Friday, October 31, 2008

City Hall E-mail Address

Due to excessive spam and viruses, we have had to close the CityHall@lakelandtn.org e-mail account.

The new general City Hall e-mail account is CityofLakeland@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Changes in Refuse Collection procedures and fees to be considered


The Lakeland Board of Commissioners will review possible changes to solid waste (refuse) collection procedures and rates at the Work Session on Monday, October 27, 2008. This will include an amendment to the contract with All Star Waste Services and an amendment to the rate structure.


The proposal is based on the following circumstances:


-The contract with All Star Waste Services expires December 31, 2009. (I had previously incorrectly advised several residents it expired December 31, 2008.)


-We have had requests for regular recycling pickups and yard waste (tree limbs, leaves etc.) pickup. Weekly pickup would eliminate or reduce many of the problems concerning pickup of yard waste.


-Starting with the new contract on January 1, 2010 (this will be bid in late 2009), the City will require more separation of yard waste (recycling) etc. and improved recycling containers that we cannot realistically require in this contract due to the high capital costs and only one year remaining in the contract.


-The City Storm Water Management program emphasizes reducing contamination of the surface water ( resulting contamination of creeks and lakes etc.) and control of litter. Increased pickup up yard waste and recycling will help meet this goal.


The proposed changes, to be effective January 1, 2009 are:


1. Weekly pickup of recycling. All Star will pick up all recycling on a weekly basis. Existing bids would be used. In addition, customer supplied hinged carts etc. of recycling up to 65 gallons and a maximum of 50 pounds will be picked up. (My understanding is newspapers will need to be separated from the other recycling). The hinged/covered carts will prevent recycling items from being blown out of carts. Any carts would be a customer provided item and are not required.


2. Weekly pickup of all yard waste (grass, limbs etc.). All bagged leaves will be picked up by All Star regardless of the number. Heavier loads of limbs, branches and brush will be picked up by a specialized truck (a “knuckleboom” truck). Yard waste will not be recycled this year, but Lakeland proposes to require the contractor to recycle yard waste (rather than putting it in a landfill) starting in 2010 in order to begin compliance with regulations proposed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.


The proposed fee for the increased services, along with a scheduled rate increase, will increase refuse collection rates for Lakeland residents to $20.53 per month.

Residents are welcome to attend the Board of Commissioners Work Session, which starts at 6:30 p.m., Monday, October 27, 2008.


Comments or questions can be e-mailed to a temporary e-mail set up for comments or questions at CityofLakeland@gmail.com or at Lakeland City Hall, 10001 Highway 70, Lakeland, (867-2717) Comments may also be made through the web site at www.lakelandtn.gov.


Storm Water Program/ Fees to be considered


Fees to fund storm water activities designed to comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandate for Storm Water activities are being considered by the Board of Commissioners at the BOC Work Session on Monday, October 27, 2008.


Compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Phase II Storm Water Rules and Regulations requires the City to have the following activities as part of a Storm Water Management Plan:


· Public Education and Outreach

· Public Participation/Involvement

· Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

· Construction Site Runoff Control

· Post-Construction Runoff Control

· Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping

· Storm Sewer Mapping and Update


The program will include contracted litter pickup of major streets, enforcement of violations of the Storm Water Rules and Regulations, storm water mapping and public education.


The Board of Commissioners will consider instituting a Storm Water Fee to pay for activities associated with complying with the Storm Water requirements.


The Board will consider a basic fee of up to $3.20 per “basic residential unit” per month which in most cases would be the charge for residential single family units. Businesses with large parking areas etc. may pay more depending on the area of the property, type of surface etc.


Residents are welcome to attend the Board of Commissioners Work Session, which starts at 6:30 p.m., Monday, October 27, 2008. Comments or questions can be e-mailed to a temporary e-mail set up for comments or questions at CityofLakeland@gmail.com or at Lakeland City Hall, 10001 Highway 70, Lakeland, (867-2717) Comments may also be made through the web site at www.lakelandtn.gov.

Lakeland Phonebooks are Coming!


The new Lakeland Phone Book has been published and received. A phone book will be delivered to all Lakeland residents and businesses within the next several weeks. We expect to start delivering the phone books Monday, October 27, 2008. Delivery is expected to take seveal weeks, depending on the weather and coordination with normal daily activities.


Phone books will be delivered by City personnel in City of Lakeland uniforms in identified City of Lakeland vehicles. Each phone book will be in a frosted clear bag.


Representative Ron Lollar was instrumental in coordinating a State of Tennessee grant for the phone book. He reviewed the grant application and otherwise assisted in the grant process. We greatly appreciate his assistance.


We appreciate the efforts of the Lakeland Civic Club and other Lakeland residents and City of Lakeland personnel in this process. A lot of time and effort went into this Directory and we hope it is helpful to Lakeland residents and businesses.


Thursday, October 16, 2008

I-40/Canada Road Traffic Signal schedule

Shelby County recently provided the following schedule for installation of traffic signals at I-40 and Canada Road:

-Advertisement Issued for Signal Construction October 6th, 2008

-Prebid Conference October 27th

-Bids received from Contractors Nov 4th

-Notification of Award to Contractor December 2008

-Spring 2009 completion of project

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

2010 Census workers needed!

The City recently received a flyer from the Department of Commerce that “Partnership Specialist” positions are available in Tennessee and other states for working on the 2010 Census. Persons interested in working with the 2010 Census may get more information at www.census.gov/rocha/www or www.usajobs.com.

In addition, the Charlette Regional Census Center (the census center for Tennessee) is hiring about 75,000 persons in a five state region to help build address lists in pre-census operations. Information on these positions is available at www.census.gov/rocha/www.

I encourage interested persons from Lakeland who know Lakeland isn’t Arlington, Memphis, or Bartlett or Cordova etc. to apply so Lakeland will get a fair census count!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Dance at IH Clubhouse, Saturday, October 18




Dance to the music of the 60’s and 70’s (and a few years on either side) this Saturday, October 18 at the International Harvester (I.H.) Clubhouse, 4523 Canada Road from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.


D.J. Eddie Richardson will be playing music from the 60’s and 70’s for dancing. Richardson is well known in the Memphis area and always plays an excellent selection of music!


The River City Boppers dance club will be operating the dance as a joint recreational event with the Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department.

Cost is $4.00 for Lakeland residents and club members. Soft drinks are available for a donation. The IH Club is a non-smoking facility.


A future event is scheduled for November 15, 2008 and will resume in January of 2009, depending on attendance.


The International Harvester Managerial Club and the City of Lakeland recently agreed that the City of Lakeland will schedule the Clubhouse for both public and private events such as company gatherings, Christmas Parties, weddings, anniversaries reunions etc. Fees are currently approximately the same as previously charged by the IH Managerial Club. Clean up service or self-cleanup options are available.


Persons or organizations wishing to reserve the Clubhouse may call 901-867-2717, Lakeland City Hall, 10001 Highway 70, Lakeland, Tennessee 38002.


Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Lakeland Elementary School PTA fund raiser

The Lakeland Elementary School PTA is sponsoring an "Enchanted Evening", Friday, October 17th at the historic Hillwood in Davies Plantation. This is an adults only fund raiser and will include an Italian dinner (with delicious desserts!), live music and a live auction.

Support Lakleand Elementary and plan to attend this event! information at www.lakelandpta.com/currentnews.html.

This site also contains a lot of valuable information about Lakeland Elementary activities!

The infomation on this event on the site is copied below:


“Some Enchanted Evening”

Italian Dinner, Live Auction and GREAT Parents Night Out!

OCTOBER 17th

Historic Hillwood in Davies Plantation
Dinner @ 6 p.m. Auction @ 7 p.m.
Join us in an evening specifically designed for adults to enjoy an Italian dinner, listen to live piano music, bid on fabulous live auction items, and win generous door prizes!

It promises to be a fun way to mingle with other LES parents, meet new people, and win prizes! It is a celebration of school and community. It promises to be a relaxing evening to be enjoyed before the rush of the impending holiday season!

The planned dinner menu consists of Spaghetti w/ Marinara or Meat Sauce, Meatballs, Italian Salad Garlic Bread and a variety of Delicious Desserts provided by LES Bakers!

The elegant dinner will begin at 6:00 and the live auction will start at 7:00. Adults are invited to wear their “festive attire” which is anything from your party clothes, nice work attire to your Sunday best.

Alcoholic beverages will be available for cash donations.

Tickets are $15.00 per person. Visa and Mastercard will be
accepted for auction items.

All proceeds benefit the students of LES!

Hillwood @ Davies Plantation
3570 Davieshire Drive Memphis, TN 38133

To see our venue go to:
http://www.eventective.com/USA/Tennessee/Memphis/107984/Hillwood-at-Davies-Plantation.html

Reservations for couples/groups with tables up to 10 are available – reserve your table now!

Please MAIL the bottom form with your money (checks payable to LES PTA) to:

Lakeland Elementary
10050 Oakseed Lane
Lakeland, TN 38002

Please send in an envelope marked PTA Enchanted Evening.
__________________________________________________________________
Ticket Order Form
Please return your order no later than October 15th.
Number of Tickets: _________ x ($15.00) each = __________
Individual Tickets Name: _______________________________________
You will give your name at the door the night of the event
Group Reservations: If you are a part of a group reservation for a table of 10 please indicate the other names
at your table:
_______________________________________ _________________________________________
_______________________________________ _________________________________________
_______________________________________ _________________________________________
_______________________________________ _________________________________________
_______________________________________ _________________________________________
Confirmations sent via email. Email Address: ____________________________________________________
(Please PRINT)
Phone number: ________________________
How did you hear about our “Enchanted Evening”? ____________________________________________
Regretfully, I am unable to attend but, would like to donate the following: _____________________________
If you have any questions please email me @ sjneri@fedex.com.

Friday, October 03, 2008

Lakeland Station Mall details!

Learn the lastest about the Lakeland Station Mall renovation! Rene Daniel with Gilad Property Management (leasing manager for Lakeland Station) will be at the October Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, October 9 at the Stonebridge Golf Club.

Additional information or make reservations at www.LakelandChamberofCommerce.com RSVP by calling Chris Perry at 867-1988 by Tuesday, October 7!

Also, this is your opportunity to get involved! Chamber Members will have the opportunity to nominate themselves or other members for the leadership positions of President, Vice-President of Programs, Vice-President of Membership and Treasurer.