Lakeland Supplemental Income Progress

As of Wednesday, December 14, 41 persons have contributed a total of $3,515 to the Lakeland Supplemental Income Program.

The donation results as of today are;

Contributions: 41

Categories of donations:

Unspecified $ 650

Senior Center 600

City Beauty 1170

Parks Dev 275

Youth Programs 370

EMA 450

Total: $3,515

All funds are restricted to be spent only in the area for which the donation is made. The Senior Center furnishings are expected to be used in early February to assist in furnishing the new Lakeland Senior Center.

Persons, organizations or businesses wishing to donate may use this form, or call City Hall (867-2717I) for a form.

Transportation Report available

The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) staff has published a new staff report, Getting There: Increasing Access to Destinations, which is the final in a four-part series on transportation and land use planning in Tennessee.

The report addresses the potential for accessibility-based land use and transportation planning to assist the state and its local governments in maximizing public investments, enhancing economic development, improving job accessibility, reducing transportation costs, and improving access to transportation for disadvantaged populations.

Accessibility-based planning focuses on making it easier to get from location to location, while traditional mobility-based planning focuses on the trip itself. It considers issues such as density, mixed land uses, connection of road networks, transportation options, and integrated transportation modes.

Lakeland population is 12,430

Lakeland's population, according to the 2010 Federal Census was 12,430 in 2010. Based on housing permits, the actual population is an estimated 13,000.

The Lakeland population was unfortunately incorrectly stated in a December 14, 2012 story in the Commercial Appeal. Errors happen, and we understand that, but figures in a respected newspaper are frequently accepted as fact and the correction isn't seen by many readers.

Also, while it is correct that the City of Lakeland depends on Shelby County for emergency services, Lakeland residents and businesses do pay the normal "fire fees" for the excellent service provided by the Shelby County Fire Department. Lakeland residents also pay Shelby County property taxes which support the outstanding service provided by the Shelby County Sheriff Department.

Refuse Collection changes for December

There will be no refuse collection or recycling pickup on Monday, December 26 or Monday, January 2.

All scheduled collections will be delayed one day. (Monday schedule on Tuesday, etc. with Friday schedule picked up on Saturday).

Lakeland Supplemental Revenue Program Form and Information

Lakeland residents and businesses can support their favorite project(s) by donating for furnishings for the Senior Center, City Beautification (entrance treatments, landscaping, litter control, street sweeping), park development, youth programs and emergency management.

Each donation is segregated into a “restricted” fund so that money donated is used only for that specific project. Any amount of donation is acceptable and will be acknowledged immediately.

A letter was recently sent to all residents advising of the program with a form for submitting a donation or a form can be downloaded here.

Donated funds will enhance services, not substitute for already budgeted items.

The Great Yogurt Factory is open at Canada Road and Highway 64!

The Great Yogurt Factory is open at the Corners Shopping Center (next to Little Caesars Pizza and Flowers by Regis).

Call 901 417-7934 for hours and other information. (Web Information)

Welcome Lakeland's newest business!

City Hall Rain Gardens

PIctures of the City Hall "rain gardens" illustrates the rain gardens effectiveness at retaining stormwater while promoting landscaping. The rain gardens were designed by City of Lakeland Staff Engineer Emily Bowell. (Pictures are on the City of Lakeland Facebook page

City Hall Rain Gardens

November Schedule Changes

Schedule changes, Holiday schedule and special events for November, 2011 include:

-Lakeland Natural Resources Board meeting is rescheduled to Thursday, November 17, 2011.

-City Hall is closed Friday, November 11, 2011 for Veterans Day

-Senior Luncheon is Friday, November 18, 2011 at the IH Clubhouse

-Lakeland Board of Commissioners Work Session has been rescheduled to Monday, November 21, 2011

-Lakeland City Hall is closed Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 for Thanksgiving

LITTER PICKUP DAY, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4.

Litter pick up day! Meet at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Monroe Road entrance to the Lakeland Mall. Volunteers appreciated! Help keep Lakeland Beautiful!

Sponsored by the Lakeland Natural Resources Board.

SHOP LAKELAND FOR CONVENIENCE AND SAVINGS!

A local survey by Commissioner Gerrit Verschuur indicated that it is not only more convenient to shop at our Lakeland Walgreens at Highway 64 and Canada Road but you can also save money! Dr. Verschuur found that 28 of 43 common items (milk, eggs, beer, paper towels, juice, soft drinks, soups, peanut butter, shampoos and toothpaste) were cheaper at Walgreens than at a Memphis grocery store! And that doesn't even include the savings you can find in the famous Walgreens Sunday Ads!

Although I can't endorse private business, Lakeland residents can take advantage of many local Lakeland businesses that offer excellent service, products and savings. What I appreciate most is the convenience of being able to shop in Lakeland and I appreciate the excellent service and reasonable cost of Lakeland businesses.

Watch for information about local businesses and make an effort to use Lakeland businesses. If you do, you know what I mean, if you don't you will be pleasantly surprised!

Flowers by Regis (in the Lakeland Corners shopping center at Highway 64 and Canada Road, next to ATC Fitness and Little Caesars Pizza, is another alternative to the grocery store which recently moved across the street to Memphis. I believe this leave Flowers by Regis as the only Lakeland flower shop. (The web site is www.FlowersbyRegis.net, not.com. Flowers by Regis is also on Facebook.

Watch for the upcoming listing of Lakeland businesses and plan to make support of Lakeland businesses a priority!

Natural Resources Board, Design Review Commission, Board of Commissioners reschedule meetings

The following meetings have been rescheduled from their normal scheduled dates:

-The Design Review Commission regular meeting will be Tuesday, October 18, rather than Tuesday, October 11.

-The Natural Resources Board regular meeting will be Thursday, October 20, 2011 instead of Thursday, October 13, 2011

-The Board of Commissioners Work Session will be Monday, October 24, 2o11 instead of Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

Lakeland Holiday Parade is December 3, 2011

The Lakeland Holiday Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 3, 2011. Information on the Parade, entering the parade etc. is available here.

I-40 and Canada Road Interchange Design Publie Meeting Tuesday, October 11

From 5:00 p.m . to 7:00 p.m., next Tuesday, October 11, at Lakeland City Hall, the Tennessee Department of Transportation will conduct a Highway Design Pubic Meeting on the interchange replacement at I-40 and Canada Road. A detailed notice of the meeting is available is available by clicking here or at www.CityofLakeland.com

Preliminary design of the extension of Beverle Rivera Drive to Seed Tick Road will also be on display.

IH Clubhouse renovation scheduled

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners recently approved an architectural contract for plans for renovation of the IH Clubhouse at 4523 Canada Road. Plans are for bathrooms, kitchen, plumbing and interior to be upgraded as well as other improvements such as converting the heating and cooling to natural gas, replacing the septic system and other improvements.

The IH Clubhouse will be closed from at least January 1 through Spring of 2012 for completion of the renovations.

The project is funded 50% by a grant from the Tennessee Local Parks and Recreation Fund.

Lakeland Senior Center walls going up!

Construction of the Lakeland Senior Center has proceeded to the point of the walls going up! The Lakeland Senior Center is funded by a Community Development Block Grant and the City of Lakeland.

The project also includes paving, landscaping and other parking improvements. The project is expected to be completed in early 2012.

Bobbi Cornett art featured in Art in City Hall.

Lakeland City Hall welcomes the return of Lakeland Artist Bobbi Cornett for the fourth quarter "Art in City Hall" art.

The art show features some favorites (at least of City Hall personnel and I!) and some art that may become favorites.

The public is welcome to view the art show any time City Hall is open. Normal City Hall hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the art may also be viewed when City Hall is open for evening meetings.

Board of Commissioners regular meeting this Thursday

Board of Commissioners meeting 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 6, 2011: Agenda at http://www.cityoflakeland.com or http://www.lakelandtn.gov

Lakeland Elementary PTA Book Fair Scheduled October 8, 2011

“To the Book Fair and Beyond” is the theme of the PTA at Lakeland Elementary Book Fair for 2011.

The PTA is sponsoring a Community Day (open to the public) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday October 8, 2011 at the gymnasium at Lakeland Elementary.

Contact Amy at 291-3636 or Lori at 213-0339 for additional information.

Proposed School Study Agreement to be discussed by Lakeland Board of Commissioners

An Agreement for a feasibility study on possible school options for the City of Lakeland will be reviewed and discussed at the Board of Commissioners Work Session at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 27 at Lakeland City Hall, 10001 Highway 70.

The public is always welcome to attend any City meetings.