Census Verfication Team in Lakeland starting today (Wednesday, May 30)

The State of Tennessee sends out a Census Verification Team to spot check the Census Data collected by the City.

They are in Lakeland today (Wednesday, May 30, 2007) and will shortly be verifying names and addresses in the following Subdivisions:

-Oakwood

-Stonebridge

-Plantation Hills

-Lakeland Estates

-Woodland Park.

They will be driving marked Tennessee State vehicles and wearing identification badges.

They may verify other subdivisions as needed.

Please call City Hall if you have any questions or desire additional information.

The Receptionist at City Hall will have a list of names if you wish to call and verify any name.

Mark Neel

We are sorry to hear about the recent passing of Mark Neel at the age of 45.

Mark Neel played a major role in Lakeland development as a Partner in the Partnership that developed Woodbridge Addition and the Oakwood Additions. He is a major influence on the development of Lakeland as a result of his involvement in these two subdivisons as well as other residential areas.

I was not surprised to learn from the story in the Commercial Appeal that Mark Neel had quietly used his own money and time in developing a youth sports complex without any publicity. His comment was "These kids need a chance".

I-40/Canada Road Interchange Action

Petitions will be available in the near future for residents to petition the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to schedule the Public Hearing on the Canada Road/I-40 Interchange. We understand this is the next step in the process.

The Lakeland Economic Development Commission recently discussed plans to encourage the Tennessee Department of Commerce (TDOT) to take promised action to have a Public Hearing "this Spring" in the I-40 and Canada Road Interchange.

At this time, priority is on requesting that the promised Public Hearing be held as soon as possible so the project can get started!

I understand a 30 day notice period is required before the Public Hearing is held. During this period the Lakeland Economic Development Commission will encourage all persons who use the Interchange to attend the Hearing and followup with written comments.

City Hall Entrance signs

I hope you have noticed the refurbished Lakeland City entrance signs! These signs are the result of a lot of work by a number of people! A lot more is involved in this than I realized. I encourage all residents to give a special "thank you" to Kathleen Brasfield, City Beautiful Project Coordinator, and Michael Brasfield, Project Leader, whose woodworking skills made salvaging the signs a reality.

Persons who worked on the sign project include:

Civic Club Members: Michael Brasfield, Margaret Brown, Bobbi Cornett, Mary Lou Shannon, Vi Flannagan, and Shirley Broom.

Lion's Club Members: Bert Faller and Bill Gibson.

Girl Scout Leaders: Barbara Ellacott, Melissa Skovdal.

Girl Scout Studio 2B Troop 392: Jordan Spegele, Ashley Wei, Laura Ellacott, Jessica Weaver, Emily Adkins, Brittani Craft, and Carlin Gray.

Brownie and Junior Troop 472: Jennifer Hopper, Sorina Skovdal, Rachel Crawford, Taylor Adams, Kyrsten Gray, Evy Montgomery, Nikki Adams, Andrea Crawford, Morgan Chinery, Kayla Johnson, Ana Cuesta, and Caitlin Cuesta.

In addition I want to thank the Public Works crew who installed the signs, James Riley, Joey Courtney and Nelson Hardaway and to Eric Bridges and Nick Bridgman for the landscaping around the sign on Canada Road (all of the signs are in the process of being landscaped at the appropriate time of year).

Our thanks to all of these residents who helped make Lakeland entrances more attractive!

Art in City Hall-Glenda Brown

Artist Glenda Brown has a special treat for persons stopping by Lakeland City Hall. She is the "Art in City Hall" artist this month and you will enjoy the outstanding portraits on display.

This is a show you will need to stop by, study and enjoy.

Lakeland City Hall is at 10001 Highway 70 in Lakeland. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Art may also be viewed during evening meetings.

Fountain at IH Club Lake

The new fountain is installed at the Lakeland at IH Club! It is an impressive sight! This is a combined community effort with contributions by the Lakeland Lions Club, Lakeland Funfest and the City of Lakeland. Another company contributed to the fountain, but wishes to remain anonymous.

It is on a timer and so is on from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Stop by and take a look. Of course if you plan in attending the Fishing Rodeo this Saturday, you will have the opportunity to see it along with lots of fish!

Lakeland Memorial Tree Program

The Lakeland Natural Resources Department’s Memorial Tree Program is now available. A tree may be sponsored in honor or of in memory of a person selected by the donor, to commemorate individuals, families or organizations, or even to celebrate a special event such as a wedding, birth, birthday, anniversary or other special event.

A tree may be sponsored for a payment of $400. The Natural Resources Department will plant a tree from the Lakeland Tree Species Selection List (specific species may be requested and will be honored where possible), include an aluminum display with the type of tree, the donor and the person or event being commemorated. The tree will be guaranteed for five years and will be replaced for any reason within that five year period.

Additional information is available at www.Lakelandtn.gov or contact the Natural Resources Department at 867-2717. Brochures with an application are available at City Hall and will be e-mailed or mailed if requested.

Schedule Changes and Events

Schedule changes and special events over the next several weeks are:

-Monday, May 28, 2007: City Hall is closed for Memorial Day. Board of Commissioner Work Session is rescheduled to Monday, June 4, 2007.

-Saturday, June 2, 2007: 9:00 a.m. Fishing Rodeo at IH Park.

-Sunday, June 3, 2007: 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. City Hall Park. 30^th Anniversary of incorporation of the City of Lakeland

-Monday, June 4, 2007: 6:30 p.m. Board of Commissioners Work Session (rescheduled from Monday, May 38)

-Thursday, June 7, 2007: Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting rescheduled to Thursday, June 14, 2007

-Thursday, June 14, 2007: 6:30 p.m. Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

I always especially recognize Memorial Day, probably because when I was a kid, we always went what (to me) was a relatively long trip to the cemetery to visit our ancestors and deceased family members.

The small town where the cemetery was located (Soldier, Kansas) always had a big Memorial Day dinner for the persons visiting the cemetery. They also provided the lunch etc. for funeral services.

My parents both rest at the Soldier, Kansas Cemetery and the residents of Soldier provided the lunch at their funeral services and I still enjoy their Memorial Day lunches when we visit on Memorial Day.

I am still impressed by the dedication of the residents of Soldier, Kansas over all these years where they still provide such a service to visitors.

I think one of the reasons I enjoy being a City Manager so much is that I have some strong memories of the small towns I visited when I was a child and I realize the impact of city services and facilities. In addition to the Memorial Day visits being one of my earliest memories, we were heavy users of the Holton, Kansas library, parks and recreational facilities when we came to town on weekly shopping visits. I still remember how well they were maintained and the true dedication of the librarians and park workers and I hope we leave similar memories for our residents and visitors.

Windward Slopes Park improvements starting

Windward Slopes Park improvements will begin in the immediate future. The project will include off-street parking, playground equipment, a pavilion, tennis courts and a “ball wall”. The alignment of the walking trail will also be adjusted to allow for the projects.

The project is expected to be completed no later than early Spring of 2008 and hopefully well before that. The park improvements are funded by the City of Lakeland and a grant from the Tennessee Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Recreation Educational.

Last Chance to count in Lakeland Census!

The current “Special Census” count of Lakeland’s population is now 10, 838! If you haven’t completed the Special Census form, the deadline is Tuesday, May 15 for you to be counted!

Census information requested is only the names of the persons in your household and the address. This may be called in to City Hall at 867-2717, e-mailed to CityHall@lakelandtn.org or a form may be downloaded at www.Lakelandtn.gov and faxed to City Hall at 867-2063 or bought by City Hall at 10001 Highway 70.

If you haven’t submitted your census information, make yourself count and send your information today!

We appreciate the efforts of all Lakeland residents who submitted census information. I also thank Lakeland City personnel Debra Murrell, Anita Hughes, Bristol Roberts, Joey Courtney, Nelson Hardaway, James Riley and James Roberts for their special efforts to assist in “making everyone count” in the 2007 Special Lakeland Census.

Lakeland over 10,000 Population

On Monday, April 30, the Special Census count totaled 10,044 Lakeland residents. Approximately 668 census forms have not been returned, but City personnel are making a final effort to count all Lakeland residents.

We appreciate the assistance of all Lakeland residents who have returned the Special Census forms or called/e-mailed in their household names.

It's not too late! If you haven't returned your Special Census form, you can still call 867-2717, e-mail CityHall@lakelandtn.org, or download a form from www.Lakelandtn.gov and mail, fax or personally bring in the form!

If you did not list all of the persons in your household, you also still can submit a corrected form.

Lakeland city personnel Debra Murell, Anita Hughes, Bristol Roberts, Nelson Hardaway, James Riley and Joey Courtney all worked hard on making the Special Census a success.

Garage Sale Sign Guidelines

As the Garage Sale season approaches, Lakeland residents are reminded that City of Lakeland regulations allow one regulation size “Garage Sale” sign on the property of the Garage Sale. No flags, banners, balloons etc. are allowed to call attention to the Garage Sale. No permit is required for a Garage Sale or a Garage Sale sign.

Signs are not allowed on public property (intersections, street right of ways) and garage sale signs on public property will be removed.

We appreciate your cooperation in complying with the Lakeland community requirements on garage sale signs.

Specific regulations are:

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.

Please contact City Hall at 867-2717 or CityHall@lakelandtn.org if you have specific questions on Garage Sale sign regulations.

Transportation Project Update

Beverle Revira Drive Extension: Plans for the Beverle Revira Drive extension (extension of the street past Lakeland Fire Station # 1 to Huff and Puff) are complete. The project will be bid as soon as the Municipal Planning Commission reviews the construction plans and necessary easements are obtained.

The project is a major effort in plans to improve access from Seed Tick to Canada Road.

The City has also been approved for a grant for a traffic signal at Beverle Revira Drive and Canada Road after the extension is completed.

This project will significantly improve fire/ambulance response to the Lakeland Elementary School area and improve the current bottleneck at Canada Road and Huff and Puff.

Eventually, Beverle Revira Drive will extend from Canada Road to Chambers Chapel Road.

For those persons who are new to Lakeland, Beverle Revira Drive is named in honor Beverle Revira, the first Mayor of Lakeland.

Traffic Signals at I-40 and Canada Road Interchange: I regret to announce that the traffic signals have been delayed for another three months. I understand the project, which is funded by the federal government and administered by Shelby County will be delayed for some required environmental reviews. Current plans are for the project to be bid in June of 2007.

This project is desperately needed and I hope this is the last delay.

Canada Road/I-40 Interchange: The Tennessee Department of Transportation is expected to schedule a Public Hearing in the near future. There will be at least 30 days notice of the date of the Public Hearing on the interchange.

The Lakeland Economic Development Commission is actively working on an educational campaign to inform Lakeland residents and all motorists using the interchange of the Public Hearing and the advantages of the Single Point Interchange.

Traffic Signals at Highway 70 and Canada Road: We are waiting confirmation that the Tennessee Department of Transportation intends to install traffic signals at this intersection (with left-turn lanes in all directions). We learned that this project was funded by a safety grant, but we are awaiting a letter of confirmation.

New Canada Road planning: Planning is expected to start in the near future on New Canada Road. Shelby County, the State of Tennessee and the City of Lakeland are using the Context Sensitive Solution approach, which will involve a citizens in planning the route and other features of New Canada Road.

We expect this to start in the near future.

Funds for the construction of New Canada Road were recently approved in the MPO Plan for New Canada Road. This will be an 80% grant, with the City contributing 20%. The City has requested that Shelby County participate in funding and planning this project, since Canada Road is a major north/south artery that serves many Shelby County residents who are not Lakeland residents.

I-40/Canada Road interchange Public Hearing emphasis of EDC Action

The Lakeland Economic Development Commission (EDC) is emphasing the importance of attending the upcoming Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Public Hearing on the Canada Road/I-40 Interchange. The date of the Public Hearing is expected to be announced shortly.

An informational brochure and galvanizing public attendance at the Public Hearing is a top priority. Following the Public Hearing, the emphasis will be on demonstrating continued public support to State Officials. The brochure will include information on the need for the interchange and the differences between the “single-point interchange” and the enhanced “diamond” interchange.

The EDC held the Special Meeting to set priorities and decided that the logical priority is the completion of the interchange, with the immediate emphasis on the Public Hearing and follow-up support.

Lakeland Economic Development members include Board of Commission Liaison Randy Nicholson, EDC Chair Mark Lawrence, Melissa Smithmier, John Dudas, Municipal Planning Commission Liaison Kathleen Brasfield, Don Oliver, Connie Hess, Josh Roman and Pamela Womack.

The Economic Development Commission members are appointed by the Lakeland Board of Commissioners.

Join Neighborhood Watch efforts!

I am reprinting the item below from QNet since I feel this is an excellent method to raise awareness of and prevent crime in Lakeland.

Yahoo Groups is easy to use and is very effective. I urge all Lakeland residents to join this Yahoo Group and fight crime in Lakeland!

LAKELAND NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Brian S. Haines, Council of Lakeland Associations

The Council of Lakeland Associations (COLA) invites all Lakeland neighborhood leaders to join our interactive online forum by signing up at the following address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lakelandcola/
Click the "Join This Group" button to apply for access and discover the quick and easy polls and discussion threads that are aimed at sharing knowledge, experience and encouragement for establishing and maintaining effective Neighborhood Watch programs in Lakeland. Please don't wait until you feel the sting of criminal activity in your neighborhood or home before you get involved. Take a proactive role in making Lakeland a less attractive place for criminals to operate. Together we can!

Recycle Bin Lids Available

The City is receiving approximately 100 lids for the recycle bids for testing by Lakeland residents. The lids are designed to "snap" onto the recycle bins and prevent recyclables from blowing and also keeps them dry in wet weather!

Lids are available at City Hall (10001 Highway 70) on a first-come basis. Persons who are unable to stop by City Hall should e-mail cityhall@Lakelandtn.org or call 867-2717 and leave your name and address and we will deliver a lid as long as they are available.

We will appreciate your comments on the lids after you have tested them before we decide to proceed with providing lids to all customers who recycle.

Lakeland Census-We Count on You!

Lakeland residents who have not yet responded to the 2008 Special Census are encouraged to respond to the census survey. Surveys are currently being mailed out to residents who have not responded.

Also, if you did not include all household members in the survey, please complete another survey listing all persons in your household. (We will simply use the new survey and delete the previous survey)

Residents who do not receive a form (especially new residents) or residents who need to complete another form to list all household members may obtain a form at www.Lakelandtn.gov, e-mailing CityHall@lakelandtn.org or calling City Hall at 867-2717.

We appreciate the high response rate of Lakeland residents and encourage residents who are not counted to respond to the survey and residents who may have submitted an incomplete survey to complete a survey. Every resident counts! For every resident counted, the City receives approximately $109 per year, which benefits all Lakeland residents.

Please call Debra or Anita at Lakeland City Hall if you have any questions or desire additional information.

May 7 Community Meeting HOLD THIS DATE!

The second Lakeland Community Meeting with Farr and Associates on the Lakeland development code rewrite is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2007 at the IH Clubhouse.
Hold this date! This will be an entertaining and informative meeting that you will enjoy!

J. Higbee, Lakeland Growth Management Director, advised that

The goal of this meeting is to gather community preferences for the types of development desired in Lakeland. The meeting will last about 2 1/2 hours and will focus on an image preference survey (IPS). During this activity, participants will view and rate photographs illustrating different development types. The images will include photographs from Lakeland, metro-Memphis, and communities from around the country. The results of the IPS will be compiled and used to help create zoning and subdivision standards that will guide future development in Lakeland.

Additional information will be provided in the near future, but mark this date on your calendar now and plan to attend this important meeting!

Connecting trail in IH Park under construction

Construction will start soon on a connecting trail between the main parking lot and the lake area at IH Park. The trail will start at the south side of the parking lot and end near the lake at IH Club.

The trail is designed to be accessible to persons with a disabilty and also willl provide a safe way to access the lake area of the park from the parking lot.

Call MLGW First!

During a recent meeting with Memphis Gas Light and Water (MLGW), it was noted that some property owners do not contact MLGW before contacting or starting development of property. If your property requires extensive work to hook up to electric, water or gas service (or if 3-phase service etc. is required), it may affect your development or even your purchasing decision.

Contact MLGW Residential Services before you make any major decisions! Call 528-4855 and ask for Chris Williams. If he is not available ask or leave a message for Wayne Ellis.

This call could save you a considerable amount of money!