Yard Waste pickup clarification

Starting Monday, April 3, All Star Waste Systems will begin residential refuse collection service for City of Lakeland residents.

-Regular refuse collection schedules (except for yard waste in bags) will not change. All Star Waste Systems will pick up all refuse except for bagged yard waste, and loose limbs. Some items, as noted in the notice from All Star Waste Systems, are the responsibility of the resident.

-The recycling schedule will remain the same, except it will be on Tuesdays.

-Small amounts of yard wsste (bagged leaves and grass clippings) will be picked up on Mondays. On Monday, we will also note the larger amounts of yard waste for collection later in the week. We plan to collect larger amounts up on Tuesday and Wednesday, but weather, equipment problems etc. could change the schedule.

-Limb pickup will remain every other week.

There has been some confusion on the yard waste schedule and we apologize for the confusion on this matter.

Thanks, Jesse!

Our thanks to Jesse McCabe for having the idea, and coordinating, a "clean-up day" in IH Park. The Cleanup was very successful and he attracted a lot of volunteers who pitched in to clean-up the park.

Lakeland Natural Resources Director Eric Bridges and Natural Resoures Technician Nick Bridgeman, also assisted in the efforts.

It is residents like Jesse McCabe who make Lakeland such a nice place to live. He also serves on the Lakeland Design and Review Commission.

Thanks Jesse for all you do for Lakeland!

Trash hauling changes

The complete text of the All Star Waste Systems letter on the change-over in trash service is noted below.


Effective April 1, 2006City of Lakeland Solid Waste Disposal Service:
ALL STAR WASTE SYSTEMS

Your solid waste collection day WILL NOT change.
Recycling collection day WILL change to every other TUESDAY.
(All Star will begin delivering new carts and recycle bins on MARCH 27, 2006.)

During the week of March 27, 2006, BFI will pick up your trash
for the last time and remove your trash cart and recycle bin.



Collection Day: Collection day will not change. There will be no pick-up on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your scheduled collection day falls on or after one of these holidays, solid waste collection will be delayed one day.

Preparation: Containerize/bag all household trash and rubbish. It is important that you place your cart at the curb by 7 a.m. with the front of the cart facing the street (handle away from street), because your cart will be collected by a fully automated truck. All Star drivers will document occurrences when carts are not out at time of collection.

Collection Point: Garbage, rubbish, and recyclables will be retrieved from your curbside.

Containers: It is required that you use the All Star 95-gallon roll cart for refuse and 18-gallon bin for recyclables. Should you have additional refuse that will not fit into the cart, please bag and place it on top of the cart or next to the cart.

Acceptable Material: All household garbage and rubbish. All Star WILL NOT collect yard waste such as: grass cuttings, leaves and brush. Yard waste will be collected as a separate pick-up.

City of Lakeland note: Small amounts of bagged grass clippings and leaves will be picked up on Monday of each week. Larger amounts will be scheduled for later in the week. Limb chipping will continue on an every other week schedule.

Unacceptable Material: NO construction materials, rocks, dirt, or concrete will be collected. Car batteries, paint, tires, large auto parts, and dead animals are also unacceptable. To dispose of any material labeled “hazardous,” contact the Shelby County Health Department at 576-7656. Some of these substances are extremely dangerous chemicals and may cause injury to All Star personnel or to the public. Please do not put hot coals or ashes in your container. Remember the liability remains with you.

Home Appliances: Small appliances may be placed in your 95-gallon roll cart or left at the curb with regular trash. If you have large appliances or furniture weighing more than 75 pounds, you should call All Star (854-8865) to arrange a special pick-up. Any appliances, such as refrigerators or air conditioning systems, containing refrigerants, will not be picked up unless drained and tagged by a licensed technician. When purchasing such appliances, it is strongly recommended you make sure the seller will dispose of the old item at the time of purchase.

Customer Service: Contact Lakeland City Hall at 867-2717 for information or to request roll carts and recycling containers. Please refer to Cable Channel 19 or city websites www.lakelandtn.gov or www.cityoflakeland.com for updates on trash and recycling schedules.

Trash hauling changes effective April 1, 2006

Effective April 1, 2006, residential trash pickup will be provided by All Star Waste Systems rather than Allied/BFI Waste Systems.

Next week (during the week of March 27-30, existing residential carts and recycling containers will be picked up by Allied/BFI and new carts and recycling containers will be delivered by All Star Waste Systems.

Weekly residential trash pickup schedules will not change. The day you currently put out your trash will continue to be the same.

Recycling pickups will change to TUESDAY, from the current day of Monday. If your recycling is currently picked up on the first and third Monday of the month, your recycling will be picked up on the first and third Tuesday of the month. If your recycling is currently picked up on the second and fourth Monday, your recycling will be picked up on the second and fourth Tuesday.

One major change is that all yard waste (bagged grass and leaves other than in the container) will be picked up on a separate schedule from the regular refuse collection. Small amounts will be collected on Mondays, larger amounts will be collected later in the week.

Information on Political Sign Bonds

Lakeland residents who wish to post political signs (or allow such signs to be posted) on their property may check Lakelandpermits.blogspot.com to see if a Political Sign permit and bond has been obtained.

Posting signs is not legal unless the candidate (or organization supporting an issue) has obtained a Political Sign permit and bond.

Persons with questions are encouraged to contact Jim Atkinson at Lakeland City Hall, 867-2717 or CityHall@lakelandtn.org.

New Blog for Solicitor Permits

Due to recent problems with door-to-door solicitors who may not have a Lakeland Permit, the City of Lakeland is starting a blog for solicitor permits. The Blog can be accessed at Lakelandpermits.blogspot.com.

We will post the active permits for solicitors who have received a Lakeland permit. A Shelby County Permit and a Lakeland Permit are required.

Permits will be posted starting Monday, March 20, 2006. (Religious and Political Solicitors do not have the same Permit requirements.)

Political Sign Requirements

As the political season approaches, residents are reminded of the requirements for posting political signs.

I realize this may be confusing, so residents are encouraged to contacted Jim Atkinson at Lakeland City Hall (867-2717) with specific questions.

Note that one requirement is that ALL CANDIDATES must post a $500 bond before any signs can be posted. Please call City Hall if you are not sure if your candidate has posted the bond.

Also note that political signs are not allowed until 30 days before "early voting" starts.

We appreicate your cooperation in complying with these requirements.

Political Signs (14-404.2(11))

Political signs shall be allowed, provided that:

(a) Such signs shall be limited to not more than one (1) per candidate or issue on any single occupied parcel except polling places on election day where signage may be placed in accordance with Election Commission guidelines for signage at polling places;

(b) Such signs shall be located on private property, with permission of the property owner;

(c) Such signs shall not be placed closer than fifteen (15) feet from the edge of pavement or five (5) feet behind a sidewalk, whichever is greater;

(d) Such signs shall not be erected or placed in such a manner that they interfere with, obstruct, or confuse or mislead vehicular or pedestrian traffic;

(e) No such sign shall be erected or displayed earlier than thirty (30) days before the election including Early Voting to which it relates, nor later than three (3) days following such election;

(f) Such signs shall not be located in the public right-of-way or on other public property or on any public utility pole or tree, except within specified proximity of polling places on election day, under the rules established by the Shelby County Board of Election;

(g) No signs will be allowed at polling places earlier than one (1) day before an election or early voting period and must be removed not later than one (1) day after said election or early voting period. For signs placed at polling places no permit or bond will be required, but requirements of all other sections of this Ordinance shall apply;

(h) Such signs shall not exceed five (5) square feet in area per side and 48 inches in height;

(i) Such signs erected or maintained not in accordance with the provisions of this subsection shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property upon which the sign is located, shall be deemed a public nuisance, and may be abated, without notice, by such property owner, the candidate, or person advocating the vote described in the sign, or the Building Official or his/her designee;

(j) Any candidate or political committee desiring to distribute, cause to be distributed, display, place, or erect any political sign shall file an application for a Political Sign Distributor’s Permit with the City of Lakeland upon forms furnished by the City, and provide such pertinent information as said application may require;

(k) The Political Sign Distributor’s Permit application shall include an agreement, which obligates the applicant to reimburse the City of Lakeland for costs associated with removal of signs specified in Section 14-404.2 (11) (a) through (h) of this Ordinance. Upon filing such application, the Building Official or his designee shall issue a Political Sign Distributor’s Permit to the applicant together with the issuance of a permit number; and

(l) Any person desiring to post or erect any political sign including but not limited to signs advertising a political party or the candidacy of any individual for any nomination or office, shall, in addition to obtaining the Political Sign Distributor’s Permit required by Section 14-404.2 (11) (i) and (j) of this Ordinance, first deposit with the City of Lakeland a cash bond in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00), which bond shall be conditioned upon removal of each and every such sign within five (5) days after the announced results of the nomination, election, or referendum to which the sign pertains. If such removal is not made within the specified time, the bond shall be forfeited to the City of Lakeland, and may be used by the City to defray the cost of removing such signs.

(m) The City Manager may, at his discretion, establish a uniform policy whereby a specific portion of the bond is assessed per sign not removed within the specified time so that part but not necessarily all of the bond shall be forfeited, depending upon the number of signs per candidate City Staff is required to remove.

Garage Sale Signs

As Spring approaches, residents are reminded of the following regulations regarding the placement of garage/yard sale signs.

Yard Sale Signs (14-404.2(20))

Signs for yard sales shall be allowed provided that:

(a) Only one (1) such sign shall be on the lot where the yard sale is located;

(b) Such sign shall not exceed five (5) square feet in sign area per side and 48 inches in height measured from finished grade;

(c) Such sign shall be removed immediately upon conclusion of the yard sale;

(d) No such signs shall be placed in such as manner as to obstruct visibility or be attached to utility poles, directional or regulatory signage, or trees; and

(e) Such sign shall not be placed closer than 15 feet from the edge of pavement or five (5) feet behind a sidewalk, whichever is greater.

We appreciate the cooperation of all residents in complying with these requirements.

Lakeland Arbor Day Celebration 9:00 a.m., Saturday, March 11

Lakeland Arbor Day is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., Saturday, March 11, 2006 at Zadie E. Kuehl Park.

Natural Resources Director Eric Bridges has designed an excellent program that illustrates the special significance of Arbor Day in Lakeland. We also are fortunate in having the support of many residents and volunteers who volunteer their time and energy in projects to conserve and enhance the beauty of Lakeland.

Eric is one of only several person in Tennessee who area both a certified Arborist and a Certified Forester.

Eric prepared a grant for financing a staff person (a Natural Resources Technician) to assist in preparing a Natural Resources Inventory which is a major step in conserving our natural resources.

Plan to come out for Arbor Day this Saturday!

Community identity

I recently heard (on the radio program “Smart City”) an interesting conversation concerning “Places” in a City, especially as it relates to establishing a community identity.

Although the speaker was using it in a different context, he noted that to establish "community", a City needs places for people to “find” each other and “see and be seen” to expereince what it is to be a resident. Such “places” may be schools, restaurants, parks, recreational facilities, etc. Recent such places in Lakeland would appear to be Lakeland elementary, Crackerbarrel, various City parks and, perhaps, the possible Starbucks etc.

There will be some important decisions on facilities which will establish “community” in the near future. This will include development of several parks (Windward Slopes Park, other parks, possible athletic fields etc.) in the near future and other public facilities in the next several years.

The Board of Commissioners, Municipal Planning Commission, Design Review Commission, Economic Development Commission and Park Board/Natural Resource Board would like to hear your comments on proposed developments.

I encourage all residents to “let your voice be heard” and comment on proposed developments. These facilities are literally shaping our Lakeland community and identity and how we will relate to other residents.

All Terrain Vehicles (ATV)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

Recycle Scheduling changes

Allied Waste (BFI) is changing the recycle schedule to provide improved service on recyling pickup for Lakeland residents.

On Monday, January 30, 2006, Allied Waste will follow the normal schedule and collect recycling material from all Lakeland residents who put out recycling.

On Monday, February 6, 2006, Lakeland residents on the west side of Canada Road and west of Canada Road will have recycling picked up. (Customers in these areas will be receiving an orange notice from Allied Waste this week.)

The normal schedule for residents of these areas will be the First and Third Monday of each month.

On Monday, February 13, 2006, Lakeland residents on the east side of Canada Road, east of Canada Road, north of the Loosahatchie River and north of Highway 70 will have recycling picked up. (Customers in these areas will be receiving a yellow notice from Allied Waste this week.)

The normal schedule for residents of these areas will be the Second and Fourth Monday of each month.

The City will also post this schedule on Time Warner cable Channel 19 and city web pages.