Rick Lott was appointed unanimously by his fellow city commissioners as Plant City’s newest mayor.
Lott, who served as mayor from 2007 to 2010, took the oath of office from City Attorney Kenneth Buchman during the City Commission’s June 9 meeting.
Lott said he was excited to again serve Plant City as mayor. He served as vice mayor under outgoing Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis.
“We have a lot of momentum going right now,” he told the rest of the City Commission. “We have a lot of things in place, and we’re accomplishing a lot. All I want to do is continue working with you to keep the ball moving forward. I think we have a big year coming up this year. … Thank you for this opportunity.
“I promise you I will do my best and work my hardest,” Lott said. “I’m going to try to get stronger as a leader, as well. I’m setting that challenge.”
A proponent of economic growth, Lott said he is looking forward to working with his fellow commissioners to make more progress on Midtown, an area of redevelopment just south of Historic Downtown Plant City. He served as mayor when the City Commission adopted its Midtown Redevelopment Plan in June 2007.
The plan calls for a mixed-use development similar to what has been done in the downtown districts in Lakeland, St. Petersburg and Sarasota. With new spots for businesses, restaurants and, most importantly, residences, the project could help revive downtown, Lott said.
“A city is like a human being, and the downtown is like a heart,” he said. “We want to strengthen our heart to help create a more vibrant city.”
Since adopting the plan, the city spent $4.75 million on the demolition of existing businesses, such as Gro-Mor and Stock Lumber, and to purchase parcels. The city also designated $1.6 million to clean up pollution from Gro-Mor.
Furthermore, the city realigned Wheeler Street, and commissioners approved a concept for the project’s Village Green space. Late last year, the commission hosted a workshop that revealed the six building types that will be allowed within the Midtown area. That workshop gave the public its first glimpse at what Midtown could look like.
With much of the behind-the-scenes work now complete, the city is ready to open the project to the development community for proposals.
“We’re giving them a blank sheet of paper, and we’re asking them to show us their ideas,” Lott said. “This is where the creativity comes out.”
Lott, who has served on the City Commission since 2004, appointed Bill Dodson as vice mayor. Dodson and City Commissioner Mike Sparkman also were reelected to new three-year terms.
After trading seats with Lott at the dais, Mathis thanked her fellow commissioners for the support they showed during her term. Mathis was the first female to hold the post since Sadye Gibbs Martin, for whom the commission’s auditorium is named.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my year — I really did,” Mathis said.
Lott, Dodson, Sparkman and City Commissioner Billy Keel all praised Mathis for completing a successful term as mayor.
“You did an outstanding job representing our city,” Lott said to Mathis. “You gave your time, your heart and your soul, and every time I was at function where you spoke, you spoke with passion for your love of this community. I think the entire town loved you before but fell in love with you more. … You were absolutely first class.”
Sparkman agreed.
“You showed your love and support for this community at every function that I saw you attend,” he said. “I saw a different person than I had ever seen. I saw a strong leader (who) stood up for what was right. When you were doing that, I was very proud of you.”
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
• Mayor Rick Lott and the rest of the City Commission presented a proclamation to the Gibbs family in honor of Doug “Gibber” Gibbs, a prominent Plant City leader who died suddenly May 14.
“Doug Gibbs and I … were the best of friends,” City Commissioner Billy Keel said. “I, like many of you in the room, lost a great friend, and I know I miss him every day, but I am thankful for the days we had together. … I am thankful for the work that he did in the community and this city. I am very proud that we can honor Doug tonight.”
• Smoke testing will be conducted June 23 to 26, on all sewer lines in the Russell Drive, Hunter Street, Pinedale Drive, Woodside Drive, Mendonsa Road, Gibbs Street, West Bates Street, West Grant Street, South Alexander Street, and Pinedale Meadows Court areas. During the testing, customers may notice smoke coming from the sewer ventilation stacks on the roofs of their homes. The smoke will not enter the homes, unless they have a defect or a dried out P-trap. For more information, contact Utilities Maintenance, (813) 757-9288.
• Code Enforcement staff has been notifying owners of the new donation-bin ordinance, and bins have been removed from the following locations: 406 E. Baker St., 1002 S. Collins St., 1003 S. Collins St., 1206 S. Collins St., 1808 James L. Redman Parkway, 2442 James L. Redman Parkway, 2801 James L. Redman Parkway, 2403 W. Reynolds St., 404 S. Alexander St., and 420 S. Alexander St. In addition, staff is working to notify more locations, including one on South Maryland Avenue; the former Sweetbay, 507 S. Wheeler St.; and two at 211 W. Alexander St.
• Excavation for installation of the fountain at Dr. Hal and Lynn Brewer Park was completed June 2. The fountain should be installed by the end of the month.
• A work order has been issued to HDR Engineering to begin design work for the signalization and turn lane at Airport and Turkey Creek roads. The design phase should take 12 months, and construction an additional 18 months after that.
• A work order, in the amount of $347,894, has been issued to QGS for completion of the six soccer fields at Ellis-Methvin Park. Work is expected to begin June 16, and last four months. City staff currently is working to determine pricing for lighting systems. A small restroom has been designed to be located on the west side of the soccer fields.
• Plant City Police Department named Sgt. Dale Peterson; officers Jeff Hilsman, David Durand, James Burchett, Erick Sanchez, Jason Fowler, DeeDee Gregory and Justin Polk; and telecommunicators Lesley Gipson and Ashton Hagen as its May Employees of the Month. The employees were recognized for their efforts April 24, in the pursuit and arrest of homicide suspect Master Brown.