OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY, TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT State Attorney Jerry Hill - Lakeland Brant}: Oflire 930 East Parker Street, Suite 238 Lakeland. Florida 3380! (863) 802-6240 Polk, Highlands. and Hardee Counties Main Oflic: 255 North Broadway Avenue, 2nd Floor Drawer SA, P.O. Box 9000 Barrow, Florida 33831-9000 - (863) 534-4300 Winter Haven Branch Office 3425 Lake Alfred Road 9, Gill Jones Plaza Winter Haven, Florida 33881 - (863) 401-2477 December 3, 2013 via hand delivery City Manager Doug Thomas City of Lakeland Dear Mr. Thomas: I have been informed that the City of Lakeland passed a resolution on December 2, 2013, in response to my letter to you of November 21, 2013. While I have not yet seen the resolution, I am aware of its contents. Since November 4, 2013, when the City Commission directed you to come to Bartow to meet with me, I have been ready and willing to do so. In my letter dated November 21, 2013 to you, I made it clear why I believe it is important for the public to be able to observe our meeting. My position has not changed. Considering Section 21 of the City of Lakeland Charter, you, as city manager, are the chief executive officer and head of the administrative branch of the city govemment. Based upon your role, and those comments made by the city commissioners regarding your responsibilities as to the chief of police position during the City Commission meeting of December 2, it is my position that you and I are the ones who need to meet to discuss both Sgt. MeNabb and the ongoing issues with the Lakeland Police Department. I am always willing to speak with the City Commissioners, and as such, several have had discussions with me during the past year. Our meeting should be a dialogue between the two of us. The Commissioners, like any other member of the public should be permitted to observe our meeting. Of course, if any Commissioner or any member of the public has questions for you or me, they are free to contact us if they feel it is appropriate at a later time. I have considered the City Commission's desire to have our meeting held in Lakeland to allow citizens of Lakeland to conveniently attend. While I don't see driving to Barrow as a burden, I respect the commission's position on this matter. Therefore, I have reserved the courtroom at the Lakeland Branch Courthouse for our meeting. The courtroom has ample space and will allow us to sit together in the front for our discussion. The commissioners, any interested member ofthe public and the media will be permitted to observe from the seating area in the courtroom. I propose the following three dates for our meeting: Friday, December 6 at 1:30 Friday, December 13 at 1:30 pm. and Friday, December 20 at l:30 p.m. Please let me know as soon as possible which of these dates you would like to meet. I look forward to meeting with you Mr. Thomas. As I have stated before, the issues with the Lakeland Police Department continue and immediate action is necessary. State I orney cc: Mayor Gow Fields Mayor-Elect lloward Wiggs Commissioner Keith Merritt Commissioner Don Selvage Commissioner Justin Troller Commissioner Phillip Walker Commissioner Edie Yates