By Steve Snow, Board vice chair
The monthly meeting was Tuesday (3.12.19) at City Hall called to order by Mark Donley, acting chairperson at 5:36 p.m.
Along with Mr. Donley were Board Members Mark Mangione, Scott Robbins and Steven Snow.
Absent was Board Member Andre’ Nolan.
Also present were BOC (Board of Commissioners) liaison Commissioner Michele Dial: Mr. Reynolds; Kevin Rooney, Parks and Rec department director; Recreation Program Supervisor Wendi Haley; Lakeland Senior Center (LSC) Manager Kim Odom; City Manager Shane Horn; and four members of the public.
Newly appointed board member Chad Reynolds was sworn in by Commissioner Michele Dial.
Board officers were elected for 2019. Mr. Donley was elected chairperson; Steven Snow was elected vice-chair; and Scott Robbins was re-elected secretary. All votes were by acclamation.
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/828
Parks
Mr. Rooney began the meeting with a report of the situation at Zadie E. Kuehl Memorial Park. There has been an improvement in loitering and littering. This is the result of motion sensor lighting and a security camera which has been installed plus regular patrolling by SCSO (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office) deputies.
Mr. Rooney also updated the plans for a dog park. An engineering firm has been contracted to do a drainage study for the proposed dog run areas in preparation for fencing plans and construction planned for this fall. Several citizens who live in the area were present to ask about the effects of the dog park on the remainder of the park. They were assured that the integrity of park would be maintained both for the community and for the family for whom the park is a memorial.
The situation at Plantation Hills is not as positive. There have been reports of loitering and questionable activity. A security camera has been installed and will hopefully have the same positive impact as it has had in other parks.
Athletic Complex
Chairman Donley reported on the Athletic Complex, having just returned from a workshop in Jackson, TN with Mr. Rooney. A recommended archaeology study of the site will be required. This will involve having the area inspected for historical or cultural evidence, including Native American. In addition a hydrologic determination will also be needed to identify wetlands and natural streams.
LAMP concert series
Plans are continuing for the LAMP Concert Series. Already booked is the group for the June 22 concert in conjunction with the St. Jude Dream Home and to benefit St Jude Hospital. The band is St Jude employees and they are donating their appearance fee to the hospital. Also performing at the concert is Patty Shukla, a children’s entertainer with a 45-minute interactive experience for the little ones. The Dream Home is under construction in Lakeland.
There was a discussion of possible performers for the three remaining concerts. Plans should be finalized by next month. If the public has any suggestions, they are always welcome. An earlier start time to accommodate families with younger ones was approved for a trial at the first concert. The venue will open at 5:30 p.m. with the music beginning at 6:30. There was additional discussion of plans for concession sales, as well as fees for food vendors. It was proposed to include a sponsorship with the vendor fee and sell LAMP Concert T-Shirts with the food vendors’ logos displayed.
Trails
The hiking and off-road biking trails at IH Park continue to be more precisely mapped and cleared for use. Several individuals have approached Mr. Rooney with a proposal to set up a disc golf course at IH using their own equipment and raising the necessary funds to implement such a course. Other improvements at IH are a new roof, for which bids are currently being taken.
Windward Slopes
At Windward Slopes several Eagle Scouts are planning a project to repair the ball wall next to the tennis courts.
Tree City USA
The City of Lakeland has been officially designated a 2018 Tree City USA for the 13th consecutive year. Arbor Day this year is April 26th and plans are being made to distribute 300 saplings to continue our legacy as a Tree City.
Lakeland sports
Ms. Haley gave a detailed report of the current and upcoming leagues and programs. Summer T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball registration opened March 8th and runs thru April 28th. The season is June thru July. Games are played at the City Hall fields.
Spring Soccer registration finished with 179 registrations from ages 3-14. Season begins on March 16th and runs thru May 18th. Games are played on Saturdays at the City Hall fields.
Youth Basketball wrapped up with champions being awarded trophies and runner-up receiving medals. Big thank you to LES (Lakeland Elementary School), LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) and St. Paul United Methodist Church for their help with gym space.
Spring Youth and Adult Tennis Clinics registration is open until March 29th for clinics that begin March 31st and runs for six weeks. Clinics usually run back-to-back throughout the spring and summer season. Clinics are held at the newly resurfaced Windward Slopes Tennis Courts.
Safe Sitter, Lego
Safe Sitter registration is open for a one-day class April 27th for kids in grades 6-8. The class will be at the IH Clubhouse.
Lego Club registration is open for classes that will begin April 11th for ages 5-13. Classes will be held at the I.H. Clubhouse.
LSC
Kim Odom reported the attendance at the Senior Center for February was 431, double the number for the same month last year. Nine of the seniors participated in Grandparents Day at Lakeland Elementary School, standing in for children who didn’t have grandparents available. Things will be “hopping” at the Center Friday (3.15.19) with a dinner and sock hop dance. Poodle skirts and leather jackets are welcome.
KLB
There was a discussion of reestablishing the Keep Lakeland Beautiful (KLB) committee which has been inactive for several years. Board members will teach out to interested individuals with a goal of re-affiliating the group with Keep America Beautiful and Keep Tennessee Beautiful.
Fishing Rodeo
The annual Fishing Rodeo will be May 18th at IH Lake.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
