Although not on the agenda, a proposed Lakeland high school took priority billing at the BOC (Board of Commissioners) meeting last night (2.14.19) at City Hall, along with some personal attacks on two BOC members.
Two resolutions dealing with the formation of a fire department in Lakeland were addressed. The first resolution approved a six-month extension on forming the department with Mayor Mike Cunningham and Commissioner Richard Gonzales Jr. voting no. The second did not rescind a resolution to create the fire department. Three voted not to rescind the resolution, the Mayor and Commissioner Gonzales voted yes to rescind, although Commissioner Gonzales changed his vote from no to yes.
https://vimeo.com/317427147
There were 10 speakers who addressed the BOC tonight, nine having opinions about funding or not funding a high school for Lakeland. The Mayor reminded speakers to stick to a two-minute limit for all to talk and the City business to be conducted.
Resident Jerry Rushing said he came about drainage issues from the former Factory Outlet Mall. He said gravel has been dumped and a ditch is blocked. He is concerned that with heavy rains, water will flow onto the road. City Manager Shane Horn and City Engineer Emily Harrell said they would investigate.
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/uDBwpmoqBTjhTw5i9
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/825
Historical perspective on a Lakeland high school
Lakeland has two schools within its system: Lakeland Elementary serving PK-4 and Lakeland Middle Preparatory Middle serving 5-8. High school students attend Arlington High School through an interlocal between the two cities until a high school is built in Lakeland.
In 2014 there was a plan to build a middle and high school campus at the current Lakeland Middle Preparatory School. Funding for the combined schools was voted down in a 2015 bond referendum. The middle school was subsequently financed through a Capital Outlay Note (CON) and opened in August 2017.
A lawsuit, filed Dec. 8, 2017, sought to block tax-free lease revenue bonds approved by the Lakeland Board of Commissioners (BOC) and its Industrial Development Board (IDB) and force a referendum on any bond issue. The suit also alleged violation(s) of the Tennessee Open Meetings Act.
The suit was dismissed in Shelby County Chancery Court May 25, 2018 on mootness of the case. The plaintiffs took their case to the Court of Appeals in Jackson, TN where a decision is pending.
Commissioner Michele Dial speaks
When Mayor Cunningham announced public discussion, Commissioner Michele Dial asked if she could speak first.
Commissioner Dial said, “A lot of you know that recently some personal things about my life have been posted to Facebook.” She said the personal attacks were done specifically to attack her character and her abilities to be a good steward for the City.
The Facebook postings listed judgments and debts attributed to Mrs. Dial.
“The documents that were posted tell whatever story you want to assign to it, because you don’t know what caused those things to happen in my life.” She explained that her social security number, as well as one from another family member, were stolen and multiple debts were the result.
“This was absolutely no one’s business but mine.” She acknowledged that a political figure is an open book. “I am here to tell this story. No one knows what it would be like when you have to deal with that.
“You have not embarrassed me. You have not discredited me. I am a very financially savvy person to be able to have one income and deal with my family and, oh yes, pay my bills and someone else’s.”
And for Vice Mayor Josh Roman
Resident Linda Miller was the fifth person to talk with the BOC tonight. After questioning interest rates and penalties and noting it isn’t common sense to fund the school now, she addressed the Vice Mayor and said,”Is there something in it for you? Mr. Roman, are you getting money under the table?”
The Vice Mayor called objection and Commissioner Dial seconded it. Ms. Miller replied, “It’s a question.” The objection and second were called again. Ms. Miller said, “I third it,” as she directed her comments to Commissioner Dial. When no action was taken by the Chair, a motion was made and seconded for a recess and the meeting took a pause.
When the Board returned, the Mayor acknowledged that people have the right to speak but not to make it personal.
The remaining citizen speakers addressed different aspects of funding and building a high school:
- Were taxes raised to build the middle school? No was the response from the Mayor.
- It would be nice to have a full school system.
- Arlington is not a good school and Lakeland needs its own system for control.
- Language at the Tuesday (2.112.19) BOC meeting regarding Mexicans was condemned.
- The Mayor has offered a compromise leaning away from many who want to wait longer for a school.
- “A house divided against itself cannot stand” quoting Abraham Lincoln.
- A middle school was not needed nor is a high school.
- Happy with the partnership with Arlington schools.
- When north Lakeland was annexed, citizens there were promised there would never be taxes in Lakeland.
Resident Lou Melton’s speech to the BOC
In taking her turn speaking to the BOC, Mrs. Melton took deference to the comment about Arlington schools, saying many Lakeland students have received good educations from Arlington. She then noted she had a prepared speech, and she talked for 7+ minutes.
Citizens appointed to volunteer boards
Chad Reynolds was appointed to the Parks and Recreation/Natural Resources Board.
For the Economic Development Commission/Industrial Development Board, Keith Action was reappointed with Jeremy Burnett a new member to the Commission.
Patrick Kitchens and Ryan McDaniel were reappointed to the Board of Appeals/Storm Water Board of Appeals with Zachary Coleman selected as a new member.
Other business
Kyle Wright, finance director, reviewed the treasurer’s report, noting that property taxes are coming in and there is nothing out of the ordinary for expenditures. He said there is $9 million in the checking account but that is only a point in time. He noted he has had some trouble reconciling the sewer account but there are no assets missing.
Lt. Kathy Crowder with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said in January there was one business burglary and no residential burglaries. Four thefts from motor vehicles with one handgun stolen.
In his City Manager’s report, Mr. Horn announced the City will be transitioning from Republic Services to Team Waste in March. Starting March 18th, Republic will collect the current containers as Team Waste delivers new containers with the Lakeland logo. The new vendor starts April 1st.
The consent agenda was approved with the resolution about the 2019-20 budget calendar deferred to the March BOC meeting.
The ordinance and final reading of the fiscal year 2018-19 budget approved unanimously.
Mrs. Harrell gave an update on New Canada Road noting construction is expected to start in early 2021. The cost of the project is $25 million with a $5 million share for Lakeland. The website for the project is www.newcanadaroad.com
Commissioner Wesley Wright offered some suggestions about a neighborhood security system implementation. He believes there are grants available to help watch public streets without utilizing much money from Lakeland coffers.
… Photos, video by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents, and City of Lakeland
