At the City Commission meeting Monday, June 8, commissioners reappointed Rick Lott to serve another term as mayor.
“I promise you that I will give you my best this next year,” Lott said over the phone.
Lott, who was out of the country for the meeting, was sworn in by phone by City Attorney Kenneth Buchman. Lott selected Bill Dodson as the vice mayor for the upcoming year. Dodson served as vice mayor last term, as well.
Dodson, who led the meeting in Lott’s absence, is pleased to once again be serving the city.
“I’m happy Mayor Lott agreed to become mayor again,” he said. “He’s done a wonderful job, especially in economic development.”
Both Lott and Dodson were also selected as the chair and vice chair of the Community Redevelopment Agency.
City Commissioner Mary Thomas Mathis was recognized at the meeting and administered an oath of office after a successful campaign against resident Hasani Jackson in April.
“To be in this position — it comes from the heart,” Mathis said. “I am proud to serve you, and I am here for you.”
Mathis thanked her family, friends and the commissioners for their support. Her family and fellow members of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church joined her as she took her oath of office, administered by Buchman.
The remaining commissioners chose to continue to serve on the appointments that they currently hold, including the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and the Tourist Development Council. All appointments will be carried forward into the next year.
APPOINTMENTS
The commissioners currently hold appointments on the following boards. The appointments will be carried through the next year:
Council of Governments
Metropolitan Planning Organization
Public Transportation Commission
Ridge League of Cities
Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council
Tourist Development Council
ECONOMICS
In anticipation of future development, the City Commission has chosen to set public hearings on two items, including one that would rezone an area along County Line Road.
One ordinance would rezone 17.5 acres of land near the southwest corner of Interstate 4 and County Line Road from a Transitional Area to become part of the Sterling Commerce Center Planned Development District. The Sterling Commerce Center Planned Development District was adopted by the commission in 1999 and has been designated for industrial and commercial uses consistent with neighborhood business district zoning. A small portion of the 17.5 acres has some wetlands in southwest corner, which will remain undeveloped if the land is rezoned. The public hearing is set for June 22.
The second item was to set a public hearing for the I-4 Tech Corridor Overlay for July 13. The overlay was adopted by the city in 2010. The intent of the overlay district is to build and expand the local employment base by increasing economic activity.
In Other News
Hurricane Preparedness
Deputy Chief David Burnett gave a presentation on hurricane preparedness, detailing the city’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, as well as the city’s debris removal contract. The city monitors debris from hurricanes to ensure reimbursement from FEMA.
The city has five emergency shelter locations: Walden Lake Elementary, Wilson Elementary, Marshall Middle, Tomlin Middle and Simmons Career Center.
Tomlin and Simmons are the only two out of the five shelters that are special-needs prepared.
Awards
Plant City Water Resource Management Division employees were awarded six awards from the Florida Water Environment Association, including the Earle B. Phelps Award for the highest level of nutrients removed and Outstanding Water Treatment Plant Operator.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.