CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending May 19, 2006

 

Police Chief honored by Haskell Indian Nations University

On May 12, Police Chief Ron Olin was honored at the Haskell Indian Nations University Commencement with the 2006 Friend of Haskell Award.  The award recognized Chief Olin’s “outstanding contributions to the Haskell community,” and cited his pro bono teaching of an Introduction to Criminal Justice class since 1995. 

 

2005 CAFR goes online

The City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is a statement of the City's financial condition.  The report is prepared in conformance with the highest standards for preparation of state and local government financial reports and all applicable legal requirements.  The CAFR also contains the results of the annual audit, performed by Lowenthal Singleton Webb and Wilson, a firm of licensed certified public accountants.  The goal of the audit is to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements of the City are accurately stated.  The CAFR may be viewed online at http://www.lawrencefinance.org/2005CAFR/index.php. 

 

Quiet Zone Implementation Plan

The timeline below lays out the process by which the proposed North Lawrence train horn quiet zone will be implemented, if all approvals are obtained from the necessary bodies.  City staff is currently doing background work gathering data and answering questions that the diagnostic team (representatives from the City, County, Union Pacific, Laidlaw, USD497, and North Lawrence Improvement Association) will consider before submitting the application to the Federal Railroad Administration.  If the FRA approves the application, City staff will present the proposal to the City Commission for approval and funding direction.  The estimated cost of the necessary improvements to the 3rd Street and 7th Street crossings is $50,000, which would need to be considered as a capital debt project. 

 

June 2006              City staff answers diagnostic team consideration questions

July 2006               Diagnostic team meeting in Lawrence, submit application to FRA

August 2006           FRA approval of application

September 2006     Present plan to City Commission and County Commission for approval

Fall 2006                IF FUNDED by the City and/or County, design improvements (requires RR and KDOT input)

Spring 2007           IF FUNDED by the City and/or County, construct improvements and declare quiet zone