CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Preparedness for Acts of Water Terrorism Seminar
Shari Stamer, Water Quality Manager, and Chris Stewart, Acting Utilities Director, attended a Preparedness for Acts of Water Terrorism Seminar on April 7 in Wichita. The seminar focused on interagency cooperation to deal with acts of intentional contamination. The City of Lawrence partners with the Douglas County Health Department, Douglas County Emergency Management, KU Facilities Operations, KU Health and Safety, Rural Water Districts, regional municipalities, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to plan for potential disruptions to day-to-day operations.
City Receives EPA Awards for Wastewater Management Programs
The March 2006 issue of the Kansas Government Journal highlights the success of the Utilities Department in receiving two awards at the recent Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. The City received the Operation and Maintenance Award (Large Facilities – First Place) and the Biosolids Management Award (Small Projects – First Place). The attached article also gives an overview of Lawrence’s biosolids program.
FEMA Applicant Briefing
Officials from the Kansas Department of Emergency Management (KDEM) met with City, County, USD 497, and KU staff on April 19 to discuss the process by which the local agencies will apply for federal assistance to pay for damages resulting from the March 12, 2006, storm event. Tammy Bennett, Senior Management Analyst in the Public Works Department, has been designated the City’s primary contact person for FEMA and KDEM as the City submits the Request for Public Assistance forms. On May 1 representatives from City departments that were affected by the storm will meet with the Public Assistance Coordinator assigned to the City to begin filling out Project Worksheets. Allowable expenses not covered by insurance will be reimbursed at a rate of 75% from FEMA and 10% from the State of Kansas (provided that funding is allocated by the Legislature).
Tree City USA Certification
The City of Lawrence was awarded Tree City USA certification for the 28th consecutive year, and was given the growth award for the 14th year at the recent Tree City USA Recognition Day in Nebraska City, Nebraska. 2006 was the 30-year anniversary of Tree City USA. The City’s program highlights and program budget that were included in the Tree City USA application are attached.