The BOC (Board of Commissioners) met at City Hall tonight (2.13.20) for their regular meeting, selecting a new volunteer for a City Board and hearing the 2040 Vision Plan from Commissioner Wesley Wright.
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/913
Link to Livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/9000417
Three candidates applied for two openings on the Parks and Recreation/Natural Resources Board. Amber Sawyer was selected to fill one position.
Because Vice Mayor Josh Roman was absent due to sickness, there was a tie vote between the other two candidates. The selection of the second volunteer to the Board was deferred to March.
Commissioner Wright presented 32 slides, envisioning how Lakeland might look in 20 years.
Among the slides was a review of the current situation of Lakeland and the strengths of the town. He said his goal is to have a long-range strategic plan to guide the growth and development of the community.
During the Feb. 6th BOC meeting, Commissioner Wright suggested forming a task force in the community to work on the vision plan. Mayor Mike Cunningham suggested he consider the Community Advisory Board. He recommended tonight to utilize people in the community who are passionate about Lakeland.
Four of the 32 slides:
Link to album of all slides: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VYkQBRVJQdGAeSgJ6
January treasurer’s report
Michael Walker, finance and human resources director, said across all funds of the City, the fund balance and net position grew from $26,364,351 to $29,537,623 or by $3.2 million.
This is primarily due to the receipt of $2.3 million of property tax revenues during January, as well as the receipt of $400,000 of state-shared revenues including sales taxes. See the report here: https://www.lakelandtn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8887
Resolutions
The Mayor honored Eagle Scout Aaron Lawrence for building shade structures at Windward Slopes Park.
Watkins Uiberall PLLC was approved to audit Lakeland financial activities for the Fiscal Year ending June 30th
A proclamation was signed by the Mayor naming March 21st as Arbor Day in Lakeland.
Report from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Matt Mercer said that during January, there were three thefts from motor vehicles (all unlocked), one theft from a mailbox, no residential burglaries and an attempted robbery at the Shell Station at Canada Road and I-40.
City Manager’s Report
Shane Horn, city manager, shared the following information:
- Work should be starting soon on the Canada Road Bike Ped Path.
- Plan reviews by Lakeland and Shelby County are complete and groundbreaking for the Aldi grocery store should be in about a week.
- The BOC will have a budget work session March 23rd.
- The City website redesign should go live March 26th.
- There will be a Town Hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. March 31st at City Hall with the following County officials: Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr., Fire Chief Alvin Benson and Commissioner Mick Wright.
- There are two volunteer positions open on the Board of Appeals/Stormwater Board of Appeals.
- The gateway sign at U.S. Highway 64 and Chambers Chapel Road should be under construction soon.
- Horn thanked resigning staff members Kevin Rooney and Forrest Owens for their contributions to the City. Mr. Horn is seeking applicants for both positions.
Public comment
Lakeland resident Jeremy Burnett thanked commissioners for the speed sign which has been on Canada Road, north of I-40 since the fall. He said he noticed a distinct decrease in speeding and would recommend adding a second sign on Canada Road, headed south.
Announcements
Commissioner Wright said the USPS is demanding all future residential developments have cluster instead of individual mailboxes. He said Lakeland, along with other municipalities in the area, oppose this change. The Mayor said he met with Rep. David Kustoff at a meeting of municipal mayors and he has Lakeland’s resolution against the change.
Also announced was the Lakeland Education Foundation 5K/Fun Run and Fine Arts Festival April 4th at Lakeland Elementary School, with proceeds going to teacher grants. Helping with the Festival is Lakeland artist Kevin Bowers.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
