Meeting Minutes: Sept. 27 HEN Meeting

Police/Crime Report:
Commander Imhof reported that crime is down 6.2% compared to this date last year. Recent crimes include: 5 burglaries, 2 domestic violence incidents, and 4 robberies (Suspect Shawn Summers was arrested and confessed to the last robbery; no more robberies have occurred, so police think he may have been responsible for all four.) There were 8 car thefts; in 6 cases, the car was unlocked. There was an incident of road rage on Woodland St.; the driver of a grey Honda tried to run over a couple who were riding bicycles. Let police know if you witnessed and have knowledge of this crime.
 
Neighbors have been concerned about crime in Shelby Park after a recent homicide there. Imhof said the homicide was related to a drug deal that just by coincidence occurred in the park.  There is actually very little crime in Shelby Park; most crime involves theft of purses and other items left in parked cars.
 
Helpful Crime Prevention Sites
This is the link to the East Precinct Facebook page that the Commander Imhof mentioned and asked us to “like.”
https://www.facebook.com/East-Precinct-Metropolitan-Nashville-Police-Department-141430459208980/
 
Another Metro Police page, not specific to East Nashville. It lists the press releases from Metro specific to the police. Much of this information is duplicated to Facebook. It's an easier format to sift through for the specific types of things one neighbor was asking about at the meeting.
http://www.nashville.gov/Police-Department/Media-Releases.aspx
 
This is the link to the East Nashville Neighborhood Watch page that Bob Acuff mentioned.  It's a well-moderated community page.  Bob and company do a good job of reigning in the social media chatter and removing destructive members.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/EastNashvilleNeighborhoodWatch/
 
Metro Council Report:
Councilman Withers explained the issues around the recently passed “One Touch Make Ready” ordinance, which was passed to help Google Fiber expand to Nashville. A longer discussion of the topic is available on Councilman Withers Facebook page. He expressed his concern regarding the speed with which the legislation was drafted without adequate exploration of other solutions and in spite of threatened lawsuits (AT&T has since sued Metro government).
 
Short-Term Rental Properties (Airbnb) Legislation: Legislation has passed that requires that short-term rentals (STRs) post their permit number in their ads. Also, Stop Work Orders have been issued which shut down STRs operating without permits; the Board of Zoning Appeals can impose fines of up to $50 a day for operating without a permit. STRs are considered transient hotels. There is still pending legislation that would make the number of STR guests consistent with rules for long-term rentals (not more than 3 unrelated persons).
 
There is also a proposed ordinance that would reduce the number of Type 2 Permits (for non-owner occupied STRPs) from 3% to 1% per census tract. There is a lawsuit pending that claims it is illegal to put any limits on the number of Type 2 STRPs allowed. There are no more Type 2 Permits available in Historic Edgefield. Type 1 (owner-occupied Airbnbs must have a permit, but there are no limits on availability). See the Historic Edgefield Facebook page for more information about Nashville Short Term Rentals. The reposted NPR piece is a good overview of the issues.
 
Beautification Report:
Mayor Berry’s Fall Green and Clean: On Saturday, Oct 1, at 8:00am, neighbors will meet at the corner of 6th and Russell St. for a neighborhood clean up. Gloves, trash grabbers, safety vests and bags will be provided. Many of the bad alley sites were cleaned up last spring, so much of the clean up will be litter and trash at Warner, East Park, and the streets and alleys.
 
Adults and kids welcome. If you oversleep, join us when you can. Metro will pick up collected trash at the East Park sign at 11:00. Anne Manner is coordinating the event. Denise Downs has a bag of daffodil bulbs from Metro to be planted at our Historic Edgefield entrance signs. She has some neighbors who are helping the beautification committee with the planting.
 
Other Reports.
We ran short of time to adequately cover some important items:

• We have street signs in need of repair.
• It’s time to pay Membership Dues: $25 each or $50 per household. See Jenny Alexander, Treasurer.  
• Historic Edgefield has items that have been stored at the Dimmitt’s that need to be moved.
• We need to plan our social meeting scheduled October 25. Halloween theme?