CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, July 26, 2007, 6:30 PM
CITY HALL, LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002
I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m., Thursday, July 26, 2007.
II. ROLL CALL:
Kathleen Brasfield, John Dudas, Connie Hess, Mark Lawrence, Randy Nicholson, Don Oliver, Josh Roman, Melissa Smithmier and Pamela Womack were present.
City of Lakeland staff members present were J Higbee and Theresa Meyer.
Following Roll Call, the Agenda was amended to take the following items out of order.
Motion by Chairman Mark Lawrence to place New Business item 1 immediately following Reports from Members of the Board. Connie Hess seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
Motion by Josh Roman to place Old Business item 1 after New Business item 1 following Reports from Members of the Board. Chairman Lawrence seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.
V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Update on Lakeland’s Chamber of Commerce. (Oliver)
Don Oliver reported that the July 12, 2007, Chamber After Hours meeting had approximately 60 people in attendance. The meeting featured a TVA presentation by Mark Lawrence. Trustmark Bank was the sponsor for the quarter.
The luncheon meeting will be held August 8, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. at the Stonebridge Clubhouse. Josh Roman is in charge of the speakers and will invite individuals running for commission spots.
The Chamber Board will meet August 3, 2007, at 11:30 a.m., and will discuss goals.
The Business Phone Book is one project the Chamber will focus on. Kathleen Brasfield is in charge of the project.
There are currently 40 Chamber members.
Southland Log Homes has volunteered to host a morning coffee for Chamber members and general public.
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
EDC Regular Meeting Minutes, June 28, 2007, 6:30 p.m.
Motion to accept the June 28, 2007 Meeting Minutes as written. Motion seconded by Connie Hess.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD (continued):
Update on New Businesses. (Franklin)
There was one new business since the June 28, 2007 EDC Meeting. Chairman Lawrence asked that phone numbers be included on the New Businesses Report so the Chamber may conduct follow-up activities.
(Report attached.)
Update on Planning Department. (Higbee)
J Higbee reported on a new submission for a site plan on the west side of Canada Road in front of Canada Woods Subdivision. It is approximately three-acres for a primarily retail development.
Mr. Higbee displayed a City map highlighting the locations of serious retail inquiries and those having a preliminary approval within the last year or two.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discussion and/or action on the University of Memphis Retail Assessment Study. (Higbee)
Mr. Higbee has received the first draft of the study. EDC members will receive a mark up or final product by the August 23, 2007 meeting. Mr. Higbee provided comments based on a quick scan of the study.
(Report attached.)
The study defines what it thinks the market area for Lakeland is. The current market area is 32,000 people. It is projected that in four to five years it will be up to about 75,000.
In four to five years, there will be 90,000-150,000 square feet of additional retail in the Lakeland service area. The number one biggest individual sector is sit-down, full-service restaurants.
General discussion. No action taken.
Mr. Higbee updated the group on the Farr Code Re-write Project. Two public meetings where held earlier this year in March and May. They are expected to return in September or October. Mr. Higbee will have another Advisory Committee meeting prior to the fall meeting with Farr and Associates.
Following additional discussion regarding retail development in Lakeland, Josh Roman made a motion to take Old Business item 2 before Old Business item 1. Pamela Womack seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
VI. OLD BUSINESS:
2. Discussion on status of representative from EDC to serve on Advisory Committee with Farr and Associates for the Code re-write project. (Hess)
Recognizing that the EDC currently has a member (Kathleen Brasfield) on the Advisory Committee, Mr. Higbee has decided not to add an additional EDC member. Mr. Higbee stated that individuals may attend and observe all Advisory Committee meetings. He emphasized that anyone can attend and participate in the public meetings.
Following discussion, John Dudas moved to add a “status report” given by Kathleen Brasfield to future MPC Agendas. The motion was seconded by Mark Lawrence.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
1. Discussion and/or action on wireless access in key City locations. (Roman)
Mark Lawrence moved to relax the rules to allow discussion. Josh Roman seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
Following discussion and a question and answer period with Michael Allsup and Forrest Man of Critical Edge Tech, LLC, Josh Roman moved to forward a “Resolution of the Lakeland Economic Development Commission Recommending to the Lakeland Board of Commissioners that ‘WI FI’ (Wireless Internet) sites be provided in Lakeland.” The motion was seconded by John Dudas.
Additional discussion followed. Josh Roman called for a vote.
Motion carried, role call vote, 6-0-2-1.
Brasfield, Kathleen Pass
Dudas, John Yea
Hess, Connie Pass
Lawrence, Mark Yea
Nicholson, Randy Abstain
Oliver, Don Yes
Roman, Josh Yes
Smithmier, Melissa Yea
Womack, Pamela Yea
3. Discussion on I-40 and Canada Road Interchange project. (Lawrence/Hess)
In the meeting at Nashville, TDOT supported the Diamond design. The overall feeling of citizens is to “just get something done”. Once a decision is made, a public meeting will be held to announce the design decision. Once a decision is made, we need to determine to support it and push for it. Chairman Lawrence will check on the status of this project with Interim City Engineer, David Smith.
4. Discussion on the TVA “Consumer Connection” Community Retail Development Program. (Lawrence)
Husband and wife teams will count as one. Seventeen are signed up counting families as individuals.
EDC_lakelandtn@yahoo.com is the email account that Mr. Lawrence has set up.
Chairman Lawrence has given J Higbee a list of items that the Retail Development Team will want to look at such as: most recent Census information, most recent transportation plan, and land use map.
Connie Hess will coordinate a meeting during the second week of September. The meetings will probably be scheduled on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon or evening.
General discussion, No action taken.
VII. NEW BUSINESS:
2. Discussion and/or action regarding EDC participation in the Mid-south Fall Retailer Kickoff event. (Lawrence)
Following discussion, John Dudas moved to ask City Manager, Robert Wherry, if the City of Lakeland would sponsor two Economic Development Commission members selected by the EDC Chairman to attend the Mid-south Fall Retailer Kickoff event. Motion seconded by Don Oliver.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
Don Oliver made a motion for the Lakeland Economic Development Commission to sponsor a golf hole for $100 at the Mid-south Fall Retailer Kickoff event. Pamela Womack seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
John Dudas announced Lake Forest, Phase 1, will be going to Municipal Planning Commission for final approval on August 20, 2007.
Mark Lawrence announced the final reading on the Sign Ordinance will be Wednesday, August 1, 2007.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business to discuss, Josh Roman moved to adjourn the meeting. Don Oliver seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
These minutes were approved August 23, 2007.
Mark Lawrence, Chairman
ATTEST:
Sontidra Franklin, City Recorder
