Votes at a glance: Lakeland commission approves ordinances, CRA sales and contracts

The City Commission of the City of Lakeland voted unanimously on a series of ordinances, resolutions and contracts covering zoning, property, infrastructure and agency business.

Key votes at the meeting included:
- Adoption of proposed Ordinance 25-034 to vacate a public alleyway at 309 E. Orange Street (approved, unanimous).
- Adoption of proposed Ordinance 25-036 approving a major modification to the Lakeside Village planned unit development to allow a 130-room hotel at 3607 Lakeside Village Boulevard (approved, unanimous).
- Approval of Resolution 25-067 assessing liens against properties for expenses incurred removing dilapidated and hazardous buildings (approved, unanimous).
- Approval of two purchase-and-sale agreements with Publix: sale of 321 S. Kentucky Avenue (former JCPenney) and sale of the Orange Street parking garage (309 E. Orange St.) including 733 garage spaces and 61 adjacent surface spaces, each for $10 as provided under existing long-term agreements; the transactions transfer maintenance and structural responsibility to Publix and were approved by the commission (approved, unanimous).
- Renewal and approval of two maintenance/support service agreements with ConvergeOne for the city's Avaya unified communications system covering five and two year terms; total five-year cost $1,717,694.09, FY-26 cost $450,259.87 (approved, unanimous).
- Approval of municipal boards and committees appointments and reappointments as presented by the municipal boards committee (approved, unanimous).

Commissioners and staff discussed the context for several votes. City staff said the Orange Street parking garage had been operating at an average annual deficit of about $59,000, and the sale would remove that recurring cost from the city's transportation fund while preserving city rights to act in emergencies at Publix's expense. On the Lakeside Village hotel, staff presented findings for conformity with the comprehensive plan and conditions for the PUD modification. The Avaya maintenance contracts were described as necessary to maintain the city's phone system used by multiple departments, including Lakeland Electric.

All items in the package passed on voice or roll-call votes recorded in the meeting transcript as unanimous.