The BOC (Board of Commissioners) met for their regular business meeting at City Hall tonight (4.11.19) with the Mayor ending the meeting with a statement that he was requesting a forensic audit.
Mayor Mike Cunningham further announced he would read the statement and have no comment afterwards, but would adjourn the meeting.
His statement related to ethics, transparency and accountability for elected officials and employees. He said anyone in municipal government whether they are an employee or elected official is required to report to the proper authorities anything they find or suspect which has been or is done of a questionable or unethical nature.
For the past three months, he said, he has done extensive research into Lakeland’s records and he found numerous questionable financial anomalies in the double digits. He said he was obligated by law to report and he has done so at the state level and will meet with local authorities.
He continued by saying he is asking for a full forensic audit of all Lakeland’s department and entities including the School Board.
From Vice Mayor Josh Roman
“The ethics allegations against the City and School Board are very serious and will be handled as such, however, I believe this is more political theater to stop progress towards a Lakeland Prep High School at the State Comptroller level. I want City Staff to know that I have 100% confidence in them and I will work hard to move us past this very quickly.”
And the rest of the meeting
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/837
Link to Livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8636946
All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously, but that was not the case for the regular agenda. Two resolutions were approved 5-0 as were four ordinances.
The second item on the regular agenda, approval of special meeting minutes from March 20th, were met with controversy. City Attorney Mike Marshall noted that the March meeting was to discuss a resolution to proceed with due diligence on a CON (Capital Outlay Note) for a Lakeland high school.
During that meeting, eight parameters were presented to provide clarification for City staff and financial advisors researching the CON. Point #5 dealing with funds for a project called New Canada Road should not have been part of the parameters, he said. Mr. Marshall suggested the March 20th minutes be amended to reflect that #5 had been removed. Then the amended minutes could be approved.
Commissioner Richard Gonzales Jr. said the meeting should be struck because he and other commissioners did not see the parameters until the night of the meeting. The Mayor concurred that approving the minutes would open the City to more controversy.
The Vice Mayor and Commissioner Michele Dial argued you can’t just say a meeting didn’t happen. The March 20th meeting is in the records. Commissioner Dial said it was just an item to clarify. “You can’t rewrite the minutes. They occurred.”
It was suggested that part of the language of parameter #5 be removed and the amended minutes approved. On roll call vote, Commissioners Dial and Wesley Wright and the Vice Mayor approved the amended minutes. The Mayor and Commissioner Gonzales did not.
Yet another split vote
Commissioners were also split on an ordinance – first reading to change language in the agenda format from public discussion to public comment. The roll call vote on that item #7 was split 3-2 in favor of approving the word change.
Public discussion
Lou Melton complimented the City for the colorful tulips which were planted throughout Lakeland in the fall and bloomed this spring.
Eagle Scout recognitions
Joe Miller, son of Jim and Janet Miller of Lakeland, was recognized for his volunteer work on the Yellow Trail at IH Park. He is a senior at Arlington High School (AHS). Unable to attend but also recognized was Connor Koesterman, son of Cory and Karlee Koesterman of Bartlett. He is also a senior at AHS.
Treasurer’s Report
Kyle Wright, finance and human resources director, reviewed the February and March reports. He said the City is in sound financial shape now with expenditures in line. “There is nothing substantial to discuss or be worried about,” he said.
City sports revenues and expenses
Commissioner Gonzales asked Kevin Rooney, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, to provide a breakdown of revenues and expenses of all sports activities in the City. Mr. Rooney said the sports programs are self-sufficient and no tax dollars are used. Commissioner Gonzales said he would just like to know the numbers.
The Lake District
Yehuda Netanel, owner and developer for The Lake District, made a presentation. The story: https://lakelandcurrents.com/boc-tonight-official-with-tld-says-retail-ready-for-business-by-holidays-2020-video/
… Photos, video by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
