The monthly BOC (Board of Commissioners) work session tonight (8.3.17) covered a myriad of topics in just over an hour.
Emily Harrell, city engineer, gave an overview of I-40 and Beverle Rivera Drive projects. See separate story: https://lakelandcurrents.com/only-weeks-away-beverle-drive-extension-wb-ramp/ .
In his regular report, City Manager Jim Atkinson said the City is still trying to get internet services in parts of Lakeland where service does not exist or is poor by any standard. “We are working on this but we are limited as to what we can do,” said Mr. Atkinson.
First the City continues to work with private providers — AT&T, Comcast and Ritter Communications. “We have no authority to force them to put lines in the ground,” he said. “But we probably talk to them monthly.”
The second alternative might be the City doing its own Wi Fi. “But state law prohibits this because we don’t have our own electric utility. We’d have to go to the Legislature next year.”
Josh Roman, vice mayor, asked the City staff to keep working and bring information to the agenda next month. “Maybe you can flush out some answers.”
Also shared by Mr. Atkinson was news that the Parks and Recreation Director, Robbie Spencer, accepted a job in Illinois and his last day in Lakeland is tomorrow. Kevin Rooney, the recreation program supervisor, has been named interim director and will continue the football program now underway.
City leaders are mulling phase I of an athletic complex which is estimated to cost just under $2.5 million and could possibly start construction early next year. It would include a full wagon wheel with two lighted fields. The configuration allows for baseball, softball, soccer and football. It will cost over $1 million just to move dirt on the 100-acre site at Memphis-Arlington Road and Canada Road.
Commissioner Matt Wright said a lack of playing fields is a severe problem for the City. “Right now (on City Fields by City Hall) we have tackle football players next to flag football players. We are to the point where we have to tell people their children can’t play or we have to seek temporary space at a church,” he said.
“Games are being played in Bartlett, Arlington, Collierville and even Horn Lake, MS,” said Mr. Wright. “Lakeland can’t bank any money or generate revenue because we don’t have fields.”
Commissioners asked City staff to present a funding plan next week using funds allocated for parks ($500K) along with $1.6 million from reserve money and possibly grant money.
Establishing a municipal court in Lakeland was next on the list. Mr. Atkinson said it is cumbersome and time-consuming to take Lakeland code violators to Shelby County Environmental Court downtown. He was referring to such violations as building maintenance or trailers in residential driveways.
“Historically this (going to court) takes 30 to 60 days and it’s still not fixed,” he said of trips to see Judge Larry Potter. A municipal court would speed that up.
He suggested hiring an attorney who lives in Lakeland to preside over cases once a month or as needed. Commissioners asked for projected costs on establishing the court.
And then came the request by Vice Mayor Josh Roman to discuss seeking legal advice on defamation of the City and City officials.
Commissioner Wright noted he had been accused of creating fake Facebook accounts and keeping company with undesirable characters. “I see these things online and get frustrated,” said Mr. Wright. “What are my legal rights to defend myself against slander? People are making up lies and there’s no way to defend yourself.”
Vice Mayor Roman said he’d like an opinion on what the City can and cannot do. “This would be a staff directive,” he said.
Besides adding discussion on defamation, Vice Mayor Roman asked for conversation on MLGW bills and smart meters. He has heard from residents who have higher utility bills than they were expecting. “Maybe it’s the change to smart meters. I’m not sure,” he said. “I’d like for the staff to dive into sampling some of the bills. What is causing the change?” He suggested asking MLGW to post answers or suggestions on the social media site Nextdoor.com.
Other items discussed tonight were ordinances to regulate overgrown and dirty lots and to clarity language of Land Development regulations. There were also resolutions for the Small Area Plan, the purchase of equipment for the wastewater department and reduction of the security amount for Oakwood Grove Phase I subdivision.
Link to the meeting agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/683
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents.
