The BOC (Board of Commissioners) met for its monthly work session tonight (3.1.18) and were treated to “joyous news” about The Lake District (TLD) from Yehuda Netanel, the developer.
But before the evening would end, a Lakeland resident who is moving to Covington, TN shared her not-so-glowing feelings about BOC members.
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/750
Mr. Netanel with Gilad Development Inc. reported, “Today was a joyous day. The Mayor did the deed. He toppled the remaining wall.” The wall was the remnant of the former Factory Outlet Mall in Lakeland which has now been demolished to make way for a planned upscale 160+acre mixed use community at I-40 and Canada Road in Lakeland.
The ceremonial “take down the wall” event was this morning on the former mall site.
Mr. Netanel said, “We are now ready to continue. There is a lot of excitement (for The Lake District).”
He announced there will be a community event March 24 with refreshments, chamber music and announcements.
In addition, he made a proposal to BOC members that they consider moving City Hall to TLD on the southern end. He said it would be a space of 10,000 square feet, perhaps two story which would make the space 20,000 square feet. “This would signal to the world the City is physically with The Lake District,” he said.
In closure, he said of himself and Director of Development Maggie Gallagher, “We are here every other week. But we can be reached by emails and phone. There is a ton of information on our website. But if you have questions, don’t be a stranger.”
Stephanie Lefler approached the lectern, noting this was her last meeting as a Lakeland resident. She explained that she was voting with her feet and leaving the City. But her departure was not to be without some firm words of criticism aimed at the Mayor, the Vice Mayor and Commissioners.
“Your leadership has indeed inspired me to vote with my feet,” she said. “There are some things I’d like to say before I go, on and for the record.”
She said the job of elected officials is to represent and respect all the people they serve, not just people who agree with them. She finalized her comments, which were cut short by a three-minute time limit, by noting that Commissioners should not censor constituents and try to control them, but rather listen to the people and let them vote.
The vote is in reference to lease revenue bonds to build a high school in Lakeland which was approved by three Lakeland bodies in December. It is now the subject of a lawsuit filed in Shelby County Chancery Court in December.
Although Mrs. Lefler left Commission chambers immediately after her presentation, Commissioner Matt Wright and Mayor Wyatt Bunker shared their feelings about the accusations. Among their rebuttals: Mrs. Lefler has been trashing the City for years; Commissioners have been called nasty things and been threatened with a lawsuit; She is undermining the City; Commissioners are telling the truth when they talk about school expense savings; Mrs. Lefler and others tried to block the ground breaking of The Lake District last year; They called the news media claiming TLD did not have a permit to start demolition last October.
Link to City live feed of meeting: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8081410
Commissioners then asked that item number six be moved to the top of the agenda. It was a resolution to adopt a revised public records policy.
Jim Atkinson, city manager, explained the request is due to the City staff being inundated with requests for public records. Since January, he said, there have been 27 forms filed, asking for information. One asked for almost 15,000 documents. For all of last year, there were only 10 requests.
He said the revision is to keep the public records request within reason since it impacts the staff. “The big requests take a big block of time,” he said. So far, 41 hours of staff time have been allotted to researching and providing the records. In addition, a staff member must stay with those viewing the records and it is Jessica Millspaugh, the City recorder and finance director.
Mayor Bunker noted that those seeking the records are trying to destroy the City, “… To advance their cause.”
The four Lakeland citizens who have requested public records this year are Lou Melton (who is suing the City along with her husband Cary and joined by James D. Abbott, William T. Mallard, Brian Tipler, Deborah Tipler, Christopher J. Smith, Melissa K. Smith, Heather Long and James L. Murray Jr.); Deborah Tipler; Melissa Smith; and Mica Partain.
Other BOC business:
- Nathan Cockman gave the monthly SCSO (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office) report. For February there were five thefts of motor vehicles, two unlocked; theft of a vehicle, left outside and running; and two burglaries of businesses. He reminded residents to lock their vehicles. And also to watch for flooding roadways.
- Mayor Bunker asked Emily Harrell, city engineer, about Lakeland being asked to buy sewer assets from the City of Memphis. He said at the end of the day, he’s not inclined to cooperate on that request. Mrs. Millspaugh said if the sewer assets are fully depreciated, it should be off the Memphis books. Mayor Bunker suggested sending a new agreement and offer $1, and not the $800,000 figure in their proposal.
- Mr. Atkinson reported on the Stonebridge Area Advisory Council noting there was good input from residents who attended. Along with possibility of Stonebridge Golf Club being sold and turned into apartments, the group had concerns about El Hill becoming a through street, the need for a left turn signal at Davies Plantation and U.S. Highway 64, and a speed limit reduction on Highway 64. Mr. Atkinson assured those in attendance that the City cannot control the sale of the golf course but it does have a say on rezoning for apartments. The BOC has publicly said they would not favor the course becoming a residential area.
- Cody Brady, planning director, gave a development and code enforcement update. He noted there are several pending projects including Gateway Tire on Highway 64 making some improvements to the rear of their building and Motel 6 doing renovations. Mayor Bunker suggested the Motel 6 renovations start with a bulldozer. The property has a directive from Shelby County Environmental Court with a deadline of March 16 and they aren’t even close.
- Mrs. Harrell gave an update on the New Canada Road project which started in 2009 and is set for construction in 2020.She presented slides showing the various sections of the road including enhanced sections which will have signage, walls and enhanced crosswalks. She also provided examples of street lights.
There were six other items on the regular agenda discussed by officials. There were four items to add, but since the meeting ran long, Commissioners elected to add them to the business meeting agenda March 8.
.. Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents.
