October 18, 2007

 

The Board of Commissioners of the City of Lawrence met in regular session at 9:00 a.m., in the City Commission Chambers in City Hall with Vice Mayor Dever presiding and members Amyx, Chestnut and Highberger present.  Mayor Hack was absent. 

CONSENT AGENDA

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, to approve the City Commission meeting minutes of October 2, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, to approve the Board of Electrical examiners and Appeals meeting minutes of September 5, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, to approve claims to 472 vendors in the amount of $3,178,507.28 and payroll from September 30, 2007 to October 13, 2007, in the amount of $1,681,269.03.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut,  to approve the Drinking Establishment License for The Phoggy Dog Bar and Grill, 2228 Iowa; the Class A Club License Fraternal Order of Eagles, 1803 West 6th Street; the Caterer License to New School Catering, 2223 Haskell; and Retail Liquor License to Alvin’s Wine and Spirits, 4000 West 6th Street, Ste. K; Hillcrest Discount Liquor, 950 Iowa; Haskell Liquor Store, 1910 Iowa; and K.C. Liquor, 1805 West 2nd. Motion carried unanimously.

Ordinance No. 8184, an ordinance providing for the annexation of approximately .952 acres (A-07-06-07) located near the NE corner of the intersection of E 1700 and N 1300 Roads, was read a second time. As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, to adopt the ordinance.  Aye:  Hack, Dever, Amyx, Highberger, and Chestnut.  Nay: None.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                       (1)

Ordinance No. 8185, an ordinance providing for the rezoning of approximately .952 acres (Z-07-14-07) from A (Agriculture) to OS (Open Space), was read a second time.            As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, to adopt the ordinance.  Aye:  Hack, Dever, Amyx, Highberger, and Chestnut.  Nay: None.  Motion carried unanimously.

      (2)

Ordinance No. 8186, an ordinance providing for a Special Use Permit for Bishop Seabury Academy, located at 4120 Clinton Parkway, was read a second time. As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, to adopt the ordinance.  Aye:  Hack, Dever, Amyx, Highberger, and Chestnut.  Nay: None.  Motion carried unanimously.         (3)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, to receive staff memo concerning submission of a Transportation Enhancement Grant Application to KDOT for Burroughs Creek Rail trail Pedestrian/Bicycle facility.  Approve Resolution of Support No. 6745 and authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for the project.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                               (4)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, to approve payment to James Connelly, 715 Massachusetts, in the amount of $21,916.62.  The property owner has installed an approved fire sprinkler system for the property and is eligible for the reimbursement of 75% of the installation costs pursuant to the 2007 Downtown Fire Sprinkler Incentive Program.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                             (5)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, approve as a “sign of community interest” a request from the Pilot Club of Lawrence to place a directional sign at the northwest corner of Harper and 23rd Street, on U.S. Bank property from October 26 – 28, 2007, advertising the Antique Show & Sale.  Motion carried unanimously.    (6)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, to authorize the Mayor to sign a Subordination Agreement for Joaquin Meza, 825 Crestline Drive.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                             (7)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, to authorize the Mayor to sign a Release of Mortgage for Doug Clark, 2733 Ponderosa. Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                             (8)

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:

  During the City Manager’s Report, David Corliss said Toni Wheeler, Legal Services Director, drafted a report on the legal background regarding intangible tax. 

Also, the City was now accepting applications for the CDBG and HOME Programs and wanted to note the calendar year was somewhat different than the rest of the City’s funding year. 

Finally, he said the report highlighted some of the Public Works projects, particularly stormwater utilities projects.                                                                                                                 (9)

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS: 

Review Draft of the 2007 Federal Legislative Statement.

 

 

David Corliss, City Manager, said he, Vice Mayor Dever, and Mayor Hack, would be traveling to Washington D.C. where they would be joined by representatives of Douglas County, the Unified School District, University of Kansas, and the Chamber of Commerce where they would be presenting a number of legislative statements to the federal delegation.  Meetings would take place with federal legislators and/or their staff all day on Monday with the house side in the morning and senate side in the afternoon. 

Staff traditionally drafted a written statement that reflected issues and concerns, but the statement did not vary too much from what was presented last year.  The report highlighted specific earmark requests for assistance on two surface transportation projects; East 23rd Street and Franklin Road with anticipation of successfully acquiring the Farmland property and also wanting a better interchange for East Hills Business Park.   Also included was the intersection of K-10 and Bob Billings Parkway which was important as the community grew on the west side, particularly when trying to respond to traffic concerns on West 6th Street. 

He said the Federal Highway Trust Fund received revenue from federal gas tax, but there were recent articles and information that fund was not in very good fiscal health.  In many cases, those funds would not be available in future years, as anticipated, and would have an impact on the City. 

He said Chuck Soules, Public Works Director, had received information from the Kansas Department of Transportation that in future years, KDOT was also unlikely to have funding received from the federal government to distribute to cities for road projects.  He said for example, last week, Kasold north of Peterson was opened and that road project was funded, in part, with money coming from KDOT that came from the federal government.  KDOT indicated to staff that because of shortfalls in the Federal Highway Trust Fund, the City would not have as much access to those funds as in the past.  He said staff was seeking funds for improvements of Kasold north of 15th Street and had concerns about Wakarusa.  Staff had their eye on that money, but was not certain they would receive that funding which was why staff wanted to emphasize, with federal legislators, that was an important source of money, along with the other larger projects as well.  The reconstruction funds were important and wanted to challenge the federal legislators that they should not retreat from important, basic infrastructure. 

The statement highlighted the City depended greatly on federal funding for improvements at the Lawrence Municipal Airport along with the success of the City’s public transit system by involving a number of other partners such as Johnson County and University of Kansas, and the importance of federal funding, not only from an operating standpoint, but also from a capital standpoint as far as replacement of buses.    

The statement also indicated the President signing the legislation that created the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area which had its beginnings in Lawrence and Douglas County.  He said Judy Billings, Vice President, Convention and Visitors Bureau, indicated there was a large push to get federal appropriations to help fund National Heritage Areas over a number of years and staff wanted to point out they wanted Lawrence to be “a’” or “the” focal point not only for the heritage tourism, the economic development aspect, but also to tell our area’s important stories.    

He said another area to point out was the importance of asking for CDBG and HOME Program funding.  Those programs had been challenged in recent years and the funding had either been stagnant or in some cases, gone down.  He said the City used those federal funds very wisely to focus on areas of emphasis in affordable housing and housing rehabilitation. 

It was also important to mention the role of federal funding for higher education institutions; KU and Haskell.  He said representatives from KU and the school district would be participating in those discussions with federal legislators.   

Other topics were telecommunications, right-of-way issues, internet, local sales tax, and unfunded mandates.  Legislation continued to pop up that would take away local government authority on a number of items. 

Bioscience and economic development opportunities were important and in many cases the federal government had a role as far as certain projects that might be available to come toward either KU or the bioscience industry in general. 

Commissioner Amyx said regarding unfunded mandates, he said he was surprised to see the legislative statement did not contain anything about the levee inspection.  

Corliss said the City would need federal assistance and that assistance could be emphasized during discussions with federal legislators.  Staff was somewhat uncertain about what that meant in dollar sense.

Commissioner Amyx said that uncertainty could be discussed with federal legislators.   He said the overall statement was good, but he was surprised the statement was not stronger, regarding the importance of biosciences and economic development.  He said the statement did not need to be beefed up, but wanted staff to discuss with legislators, the importance of how biosciences would affect education in Lawrence in the years to come.

Corliss said when talking to legislative staff about this issue, one of the things they struggle with was what was “it” and what did they want legislators to fund.  He said the conversations were likely to drift to that point which was one of the reasons why staff beefed up the statement. 

Vice Mayor Dever called for public comment.

After receiving no public comment, it was moved by Amyx, seconded by Chestnut, to approve the 2007 Federal Legislative Policy Statement as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                                (10)

PUBLIC COMMENT:                        None.                                                                                      

 

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:

 

10/23/07

 
  • Discussion of South Lawrence Trafficway  

 

11/20/07
  • Vice-Mayor Dever plans to be absent

 

 

TBD

●       Staff reports on  Sales tax options and Impact Fees

●       State Legislative Statement

●       Downtown Redevelopment Issues (public procedures and financing options)

●       Contracts for the development of maximum prices for the Wakarusa Water Reclamation Facility and for the conveyance system construction

 

Moved by Chestnut, Seconded by Amyx, to adjourn at 9:25 a.m.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

APPROVED:                          

 

                        _____________________________

Michael Dever, Vice Mayor

ATTEST:

 

___________________________________

Frank S. Reeb, City Clerk

 

CITY COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 18, 2007

 

1.                Ordinance No. 8184 – 2nd Read - Annex (A-07-06-07) .952 acres, NE corner of E 1700 & N 1300 Rds intersection.

 

2.                Ordinance No. 8185 – 2nd Read, Rezone (Z-07-14-07) .952 acres, A to OS, NE corner of E 1700 & N 1300 Rds intersection.

 

3.                Ordinance No. 8186 – 2nd Read, Special Use Permit, Bishop Seabury Academy, 4120 Clinton Pkwy.

 

4.                Resolution of Support 6745 - Transportation Enhancement Grant Application - KDOT for Burroughs Creek Rail Trail Pedestrian/Bicycle facility, Letter of Support.

 

5.                715 Massachusetts – fire sprinkler installation, reimburse $21,916.62 to James Connelly.

 

6.                Sign of Community Interest- Antique Show & Sale, 23rd and Harper

 

7.                Subordination Agreement – Joaquin Meza, 825 Crestline Drive.

 

8.                Mortgage Release – Doug Clark, 2733 Ponderosa.

 

9.                City Manager’s Report.

 

10.            Draft of 2007 Federal Legislative Statement.