An abbreviated BOC meeting tonight (11.8.18) lasted 30 minutes and followed a five-minute Town Hall.
The Board of Commissioners (BOC) met for a final session before new officials are sworn into office after Shelby County Election Commission certifies the Nov. 6 election on Nov. 26.
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/799
Meeting for the last time were Mayor Wyatt Bunker and Commissioners Clark Plunk and Matt Wright. In the Nov. 6 election, Mike Cunningham was elected mayor of Lakeland and Richard Gonzales Jr. will be a new commissioner.
For the second open BOC seat, Michele Dial has a 13-vote lead over Michael Green. According to the Shelby County Election Commission website, there are enough provisional ballots (56) to potentially make a difference in that race. The provisionals have to be counted before the SCEC certification date.
Mayor Bunker announced the agenda would be reduced to a few time-sensitive issues, essential to the City. He recognized Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Gonzales and thanked them for their willingness to serve the community.
There were three resolutions pertaining to The Lake District (TLD) and all were approved: a concept sewer plan; a preliminary development plan, approved with amendments; and an extension to the TIF (Tax Increment Financing).
Yehuda Netanel, developer for TLD, said it was a bittersweet moment for him as it would be last time he would get to address this Board. He commented to the Board they had been under his skin and he had been under theirs over the years. “But I thank all of you and I thank the citizens of Lakeland,” he said. “The project has gotten better over the years and I thank all the citizens of Lakeland.”
The 161-acre Lake District is to be at I-40 and Canada Road and include retail, residential, office space and hotels.
Named to be part of the development are Starbucks, Malco Theatres, Gould’s Salon and Spa, Osaka Japanese Restaurant, The Stock Market (a new supermarket), Gloss Nail Bar, Brick House Fitness, Mojito’s Latin Restaurant, Crave Bistro, Crave Sweets and a signed letter-of-intent from Hollywood Feed.
Vice Mayor Josh Roman asked about a timeline on construction for TLD. Mr. Netanel said there will be major announcements in two weeks. And construction should start on Phase 1 in April. “This time next year, weather permitting, Phase 1 should be open,” he said. He noted that Phase 1 of residential is 75% committed.
A resolution was approved to switch municipal solid waste collection and disposal services to Team Waste Memphis, LLC. Emily Harrell, city engineer, said the switch will be in April, changing from Republic Services Inc. It will include weekly recycling pickups and new trash receptacles with the City logo. The City will have a contract with Republic for disposal at the North Shelby Landfill for a period of three years.
The Mayor spoke of the money in the sewer reserve account and suggested the new Board might consider reducing the fee per resident while still building a surplus.
The other resolutions approved were a residential subdivision development contract for The Estates of Chambers Chapel Planned Development Phase 1; and a proclamation for Dec. 1 to be the City’s Arbor Day 2018.
The only speaker during the 5 p.m. Town Hall was Jeremy Burnett, who was unsuccessful in his bid for a commissioner slot. He referenced the election and noted that residents should support the new City officials next month. And he thanked the exiting BOC members.
This Board will meet again Monday (11.12.18) for a meeting and public hearing at 6 p.m. at Lakeland City Hall for approval and submission of an economic impact plan for the Lakeland Commons Planned Development at U.S. Highway 70 and Seed Rick Road. Their meeting will follow a 5:30 meeting of the IDB (Industrial Development Board).
Link to Livestream for tonight’s meetings: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8447530
https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8447472
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
