April 2014 Access Lakeland

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City of Lakeland’s Monthly Newsletter

April 2014

Access Your Consumption: Lakeland Electric eServices

A Brief Bit: Lakeland Linder Regional Airport

Meet Deidra Joseph: Assistant Finance Director

Art Exhibit Downtown Lakeland is now home to 10 new sculptures that are part of the 14th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. Lakeland, Winter Haven and now Sebring are participating. In Lakeland, the sculptures are displayed along Lemon Street and there will be a chance for art lovers to vote on their favorite outdoor sculpture for the coveted “People’s Choice” award during the April 4th First Friday event that will take place in downtown Lakeland from 6-9 p.m. The artist, the name of their pieces of art and the materials used to make the sculptures are listed below.

The sculptures are selected by a committee of comprised of community members and Polk Museum of Art staff for the Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. The sculptures are displayed for a year in downtown Lakeland, Winter Haven and Sebring. An independent judge selects the Best of Show, Second Place and Honorable Mention awards for the pieces of art. The winners along with the “People’s Choice” award will be selected at the April 4th First Friday event.

Public Works Week 2014 Jerzy Kedziora – Feng Shui is coldcast bronze measuring 6’6” x 3’9” x 3’9” Jack Howard-Potter – Valkyrie is galvanized and powder-coated steel measuring 9’9” x 9’8” x 8’ Gus & Lina Ocamposilva – Dancer of the Wind 3 is aluminum and enamel measuring 12’5” x 6’8” x 1’3” Adam Walls – POW is painted steel measuring 5’5” x 3’ x 6’ Wesley Stewart, Martinez – For Us is steel measuring 11’6” x 5’2” x 5’ James Oleson, Jr – Reflecting is aluminum and steel measuring 5’4” x 2’11” x 1’1” Glenn Zweygardt – Malachite Voyager is stone, glass and metal measuring 9’4” x 3’ x 2’8”

228 S. Massachusetts Ave. Lakeland, FL 33801 863.834.6000 www.lakelandgov.net

Hanna Jubran – Balance Point is steel, cast iron and paint measuring 9’ x 1’6” x 1’6” Karen Adamek – Iron Horse Jumper is made from railroad spikes and measures 6’ x 8’ x 3’ Joseph Thompson – Archangel After Michael is made from steel and measures 7’2” x 2’8” x 2’8”

Dancer of the Wind 3

IN THIS ISSUE

Lemon Street

Monthly Comparison of Residential Electric Rates

Source: Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) Monthly Utility Bill Comparison • January 2014

www.lakelandelectric.com

*per 1,200 kWh usage

LAKELAND ELECTRIC'S RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC RATES ARE THE LOWEST IN THE STATE!

L A K E L A N D

E L E C T R I C' S

eSERVICES PORTAL Lakeland Electric’s webiste has recently undergone a facelift. The new site features an eServices Portal that allows users to conduct a number of business functions and monitor usage from any convenient location.

Signing-up for eServices is really as easy as 1, 2, 3 on lakelandelectric.com.

1. Locate your Lakeland Electric account number listed on your utility statement.

2. Provide the last four digits of your social security number or if the account is related to a business, then the Federal ID number.

3. Lastly, select the correct picture from the prompt and then you are ready to start discovering the eServices portal.

Customers who sign-up for eServices can review their utility bill details and pay online. They can view their current statement, previous balance and transaction history. Users can check their monthly carbon footprint and conduct business like disconnect service, transfer service to another address and for our winter visitors, they can restart their service all online.

Because of the integration with smart meters, eService users can view real time consumption (kWh and estimated dollar levels) at monthly, daily and hourly intervals. Lakeland Electric customers can also enroll in a new notification program so they can be alerted if there is an outage in the area. The notifications can be received through texts and emails and can be received on multiple devices.

Sign-up for eServices today to monitor your energy consumption because smarter power is in your hands.

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LIKE US ON

LAKELAND LINDER REGIONAL AIRPORT The Lakeland Airport provides access to first class service and amenities that you would expect from a major commercial airport while maintaining our focus on old fashioned values and service necessary to support general aviation. The airport is a “one stop shop” for aviation services including maintenance, painting, avionics and interior re-fabrication. The airport accommodates all types of flight training activity.

General aviation operations by corporate and business users are common at the airport. Lakeland Linder Regional is a reliever airport for Orlando and Tampa International Airport's corporate aircraft.

Through partnerships with the FDOT and FAA, the Lakeland Airport has actively pursued more than $20 million in capital improvements since 2009 with another $3 million scheduled for each of the next several years. One such project will be the construction on a new state-of-the-art fire station later this summer. This new Dual-Use Station will serve the Crash Fire Rescue needs of the Airport while providing improved response time to the surrounding community.

The Lakeland Airport is also home to Draken International which provides contract air support for all branches of the United States Military and Department of Defense. Draken operates and maintains over 50 jet aircraft from the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, including A-4K Skyhawks, MB-339 Aermacchi, MIG21’s and L-39 Albatross. This represents the largest fleet of privately owned tactical aircraft in the world.

Through a unique public private partnership, the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA) was opened at the airport in 2011. The CFAA provides an aviation and aerospace based curriculum where nearly 350 students are challenged to DID YOU KNOW THAT LAKELAND LINDER REGIONAL AIRPORT IS reach high levels of achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in preparation for hightech careers in the fields of aviation and aerospace. In 2013 Polk State College became the first public college in the State of Florida to offer a Bachelor of Science in aviation.

For more information on Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, visit their website at flylakeland.com.

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June 17 - August 9 REGISTRATION BEGINS APRIL 13 Are you looking for an exciting, fun-filled and power-packed enrichment program for your child during the summer? Then look no further – Camp BLAST is your answer!

Camp BLAST is the highly successful summer recreation program for kids located at City recreation facilities and various schools throughout Lakeland. Children who have completed grades K – 5 are eligible for the program and parents must verify the child’s grade with a copy of their most recent report card. Spots fill up quickly, so be sure to mark your calendar for these dates!

Camp BLAST

June 17th - August 9th, 2013 (8 weeks) No camp: July 4th Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

G OV E R N M E N T E M P L OY E E S AT WO R K

Meet Deidra Joseph Meet Deidra Joseph, a 15-year veteran with the City of Lakeland. Joseph started her career with the City as an Accountant I and is now the Assistant Finance Director. She supervises three division managers, two chief accountants and she is responsible for many aspects of the Finance Department. Joseph works with auditors and staff in preparing the City’s audited financial statements and she plays an integral part in developing the City’s annual budget. She also supervises accounts payable, the payroll and treasurer’s divisions as well as central accounting functions. Joseph said, “The best part of my job is working with a talented, wonderful group of people.”

Deidra enjoys spending time with her dog, a lab mix named Sheba. When relaxing, you can find her doing crossword puzzles or reading books. She has no favorite author or genre of book. “I just browse until I find something that catches my attention,” she says. Her favorite movie is The Color Purple but she most recently watched the movie Ride Along with comedian Kevin Hart. Joseph said, “Nothing goes better with a good movie than a good meal before it.” Locally, you may find her

visiting Manny’s Chophouse and she enjoys a road trip to P.F. Chang’s. However, when she gets the opportunity to go to Atlanta, you will find her at her all time favorite restaurant, Pappadeux Seafood Kitchen. With a smile on her face, she explains that seafood just so happens to be her favorite food.

Joseph attained her undergraduate degree from Florida A & M University School of Business and Industry in Accounting. She received her Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida. Educating our youth is one of Joseph’s passions. She is very involved in different youth organizations, including the Community Arts and Mentoring Program, also known as Project CAMP and the after school-tutoring program at New Bethel AME Church. Joseph also dedicates her time to Crystal’s World of Dance. Joseph said, “I have a niece that is part of this group and I serve on the parents committee, volunteering for various duties at recitals and I help with fundraisers.”

One of the fundraisers recently raised money for the group to take a cruise to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands during Spring Break! While on the cruise, the students taught dance classes at a

children’s home in the Cayman Islands. Joseph also takes an adult dance class at Crystal’s World of Dance and has previously taken classes in jazz, lyrical and hip hop. She said that her favorite style is tap, because it’s both fun and a good form of exercise.

Thank you, Deidra, for the work you do for the City. And thank you for investing your time in our youth!

VOLUNTEERS: WE THANK YOU!

In 1974, President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing National Volunteer Week, a weeklong celebration and recognition of volunteers in the month of April. U.S. presidents have continued the tradition since then. Even local governments have followed suit by issuing proclamations in their respective communities.

This year, National Volunteer Week is April 6-12. The theme is: Celebrate Service. It presents an opportunity for individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and government entities alike to celebrate the ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things through service. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.

Volunteers play an integral part in the services the City of Lakeland provides to its citizens. That is why in 2009 the City formed its Volunteers in Public Service (VIPs) program. Many of our volunteers dedicate their time all year long. They help to clean our lakes, coach athletic teams, maintain our nursery, sit on governing boards and committees, and help out in our libraries among other things.

We salute volunteers around the nation and celebrate their service close to home!

CELEBRATE PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST FRIDAY

CELEBRATE PUBLIC WORKS WEEK

Check Out All that public works has to offer in munn park on FRIDAY, may16.

The City of Lakeland Public Works Department will celebrate National Public Works Week on Friday, May 16th from 6PM – 8PM in Munn Park.

This years theme "Building for Today, Planning for Tomorrow" represents the classic idea of stewardship embodied by the profession of public works and the professionals that practice it. Focusing on the communities; "building" points out the day to day aspect of public works that is quality of life, while "planning" references the sustainable practices that ensure that quality of life for future generations.

During the event, staff will be on hand to showcase information about each division, explain education programs and demonstrate the use of a variety of equipment. There will also be give-a-ways, games and lots of fun activities.

The City of Lakeland’s Public Works Department consists of seven divisions and 265 full-time employees.

The seven divisions include Engineering, Construction & Maintenance,Traffic Operations & Parking Services, Lakes & Stormwater, Facilities Maintenance, Fleet Management and Solid Waste. The fiscal year 2014 budget for the Public Works Department is just under $53 million.

Public Works also oversees a capital improvement plan budget of more than $12 million. The City’s Public Works Department is pursuing accreditation through the American Public Works Association (APWA).

APWA manages an official accreditation program that assesses a public works agency’s practices with regulatory directives, effectiveness in daily operations, administrative efficiency and regulation, continuous improvement, performance measurement, and a variety of other considerations On Monday, May 19th the Lakeland City Commission will issue a proclamation, where Public Works employees from each Public Works division will be recognized.

Please visit lakelandgov.net for more information.

MAY 2ND•6-9PM

DOWNTOWN LAKELAND L O G O N. T U N E I N. G E T C O N N E C T E D.

www.lakelandgov.net

STAY CONNECTED ONLINE www.lakelandgov.net

IN PERSON City Hall is open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Monday-Friday PUBLIC MEETINGS City Commission Meetings First and Third Monday 9:00 a.m.

Utility Committee Meetings First Monday 1:00 p.m.

Watch the live broadcast on:

Channel 615 (Brighthouse) or Channel 43 (Verizon FiOS) IMPORTANT NUMBERS City Hall 863.834.6000 Lakeland Electric Customer Service 863.834.9535 Power or Water Outages 863.834.4248 Pollution Hotline 863.834.3300 PAYING YOUR UTILITY BILL ONLINE www.lakelandelectric.com

BY PHONE 863.834.9535 IN PERSON Lakeland Electric has partnered with over 50 local businesses including area AMSCOT offices to accept your utility payment.