Signal Light contract at I-40/Canada Road to be considered

A major safety and traffic hazard may be resolved in the near future as the Shelby County Commission will take final action on the bid for installing signal lights at the I-40/Canada Road interchange at a future meeting.

Tentative dates are Wednesday, August 26, for discussion at the Committee Meeting and Monday, August 31 for final action by the full Shelby County Commission. (This is a change from the original dates of August 12 and August 17.)

The signal lights will significantly improve the safety and efficiency of the I-40/Canada Road Interchange.

This bid will benefit residents of Memphis, Arlington and Shelby County as well as Lakeland residents. The traffic signals will reduce the congestion. The congestion at this interchange is a major safety hazard and increases air pollution.

A major concern is that this interchange is the major link between the areas south of I-40 and north of I-40. Traffic signals will significant increase response time for public safety vehicles responding to residents of Memphis, Arlington, Lakeland, Bartlet, and Shelby County.

We will publicize the time and dates of the meetings as soon as they are finalized.

All Lakeland residents and Shelby County residents who use this intersection are encouraged to attend the meeting and speak in support of the signal lights, or at least contact the Shelby County Commissioners and advise them of the importance of these signal lights.

The names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of all Shelby County Commissioners are listed under at www.shelbycountytn.gov (Click on the "Elected Officials" tab and then "County Commissioners".)

The bid for the traffic signals at I-40 and Canada Road has been approved by the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Final action on approval of the bid is by the Shelby County Commission, since the funds are a 100% "congestion grant" that flows through Shelby County.

We will be reminding residents and the vehicles using this intersection of this opportunity to support traffic signals at the I-40/Canada Road interchange and making it safer for all future motorists.

David Pickler, New Canada Road next week in Lakeland

Shelby County Schools Board Chairman David Pickler will visit the Board of Commissioners Work Session at 6:30 p.m., Monday, July 27, 2009 to discuss the recent recommendation by the Shelby County Commission for "single source funding" for both Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools. Pickler will discuss the effects of "single source funding" on Lakeland and other non-Memphis areas, including property tax increases of up to 40% to pay for Memphis City Schools.

The New Canada Road Advisory Team holds a Public Input meeting from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. with presentation scheduled from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

The Public Input meeting will be held at the IH Clubhouse, 4523 Canada Road. See www.NewCanadaRoad.com for detailed information.

Plan to attend and get the facts and make your comments!

New Canada Road Meeting Tuesday, July 28

The New Canada Road public input meeting from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at the IH Clubhouse, 4523 Canada Road will include a presentation on the proposed New Canada Road alternatives from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Interested persons are encouraged to arrive as early as 6:00 p.m. to review the maps and discuss the project with the Canada Road Advisory Team Members and the project consultants.

The New Canada Road public input meeting is scheduled to last until 8:00 p.m. and will include time for public comment and input.

Detailed information on the New Canada Road Advisory Team and New Canada Road project is available at www.NewCanadaRoad.com

Harzardous trees being removed this week

Monday, July 20, 2009: Hazardous trees are being removed this week primarily on Seed Tick Road, Old Brownsville Road and Evergreen Road in Lakeland. The trees are being removed by private contractors who have the specialized equipment to remove the trees quickly and safely.

These are trees which have been identified as immediately hazardous to property, people and vehicles and were designated for immediate removal, especially after the recent storm damaged the trees and made them even more hazardous.

Please call City Hall at 867-2717 if you have any questions or desire additional information.

Golf Tournament scheduled for September 11

The Saint Francis Hospital of Bartlett/City of Lakeland Annual Golf Tournament at Stonebridge Golf Course is scheduled for Friday, September 11, 2009. It will start at 1:00 p.m. with a shotgun start.

St. Francis Hospital of Bartlett and the City of Lakeland are co-sponsors of the Tournament. Proceeds will be dedicated to obtaining Youth Coaches Certifications and background checks for Lakeland recreation programs.

Entry deadline is Tuesday, September 1, 2009. The Tournament will include a meal after the tournament, great door prizes, refreshments, practice balls and contests such as closest to the pin, longest drive (male and female), cash or team winners and a possible hole-in-one contest.

Support the Lakeland recreation program and sign up! Entry forms are available at Lakeland City Hall (867-2717) or will be available at www.Lakelandtn.gov.

The Lakeland Park and Recreation Board includes Clay Rogers (Chair);, Commissioner Randy Nicholson (Board of Commissioners liaison), Bennie Cobb, Kumar Patel, Hank Hess, Nikki Wheetley, and Michael Fortner.

Pickler to discuss plan to tax surburbs for Memphis Schools

Shelby County School Board Chair David Pickler is scheduled to visit with the Lakeland Board of Commissioners at the BOC Work Session at 6:30 p.m., Monday, July 27, 2009 at Lakeland City Hall.

The Shelby County Commission recently adopted a recommendation that will result in Lakeland property taxes increasing from 26% to 40% solely to support Memphis City Schools.

This means if your current taxes are $2,000 per year, you could pay as much as $800 more per year solely due to the action by the Shelby County Commission. This is in addition to increased assessments of suburban areas by the County.

The "Plan" was adopted by an "Ad Hoc Committee" (meaning "self appointed") that held meetings without notifying suburban cities and did not involve suburban cities until after the plan was basically approved, in spite of the fact that the "Plan" targeted suburban cities for substantially increased taxes.

Pickler will discuss the impact of the proposed tax on suburban areas.

All residents and interested residents are welcome to attend the meeting and hear the presentation and how to protest this plan to increase taxes without any resulting additional services.

New Canada Road Advisory Team Public Workshop July 28

The Canada Road Advisory Team will hold a Public Workshop from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at the IH Clubhouse, 4523 Canada Road.

This is an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the possible alternatives for New Canada Road.

Interested residents and persons are especially invited to attend this important meeting and comment on the proposed alternatives.

Detailed information is available at www.NewCanadaRoad.com.

Please plan to attend this meeting if New Canada Road will impact you!

Canada Road Advisory Team Members are noted on the copy of a page of the www.NewCanadaRoad.com website.

New Canada Road Project City of Lakeland, Tennessee

Downloads Schedule Team FAQ's Contact Us Team Wednesday, July 15, 2009 | 8:39 PM Advisory Team Homeowners Associations Tom Benke Windward Slopes 901-384-0098 tabenke@aol.com Alison Ely Lakeland Estates 901-386-8650 aely@bellsouth.net Jim Schultz Plantation Hills 901-383-7744 jims@745cash.com Mike Sexton Woodbridge 901-266-0022 jmsexton68@bellsouth.net Paul Houghland Davies Plantation 901-373-9402 phoughland@bellsouth.net Boards Mark Hartz Board of Commissioners 901-373-8962 markehartz@aol.com Dianne Baldi Planning Commission 901-386-3343 ladyacad@aol.com Tony Neri Natural Resources Board 901-937-1454 mr1keen@aol.com Clayton Rogers Parks & Recreation Board 901-867-1121 oneaviator@bellsouth.net Property Owners and At Large Members Bob Elliott At Large 901-290-9028 bob.elliott@lafarge-na.com Jay Conrad North Property Owner 901-213-9300 jgc4433@comcast.net Pat Smith South Property Owner pat@clubwindward.com James Farris South Property Owner 901-386-0605 Shirlee Clark At-Large 901-867-4029 shirlee.clark.osv@fedex.com Randy Brockwell North Property Owner 901-592-5316 dbrockwell@brockwells.net Downloads | Schedule | Team | FAQ's | Project Home

July Economic Development Commission canceled

The Thursday, July 23, 2009 Regular Meeting of the Lakeland Economic Development Commission has been canceled.

The next scheduled Lakeland Economic Development Commission Regular Meeting is August 27, 2009

Monday, July 13, Park Board meeting canceled

The Park and Recreation Board meeting scheduled for Monday, July 13, 2009 has been canceled.

ZIP Code Request Status

The application for a Lakeland ZIP Code has been submitted to the U.S. Postal Service. Several more items were requested and the City staff is preparing the information.

Advised that it could take about 3-6 months for review and a decision. If a new ZIP code is approved at this stage, they then do a survey of businesses and residents to see if they want a new ZIP Code. At least 51% need to approve. I advised him I don't think there will be any problem with that!

Help Lakeland Facebook get a usename!

Help the Lakeland Facebook page get a user name! Become a fan of the Facebook page City of Lakeland, Tennessee!

We only need 22 members to get out own "user name"! If you aren't a fan of the City of Lakeland, Tennessee Facebook page, become a fan now!

Thanks!

Brunswick Road closed at CSX RR Crossing until July 3

Brunswick Road at CSX Railroad crossing closed approximately through July 3rd for railroad crossing replacement. Detour signs posted. (Information provided by Shelby County engineering)

If you live in Lakeland (or north of Lakeland and east of Brunswick Road) or living in Lakeland and are going to Millington, the Brunswick Store or Post Office etc., I suggest you take the Highway 70/385 detour rather than the marked detour to avoid extra driving.

Mark your calendar for these future events!

-3;00 to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2009: New Canada Road Advisory Committee meets at the IH Clubhouse (See www.NewCanadaRoad.com for additional information.)

-6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2009: Joint Municipal Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners meeting to discuss proposed new Land Development Regulations.

-7:00 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2009: "Red White and You" Family/movie night at City Hall Park. Enjoy "Rockin Robin", food and games followed by a movie! Watch for additional details!

-9:30 a.m., Saturday, July 4, 2009: Annual Children's Parade. Gather at 9677 Cutter Lane (Windward Slopes), parade at 10:00 a.m. Refreshments and visiting afterwards!

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Lakeand Meetings and Events week of June 22-26

Meetings and events for next week in Lakeland include:

-6:30 p.m. Monday, June 22, 2009: Board of Commissioners Work Session

-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2009: Natural Resource Board Meeting

-6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 25, 2009: Economic Development Commission meeting

Lakeland Dance this Saturday, June 20

Dance on the new floor ad Eddie Richardson spins the music of the 60's and 70's (and a few years on either side) at 7:00 p.m., this Saturday, June 20 at the IH Clubhouse, 4523 Canada Road in Lakeland.

The dance is sponsored by the Lakeland Park and Recreation Department and the River City Bop Club. This is the first dance since the renovation of the walls and the new floor was completed.

Soft drinks are available and the admission fee is only $4.00 for Lakeland residents and River City Bop Club members. The IH Clubhouse is a non-smoking facility.

Tree Debris pickup to start Monday

Tree debris from the wind storm should be placed behind the curb for pickup by either Lakeland Public Works crews or All Star Waste Systems. Lakeland crew pickup will be limited to smaller piles of limbs.

All Star Waste Systems will be running one truck Monday and two trucks Tuesday dedicated to picking up storm debris. Limbs should be cut and trimmed and placed behind the curb. For safety reasons, all tree debris must be placed behind the curb and not on the street.

All Star Waste Systems will continue regular pickup of tree and yard debris. Construction material or hazardous waste cannot be picked up by either All Star or city crews.

Meeting/Event Schedule Changes

Meeting/event changes for the next week include:

-Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting is rescheduled from Thursday, June 4 to Tuesday, June 9.

-Design Review Commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, has been canceled.

-The Park and Recreation Board Family/Movie Night scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2009 is canceled. Plan to attend the Red, White and You family night on Friday, July 3 at City Hall Park!

-City Hall will be closed Friday, July 3, 2009 for the Independence Day Holiday.

Project Updates

Traffic Signals at Highway 70 and Canada Road: We were advised this will be bid in July 2009 to allow time for contracts for utility relocation. Previously we had been advised this would be bid in June.

Traffic Signals at the I-40/Canada Road Interchange: A bid was received and is being reviewed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). After approval by TDOT, the Shelby County Commission must also approve the bid.

We do not have a time frame for possible construction at this time.

June 2009 Lakeland Tennessee Meetings and Events

June, 2009 Lakeland Tennesee Meetings and events in a slide show "Channel 19" format:

http://www.youtube.com/user/CityofLakelandTN

Draft ZIP code request available for review

A draft of the ZIP code request to be considered by the Lakeland Board of Commissioners is noted below.

This draft will continue to be corrected, updated, and amended until final approval by the Board. U.S. Postal Service policy provides for the request to be submitted to the U.S. Postal Service District Manager.

Comments, suggestions and corrections are welcome, either on the blog, or e-mailing me directly.

This draft will be continually updated and posted on this blog.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR CITY OF LAKELAND REQUEST FOR SEPARATE ZIP CODE

This is additional information to support the City of Lakeland request for a specific, exclusive, "community identity" five digit ZIP code for the incorporated area within the City of Lakeland.

1. General Character of the City of Lakeland

Enclosed is the City of Lakeland's Comprehensive Plan which indicates the City of Lakeland is a unique, separate community with demonstrated substantial growth and substantial future growth.

2. City of Lakeland Board of Commissioners Resolution

Enclosed is a copy of the Resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Lakeland's Resolution requesting a specific, exclusive ZIP code for the City of Lakeland.

3. Current ZIP code situation

Although the City of Lakeland has been incorporated for 32 years and is a significant separate, identifiable community, there is not a specific, exclusive, ZIP code for the incorporated area of Lakeland.

Instead, the City of Lakeland shares a ZIP code with a smaller town, and, in spite of repeated requests, Lakeland residents and businesses continue to receive mail addressed to the other City. (However, "Lakeland" is not an acceptable alternative for the other city in ZIP Code 38002).

When we request large mailers (including Shelby County, utilities, cable TV, magazines etc.) to use "Lakeland", we are advised that the U.S. Postal Service has designated the other city as the "preferred" alternative, in spite of the fact that it is a Lakeland address.

100% of the City of Lakeland is within ZIP code 38002.

4. The City of Lakeland is requesting a separate, specific ZIP Code which encompasses the City of Lakeland incorporated area separate from the current ZIP code of 38002.

REASONS FOR A SEPARATE ZIP CODE FOR THE CITY OF LAKELAND

!. The City of Lakeland loses a substantial amount of sales tax revenue to businesses, especially internet businesses, submitting their sales tax revenues to the other city sharing the 38002 ZIP code.

As an example a sample survey of large Lakeland businesses located in Lakeland showed 100% of the businesses were listed as “Arlington” on Whitepages.com, which leads to widespread confusion.

The U.S. Postal Service continues to provide “Arlington” instead of “Lakeland” as the preferred city address to large mailers including such large sales tax payers and mailers as Memphis Light Gas and Water, cellular phone companies, ATT and other phone companies, mail order companies which mistakenly direct that “Arlington" is the preferred address for "Lakeland" addresses and thus submit their sales tax revenue to the City of Arlington rather than the City of Lakeland.

In additional, ATT, Comcast Cable, Memphis Light Gas and Water and Millington Telephone Company all pay franchise fees and many of these fees appear to be going to Arlington rather than Lakeland. In addition, a review of the sales tax receipts shows some cellular phone companies pay no sales tax for Lakeland, so we assume the sales tax are misdirected and not received by the City of Lakeland.

Just recently, an audit by the Shelby County Fire Department indicated that 62 apartments in Lakeland still are mistakenly shown as “Arlington” by Memphis Light Gas and Water, which misdirects fees for fire fees and ambulance fees.

The usual procedure for an internet or mail order business is to ask for a ZIP code. Since the U.S. Postal Service assigns "Arlington" to Lakeland residents, the sales tax is frequently distributed to Arlington rather than Lakeland.

A separate ZIP code for Lakeland will eliminate this problem and result in the fair distribution of franchise fees and sales taxes for the benefit of Lakeland residents.

2. The City of Lakeland loses Hall Income Ta revenues, which is considerable for the City of Lakeland. This means that Lakeland residents who use "Arlington" have the portion of the Hall Income Tax due the City of Lakeland are misdirected and not received by the City of Lakeland.

3. The lack of a ZIP code identified as Lakeland has cost Lakeland residents in insurance and other costs. Just as one example, a member of the Lakeland Board of Commissioners discovered his house was identified as in "Arlington" rather than "Lakeland". He was being charged $300 per year in excess homeowners insurance due to this mistaken identification.

4. The lack of a separate ZIP code for Lakeland is confusing to persons who want to purchase a home in Lakeland, either due to the property tax rate, the excellent Elementary School, amenities, because they wish the protection of Lakeland codes and ordinances which are significantly different than surrounding cities or the county or for other reasons. Due to the lack of a ZIP code, many Lakeland houses are listed as Arlington addresses. If someone wishes to move to Lakeland, this lowers the property values of persons selling Lakeland homes and also may confuse someone who wishes to move to Arlington.

5. GPS location devices have become widespread and are used for emergency response, shipping and other commercial and personal uses.

Due to the lack of a specific ZIP code, “Lakeland” does not even show up on may GPS devices, which could lead to tragic delays in emergency response, as well as costly confusion in commercial and personal use.

6. Lakeland Mayor Scott Carmichael, the Board of Commissioners and the City of Lakeland City Hall is also listed as or receives mail addressed to "Arlington, Tennessee 38002". Obviously all are located in Lakeland, but it creates confusion.

A 440 unit apartment complex in Lakeland is listed as "Arlington" although it is 5 miles from the Arlington City limits. Until recently, the apartment staff answered the phone as “the best apartment complex in Arlington, Tennessee and all addresses were given out as “Arlington, Tennessee”.

This creates safety problems since apartment residents calling for emergency services give their address as "Arlington", leading to tragic delays. The City has had persons who live in Lakeland absolutely insist they live in Arlington because all of their mail is addressed to Arlington, Tennessee.

The City of Lakeland needs its own ZIP code.

7. The latest official population of Lakeland is 10,848, based on a Special Census approved by the State of Tennessee.

In spite of rapid growth, being incorporated for 32 years, and being a specifically identifiable community, Lakeland does not have its own ZIP code and the U.S. Postal Service continues to assign Lakeland residents and businesses as "Arlington, Tennessee 38002", which is a separate identifiable community.

No matter what it says, the U.S. Postal Service must realize the importance of the ZIP code. The City of Lakeland is losing thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars a year due to not being assigned an identifiable ZIP code and the U.S. Postal Service continuing to identify Lakeland residents and businesses with an "Arlington" address.

It is time that the U.S. Postal Service assigns a separate ZIP code to Lakeland. Lakeland's boundaries are "set" by Tennessee Law 1101 and the City of Lakeland is requesting that a separate ZIP code be assigned to Lakeland residents and businesses.