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].

Metro Capital Spending Plan

The Mayor's $474,610,000 Capital Spending Plan has been introduced to the Metro Council, you can view it here. Metro Schools and a Transportation Plan lead the way with several investments. A new high school in Bellvue ($100M), $62M in HVAC upgrades for better ventilation in Metro Schools, $15M added to the traffic calming budget, an additional $15M for roadway restorations, we have $30M in paving, $11M is slated for sidewalk additions and improvements, and $20M in stormwater improvements - these are a few of the highlights in the Capital Spending Plan.

I'd also like to highlight a $2M Participatory Budgeting Pilot for North Nashville infrastructure. This pilot will allow local residents an opportunity to decide where and how the $2M will be spent in North Nashville. participatory budgeting is a practice that allows the people to decide, directly, how the funds will be invested in the community.

Please be sure to take time to think of Capital Improvements your immediate community needs. Each October, I create a Capital Improvements Budget and work with the mayor's office to be sure your voice is heard when the Capital Spending Plan is created.

COVID-19 Vaccine

What I've Been Up To:

• On Monday, February 22, I am hosting a meeting to discuss License Plate Readers with the District. I want to hear directly from you what your thoughts are as we proceed through the legislation in the coming months.
• I will be on a ride-along with Public Works to share areas that drastically need Traffic Calming measures in place. If you have any areas that need traffic calming please email me directly.
• ShotSpotter: I am still working to add ShotSpotter in areas with high gun violence throughout the District.
• Sidewalks along 31st Ave N - I have been working to get sidewalks on 31st Ave N near Centennial Park -  This area has high foot traffic and sidewalks are a much-needed upgrade.
• Exit/In is for sale... The property owner has listed the long-time Rock Block venue for sale. I am working to preserve the history in Nashville, and this is an extremely historic site in our great city. Read this story to learn how you can help.

What's Happening Tomorrow Night

RS2021-757 -This resolution authorizes the issuance of up to $474,610,000 in general obligation bonds to provide funding for various projects contained in the Mayor’s proposed capital spending plan.

RS2021-771 -This resolution authorizes Midtown Hotel Partners, LLC to install and maintain an aerial encroachment at 109 29th Avenue North. The aerial encroachment will consist of two awnings over the sidewalk. The applicant must indemnify the Metropolitan Government from all claims in connection with the construction and maintenance of the signs, and is required to post a certificate of public liability insurance in the amount of $2,000,000 with the Metropolitan clerk naming the Metropolitan Government as an insured party.

BL2020-534 -An ordinance to require a debt report from the Director of Finance each time a capital spending plan is filed containing specific information about the impact the capital spending plan will have on the Metropolitan Government’s debt levels.

BL2020-586 -An ordinance directing that certain actions be taken regarding the preservation of the licensed beds at the Bordeaux Long Term Care facility and appraisals of the Bordeaux Long Term Care and J.B. Knowles Home Assisted Living facilities, and requesting the creation of a long term plan for the J.B. Knowles Home facility.

Dates to remember:

• Monday, February 22, 2021 - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - District 21 Town Hall on License Plate Readers - Click here to join the meeting
• Rezoning Meeting for Tomorrow's Hope and College Hill Communities: Monday, March 8, 2021 - Time TBD (Evening) - Video Conference and Call-In Information to come.

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 tomorrow 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].

Please Join Me in Celebration of the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Below is a brief excerpt from Dr. King's final speech, the evening prior to his assassination. He was in Memphis, TN on April 3, 1968, in support of the sanitation workers at Mason Temple. He describes how he was stabbed ten years earlier, and that just a sneeze would have killed him. He goes on to explain that he was "happy he didn't sneeze" and reminded us of all the work and accomplishments he made in the Civil Rights Movement following that attack...

"...You know, several years ago, I was in New York City autographing the first book that I had written. And while sitting there autographing books, a demented black woman came up. The only question I heard from her was, "Are you Martin Luther King?"

And I was looking down writing, and I said yes. And the next minute I felt something beating on my chest. Before I knew it I had been stabbed by this demented woman. I was rushed to Harlem Hospital. It was a dark Saturday afternoon. And that blade had gone through, and the X-rays revealed that the tip of the blade was on the edge of my aorta, the main artery. And once that's punctured, you drown in your own blood—that's the end of you.

It came out in the New York Times the next morning, that if I had sneezed, I would have died. Well, about four days later, they allowed me, after the operation, after my chest had been opened, and the blade had been taken out, to move around in the wheelchair in the hospital. They allowed me to read some of the mail that came in, and from all over the states, and the world, kind letters came in. I read a few, but one of them I will never forget. I had received one from the President and the Vice-President. I've forgotten what those telegrams said. I'd received a visit and a letter from the Governor of New York, but I've forgotten what the letter said. But there was another letter that came from a little girl, a young girl who was a student at the White Plains High School. And I looked at that letter, and I'll never forget it. It said simply, "Dear Dr. King: I am a ninth-grade student at the White Plains High School." She said, "While it should not matter, I would like to mention that I am a white girl. I read in the paper of your misfortune, and of your suffering. And I read that if you had sneezed, you would have died. And I'm simply writing you to say that I'm so happy that you didn't sneeze."

And I want to say tonight, I want to say that I am happy that I didn't sneeze. Because if I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around here in 1960, when students all over the South started sitting-in at lunch counters. And I knew that as they were sitting in, they were really standing up for the best in the American dream. And taking the whole nation back to those great wells of democracy which were dug deep by the Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been around in 1962, when Negroes in Albany, Georgia, decided to straighten their backs up. And whenever men and women straighten their backs up, they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been here in 1963, when the black people of Birmingham, Alabama, aroused the conscience of this nation, and brought into being the Civil Rights Bill. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have had a chance later that year, in August, to try to tell America about a dream that I had had. If I had sneezed, I wouldn't have been down in Selma, Alabama, been in Memphis to see the community rally around those brothers and sisters who are suffering. I'm so happy that I didn't sneeze.

And they were telling me, now it doesn't matter now. It really doesn't matter what happens now. I left Atlanta this morning, and as we got started on the plane, there were six of us, the pilot said over the public address system, "We are sorry for the delay, but we have Dr. Martin Luther King on the plane. And to be sure that all of the bags were checked, and to be sure that nothing would be wrong with the plane, we had to check out everything carefully. And we've had the plane protected and guarded all night."

And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers?

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Metro COVID-19 Distribution - 75+ Years of Age

• Metro Public Health Department is currently offering appointments for vaccinations for individuals 75 or older.

What I've Been Up To:

• As the Health, Hospitals, and Social Service Chairman, I am continuing to work with Metro Public Health to provide communication and information regarding the vaccine rollout... We plan to have more information for you and your families on Thursday.
  
  • I've been spending a lot of time working to get information for residents and CMs. We are getting several questions, and please trust that we will have more information soon.

• Continue working with the Mayor and MNPD on the Shotspotter technology to have a pilot program in the North precinct. - This has been a nonstop effort, and I hope to have some new information soon.

What's Happening Tomorrow Night

We are meeting virtually tomorrow night! The agenda is shorter than usual, but there are legislation items I'd like to highlight for you below...

BL2021-612 - An ordinance establishing a Special Commission to review and investigate the circumstances and responses pertaining to the suicide bombing in Nashville on December 25, 2020, and to make any recommendations regarding public safety improvements.

BL2020-553 - Earlier this year, the city closed Bordeaux Long Term Care Facility. This decision was made after the city not receiving any bids to manage the facility and legislation from 2014 that was passed that stated Nashville will begin to move out of the Long Term Care business. A second facility, Knowles Home Assisted Living, will be managing their contract soon, and this ordinance will require a resolution of the Metropolitan Council prior to discontinuing operations at the facility that has to be passed by the current council at the time of service discontinuing. This bill does not mean that we are closing Knowles Home.

BL2020-586 - This ordinance, as amended, would reverse the Metropolitan Council’s previous decision determining that long term medical care is an obsolete governmental service, and require that certain actions be taken regarding the Bordeaux Long Term Care (BLTC) and J.B. Knowles Home for the Aged (Knowles Home) facilities. Ordinance No. BL2014-688 approved agreements for the lease and disposition of real property relating to the BLTC and Knowles Home facilities and made a determination that the private sector can provide quality long term medical care services on a more economical basis, thus making such services obsolete and unnecessary as a governmental function. Section 2.01 of the Metro Charter provides that Metro has the power and authority to “establish, maintain and operate public hospitals, sanatoria, convalescent homes, clinics and other public institutions, homes, and facilities for the care of the sick, of children, the aged and the destitute.” But Section 1.05 of the Charter provides that Metro may stop performing any governmental service that the Council, by ordinance, has determined to be obsolete and unnecessary.

BL2019-8 - Currently, money collected from the payment in lieu of sidewalks is collected into a pedestrian benefit fund. The funds are required to stay in the pedestrian benefit zone from where the payment was made. This ordinance would remove the pedestrian benefit zones and instead require funds to stay within the Council district of the new development.

Dates to remember:

• All in-person meetings (large/small groups or one-on-one) that I have scheduled are postponed in light of the increasing COVID-19 concerns and will not be rescheduled until further notice. 

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].

Happy New Year District 21! 

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely you'll buy your pint cup!
and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Should old acquaintance be forgot? That phrase of the famous song, Auld Lang Syne, caught my attention as I rang in the New Year with my family. 2020 was tough... 2020 was unprecedented, uncertain, weird, strange, unforgettable... 2020 was a lot of things. So, should we forget 2020? That was the question I continued to ask myself, and quite frankly, I'm still asking that same question. We went through a lot with a tornado, straight-line wind storm, and the COVID-19 pandemic... Oh, and a Christmas morning bombing. 2020 gave us a run for our money, but we are still fighting. Thank you District 21 Family for your willingness to continue fighting for our neighborhoods and our neighbors. Without you, we wouldn't be able to move the needle forward to building stronger and healthier communities. 

Here's to serving with you in 2021!

What I've Been Up To:

• As the Health, Hospitals, and Social Service Chairman, I am working with Metro Public Health to provide communication and information regarding the vaccine Rollout... I've invited the interim Health Director to the Health, Hospitals, and Social Services Committee Meeting this evening.
• I'm working with Metro Social Services to provide better communication for Metro Cold Shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness this winter during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Continue working with the Mayor and MNPD on the Shotspotter technology to have a pilot program in the North precinct.
• I'm working with CM Toombs and State Rep. Love to find funding for infrastructure updates along the Clarksville Hwy corridor. 
• Working to schedule a virtual meet and greet with the new Precinct Commander of the Midtown Hills precinct, which serves the Midtown and Centennial Park neighborhoods in the District. Cmdr. Greene, who was newly appointed, has been promoted, again, to Deputy Cheif.
• Also, working to have a virtual meeting with the Centennial Park neighborhoods to receive an update regarding the park renovations and sidewalk updates.

What to expect tonight:

We are meeting virtually tonight!

BL2020-578 - Sponsored by me, this ordinance would amend the number of units in a development at One C1TY from 600-850.

BL2021-594 - Ordinance that will change the speed limit from 30 mph - 25 mph on local streets throughout the County.

BL2020-593- An ordinance amending Chapter 9.30 of the Metropolitan Code to restrict construction noise between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on weekdays and between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends.

RS2021-652 - A resolution declaring a June 30, 2021 sunset of the current property tax rate in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.

RS2021-711 - A resolution requesting the Tennessee General Assembly to enact a statute to mitigate the negative impacts of blasting operations.

RS2021-713 - A Resolution honoring the life of Kwame Lillard.

RS2021-714 - A resolution honoring the six Metropolitan Nashville Police Department officers who responded to the Christmas Day bombing on Second Avenue and expressing gratitude to all first responders who assisted at the scene.

There are also several items of legislation regarding License Plate Readers... We are having a Special Committee meeting to discuss in detail, and I will keep you updated as these conversations unfold.

We are also discussing how we will be spending the final amount of CARES ACT funding.

Lastly, there have been conversations about filing legislation for License Plate Readers (LRPs) to help combat crime - Please share your thoughts with me regarding LRPs. 

Dates to remember:

• All in-person meetings (large/small groups or one-on-one) that I have scheduled are postponed in light of the increasing COVID-19 concerns and will not be rescheduled until further notice. 

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. You can reach me at [email protected].

** There has been an interruption of your Metro Water service on Acklen Park Drive and the Long Blvd Area... Metro Water is out now restoring service to those affected. it may take about 8 - 12 hours to repair the water lines.**

This is our last Council Meeting of 2020 - This year has been a sprinting marathon! It had its fair share of challenges thrown our way, and we have persisted and overcome many of these challenges. When I look back on this year, I am reminded of the character and resolve our District has. I recall individuals across this entire District coming to the rescue of those in need during the Tornado in March and I still see neighbors delivering food and resources to those that faced even more challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you all for your willingness to work through such a historic year, and I am excited to keep working alongside you for the upcoming year. 

Multimodal Transit (RS2020-656)

There has been much conversation regarding the latest version of the Mayor's Office Metro Transit plan. We are voting on a resolution asking for an endorsement from the Metro Council. The current plan was introduced to the Council just a week or so ago, and I want to share some thoughts with you and share the 348-page plan with you as well.

- This resolution will not require any money now - It is memorializing, non-binding and before it is all finalized, it will be amended to fit your needs if passed tonight. 

When we think of public transit, we think of buses, trains, light rails, etc., correct? Well over the past several years, Nashville has been in need of a Multimodal Transit Plan. Multimodal includes your buses, trains, and light rails, but it also takes into consideration your crosswalks, sidewalks, paving, traffic calming, scooters, bikes and bike lanes, street signage, stop light frequency and connectivity. The city council is working with the mayor's office to create a transit plan that meets the needs of all residents. The current plan has the potential to be a great plan for District 21. There is much attention to Clarksville Highway, where we are in the infancy stages of building a transit hub at the corner of Clarksville Highway and 26th Ave N. The plan has a few areas that are supposed to address serious traffic calming needs. It's mentioned that 31st Ave N will receive a half-mile sidewalk upgrade and additions.  One of my main concerns is the lack of attention to Charlotte Ave and West End Ave along with endorsing a plan that needs a dedicated funding source. Ms. Faye DiMassimo, Sr. Advisor for Transportation and Infrastructure, says that she believes that the city will receive federal funding for the plan if endorsed by Council. There are three amendments to the current plan that will answer some of my questions and these amendments force the plan to come back to the Metro Council several times before the enactment of any filed ordinances that will make this plan law. If you recall, transit was one of the areas in my first email to you that I mentioned will be an everchanging and continuous conversation. I will continue to update you on the ongoing movements regarding transit. Please share your thoughts, it helps me make the best decision for our district.

Make a COVID-19 Plan

We are in the Holiday season and we'll all want to get together and gather. I'm planning to get a Covid test at one of the city's many testing facilities prior to spending time with family. Also, my plan includes quarantining, once I received a negative test result before I gather with my loved ones. If you haven't made a plan, I recommend you think of a plan that will mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Let's work together for a safe holiday season, so we can watch King Henry in person in the Superbowl!

Click here to review testing information, days, sites, and hours and plan a day to get your test completed.

What I've Been Up To:

• In my last email, I mentioned my work on illegal dumping... Tomorrow you may see me in your alley with the Public Works Director for a tour to simply explain the need for paving, lighting, and illegal dumping mitigation.
• The McGruder Family Resource Center was awarded $2.1 Million for renovations in 2016 but was not added to the city's capital spending plan. I've worked with the mayor to have them fund this project now and we have started conversations with the construction company to move forward.
• I heard from many of you regarding TDOT - For clarity, TDOT does not have any control over streets and sidewalks or any infrastructure that is the property of Nashville/Davidson County, the city manages those items - This has not been moved forward, however, I am planning to have a community meeting to help you learn more and ask any questions you have. This will then help us make the best decision moving forward.
• Shotspotter is a technology that will communicate directly with MNPD if shots are fired. They will be immediately dispatched to the area of the alleged shots - In 2016 Shotspotter was first introduced to our community, I've reengaged the mayor's office in conversations regarding Shotspotter, I spoke with Mayor Cooper yesterday regarding Shotspotter and we will be having conversations with you at the beginning of the year.
• Rest, Relax, and Refresh - Beginning next week, I will begin my Christmas/New Year's vacation. I will have limited access to my phone and email. 2020 has been a challenging year for us all. With the needs of our community, I have not had the chance to connect with my family throughout the year... I will be in line to get a COVID test this week and will begin my quarantine. Once I receive my negative results, I'm going to take this time to close the year out with my family and recharge so I can continue to serve you in 2021! Thank you District 21 for all!

What to expect tonight:

We are not meeting in person, so this may be a very long night. We have several confirmations for commissions.

BL2020-300 - This ordinance will restrict construction noise and time of construction within residential areas.

BL2020-532 - This is zoning legislation in our district that will remove a PUD - to allow for residential construction in West Nashville.

BL2020-456- Requires landlords to provide notice to tenants prior to termination of tenancy and non-renewal of a lease.

We are also discussing how we will be spending the final amount of CARES ACT funding.

Lastly, there have been conversations about filing legislation for License Plate Readers (LRPs) to help combat crime - Please share your thoughts with me regarding LRPs. 

Dates to remember:

• All in-person meetings (large/small groups or one-on-one) that I have scheduled are postponed in light of the increasing COVID-19 concerns and will not be rescheduled until further notice. 

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].

Rising COVID-19 Cases

Covid-19 cases are on the rise across the state. Nashville's key metrics suggest that we should be cautious. Our transmission rate is above the goal number and our new cases per 100,000 residents is well over our goal of 10/100k, we are now seeing 54 new cases per 100k residents. Hospital ICU capacity continues to decrease daily and our 14-new case trend is increasing. As we head into the holiday season, please be sure to get a COVID-19 test. We all will want to be near our family, but we want to be sure that we are being responsible. Click here to review testing information, days, sites, and hours and plan a day to get your test completed. 

REMINDER: Metro curbside customers will see a change to how trash and recycling are collected after a holiday.

Thanksgiving Day is on Thursday, November 26. If your trash and recycling collection day falls on or after Thanksgiving Day, your collection will be delayed by one day. For example, Thanksgiving Day is on Thursday, collection for Thursday customers will be on Friday, and Friday customers on Saturday. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday routes will NOT be affected and will run as scheduled. In addition, the Metro convenience centers will be closed on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27. Residents with any questions are encouraged to first visit RouteChanges.Nashville.gov and if questions persist, contact hubNashville by visiting hub.Nashville.gov or calling 311.

• For a map of collection days beginning November 2, visit our map of new collection routes.
• For more information on waste collection, visit: Public Works Waste and Recycling Information

• Public Works to Launch Waste and Recycling Route Optimization – 10/7/2020
• Download the new collection day calendar.
• Look up your new collection day at CollectionDay.Nashville.gov and sign up for an email reminder. – Updated on 10/14/2020
• Sign up for Metro trash and recycling alerts by texting the keyword METROTRASH to 888-777.

What to expect tonight:

BL2019-7 - This ordinance will allow properties that have two dwellings (A and B units), each property owner will be able to have STRP permits. Currently, two dwellings on one property will not be able to have two STRP permits, it will only allow one person to have a permit.

BL2020-456 - This bill would require landlords to notify tenants, 60 days prior, of a residential rental lease not being renewed.

BL2020-457 -This bill will restrict Metro from entering into agreements or contracts to acquire surveillance footage or data captured by technology owned by a person or business without the direct consent of that person or business, and to clarify that the existing prohibition on the operation of license plate scanning equipment pertains to the scanning of license plates within the public rights-of-way. There are several proposed amendments to this legislation and it could be found here in the Proposed Amendments Packet.

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 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.

BL2020-494 -This ordinance would create another exception from the license plate scanner ban to allow the use of such scanners by law enforcement for the purpose of enforcing state and local laws pertaining to reckless driving, especially for the prosecution of persons engaged in illegal drag racing activity at speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour and at mass gatherings within the right-of-way or when intersections are unlawfully shut down to accommodate drag racing activity. To the fullest extent permitted by state law, license plate data could only be retained while a prosecution is pending.

Dates to remember:

• All in-person meetings (large/small groups or one-on-one) that I have scheduled are postponed in light of the increasing COVID-19 concerns and will not be rescheduled until further notice. 

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].

Nashville COVID-19 Response

As of November 2, Metro-Nashville is in Phase III of the Coronavirus response. 

In my last email to you. I shared that there are 5 finalists in the Chief of Police search. Below, I have linked the interviews for all 5 candidates.

• Darryl McSwain - Watch the interview 
• John Drake - Watch the interview
• Troy Gay - Watch the interview
• Kristen Ziman - Watch the interview
• Larry Scirotto - Watch the interview

What to expect tonight:

There are several zoning items on Public Hearing tonight. District 21 does not have any items on Public Hearing.

RS2020-611 - This is a resolution to direct $24M from the CARES Act Fund to MNPS for technological supplies and computers for teachers and students.

BL2020-505 - On first reading, CM Hall is asking for the Council Body to amend appropriations in the fiscal year budget for the Long Term Care Facility at Bordeaux (Bordeaux Hospital). The facility is scheduled to close on January 1, 2021. This is asking for monies to be used to keep Bordeaux Hospital open for the remainder of 2021 and not close at the end of January.

BL2020-300 - This is an ordinance that would restrict construction in residential areas between 7:00 am - 7:00 pm. There is a substitute for this bill. You can find the substitute in the Proposed Amendments Packet.

BL2020-456 - This bill was born out of BL2020-224, a bill sponsored by me. It answers many questions regarding early evictions and non-renewals of rental agreements and leases. 

BL2020-450 - This ordinance will change the name of Nashville's 5th Ave to John Lewis Way. U.S. Congressman John Lewis spent several years in Nashville during the Civil Rights Movement. WPLN has a great article regarding the street renaming.

BL2019-79 - A STRP ordinance that would require STRP owners with a permit to live in the home and not leave the home for over 15 hours consecutively. There is a substitute for this bill and it can be found in the Proposed Amendments Packet. 

Dates to remember:

• All in-person meetings (large/small groups or one-on-one) that I have scheduled are postponed in light of the increasing COVID-19 concerns and will not be rescheduled until further notice. 

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 are resolutions on public hearing, and we are meeting in person again tonight. You can join us, we'll be at the Music City Center.

You may have noticed that the Council Meeting agendas have changed slightly and the link to the current legislation looks different. We have transitioned to a new legislative programming that should make it easier for staff to update. It also should be helpful for you. The new programming shares more detail regarding each item of legislation. It displays the history of the bill, you can see how we voted and follow a bill easily from beginning to end. Please take advantage of this be programming, it will help you stay informed of how Metro is moving.

Trash and Recycling Day Changes

On November 2, Metro Public Works will be updating trash and recycling days. Click here to see if your area has any updated collection days. Not all areas will see a change, but I would encourage you to review the website to confirm.

Police Cheif Search

Nashville's new Police Cheif search has been narrowed down to five candidates. If you recall, Cheif Steve Anderson announced his retirement in June and the plan was for him to stay through October and play a big role in recruiting the next MNPD Cheif of Police. That all suddenly changed in August, and Cheif Anderson announced his retirement effective in early August. The five candidates are as follows... 

• John Drake: Interim Chief of Police Drake has served Nashville as a member of the Metropolitan Police Department for 32 years. His previous positions include deputy chief for community supervision and commander of the Central Precinct.
• Troy Gay: Assistant Chief Troy Gay is the chief of staff for the Austin Police Department. Assistant Chief Gay has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, including seven years of experience at the assistant chief level.
• Darryl McSwain: Chief McSwain has served as the chief of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police for the past two years. Prior to that, he served as the assistant chief for field services for the police department of Montgomery County, Maryland — a jurisdiction of more than a million residents in the metropolitan Washington area.
• Larry Scirotto: Scirotto is the former assistant chief of professional standards with the Pittsburgh Police Department, where he oversaw policy and program development, training and education, and internal investigations. Prior to that, he oversaw the Major Crimes Unit.
• Kristen Ziman: Ziman serves as the Aurora Police Chief, overseeing the second-largest police department in Illinois. She joined APD in 1994 and became Aurora's first female police chief in 2016.

Join us on Halloween! 

You are invited to the Nashville North Collaborative's Fall Family Drive-In and Get Out The Vote Rally on October 31st at Ted Rhoades Soccer Fields in Metro Center.

What to expect tonight:

We have several Commission confirmations and a few Beer Board Resolutions on public hearing tonight. 

RS2020-527 - This is a resolution to direct $1.5M in CARES Act funding to JUMP and StreetWorx... I've spoken to the Executive Director of these organizations, and they would like to move in a different direction to ask for funding. I think they will work with the CARES Act committee for funding.

BL2020493 - On first reading, this is an ordinance to not allow large vehicles such as school buses, tow trucks, commercial buses, recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers, to park on any public streets and alleys. Many of you have asked about vehicles parked in the right-of-way similar to the vehicles describe in this legislation. I like this bill, and I have signed on as a co-sponsor.

Substitute BL2020-224 -Introduced by me... This bill will require landlords of residential property to provide a notice of an intent to list the property for sale. The current bill reads a 90-day notice, but we have amended the bill to 30-days notice. Check out this News Channel 5 story to learn more.

BL2020-455 - On second reading, this ordinance is to extend the beer permit for curbside delivery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

BL2020-456 - Similar to BL2020-224, this bill would require a time limit on the notice of a non-renewal of a rental lease. As written, landlords will have to give 90 days' notice to the tenant prior to not renewing the lease. The sponsor asked for a deferral in committee, so this will be deferred one meeting. 

BL2020-461 - This ordinance will approve the hire of a Cheif Diversity, Equity, and, Inclusion Officer in the Mayor's office and a Workforce Diversity Manager. 

Dates to remember:

• All in-person meetings (large/small groups or one-on-one) that I have scheduled are postponed in light of the increasing COVID-19 concerns and will not be rescheduled until further notice. 

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's a public hearing, and we are meeting in person for the first time since March. You can join us, we'll be at the Music City Center.

Over the past week or so, I had the opportunity to unplug and have a stay-cation... This was extremely needed and helpful. The meeting tonight will be the first meeting of my second year to serve as your Council Member. During my time away, I had a chance to reflect on the year, and we have made some great strides to address some of our campaign key issues... We set out to add much-needed infrastructure investments: As you look around, we have new pavement, streetlights, crosswalks, and added more sidewalks. Thank you for your help and for sharing areas that could use these upgrades. We wanted to Decrease Crime and Increase Transparency... I know crime still happens in our communities, but our precinct Commanders see a decrease in violent offenses. We also wanted to mitigate dumping... This is a work in progress. My goal is to provide healthy environments in our communities. I have begun this process to slow the dumping and, with your help, continue to work towards our goal!  Lastly, we wanted to have smart growth and unified communities... I know that the COVID-19 pandemic has paused our meetings, but we began this term with transparency and communication regarding the growth we would like to see in our neighborhoods. As the city continues to boom, we will play a huge role, and as development comes I am committed to growth that works for you and your neighbors.

Happy FALL!!

You are invited to the Nashville North Collaborative's Fall Family Drive-In and Get Out The Vote Rally on October 31st at Ted Rhoades Soccer Fields inMetro Center.

Complete your Census Today!

District 21 in Nashville, our District, has one of the lowest Census response rates throughout the State of Tennessee. Please reach out to me if you'd like to help move the Census forward. Don't forget to complete your Census. You can visit 2020Census.Gov to complete it now. The 2020 Census has been extended for another month, so please take advantage of this opportunity.

What to expect tonight:

RS2020-546 - This is a resolution to approve CARES Act funding of $32,100,000 to be appropriated to various Metro Government departments to reimburse from COVID-19 spending on items such as, but not limited to, Hazard Pay for employees, Lab testing costs, PPE, and safety supplies, staffing and temporary labor, etc. 

RS2020-552 -WEGO Transit is working to bring a Transit station to North Nashville at 26th Ave N and Clarksville Hwy. This resolution is one of the first steps to making this possibility a reality.

Substitute BL2020-224 -Introduced by me... This bill will require landlords of residential property to provide a notice of an intent to list the property for sale. The current bill reads a 90-day notice, but we have amended the bill to 30-days notice.

Dates to remember:

• All in-person meetings (large/small groups or one-on-one) that I have scheduled are postponed in light of the increasing COVID-19 concerns and will not be rescheduled until further notice. 

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's a public hearing on a few resolutions tonight as well... Tune in to the meeting to call on any item to speak for or against the legislation. 

In June, the Metro Council voted on one of the most critical budgets we have been faced with in a while. We were approaching receivership from the State of Tennessee Comptroller's office, if we were to get this wrong, the State of Tennessee was to take over Metro's finances - the officials we elected would not be able to make any fiduciary decisions for the individuals we serve.

Fast forward to today, there is now a discussion to add a referendum to November's election - Which brings me to this sidebar, Make a Plan to Vote Early now! - to repeal the budget vote and only allow the Metro Council, representatives elected by the people, to not have the authority to make any changes in the tax levy. To be honest, this frightens me. Just a few months ago, I received numerous calls from constituents that had the waste/trash collection missed for three weeks. We closed four schools in Nashville, and again, the State of Tennessee would likely take over our finances. 

Complete your Census Today!

District 21 in Nashville, our District, has one of the lowest Census response rates throughout the State of Tennessee. Please reach out to me if you'd like to help move the Census forward. Don't forget to complete your Census. You can visit 2020Census.Gov to complete it now. Davidson County currently has a response rate of, only, 59.8%, however, District 21 is closer to 30%. The Census is extremely important for our communities to receive much-needed investments. This helps funds to reach us from the federal government directly to your neighborhood. Williamson County (I'm not a fan of comparing ourselves to Williamson County) has a 75.6% response rate. When you are driving through the city on federal highways, think of the Census! If we need funds to increase lanes, fix that pothole, or add better signage and lights, the Census is what gives our representatives in the federal government to advocate for those needs.

What to expect tonight:

RS2020-521 - Sponsored by me...This resolution exempts Willie B’s Kitchen & Lounge, located at 918 Buchanan Street, from the minimum distance requirements for obtaining a beer permit. 

BL2020-423 -This ordinance amends Section 4.36.020 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws regarding suspension or debarment of a person under the Procurement Code. Suspension and debarment are two remedies in the Procurement Code for a contractor’s failure to follow the terms of the contract and/or applicable laws. After providing reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard, the purchasing agent, upon consultation with the using agency and the director of law, has the authority to debar a contractor for cause from consideration for award of contracts. The debarment cannot be for a period of more than three years. As an alternative to debarment, the purchasing agent may suspend a contractor from consideration for award of contracts for up to three months if there is probable cause for debarment. The authority to debar or suspend must be exercised in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Procurement Standards Committee. This ordinance would create a public list, available online, of persons suspended or debarred under Section 4.36.020. This would be updated whenever a person is debarred, suspended, or no longer subject to debarment or suspension.

BL2020-426 -An ordinance establishing a program for the purpose of providing assistance to low-income elderly residents of the Metropolitan Government for the fiscal year 2020-2021.

BL2020-387 - – This ordinance amends the Metropolitan Code pertaining to health insurance benefits for Councilmembers after they leave office. This ordinance was deferred indefinitely at the recommendation of the Personnel, Public Information, and Human Relations Committee at its August 18 meeting over the objection of the sponsor. This will be on Public Hearing.

Dates to remember:

• All in-person meetings (large/small groups or one-on-one) that I have scheduled are postponed in light of the increasing COVID-19 concerns and will not be rescheduled until further notice. 

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's a public hearing tonight as well... Tune in to the meeting to call on any item to speak for or against the ordinance. 

Also, I am honored to be appointed as the Health, Hospitals, and Social Services Chair for the Metro Council for the 2020/2021 year. 

On Thursday, we will be 6 months removed from the tornado that devastated the city. Many families are working to slowly recover. Just last night, I was invited to tour one of our neighbor's homes as he and his family rebuild from the ground up. it was great to see a smile on his face, the morning of the tornado, I visited this family and all that was salvageable was a photo album. We will never be able to rebuild the lives we once had, but there are a few silver linings. Our neighbor that shared the shell of his new home with me was excited for the future and his new home. He mentioned that he will always have the memories from their old home, yet, he cannot wait to make new memories in his forever home. 

Thank you, neighbors, for your resiliency. I drive around the District several times a week to see how the rebuilding process is going. It will take a while for us to rebuild, however, we will come back even stronger. 

Check out the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and several organizations rooted in North Nashville that are helping with disaster and emergency relief. Here are a few that are working now... Gideon's Army, Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship (IMF), Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership, Inc. (J.U.M.P.), Lee Chapel AME Church, New Covenant Christian Church, Greater Heights Missionary Baptist Church, NAACP Nashville, Northwest Family YMCA, Catholic Charities of Tennessee - McGruder Family Resource Center, Meharry Medical College, Tennessee State University Foundation, Rebuilding Together Nashville, The Equity Alliance, and Urban League of Middle Tennessee. These organizations jumped in on the ground floor and have committed to working until individuals in our communities are back to whole and better. If you or someone you know need relief, of any kind, from the tornado, please reach out to one or several of these organizations to find the help you are looking for.

Complete your Census Today!

District 21 in Nashville, our District, has one of the lowest Census response rates throughout the State of Tennessee. Please reach out to me if you'd like to help move the Census forward. Don't forget to complete your Census. You can visit 2020Census.Gov to complete it now. Davidson County currently has a response rate of, only, 59.8%, however, District 21 is closer to 30%. The Census is extremely important for our communities to receive much-needed investments. This helps funds to reach us from the federal government directly to your neighborhood. Williamson County (I'm not a fan of comparing ourselves to Williamson County) has a 75.6% response rate. When you are driving through the city on federal highways, think of the Census! If we need funds to increase lanes, fix that pothole, or add better signage and lights, the Census is what gives our representatives in the federal government to advocate for those needs.

What to expect tonight:

BL2019-7 -This ordinance amends the Metropolitan Code pertaining to owner-occupied STRP permits for two-family dwellings. The Code currently requires both dwellings to be under the same ownership in order for a two-family dwelling to have an owner-occupied STRP permit. This ordinance would create a mechanism whereby two separate owner-occupied STRP permits could be issued for two-family dwellings when the units are owned by different persons and each unit is the primary residence of the corresponding owner. No more than two permits could be issued per lot, and only one permit could be issued per dwelling unit. 

BL2019-79 - This ordinance would prohibit owner-occupied STRs from allowing all the bedrooms in a home to be listed/advertised. It also would require STR owners to not leave the home for more than 15 hours at a time during a 24 hour period. There is a substitute bill that would remove the 15-hour requirement and change language in how you can advertise the home. Check out the substitute here. 

BL2020-426 -An ordinance establishing a program for the purpose of providing assistance to low-income elderly residents of the Metropolitan Government for the fiscal year 2020-2021.

BL2020-224 - I'm sponsoring this bill. As currently written, this bill would require landlords to notify tenants of intent to sell a property within 90 days of listing. I am introducing an amendment that will lower the notice to 30 days and allow apartment complexes with 100 or more units and/or landlords that are using a written to lease to add a provision in the lease for this notice. Check out the amendment here. 

BL2020-403 - CM Parker has introduced a great bill that would allow more restaurants to offer sidewalk cafes. With the limited seating in our restaurants due to COVID-19, we will be able to offer more seating for customers and small businesses will be able to serve more individuals in a day. He has an amendment and you can clickhere to review.

BL2020-387 - – This ordinance amends the Metropolitan Code pertaining to health insurance benefits for Councilmembers after they leave office. This ordinance was deferred indefinitely at the recommendation of the Personnel, Public Information, and Human Relations Committee at its August 18 meeting over the objection of the sponsor. This will be on Public Hearing.

Dates to remember:

• All in-person meetings (large/small groups or one-on-one) that I have scheduled are postponed in light of the increasing COVID-19 concerns and will not be rescheduled until further notice. 

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