Adopt-A-Meter Program to Help Nashville's Homeless Population

1-TENNESSEE TOWN & CITY/MARCH 29, 2010 www.TML1.org 6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 61, Number 5 March 29, 2010 NLC testifies against federal Legislature unanimously collective bargaining bill approves TML priority BY NEIL BOMBERG working environment that is safe Others still pending difficult to make property tax pay- Nation’s Cities Weekly and appropriate.” He added that this ments in one lump sum,” Sen. Black bill would put the federal govern- Legislation to allow munici- explained before the Senate State Ellis Hankins, executive direc- ment in charge of what has been a palities to receive payments of and Local Government Committee. tor of the North Carolina League of state and local function for no com- property taxes on installment was “They would like to have the same Municipalities, testified in opposi- pelling reason. unanimously approved by the flexibility afforded to counties.” tion to H.R. 413, the Public Safety Citing the Constitution, Su- Tennessee General Assembly County trustees are allowed to Employer-Employee Cooperation preme Court decisions and existing March 15. receive property tax payments in in- Act of 2009, before the House Sub- law, Hankins noted that this bill dis- Sponsored by Sen. Diane stallments. But no comparable pro- committee on Health, Employment, regards and disrespects the demo- Black (SB 2792) and Rep. Mike vision in the law exists to allow cities Labor and Pensions earlier this cratic decision making process em- McDonald (HB 2870), the legisla- and towns to accept payments of month. ployed by states and localities to tion is one of TML’s 2010 legisla- property taxes in this same manner. Sen. Diane Black The bill would require that ev- decide how best to interact with their tive initiatives. “Municipalities want the ability ery state, county, city and town col- employees. The new law will allow mu- to provide their citizens with more lectively bargain with their police “This bill seeks to replace local nicipalities to receive property tax flexibility in budgeting,” said Rep. officers, firefighters, emergency solutions with a one-size-fits-all na- payments in installments, pro- McDonald. “They don’t have this medical technicians and correc- tional solution,” he said. vided they first file a plan with the authority under current state law.” tions officers, regardless of state Hankins added that it would state Comptroller’s office that in- By expanding state law to in- and local laws. NLC has opposed substantially alter the relationship dicates the trustee’s office has the clude municipalities, property own- this legislation since it was first in- between local elected officials and technology to receive payment of ers in those municipalities imple- troduced 15 years ago by Rep. Dale their employees by forcing every property taxes on installment. menting this option, will be able to Kildee (D-Mich.). local government to enter into feder- Property owners electing to choose between paying their prop- Hankins asked the members of ally sanctioned collective bargain- make partial payments are still ob- erty taxes on installment or making a the subcommittee not to fix what ing with their workers regardless of ligated to pay their property taxes lump sum payment. isn’t broken. For centuries, states state and local law; it would place in full by March 1. SB 2792/HB 2870 is the first of and local governments have devel- serious financial burdens on every “Municipalities have found several legislative priorities TML oped procedures for addressing the state, county, city and town; and it that some of their residents, par- has initiated in 2010 to be approved. needs of their employees, taxpayers would worsen the precarious fiscal ticularly senior citizens who may Legislation designed to protect and citizens. They have done so situation states, counties, cities and not have escrows and have their municipal governments from the Rep. Mike McDonald with and without collective bar- towns face, thereby threatening the houses already paid off, find it See LEGISLATION on Page 3 gaining, through laws that are de- economic recovery currently taking signed to “provide their workers place. with excellent working conditions, Hankins noted other problems competitive salaries, excellent with the legislation. It would only health and pension benefits, and a See H.R.413 on Page 5 Adopt-A-Meter program to help TML keynote focuses on Nashville’s homeless population sustainable communities BY VICTORIA SOUTH from the Adopt-A-Meter project TML Communications Coordinator will help put more outreach workers on the streets, according to Harris. during challenging times Although this downtown meter “On any given night, there are never expires, the spare change or 4,000 people out there who are How do cities create highly dollar bills fed into it could make the homeless,” said Clifton Harris, Key competitive and sustainable com- difference between someone getting Alliance executive director. munities in an era of economic un- into low-cost housing or living on “Outreach workers spend a tre- certainty? the streets. The Adopt-A-Meter pro- mendous amount of time developing Dr. Jim Johnson, professor of gram, announced by Nashville a relationship and a level of trust entrepreneurship and director of the Mayor Karl Dean and coordinated with homeless individuals,” said Urban Investment Strategies Cen- by Key Alliance, an initiative of the Harris. ter, University of North Carolina at Metropolitan Homeless Commis- “Trust and the relationships are Chapel Hill, will explore how mu- sion, refurbishes old parking meters especially important when you’re nicipalities can invest in “commu- donated by the Department of Public dealing with a homeless person who nity capital” in order to thrive and Works, to create housing opportuni- is suffering from a mental illness prosper in the twenty-first-century ties for homeless people, an initia- who is reluctant to enter shelters or economy. tive that unites nonprofit, faith- engage in services,” Harris explains. Johnson will give the opening based, government, and for-profit “Building these relationships often keynote address at TML’s Annual organizations toward a common leads people to change their minds Conference in Gatlinuburg, slated goal. and move into housing.” Photo courtesy of Mayor Karl Dean’s Office for Sunday, June 13 - 15 at the “Homelessness is not a govern- According to Harris, Nashville Gatlinburg Convention Center. ment issue or a nonprofit issue,” said is starting with 30 meters, donated Southwest Airlines is the first to Based on his research, Dr. Jim Johnson Dean. “It is a community issue. The by the Department of Public Works, take part in “Adopt a Meter,” a new Johnson’s presentation will high- Adopt-A-Meter program is a way for and will install a second round of program in Nashville that uses old light the economic and demographic His research on these and re- citizens to channel funding directly about 40 or 50 after the initial meters parking meters to raise donations challenges that cities will have to lated topics has been widely cited in toward the outreach efforts that ben- are sold. So far, more than 12 have for the homeless. respond to in the years ahead, and a number of national media outlets, efit homeless individuals and fami- been sponsored at $1,000 each. the “smart” infrastructure that cities including the New York Times, Los lies in our city.” Businesses will have the option of works through private landlords will need to put in place in order to Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, The project is based upon a decorating the meters in their com- across the city. remain attractive as places to live Washington Post, Detroit Free similar program implemented in pany colors and logos through a spe- Housing First moves a homeless and do business. Press, Newsweek, Time Magazine, 2007 in the city of Denver, where 86 cial project with the Arts & Business individual or family into permanent Dr. Johnson is the William R. U.S. News and World Report, and meters now generate more than Council. housing as soon as possible and re- Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor at Business Week. He has also ap- $100,000 a year toward homeless “The success of Housing First quires a range of supportive ser- Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business peared on a number of national tele- projects. has been phenomenal,” said Harris. vices, including case management, School. He has developed a concep- vision shows, including The Today Nashville’s homeless popula- “We’ve seen a reduction in jail time, mental health services, substance tual model of a highly competitive Show on NBC, CNN Headline News, tion is currently served by less than hospital visits, health conditions and abuse services, employment and community and will use it in his the CBS Evening News, ABC Nightly 10 outreach workers striving to get decreased time on the streets. The training, special needs child care presentation as the framework for News, Sunday Morning on CBS, In- people off the streets and into the program shows a housing retention and life skills training. Once the talking about these issues. See CONFERENCE on Page 5 city’s Housing First program. Funds rate of 92 percent.” The program See METERS on Page 3 Feds amend Family, Medical Leave Act for military personnel BY BONNIE JONES be used. • Managing financial and legal ar- MTAS HR Consultant Qualified Exigency Leave rangements, such as executing Exigency leave is available to powers of attorney, obtaining For the frst time since its adop- immediate family members of and military identification cards or tion in 1993, the Family and Medical relates to a call or order to active estate planning. Leave Act (FMLA) has been duty by members of the Reserve, • Rest and recuperation (that is, to amended. The revision provides two National Guard and certain retired spend time with a military fam- new entitlements for military per- members of the Reserve and regular ily member who is on short-term sonnel and their families and comes armed forces.

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