Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

TO:	Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun
FROM:	Chuck Soules
CC:	Dena Mezger, Shoeb Uddin, Toni Wheeler, Scott Wagner, John Miller, Ernie Shaw,  Mark Hecker
Date:	July 3, 2007
RE:	Oregon Trail Park Benefit District Project No. 7-ST2-307(BD)

Please include the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at the July 10, 2007 meeting:

Project Description.  As part of the Oregon Trail Addition the development is providing approximately 4.3 acres for the development of a park.  The park will contain a recreation path/trail, playground area, and a pond which will also serve for storm water detention.   An additional improvement contained in the benefit district includes an open channel for drainage.

Project Status/History.

December 7, 2006	Request for benefit district.
December 12, 2006	Park Board approval of concept.
December 19, 2006	Concept of using a benefit district for park development introduced to City Commission.
February 6, 2007	City Commission establishes public hearing date. (Resolution 6698)
February 27, 2007	City Commission holds public hearing. (Resolution 6707)
June 12, 2007	Request to waive bid requirements.

Project Status/Schedule. 

· The final plat of Oregon Trail was approved by the City Commission on September 5, 2006.

· The public improvement plans were approved June 20, 2007. 

· The plat was filed May 14, 2007.  (Book 18, Page 132)

· The maximum assessment ordinance will be presented August 7, 2007.

· Award bid July 17, 2007 pending City Commission approval to waive bid requirements.

Project Funding.   The improvements are being funded 100% by the benefit district, 0% by the city at large.  The method of assessment shall be based on the square footage of each lot.  The estimated project cost is $811,000. 

Benefit district projects are bond financed through the city.  Special assessments are placed on the properties within the benefit district to pay for all costs and financing of the project.  Typically the city would bid the improvements identified in the benefit district. 

The owners of the Oregon Trail Park benefit district are very capable to complete the work/improvements for this project and have requested that the bidding requirements be waived so they can complete the work.  The city would contract with R. D. Johnson Excavating and pay for the construction of the park.  An agreement, bonding, warranties, and insurance would be required as with any other project.

Staff has reviewed the request to waive the bidding requirements and have received a bid from R. D. Johnson for the work.  The project costs are in line with the project estimates.

Action Requested.  Pending City Commission consideration, provide direction to waive bidding requirements for Oregon Trail Park Benefit District improvements, if appropriate.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

CFS/je