All Terrain Vehicles (commonly known as ATV’s) continue to be a major problem in many areas of Lakeland. Recently, after numerous complaints of damage by ATV’s (both on private property and public property), and illegal and dangerous driving by ATV’s, we discussed the ATV problem with the Shelby County Sheriff Department.
We encourage all residents to contact the Shelby County Sheriff if you see any of the following illegal activities by ATV’s. These activities are illegal under state law and Lakeland Ordinances and will be enforced by the Sheriff Department:
-Unlawful to ride on ANY private property without the consent of the owner. (This is different than the former law, which required “posting” of no trespassing. Now specific consent must have been obtained.)
-Unlawful to ride on any public property, including city streets and right-of-ways. Obviously, this also includes parks, school property etc. If you see an ATV on a public street, or any park, it is illegal and the Sheriff should be called!
The State Law and City Ordinances are very straight-forward-ATV’s cannot be ridden on City Streets, right-of-ways, parks, or private property unless consent is obtained in advance.
As Spring approaches, we expect more violations and encourage residents to contact the Shelby County Sheriff of any violations. Provide as much information as possible. While a Deputy will respond as soon as possible, it is hard to catch violators “in the act”. However, calls will still enable the Sheriff Department to keep records of where violations are occurring and if a Deputy is in the area, there is a good chance they can catch the violator.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Saturday, February 18, 2006
New Lakeland Sewer Plant starts
Construction has started on the new Lakeland Wastewater Treatment Plant. Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months.
The capacity of the plant is 2.25 million gallons per day (mgd) of wastewater, which will significantly increase the capacity of the current plant. (While the rated capacity of the exisitng plant is 1.0 mgd, to meet the discharge standards, the city operates the current plant at a lesser capacity to meet discharge standards.) The new plant is needed to meet Tennessee Department of Environmental Quality (TDEQ) regulations on treatment of wastewater. Treated wastewater from the plant is discharged into the Loosahatchie River.
The plant is not expected to increase sewer fees for Lakeland residents, other than a planned $1.00 per month fee increase every five years, which also includes the operational cost of the plant.
The City reviewed a number of options before deciding on this alternative. The alternatives included a decision on the size of the plant, location of the plant and a possible inter-local agreement to jointly build and operate a sewer treatment plant. The City decided on the current project after reviewing the alternatives.
One alternative considered was a joint plant with our neighboring cities, especially Arlington, since the Town of Arlington is also currently constructing a wastewater treatment plant. However, the cost of “pumping” the wastewater to the Arlington site, and the savings associated with the City being able to utilize the current site and parts of the current system, made the current project the most financially feasible alternative for Lakeland residents.
The capacity of the plant is 2.25 million gallons per day (mgd) of wastewater, which will significantly increase the capacity of the current plant. (While the rated capacity of the exisitng plant is 1.0 mgd, to meet the discharge standards, the city operates the current plant at a lesser capacity to meet discharge standards.) The new plant is needed to meet Tennessee Department of Environmental Quality (TDEQ) regulations on treatment of wastewater. Treated wastewater from the plant is discharged into the Loosahatchie River.
The plant is not expected to increase sewer fees for Lakeland residents, other than a planned $1.00 per month fee increase every five years, which also includes the operational cost of the plant.
The City reviewed a number of options before deciding on this alternative. The alternatives included a decision on the size of the plant, location of the plant and a possible inter-local agreement to jointly build and operate a sewer treatment plant. The City decided on the current project after reviewing the alternatives.
One alternative considered was a joint plant with our neighboring cities, especially Arlington, since the Town of Arlington is also currently constructing a wastewater treatment plant. However, the cost of “pumping” the wastewater to the Arlington site, and the savings associated with the City being able to utilize the current site and parts of the current system, made the current project the most financially feasible alternative for Lakeland residents.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
February Meeting Schedule changes
Due to the Presidents Day Holiday, the Municipal Planning Commission meeting has been rescheduled to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 21.
The Board of Commissioners Work Session has been rescheduled to Monday, February 27. The BOC Regular Meeting is still scheduled for Thursday, March 2.
The Board of Commissioners Work Session has been rescheduled to Monday, February 27. The BOC Regular Meeting is still scheduled for Thursday, March 2.
City Directory?
A resident recently called and advised me that the last full "Lakeland City Directory" she could find had been published was in 1994 and asked if the City or any groups planned on creating a new Directory.
At the current time, I am not aware of any plans for a Lakeland City Directory. Some groups have discussed plans for a Lakeland phone directory, since BellSouth can't seem to locate Lakeland residents, but I believe the logistics of the task and privacy issues have made the task an overwhelming task.
I will appreciate any comments about the need for a Lakeland City Director. Obviously privacy issues are a major concern, as is the work and cost involved in such a Directory.
At the current time, I am not aware of any plans for a Lakeland City Directory. Some groups have discussed plans for a Lakeland phone directory, since BellSouth can't seem to locate Lakeland residents, but I believe the logistics of the task and privacy issues have made the task an overwhelming task.
I will appreciate any comments about the need for a Lakeland City Director. Obviously privacy issues are a major concern, as is the work and cost involved in such a Directory.
Commissioner Applications
Commissioner Matthew Beatty recently announced he will be resigning from the Board of Commissioners since he will be moving out of Lakeland.
The Board of Commissioners select a replacement for vacancies on the Board of Commissioners. If a selection is not made within 90 days, than an election is required.
Applications will be available on the City web sites, CityofLakeland.com and Lakelandtn.gov or at City Hall.
Applications must be submitted by April 14, 2006. The Board of Commissioners currently plan to interview all qualified applicants for the vacancy in order to insure that all interested persons are considered.
Applicants for the vacancy on the Board of Commissioners must be a Lakeland resident and a "qualified voter", which I understand means a registered voter.
The Board of Commissioners select a replacement for vacancies on the Board of Commissioners. If a selection is not made within 90 days, than an election is required.
Applications will be available on the City web sites, CityofLakeland.com and Lakelandtn.gov or at City Hall.
Applications must be submitted by April 14, 2006. The Board of Commissioners currently plan to interview all qualified applicants for the vacancy in order to insure that all interested persons are considered.
Applicants for the vacancy on the Board of Commissioners must be a Lakeland resident and a "qualified voter", which I understand means a registered voter.
Action Request available
An "Action Request" form is availabe at Lakelandtn.gov for reporting problems etc. The form may be filled out and it will be E-mailed to City Hall for action.
Of course, you may still E-mail City Hall at CityHall@lakelandtn.org or call 867-2717.
We will appreciate any comments about the Action Form. Please let me know if you like it, or don't like it, or have any suggestions for improvement.
Of course, you may still E-mail City Hall at CityHall@lakelandtn.org or call 867-2717.
We will appreciate any comments about the Action Form. Please let me know if you like it, or don't like it, or have any suggestions for improvement.
Monday, February 06, 2006
City "brands"
Due to the wonders of “podcasts”, I was finally able to listen to Carol Coletta’s “Smart City” radio show. “Smart City” is produced by the local National Public Radio WKNO and is hosted by Memphis resident Carol Coletta.
“City Brands” was the topic of the first show I listened to. While it pertained to large cities, I felt it had a lot to do with our efforts at creating a “Lakeland identity”, and perhaps even be recognized by Bellsouth, the U.S. Postal Service etc.!
The guest, Simon Anholt, has compiled the “Anholt City Brands Index”. He bases this index on the following six measurements. The measures are:
-Presence (people’s perception of a city)
-Pulse (lifestyle, what is available)
-People (perceptions of the people by non-residents)
-Potential: (Opportunities)
-Place: (Perception of physical aspects of the City)
-Presence (infrastructure etc.)
Of course, these rankings would apply to Lakeland much differently than a larger city, since the six measurements would be defined much different than for a larger city. However, the measurements are a method of defining what we want the future Lakeland to look like and our measurement of the Lakeland of 2006.
These measurements are not determined by city officials or residents but are how we are judged as a community and exist in the minds of literally thousands of people, including people who just drive through Lakeland. Many people I meet still perceive of Lakeland as the place with the amusement park and drag strip!
However, I meet many more people who perceive of Lakeland as a wonderful place to live, work and visit.
Such criteria, while we probably will never actually measure it, can provide some guidance on how we plan for the future Lakeland
“City Brands” was the topic of the first show I listened to. While it pertained to large cities, I felt it had a lot to do with our efforts at creating a “Lakeland identity”, and perhaps even be recognized by Bellsouth, the U.S. Postal Service etc.!
The guest, Simon Anholt, has compiled the “Anholt City Brands Index”. He bases this index on the following six measurements. The measures are:
-Presence (people’s perception of a city)
-Pulse (lifestyle, what is available)
-People (perceptions of the people by non-residents)
-Potential: (Opportunities)
-Place: (Perception of physical aspects of the City)
-Presence (infrastructure etc.)
Of course, these rankings would apply to Lakeland much differently than a larger city, since the six measurements would be defined much different than for a larger city. However, the measurements are a method of defining what we want the future Lakeland to look like and our measurement of the Lakeland of 2006.
These measurements are not determined by city officials or residents but are how we are judged as a community and exist in the minds of literally thousands of people, including people who just drive through Lakeland. Many people I meet still perceive of Lakeland as the place with the amusement park and drag strip!
However, I meet many more people who perceive of Lakeland as a wonderful place to live, work and visit.
Such criteria, while we probably will never actually measure it, can provide some guidance on how we plan for the future Lakeland
Friday, February 03, 2006
Business Visitation Programn
The City of Lakeland, in cooperation with the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, is resuming the Business Visitation Program again. The visits include visiting with Lakeland businesses to get business owners and managers thoughts on how the City of Lakeland can assist businesses in Lakeland.
Letters are going out to advise businesses of the opportunity to make an appointment for a visit. However, interested businesses are encouraged not to wait, but to contact Nanette Smith at 867-2717 or at CityHall@CityofLakeland.org if you are interested in participating in the program immediately.
Letters are going out to advise businesses of the opportunity to make an appointment for a visit. However, interested businesses are encouraged not to wait, but to contact Nanette Smith at 867-2717 or at CityHall@CityofLakeland.org if you are interested in participating in the program immediately.
Take the interactive Park and Recreation Survey
Lakeland residents are encouraged to take the new Park and Recreation survey at:
http://www.lakelandtn.gov/government/survey.htm
This survey is sponsored by the Lakeland Park and Natural Resources Board. They will appreciate your input!
http://www.lakelandtn.gov/government/survey.htm
This survey is sponsored by the Lakeland Park and Natural Resources Board. They will appreciate your input!
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