen this project all across the District. Contractors are boring through sidewalks and right-of-ways to install their cable lines. I have been working with Verizon and Public Works to receive more information. Once I hear more, I will follow up with you.

What's Happening Tonight

Tonight's agenda is 42 pages... We have several Commission appointments that covers the first 2 - 3 pages.

BL2020-526 - This item is on Public Hearing in our District - It will change industrial land to residential commercial. We've held two public community meetings to discuss and I will be moving forward with this legislation.

RS2021-794 - This resolution approves a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Metro Public Works (PW) and Metro Water Services (MWS) to transfer the personnel and operational activities related to solid waste disposal from PW to MWS. Section 8.402 of the Metro Charter provides that PW is responsible for “the collection and disposal of garbage and other refuse, and maintenance and operation of facilities for the disposal of same.” Thus, all operations related to the collection and disposal of solid waste and recycling have always resided with PW.

The administration is proposing the transfer of the operations to MWS as an initial step toward the creation of a Metro Department of Transportation to consolidate various transportation functions from other departments into one department. Since most transportation-related functions are currently part of PW, the MOU notes that it is appropriate that non-transportation functions be transferred out of the department. The resolution and MOU recitals identify the advantages for transferring the solid waste functions to MWS in terms of sustainability efforts and to facilitate the possible creation of a solid waste enterprise fund, though it is unclear how such an enterprise fund would function since, unlike the stormwater division of MWS, the solid waste division operates primarily on general fund tax dollars, not customer/user fees. The MOU also notes that MWS already has a support system, such as a call center, a fleet management program, and administrative support.

Pursuant to this MOU, after July 1, 2021, all PW solid waste disposal employees and equipment would be transferred under the administration of MWS. The agreement also provides for the transfer of all funds associated with this function. MWS would be required to keep separate accounting records pertaining to the solid waste disposal responsibilities. MWS would take over the enforcement of all federal, state, and local solid waste disposal and recycling rules and regulations that PW is currently responsible for enforcing. The MOU provides that MWS would also be required to comply with all regulatory requirements associated with solid waste disposal, such as reporting requirements and maintaining closed landfills. MWS would be required to submit an annual report to PW about the solid waste disposal activities and funds expended, as well as planned future capital projects.

Section 5.04.065 of the Metropolitan Code provides that the transfer of any funds, equipment, services, or property valued in exceed of $500,000 from one department to another must be pursuant to an MOU approved by resolution adopted by the Council with 21 affirmative votes.

The Council Office would note that it is questionable whether a permanent transfer of the solid waste functions from PW to MWS through an MOU is consistent with the Metro Charter. As noted above, Section 8.402 of the Charter provides that PW shall be responsible for “the collection and disposal of garbage and other refuse, and maintenance and operation of facilities for the disposal of same.” Section 2.01(36) of the Metro Charter provides that “when any power is vested by this Charter in a specific officer, board, commission or other agency, the same shall be deemed to have exclusive jurisdiction within the particular field.” Finally, while Section 1.05 of the Charter provides that the Council can declare certain services prescribed by the Charter to be obsolete by ordinance, there is nothing pertaining to the transfer of functions to other departments.

That being said, the transfer of functions between these two departments is not unprecedented. In 2002, the stormwater division was transferred from PW to MWS by MOU. But there was a subsequent ordinance and eventually a Charter amendment to officially make the transfer. The Council Office recommends that the transfer of the solid waste functions from PW to MWS be included as part of a future Charter amendment resolution considered by the Council.

BL2021-707 - This is a bill on first reading introduced by me. This ordinance will change a vacant lot from RS5 to R6-A. I've spoken with the neighbors that are adjacent with the property, and they are in favor of the zone change.

BL2021-716 - This is a bill on first reading introduced by me. This ordinance will amend a Specific Plan zoning owned by the Lexus dealership in Metro Center to allow for a parking lot.

BL2021-493 -  This ordinance will make it unlawful for any person owning or operating a school bus, a recreational vehicle with a length in excess of twenty feet, any recreational vehicle with a combined length in excess of twenty feet, or a dump truck of more than fifty-four thousand pounds of gross weight, including the load therein, to leave such vehicle parked on any of the streets or alleys within the jurisdiction of the metropolitan government during the hours between sunset and sunrise, regardless of whether such vehicle is loaded or empty. 

BL2021-617 - An ordinance repealing Resolution No. RS2020-154 pertaining to the $10,000,000 annual Metro Water Services payment in lieu of taxes, and amending Chapter 15.32 of the Metropolitan Code to reduce water rates to offset the $10,000,000.

BL2020-620 - This ordinance, as amended, creates a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) Overlay District in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code. An overlay is a tool that can be used by District Council Members to create DADU overlays. This means that certain areas will allow for DADU's (Detached Accessory Dwelling Units - such as Garage with Apartments) in neighborhoods that add the overlay in the future. There is a county wide community meeting to discuss this item in more detail on April 21.

    DADU meeting information: 

• Wednesday, April 21 
• 6:00 PM 
• Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/j/97815178643?pwd=a200ZXBoYlNrc3g1ZG5tRXFOVEJUdz09#success

BL2020-387 - This ordinance will amend the Health Benefits for Council Members following their service of two full terms.

Dates to remember:

• THIS SATURDAY: Mayor Cooper would like to partner with District 21 to kickoff Spring Cleaning with a Community Clean up - We are recruiting volunteers to help. - Two Locations!
  • Lee Chapel AME Church - 1200 DR. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd.
  • Pearl-Cohn High School - 904 26th Ave N
  • The clean up will begin at 9:00 AM and End at Noon
  • If you are joining, please wear a mask, closed toe shoes, and long pants

• Thursday, April 29 - District 21 Virtual Town Hall Meeting - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - SAVE THE DATE

Lets Connect:

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon

There is a Metro Council Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm… An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

During our last meeting, the mayor's office filed and introduced legislation to begin creating a Nashville Department of Transportation. The resolution that was introduced was deferred to our meeting tonight. This legislation would kick start the creation of the DOT by moving all of Metro's solid waste management under the Metro Water Department. To accomplish the start of the DOT, metro would like to grow the Public Works Department and "rebrand" as the DOT. Currently, the city's charter will not allow this to happen. Therefore, the mayor's office is looking to file a charter amendment in 2022. This was one of Mayor Cooper's campaign goals and isn't a new idea. This had been discussed in Nashville before, most recently during the Barry Administration when a rail-transit system was up for vote.

COVID-19 Vaccine

What I've Been Up To:

• I joined Public Works traffic engineers on a ride-along throughout the District. We spotted several intersections that could use traffic calming and updated infrastructure. They will get back to me with their plans of how we can move forward with addressing these areas.
• ShotSpotter: I met with Chief Drake and Mayor Cooper to discuss the initiation of ShotSpotter. We are now in the procurement process of securing a contract to have ShotSpotter in place.
• North Nashville fiber optic cable installation... I have met with Verizon and the current contracted company installing the fiber optic cable and they are working to quickly complete the job.
• I'll be talking with Public Works and NES regarding adding lighting in areas that constituents have requested more lighting... Alleys and Dark Roadways have been a concern for many of you, and I will let you know where we land following these conversations.
• The 37208 Committee gave the recommendation to remove certain criminal justice system fines and fees - I am in the process of working to determine what areas we will remove the fines and fees. This is a long work in progress, but we are working to eliminate roadblocks to economic and educational growth.
• I will not be available beginning the evening of Thursday, March 18 - Monday, March 29 - NO AVAILABILITY

What's Happening Tonight

RS2021-794 - The administration is proposing the transfer of the operations to MWS as an initial step toward the creation of a Metro Department of Transportation to consolidate various transportation functions from other departments into one department. Since most transportation-related functions are currently part of PW, the MOU notes that it is appropriate that non-transportation functions be transferred out of the department. The resolution and MOU recitals identify the advantages for transferring the solid waste functions to MWS in terms of sustainability efforts and to facilitate the possible creation of a solid waste enterprise fund, though it is unclear how such an enterprise fund would function since, unlike the storm-water division of MWS, the solid waste division operates primarily on general fund tax dollars, not customer/user fees. The MOU also notes that MWS already has a support system, such as a call center, a fleet management program, and administrative support.

RS2021-805 - A resolution requesting the Office of the Trustee to allow property tax payments received during the first five days of March to not be considered delinquent as a result of the February 2021 winter weather event.

RS2021-810 - A resolution appropriating the amount of $18,838,300.00 from the General Fund Reserve Fund for the purchase of equipment and building repairs for various departments of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Click here to see the overall proposed funding items in the 4% Fund.

BL2020-578 - This is an ordinance to change the zoning for increased density in the ONE CITY development. - This will be deferred by rule.

BL2021-636 -An ordinance changing a RS5 zoning to SP zoning. 

Dates to remember:

• Councilman Taylor is taking time off - I will not be available beginning the evening of Thursday, March 18 - Monday, March 29 - NO AVAILABILITY

• Tuesday, March 30 at 7:00 pm - Community Meeting Rezoning Request - Walter S. Davis and 40th Ave N (4000 Walter S. Davis)
  • Virtual Zoom Meeting Address - Click here to follow the link to join this meeting
  • Meeting Call In number 
    • +1 312 626 6799
    • Meeting ID: 819 6413 8617
    • Passcode: 568892
• Thursday, April 1 at 6:00 pm - Community Meeting Rezoning Request - Acklen Park Drive (Acklen Park and Hillcrest)
  • Virtual Zoom Meeting Address - Click here to follow the link to join this meeting
  • Meeting Call In number
    • +1 312 626 6799
    • Meeting ID: 815 3375 6348
    • Passcode: 866862

Lets Connect:

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon

There is a Metro Council Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm… An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

There is a lot to cover tonight... I'm not going to write a ton here, but I want you to please be thinking of those that are still recovering from a devastating tornado that took place a year from tomorrow last year.

As I mentioned, we will be discussing several highlighted topics tonight. In my "What's Happening Tonight" Section, please review the legislation we will be voting on, specifically the following items...

BL2021-620 - RS2021-757 - BL2020-387 

You may have seen these items on local news channels, but I'd like to encourage you to read through the legislation and analysis to get a clear understanding of what is being proposed.

COVID-19 Vaccine

What I've Been Up To:

• I hosted a call regarding License Plate Readers last week.. Please let me know if you would like a link to the recording of the meeting.
• NES will be out to look at the lighting outages in the district tomorrow... If you know of any areas with lights out, please let me know by 4:00 pm tomorrow, 3.3.201.
• ShotSpotter: I am still working to add ShotSpotter in areas with high gun violence throughout the District. Meeting with the Mayor on March 8 to discuss in further detail... Standby.
• North Nashville fiber optic cable installation... I am working with Public Works and Codes to answer your questions regarding the fiber optic cable installation timeline for completing the work and restoring the sidewalks and other areas they've disrupted.
• Exit/In: I'm introducing a resolution to celebrate Exit/In's 50th Anniversary.
• This is a long-term vision - I am in conversations with a grocery store chain to find space in the District for a new location.

What's Happening Tonight

BL2020-526 - This is an ordinance to change the zoning from Industrial to Commercial along the 4000 Block of Walter S. Davis. This will be deferred to the first meeting in April to allow for more community input and discussion.

BL2020-578 - This is an ordinance to change the zoning for increased density in the ONE CITY development.

BL2021-620 -This ordinance creates a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) Overlay District in Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code. The proposed overlay would permit a detached, self-sufficient dwelling unit accessory to a principal structure. The overlay would permit DADUs within the boundary of the overlay, subject to existing standards for detached accessory dwelling units in Section 17.16.030.G of Title 17. These standards include requirements for, but not limited to, ownership, lot area, setbacks, bulk & massing, design, and access. This ordinance does not apply the overlay to any areas; it only creates the tool that can be utilized. The process to apply the overlay is the same process as a rezoning and is similar to the process for other overlays, such as contextual overlays and residential accessory structure overlays.

BL2021-636 -An ordinance changing a RS5 zoning to SP zoning. 

RS2020-649 - An agreement between the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and Metro Public Works for improvements on Jefferson Street. The agreement was initially approved pursuant to Resolution No. RS2008-245 and included a grant of $920,808 with a required match of $480,203 for intersection improvements on Jefferson Street. Resolution No. RS2013-745 approved the first amendment to this agreement, which extended the agreement to June 1, 2017, specifically identified the intersections on Jefferson Street at 28th Avenue/Ed Temple and 21st Avenue North to be improved, and better reflected TDOT's current fund descriptions. Resolution No. RS2017-708 approved the second amendment to the agreement, which extended the date for completion to June 1, 2019, based upon additional recommendations from a 2017 traffic study. Resolution No. RS2019-1624 approved a third amendment to extend the completion date of all phases of work to December 31, 2020.

RS2021-757 - Last week I discussed the proposed Capital Spending Plan from the mayor's office. This resolution, if passed, will authorize $474,610,000 in capital spending. Click here to see what is included in the proposed plan. 

RS2021-789 - This resolution approves an application for a grant in the amount of $24,600 from the Tennessee Historical Commission to the Metro Historical Commission to fund a rural cemetery preservation plan. There are approximately 500 rural cemeteries in Davidson County, with over 12,000 tombstones. The preservation plan to be funded with this grant would update the survey information for each site and ascertain the maintenance needs. The study is to be completed by September 30, 2022. If awarded, there will be a required local match of $16,400.

BL2020-387 - This ordinance, as amended, amends Section 3.24.010 of the Metropolitan Code pertaining to health insurance benefits for councilmembers after they leave office. Section 3.24.010 currently allows councilmembers to participate in Metro's health insurance program under the same terms and conditions as are available to regular Metro employees. After leaving office, members who were participants in the health care plan are allowed to continue, provided they pay the full amount of the premium with no subsidy from Metro. However, the code allows members who hold office for eight years or more -- as well as members serving on or after August 31, 2007 that served part of one term and a full consecutive term -- to continue the health care plan, provided they pay the contribution rates equivalent to those paid by regular Metro employees (which is currently 25% of the insurance premium paid by the employee and 75% paid by Metro).

BL2020-553 - This ordinance, as substituted, would require all assisted living services being provided to patients and residents at the J.B. Knowles Home Assisted Living Facility to be continued unless the elimination of such services is approved by the Metropolitan Council by a resolution receiving 21 affirmative votes, so long as there is a successful bidder pursuant to Metro’s public procurement process or a current qualified operator is willing to provide services in exchange for funding no greater than the most recent budgeted subsidy. Likewise, no wind down or other processes or preparations intended to prepare this facility for closure could occur until 30 days after the affirmative Council vote. The ordinance further provides that, while the Council intends the services provided by the facility to be continued with no subsidy, the Council intends to continue a subsidy sufficient to bring per-patient revenue for Davidson County residents living at Knowles Home in line with per-patient revenue at comparable non-profit assisted living facilities in Davidson County until a long term plan is reviewed and approved by the Council. The Knowles Home Assisted Living and Adult Day Services facility is currently operated by Anthemcare Tennessee LLC under a contract with Metro. The Anthemcare contract was entered into in June of 2018 for a two year period, but the contract was extended in 2020 for one year with a new expiration date of June 14, 2021.

Dates to remember:

• No meetings scheduled at this moment... Stay tuned.

Lets Connect:

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon