CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending July 21, 2006

 

Quarterly Report

The 2nd Quarter Report has been prepared by Casey Liebst, Budget Manager.  It contains highlights from the major funds and compares that data to the prior year.  Highlights for this quarter include:  General Fund revenues are at 63.3% of budget with six months remaining.  Sales tax revenues continue to be above projections.  The City is on-track to expend between 97%-99% of the General Fund budget.  The Recreation and Transit Funds are experiencing growth in revenues from pool fees and bus fares respectively.  Water and Sewer Fund revenues are up from last year, as are golf course revenues.   Expenditures in both of these funds are below 50% of budget.

 

KDOT Comprehensive Transportation Program

KDOT has provided an update of the schedule and costs of the remaining three years of the Comprehensive Transportation Program (CTP).  The update contains a listing of all major projects remaining to be let for construction, and provides a current cost estimate and the planned fiscal year for letting. 

 

Fire Marshall Appointed to Governor’s Advisory Committee

Governor Kathleen Sebelius has appointed Fire Marshal Rich Barr to the Kansas Firefighters Memorial Advisory Committee.  According to a press release from the Governor’s Office, “The Committee advises the Secretary of Administration and the Director of Facilities Management concerning the planned memorial to Kansas Firefighters on the grounds of the State Capitol. The committee also makes recommendations to the Governor and Legislature regarding the recognition of firefighters in Kansas.”

 

Interactive Voice Response Inspection Request System Going Live

On August 1 the Neighborhood Resources Department plans to go live with its interactive voice response (IVR) inspection request system.  IVR will allow contractors direct access to the inspection tracking system at any time.  The attached letter and brochure sent to contractors explain more about the system.

 

2005 Recycling Annual Report

The attached Recycling Annual Report summarizes the materials, quantities, associated revenue, and avoided landfill costs derived from diverting recycled materials from the landfill for 2005.

 

Westar Line Clearance Project to Begin

Westar Energy will soon begin a line clearance project in Lawrence.  The project entails trimming or removing trees that are encroaching on Westar’s easement for high-voltage transmission lines.  The attached letter explains the notification process for affected property owners and the timeline for the project, and the attached map shows the affected areas.

 

Fire and Medical Challenge Academy held in Garden City

From May 31 to June 2, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical Explorer Post #2555 took part in a Challenge Academy in Garden City.  The attached PowerPoint presentation shows some of the activities in which the Explorers participated.  Explorer Post is a program for young people who are interested in careers in the fields of fire and emergency medical services, and serves as an important recruiting tool for the Department.  For more information on the Post, see the Fire and Medical Department’s website. 

 

New Stormwater Pump installed at 2nd and Locust

On July 13, the Stormwater Division of Public Works installed a new pump at 2nd and Locust.  These new pump replaced a broken pump for which parts are no longer available.  The pump which was removed will be saved for parts for the remaining older pump.  See attached photos of the project.

 

2006 Building Permits Report

The attached report compares building permits issued January to June 30, 2006, with building permits issued during the same period in 2005.

 

Fan Donation

Following their July 18 meeting, City Commissioners collectively donated $70 cash to purchase fans for donation to needy individuals and families in the community.  City staff was able to purchase 6 box fans for $70.62, which were then taken to the Ballard Center for distribution.  Chip Blaser of the Ballard Center reported that they had received numerous calls asking for fans, but that before the Commission’s donation there were none available. 

 

Trade Board Chairmen Meeting

On July 20 the chairman from each trade board met to receive an updated report on the various code adoptions.  Please see the attached staff memo for more details.