Economic Development Commission Meeting, May 22, 2008

CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2008, 6:30 PM
CITY HALL, LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002

I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:3o p.m., Thursday, May 22, 2008, by Mark Lawrence, Chairman.

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

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

III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:Motion made by Mark Lawrence to approve the EDC Regular Meeting Minutes dated April 24, 2008, as written. Seconded by Connie Hess.
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. (Lawrence)
The April Chamber meeting was held at Winstead Farms. It was well-attended and there was good discussion.

The next meeting will be Thursday, June 12. DeDe Malmo will be invited to speak regarding the Corner Shops project.

Meeting attendance ranges from 15-25.

The Chamber will send letters to developers encouraging them to become Chamber members.

Update on New Business Licenses. (Franklin)
There were three new businesses since the April 24, 2008 meeting.

A question was raised regarding new business licenses issued to businesses located outside the City of Lakeland.

Clarification is needed regarding the release of telephone numbers for the new businesses.

Update on Planning Department. (Higbee)
Growth Management Director, J Higbee, provided a printed report of MPC Projects.

Mr. Higbee reported applications were received for SDDPs for The Meadows and Equestria.

More documentation will be available on the code project. Mr. Higbee will try to broadcast the information through another round of public meetings within the next 60-90 days.

Weekly Planner Q&A meetings were attended by public the first four to six weeks but the last four weeks, no one has attended.

Following general discussion regarding the code re-write project, type-three subdivisions (a minority of the overall recommendation for the City of Lakeland which would be the “new urbanism” piece of it), and sustainability of residential support centers, Joshua Roman moved to table the discussion until members have had the opportunity to do additional research. Motion seconded by Connie Hess.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

Update on TVA Consumer Connection Community Retail Development Program. (Lawrence)
The team has not met; however, several members have participated in Public Meetings.

Inquiries were made regarding the status of the I-40 and Canada Road Interchange project. Chairman Lawrence will follow up with the City Manager and City Engineer.

VI. OLD BUSINESS:
None.

VII. NEW BUSINESS:
None.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

These minutes were approved June 26, 2008.

Mark Lawrence, Chairman

ATTEST:

Sontidra Franklin, City Recorder