In four meetings from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today, city commissioners tackled a wide variety of topics, including budget cuts, municipal internet service, affordable housing and a lot more. Here are highlights, seen through posts on social media:
City commissioners are starting an hour-and-a-half workshop on potential budget cuts to avoid raising taxes if the commission grants rent relief to Lakeland Regional Health. Watch live: https://t.co/CD80dhj9jg #lkld
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
City stormwater department plans savings by delaying some projects and prioritize weed clearing in major lakes, which will be brought in-house. (Presumption: State will reimburse city.) City staff suggests ending annual stormwater fee increases of 5% starting in 2021. #lkld pic.twitter.com/6MhdCr3keg
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Finance Director Mike Brossart is making these budget assumptions: Hospital lease will be capped at 2019 rate of 14.378M for 5 years; no millage increse; no cuts in police, fire, building inspection or code enforcement. #lkld
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
General fund savings include eliminating 4-6 positions via vacancy or attrition. Solid waste reserve funds would be transferred to downtown catalyst plan but $500k of that would be designated as unappropriated suplus. #lkld
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
FY20 Budget permanently eliminates 4-6 positions that reduces General Fund Budget by $200K annually. #lkld
— City of Lakeland (@lakelandgov) August 5, 2019
Brossart: Homeless initiative funds are still in the budget. Two commission requests are slated for elimination: $25k for an entrepreneurship program and $45 for a mentorship program. #lkld
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Commissioner Madden stating that we must have the time to have dialogue and this must be the beginning and not the end. She mentioned that hard discussions need to take place regarding subsidies at Cleveland Heights Golf Course and RP Funding Center. #lkld
— City of Lakeland (@lakelandgov) August 5, 2019
City Commission votes 5-2 to approve the relief to the hospital lease with @LRHtweets. The 2.75% yearly increase to the lease will freeze for the next five years based on the vote today. #lkld
— City of Lakeland (@lakelandgov) August 5, 2019
City commissioners are getting an update from Magellan Advisors on business plan options for starting a potential broadband utility. Watch live: https://t.co/CD80dhj9jg #lkld pic.twitter.com/xz9xdlYsmA
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Pricing structure suggested by Magellan Advisors for broadband only (no TV or phone): $50 for 200 Megabit, $60 for 400 Mb, $100 for 1 Gigabit. Prices for 200 Mb plus TV range from $75 to $165, depending on TV tier.#lkld pic.twitter.com/ctArekJMBS
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Here’s a look at proposed bundled package pricing. Double-play is Internet and TV. Triple-play is Internet, TV and phone. pic.twitter.com/Yl2msJ16t0
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Magellan outlines expected costs and revenue of four options for broadband: Fiberhoods (neighborhoods where enough residents opt in), city limits (excluding areas where Frontier FIOS is available), entire city limits and Lakeland Electric service area. #lkld pic.twitter.com/OkpUDjYYXh
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Commissioner Madden is asking what type of bonds would be used to pay off the debt if the Commission decides to move forward with a broadband offering. City currently owns over 300 miles of fiber and could offer gig service. #lkld
— City of Lakeland (@lakelandgov) August 5, 2019
Commissioner @JustinTroller, who chairs the broadband effort, says he favors the city-limits-with-FIOS option. FIOS customers might want another option, he says. Fiberhood model tips off competition to where they’ll build, he says. #lkld
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
In an informal vote, commissioners ask Magellan to prepare a detailed financial plan for the option of building a citywide broadband network that includes areas that already have Frontier FIOS available. That report should be available for a Aug. 19 workshop. #lkld pic.twitter.com/eMZG7tSkI1
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
City Commission is meeting with the rest of the Utility Committee. Lakeland Electric’s Gina Jacobi is previewing next year’s budget. Watch live at https://t.co/CD80dhj9jg #lkld pic.twitter.com/LH4nH11xn1
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Lakeland Electric’s proposed budget projects increased spending and revenue, with net cash funding of $100.000 less than this year. Biggest increases are salaries/benefits and McIntosh Unit 3. #lkld pic.twitter.com/srdPRvl0Vv
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Joey Curry, Lakeland Electric assistant general manager of energy delivery, is giving the Utility Committee an update of the utility’s Smart Grid system. Switch to new meters finished in December 2013 at an investment of $35 million, with $14.8 million coming from DOE. #lkld
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Smart Grid system uses 7 towers and 3 boosters, which transmit data for billing and outage reporting. A study shows 3 more towers are needed, a few towers need to be raised, and 1 should be lowered, Curry said. #lkld
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
In addition to billing and outage reporting, the Smart Meter system helps with electronic delivery system planning and detecting problems with customer meters, Curry says. Next steps include managing energy supply and business intelligence, he says. #lkld pic.twitter.com/rPAtbGbvoQ
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
#Lakeland Electric employees recognized by Mayor Mutz for coming up with an innovative system for improving the utility’s disaster response: Bob Ross, Connie Rossman, and Matthew Krok. @theledger @mylkldelectric @lakelandgov pic.twitter.com/vvVEYHFiPh
— Sara Walsh (@SaraWalshFL) August 5, 2019
Looking ahead to the 3 p.m. City Commission meeting, five proclamations will be presented:
✓ Buffalo Soldiers Day
✓ Florida Water Professionals Month
✓ National Night Out
✓ Purple Heart City
✓ Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month#lkld— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
City Commission meeting is beginning.
✓ Agenda: https://t.co/YnRiN1hXR8
✓ Watch live: https://t.co/CD80dhj9jg
First up: Nicole Travis, director of community and economic development, speaks about the power of teamwork. #lkld pic.twitter.com/z2eVJQq1WL— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
There’s a full house at #Lakeland city commission’s meeting this afternoon given several important discussions on city charter, the hospital lease and affordable housing project to name a few. #lkld @theledger pic.twitter.com/RF81agcxyN
— Sara Walsh (@SaraWalshFL) August 5, 2019
City commissioners extend the initial lease for Black & Brew’s space at the Lakeland Public Library by two years because of delays in renovating the space. Monthly rent remains $1,200. https://t.co/G7Hi5S20ne #lkld
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
On a 6-1 vote, with Bill Read dissenting, commission approves a $162,000, no-interest loan for Green Mills Holdings for an 80-unit, four-story affordable apartment project at Parker Street and Stella Avenue. Read wanted to see some interest charged. https://t.co/krR5s7IJyL #lkld pic.twitter.com/7A6mdY0YB1
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
In a 6-1 vote, with @JustinTroller dissenting, commission approves wording of three November ballot issues to amend the City Charter. Troller objects to proposal relaxing restrictions on selling Lakeland Electric. https://t.co/mAEUKpIpuH #lkld
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Phillip Smith, president of Mirrorton developer Framework Group, tells city commission HUD has approved project financing. He anticipates a Nov. 7 closing. Commission unanimously approves a four-month delay on closing the land sale. https://t.co/BYz1h94kB4 #lkld pic.twitter.com/hHtARgmR0o
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Mirrorton Developer, Framework just read a letter from HUD that their financing has been approved. Look for dirt to turn and construction to start by the first of the year. #lkld
— City of Lakeland (@lakelandgov) August 5, 2019
Another 6-1 vote. Commission approves Lakeland Regional Health’s multi-million-dollar request to hold off on lease increases for five years. Bill Read dissented, having unsuccessfully sought partial lease payments. https://t.co/jiMjwFbRBA #lkld pic.twitter.com/rdi0KAxHlY
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Commissioner @JustinTroller announces the launch of Guard Our Gates, his campaign to defeat the Lakeland Electric city charter amendment on the November ballot. Logo includes a Trojan horse, Troller’s pet name for the project. On Facebook: https://t.co/1eQGpuEjJs #lkld pic.twitter.com/CLEtVbjCUD
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
Joe Mawhinney, who chaired the Lakeland charter review committee, has volunteered to be spokesman for the effort to educate voters about the three proposed City Charter amendments, City Attorney Tim McCausland announces. #lkld pic.twitter.com/265U5l9g6i
— Lkld Now (@LkldNow) August 5, 2019
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