Keep a Tennessee Tradition, Volunteer for your City!

Keep a Tennessee Tradition, Volunteer for your City!

Lakeland residents are encouraged to volunteer for openings on Lakeland Boards and Commissions! Applications are requested by 4:30 p.m., Monday, November 29, 2010.

We have noticed that there appears to be a cycle of a surplus of qualified applicants one year and then too few qualified applicants the next year! This is a “too few” year, so this is your opportunity if you want to serve on a Lakeland Board or Commission!

Service on Lakeland Boards and Commissions is interesting and you play a role in the molding the future (or present) of Lakeland!

Openings are available on all Boards and Commissions, including:

Lakeland Design Review Commission (DRC) The DRC reviews the design, sign, lighting, and landscaping plans of commercial businesses and new residential developments. Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at City Hall. Members are appointed by the Mayor. Staff Advisor is City Planner/Deputy Growth Management Director Jim Atkinson.

Lakeland Economic Development Commission (EDC) The EDC reviews and proposes economic development initiatives/programs. The EDC is currently preparing a Strategic Plan for economic development. The EDC meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at City Hall. Staff Advisor is Growth Management Director J. HIgbee.

Lakeland Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) The MPC reviews development plans, zoning matters and planning-related matters. Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at City Hall. Members are appointed by the Mayor. Staff Advisor is Growth Management Director J. HIgbee.

Lakeland Natural Resources Board (NRB) The NRB has an active role in planning, advising, and promoting the development of a comprehensive, community-endorsed natural resources and environmental stewardship program for the City. The NRB generally meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at City Hall. Staff Advisor is Natural Resources Director Eric Bridges.

Lakeland Parks and Recreation Board (PRB) The PRB reviews and recommends park development plans, recreation programs and recommends locations of new parks. Meets at City Hall on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Staff Advisor is Park Director Brenda Lockhart.

Lakeland Board of Appeals (BOA) The BOA hears appeals on variances and other planning-oriented matters. This board meets “as needed” at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at City Hall. Staff Advisor is City Planner Jim Atkinson.

Lakeland Storm Water Board of Appeals (SWBA) This is a new Board. The SWBA reviews civil penalties and/or damage assessments concerning storm water management and pollution control plans. The SWBA meets on an “as needed” basis with at least an annual meeting. Staff Advisor is City Engineer Philip Stuckert.

Applicants are welcome to attend the Board of Commissioner’s Regular Meeting (December 4) to express their interest and present their qualifications.

For additional information or application, contact the appropriate Staff Advisor, or Theresa Meyer at City Hall at 867-2717, visit the City website at www.lakelandtn.gov, or email tmeyer@lakelandtn.org.

What are the Cameras for at the I-40/Canada Road interchange?

Many residents have noticed the cameras at the I-40/Canada Road interchange. City Engineer Philip Stuckert explains the use of the cameras:

The I-40/Canada Road signals have overhead optical cameras that provide for vehicle detection. They cannot be used for red light violations. The purpose of each camera is to determine the presence of a vehicle in a driving lane. If the camera detects the presence of a vehicle, then information is sent to the signal controller box whereby the controller decides to service that lane with a green light for traffic movement. If no vehicle is detected, then the signal controller does not service that lane of traffic by turning the signals green. This allows the controller to give that “green time” to other legs of the intersection which has vehicles and needs that time to move more traffic through the intersection.

The cameras take the place of induction loops that are installed in the pavement. Induction loops are installed as vehicle detection devices because they are much cheaper than cameras. However in certain conditions such as bridge decks, induction loops cannot be cut into the pavement as they can be in asphalt pavements. Therefore cameras were installed at this signal location.

Lakeland HIstory

Video clip on Lakeland History

Slideshow of Lakeland events, meetings and information.

Slideshow of Lakeland events, meetings and information. Click here.

Lakeland Meetings and News Week of November 8-12, 2010

6:30 p.m., Monday, November 8, 2010: Park and Recreation Board Meeting. Agenda at www.Lakelandtn.gov or www.CityofLakeland.com

6:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2010: Joint Meeting: Design Review Commission and Natural Resources Board: PUBLIC WELCOME TO ATTEND FOR A PRESENTATION BY BART JONES ON NATIVE PLANTS!

Agenda at www.Lakelandtn.gov or www.CityofLakeland.com

Thursday, November 11, 2010: Veterans Day, City Hall closed

6:30 p.m. Thursday, November 11, 2010: Board of Appeals, Special Meeting. Agenda at www.Lakelandtn.gov or www.CityofLakeland.com

Lakeland-Your Thoughts Needed on Keeping Lakeland Beautiful

The Lakeland Natural Resources Board wants your thoughts on improving Lakeland and keeping it beautiful!

Take this survey to help the Board design future programs making Lakeland even more beautiful!

Applications open for Board and Commission Positions

COMMUNITY LEADERS NEEDED

VOLUNTEER NOW!

The City of Lakeland Board of Commissioners is accepting applications for the following volunteer positions until 4:30 p.m., Monday, November 29, 2010:

Lakeland Design Review Commission (DRC) The DRC reviews the design, sign, lighting, and landscaping plans of commercial businesses and new residential developments. Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at City Hall. Members are appointed by the Mayor. Staff Advisor is City Planner/Deputy Growth Management Director Jim Atkinson.

Lakeland Economic Development Commission (EDC) The EDC reviews and proposes economic development initiatives/programs. The EDC is currently preparing a Strategic Plan for economic development. The EDC meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at City Hall. Staff Advisor is Growth Management Director J. HIgbee.

Lakeland Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) The MPC reviews development plans, zoning matters and planning-related matters. Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at City Hall. Members are appointed by the Mayor. Staff Advisor is Growth Management Director J. HIgbee.

Lakeland Natural Resources Board (NRB) The NRB has an active role in planning, advising, and promoting the development of a comprehensive, community-endorsed natural resources and environmental stewardship program for the City. The NRB generally meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at City Hall. Staff Advisor is Natural Resources Director Eric Bridges.

Lakeland Parks and Recreation Board (PRB) The PRB reviews and recommends park development plans, recreation programs and recommends locations of new parks. Meets at City Hall on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Staff Advisor is Park Director Brenda Lockhart.

Lakeland Board of Appeals (BOA) The BOA hears appeals on variances and other planning-oriented matters. This board meets “as needed” at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at City Hall. Staff Advisor is City Planner Jim Atkinson.

Lakeland Storm Water Board of Appeals (SWBA) This is a new Board. The SWBA reviews civil penalties and/or damage assessments concerning storm water management and pollution control plans. The SWBA meets on an “as needed” basis with at least an annual meeting. Staff Advisor is City Engineer Philip Stuckert.

Applicants are welcome to attend the Board of Commissioner’s Work Session (6:30 p.m., Thursday, November 22) or Regular Meeting (December 4) to express their interest and present their qualifications.

For additional information or application, contact the appropriate Staff Advisor, or Sontidra Thomas at City Hall at 867-2717, visit the City website at www.lakelandtn.gov, or email sthomas@lakelandtn.org.

Applications are being received until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 29, 2010.

Bicycle/Pedestrian Survey

The Shelby County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is gathering feedback on local bicycle and pedestrian issues, concerns, and habits from local residents to use in the update of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. Please click on the link below to complete the survey. It will take you just a few minutes and is a great way to be sure YOUR voice is heard.

Bike/Pedestrian survey

Additonal information on he MPO is available at the MPO website.

Public Invited to Native Plant Presentaton December 9

The public is especially invited to attend a presentation on the use on native plantings in landscaping at a joint meeting of the Design Review Commission/Natural Resources Board at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 9, 2010 at Lakeland City Hall.

The presentation will highlight where and how native plants are especially suitable to avoid or reduce expensive irrigation and wasteful use of water.

The public is always welcome at any Design Review Commission and Natural Resources Board meeting, and is especially invited to attend this meeting.