The BOC (Board of Commissioners) met for a business meeting tonight (8.2.18) in what is the first of five months with no work session. During a special meeting last week, the BOC voted to cancel the work sessions for the remainder of 2018.
Agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/783
Livestream links: https://livestream.com/lakeland
City Planner
Commissioners discussed how to proceed regarding planning services in light of the coming departure of Cory Brady, Lakeland city planner, at the same time the City is trying to hire a city manager to replace Jim Atkinson.
One suggestion was to seek a RFQ (request for quote) from A2H to provide planning services to Lakeland under a short-term contract, utilizing the services of Mr. Atkinson, who is leaving his city manager post to become a planner at A2H.
Mr. Atkinson would be “uniquely qualified” to provide planning services, commissioners agreed, because he is familiar with all current City planning projects.
Mr. Brady, whose last day will be Aug. 11, told BOC members there are several big projects in the works, including The Meadows, amendments to the Estates of Chambers Chapel project and, of course, The Lake District. He said he will make himself available to offer any assistance that may be required.
Chris Patterson, City attorney, said if an RFQ is issued and a contractor responded, the process would be for the fee to be negotiated at that time.
Action on the measure was postponed when commissioners said they needed more information about the RFQ, the process for replacing Mr. Brady, the departure date of Mr. Atkinson and how that may be affected if he liquidates accumulated time he has on the books.
Mr. Brady began work as the City’s planner in January of 2018, but had continued to work on projects he had pending through his business as a landscape architect. He said he had resigned his Lakeland position because of increased workload from his business.
SCSO Report
During the SCSO (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office) monthly report, Lt. Kathy Crowder responded to a concern from Mayor Wyatt Bunker about lack of communication about the May shooting at the Oakwood Clubhouse. Lt. Crowder responded by saying SCSO detectives have a lead on a person of interest based on one of the weapons.
The shooting took place Memorial Day weekend (5.27.18) when uninvited guests showed up at a birthday party at the Oakwood Clubhouse and were denied admission to the clubhouse by relatives of the guest of honor. Three juveniles were shot and there was damage to the Clubhouse. To date, there have been no arrests in the case which shook Oakwood residents with bullets flying around the Clubhouse that evening.
Lt. Crowder reported there were 12 thefts from motor vehicles in July, nine unsecured and three handguns stolen. She said there is a lead on suspects. She noted there was one business burglary and one residential burglary. There was a total of 37 incidents for the month, according to the report.
Commissioner Matt Wright talked of surveillance around the City and asked if SCSO might help with that. Lt. Crowder said the Crime Prevention Department could possibly help and she would email the details to Mr. Atkinson.
Republic Services
Responding to a request from Commissioners to review the recent performance of Republic Services, Mr. Atkinson provided two slides detailing 2018 performance. Commissioners voted to give the business 180 days’ notice of contract cancellation, but said they were willing to see if improvement was made in 30 days. Mr. Atkinson said at the direction of the BOC, he could stop movement on the action or continue with the termination.
The Lake District
Yehuda Netanel shared with Commissioners he has purchased the remaining 125 acres to develop The Lake District and paid cash to close the property today. He said Commissioners and residents can anticipate frequent news about the development and offered new coffee mugs celebrating the land closure with the new logo. Directions on the cups:
- Wake Up
- Drink Coffee
- Go to the Lake
- Never Leave the Lake
Tennis courts grant
A resolution was approved to apply for grant money for improvements to the tennis courts at Windward Slopes Park. The resolution was to approve an assurance of a match with cash for a USTA grant to resurface the courts, adding shade structures and windscreens. The estimated cost is $20,000 and the grant could match 50%. Commissioners asked about a time frame for the grant since the City has budgeted $10,000 in this year’s budget for works on the courts. Kevin Rooney, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said he was not aware of a time frame on grant approval.
Policy – City Attorney communications
An amended resolution was approved. Among the five points of the resolution, #1 was amended to read “… City Manager or his designee.”
Rainbow Day Care Center
An attorney for and representative of St. Paul United Methodist Church spoke to BOC members, requesting a resolution for the development contract not be rescinded. Bill Cummings, vice chair of the trustees of the Church, and Attorney David Wade, both asked to keep the contract in place. Mr. Wade said the Church has tried to meet all the requests of the BOC regarding the new facility. “They are willing to meet if you give them the opportunity. They think they’ve done everything,” said Mr. Wade. He added that his clients feel that rescinding the resolution will force the project to start anew.
Mr. Patterson said rescinding the prior resolution does not make the project start over. The site plan has been approved, he said, noting architectural improvements are of concern to Commissioners. Unless the site plan is changed, it would not go to the MPC (Municipal Planning Commission), but only to the BOC.
Mayor Bunker said this could actually save some time for the project.
The resolution to rescind was approved.
City Manager candidates
Of the original 25 candidates, nine were selected as semi-finalists according to Mr. Atkinson. One of the nine withdrew and the remaining eight submitted videos as requested. The next step, he said, is to narrow the list. Commissioners agreed to individually look at the videos by Wednesday and send their opinions to Mr. Atkinson. From that process, the final interview list will be determined.
Other business
The first four resolutions on the regular agenda were all approved.
The resolution for the Athletic Complex and Recreation Park was removed.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents.
