The BOC (Board of Commissioners) met in regular session Thursday (10.4.18) at City Hall.
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/796
https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8400431
Republic Services consumed a fair amount of discussion with City Attorney Chris Patterson apologizing for a miscommunication regarding a requested 180-day termination notice which was to be sent to the trash services business.
He said to commissioners, “I understood it was just cracking the whip a little bit but Emily (Harrell – city engineer) understood the contract was to be put out to bid.”
In fact, he said, the contract has been put out for bid with a new package for trash services and multiple bids are expected.
He asked for direction from the Board about giving the 180-day notice now. “We didn’t send out the 180-notice. “We didn’t and that’s my fault.”
Mayor Wyatt Bunker noted there were problems with Republic starting early in 2018. He said the discussion then was to see if performance improved but a decision was made to provide notice to the business.
Gerry Burke with Republic addressed the BOC and said he was shocked to see an RFP (Request for Proposal) on the street and he never saw a letter from the City.
Mr. Burke said he believed the service has been better, noting the operation has moved to Millington and he’s hired a fulltime supervisor. He asked the Board to wait until June (his contract expiration date) to put the contract out to bid. “We ask for the opportunity to finish the contract out.”
Mr. Patterson said the Board already voted to send the letter. I apologize for creating this situation.”
The BOC agreed to have Mr. Patterson send the letter the next day.
Other business on the agenda:
Lt. Kathy Crowder with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) gave the crime report for September. There were 30 reports including four residential burglaries and three thefts from motor vehicles.
Shane Horn delivered his first report as the new City Manager for Lakeland. This month, he replaced Jim Atkinson who resigned to take a position with Lakeland-based A2H in Lakeland.
Mr. Horn said he was happy to be at the meeting. “I appreciate the warm welcome from staff,” he said.
He noted there are two department head-level positions to be filled: a city planner and finance director. Link to job openings in the City: https://skyward.iscorp.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsfinlakelandcitytn/rappljoblst484.w
He introduced the new staff engineer, Gary Lewis, who will work with City Engineer Emily Harrell. Mr. Horn announced the Parks and Recreation Board will not meet this month because of fall break. The annual Halloween Festival will be from 1 – 4 p.m. Oct. 21 at IH Park. It is a free event for families. The semi-annual Community Clean-Up Day is from 8 a.m. – noon Nov. 3 at Fireworks City.
Vice Mayor Josh Roman asked former City Manager Jim Atkinson for details on how the City helped the Higdon family move from a flooded home in North Lakeland. Mr. Atkinson said the City paid a grant writer to prepare a FEMA grant to help the Higdons out of their house. It flooded often and was built too low, said Mr. Atkinson. “We invested a lot of staff time on the grant administration. It was quite a bit of work.” He noted that the grant helped the family from their home and the lot is now vacant.
Commission liaisons to volunteer boards shared details of recent meetings. Vice Mayor Roman said the EDC (Economic Development Commission) met to mostly talk of marketing plans and recommend a meeting of the IDB (Industrial Development Board); Commissioner Wesley Wright said the MPC (Municipal Planning Commission) talked about new development Lakeland Meadows; and Commissioner Matt Wright noted the October meeting of Parks and Rec was cancelled but applications are being received for the vacant position on the Board and windscreens have been pulled from a grant application for the City tennis courts.
Commissioner Clark Plunk asked if Tops Barbecue is coming to Lakeland. The Mayor said it is likely but he wouldn’t confirm or deny.
Among the eight resolutions and ordinances on the agenda, seven were approved and #4, relating to on-call engineering services, was tabled to the next meeting.
