April Update

EVENTS

Brush Pick-up begins in

• Area 7 (Edgehill, 12th South, Battlemont, Green Hills) on April 2
• Area 8 (Green Hills, Hillsboro West End, Belmont Hillsboro, Percy Warner, Devonshire) on April 7
• Area 9 (Bellevue, West Meade, Hillwood, White Bridge, Cherokee Park, Richland West End, Sylvan Park, Sylvan Heights, Hadley, Fisk Watkins Park) on April 11
• Area 10 (Whites Bend, Charlotte Park, Cockrill Bend, Nations, TSU, College Heights, Germantown, Buena Vista) on April 22,
• Area 11 (Joelton, Whites Creek, Marrowbone, Scottsboro, Bells Bend, Bordeaux, Haynes Heights, Haynes Manor ) on April 25

A map and schedule are available on the NDOT website .

The Great Nashville Jewish Community Relations Committee is observing a Social Justice Seder at 6pm-8:30pm on April 3 at the Gordon Jewish Community Center (801 Percy Warner Blvd). This event is open to the entire community of Nashville. Advanced registration is required. The JCRC Social Justice Seder was started as a way to bridge the Jewish and general communities in greater Nashville. The idea for a social justice seder was brought to Nashville by the late activist Avi Poster, and is presented each year to strengthen, broaden, and deepen our partnership and relationship with people and organizations devoted to the work of social justice, promoting the values of justice, kindness, compassion, inclusion, and respect for the way diversity makes us stronger together.

The Metro Trustee, Erica Gilmore wants to remind everyone that the deadline to apply for Senior Tax Freeze is April 5. Property owners over the age of 65 that meet certain income thresholds can apply each year to keep their tax payment frozen at the level when they first applied. This must be renewed each year. More information is on the Trustee website.

The Property Assessment process is on-going, and values will be mailed out in mid-April. Property owners who feel that their assessment is incorrect can ask for an informal review at http://www.padctn.org/review-appeal/informal-review-request/ . The deadline for informal appeal is usually the end of April. Informal Review decisions will be mailed by mid-May. If your Informal Review decision results in a change of property value, it is important that you be aware that it will not affect your 2025 tax billing, but will be effective for the 2026 assessment year. There are also further appeals options at the formal and state level. Property owners with questions can call the Property Assessor’s office at (615) 862-6080 or visit padctn.org.

April is Earth Month, and all kinds of activities are taking place through the month to increase awareness of the amazing planet that houses and nurtures us.

The Cumberland River Compact is thrilled to be leading Nashville’s No Mow Month campaign for its third year. Throughout April, Davidson County residents are encouraged to refrain from mowing their lawns to preserve local ecosystems and mitigate stormwater. Allowing grass to grow taller reduces stormwater runoff and fosters healthier habitats for wildlife. At no cost, participants in No Mow Month will receive a distinctive yard sign to display their commitment to environmental stewardship throughout April. The Compact is partnering with Metro Nashville on this initiative, so residents who display a yard sign and make sure their grass remains under 12” tall will not be subject to relevant code violations. The partnership is a joint effort to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of traditional lawn care practices. Traditionally manicured lawns generate more stormwater runoff when it rains. This runoff carries pollutants like pet waste, fertilizers, and motor oil into nearby waterways. By letting grass grow taller, homeowners allow it to establish deeper root systems which break up the soil, allow more water to be absorbed, and filter pollutants before they reach our creeks and streams. The mission of the Cumberland River Compact is to enhance the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries through education, collaboration, and action. To learn more about the organization and its initiatives, please visit the website.

Food Waste Prevention Week is April 7-13 . This is a week to raise awareness about the many reasons and ways to reduce food waste.

Reducing food waste saves money. Every year, Americans lose more than $218 billion on wasted food. Households are responsible for the most wasted food. If we begin to reduce and prevent food waste, we can save that money that is wasted on spoiled food.

Reducing food waste reduces hunger in our communities. In the US, approximately 40% of all food grown and produced is never eaten. That’s a lot of food wasted that could go to people that don’t have access to food. 1 in 5 people lack consistent access to nutritious food, while up to 3 million tons of wasted food goes to landfills annually. Recovered food provides an additional source of nutritious food.

Reducing food waste protects the environment. Reducing food waste is the #1 personal action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while safeguarding critical natural resources. When food is wasted, it goes into a landfill. Once in a landfill, food waste breaks down and emits greenhouse gasses, including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).

Easy ways to reduce food waste include

• Shop wisely by planning meals, using shopping lists, purchasing accurate quantities, and avoiding impulse buys.

• Properly store foods and correctly utilize fridge space. Freeze food before it spoils, including milk, cheese, eggs, and meat.

• Use all parts of food and process foods so that they last longer with techniques like canning, fermentation and preserving.

• Eat leftovers before they go bad.

• Interpret date labels as estimates of top quality rather than end dates for safety (unless the words “use by” appear before the date). (Policymakers and manufacturers can also adopt a standardized system of date labels to reduce consumer confusion.)

Tennessee is a leader in this growing national movement, and Nashville’s main event is Simmer by the Nashville Food Project. People who want to support the movement can join The Nashville Food Project on April 11 for a special fundraising dinner that also highlights the power of thoughtful, resourceful cooking in reducing food waste while nourishing the community. Acclaimed chefs Charles Hunter III (The Salted Table) and Bianca Morton (The Nashville Food Project) will craft a multi-course meal showcasing creative ways to use ingredients fully and to minimize waste — proving that sustainability and delicious dining go hand in hand. Ticket includes a four-course dinner, along with cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. This is a 21+ event. Funds raised from this dinner help support The Nashville Food Project’s mission of bringing people together to grow, cook, and share nourishing food, with the goals of cultivating community and alleviating hunger in our city. Reserve your seat below and be part of a night where good food meets a great cause here .

Nashville’s Earth Day Celebration will take place on Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 11 AM to 5 PM at the Centennial Park Bandshell. This free family event brings the Nashville community together to celebrate our planet, inspire positive environmental change, and support sustainable small businesses & nonprofits. Nashville Earth Day will feature engaging & educational activities from a variety of exhibitors and vendors, including: local growers & makers, nonprofits, sustainable small businesses, and state/metro government agencies. The Nashville Tree Foundation will be giving away free trees. There will be live music and speakers on topics including home composting, sustainable cooking, gardening, recycling, and more. For more information, visit the website.

International Dark Skies Week is April 21-28. This is an opportunity to reduce unnecessary lighting to help migratory birds navigate better, to save energy, and to bring back the night sky. Look for star parties and activities in local parks and the Adventure Science Center. The Barnard Seyfert Astronomical Society (BSAS) will be hosting a star party at Warner Parks the Special Events Field located at 61 Vaughn Rd on April 13. Register by emailing wpnc@nashville.gov. Beaman Park Nature Center and BSAS are hosting a star party on May 3 at the other end of the county . Interested neighbors can learn about constellations, see cool astronomical phenomena (like the moons of Jupiter) through telescopes, and learn about how light pollution affects bird migration this time of year.

All Metro Parks Nature Centers have great educational programs this time of year. From springwildflower to birdwatching to organic gardening, there is something for everyone and all ages. More information is available on their websites .

Metro Parks offers a variety of free and low cost music, theater, dance, enrichment, and sports camps during the summer. The Summer Enrichment Program for 2025 begins June 3. Sign-ups for the very popular Summer Enrichment Program are May 3 from 8 a.m. to noon at all neighborhood and regional community centers. Programs fill up quickly. Information about regional centers is on the Parks webpage.

The Metropolitan Action Commission has paid work experiences, internships, and peer leader opportunities available for Davidson County youth between the ages of 14-24 years old. The deadline to apply is April 25. The agency’s POWER Youth Summer Employment initiative partners with employers within Metro Government, businesses, non-profits, and other organizations to provide seasonal, part-time, year-round and career preparation experiences. To access the portal, applicants should go to http://poweryouth.nashville.gov. The youth summer opportunities are coordinated by age-appropriate groupings.     

• Ages 14-15. Experience Work participants make $12 per hour while working on art or community development projects.
• Ages 16-19. High School Interns make $15 per hour work independently at private, public, non-profit, and university job sites, and receive pre-program training and coaching to ensure they have the skills needed on the job.
• Ages 14-24. Direct Hire opportunities with local businesses are posted on the site for all ages up to 24.

All positions, except for the year-round positions, will begin June 2 and end July 18. Applicants must have a Davidson County address to be eligible for the POWER Youth Summer Employment program. For questions regarding the POWER Youth Summer Employment programs or how to apply, call 615-862-8860 or visit the MAC website.

Judge Lynda Jones is accepting summer internship applications from high school students who have an interest in legal careers Parking and lunches are provided for 2 weeks while students are exposed to both criminal and civil litigation. Please call 615-880-3672 for an application. The deadline for submission is April 30.

The Metro Arts Commission is hosting Community Engagement events to talk about arts grants. More information is available on the Arts website.

The St. Jude Rock and Roll Marathon is taking place Saturday, April 27 starting at 6:30 at Broadway and 8th Avenue. The event benefits St Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Multiple distances are included so everyone can participate. Choose from Marathon, Half Marathon, 6.15 Mile, 5K. Shorter races on Sunday, April 28 include the 1 Mile, KiDSROCK, and the Doggie Dash. Register at https://www.runrocknroll.com/nashville The route is similar to past years, going out Music Row, 12th South, Clifton, Belmont, the Gulch, Rosa Parks, Metro Center, Woodland St S 5th,Davidson St, Shelby Park, finishing at Nissan Stadium. Information about street closings is here . WeGo Public Transit will run the Music City Star to transport runners and supporters from Wilson County and Donelson to the marathon. The train to the marathon is a collaborative effort between WeGo, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Wilson County. All ticket proceeds will benefit St. Jude. Tickets cost $15 plus a $2 processing fee and may be purchased with a credit card through TicketsNashville.com. Tickets will be on sale until 24 hours prior to departure or until tickets are sold out, whichever comes first. The train will depart Lebanon Station at 5 am, stopping at others along the way and arrive at the Riverfront Station at 6 am. The return train to Lebanon leaves Riverfront Station at noon. Please note, the return trip is subject to change if inclement weather causes a delay to the start of the marathon.

ISSUES

At the request of Metro Council, the Metro Planning Department and other development-related departments have undertaken a Housing & Infrastructure Study - a holistic look at residential development and Nashville’s existing/planned infrastructure capacity. The H & I Study also explores if current zoning policies or other barriers harm Metro’s ability to address the city’s housing needs. Metro Planning hosted H & I Community Conversations in March and is now holding drop-in comment sessions at the Planning Department to provide input. Because the report includes in-depth analysis of complicated challenges, Planning is holding Office Hours from April 1 – April 14 to provide opportunities for community members to bring questions and feedback about the Findings Report. More details on the Office Hours are located on the website. There will be more engagement opportunities focused on draft recommendations in May that will be announced through the website, social media, and our newsletter.

Our Place Nashville is an organization that partners with non-profit organizations to provide brick-and-mortar housing called Friendship Houses throughout the city for adults with developmental disabilities. They are taking applications for neurotypical resident “housemates” who act as companions and help build community with their resident friends. Their housemates often include graduate students, young professionals in starter jobs, musicians, older adults, even a motivational speaker who are and have been our awesome Friendship House housemates. If you know anyone with a big heart who is looking for affordable housing and wants to be a part of our inclusive, integrated community, please have them APPLY TODAY!

Metro has over 70 Boards and Commissions that help implement the goals and policies of the Metro Departments. These are made up of citizens from all over the county who bring their diverse perspectives and expertise to ensure good decision making. Board members are appointed by the mayor or vice-mayor and approved by the Metro Council. The Mayor’s Office is always looking for good people to serve. There are openings coming up for the Rail Authority, Historic Zoning Commission, Fire and Building Code Appeals Board, Entertainment Commission, Metro Action Commission, Entertainment Board, Auditorium Commission, Employee Benefit Board, and Tourism Commission. Anyone who is interested in being considered can look through the different Boards and Commissions pages and sign up through the application link at the bottom of each page.

The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) is launching an anti-littering campaign aimed at keeping Nashville’s streets and rights-of-way cleaner. The campaign features a love to hate litterbug character named Trashley, who will appear in online advertisements, billboards and commercials. Trashley’s character will make appearances around town nto raise awareness about the city’s litter challenges, encourage residents to report litter through hubNashville, and take action to keep their neighborhoods clean. Litter is an eyesore; it blocks storm drains and pollutes our waterways. There are approximately 88 million pieces of litter on Tennessee roadways. In November 2024 alone, volunteers collected nearly 70,000 pounds of litter from the state’s roads and waterways. Additionally, it’s estimated that 18% of all littered items end up in our streams and waterways, causing significant environmental harm. Residents can report litter through hubNashville by visiting hub.nashville.gov, or by calling 311. For more information about the campaign, visit stoplitter.nashville.gov.

Happy Spring ! Please let me know how Metro can serve you at burkley.allen@nashville.gov or 615-383-6604. Sign up for this newsletter at www.burkley.org .

Burkley Allen
Metro Council At-Large