During its regular meeting tonight (11.14.19) at City Hall, the BOC (Board of Commissioners) approved a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the City and the Lakeland School System (LSS) relating to construction of the first high school in Lakeland.
The approval was not without controversy as Mayor Mike Cunningham and Commissioner Richard Gonzales, Jr. lobbied to keep any interest money on the interim financing in City coffers and not with LSS.
Commissioner Gonzales said projected interest of $985,000 is a lot of money and it should be kept by the City
to offset costs for the USDA loan which will finance the high school. The City is on the hook for the money (USDA loan, he said, and any interest gained should go to the City. “That’s my concern,” he added.
The Mayor said he questioned if the school system does not follow the USDA guidelines, USDA will pull out. He suggested if the City has the funds, it help with oversight. “That’s a better win for everyone. It adds a layer of protection for our City.”
Commissioner Michele Dial asked if the Mayor was talking about keeping just the projected interest or the total loan amount to build the school.
The Mayor said all the funds. The Board should act as project managers.
Vice Mayor Josh Roman said that was not a level of oversight he wanted to take on.
Commissioner Wesley Wright said he is supremely confident in the School Board and its track record. He said they built the middle school and other projects.
They have shown themselves to be wonderful stewards of finances. “I feel confident in moving forward.” He said the current City property tax rate does pay the USDA loan without depending on big construction projects in the City like Lakeland Commons and The Lake District.
The vote on resolution #6 was 3 yes, and the Mayor and Commissioner Gonzales voting no.
Link to meeting agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/887
Link to Livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8895079
Security cameras
The resolution to purchase and install 20 security cameras from Flock Safety was amended to be subject to final approval by the City Attorney Will Patterson. The City was to have a 90-day trial before payment of $2,000 per camera was paid to Flock. The contract was revised from the original contract, said Mr. Patterson, and he wants to be absolutely sure of the 90-day period. The amendment to the resolution passed on a 3 to 2 vote with the Mayor and Commissioner Gonzales voting no.
Mayor Cunningham and Commissioner Gonzales were concerned about who would have access to data from the cameras which will be owned by the City. Commissioner Wright said the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) would be given access and no elected officials or City staff would have access.
Mr. Patterson said the contract is with Flock and not SCSO. There would have to be a separate agreement with SCSO.
The Shelby County Commission has discussed giving money to municipalities for cameras and is expected to give $20,000 to Lakeland. But that deal is not confirmed and the Mayor said the project should wait until that money commitment is firm. “I am 1,000% behind this but I don’t believe we’re there yet,” said the Mayor.
He said he believes there should be a policy in place with more due diligence.
The vote for the amended resolution #5 was 3 yes and the Mayor and Commissioner Gonzales abstaining.
The Vice Mayor asked Mr. Patterson what abstention means and he explained it means a person is neither for nor against something. In explaining his feelings, the Mayor said he didn’t want to say no or yes.
Athletic fields collaboration with LSS
Kevin Floyd, Lakeland School Board (LSB) chairman, has offered to collaborate with the City Parks and Recreation Department to share use of some fields on the school property for City use.
Commissioner Dial said LSB received 2.6 acres of land quit claim deeded Oct. 29th. The newly acquired property gives LSS access to Old Brownsville Road and future athletic fields. The property was one of three lots north and east of the easternmost portion of LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) owned by the Warner R. and Evelyn F. Wiles family.
Commissioner Dial said the offer from LSB is to partner with the City with an MOU for use of the property for athletic fields for the Parks and Rec Department. Mr. Patterson said the money would be needed to build three grass fields, one turf field, an access road to Old Brownsville, parking for 80 cars and lighting. He said the cost would be $3.175 million.
Shane Horn, city manager, said this offer solves an immediate issue of space needed for City teams but additional space is needed in the long term. Plans for what was to be an athletic complex on City-owned property at Memphis Arlington and Canada Roads has proved to be problematic, according to Commissioner Dial and likely will only provide two fields but space for biking and walking.
Vice Mayor Roman said the USDA money to be borrowed to build the high school in Lakeland and refinance the loan on the middle school could cover the $3.2 million for the fields: $40 million for the high school, $12.8 million on refinance, $600K for soft costs on the build and $3.2 million for the fields = $56.7 million or $57 million. So, he said, that would still put that loan under $57 million.
The Vice Mayor made a motion to direct staff to process the initial loan with PNC Bank of $40 million plus soft costs plus enough to fund the fields project of $3.2 million. The vote was 4 yes with the Mayor abstaining.
And the rest of the evening
- The Beer Board approved an application for an off-premises beer permit for Flash Market at 9108 U.S. Highway 64.
- Cheryl Lott
Cheryl Lott at the Town Hall Meeting tonight addressed the BOC at the 5:30 p.m. Town Hall Meeting regarding conditions on U.S. Highway 70 near a new neighborhood, Kensington Manor. A guardrail has been added to the south side of the highway and residents in the area believe it is ugly. Another guardrail will be installed on the north side of the highway. The City has requested TDOT paint the guardrail brown, but there is no definitive answer. Lott also spoke of the hills on the Highway which impact visibility for driving. Emily Harrell, city engineer, explained that the Highway is regulated by the state.
- Michael Walker was introduced
Michael Walker as the new finance and human services director to replace Kyle Wright who resigned in September. For his first order of business, he reviewed financials for September and October.
- Mr. Horn announced Katrina Shields has been hired as the code enforcement officer, replacing John Highsmith who resigned last month. He updated commissioners on projects in the City.
- Commissioners Wright and Dial reported on monthly meetings of the Municipal Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission and the Parks and Rec Board. Commissioner Dial said the City Christmas Festival will be Dec. 6th from 5 – 8 p.m.
- Kim Koratsky was named the new Lakeland Municipal Judge, replacing Taylor A. Cates who resigned in October. Mr. Koratsky
Kim Koratsky was Deputy County Attorney/Chief Litigation Attorney for Shelby County four years. He had been interim deputy and senior assistant county attorney. He was a partner in labor and employment with Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP and an associate with Jackson, Shields, Yeiser & Cantrell. His law degree is from the University of Memphis Cecil B. Humphreys School of Law. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Illinois Springfield. He has been a Memphian about 25 years and lives in Cordova with his wife, Mick Ann.
- Derek Johnston was appointed to a three-year term on the volunteer Parks and Recreation/Natural Resources Board.
- Three resolutions were approved to waive fees and donate $10,000 to the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway which is being built in Lakeland (Kensington Manor) for the second consecutive year,
- There was discussion on funds to help Lakeland neighborhoods become certified for Neighborhood Watch and plans for a Lakeland Design Plan.
- Deputy Matt Mercer with the SCSO gave the monthly crime report and said there were six thefts from motor vehicles, two unlocked, and no residential burglary.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
