The newly formed volunteer Community Advisory Board (CAB) met for the first time last night (9.17.19) after the group was officially formed this summer by the BOC (Board of Commissioners).
Eight members of the CAB were selected by the BOC to represent geographical areas of the City from north to south Lakeland and in-between, all serving two-year terms and meeting quarterly.
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/873
Commissioner Michele Dial chaired the inaugural meeting at City Hall with introductions among the members and discussion of the purposes and objectives, draft bylaws and a name change. She will be the liaison to the group from the BOC.
Initially the group was called “Citizens Advisory Board” but the Board approved a motion last night to change the name from Citizens to Community.
Attending the session were six of the eight members: Michael Green, Kimberly Rossie, Jason Valentine, Jonathan Spiceland, Sally Nickle and Thomas Davis. Ben Ledsinger and Ken Glatzer were unable to attend.
The Board was proposed by Commissioner Michele Dial during her run for office in the fall of 2019. During the election, Mrs. Dial said, “I propose a Volunteer Board be formed which will be made up of one representative from each area of the City. We will meet quarterly to discuss the needs of each area, which will in effect build trust in City leaders and staff that is sorely lacking. This board will have the facts and research for upcoming projects/ideas and realize the difficulty of decisions that have to be made, having a voice in making them.”
Goals of the group include:
- Improve communication between Lakeland residents, City staff and the BOC
- Provide citizens the opportunity for early engagement on important community issues/concerns
- Create an opportunity for Lakeland residents to learn more about City government and departments
- Provide input directly from their respective neighborhood area to inform staff and BOC in an effort to more efficiently to allocate resources
Kevin Rooney, director of the Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department, was the first city staff member to address the group. He spoke about his department and the grants he secures for programs and projects. Also speaking to the group was Will Patterson, City attorney.
The next meeting of the CAB will be Jan. 21st.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
