CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending May 5, 2005

Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility Update

The City has been working to talk with property owners of the two potential sites for the WWRF.  The attached letter was mailed to potentially affected owners on April 26.  A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 10 at 7pm at City Hall to share the work that has identified two potential sites for the WWRF.  Attached is a news release for the meeting. Property owners have also been mailed the attached letter inviting them to Wednesday’s meeting.

April Concrete Crew Projects

These are a few of the projects the concrete crew has been working on for the month of April, 2006.

• Brush clean-up from the March Microburst
• Resurfacing of N. 2^nd St. at Locust St.
• Advance work for the 2006 Phase 1 Mill Overlay Street Improvement Project
• Installation of Approaches/Valley Gutters at these intersections:
• Morningside Dr. at Brush Creek
• Morningside Dr. at Morningside Ct. (see before and after photos)
• W. 2^nd St. at Michigan (see photo)
• Curb repair and replacement:
• Clinton Pkwy (frontage)
• W. 2^nd St.
• Inverness (see photo)
• Sidewalk requests
• Harvard at Columbine – replace sidewalk
• 31^st St. at Iowa (NW corner) – installation of missing section of walk
• W.7^th St. at Alabama – installation of brick sidewalk

Water Operator Certifications

All sixteen of the Department of Utilities Water Operators have now been certified by KDHE.  The attached memo explains the significance of this accomplishment. 

Storm Water Catch Basins Replaced

City storm water crews recently replaced two catch basins at 7^th and New Jersey.  One of the catch basins had been run over by a tractor trailer, and the other was badly deteriorated.  The attached photos show the catch basins before and after the replacement. 

Recycling Campaign Targets University Students

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Division has launched a recycling campaign targeting university students in Lawrence.  The campaign is the brainchild of WRR intern Kathy Woerner, who will complete her internship with the City and move to a full-time position in Little Rock, Arkansas this summer. 

Economic Development Presentation Given to Management Team

On Wednesday, May 3, Beth Johnson from the Chamber of Commerce met with the Management Team to discuss economic development efforts in Lawrence.  Beth explained the fundamentals of economic development, which are entrepreneurship, business retention, and business attraction, and then answered questions from City staff. 

2005 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) Completed

The 2005 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report is now available in hard copy.  A limited number of copies can be obtained from the City Manager’s Office.  Staff is working on making the document available electronically. 

Downtown Revitalization Teleconference

The attached staff memo gives details on a recent teleconference hosted by the City of Lawrence City Manager’s Office.