(Watch interview, above, with Mayor Wyatt Bunker following the BOC meeting.)
During a 30-minute BOC (Board of Commissioners) business meeting tonight (3.8.18), a resolution to hold a referendum for high school funding never made it to the floor.
Commissioner Clark Plunk sponsored the resolution which would have directed the City Attorney and City Manager to prepare a referendum regarding General Obligation (GO) bonds not to exceed $60 million to build a high school wing at LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School).
Mr. Plunk made the motion, but it failed due to lack of a second. Mayor Bunker said legal counsel advised the BOC not to discuss the measure because of pending litigation.
Background on school funding
Two Lakeland residents filed suit Dec. 8, 2017 seeking to block the sale of lease revenue bonds to finance a high school wing at Lakeland Middle Preparatory School. The lawsuit against the City and the IDB (Industrial Development Board) also asks the Shelby County Chancery Court to require a referendum before the issuance of any bonds for Lakeland schools.
Lawyers for the City have said the federally tax-exempt bonds proposed by the City do not require a referendum. Three Lakeland entities, the BOC, the Industrial Development Board and the Lakeland School Board, approved a resolution in December to purchase the bonds before Dec. 31, 2017. Since the date passed and the bonds were not purchased, all three Boards rescinded the resolution.
Tonight’s resolution would have used a different type of funding (GO bonds) instead of lease revenue bonds.
Links to the City’s videos of tonight’s meeting:
https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8101176/videos/171274307
https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8101176/videos/171276113
Link to the agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/751
Other BOC business
One Lakeland resident, Lou Melton, spoke to commissioners about the resolution to adopt a revised public records policy. Mrs. Melton and other residents have been reviewing thousands of public records at City Hall.
“We decided to become pro-active in reviewing Lakeland expenditures,” said Mrs. Melton. She noted that they didn’t realize the volume of material they were requesting. At the suggestion of one of the residents, the group is now reviewing a copy of the check register which has streamlined the process, she said. “It has been very educational,” she added.
During the research, she said they found a duplicate invoice which has been addressed by the City for reimbursement. Mrs. Melton said they also found areas where the City saved money in several areas including health care and internet costs.
She said when their inspection is complete, the findings will be provided to the City.
The resolution on public records was among six on the consent agenda and all were approved.
On the regular agenda, five items were approved:
#1. City parks rules
#3. A traffic plan change for El Hill Road
#4. Support for a dedicated turn lane on U.S. Highway 64 at Davies Plantation
#5. Support for a decreased speed limit on a section of Highway 64
#6. Appointment of City Planner Cory Brady as president of the Industrial Development Board
Resolution #7 dealing with municipal solid waste collections was moved to the April work session.
Resolution #2 dealing with reconstruction of Huff N Puff Road and the extension of Beverle Rivera Drive was amended and then passed. According to Emily Harrell, city engineer, the City requested the sewer force main be relocated from the centerline of the new road to the shoulder which necessitated additional funds. Mayor Bunker questioned the additional expense and Mrs. Harrell said she would talk to consultant A2H.
City Manager’s report
Jim Atkinson asked to submit a resolution at the request of The Lake District (TLD) to move City Hall to that venue when complete in several years. TLD is to be an upscale 160+acre mixed use community at I-40 and Canada Road. Mr. Atkinson said the resolution would allow him to have discussions with Developer Yehuda Netanel.
Mayor Bunker commented there had already been discussions of having a Town Center at a development at Seed Tick Road and U.S. Highway 70 which would be the center of the City. Vice Mayor Josh Roman and Commissioner Matt Wright both suggested this matter be moved to the April work session.
… Photos and video by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
