EDC MEETING MINUTES, JANUARY 24, 2008

CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, JANUARY24, 2008, 6:30 PM
CITY HALL, LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002

I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, January 24, 2008, by Mark Lawrence, Chairman.

II. ROLL CALL:
1. Kathleen Brasfield Absent
Shirlee Clark Present
John Dudas Absent
Mark Hartz Present
Connie Hess Present
Mark Lawrence Present
Joshua Roman Present (Arrived at 6:40 p.m.)
Boyd Ruppelt Present
Pamela Womack Absent

City of Lakeland staff members present:
City Manager, Robert Wherry
Growth Management Director, J Higbee
Executive Assistant, Theresa Meyer

Others present:
Hank Hess
Frances Lancaster

2. Election of Officers
Motion made by Boyd Ruppelt to elect Mark Lawrence Chairman of the Economic Development Commission. Motion seconded by Connie Hess.

There being no other nominations.
Motion approved by acclamation

Motion made by Shirlee Clark to elect Connie Hess Vice-Chairman of the Economic Development Commission. Motion seconded by Mark Lawrence.


There being no other nominations.
Motion approved by acclamation

III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
EDC Regular Meeting Minutes, October 25, 2007, 6:30 p.m.
Motion made by Connie Hess to accept the October 25, 2007, Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes as written. Motion seconded by Boyd Ruppelt.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

Motion made by Mark Lawrence to take New Business Item 1 out of order and place it before reports. There were no objections.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

* NEW BUSINESS:
1. Presentation by Jay Yuan, Ph.D., Principal and Senior Adviser of NBM Associates, a precision research firm. (Yuan)
Jay Yuan and Yi Liu of The NBM Associates discussed Lakeland’s need for an economic development plan. NBM could assist Lakeland’s Economic Development Commission in developing a plan and projects to meet economic goals and objectives.

General discussion followed the presentation. Joshua Roman moved to limit the discussion to five additional minutes. Connie Hess seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

EDC will review the original proposal submitted by NBM and give a reply within ten business days.

Following a five-minute recess, the meeting reconvened at 8:04 PM.

IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.

V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Update on the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. (Oliver)
The Annual Chamber Kick-off Meeting will be held Tuesday, February 19, at 6 p.m. Memphis Coach, Jimmy West, will be the guest speaker. The meeting will be held at the Oakwood Clubhouse.

Chris Perry is working on an outreach plan to reach the Lakeland business community.

Update on New Business Licenses. (Franklin)
There were seven new home-based businesses since the October 25, 2007 meeting.

Mr. Lawrence will forward the information to Chris Perry so he may contact the businesses on behalf of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce.
(Copy of New Businesses Report attached)

Update on Planning Department. (Higbee)
Mr. Higbee provided an update on residential project approvals.
Lake Forest Construction Plans – plans are being reviewed.
The Meadows of Lakeland, 180 lots - SDDP to come in.
Evergreen, 150 lots - SDDP filed, will go to February MPC Mtg.
Herons Ridge, Sec. C&D, 100 lots- SDDP could go to February MPC Mtg.
Kensington Manor, 111 lots - preliminary approval.

Update on Code Re-write Project from Advisory Committee. (Higbee)Mr. Higbee updated the EDC on the work of the advisory committee. An article will appear in the next issue of the Citywatch newsletter. Information will be posted on the website as soon as possible. Mr. Higbee has developed a public information file for citizens to review.

Update on Wi-Fi and Surveillance Project. (Roman)
Mr. Roman reports that the project is on hold while a second opinion on design specs is being sought.

A bid is in the negotiating stage for City Hall and City Hall Park.

Update on TVA Consumer Connection Community Retail Development Program (Lawrence/Hess)
The Retail Development Team is working to identify what Lakeland is and what its strengths are.

The Growth Management Director and City Recorder have worked to put together at business inventory. Mr. Higbee requested the assistance of the Retail Development Team in integrating new information.

VI. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion on Economic Development Commission sponsoring a New Board/Commission Member Orientation in January 2008. (Lawrence)
Mark Lawrence will discuss the scheduling of this event with City Manager, Robert Wherry.
Discussion only. No action taken.

VII. NEW BUSINESS:
* 1. Presentation by Jay Yuan, Ph.D., Principal and Senior Adviser of NBM Associates, a precision research firm. (Yuan) (This item was taken out of order following approval of minutes.)

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Connie Hess announced that nominations are being accepted by the Environmental Awards Committee for completed projects that benefit the environment. See Connie Hess or Eric Bridges for information and application.

Discussion resumed regarding the presentation by Jay Yuan and Yi Liu of The NBM Associates.

Motion made by Joshua Roman to limit the discussion to seven additional minutes. Mark Lawrence seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business to discuss, Connie Hess moved to adjourn the meeting. Joshua Roman seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

These minutes were approved February 28, 2008.