MINUTES
LDDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Thursday, May 21, 2014 8:00 AM
CITY COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM
BOARD / STAFF PRESENT: Don Selvage, Margaret Stephens, Eric Belvin, Greg Sanoba, Bretta Christakos, Julie
Townsend (staff)
BOARD ABSENT: Grant Miller
GUESTS: Patricia Hendler, Tom Phillips, Soloman Wassaf
CALL TO ORDER: 8:05 a.m. Eric Belvin, Chair of LDDA, called the meeting to order.
CONSENT AGENDA: Greg Sanoba moved and Margaret Stephens seconded a motion to approve the minutes of
the April 16, 2014 meeting. Motion passed. 6-0.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Margaret Stephens, Treasurer, referenced the April 2015 financial statements. With no
board discussion, the financial statements were submitted for audit.
SURFLAKELAND UPGRADE:
Terry Brigman, City of Lakeland Information Technology Director, updated the board ion the Gigabit Initiative and
how that relates to SURFLAKELAND. The board discussed the need for enhanced internet connectivity in Munn
Park. Don Selvage moved and Bretta Christakos seconded a motion to approve the $6,700 expenditure for AP
access points for Munn Park that will provide continuous coverage throughout the park. Motion passed 5-1 with
Eric Belvin dissenting.
CITRUS CONNECTION PRESENTATION:
Downtown Circulator Proposal
Tom Phillips, Executive Director of Citrus Connection, presented the concept of the collaborative effort with Julie
Townsend to design a Downtown customer circulator concept. Tom explained that this was still in conceptual
phase and there is more work to be done before presenting to the LAMTD and LDDA boards for final approval.
The concept was presented to LAMTD last week and was not well received. Tome explained that questions from
LAMTD board need answers and a more comprehensive proposal would be available. Tom asked for consensus
from the LDDA board to continue the work with the understanding that a request would come back to the LDDA
for operational costs. Greg Sanoba moved and Don Selvage seconded a motion to support the concept. Motion
passed 6-0. Tom Phillips and Julie Townsend will continue to gather data and information that answers the
questions asked by both boards.
NEW BUSINESS:
Request for Assistance from Lakeland Loft: Julie Townsend presented the request from Soloman Wassaf, owner
of Lakeland Loft Cigar & Spirits, for assistance with the related costs of infrastructure upgrades and installation of
a required sprinkler system at 108 S. Tennessee Ave. The overall invest of the applicant in build out for the new
business exceeds $400,000. The costs related to the sprinkler system are approximately $52,000. Mr. Wassaf did
not have the requested 3 quotes. There are limited service providers for this type of work in the area. Greg
Sanoba made a motion and Sara Olson seconded the motion to waive the 3 quotes requirement and approve the
request for matching funds for approved expenditures up to $15,000. Eric Belvin recused himself from the vote
siting and perceived conflict of interest by the applicant. Motion passed 5-0
Downtown Farmers Curb Market RFQ: Julie Townsend reminded the board that the current contract with
Market Manager Jim Luna will expire at the end of this fiscal year. The LDDA is required to go out for bid for
management services for the Market. Julie presented a draft of the RFQ for board approval. Don Selvage moved
and Greg Sanoba seconded a motion to approve the RFQ with corrections. Motion passed 6-0
UPDATE – LDDA ACTION ITEMS 2015
Downtown Visitors Guide – The Downtown visitors’ guide has published and 5,000 copies have been distributed.
Recruitment Video – No new news to report on the recruitment video.
ADMINISTRATION
Julie reminded those board members up for re-election – Sara Olson, Greg Sanoba and Bretta Christakos – that
election packets will be ready in the next month or so. Julie reminded board members that a finance committee
meeting is needed soon to discuss the budget. Minimum maintenance standards were not discussed.
REPORTS:
COMMISSION REPORT: Don Selvage gave an update on city commission priorities: fire assessment fee, CRA
consolidation and millage rate.
FARMERS MARKET UPDATE: Margaret Stephens updated the board on Market opening date for 2015 which will
be September 12. The Market will close on July 4. The Market will also explore partnering with DLP with its
Happy Leon program and a focus on craft vendors for October in recognition of American Craft Month.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:59 a.m. The next LDDA Board of Directors meeting will be Thursday, June 18,
2015 at 8:00 a.m. in the City Commission Conference Room.
___________________________________
Eric Belvin, Chair
__________________________
Date
___________________________________
Julie Townsend, Executive Director
__________________________
Date
MINUTES
LDDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Thursday, June 4, 2014 8:00 AM
CITY COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM
BOARD / STAFF PRESENT: Don Selvage, Margaret Stephens, Eric Belvin, Greg Sanoba, Bretta Christakos, Grant
Miller, Julie Townsend (staff)
BOARD ABSENT: none
CALL TO ORDER: 8:03 a.m. Eric Belvin, Chair of LDDA, called the meeting to order.
Parking Update:
Julie Townsend shared an overview of conversations she had with Jason McMillan, parking foreman, about
parking, funding, citations, staff perceptions, enforcement, etc. Julie drafted a letter to send from LDDA to city
commission expressing concerns. Commissioner Selvage also had exchanges with the city manager and the
finance director that contradicted the view from the conversations with Jason. The letter expressed an interest in
suggesting that Parking Services not be an enterprise fund, as it could be perceived to be reliant on citation
revenue. It also expressed an interest in a shift from enforcement system to more of an Ambassador system. The
board expressed an interest in learning more about this issue and possibly asking city staff to meet with the LDDA
board to discuss prior to sending the letter to be sure the board understands the issue. Greg Sanoba moved and
Grant Miller seconded a motion to approve the draft with modifications to reflect the emphasis on the LDDA
concerns of the perception that may be held by staff or the public about how parking citation dollars are used.
The motion passed 7-0.
Administration:
The FY2016 budget worksheet was distributed and reviewed at a very high level. Julie asked that board members
review it in detail and come to the next board meeting with questions/concerns. Julie presented the proposed
LDDA budget hearing dates of September 3 and September 15 at 5:01pm.
Julie was asked by Communications Director Kevin Cook to set up a meeting with LDDA stakeholders on June 17
at 8am to discuss the city’s GIGABIT initiative. Julie asked board members to try to attend this meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 a.m. The next LDDA Board of Directors meeting will be Thursday, June 18,
2015 at 8:00 a.m. in the City Commission Conference Room.
___________________________________
Eric Belvin, Chair
__________________________
Date
___________________________________
Julie Townsend, Executive Director
__________________________
Date