Consolidation Watch: Proposed Metro Government Unfunded Liabilities for retirement exceed $1,500,000,000

Information distributed at the Metro Charter Commission meeting on Thursday, April 29, 2010 indicated the new Metro Government would assume the following "unfunded liabilities" for retirement:

-Shelby County has a surplus or $26,772,516 in its pension fund and an "unfunded liability" for "Other Post Employment Benefits" of -$257,543,000.

-The City of Memphis has an "unfunded liability" of -$449,527,000 in its pension fund and -$934,240,000 for"Other Post Employment Benefits".

Unfunded liabilities are an accounting figure estimating future liability that is not covered by current assets or revenues. "Other Post Employment Benefits" are mostly for retirement. It is not unusual for government or private businesses to have large "unfunded liabilities" for retirement.

Under the proposed "Metro Government" consolidation, the over $1,383,767,000 in "unfunded liabilities" of the City of Memphis is expected to become the liability of all of Shelby County residents and property owners, in addition to the existing Shelby County unfunded liability of $257,543,000.

Due to the type of retirement system provided Lakeland personnel, the City of Lakeland does not have any similar "unfunded liabilities" for either pensions or "Other Post Employment Benefits".

May Events

I can't believe it this will be May of 2010! Time does go fast, and their are some great events this month in Lakeland! Highlights this month include the Senior Potluck Dinner at 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 21, 2010 at the IH Clubhouse, 4523 Canada Road, and on Saturday, May 22, 2010, the annual Fishing Rodeo for children ages 4-12!

Preregister by May 19, 2010 to avoid long lines. Additional information on both events is at www.Lakelandtn.gov.

Meetings and events include:

-Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.: Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting. (Town Meeting at 5:30 p.m.)

-Monday, May 10, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.: Park and Recreation Board meeting

-Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.: Design Review Commission meeting

-Thursday, May 13, 2010: Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Networking Mixer, Sponsored by Trustmark Bank. 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Club at Oakwood, 10133 Matwood Oak Drive RSVP at 483-6367 or www.MyLakelandChamber.com

-Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.: Natural Resources Board meeting

-Monday, May 17, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.: Municipal Planning Commission meeting

-Friday, May 21, 2010 at 11:30 a.m.: Senior Potluck Lunch, IH Clubhouse, 4523 Canada Road

-Saturday, May 22, 2010: Fishing Rodeo at IH Park, 4523 Canada Road

-Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.: Board of Appeals meeting (if required)

-Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.: Board of Commissioners Work Session

-Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.: Economic Development Commission

Additional information is at www.Lakelandtn.gov, www.Twitter.com/Lakelandtn, www.twitter.com/cityoflakeland, and www.facebook.com/lakeland

Stop Litter and Support Lakeland Businesses Who Support Lakeland!

I noticed the Manager of the Lakeland Walgreens, Mark Lehner, and another Walgreens employee out picking up litter on their parking lot early one windy, cool, morning. This was just after receiving an e-mail from a resident concerned about Lakeland businesses that don't pick up litter on their property or take care of their property.

We appreciate the many businesses like the Lakeland Walgreens that put a lot of effort into taking care of their property and supporting Lakeland's efforts at beautification.

The Lakeland Natural Resources Board is starting a beautification program that will include a litter control element.

We urge Lakeland residents to support Lakeland businesses, especially those businesses who make special efforts to support Lakeland.

Lakeland CERT Class rescheduled from April 24 to May 1

CERT Class scheduled for Lakeland April 24 has been rescheduled to May 1, 2010 due to the impending weather

Share the Road! (If not, call 379-7625)

The City has received several complaints about bicycle riders and runners blocking traffic, advising motorists the road is "closed" and making obscene gestures and otherwise threatening motorists, especially in the area of Monroe Road. The City of Lakeland has not received, nor granted, any requests to close this road for a bicycle or running/walking event.

As a bicycle rider and walker myself (I hope a courteous one), I was disturbed at reports of bicycle riders and runners not "sharing the road" in a courteous manner. I see it from the perspective of a bicycle rider, pedestrian, and also as a motorist, and, 99% of the time, I feel all parties are courteous in Lakeland, in fact, I meet both motorists (when I am biking/walking) and bikers (when I am driving) who go out of their way to be courteous and "Share the Road".

However, after receiving three complaints in a short time about the same street, I have to assume there is merit in the complaints.

I discussed this with Steve Shular, of the Shelby County Sheriff Department. He advised me as follows:

-Bicycle riders and pedestrians (runners or walkers) have a right to legally use the road. Generally, bicycle riders and pedestrians are expected to stay in their lanes.

-Under no conditions (other than with a parade permit etc.) is it legal for bicycle riders or pedestrians to block the road, block traffic, or create a hazard. (Riding at a normal speed of the bicycle to the right in your lane is NOT blocking traffic.)

-Obviously anyone threatening, using abusive language or creating a hazard to the other party is not acceptable.

If anyone uses abusive or threatening language or gestures, etc., call the Sheriff Dispatcher at 379-7625. DO NOT try to handle it yourself, but call as soon as possible with your location and follow the instructions of the dispatcher until assistance arrives.

Reminder-Yard Waste must be in bags or containers

Lakeland residents are reminded that, since January 1, 2010, all yard waste must be bagged or in a green container to be picked up by All Star Waste Services as part of the regular pickup routes.

Yard waste that is not in a bag or container (such as limbs) will require a special pickup by calling All Star Waste Services at 901 854-8865 and requesting a special pickup. There is a $25 charge for special pickup of loose yard waste for the first 30 minutes and$10 for each additional five minutes.
Most loose yard waste I have observed can be picked up in 30 minutes. All Star Waste Systems vehicles are equipped with GPS locator's units to insure accuracy in billing. Charges for special pickups are billed directly by All Star Waste Systems.

The change was necessary due to the high cost of collecting loose limbs, which was being paid by all customers, current and future recycling requirements by the State of Tennessee and storm water requirements.

Metro Charter Commission April 8, 2010 Meeting

MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY
METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT CHARTER COMMISSION

4th Floor Committee Room
160 N. Main Street Suite 850
Memphis, Tennessee 38103

April 8, 2010
4:00 p.m.

Commission Values:
(1) Inclusiveness (2) Efficiency (3) Integrity (4) Innovation (5) Service


1. Moment of Silence Julie Ellis

2. Roll call Julie Ellis

3. Approval of Minutes-April 1, 2010 Julie Ellis

4. Administrative Update Rayne, Kuhn and Attorneys Kinard and Payne

5. Ethics Task Force Report -30 minutes Meade Walker

6. Public Safety Task Force Report – 30 minutes Rufus Washington

7. Legislative Task Force Report – 30 minutes Jim Strickland

8. Items of Discussion for Next Meeting
a. Health Task Force Report Carmen Sandoval
b. Legal and Judicial Task Force Report Chris Patterson
.
10. Comments from the Public and Organizations Julie Ellis
11. Other Business Julie Ellis

12. Adjournment Julie Ellis

FREE CERT classes scheduled. Be Prepared!

FREE C.E.R.T. (COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM) CLASS

SCHEDULED IN LAKELAND FOR APRIL 17th and 24th, SIGN UP NOW!

Claude Talford
Lakeland Emergency Management Director

A C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) class is scheduled at Lakeland City Hall April 17th and 24^th, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Both classes must be completed to receive C.E.R.T. certificate/certification. You can find the application on the Lakeland website, www.lakelandtn,gov. or sign up at City Hall. We need at least 20 people to sign up for the course. The C.E.R.T. classes are FREE and will prepare Lakeland and area residents to respond to emergencies. If we don’t fill the class it will be difficult to bring the program back to Lakeland, so be sure to inform your entire neighborhood.

Lakeland Residents have a rare opportunity to receive some quality training this month. The C.E.R.T. TO GO program is a trial program and if attendance is low the program may be canceled. If the program is canceled the only way for the citizens of Lakeland to receive the training is to travel to the EMA facility in Midtown Memphis (free course) or pay to take it from the Bartlett Fire Department.

The long term goal is to build a regular training program here in Lakeland once funds become available. Until that time we must depend on the Memphis/Shelby County program or the Bartlett Fire Department.

Good leadership is key to successful disaster response. A damaging flood, fire, earthquake or other emergency might overwhelm local fire, police, hospital, and city personnel. As a result, your neighborhood response teams might have to treat the injured, rescue those who are trapped and assess the damage to homes, neighborhoods, businesses and schools. C.E.R.T. training will provide you tips on how to organize your neighborhood response team.

If your neighborhood, work place or school doesn’t have an emergency response team, form one now. Local agencies such as Emergency Management and Red Cross can give you helpful information in setting up response teams. Emergency response teams will operate best if they are organized and have good leadership. The Planning Committee can develop goals and objectives before the next emergency.

The committee should give a Block or Team Captain the authority to make decisions after an emergency. It’s important, however, that the Block Captain work with other leaders and delegate assignments and responsibilities, as appropriate. To maintain control, no one person should direct more than 5-7 people. House meetings are a valuable tactic for recruiting volunteers and building a team. Your house meeting will help you identify your leadership team. Building community through house meetings is a critical step towards the President’s ultimate goal, which is to support everyday Americans in a grassroots effort to improve lives and strengthen communities.

Check out the following websites/links of interest

American Red Cross www.redcross.org

Citizen Corps www.citizencorps.gov

Ready.gov www.ready.gov

LINC/211 www.memphislibrary.org/linc/211.htm

Arbor Day 2010 Scheduled

ARBOR DAY 2010

Saturday, April 10th, 11 a.m., City Hall Park (10001 US Highway 70)

Eric Bridges, Natural Resources Department

Come celebrate Lakeland’s ninth Arbor Day and help us plant a tree at City Hall Park. We will be offering a free tree care workshop from nationally known forestry experts and will be handing out FREE TREES.

Mayor Carmichael will receive our sixth Tree City Award.

Jacob Brown, our Arbor Day Poster contest winner will be available to personally autograph your copy of the Winning Poster.

The tree planting this year will be in memory of Lew Cornett, who died March 6th. A redbud tree will be added to the memorial tree grove at City Hall Park in his memory. The plaque will not be ready in time for the ceremony but we still want to honor Lew on that day. Staff will install the plaque with his wife, Bobbi, later the following week.

Don’t miss the chance to support our efforts to keep Lakeland a Tree City!

April Schedule of Meetings and Events

Scheduled April, 2010 meetings and events include:

-6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 1, 2010: Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting at Lakeland City Hall

-11:30 a.m., Thursday, April 8, 2010: Lakeland Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting at Stonebridge Golf Course Clubhouse.

-6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 8, 2010: Lakeland Natural Resources Board meeting at Lakeland City Hall

-11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 10, 2010: Arbor Day Ceremony, City Hall Park

-6:30 p.m., Monday, April 12, 2010: Lakeland Park and Recreation Board meeting at Lakeland City Hall

-6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 13, 2010: Lakeland Design Review Commission meeting at Lakeland City Hall

-5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 15, 2010 (Tentative): Board of Commissioners, Special Meeting

-Saturday, April 17, 2010: CERT Training (also Saturday, April 24): All Lakeland residents are encouraged to take this course. Applications and information at www.Lakelandtn.gov.

-6:30 p.m. Monday, April 19, 2010: Lakeland Municipal Planning Commission meeting at Lakeland City Hall

-6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22, 2010: Lakeland Economic Development Commission meeting at Lakeland City Hall

-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, 2010: Lakeland Board of Commissioners Work Session

Agendas for City of Lakeland meetings are posted at www.Lakelandtn.gov.

Lakeland Elementary School chain link fence

We have received several calls about the chain link fence being constructed at Lakeland Elementary School. A chain link fence of this type is not in conformance with City of Lakeland regulations.

However, County Schools are not required to comply with municipal ordinances in this circumstance, so the City has no authority to require compliance with City regulations on this project.

Be Prepared - Sign up for Lakeland CERT Class

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) classes are being offered in Lakeland on Saturday, April 17 and Saturday, April 24.

CERT classes are FREE and will prepare Lakeland and area residents to respond to emergencies.

Applications and additional information are available at www.Lakelandtn.gov.

BE PREPARED! Sign up for the CERT classes!

Putting up a Political Sign? Please read this!

Lakeland Sign Regulations especially relating to temporary political campaign signs are:

Signs on medians, intersections, or placed illegally on traffic control signs or public property (street right of ways, parks etc.) or, common open space, unoccupied property etc. are illegal signs and are picked up immediately. Common Open Space owned by the Home Owners Association etc. is not considered occupied property.

Political signs are allowed under the following circumstances:

-One sign per candidate or issue on an occupied lot. (with permission of the owner).

-Placed no closer than 15 feet to the edge of the pavement (or 5 feet behind the sidewalk), whichever is greater.

-Cannot be erected more than 30 days before Early Voting and must be removed within three days after the election.

-Signs cannot exceed 5 square feet in area per side and cannot exceed 48” in height.

For specific information the Lakeland sign ordinances are at www.Lakelandtn.gov, or contact Code Enforcement at City Hall, 867-2717.

We appreciate the cooperation of all residents in observing these sign regulations.

Shelby County Health Department Vector Control Services

The Shelby County Health Department provides the following Vector Control services for Lakeland residents. These are services provided by the .75 per month Vector Control Fee:

(Examples only):

Mosquito concerns, Abandoned Swimming Pools, Mosquito Spraying, Mosquito Surveillance, Insect identification, Rat infestations, Rat baiting, Rat haborage, Sewage out-cropping, illegal dumping and littering, garbage/junk nuisances, used tires contributing to mosquito breeding, high grass/weeds etc.

Lakeland residents may file a complaint with the Shelby County Health Department by calling 901-324-5547 or 901-423-5922 or e-mail Vector.Control@shelbycountytn.gov

Congratulations to The Grove at Lakeland and Askew Hargraves Harcourt!

Press Release

Two Lakeland Projects Nab Prestigious Awards

Local Projects Earn High Marks at Tennessee Urban Forestry Conference in Nashville

By Eric Bridges, Natural Resources Director, City of Lakeland

Lakeland, March 15, 2010: The City of Lakeland today announced two local winners of statewide awards presented at the prestigious Tennessee Urban Forestry Conference on the campus of Nashville’s Lipscomb University. The Builder/Developer award was presented to The Grove at Lakeland, while the Green Industry award was presented to Askew Hargraves Harcourt (A2H).

Developer Tammy Navarre accepted the Builder/Developer Award for her team’s work on The Grove at Lakeland, a uniquely designed conservation residential development, the first of its kind for Lakeland.

Developers were recognized for displaying a strong commitment to natural resource conservation. Under the direction of SR Consulting, a civil engineering firm in Memphis, TN , The Grove designed over 40% open space including 28 acres developers donated to be placed within a conservation easement where it will be forever free of future development.

These conservation easements align with future planned open spaces on adjacent properties, leading to an even greater system of protected open spaces, a trait encouraged by city leaders. Residents have access to lakes, pocket parks, and paved walking trails through a diversity of forests and meandering streams, and benefit from the outdoor opportunities to view wildlife and lead a healthier lifestyle, yet still be close to all amenities.

“This is one of the first subdivisions to be named for a natural resource that was actually protected,” says Natural Resources Director Eric Bridges, referring to the 72” sugar maple which the developer worked diligently to preserve.

“The Grove’s combination of quality architecture and permanently protected open space creates a responsible balance between developing land and preserving natural areas. Protecting natural areas is just the right thing to do for our environment" said Navarre.

For more information on The Grove at Lakeland, contact Tammy Navarre at (901) 870-8193 or visit www.thegroveatlakeland.com.

The Green Industry award was accepted by Andy Reynolds, Landscape Architect with A2H, an engineering & architectural firm located in Lakeland, for his work on the Canada Road median design.

This design incorporates many environmental features such as major soil improvements to address long-term survival and health of the plant material. “Mitigating soil compaction and poor soil quality is critical to the health and viability of our landscapes,” says Nick Bridgeman, City Forester. With the exception of some small areas of sod, this design also utilizes all native plant material in a naturalized arrangement avoiding a typical formal arrangement.

Another sustainable feature of the design is the low-flow irrigation system designed to conserve water. A2H designed the median to serve as a demonstration of how infrastructure can be designed to have actual ecological value as well as utilitarian value. This type of design illustrates the City’s commitment to environmental stewardship by not introducing exotic invasive species, promoting natural diversity, and by conserving a critically important resource, water.

For more information on The Canada Road Medians, contact Andy Reynolds at (901) 372-0404 Tammy Navarre at (901) 870-8193 or visit www.a2H.com.

Consolidation Watch: Money for Experts

Just saw where the organization that wants to "help" us "understand" consolidation is paying outside consultants for advice. Even if the study or advice is neutral, it is presented as a pro-consolidation study.

I have to wonder why "someone" (they won't say who) is paying so much money to ram through "consolidation"? Even to the point that they are trying to deny us (suburbs) the opportunity to vote on it? Why didn't the organization have the consultant provide a study on what Memphis can do NOW to improve, rather than attempt to use it as some type of pro-consolidation study?

A consultant served as Indianapolis Mayor from 1992-2000. Indianapolis adopted "unigov" (what they call consolidation) in 1970. If consolidation is so efficient, where did all the waste come from that Mayor Goldsmith eliminated in the 22 years since consolidation before he was elected Mayor? I applaud his accomplishments, but they hardly resulted from consolidation as is insinuated by the organization that wants a "conversation" about consolidation!

Good government comes from good elected people, not the type of government!

I think the answer for all of this is, as usual, money. From us, with our property taxes increased up to 40% for less service and more bureaucracy.

It doesn't take a lot of "conversation" to decide how to vote on that!

Take 10 for Lakeland!

TAKE 10 FOR LAKELAND!

The U.S. Census Bureau is urging everyone to take 10 minutes to answer the 10 simple questions on the 2010 census form.

Return your Census form!

Lakeland residents are urged to send your Census form in today! The little effort of returning your Census form means a lot to the City of Lakeland and Shelby County in the next ten years.

More on Why it Matters

Obtaining accurate numbers for the 2010 Census is critical for Shelby County and Lakeland in determining the number of seats Tennessee occupies in the U.S. House of Representatives and in deciding how more than $400 billion per year in federal funds is distributed among states, counties, cities, and communities to meet the needs of the people. The more accurate the count... the more funds our county and community will receive.

By answering the census, you are determining the amount of federal funding Lakeland receives. As just one example, for every resident, the City of Lakeland receives approximately $110 in State Shared Funds by itself. Do yourself a favor and return your Census Form today!

Metro Charter Commission Agenda 4:00 p.m., Thursday, March 18, 2010

MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY

METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT CHARTER COMMISSION

4^th Floor Committee Room

160 N. Main Street Suite 850

Memphis, Tennessee 38103

March 18th, 2010

4:00 p.m.

Commission Values:

(1) Inclusiveness (2) Efficiency (3) Integrity (4) Innovation (5) Service

1. Moment of Silence/Theme from Memphis the Musical Julie Ellis

2. Roll call Julie Ellis

3. Approval of Minutes-March 3, 2010 Julie Ellis

4. Administrative Update Rayne, Kuhn and Attorneys Kinard and Payne

5. Rebuilding Government update Darrell Cobbins

6. Charter Issues Outline John Ryder

7. Public Amenities and Betterment Task Force Report Andre Fowlkes

8. Malcolm Baldridge Quality Initiatives for Charter Donn Fisher

9. Items of Discussion for Next Meeting

a. Report on Annexation options

b. Ethics Task Force report TF11

c. Transportation and Infrastructure Task Force report TF 1

.

10. Comments from the Public and Organizations Julie Ellis

11. Other Business Julie Ellis

12. Adjournment Julie Ellis

Lakeland Egg Hunt scheduled

Lakeland Trustmark Bank and the Lakeland Lions Club are cosponsoring the Lakeland Egg Hunt, scheduled for 10: a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2010. at the IH Clubhouse, 4523 Canada Road.

Ages from 2 years to 9 years old are welcome to participate in the egg hunt.

Sign in is at 10:00 a.m Entertainment is scheduled to start at 10:15 a.m. by Vickie Carr (Keyboard and sing along); Bonnie Carr demonstrating Gyrotonics (which she also teaches at the IH Clubhouse) and Jim Atkinson and his Magic Drum!

The Lakeland Lions Club volunteers will assist the Easter Bunny in hiding eggs etc.

Lakeland Chamber Meeting Thursday, March 11

Kenton Collins with TMK Wealth Management highlights the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce meeting scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 11, 2010 at the Stonebridge Golf Course Clubhouse.

Mr. Collins will offer guidance, opportunities and points for consideration in the matter of the continuity of business (the "what ifs" that can happen in life while we are busy living it).

Reservations are important! Please contact Sondra Blondis at 213-2143 or e-mail at sblondis@bellsouth.net. Reservations are important so enough food can be ordered.

Cost is only $10 for Lakeland Chamber of Commerce members, guests are $15 and first time visitors are free!