This past month, our environment has been making headlines even more than usual.  While the press writes mostly about the global situation, I want to take this opportunity to talk about what we are doing here in Brentwood Tennessee.  But first, some news:

News:

National Leaders to Attend Rendezvous at Ravenswood this Thursday – October 10

• Senator Marsha Blackburn and Congressman Mark Green are both attending along with many other state, county, and city leaders.
• Congressman Mark Green will present a proclamation to Brentwood celebrating 50 years.
• There are still a few tickets available at a cost of $125, which includes:
  • Live music by Tyrone Smith and the highly energetic 12-piece band “Super T”
  • Dinner by Dream Events and Catering
  • A “Brentwood 50^th Anniversary Signature Drink” by Pennington Distillery
  • Whisky tasting by Master Distiller Carter Collins
  • Remaining tickets are available both at the City of Brentwood offices and on the Brentwood 50^th Anniversary website — https://www.brentwoodtn50.org/store/rendezvous-ticket-coming-soon
• All proceeds go towards a City of Brentwood 50^th Anniversary community improvement project to benefit our citizens for decades to come.  More on this later.
• Additional details can be found at https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1853/267 and https://www.brentwoodtn50.org/party.

Brentwood’s Public Safety Day reminds us that home Sprinkler Systems can save lives through a dramatic demonstration:

• On Saturday, September 28^th, Brentwood Fire and Rescue demonstrated how a fire can spread in a home — click image for the video:

• They also showed the difference a home sprinkler system can make — click image for video:

• If you would like more information about Brentwood Fire and Rescue, you can find them at https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/departments/fire-and-rescue.

Brentwood City Commission Votes to Ban Commercial Scooters

• This ban only affects dockless small vehicles made available for short-term rental.
• It does not affect privately owned scooters or other personal vehicles.
• If at some future time, a transportation solution becomes available that citizens feel would benefit our community, this regulation can be revisited.
• More information can be found at https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1849/267.

City of Brentwood Finance Department receives another GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence

• This GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is recognition for the City’s FY 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
• This Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by our government and its management.
• You can find more information on this program at https://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/certificate-achievement-excellence-financial-reporting-program-cafr-program.
• Our high quality finance department is vitally important in part because it leads to our excellent bond rating (https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/bonds/brentwood-city-of-tn-moody-s-assigns-aaa-to-the-city-of-brentwood-tn-s-13-6m-go-bonds-series-2019-outlook-is-stable-1028499378) and ability to cost-effectively execute big projects like our new Police Headquarters (https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/departments/police/new-police-headquarters).

• You can find all 150 pages of the award-winning Brentwood Tennessee Comprehensive Annual Financial Report at https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/home/showdocument?id=5482.
• If you would like to learn more or congratulate Director Richard Parker, you can find more information at https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/departments/finance.

Brentwood Earns Two National Communication Awards

• The City of Brentwood recently won two of the highest national honors awarded to local communities at the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) Conference.
• Deanna Lambert, Brentwood’s Community Relations Director, represented the City and was one of the more than 500 attendees at the 31^st annual conference held September 3-6 in Denver, Colorado.
• More information is found at https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1839/267.

Another reminder — the Census has started

• Census workers are currently verifying addresses and will be in neighborhoods soon.
• If you have questions, you can call 800-923-8282 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative.

Calendar:

October 10 – The Rendezvous at Ravenwood Gala

• Tickets are on sale.
• Remaining tickets are available both at the City of Brentwood offices and on the Brentwood 50^th Anniversary website — https://www.brentwoodtn50.org/store/rendezvous-ticket-coming-soon.
• You can find more information at https://www.brentwoodtn50.org/party.

 October 21 – “Ravenwood Raptor Classic” Golf Tournament

• This is the primary fundraiser for the Ravenwood Athletic Club, which supports all school sports.
• The tournament begins the morning of October 21 at Governor’s Club.
• Details on the tournament, ticket details, and sponsorship information is available at https://www.wcs.edu/rhs/wp-content/uploads/sites/61/2019/09/tournamentSponsorship.pdf.

Technical Data and Information – focus on our Trees and Environment:

Emerald Ash Borer  — an urgent threat to some of our most valuable trees:

• The Emerald Ash Borer is attacking all species of North American ash trees and, unless the trees are treated, will kill them before the year 2026.
• This invasive insect was first detected in the United States in 2002 and is now considered the most destructive tree insect pest ever to be introduced into North America.
• You can learn to identify ash trees on your property at https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/your-government/volunteer-boards-commissions/tree-board.
• If you have an ash, you can either treat it, let it die, or remove it.
• For more information, go to https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/your-government/volunteer-boards-commissions/tree-board/emerald-ash-borer

Brentwood’s Tree Canopy – compiled from staff reports and research:

• The City of Brentwood periodically does a study of our tree canopy to see how we are doing with our trees and general environment. Our most recent formal study is from August 2013.
• Using maps for 1997 and again from 2010, this report shows that Brentwood had maintained a stable tree canopy during this period at 39 percent.
• Notes from our Park’s Department indicate that in most comparable communities, the coverage was around 33 percent, so we are above average.
• Our impervious surface percent in 2010 was 18.9 percent compared to 14.4 percent in 1997. The 1997 percentage was probably due to the amount of farmland in Brentwood at that time.  Our impervious surface area rose 4.2 % during the years between 1997 and 2010, which tells us that about 1,110 acres were paved during that time.
• There was a very slight increase in canopy during these 13 years basically equating to a stable canopy.
• Overall, with increased growth, this report shows that Brentwood has been good stewards of the environment, balancing growth with maintaining its natural resources.
• You can find a full copy of our most recent tree canopy study at https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/home/showdocument?id=5979
• A special thanks to Erin Kiney at our Parks Department for tracking down this data and lending her expertise.

Environmental Advisory Board:

• If your or your company would like to sponsor Brentwood’s Environmental Stewardship Award, please contact either one of the members of the committee (https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/your-government/volunteer-boards-commissions/environmental-advisory-board) or let me know so I can pass it along.

Biking and Walking in Brentwood

• Brentwood has an active community of citizens encouraging biking and walking around our town.
• The City of Brentwood Bicycle and Pedestrian Ad Hoc Committee commissioned and published a report on the state of our city and opportunities to improve and expand our bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs.  You can find that report at https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/home/showdocument?id=4355
• An outcome of this committee’s work is the new Greenway Trail helping connect Powell Park to Maryland Way park near Maryland Farms.  It is well under way and should be finished by Halloween.

• Bike Walk Brentwood is the local chapter of Bike Walk Tennessee, and they frequently organize events like last week’s “Bike to School” day.  You can find more information on Bike Walk Brentwood at https://www.bikewalktn.org/brentwood.

Brentwood Green Space

• One of the premier local environmental groups is Brentwood Green Space.  They consistently partner with the City of Brentwood to organize events, raise  money, and staff volunteer projects to improve Brentwood’s Environment and Park System.
• Last month, they hosted their 5^th annual “Walk in the Park”, and it continues to be a great success: http://www.williamsonherald.com/communities/brentwood/a-walk-in-the-park-to-celebrate-brentwood-s-th/article_19880df8-b841-11e9-846c-ffdfb3fe0cb2.html
• You can learn more about Brentwood Green Space through www.brentwoodgreenspace.org.

There are many, many other groups active in our community, and I can’t possibly recognize them all.  In addition to the above, we have:

• Brentwood’s Arbor Day https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/your-government/volunteer-boards-commissions/tree-board/arbor-day
• Deerwood Arboretum & Nature Center — https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/departments/parks-recreation/parks-trails-greenways/deerwood-arboretum-nature-center#ad-image-1
• The Harpeth River Conservancy: http://www.harpethconservancy.org/
• The Cumberland River Compact: https://cumberlandrivercompact.org
• Tips on planting and maintaining trees: https://www.arborday.org/trees/tips/
• Information on Brentwood’s Chipper Service: https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/departments/public-works/chipper-service
• City of Brentwood Chipper Service Schedule: https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/departments/public-works/chipper-service/schedule
• And many, many more.  If you have something active in Brentwood you could like me to know more about, please feel free to reach out.

Resources:

• Full City of Brentwood Calendar: https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/residents/calendar
• Interactive City of Brentwood Maps, including zoning, parks, utility district, land records, and Historic Places: https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/departments/planning-codes/planning-section/zoning-map
• City of Brentwood Commission Home page, including contact information, meeting schedule, and videos of past meetings: https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/your-government/board-of-commissioners
• City of Brentwood Planning Commission Home page, including contact information, meeting schedule, and videos of past meetings: https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/your-government/board-of-commissioners https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/your-government/volunteer-boards-commissions/planning-commission
• City of Brentwood Water and Sewer Master Plan and other information: https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/departments/water-services/sewer-system/system-capacity
• Full contact information for your Federal, State, County, and local elected officials: https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/your-government/state-county-local-government-officials

Thank you again for all your support!

Nelson

Nelson Andrews
Brentwood City Commissioner
“From Brentwood, For Brentwood”
615-917-1384
Nelson.Andrews@Brentwood-TN.org