CITY OF LAKELAND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009, 6:30 PM
CITY HALL, LAKELAND, TENNESSEE 38002

I. CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2009, by Chairman Connie Hess.

II. ROLL CALL:
Don Barber Present
Shirlee Clark Present
John Dudas Absent (excused)
Mark Hartz Present
Connie Hess Present
Josh Roman Present(arrived at 6:43 p.m.)
Boyd Ruppelt Absent (excused)
Tanya Wallace Present
Pamela Womack Present

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

Members of the Public Present:
Mark Lawrence, 9202 Salem Road

III. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
Don Barber made a motion to approve the EDC Regular Meeting Minutes dated, April 23, 2009, as written. Pamela Womack seconded the motion.
Motion approved by acclamation.

IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.

V. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Update on Lakeland’s Chamber of Commerce. (Hess)
On May 2, the Lakeland Chamber provided food and beverages at the Lakeland Kroger for the finish of the Small Business Bike Tour.
Report only, no action taken.

Update on New Business Licenses. (Franklin)
There were five (5) new businesses since the April 23, 2009, meeting.
Report only, no action taken.

Update from Planning Department. (Higbee)
The first draft of RCLCO report is due any time. Following minor revisions (if any), a final draft will be made available to EDC and MPC.

There are no new development submittals to report.

Contracts for a number of developments that have not started construction are beginning to expire. Staff will be contacting applicants and inquiring as to their desire for extensions.
Report only, no action taken.

Update on City website. (Wherry)
Mr. Wherry, Ms. Wallace, GIS Specialist, Josh Thompson, and Theresa Meyer met with lakelandtn.gov webmaster to discuss the City’s website, its content and possible changes. EDC members may forward website content suggestions or links to Tanya Wallace or Theresa Meyer.
Report only, no action taken.

Report on Economic Development Presentation by Brad Mink. (Wherry)
Report only, no action taken.

VI. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion and possible action on the role and responsibilities of the EDC and possible initiatives that could be undertaken by the EDC. (Wallace)
Pamela Womack made a motion to adopt the EDC’s participation in the Friendly Face Business Visitation Program as a direction for the EDC until J Higbee presents a plan. Josh Roman seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

Josh Roman made a motion to suspend the rules and open the floor for discussion on the City’s purchase of a 100-acre parcel located at Davies Plantation and Canada Road. Connie Hess seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

Josh Roman made a motion to table the discussion until the next called meeting.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

Chairman Hess called for a Special Meeting of the Economic Development Commission Thursday, June 4, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. for discussion on a presentation by Josh Roman on the potential for a 100-acre parcel located at Davies Plantation and Canada Road.

2. Discussion and possible action on meeting with representatives from the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development. (Clark)
Members of the EDC will contact Tennessee Three-Star cities for input on their experiences with the program. Mr. Roman will contact Millington, Ms. Clark will contact Portland and Ms. Womack will contact Mt. Pleasant.

Tanya Wallace made a motion to table the discussion until the next regular meeting of the EDC.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

Shirlee Clark made a motion that the EDC research the Tennessee Three-Star Program and that it be placed on the Agenda for the next regular meeting. Pamela Womack seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

VII. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discussion and Possible Action on Resolution endorsing the City of Lakeland request for the US Postal Service to assign a specific, unique, ZIP code to the City of Lakeland. (Wherry)
Connie Hess made a motion to approve a Resolution that will be submitted to the Board of Commissioners authorizing application for an exclusive Zip Code
for the City of Lakeland, as amended. Vice-Mayor Hartz seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.

IX. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other business to discuss, Pamela Womack made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Shirlee Clark seconded the motion.
Motion carried, voice vote, all in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.

These minutes were approved June 25, 2009.

Joshua Roman, Vice-Chairman

Theresa Meyer, Deputy City Recorder