CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending August 25, 2006

Water Contamination Training Exercise Held in Douglas County

Douglas County Emergency Management and the City of Lawrence Department of Utilities hosted a tabletop exercise for local officials at the County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, August 22. KDHE and the Homeland Security Division of the Adjutant General’s Office facilitated the workshop. Representatives from the City Manager’s Office, Lawrence Police Department, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical, and the Utilities Department were in attendance. The training focused on the interrelated emergency response roles of public water system supply operators, health department personnel, hospital personnel, and others. The attached PowerPoint presentation was part of the training program.

State Legislative Committee Meeting held on August 24

Interim City Manager Dave Corliss participated as a member of the League of Kansas Municipalities State Legislative Committee at their policy development meeting held on August 24 in Topeka. Among the key state and federal legislative issues discussed were the continuing concerns about State imposed tax lids and TABOR (Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights), economic development, state transportation funding, restrictions on excise taxes, right-of-way management preemption at the federal level, and funding options for KPERS. A legislative interim committee is studying authority for local excise taxes and Lawrence should participate in these important discussions.

“Friends of Stretch” to Honor Parks & Recreation Volunteers

Roger Steinbrock, recreation marketing supervisor, and Lisa Coulter, summer intern, have created the “Friends of Stretch” program to honor the many volunteers in Parks & Recreation programs. The department had over 450 people serving as volunteer coaches, nature center volunteers, Adopt-A-Park volunteers, landscaping volunteers, special event volunteers and special populations volunteers. Volunteers were sent certificates of appreciation and coupons for a free buffet at Cici’s Pizza.

Streets Projects Completed

The Public Works Department has recently completed various streets projects. Descriptions of the projects, with pictures attached, are below:

® Walnut Street: repaved from 4^th Street to 7^th Street

® 3014 Nathan Drive: replaced curb and gutter to eliminate drainage problem; replacing settled sidewalk

® W 2^nd and McDonald Dr: installed ramp

® Natalie Drive: concrete repaired

® 1020 Massachusetts Street: installed new ramp and remedied tripping hazard

® 1805 Hampton: base and curb repaired

® Murrow Ct and Yale: installed valley gutter

® Haskell Ave: mill and overlay from 15^th to 23rd

Conservation Public Awareness Update

Michael Tubbs, utilities management analyst, and Shari Stamer, water quality manager, have been working with Parks & Recreation staff to implement a project called Conservation Public Awareness. The project includes four water conservation measures: Waterwise, classes/workshops, Xeriscape demonstration garden and a trade show quality marketing display system. The attached staff memo contains details on the implementation of Conservation Public Awareness.

Waste Reduction and Recycling Public Outreach Event Held at Lied Center

On August 16 the Waste Reduction and Recycling Division held a public outreach event during their Free Family Concert and Fair at the Lied Center. Please see attached photos of the event.

Naismith Mill & Overlay and Bike Lane Pavement Markings

Following the recent mill and overlay of Naismith Drive from 23^rd Street to 19^th Terrace, bike lane pavement markings were added to the north bound side of the street. See attached photos of the completed project.