EDC MEETING MINUTES, MARCH 27, 2008

CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2008, 6:30 PM
CITY HALL, LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002

I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m., Thursday, March 27, 2008, by Mark Lawrence, Chairman.

II. ROLL CALL:
Don Barber Absent (excused)
Shirlee Clark Absent (excused)
John Dudas Present (via telephone)
Mark Hartz Present
Connie Hess Absent (excused)
Mark Lawrence Present
Joshua Roman Present
Boyd Ruppelt Present
Pamela Womack Absent (excused)

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

III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
Motion made by Vice-Mayor Mark Hartz to approve the EDC Regular Meeting Minutes, February 28, 2008, 6:30 p.m. as written. Seconded by Boyd Ruppelt.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
Nikki Wheetley, 3296 Glenhill Lane, spoke regarding Old Business Item #1, Wi-Fi and Surveillance Project. Ms. Wheetley provided the Board with information on an additional Wi-Fi service provider.
(See Attachment)

V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Update on Lakeland’s Chamber of Commerce. (Roman)
No report.

Update on New Business Licenses. (Franklin)
There were no new businesses to report since the February 28, 2008 meeting.

Clarification on the type of service provided by “N-Hance” (a business included on the New Businesses Report dated January 18, 2008) which is a remodeling and refinishing business.

Update on Planning Department. (Higbee)
A printed report dated March 21, 2008, was included in the EDC Agenda packet. Mr. Higbee noted that the projects contained in the report have already been in the loop since the previous Economic Development Commission meeting.

A Pre-application Conference was held regarding a 102-acre site at Canada Road and I-40 for a proposed mixed use development. It is not known when or if it will be filed. The applicant was advised to wait until the new regulations are done.

Mr. Higbee answered questions regarding the developments contained in the Planning Department Report dated March 21, 2008.

Mr. Higbee directed the group to the Planning Department Announcements page located in the Announcement Section of the packet. The report contains the dates of the April meetings regarding the new land development regulations.

Mr. Higbee commented briefly about the public meetings for the new land regulations. Every meeting is a public meeting, and the public is invited to come and interact. The meetings listed for Boards and Commissions are designed to get interaction with them. They will receive an overview of the project and will also cover issues specific to the individual boards. The Builders/Developers meeting is designed to get interaction with Builders and Developers. The public meeting on April 23 and Planner Q&A meeting are for “all-comers”.

FARR and Associates met with the Advisory Committee on March 25. The discussion focused primarily on new zoning districts, permitted uses within the zoning districts, and building types. Previously, the committee received information about subdivision types and conservation methods. In May or June FARR will be bringing in street types and details such as landscaping and parking.

Update on TVA Consumer Connection Community Retail Development Program. (Lawrence)
Mr. Lawrence reported fielding questions from team members who received the training to use the Claritas Demographic Marketing Database and Crittenden Retailer Database. The team will meet soon to discuss retail space availability with the Lakeland Station re-development project and the Corner Shops project.

VI. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Update and possible recommendation on Wi-Fi and Surveillance Project. (Roman/Wherry)
Josh Roman provided a brief overview of the project. Following Mr. Roman’s presentation, Forest Man of Critical Edge Technology, LLC, provided additional information and answered questions presented by the Board.

Motion made by Mark Lawrence to relax the rules and entertain questions from the audience. Seconded by Vice-Mayor Hartz.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

Following general discussion, Josh Roman moved to recommend that the Board of Commissioners approve this Wi-Fi Surveillance Project with a maximum budget of $80,000 to allow the City Manager to negotiate pricing and determine best hosting options. Seconded by Boyd Ruppelt.
Motion carried, role call vote, 5-0-0
John Dudas Yea
Mark Hartz Yea
Mark Lawrence Yea
Joshua Roman Yea
Boyd Ruppelt Yea

2. Presentation and possible action on Lakeland Commons Site & Occupancy Planning by Cory Brady. (Lawrence)
Motion made by Mark Lawrence to remove Old Business Item 2 and postpone any further discussion indefinitely until such point as the Municipal Planning Commission would raise Lakeland Commons. Seconded by Josh Roman.
Motion carried, voice vote, Hartz, Lawrence, Roman and Ruppelt in favor; Dudas abstained.

VII. NEW BUSINESS:
None.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Chairman Lawrence referred the group to the schedule of the upcoming public meetings regarding the new land development regulations contained in the packet encouraging individuals to attend when possible.

Vice-Mayor Hartz encouraged the group to visit Yume Sushiya located at 8950 Highway 64 in Lakeland.

John Dudas asked if there was any new information on the I-40 Interchange project. The City has contacted Representative Blackburn’s office and asked for assistance in getting rapid federal review. Kimley-Horne will submit the design criteria/specifications to TDOT to present to federal representatives to help expedite the process.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

These minutes were approved April 24, 2008.

Mark Lawrence, Chairman

ATTEST:

Sontidra Franklin, City Recorder