Meeting in special session this afternoon (7.26.18) the BOC (Board of Commissioners) agreed to consider the nine top candidates of the 25 who applied to be city manager for Lakeland.
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/782
Link to livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8306842
The City is seeking to fill the City Manager’s job after the announcement June 14 that Jim Atkinson will leave that position after 3 ½ years. The deadline to apply for the position was July 20 and applications were sent to the City Attorney, Chris Patterson.
Mr. Atkinson has been with the City of Lakeland over 13 years, he said, with 3 ½ years as City Manager. He has accepted a job with Lakeland-based A2H and said he is not on a particular timeframe and will help with the transition to a new city manager.
Of the candidates, Mr. Atkinson said they were really qualified applicants and he was impressed with the quality of the candidates. A ranked list of candidates was given to BOC members with five on the initial interview list and four more listed as secondary.
Those being considered:
| Name | Current Location | Last Position |
| Shannon Andrews | Woodstock, IL | Lakewood, IL Village Manager |
| Terence Arrington | Greenville, SC | Senior Mortgage Lending Loan Servicing Cash Operations Analyst |
| Christopher Clifton | Southaven, MS | President/CEO of Wynne/Cross County Economic Development Corporation |
| Jeff Eder | East Peoria, IL | East Peoria, IL City Administrator |
| Doug Heberle | Lodi, CA | Woodbridge (CA) Irrigation District Assistant Manager |
| Shane Horn | Adrian, MI | Adrian, MI City Administrator |
| Glenn Irby | Umatilla, FL | Apopka, FL City Administrator |
| Corey Rheinecker | Sparta, IL | Sparta, IL City Manager |
| Libbey Tucker | Wentzville, MO | Chesterfield, MO Assistant City Administrator |
Mr. Patterson suggested all nine be asked to create a video of themselves, sharing biographical information and experience. The candidates will be given a deadline of Tuesday (7.31.18) to submit the videos with BOC members reviewing them upon receipt. From those videos, BOC members will decide which candidates to invite for in-person interviews.
Vice Mayor Josh Roman asked if the City would pay for the candidates to come to Lakeland, since some live out of state. Mr. Atkinson said there is no budget for interview expenses and it is not typical to pay those expenses.
Security systems within Lakeland
Citing the recent shooting at the Oakwood Clubhouse (5.27.18) and frequent car break-ins, the BOC had a discussion about partnering with neighborhoods to install camera systems for the capture of suspicious persons and vehicles. There was also talk of installing cameras at major intersections in the City, particularly on U.S. Highway 64.
Mayor Wyatt Bunker suggested asking neighborhoods to collect data and if a crime is committed, the video could be viewed during a certain timeframe to check vehicles and car tags.
Vice Mayor Roman suggested there could be incentives for neighborhoods by providing matching grant money for the security systems. The Mayor agreed, saying maybe a percentage of the system could be covered or up to a maximum of $5,000. There was also discussion about applying for grant money for the cameras.
Commissioner Wesley Wright suggested that signs about security be included in the plan for cameras. “A sign does most of the work advertising security,” he said.
Mayor Bunker asked if City staff would get two or three top security vendors and ask their recommendations and costs. Because he is in the security business, he said he would assist with the project. He is director of security at Baptist Memorial Health Care.
During the security discussion, the Vice Mayor asked if there was any update on the Oakwood shooting. Mr. Atkinson said there is no update. The Mayor said he will ask the SCSO (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office) deputy at the next BOC meeting (Aug. 2) why there has been no update. He said he didn’t expect information which would comprise the investigation, but there should be some communication so citizens will know what is going on.
Media inquiries
Going forward, City officials want media requests to go to Mr. Atkinson, the Mayor or one of the Commissioners. The premise behind this change is to provide correct information and not mixed messages. The Mayor said this policy is past due.
BOC meeting changes
Starting in August, there will be no work session for the BOC, only one regular meeting per month. The Mayor said there is a lot going on this fall and there is always the option to have special meetings should they be necessary. Through the end of 2018, the BOC will meet regularly on the first Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Debt Obligation Form
Jessica Millspaugh, City recorder and finance director, presented this information to the BOC as required, she said. It is the lease for Apple computers for Lakeland School System teachers. The City makes the payment and the School System reimburses the City.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents.
