Good Morning Lakeland Residents!

I appreciate all the positive feedback received from these weekly reports, and am glad to know they are helpful in keeping you connected to City Hall. We have two meetings in the Board room this week, and here are the headlines:

• Ashmont is ready to begin land work, and Chapel Lakes has a sketch plan up for feedback from the Municipal Planning and Design Review Commission (MPDRC)
• The Senior Center is up for goal setting this month, and some policies are up for review with the Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources Board (PRB)

More details are below, but first let's take...

A Look Back at Last Week

Lakeland Board of Education

As a reminder for those interested, the Lakeland Board of Education meets monthly at City Hall. Their agendas, including the one for last week and for tonight (voting meeting), can be found at this link, as well as a link to their YouTube page where the meetings are live streamed.

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners (BOC) met last Thursday at 6pm at City Hall. As always, the full meeting agenda, materials, and video can be found at lakelandtn.gov/agendas. With Commissioner Jim Atkinson absent, the items below were all unanimously approved by the four members of the BOC in attendance.

• The Ordinance amending the fiscal year 2023 annual budget, and recognizing the City's American Rescue and Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) grant revenues, was adopted on final reading.
• Three Resolutions were passed related to extending the time for completion of the Arcadia residential development - one by the Sewerage Commission (whose members are the elected Board of Commissioners), and two by the BOC. 
• During the presentation of a Resolution to approve an agreement with Holbrook Asphalt for pavement preservation, Mayor Roman confirmed that this product had been used by the City in the past, and that it was budgeted appropriately. After discussion, it was approved.
• A portion of Campus Drive was accepted via Resolution from Lakeland Preparatory School; meaning, maintenance is now the responsibility of the City of Lakeland.
• During the discussion of the potential use of library facilities at LPS by the public, Vice-Mayor Wright and I provided the initial feedback from my talks with Dr. Horrell as to the challenges of this proposal, especially in light of increased safety concerns over school facilities. 
• The Mayor also introduced and the Board unanimously approved a resolution to initiate condemnation proceedings to acquire the Econo Lodge property on Huff N Puff Road. 

A Look Ahead to This Week

Lakeland Board of Education

There is a Board of Education meeting tonight at City Hall at 5:45pm. See above for a link to the agendas page for the school system.

Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources Board

The PRB meets Tuesday night at 5:30pm at City Hall. Here's a look at what's on the agenda:

• Richard Fabacher will present his Eagle Scout Project!
• Parks and Recreation Director Pat O'Mara will give an update on Phase II of the athletic complex on Memphis-Arlington Road.
• The PRB will discuss goals for the Lakeland Senior Center, as well as review the Senior Center policy that has not been updated in several years.
• The Sponsorship policy will be reviewed and discussed for potential recommendation of adoption by the BOC.
• Fees will be discussed, as well as division updates from the Parks and Recreation department.

Municipal Planning and Design Review Commission

The MPDRC will meet Thursday night at 5:30pm at City Hall. The final agenda will be posted soon at lakelandtn.gov/agendas - and here is a preview:

• A land disturbance permit is up for approval by the MPDRC for the Ashmont property, enabling the developer to begin work on this nearly-100-acre parcel in the Lakeland Gateway TIF District.
• A sketch plan is up for discussion for the Chapel Lakes planned development, a residential development that borders The Estates at Oakwood Grove to its north, and The Grove to its west. This review enables the MPDRC members to give direct feedback to the developer prior to the submittal of an updated outline plan. 

Other Matters

Planning a visit to City Hall soon? If so, please excuse our mess! The front entrance and sidewalks are being renovated to allow for better compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and weather depending, there may be a day or two that the public entrance to City Hall is closed for renovations. If so, there will be signs and instructions outside to call 901-867-2717 for assistance from staff, who will be working of course during regular City Hall operating hours Monday to Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. 

To Be Continued...

As always, please reach out any time with questions, concerns, and any other feedback to citymanager@lakelandtn.org - until then, I remain...

In Your Service,

Michael Walker, City Manager