CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, May 24, 2007, 6:30 P.M.
CITY HALL, LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002
I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m., Thursday, May 24, 2007.
II. ROLL CALL:
Kathleen Brasfield, Connie Hess, Mark Lawrence, Randy Nicholson, Don Oliver, Josh Roman, and Pamela Womack were present.
John Dudas and Melissa Smithmier were absent.
Lakeland City Staff members present were Robert Wherry, J Higbee, and Theresa Meyer.
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
EDC Regular Meeting Minutes, April 26, 2007, 6:30 p.m.
Mark Lawrence requested the April 26, 2007 Minutes be amended under Old Business, Item #1 to read “due to Mr. Roman’s absence, discussion on wireless access in key City locations has been tabled until the May 24, 2007, meeting.”
Connie Hess moved to approve the minutes as amended. Motion seconded by Kathleen Brasfield.
Approved by acclamation.
IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
Guests present were Lakeland resident, Jerry Chism, who has expressed interest in participating in the Retail Development Team, Chuck Marquest, TVA Leader of Consumer Connection program, and Lakeland resident and Park Board member, Hank Hess.
V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Update on Lakeland’s Chamber of Commerce. (Oliver)
Next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 14 at 11:30 AM at Stonebridge Clubhouse. The next business “after hours” meeting will be Thursday, July 12, at 5:30 PM, at the Oakwood Clubhouse. Chuck Marquest, TVA Leader of the Consumer Connection, is the scheduled speaker for this meeting.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, May 24, 2007, 6:30 P.M.
CITY HALL, LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002
I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m., Thursday, May 24, 2007.
II. ROLL CALL:
Kathleen Brasfield, Connie Hess, Mark Lawrence, Randy Nicholson, Don Oliver, Josh Roman, and Pamela Womack were present.
John Dudas and Melissa Smithmier were absent.
Lakeland City Staff members present were Robert Wherry, J Higbee, and Theresa Meyer.
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
EDC Regular Meeting Minutes, April 26, 2007, 6:30 p.m.
Mark Lawrence requested the April 26, 2007 Minutes be amended under Old Business, Item #1 to read “due to Mr. Roman’s absence, discussion on wireless access in key City locations has been tabled until the May 24, 2007, meeting.”
Connie Hess moved to approve the minutes as amended. Motion seconded by Kathleen Brasfield.
Approved by acclamation.
IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
Guests present were Lakeland resident, Jerry Chism, who has expressed interest in participating in the Retail Development Team, Chuck Marquest, TVA Leader of Consumer Connection program, and Lakeland resident and Park Board member, Hank Hess.
V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Update on Lakeland’s Chamber of Commerce. (Oliver)
Next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 14 at 11:30 AM at Stonebridge Clubhouse. The next business “after hours” meeting will be Thursday, July 12, at 5:30 PM, at the Oakwood Clubhouse. Chuck Marquest, TVA Leader of the Consumer Connection, is the scheduled speaker for this meeting.
The Chamber needs help recruiting new members. There are 28 paid members.
The Chamber is encouraging businesses to set up booths and participate in the “Happy Birthday, Lakeland” celebration.
Update on new business inquiries/licenses. (Staff)
No report submitted; no report given.
The Chamber is encouraging businesses to set up booths and participate in the “Happy Birthday, Lakeland” celebration.
Update on new business inquiries/licenses. (Staff)
No report submitted; no report given.
Update on Planning Department. (Higbee)
The Municipal Planning Commission approved the Preliminary Site Plan for Fairway Meadows Commercial Development, Lot 4. This is an 8750 square foot retail development located next to the Highway 64 Auto Zone (one building with multiple spaces). They still have to submit a Final Site Plan.
The Corner Shops of Canada Road was approved in April. Jim Atkinson is handling the project. Revisions have been recommended to improve its appearance.
The website Planning page is now available at www.lakelandtn.gov.
Copies of the Lakeland Development Handbook are available and will be distributed to Boards and Commissions.
The REDC study is scheduled to be completed June 30 by University of Memphis.
Update on Lakeland Special Census. (Wherry)
The final count was 10,848. The figure will be verified by the State. Ten percent of ten percent will be checked.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion and/or action on wireless access in key City locations. (Roman)
White paper was distributed (copy attached). The purpose is to decide whether or not the EDC should move forward on making a recommendation for use within the City or to help attract businesses. Providing wireless access will help promote a positive image and make Lakeland more attractive to businesses.
Following general discussion, Mark Lawrence moved to continue the discussion with the inclusion of cost estimates from a least two potential providers as well as a bullet-point preparation of cost/benefit analysis. Don Oliver seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
2. Discussion on participation in the TVA “Consumer Connection” Community Retail Development Program. (Lawrence)
The following individuals have expressed an interest in participating in the program: Jerry Chism, Gerrit Verschuur, Hank and Connie Hess, Rudolph Jones, Kathleen and Michael Brasfield.
Chuck Marquest was introduced as the point of contact for the Consumer Connection Program. Following a brief overview of the program, Chairman Lawrence opened the floor for questions.
The purpose of the program is to design a retail attraction package. The plan will be adapted to suit the City of Lakeland.
The team will begin in September 2007 with a minimum of 10-15 participants.
3. Discussion on I-40/Canada Road Public Education Meeting. (Smithmier)
A public meeting will be held once TDOT makes a decision on a design for the I-40/Canada Road Interchange.
Brochures were prepared to educate individuals about the two designs being considered.
Motion made by Connie Hess to suspend the rules to permit Hank Hess to comment. Mark Lawrence seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
Mr. Hess suggested compiling form letters, distributing the letters to the general public with return envelopes, and hand-delivering returned letters to State and local officials.
Following general discussion, Josh Roman moved to have City Manager, Robert Wherry, produce and distribute letters with the appropriate return envelope. Randy Nicholson seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
Connie Hess moved to produce two informational brochures. One general brochure to be distributed to the general public and a detailed brochure to be inserted with the letters. Josh Roman seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
Connie Hess moved to add an Economic Development Commission representative to serve on the Advisory Committee with Farr and Associates on the Code re-write.
Procedural question: Commissioner Nicholson questioned whether action could be taken on an item that had not been placed on the Agenda.
Following general discussion, the item was tabled until the June 28, 2007 Agenda.
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business to discuss, Connie Hess moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Don Oliver.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
The Municipal Planning Commission approved the Preliminary Site Plan for Fairway Meadows Commercial Development, Lot 4. This is an 8750 square foot retail development located next to the Highway 64 Auto Zone (one building with multiple spaces). They still have to submit a Final Site Plan.
The Corner Shops of Canada Road was approved in April. Jim Atkinson is handling the project. Revisions have been recommended to improve its appearance.
The website Planning page is now available at www.lakelandtn.gov.
Copies of the Lakeland Development Handbook are available and will be distributed to Boards and Commissions.
The REDC study is scheduled to be completed June 30 by University of Memphis.
Update on Lakeland Special Census. (Wherry)
The final count was 10,848. The figure will be verified by the State. Ten percent of ten percent will be checked.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion and/or action on wireless access in key City locations. (Roman)
White paper was distributed (copy attached). The purpose is to decide whether or not the EDC should move forward on making a recommendation for use within the City or to help attract businesses. Providing wireless access will help promote a positive image and make Lakeland more attractive to businesses.
Following general discussion, Mark Lawrence moved to continue the discussion with the inclusion of cost estimates from a least two potential providers as well as a bullet-point preparation of cost/benefit analysis. Don Oliver seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
2. Discussion on participation in the TVA “Consumer Connection” Community Retail Development Program. (Lawrence)
The following individuals have expressed an interest in participating in the program: Jerry Chism, Gerrit Verschuur, Hank and Connie Hess, Rudolph Jones, Kathleen and Michael Brasfield.
Chuck Marquest was introduced as the point of contact for the Consumer Connection Program. Following a brief overview of the program, Chairman Lawrence opened the floor for questions.
The purpose of the program is to design a retail attraction package. The plan will be adapted to suit the City of Lakeland.
The team will begin in September 2007 with a minimum of 10-15 participants.
3. Discussion on I-40/Canada Road Public Education Meeting. (Smithmier)
A public meeting will be held once TDOT makes a decision on a design for the I-40/Canada Road Interchange.
Brochures were prepared to educate individuals about the two designs being considered.
Motion made by Connie Hess to suspend the rules to permit Hank Hess to comment. Mark Lawrence seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
Mr. Hess suggested compiling form letters, distributing the letters to the general public with return envelopes, and hand-delivering returned letters to State and local officials.
Following general discussion, Josh Roman moved to have City Manager, Robert Wherry, produce and distribute letters with the appropriate return envelope. Randy Nicholson seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
Connie Hess moved to produce two informational brochures. One general brochure to be distributed to the general public and a detailed brochure to be inserted with the letters. Josh Roman seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
Connie Hess moved to add an Economic Development Commission representative to serve on the Advisory Committee with Farr and Associates on the Code re-write.
Procedural question: Commissioner Nicholson questioned whether action could be taken on an item that had not been placed on the Agenda.
Following general discussion, the item was tabled until the June 28, 2007 Agenda.
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business to discuss, Connie Hess moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Don Oliver.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
These minutes were approved June 28, 2007.
Mark Lawrence, Chairman
ATTEST:
Sontidra Franklin, City Recorder
These minutes were approved June 28, 2007.
Mark Lawrence, Chairman
ATTEST:
Sontidra Franklin, City Recorder
No comments:
Post a Comment