CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
“…it’s what we do” Materials Hit the Street
Materials featuring activities on the Wakarusa River Water Reclamation Facility Project will hit the street next week. The attached images are:
· utility billing insert to begin mailing on March 9
· direct mail postcard going to county residents south of Lawrence beginning the week of March 13
· poster featured on kiosks to be placed in the Library, City Hall, Douglas County Courthouse and Wal-Mart next week
This is the first in a series of five releases of information to share information on the facility with the community. The materials direct recipients to the website, www.lawrenceutilities.org/wwrf to review detailed information on the project. The second release of information will occur in April followed by releases in May, mid-June, August and September. Each piece in the series will share new information and reveal additional squares until the entire background image and all supporting images are visible.
Rain Garden Project
For over two years, the Stormwater Division of the Public Works Department has been studying Rain Gardens as an alternative stormwater practice. In 2004, the City received a $5000 grant, in conjunction with the Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners, to fund two demonstration Rain Gardens. Both gardens were designed and installed last year at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The gardens handle runoff from the Extension office as well as from a portion of the surrounding parking lot. Currently the Stormwater division is working to promote Rain Gardens in the community. Several presentations have been given to community groups as well as tours of the demonstration gardens. The attached photos show the areas before and after the rain garden project’s completion.
Train Horn Quiet Zone Update
On January 17, 2006, the City Commission directed staff to work with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to find out if proposed medians at the 3rd and 7th Street crossings, and elimination of the 4th Street pedestrian crossing, are sufficient safety improvements for the establishment of a quiet zone. Jonathan Douglass, Management Assistant in the City Manager’s Office, and Chuck Soules, Public Works Director, are working to assemble a diagnostic team in accordance with FRA regulations. The diagnostic team will consist of representatives from the City, the County, KDOT, Union Pacific Railroad, USD 497, Laidlaw Education Services, and the North Lawrence Improvement Association. Using information gathered by the diagnostic team, the City will submit an application to the FRA. Once the FRA rules on the proposed quiet zone, the issue will be brought back to the City Commission for final approval and direction regarding funding. The questions raised by the City Commission at the January 17 meeting will also be addressed at that time.
Neighborhood Resources Certification Achievements
Attached please find a list of the various certifications obtained to date by Neighborhood Resources Department staff. At this time, Patrick O’Brien, Building Inspector II and Phil Burke, Building Inspector II are Combination Inspectors for residential construction. This certification ensures they have the code knowledge to perform all inspections for residential projects. Victor Torres, Neighborhood Resources Director, notes the department goal is for all building inspectors to become certified as Combination Inspectors.
Explorer Post 2006 Year In Review
Mark Bradford, Fire/Medical Chief, provides the attached Explorer Post “Year in Review” document that the members put together. Bradford notes this is an excellent program and a good opportunity for the department.
Transit Projects Proposal
Cliff Galante, Public Transit Administrator, met on 02/28 with Laverne Squire from the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce to get a letter of support for two City's transit projects that will be presented to the Kansas Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. next week. Cliff shared with the Chamber the attached projects and funding totals for a bus maintenance facility and vehicle replacement for the City's existing fixed-route fleet.