CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 2007, 7 AM
CRACKER BARREL, 9649 DAVIES PLANTATION rOAD,
LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002


I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 a.m., Saturday, June 2, 2007.

II. ROLL CALL:
Connie Hess, Mark Lawrence, Randy Nicholson, Don Oliver, Josh Roman, and Pamela Womack were present.

Kathleen Brasfield, John Dudas, and Melissa Smtihmier were absent.

Lakeland City Staff members present were Robert Wherry and Theresa Meyer.

III. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion and possible action on the I-40 & Canada Road Interchange Project.

One Public Hearing will be held after TDOT selects the design option for the I-40 and Canada Road interchange. The Interim City Engineer David Smith and Construction Engineer James Collins will travel to Nashville Monday, June 18, to meet with TDOT officials and deliver petitions and letters supporting the Single Point Urban Interchange design.

Petitions and letters need to be returned to City Hall by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 15. Suggested methods for obtaining signatures and letters are: a mass mailing to residents, posting signs requesting support at the interchange, distributing letter/petitions at local businesses, publishing information and documents on the City website, emailing HOAs, distributing letters/petitions at interchange.

Copies of the letter and petition were reviewed. Following brief discussion, EDC members signed letters/petitions and took multiple copies for distribution.


IV. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business to discuss, Randy Nicolson moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Josh Roman.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 7:42 a.m.

These minutes were approved June 28, 2007.

Mark Lawrence, Chairman

ATTEST:

Sontidra Franklin, City Recorder

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.

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.

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 meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

These minutes were approved June 28, 2007.

Mark Lawrence, Chairman

ATTEST:

Sontidra Franklin, City Recorder

CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, April 26, 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, April 26, 2007.

II. ROLL CALL:
Kathleen Brasfield, Connie Hess, Mark Lawrence, Randy Nicholson, Don Oliver, Melissa Smithmier and Pamela Womack were present.

John Dudas and Josh Roman were absent.

Lakeland City Staff members present were Robert Wherry, J Higbee, and Theresa Meyer.

At the consensus of the Board, Chairman Lawrence opened the floor for discussion on New Business Item 2.

VII. NEW BUSINESS:
2. Discussion on participation in the TVA Consumer Connection Community Retail Development program. (Lawrence)

An 8- 20 member volunteer subcommittee of the EDC would work with an assigned mentor who would assist in the development of a Retail Attraction Strategic Plan.

Following general discussion, Melissa Smithmier moved to schedule a public meeting with the intention of forming a subcommittee from those showing interest. Seconded by Pamela Womack.

Voice vote, all in favor, motion carried.

A July “after hours” meeting was suggested with subcommittee work to begin this fall.

Chairman Lawrence challenged each member of the EDC to submit five contacts that may be interested in participating in the retail development subcommittee.

III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
EDC Regular Meeting Minutes, February 22, 2007, 6:30 p.m.
Don Oliver moved to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Melissa Smithmier.
Approved by acclamation.

EDC Special Meeting Minutes, April 12, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Don Oliver moved to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Melissa Smithmier.
Approved by acclamation.

IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.

V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Update on Lakeland’s Chamber of Commerce. (Oliver)
The Chamber has 28 paid members as of 03/31/07 and is looking to increase the number. Chamber meeting locations have changed. Luncheons will be held at the Stonebridge Golf Course Clubhouse and the after hours meetings will be held at the Oakwood Clubhouse. The next Chamber meeting will be May 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Stonebridge Clubhouse.

A ribbon cutting was held at Centerpoint Church.

The Chamber is currently working on a logo.

The Chamber will be involved in the June 3 Lakeland Birthday Celebration and will encourage businesses to participate by setting up booths or giving away products. The Chamber is the sponsor for the Lakeland Birthday Cake.

Update on new business inquiries/licenses. (Staff)
No report given.

Update on Planning Department. (Higbee)
Corner Shops, a new development located at the northwest corner of Highway 64 and Canada Road, got through its Preliminary Site Plan approval. They are working through the DRC. Once through DRC, they will go back to MPC for final plat approval. They are expected to open during the first quarter of 2008. It is estimated that this development could bring $75,000+ in revenues annually.

Two other new filings:

- Starbucks at I-40 and Canada Road (next to the Relax Inn). It is a larger center with Starbucks being one of its tenants.

- Highway 64 next to AutoZone - Fairway Meadows Commercial, Lot #4, retail or retail/office in one building.

Mr. Higbee reported that the Lakeland Commons Planned Development on Seed Tick Road (30 acres of Commercial) is still being revised.

For additional information, see “Status on EDC items from the Planning Department” memo dated 04/11/07. (Copy Attached)

Mr. Higbee announced the May 7, 2007 public meeting for the codes project with Farr & Associates. They will conduct a visual preference survey which will help them form the codes.

The City’s website, www.lakelandtn.gov, will soon include Planning pages containing Ordinances, Comp Plan, and the new Development Handbook.

Update on Lakeland Special Census 2007. (Wherry)
The current count is approximately 9500. It is estimated the figure will rise to 10,200+. The City will receive $109,000 per 1000 residents in state-shared revenues.


VI. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion and/or action on wireless access in key City locations. (Roman)
Due to Mr. Roman’s absence, discussion on wireless access in key City locations has been tabled until the May 24, 2007, meeting.

2. Discussion on status of Community Input Survey. (Smithmier)
Ms. Smithmier moved to dismiss the survey based on information provided by Mark Herbison of the Memphis Regional Chamber regarding the availability of market information to retailers from other sources.
Approved by acclamation.

3. Discussion on New Business Welcome Packet. (Lawrence)
Mr. Lawrence reviewed the current contents of the New Business Welcome Packet and recommends the packet remain “as is”.
No Action Taken.

4. 2007 Goals and Objectives. (Hess)
Mr. Lawrence indicated that the Consumer Connection will incorporate over half of the goals contained in the EDC 2007 Goals and Objectives list. Some of the goals will be followed through from an activity standpoint by virtue of the Chamber of Commerce. Once the Development Handbook and Ordinances are re-written, EDC could host another Developer Open House this fall.

Following general discussion, Melissa Smithmier moved to adopt the 2007 Goals and Objectives as written adding the TVA Consumer Connection. (Copy Attached)
Seconded by Kathleen Brasfield.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

VII. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discussion on I-40/Canada Road Public Education Meeting. (Smithmier)
A meeting was held on Monday, 04/23/07, to discuss ways to get the I-40 and Canada Road interchange in front of the public and get them educated before the upcoming public hearing. The State supports the City’s choice of the single-point urban interchange. It is expected to last 50 years versus 20 years for the diamond. The single-point urban interchange uses less land and less concrete, but costs $2 million more to build because of the retaining walls.

A public hearing is expected to take place around May or June. Following the hearing, there will be 30 or 60 days to get citizen comments in before the final decision regarding the type of interchange to be built.

A marketing piece is being constructed to help educate the citizens before the public hearing. It was suggested that a meeting be held prior to the public hearing to educate the public on what they will need to do. The goal is to distribute brochures, place information in Citywatch, get publicity from local news media, and dispense information at the Lakeland Birthday Celebration. Additional avenues for distribution of information to reach Lakeland residents are meeting with HOA leaders and doing a mass mailing to all residents.
No Action Taken.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.

IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.


These minutes were approved June 28, 2007.

Mark Lawrence, Chairman

ATTEST:

Sontidra Franklin, City Recorder