April 6, 2004
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Lawrence met in regular session at 6:45 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers in City Hall with Mayor Dunfield presiding and members Hack, Highberger, Rundle, and Schauner present. Lawrence High School representative Jacob Gage was present.
With Commission approval Mayor Dunfield proclaimed the month of April as “Parkinson’s Disease Awareness”; the week of April 4th – 10th as “Building Safety Week”; and the week of April 12th – 18th to be “National Community Development Week.”
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, approve the City Commission meeting minutes of March 30, 2004. Motion carried unanimously.
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to approve the Public Transit Advisory Committee meeting minutes of March 18, 2004; the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting minutes of March 4, 2004; the Historic Resources Commission Action Summary of March 13, 2004; the Human Relations Commission Action Summary; the Planning Commission meting minutes of March 17, 2004; and the Board of Electrical Examiners and Appeals meeting minutes of February 4, 2004.
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to approve claims to 333 vendors in the amount of $1,351,002.69 and pay roll from March 21, 2004 to April 3, 2004 in the amount of $1,326,934.61. Motion carried unanimously.
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to approve the Drinking Establishment Licenses for Limerance, 1520 Wakarusa Drive, Tower D; Jade Mongolian Barbeque, 1511 West 23rd Street; Maceli’s, 1031 New Hampshire; and the Caterer Licenses for Maceli’s, 1 Riverfront Plaza; and Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire. Motion carried unanimously.
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to concur with the recommendation of the Mayor and appoint Stuart Boley to the Sister Cities Advisory Board which will expire December 31, 2006; and appoint John Purcell to the Uniform Building Code Board of Appeals which will expire November 30, 2004. Motion carried unanimously.
The City Commission reviewed the bids for one melting kettle for the Public Works Department. The bids were:
BIDDER BID AMOUNT
Vance Brothers, Inc. $20,200.00
Conmat $21,126.75
Stepp Manufacturing Co. $23,935.00
Paving Manufacturing Supply $36,081.48
Key Equipment No Bid
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to award the bid to Conmat, in the amount of $21,126.75 because the low bid from Vance Brothers, Inc. did not meet specifications by not providing overnight heating capabilities. Motion carried unanimously. (1)
The City Commission reviewed the bids for a jetter/rodder/vacuum truck for the Public Works Department. The bids were:
BIDDER BID AMOUNT
Key Equipment Supply $161,000.00
Sellers Equipment Co. $171,151.00
Sellers Equipment Co., Alternate $177,837.00
Utility Maintenance Contractors No Bid
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to award the bid to Selllers Equipment Co., in the amount of $171,151 because the low bid from Key Equipment Supply did not meet specifications by offering a single stage 2 blasé aluminum fan instead of a 3 stage steel fan for vacuum. Motion carried unanimously. (2)
The City Commission reviewed the bids for a vacuum street sweeper for the Public Works Department. The bids were:
BIDDER BID AMOUNT
Sellers Equipment Co. $150,436
Key Equipment Co. $160,700
Tennant No Bid
Victor L. Phillips No Bid
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to award the bid to Key Equipment Co., in the amount of $160,700 because Sellers Equipment Co. did not meet specifications for broom size water capacity, vacuum fan construction and filter screen size. Motion carried unanimously. (3)
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to authorize the City Manager to approve a change order for additional rock excavation and related expensed for the Riverside Sanitary Sewer Pump Station Project, in the amount of $111,262.50. Motion carried unanimously. (4)
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to place on first reading Ordinance No. 7748, adopting the 2002 Edition of the National Electrical Code with local amendments as recommended by the Board of Electrical Examiners on February 4, 2004. Motion carried unanimously. (5)
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to adopt Resolution No. 6529, authorizing general obligation bond authority for main trafficway improvements for Congressional Drive between West 6th Street and Overland Drive in the maximum amount of $728,218. Motion carried unanimously. (6)
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to adopt Resolution No. 6530, authorizing general obligation bond authority for main trafficway improvements for Overland Drive between Wakarusa Drive and Queens Road in the maximum about of $1,424,997. Motion carried unanimously. (7)
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to adopt Resolution No. 6538, authorizing the Mayor to sign the application for the 2004 Emergency Shelter Grant from the City to the State of Kansas. Motion carried unanimously. (8)
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to concur with the Planning Commission’s recommendations to approve the Final Plat (PF-02-08-04) for Monterey Subdivision No. 8, 33-lot residential subdivision containing 11.7 acres, located west of Monterey Way and north of Stetson Drive, and accept the dedication of easements and rights-of-way subject to the following conditions:
PF-02-08-04: Final Plat for Monterey Subdivision No. 8. This proposed 33-lot residential subdivision contains 11.7 acres and is located west of Monterey Way and north of Stetson Drive.
1. Provision of the following fees and recording documentation:
Motion carried unanimously. (9)
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to approve the declaration of surplus and found property and establish found property evidence sale, Saturday, April 17, 2004 as the date for the auction of those items. Motion carried unanimously. (10)
As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Hack, seconded by Rundle, to authorize the Mayor to sign a Subordination Agreement for Christine Lanier, 1812 Atherton Court. Motion carried unanimously. (11)
Commissioner Schauner pulled PF-02-07-04, the Final Plat for Lake Pointe Addition, from the consent agenda, for discussion. He had a safety concern where Lake Pointe Drive intersected with Clinton Parkway. He asked if having a traffic-calming device at that location was going to be a safety issue in terms of visibility on traffic that would be approaching the traffic circle.
Linda Finger, Planning Director, said when the traffic impact study was done for this development the sight distance where motorists were looked at and where the existing access point was and whether it needed to be moved or relocated was a large part of joint consideration between the City, State, and the developer. She said she believed the recommendation for a roundabout had taken into consideration the sight distance issue.
Chuck Soules, Public Works Director, said Finger was correct. He said the sight distance had been looked at and that was the recommendation that was brought forward.
Commissioner Schauner had a concern from traveling that road occasionally, although the posted speed limit was 45 mph, if driving 45 mph westbound on Clinton Parkway a person was passed by going 60 and 65 mph. He asked if that was an appropriate sight distance for that roundabout with that type of speed expectation.
Lance Johnson, Peridian Group, said yes. He said there had been a lot of study to that plan. He said they employed Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff and they did an extensive traffic study and analyzed that roundabout.
Commissioner Schauner asked Johnson if he agreed even assuming that the speed would be higher than that posted speed.
Soules said staff typically looked at those traffic studies with that in mind. He said staff looked at the 85th percentile speed regardless of the posted speed which was included in the design phase.
Moved by Schauner, seconded by Hack, to concur with the Planning Commission’s recommendations to approve the Final Plat (PF-02-07-04) for Lake Pointe Addition, a proposed multi-family residential and commercial subdivision containing approximately 29.7261 acres and is located north of Clinton Parkway and east 926’ from K-10 Highway (SLT); and accept the dedication of easements and rights-of-way subject to the following conditions:
1. Provision of the following fees and recording documentation:
Motion carried unanimously. (12)
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
During the City Manager’s Report, Roger Coffey, Utilities Director, presented a review of the department’s 2003 Annual Report. He highlighted the effectiveness of the department’s Infiltration/Inflow (I/I) Reduction Program for the Sanitary Sewer Collection System.
Commissioner Schauner said he was impressed with the operations and said to keep up the good work.
Mike Wildgen, City Manager, informed Vice Mayor Rundle that staff provided information concerning Hybrid Vehicle and Alternative Fuels.
Commissioner Schauner said looking at the total miles driven, in that report, by flex fuel and hybrid vehicles was approximately 100,000 miles. He asked if staff had any plans moving to a greater use of either the hybrid or flex fuel vehicles because of this age of increasingly expensive fuel. He said by the use of those types of vehicles staff would be setting a good example for the citizens.
Wildgen said Steve Stewart, Central Garage Superintendent, would like to see staff use more of those types of vehicles. He said one limit was the type of vehicles that were available. He said a number of major car manufacturers were trying to have more flexible alternatives on those vehicles.
Commissioner Schauner said during the budget process the City Commission should address moving that percentage of miles driven into hybrid or flex fuel vehicles. (13)
REGULAR AGENDA
Receive comments from Mayor Dunfield
Mayor Dunfield said as a Mayor there had been a lot of work, but the work was rewarding. He said this had not been a year for any big visible projects in this City, but the main work of the City went on and clearly, on this City Commission, they loaded themselves down with a lot of studies and task forces and he accept responsibility for placing that work load on his fellow Commissioners as well as City staff. He appreciated the seriousness of purpose and the dedication that had been shown over this last year by City staff as well as his fellow Commissioners.
He said the Commission had taken on efforts at improvements in areas of planning, culture, environment, and economic development. He said the fruits of those labors would ripen slowly. He thanked City staff, his fellow Commissioners and citizens for putting up with him.
Commissioner Schauner complimented Mayor Dunfield on his performance as a Mayor.
Commissioner Hack echoed Commissioner Schauner’s comment. She said over the last three years she had gained an incredible amount of respect for Mayor Dunfield and his willingness to serve this community.
Commissioner Highberger also echoed Commissioners Hack and Schanuer. He said it had been a privilege to work with Mayor Dunfield. He said he admired Mayor Dunfield’s work, calmness, focus, and sense of humor. He said if he had the opportunity to serve as Mayor and did half as good as job, he would be satisfied.
Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor
Moved by Highberger, seconded by Schauner, to nominate Vice Mayor Rundle as Mayor. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Highberger, seconded by Schauner, to close the nominations for Mayor. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Highberger, seconded by Schauner, to elect Vice Mayor Rundle as Mayor. Aye: Dunfield, Hack, Highberger, and Schauner. Nay: None. Abstain: Rundle. Motion carried.
(14)
Mayor Dunfield called for nominations for the office of Vice Mayor.
Moved by Hack, seconded by Schauner, to nominate Commissioner Highberger as Vice Mayor. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Hack, seconded by Schauner, to close the nominations for Vice Mayor. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Hack, seconded Schauner, to elect Commissioner Highberger as Vice Mayor. Aye: Dunfield, Hack, Rundle, and Schauner. Nay: None. Abstain: Highberger. Motion carried. (15)
Comments of Mayor and City Commissioners
Mayor Rundle thanked former Mayor Dunfield for his service to this community. He thanked former Mayor Dunfield for his leadership and his efforts in undertaking the Public Infrastructure Task Force and his efforts in establishing a regional heritage area. He presented a plaque to former Mayor Dunfield.
He said when he worked at the University of Kansas he assisted with a research conference that took place in the City Commission Chambers that was sponsored by the Department of Public Administration that brought together academics and City Managers from across the country. He said the presentations were compiled into a book called the Ideas and Practice of Council/Manager Government. He said that title captured what the Commission was trying to do which was reaching for ideas in this community.
He said he hoped to continue to focus on ways to move the City’s administration in the direction of best practices and the delivery of City services. He said he would like to increase the City’s responsiveness, not just to businesses, but to all the citizens of Lawrence. He was also interested in increasing accountability for City government and he hoped to begin auditing City programs to assure that best practices were being followed and assure that the citizen’s tax dollars were well spent.
Vice Mayor Highberger congratulated Mayor Rundle. He said it had been a privilege to work with all of the members of the City Commission and he was impressed with the level of respect that had been given to each Commissioner. He said he was looking forward to working on expanding the vision for the future of this City in the coming years.
Moved by Rundle, seconded by Schauner, to recess for approximately 20 minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
Consider request to re-configure the Douglas County Economic Development board to make it more representative of the stakeholders and other economic development organizations.
Mike Maddox, current chair of the Economic Development Board, presented the request to reconfigure the board. He said the Economic Development Board voted unanimously to recommend that change. There had been a lot of thought about how economic development was done and what was the most efficient way to go about economic development. He said there were a lot of different groups in this City that was doing economic development, but there was not a board or group of people who coordinate all of those different efforts. He said after serving on the Economic Development Board one of its best functions was to coordinate economic development efforts and enhance communication among all the groups that were working on economic development issues. He said to make that group as effective as it could possibly be, they needed the people on the board that represent those groups and who were in positions to help influence decisions. That was why they focused on the three main partners in economic development in this City which was the City, County, and the Chamber of Commerce. Those three entities were critical to economic development. They were well represented on that new configuration. The other entity that was often forgotten which was also critical to economic development was the University system which was the University of Kansas, Haskell, and Baker. He said there were also ECO2 and DCDI who were also members who were doing specific economic development activity.
He said it was the Economic Development’s Board recommendation that the configuration be changed. The County Commission, Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Board all approved this reconfiguration unanimously.
Charles Jones, County Commissioner, said economic development was a fiercely competitive field and they owed that to the 22% of the people who commute outside of the Douglas County for jobs and for all the people who were over educated and under employed to try to bring up the job market to meet the remarkable skills and ethics of this community. To do that they would need a more powerful, concentrated and coordinated board and he thought that reorganization did that.
There was some concern about all of the groups that were not on that board and he understood those concerns, but once getting above 10 or 11 people there could not be an effective discussion. He said they would need to find other ways to integrate thoughts and concerns of the broad community.
He said when the County passed their resolution, they passed it unanimously, but there were also some questions that they asked the new board to address. One of those questions was to make sure it was understood that the Chamber of Commerce would staff that board.
He said the second issues were that they wanted the board to have a formal role in commenting on economic development activities. He said the County Commission suggested that the Economic Development Board might annually gather all of the economic development entities in the community and have an annual meeting to find out where they were going. One of the problems was coordination and accountability and in a perfect world they would have the Economic Development Board sign-off on an integrated budget.
He said the County Commission also suggested that the board think about a substitution policy. He said it would allow for continuity and the people who were going to move into those positions next year would have a ramping up period of time.
He said finally, there was discussion about the Planning Commission and whether they should or should not be sitting at the table which the County Commission would leave that discussion to the Economic Development Board to discuss, but at some level there needed to be coordination. He said they would not have industrial expansion if there were no industrial land and infrastructure in place and that required coordination with the Planning Commission.
He urged the City Commission to follow their lead and approve the Economic Development Board.
Mayor Rundle asked if the new board would establish bylaws.
Jones said yes, that was part of the provision.
Mayor Rundle called for public comment.
After receiving no public comment, Mayor Rundle said this was a continuation of the City’s efforts to stay on top of the economic development issue. He said in recent years the partnership was vital with the partners being involved. The issue of representation was one that would be duly noted. He said he remembered one organization that had such a big board that they simply never had a quorum. He said people needed to make sure that they communicate with the elected representatives and each of the partners could do their work in making sure that the values of those different partners were brought in and carried to the Economic Development Board.
Commissioner Dunfield said he was involved with some of the discussions that led to that reorganized board and its proposal. He said it was true that there were many different groups involved in economic development in different aspects and that was one of the major areas of discussion. He said it was going to be an important job of this board to make sure that all of those different stakeholders were heard and heard at the appropriate time when they had particular issues. He said it was going to take some experience and working through the process to know who needed to be heard and what time. He said the idea of a compact board with a lot of authority was one that would be helpful for bringing those different interests together.
Commissioner Hack appreciated the amount of work it took to get the reconfiguration of that board. She said this was a very valuable board and she supported the recommendation.
Commissioner Schauner said at a joint study session with the County there was a general consensus that the way economic development was being done was a bit too scattered to be effective. He said he liked the idea that they had what appeared to be a group that they could go to for economic development in the County.
Whether this board included all the right stakeholders, he did not know, but it seemed to be a good representation of that group. He liked that the 3 universities were involved and he thought the Commission should move ahead with the reconfiguration.
Vice Mayor Highberger said it looked like a group that could be effective. He there were some voices that were not directly represented and the Commission needed to monitor the board and if those voices were not adequately represented, then some changes might need to be made. He said he was comfortable with the group in the proposal.
Moved by Hack, seconded by Dunfield, to place on first reading, Ordinance No. 7776, establishing procedures for the City/County Economic Development Board. Motion carried unanimously. (16)
Consider request of Jack Gaumnitz to install a gate in the right-of-way of North 1500 Road.
Chuck Soules, Public Works Director, presented the staff report. He said the reason why this issue was brought before the Commission was because it was a road that sat directly on the City/County boundary line. He said the request was for a gate and a turnaround just before the gate.
He said some of the reasons stated in a letter from Gaumnitz were that people were dumping trash and driving onto areas where Gaumnitz had landscaped. He said further down from that location the road did not go through to George Williams Way, but at some point in the future that road was planned to be a collector street.
He said Gaumnitz was in agreement with the license agreement which gave the City Commission the authority to take down the fence at anytime and the agreement placed all the responsibility on Gaumnitz.
He said the County Commission approved Gaumnitz request unanimously and County Commission would pass a resolution next week if the City Commission approved the request.
Vice Mayor Highberger asked if any of the other adjacent property owners that had been notified, had any objections.
Soules said he did not notify any property owners in the area.
Finger said when the County discussed that issue there was notice given and the property owners were aware of this issue.
Mayor Rundle said the City was growing near and around that property rapidly and Gaumnitz deserved to have the peaceful enjoyment of his property.
Commissioner Hack said the pictures that were presented to the City Commission made it obvious how many people had abused the property. She said it made sense to approve the agreement with Gaumnitz.
Commissioner Schauner said he did not see any downside to this issue.
Mayor Rundle said if an issue did come up the Commission could review it at that time.
Moved by Hack, seconded by Schauner, to approve the license agreement to install a gate in the right-of-way of North 1500 Road. Motion carried unanimously. (17)
PF-01-05-04: Final Plat for Stonegate IV Addition. This proposed 105-lot residential subdivision contains approximately 40.39 acres and is located north of Peterson Road and east of Monterey Way (extended).
Sandra Day, Planner, presented the staff report. She said this final plat was forwarded to the City Commission for approval based on an 8-1 vote by the Planning Commission. The outstanding vote from Planning Commissioner Johnson related to several discussions that they had at the Planning Commission and staff level with the applicant on the ability to reconfigure the subdivision in some type of alternative manner. She said as staff went through numerous reviews of the property the topography of the subject property was identified as being extremely challenging. During the applicant’s phase of preparing public improvement plans they were not able to achieve all of the design criteria that they needed for the streets and also accommodate driveway access to individual lots based on the original design that resulted in a series of double frontage lots and that was something that staff generally try to avoid, but in that particular instance staff was not able to find another alternative because of so many other action land use approvals that had been dealt with previously that surrounded the subject property.
She said it necessitated a revisit to the final plat at the Planning Commission level a second time around and staff went through an exhausted review process trying to look and establish alternatives. The subdivision design complied with the Subdivision Regulations and was forwarded with a recommendation of approval.
Vice Mayor Highberger asked if the goal was for low to medium price housing.
Tim Herndon, LandPlan Engineering, said yes.
Moved by Hack, seconded by Dunfield, to concur with the Planning Commission’s recommendations to approve the Final Plat (PF-01-05-04) for Stonegate IV Addition, a proposed 105-lot residential subdivision containing approximately 40.39 acres, located north of Peterson Road and east of Monterey Way (extended); and accept the dedication of easements and rights-of-way subject to the following conditions:
1. Approval of a revised preliminary plat;
2. Provision of the following fees and recording documentation:
a. Current copy of paid property tax receipt at the time of submittal of the Final Plat for filing;
b. Recording fees made payable to the Douglas County Register of Deeds;
c. Provision of a master street tree plan;
d. Provision of street sign fees; and
e. Pinning of the lots in accordance with Section 21-302.2;
3. Execution of the following agreements:
a. Temporary Utility Agreement; and
b. Agreement stating no building permits shall be issued until Monterey Way is constructed and accepted by the City;
4. Submittal of public improvement plans to the City Public Works Department prior to filing of the Final Plat for streets, sidewalks, water and wastewater improvements;
5. Provision of a revised Final Plat to include:
a. MEBO’s for all lots adjacent to a drainage easement;
b. Note on the face of the plat stating. “Soils investigations shall be performed before primary structures are erected on lots with slopes greater than 3:1, or on lots with non-engineered fill greater than 12 inches. A soils engineer licensed by the State of Kansas shall perform investigations, and a report of the investigation shall be submitted to the City of Lawrence Codes Enforcement Division of the Neighborhood Resources Department. Other lots may be required to be investigated where excavation reveals indications of unsuitable conditions”; and
c. Note on the face of the plat stating, “No building permits shall be issued until Monterey Way is constructed and accepted by the City.”
Motion carried unanimously. (18)
PF-12-23-03: Final Plat for Farmland Northwest Addition. This proposed residential and office subdivision contains approximately 53.8931 acres and is located south of K-10 Highway and west of O’Connell Road.
Sandra Day, Planner, presented the staff report. She said there had been several questions about that subject property as it related to the overall street network. She said City Commission had seen and acted upon a couple of zoning requests related to that property as well as the development plan that was deferred and would be coming back to the City Commission.
The plat established individual lots as well as knew right-of-way. She presented a map of the area. She said the surrounding properties were predominately developed with single family residential homes with a range of residential densities. The Anderson Acres area, the residential area was approximately one dwelling unit per acre and the surrounding properties to the southwest and south range anywhere from three to five dwelling units per acre as moving further back to the west.
The plat before the City Commission extended a series of residential streets both in the southern portion of the plat as well as up in the northern portion. There was a specific street connection between Anderson Acres which was the extension of 24th Street Terrace and it would “T” into another local street which would then “T” into the collector street system and the surrounding street network.
The original plat that staff looked at, the Planning Commission acted on included a second street stub at 24th Street. She said based on comment from the public and the Planning Commission’s consideration of the preliminary plat that particular street connection was later removed, lots were reconfigured and a street stub was added in the northern portion adjacent to the East Lawrence Church of Christ subdivision plat. A lot of discussion that staff had with the applicant and surrounding property owners dealt with trying to look at access to the very isolated portion of the neighborhood as well as those individual properties whose sole access was to 23rd Street. The resulting plat was what was before the City Commission this evening. The Planning Commission acted on that item and forwarded a recommendation to the City Commission for approval. Again, it was an 8-1 vote and that outstanding vote was from Planning Commissioner Agino reflecting his position that both street connections should be reevaluated.
Some of the other discussions that staff had that were related to whether or not traffic would cut through the established portions of the neighborhood. There had been discussion very early on looking at whether or not it was appropriate of feasible to open up streets at Harper which was something that was not part of that subdivision plat and staff had not pursued those street openings at this time. The remaining subdivision connection for a portion of the neighborhood would be Anderson Road to 23rd Street. There was also the connectivity that was provided through the development of those 55 acres at 24th Street Terrance.
Commissioner Schauner asked if east of the proposed development, lots 1, 2 and 3, were higher density developments.
Day said yes. She said lots 1 and 2 actually carry a zoning of O-1 which was not yet published. Some of the final actions before the zoning publication could take place would be the approval of the final plat then lot 3 came forward with a recommendation for zoning of PRD-2 and its design was around 14 to 15 dwelling units per acre for that piece. She said the orientation in terms of the face of the development was oriented more toward that Exchange Court. The primary access would be back out to O’Connell Road. The development plan also included something that was much more reflective of the duplex zoning along that western property line and conventional apartment buildings to the east.
Commissioner Dunfield asked Day to comment on the long term future of Anderson Road and its connection to 23rd Street.
Day said Anderson Acres was part of the 23rd Street Study. She said in that study, Anderson Acres remained as an existing street intersection to 23rd and she did not believe there were proposed improvements for that exact intersection.
Finger said on the 23rd Street Corridor Study, it did recognize that at some point the median which was in the middle of 23rd Street might need to be extended to the west just to provide additional safety because of the cross turning movements. She said at that point in time it could restrict Anderson Road access to a right-in/right-out. This road access, if thinking about what was on the north side of the road, would be the 10 Market Place access. She said there was comment at the Planning Commission meeting by several residents of Anderson Acres that they had seen a significant increase in the amount of traffic and the safety of entering and exiting based upon the amount of traffic.
Commissioner Dunfield asked if staff was anticipating that O’Connell would be a signalized intersection in the relatively near future.
Finger said yes. She said staff was anticipating that intersection would be signalized as was Harper Street. Staff’s intent was to try to get traffic to traffic lighted intersection where the safety would be improved.
Mayor Dunfield said Anderson Acres area would be able to have that access to 23rd at either Harper or O’Connell.
Finger said if the City Commission were to approve the rights-of-way there would be access over to O’Connell which would eventually be a lighted intersection when that road was improved.
Eldon Statler, resident in the Anderson Acre area, said if another area was opened up in Anderson Acres that area would be dangerous.
Roy Clough, resident in the Anderson Acre area, concurred with Statler. He did not want to see more traffic in the Anderson Acres area.
Carrie Hall, resident in the Anderson Acre area, asked the City Commission not to open up that road because of safety issues.
Mayor Rundle asked what the long-term plan was for those roads.
Soules said most of those roads in that area were chip and seal roads and staff was maintaining those roads as such. He said unless there was a development that came along to establish a benefit district that road would remain like it was for quite a while.
Commissioner Hack asked if there was any plan for any type of traffic calming devices.
Soules said there was no plan, at this time, for a traffic-calming device. He said typically those traffic-calming devices came in with new development in the design phase.
Mayor Rundle said if that access was eventually closed Anderson Acres would follow the alternative routes that were outlined. He asked if staff would do something like on 6th and Schwartz where there was only out traffic.
Soules said the reason why there was only out traffic on 6th and Schwartz was because of the access amount of cut-through traffic.
Commissioner Schauner said there was a good opportunity to avoid making a mistake. He said opening that traffic to 24th Street Terrance was a mistake. He said the streets in Anderson Acres were not designed to carry that additional load of traffic from the proposed development and it appeared in the near future that the higher density 14 units per acre traffic would be shoved over to O’Connell Road.
Commissioner Dunfield said his thought was just the opposite. He said having 24th Street and 24th Street Terrance both go through would be a more beneficial arrangement. He said it seemed that in cases like this it was appropriate to provide convenient access for the local traffic to use the local streets and for the heavier traffic to use the collector and arterial streets. He said the people in Anderson Acres would be the main beneficiaries of 24th Street being connected, but he did not want to force that opinion on people. He said from the way this plan was laid out that the primary new users of 24th Street Terrace if there were new users, were going to be the new neighbors in those single family houses and not anybody who was in the higher density apartments or further down O’Connell Road. He said he did not see an advantage to anyone to taking that particular route winding through those residential streets in order to get to an un-signalized intersection on 23rd Street. He said this layout was a good plan and he would like to see more connectivity of the local roads.
Commissioner Hack agreed with Commissioner Dunfield because of the multi-family higher density oriented toward Exchange Court. She said she did not see people winding back through that neighborhood to get out. She agreed with the signalized intersection.
Commissioner Schauner said Harvard Road spoke loudly in the opposite direction. People travel Harvard from Wakarusa all the way over to Iowa to avoid 6th Street. He said there would be a tremendous amount of additional traffic through Anderson Acres. He said with this new development, it seemed that development should find a way to direct its created traffic into a signalized intersection which would be O’Connell Road and 23rd Street. He said people would disagree about where the traffic would go, but some recent experience suggested that staff would be looking at trying to perform traffic calming on 24th Street Terrace in fairly short order and there would be unhappy neighbors and tax payers at that location for a number of years before money could be found to honor the neighbor’s request.
Commissioner Highberger disagreed. He said if looking for the Harvard Road analogy, 25th Street should be looked at. He said he did not see this development generating any significant amount of traffic for 24th Street Terrace. He agreed with Commissioner Dunfield that having 24th Street connect, provided that there were not any connections to Harper on the other side, would cut down the amount of traffic on 24th Street Terrace. He supported the proposal.
Statler said the people who live in the area would catch on quick, but when putting in 300 plus families in that area, people who were coming into that area would not be familiar with the area. He said some people who come into that area don’t know how to get out of that area.
Mayor Rundle asked about a traffic impact study.
Finger said there was a traffic study performed to evaluate the impacts at the preliminary plat stage. She said there were major impacts on O’Connell and that was where traffic calming was needed.
Vice Mayor Highberger asked if that study looked at potential traffic on 25th Street.
Finger said yes. The study looked at traffic on 25th Street and what was generated out of Exchange Court. She said the traffic study did not go back to the west to look at the traffic percentage generated back toward Harvard, but focused more on O’Connell and the traffic in that direction to the east.
Mayor Rundle said when hearing the issues about sidewalks, the City Commission needed to concurrently pay attention to this issue regarding traffic and safety.
He said if traffic safety did become more of a concern then residents needed to get in touch with City staff so staff could take a second look at those traffic impacts.
Commissioner Schauner asked if 25th Street would be designated as a collector street.
Finger said 25th Street was currently on the Major Thoroughfare Plan as a collector street.
She suggested that in the past when neighborhoods had a concern about an in-fill project that the City Commission had asked staff to take a look at that issue and do some road counts after the residential development was in and come back to the City Commission with the impacts on that area.
Vice Mayor Highberger said that would be good information to see.
Moved by Dunfield, seconded by Hack, to concur with the Planning Commission’s recommendations to approve the Final Plat (PF-12-23-03) for Farmland Northwest Addition, a proposed residential and office subdivision containing approximately 53.8931 acres and is located south of K-10 Highway and west of O’Connell Road; and accept the dedication of easements and rights-of-way subject to the following conditions:
1. Provision of the following fees and recording documentation:
a. Current copy of paid property tax receipt at the time of submittal of the Final Plat for filing;
b. Recording fees made payable to the Douglas County Register of Deeds; and
c. Provision of a master street tree plan and filing fee.
2. Execution of an agreement not to protest the formation of a benefit district for:
a. Street and sidewalk improvements for 25th Street; and
b. Intersection improvements for 25th Street and O’Connell Road.
3. Execution of a Temporary Utility Agreement;
4. Provision of a revised stormwater drainage plan per the City Stormwater Engineer’s approval prior to recording of the Final Plat with the Register of Deeds Office;
5. Submittal of a public improvement plan for streets, sidewalks, water and waste water improvements to the City Public Works Department prior to filing of the Final Plat;
6. Provision of a revised Final Plat to include the following notes:
a. “Soils investigations shall be performed before primary structures are erected on lots with slopes greater than 3:1, or non-engineered fill greater than 12 inches. A soils engineer licensed by the state of Kansas shall perform investigations, and a report of the investigation shall be submitted to the City of Lawrence Codes Enforcement Division. Other lots may be required to be investigated where excavation reveals indications of unsuitable conditions;” and
b. “The City is hereby granted a temporary right of entry to plant the required street trees pursuant to Chapter 21, Article 7, Section 21-708a of the City Subdivision regulations.”
7. Provision of a revised Final Plat to include the following corrections:
a. Correct title in Curve Data Table;
b. Correct spelling of Acknowledgement Title Block; and
c. Provide revised street names for Royal Drive and Anna Court per City Staff approval.
8. Pinning of the lots in accordance with Section 21- 302.2.
Aye: Dunfield, Hack, and Highberger. Nay: Rundle and Schauner. Motion carried. (19)
Receive Staff report on Harvard Street Traffic Calming Plan; consider approval of Engineering Agreement with Bucher, Willis & Ratliff.
Chuck Soules, Public Works Director, presented the staff report. He said the Harvard Traffic Calming Plan was brought to the Commission and the Commission directed staff to proceed with the design phase.
He said staff thought there was a good traffic-calming plan for Folks Road as it came into the Harvard Road neighborhood.
He said staff asked several consultants to submit proposals for Harvard Street Traffic Calming, and recommended Bucher, Willis & Ratliff for this project. Bucher, Willis & Ratliff was also reviewing the traffic calming on Folks Road so there was coordination between the two projects.
He said the reason why this issue was brought to the City Commission was because funding was not within the City budget and staff needed direction from the City Commission. He said if the City Commission would like to issue general obligation bonds, staff would need to designate Harvard Road as a main trafficway. He said staff would like to start with the design work and use Capital Improvement Reserve Fund monies.
He said his main concern was access at Goldfield and Harvard because of the access by Quail Run School.
He said shortly after the traffic calming plan was presented to the City Commission neighbors in the Quail Run area at Goldfield and Eldridge asked that the temporary traffic-calming device be permanent. He said the Traffic Safety Commission’s recommendation was to approve that permanent device and that device be included in the Harvard Traffic calming project.
Commissioner Schauner asked in the email that Brenda Jackson sent, was Jackson correct in her assumptions about what would happen to that road if it was designated as a main trafficway.
Wildgen said it was a financing tool and would not affect the width or anything else.
Commissioner Hack liked the plan in which she endorsed. She said moving along with the design process as quickly as possible would be helpful.
In regards to the financing option, she did not feel from a City Commission standpoint that they were interested in forming a benefit district and that it would be a City-at-large cost.
Moved by Schauner, seconded by Hack, to place on first reading Ordinance No. 7775, designating Harvard Road between Wakarusa and Monterey Way and Goldfield Street from Wakarusa to Monterey Way as a main trafficway; and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Bucher, Willis, and Ratliff for engineering services for the Harvard Road and Goldfield Street Traffic Calming Improvements in an amount not to exceed $53,146.07 to be initially paid for from the Capital Improvement Reserve Fund. Motion carried unanimously. (20)
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
Moved by Schauner, seconded by Hack, to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED:
_____________________________
David M Dunfield, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Frank S. Reeb, City Clerk
1. Bid – Melting Kettle for Public Works to Conmat for $21,126.75.
2. Bid – Jetter/rodder/Vaccum truck for Public Works to Sellers Equip for $171.151.
3. Bid – Vacuum Street Sweeper for Public Works to Key Equip for $160,700.
4. Change Order – Additional rock for Riverside Sanitary Sewer Pump Station for $111,262.50.
5. Ordinance No. 7748 – 1st Reading, 2002 Edition of National Electrical Code with amendments.
6. Resolution No. 6529 – GOB for main trafficway for Congressional between W 6th & Overland for $728,218.
7. Resolution No. 6530 – GOB for main trafficway for Overland between Wakarusa and Queens for $1,424,997.
8. Resolution No. 6538 – 2004 Emergency Shelter Grant.
9. Final Plat – (PF-02-08-04) Monterey Sub No. 8, 11.7 acres, W of Monterey Way and N of Stetson.
10. Auction – Surplus & found property – Sat, April 17.
11. Subordination Agreement – 1812 Atherton Ct., Christine Lanier.
12. Final Plat – (PF-02-07-04) Lake Pointe Add, 29.7261 acres, N of Clinton Pkwy & E of 926’ from K-10.
13. City Manager’s Report.
14. Mayor Elected – Mike Rundle
15. Vice Mayor Elected – Dennis (Boog) Highberger.
16. Ordinance No. 7776 – 1st Reading, City/County Economic Development Board procedures.
17. License Agreement – Gate in R-O-W of N 1500 Rd (Gaumnitz).
18. Final Plat – (PF-01-05-04) Stonegate IV Add, 105 lot residential sub, 40.39 acres, N of Peterson & E of Monterey Way.
19. Final Plat – (PF-12-23-03) Farmland NW Add, 53.8931 acres, S of K-10 & W of O’Connell.
20. Harvard Traffic Calming Plan – Bucher, Willis & Ratliff.