Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lake Alfred commission approves police evidence facility design and authorizes Mackay Boulevard interim work
Summary
The Lake Alfred City Commission on May 18 approved a $58,150 design task order for a new police evidence facility and authorized interim roadway improvements on Mackay Boulevard, including scope authorization up to $40,000 to complete median removal and resurfacing work.
The Lake Alfred City Commission on May 18 approved two actions intended to advance public-safety infrastructure and near-term street safety: a design task order for a dedicated police evidence and storage facility, and interim roadway work on Mackay Boulevard to restore turning access at South Charmil Avenue.
City Manager Ryan Leavengood presented Task Order No. 4 with Furr, Wegman, and Banks to develop schematic design, design development and construction documents for a free-standing evidence and records storage building adjacent to the Hughes Building on North Seminole Avenue. The task order carries a design cost of $58,150, with funding identified from Public Safety Funds and Public Safety Impact Fees. Vice Mayor Nancy Daley moved to approve the task order; Commissioner Brent Eden seconded the motion and the commission approved it unanimously.
Public Safety Director Art Bodenheimer presented the certificate honoring Discovery High School’s Buckle-Up contest placement and framed the evidence facility as part of broader public-safety planning. "As a huge traffic safety advocate, I take great pleasure in seeing our local school participate and receive this award," Bodenheimer said while recognizing school staff and the school resource officer for the traffic-safety program.
The commission also approved interim Complete Streets improvements on Mackay Boulevard. Staff said the work would remove the existing median at the intersection of South Charmil Avenue and Mackay Boulevard, replace the median area with road base and asphalt to match the road surface, and restore two-way turning movements as an interim solution until the street is resurfaced in the FY 2027/2028 program. Staff recommended using G&G Site Development, Inc., the contractor previously selected through competitive bid; the estimate for the interim work is $30,861.10, to be funded through the city’s Complete Streets Project funding. The City Manager asked for authority to modify the scope of services and increase project authorization; Commissioner Jack Dearmin moved to authorize the City Manager to modify the scope with an authorization of $40,000, Commissioner Ronnie Robinson seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
During public comments tied to the Mackay Boulevard discussion, resident Becky McLachlan said she worried about student safety at nearby bus stops, saying drivers "speed and are not paying attention while driving on Mackay Blvd." Other commenters asked for additional speed-hump maintenance and suggested automated enforcement in high-speed areas; staff took those concerns under advisement.
The commission also confirmed its representation on several Florida League of Cities committees and regional boards. One personnel change approved by the commission made Commissioner Ronnie Robinson, Jr. the alternate to the Polk Regional Water Cooperative board, replacing Commissioner Jack Dearmin. The meeting included routine announcements of community events and passed the consent agenda, consisting of May 4, 2026 meeting minutes and standard commission announcements.
All motions on the night were approved unanimously. The commission set its next meeting for June 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Works Training Facility.
