Minutes: HEN September Meeting

Historic Edgefield neighbors met on Tuesday, September 25, at East Park Community Center. Following introductions of attendees, the following topics were discussed:
 
MNPD Report: Mike Fisher

• Sgt. Fisher left cards for neighbors and encourages us all to communicate with him, report issues, express concerns. It’s important that MNPD have “constant communication” -- whatever the problem is (except parking), like speeding, noisy houses, etc.
• Statistics since June: 35 of 95 incidents are vehicle burglaries. This is a problem all over the city, not just in our neighborhood: 3 unlocked vehicles in the 700 and 800 blocks of Fatherland with firearms stolen; 60 firearms stolen from cars this year around the city. Car thefts are “juvenile crimes of opportunity.” They are just out looking and will take advantage of what they found; they then go and commit armed robberies with them. There have been 6 personal robberies. Sgt. Fisher encourages “situational awareness” -- related to an armed robbery at the ATM, people on the phone, etc. Handful of aggravated assaults but almost all were among the homeless; 8 residential burglaries; victims coming home and finding someone had been in their home; 6 vehicle thefts - 3 of them had the keys in them unlocked.
• Other news: Thursday, Oct. 27, at Burger Up there will be the Tip a Cop fundraiser for Special Olympics; police volunteer and support the staff and guests from Special Olympics will share their stories.
• Neighbor concern: Homeless people in the park; legally there then there’s nothing to be done, BUT call if they are drunk and passed out, doing drugs, or breaking the law in some way. Call 862-8600 and/or email Sgt. Fisher. There’s just a general lack of resources to address the homeless situation.

 
Nashville Clean Water Project: Jana

• This organization is a wing of Water City USA - Adopt a Storm Drain Project. Nashville has 40,000 storm drains; these can’t be kept up and kept clean without help, and trash that flows into them ends up in the river.
• Neighbors can help by cleaning trash on your curbs prior to it getting to the drain; you can also go to their website and “adopt” a storm drain to monitor and keep clean.
• Report chronic issues, polluters on their website: www.nashvilleH2O.org.
• The 2nd Wednesday of every month they hold a meeting at East Park Community Center (October 10th at 5:30 is the next Board meeting). All are invited.

 
Warner Elementary School: Jon Wren

• Jon Wren is new to the admin staff at Warner. Warner is 1 of 5 schools to get a federal assistance grant to become a STEAM Magnet School. They have a new dance program and studio - all students have dance every week; new after-school arts club with Turnip Green; new after-school choir as well with plans to add a theater program in the next couple of years.
• This Friday: Warner is hosting their first-ever East Nashville Artist Meetup - coffee, donuts, tour of the school; trying to connect Warner to the neighboring community.
• October 11 / 5:30 to 7PM: There is a Greek themed cultural night - 20% of Warner is foreign born - Demos will cater and the owner will talk and share his story.
• October 25 / 5:30 to 7PM: There will be a Literacy Night - Alice in Wonderland theme; Warner is looking to partner with local artists and leveraging the metro arts Thrive program.
• December 17 / Time TBD: There will be choir Holiday Concert.
• Here are some ways to partner: 1st graders need pen pals (learning to write letters); students studying architecture: students will do walking tours of the neighborhood (come outside and say hello if they stop by your house!); Christmas backpacks; general volunteer opportunities at Warner that can be with or without working with children directly.
• They want to be good neighbors so please email John around any issues of parking or litter or whatever else.
• Per the discussion: “We don’t need money. We need people.” You can contact Jon at jonathan.wren@mnps.org or 615.291.6395. Please follow Warner Arts Magnet on Facebook or Twitter.

 
Finance Report: Lois Layne

• HEN board is trying to maintain a certain bank balance to avoid fees. Money from membership dues goes to holiday party, social events, printing type expenses, etc. We would like to use some of the dues money to help with neighborhood needs including. supporting Warner Elementary.
• We have a problem with our street signs getting knocked down - were purchased at a time when the neighborhood had more money to also insure; now a problem because it costs about $5000+ to replace each one -> can only replace when the driver’s insurance covers -> options to look for cheaper replacements, find lower cost insurance, fundraisers, -> need to explore the costs if Metro were able to install.

 
Council Report: Brett Withers

• Parking: we had a well-attended community meeting last month; Edgefield is divided on what to do – no common ground on residential permit parking. Brett asked the council office to send a letter/survey to the 8-900 blocks of Russell to gather more insight/info on the household, times coming/going etc. -> already sent a limited letter/survey but did not capture all of the residents. Traffic and Parking Commission is the decider on this issue - county-wide body.
• Guest Permit system is quite bad currently. Brett has filed legislation to change some of the program such as not requiring going down to public works every time you have a guest -> could you buy an annual guest pass, change role of Council member in making a recommendation without first having a staff recommendation - Legislation is on first reading. It will be considered October 8th Traffic and Parking Commission meeting at 3pm.
• Working on legislation saying if your building permit is dependent on a parking lot then somehow that parking must be for the users of that building, unlike the WeWork situation where parking was encouraged in the neighborhood rather than in the adjacent pay lot.
• Other related: Looking at whether shared office uses should have different parking requirements than traditional offices (again related to We Work issues); 927 Woodland was a warehouse building; the only parking is pulling directly off of Woodland and is not sufficient. They don’t yet have a tenant mix to determine what the parking needs/requirements would be; owners have filed a request for a variance to keep current parking (not adjust sidewalk and such to current standards). Brett does not support a further parking reduction dependent on the tenant mix.
• Saturday, Sept. 29, at 2pm at Holy Name Loaves and Fishes building on Main Street, they will be renaming the Parrish hall in honor of Charlie Strobel.

 
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 27, at 7PM at East Park Community Center.