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Happy Thanksgiving!
As we are wrapping up 2019, I’m reflecting what I’ve learned about Brentwood this year. While I’ve lived here almost my entire life, it is still remarkable how much there is to our community. It has also been a reminder of how participating adds to the joy of being here. As we come into the holidays, I’m going to focus on the variety of ways people can plug in and get involved.
But first, the news:
News:
Construction of our new Police Headquarters is coming along
- The Brentwood City Commission passed an agreement with Williamson County to place a joint emergency medical and response station at our new Police Headquarters.
- Construction is progressing, and we have been able to take some aerial photos:
One-Lane Tunnels on Wilson Pike south of Ravenwood High School:
- TDOT is planning to signalize the one-lane tunnels on Wilson Pike to help address safety concerns.
- There is a contract, and the City of Brentwood staff expects the work to be complete sometime in early 2020.
- While not improving the geometric issues with these tunnels, the signals should eliminate the game of “chicken” that occurs every time someone drives through the tunnels.
Public Works Project Fees Update
- Brentwood City Commission approved updates to our Public Works Project Fee methodology and schedule on second reading, November 25.
- These fees assess new development for the cost of road capacity needed to serve new vehicle trips created by the development.
- More information and a copy of the existing and proposed fee schedules can be found at https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/departments/planning-codes/public-works-project-fees.
Development of New Housing Starts appears to be at its lowest level since 2009
- Through October 2019, Brentwood has 88 new housing starts.
- This is the lowest number since 2009.
- Source – City of Brentwood Departmental Reports, Planning and Codes Department.
City of Brentwood Evaluating Options for the Murray Lane/Holly Tree Gap Intersection
- The intersection where Murray Lane meets Holly Tree Gap is an opportunity for improvement.
- Alternatives to the current stop signs include signalization with wider turn lanes; a roundabout; or continuing on with all-way stop control.
- Consideration include:
- Safety
- Capacity to handle current and future traffic (including school traffic)
- Impact to neighboring properties
- Level of service
- Cost
- Constructability
- The City Commission has authorized and agreement with Neel-Schaffer for a study, which should take approximately 90 days to complete.
Brentwood has applied for a TDOT Traffic Signal Modernization Grant
- This program was designed by TDOT to help communities modernize existing traffic signal equipment and operations. Grant funds are capped at $250,000.
- Staff is proposing 32 new signal controllers to replace older models, video detection and a new signal cabinet at Wilson Pike and Raintree Parkways.
- The City Commission will continue to support staff in looking for opportunities to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow in Brentwood.
Calendar:
December 2nd – Annual Tree Lighting at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library
- Tree lighting at 5:30PM
- Reading of The Polar Express in the reading room at 5PM and 6PM.
- More detail here
December 7th – morning with Santa at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library
- Doors open at 9am on Saturday, December 7th
- Magician Scott Humston will amaze and delight with his fascinating magic and hilarious showmanship with shows at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, and 11:30 am.
- Enjoy refreshments, face painting, music, giveaways and of course, Santa Claus. Admission is free, but tickets are required and may be picked up at the Children’s Service Desk during regular library hours beginning Monday, November 18.
- More information at can be found here:
December 7 – Brentwood Luminaries
- Dusk – 9pm — Saturday, December 7 is the official night to display luminaries in your neighborhood.
- The city sets the date, but each Homeowner Association plans the details. To be on the safe side instead of using candles, try using glow sticks or flameless candles.
- In the event of rain or inclement weather, the luminary date will be Sunday, December 8. Each neighborhood, usually through its Homeowners Association, makes the final decision on luminary postponement.
 December 8 – A Mountain Christmas with Fred Frawley
- 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library.
- Dr. Fred Frawley, Folklorist and Minstrel, will present Christmas stories and songs from the Southern Appalachian tradition of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
- This is a free program, but you should register online here:
December 14 – Decorate Gingerbread Houses and Cookies
- Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 pm & 3:00 pm at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library.
- Come to the Library (registration required!) to decorate mini-gingerbread houses and gingerbread cookies. Plan on spending 30 minutes with your family and friends adding special sweets and icing to make it your own.
- Free registration for the two sessions can be found here and here. .
December 15 – Harpy Holidays
- Sunday, December 15 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library.
- Bring the whole family to enjoy a community concert featuring approximately 25 harpists and pianists.
- There will be a short informative talk about harps.
- Free registration here.
December 20 – Teen Holiday Movie & Cookie Decorating
- Come to the John P. Holt Brentwood Library at 4PM to watch the movie Elf (2003) while decorating sugar cookies!
- This Friday event is for teens ages 12-18 only.
- Register here:
December 24th and 25th – City Offices and Library Closed
February 1 2020 – The Yule Ball
- Art Tournament:
- Students submit original artwork that follows the inspirational quote – “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.” – Albus Dumbledore
- Submission window is January 20-31 2019.
- Art must be suitable for all audiences and be no larger than 20 x 24 inches (2D) or 12 x 12 x 12 inches (3D.) The contestant must live in the City of Brentwood, and must transport the art to the Library Circulation Desk.
- The winner will receive a grand prize of $100.
- Tri-Band Tournament
- Group bands and solo acts permitted!
- Compete for the chance to play at the City of Brentwood’s Summer Concert Series. One band member must live within the City of Brentwood, and all must be between the ages of 11 – 19.
- Submission Deadline is January 7th, 2020.
- The band must use their own equipment and songs should be family friendly. Tip jars and merch sales are not permitted. Previous winners are not eligible.
- To submit a band application, visit the John P. Holt Brentwood Library website and click on Library Programs, then the Harry Potter Alliance link (or use the link below).
- More information on all these programs can be found here.
This Month’s Focus: Opportunities to get involved with Brentwood in 2020
My whole life I’ve heard “the more you put in, the more you get back” in various forms. This year has brought the truth of this to me more than ever. I’ve tremendously enjoyed my first months on Brentwood City Commission, and I want to pass along opportunities I see for others to get involved if they are inclined and inspired.
Volunteer Boards:
- The City of Brentwood has 8 Volunteer Boards and Commissions that regularly meet and work to improve our community. They include:
- You can find information on all these boards, their current membership, and both the online application and deadline here.
Brentwood Citizens Fire Academy:
- Designed to provide a glimpse into the duties of the department, the academy is often described as being as good as, if not better than, many departments’ initial training program for their own recruits. Although students are offered the opportunity to participate in activities ranging from fire training in ‘the grill’ to touring the fire safety house, participants are only asked to participate directly in activities that they feel comfortable with.
- Brentwood Fire & Rescue Citizens Fire Academy is open to adults, with preference given to Brentwood residents and business owners. The 3-month academy program offers over 30 hours of instructional time, and meets twice a month, including two Saturdays.
- Information and registration can be found here on the City of Brentwood Website.
Brentwood Citizens Police Academy:
Opportunities for Sponsorships:
- One of our most popular sponsorships is our Summer Concert Series. Brentwood has been holding free concerts for 32 years now, and this year events include the July 4 Fireworks, Brentfest 2.0, and Sunday night shows throughout the summer (specific dates and performances TBD). Various sponsorships are available from $1,500 to $5,000, and you can find more details here. This is a great way for companies to plug in to both promote their brand and support our community.
- 2020 Arbor Day Sponsors – Brentwood is “Tree City”, and it culminates in our Arbor Day celebration.
- The celebration will be Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 11am-1pm, with the program starting at 11:30 am at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library.
- There will be free tree seedlings given away for families to plant, activities for children and free hot dogs provided by Middle Tennessee Electric.
- The Arbor Day Contest Awards, along with the Environmental Stewardship Awards will also be presented.
- You can find sponsorship information here. We can really use a “big” sponsor for our Instagram contest prize, and another for a contest yet to be announced.
Volunteer at the Library
Civic Organizations – there are too many civic organizations operating in Brentwood to name them all. A few that I see frequently include:
- Friends of Brentwood Library — The Friends of the Brentwood Library is a nonprofit (501c3) service organization dedicated to the advancement of our community through its library. — more information here.
- Citizens for Brentwood Green Space – www.BrentwoodGreenSpace.org — CBGS seeks to unite the citizens of Brentwood, TN in support of its leadership in their quest to manage growth while preserving the quality of life and maintaining low tax rates. Key to meeting that objective is to preserve open space in the form of parks, trails, flood plains and historic sites while being sensitive to the rights of landowners and developers.
- Bike Walk Brentwood — Brentwood’s local champion for a healthy biking and walking community, committed to bringing education to citizens and community leaders about the benefits of walking and biking. They are committed to bringing awareness of laws for safe walking and biking through community events, outreach and communication. They organize our local “Bike to School Day”, and more information can be found at https://www.bikewalktn.org/brentwood/
Resources:
- Full City of Brentwood Calendar:
- Interactive City of Brentwood Maps, including zoning, parks, utility district, land records, and Historic Places:
- City of Brentwood Commission Home page, including contact information, meeting schedule, and videos of past meetings:
- City of Brentwood Planning Commission Home page, including contact information, meeting schedule, and videos of past meetings:
- City of Brentwood Water and Sewer Master Plan and other information:
- Full contact information for your Federal, State, County, and local elected officials:
Thank you again for all your support, and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyous start to your holiday season!
Nelson
Nelson Andrews
Brentwood City Commissioner
“From Brentwood, For Brentwood”
615-917-1384
Nelson.Andrews@Brentwood-TN.org
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