EVENTS
Trash and recycling are sometimes affected by Metro holidays. Since July 4 fell on a Sunday this year, the weekly schedule was unchanged. The next holiday that does affect the pick-up schedule will be Labor Day in September. The annual trash schedule with holiday changes can be found on the Nashville.gov website.
Neighbor 2 Neighbor is sponsoring on-going topics of neighborhood interest.
- Thursday, July 8, 2021- What is Conservatorship and Does My Neighbor Need it?
- Thursday, July 15, 2021 - The Power of a Neighborhood Newsletter
- Thursday, July 22, 2021 - Getting Ready for National Night Out Against Crime
- Thursday, July 29, 2021 - Preventing Sewer Clogs and Overflows in Our Neighborhoods
Sign up at the Neighbor 2 Neighbor website.
The Eviction Moratorium has been extended by the CDC until July 30. Renters and landlords can both apply for rental assistance grants through the Metro Action Commission (MAC) that can make up as much as 12 months of rental payments in arrears. Information is available here.
Brush pick-up begins July 6 in Area 8 (Green Hills, Hillsboro West End, Belmont Hillsboro, Percy Warner, Devonshire), July 13 in Area 9 (Bellevue, West Meade, Hillwood, White Bridge, Cherokee Park, Richland West End, Sylvan Park, Sylvan Heights, Hadley, Fisk Watkins Park), July 26 in Area 10 (Whites Bend, Charlotte Park, Cockrill Bend, Nations, TSU, College Heights, Germantown, Buena Vista), and August 5 in Area11 (Joelton, Whites Creek, Marrowbone, Scottsboro, Bells Bend, Bordeaux, Haynes Heights, Haynes Manor). Download the map and schedule.
ISSUES
Metro Water Services still needs neighbors to Adopt a Storm Drain. Keeping drains clear of sticks, leaves, and trash can help prevent flooding during big summer thunderstorms. To adopt a storm drain near you, visit the Metro.gov website.
With summer comes an onslaught of mosquitoes, which are more than just a nuisance. Mosquitoes pose a serious health risk to our local communities. With many vector-borne diseases present in North America, it is important to limit mosquito populations with a fully integrated approach that includes public education. The most effective way to reduce mosquito populations is to consistently remove any standing water anywhere in your yard. This can include birdbaths, empty buckets, toys. Mosquitoes can reproduce in a surprisingly small amount of water, but denying them that tiny bit can stop the cycle.
Metro Public Works is still offering information on How to Recycle Right. The Recycle Right Virtual Workshop is July 13. Register here.
The Referendum Election July 27 has been cancelled but could be rescheduled to September 21. The six items proposed would move Nashville toward a referendum style of government that would increase the number of elections held and would require citizens to vote on the certified tax rate, public land use, elected official benefits. Some of these items are contrary to the state constitution so the lawyers and election officials are still working on being sure the results of an election can be enacted before we spend time and resources on the election.
Nashville in January 2020 committed to achieving Vision Zero status, which means reducing traffic deaths for pedestrians to zero. In 2020, a record 39 people died on Nashville streets while walking or riding bikes. Many other cities have shown that better intersection design can dramatically reduce that number. Nashville’s Vision Zero team – which will join the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) in July – has spent a year analyzing local traffic incident data and working with community groups on an action plan. That plan – which will include recommendations for short- and long-term safety improvements will also incorporate input from the Vision Zero community survey. The Vision Zero community survey takes five minutes or less to complete. To participate, go to hubNashville or visit Nashville’s Vision Zero webpage. The action plan is set for public release later this year. In the meantime, NDOT will expand safety improvements already being made across Davidson County, including:
- Projects at some of Nashville’s most dangerous spots, which Walk Bike Nashville first identified, and Mayor Cooper named as priority areas when he launched Nashville’s Vision Zero mandate
- Re-lamping, upgrades and new lighting projects at dangerous pedestrian crossings – 25 of which Metro Public Works, in partnership with Nashville Electric Service and Tennessee Department of Transportation, completed this spring
- Lowering the speed limit on neighborhood streets from 30 to 25 miles per hour to re-establish a safer baseline for motorists and create calmer, quieter streets for residents. Neighbors who value safety on our local streets can serve as pace cars by observing the lowered speed limit and reminding cars behind them that slowing down saves lives.
That’s the news for July. I hope everyone had a great holiday. Please let me know what issues are on your mind. Contact me at 615-383-6604 or burkley.allen@nashville.gov.
Regards,
Burkley Allen
Metro Council At-Large