CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2009, 6:30 PM
CITY HALL, LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002

I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m., Thursday, March 26, 2009, by Chairman Connie Hess.

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

City of Lakeland Staff Members Present:
Growth Management Director, J Higbee
Office Coordinator, Theresa Meyer

III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
EDC Regular Meeting Minutes, February 26, 2009.

Connie Hess moved to amend the February 26, 2009, minutes to include the following note under Section VI, Old Business: “Mrs. Hess will promote the Feasibility Assessment of retail in Type II, III, and IV subdivisions as discussed and supported by the EDC” and to approve the minutes as amended. Vice Mayor Hartz seconded the motion.
Motion approved as amended by acclamation.

IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.

V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Update on Lakeland’s Chamber of Commerce. (Hess)
The Chamber is preparing shopping bags and business card binders containing Chamber member cards. Bags will be distributed to new businesses and will include the binders and give-aways.

The Chamber will print new Lakeland Business Directories with information provided by City staff.

Tim Ransom of The Ransom Group will address new website concepts at the May Chamber meeting.

On Saturday, May 2, the Small Business Bike Tour will end at Kroger in Lakeland. The Lakeland Chamber will host the festivities including food, beverages and music.

Update on New Business Licenses. (Franklin)
Report not available.

Update from Planning Department. (Higbee)
The Harding Academy project is pending and has requested postponement to the May Municipal Planning Commission meeting.

Corner Shops has platted the north half as a separate lot. Staff is reviewing the application; the project is moving forward and could appear at the next Planning Commission meeting.

The code project is proceeding. The target is to have a final draft by July ’09 and begin adoption as soon as Planning Commission is ready, then proceed to BOC for adoption in early September.

Update on BOC Work Session Regarding Study Recommended by EDC. (Hess)
Chairman Hess attended the BOC Work Session. She advised the BOC that “the EDC believes the City should fund the feasibility assessment of retail in Type II, III, & IV subdivisions for commercial, retail and business activities to determine whether or not it will succeed, based upon the success or lack thereof in comparable subdivisions.” The item was approved and the study will take place.

VI. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion and possible action on Scope of Economic Development Commission. (Hess)
Formulate questions for businesses two to three years old to aid EDC in determining how they can help.

Conduct research regarding the activities of Economic Development Commissions in other cities and report findings.

With the assistance of Growth Management Director, J Higbee, assemble a “tool set” for EDC use.

VII. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discussion and possible action on EDC Staff Support and Projects. (Staff)
Following discussion, John Dudas made a motion that the Economic Development Commission accept J Higbee’s offer to develop an outline for a work plan for the Economic Development Commission and how it would relate to other boards and commissions. Connie Hess seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

Until a plan can be created and implemented, the EDC will continue getting input from the business community.

● Ms. Hess will get list of businesses from J Higbee
● Ms. Clark will get information about the activities of other Economic Development Commissions
● Ms. Hess will contact the Chamber for a list of the Chamber survey questions
● Vice-Mayor Hartz will contact Jim Atkinson to obtain a list of the Friendly Faces survey questions

The EDC will formulate a list of questions and develop a list of businesses to split among EDC members. EDC members will be asked to visit three businesses per month to gather information that can be compiled as a reflection of what local businesses tell us.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Mid-south Planning and Zoning Institute will be held at the University of Memphis on Friday, April 17.

UT MTAS Economic Development Course, Tuesday, May 12, at Bartlett Performing Arts Center.

IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business to discuss, Boyd Ruppelt moved to adjourn the meeting. Shirlee Clark seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.

These minutes were approved April 23, 2009.

Josh Roman, Vice-Chairman

ATTEST:

Sontidra Thomas, City Recorder