CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Report on 2007 Pavement Maintenance Program
The Public Works Department has provided the attached report on the 2007 Pavement Maintenance Program, which consisted of four contracts: Cracksealing, Microsurfacing, Phase I Mill & Overlay, and Phase 2 Mill & Overlay. Work is now complete on all projects. Final accounting and paperwork is underway for the Phase 2 Mill & Overlay project.
Repairs to Recreational Paths Completed, More Needed
The Parks and Recreation Department recently completed repairs to critical portions of the Peterson Road recreational path which were potential safety hazards (see attached photos). Additionally, there are many other sections of recreational paths that need repair, notably about 4 miles of asphalt on the Clinton Parkway path (see photos). There are also sections of various other recreational paths that have heave issues needing to be addressed (see photos). The Parks and Recreation Department currently spends around $50,000 per year to patch and maintain recreational paths and sidewalks in parks. Staff estimates that spending needs to increase to $150,000-$200,000 per year to keep up with deterioration on the expanding system of paths.
Building Permit Report
November’s building permits valuation was $7,214,382 and fees were $56,960, down from October despite 14 new single family dwellings, two new commercial buildings and one duplex. The significant difference was a 49% drop in remodeling permits. Year to date permit fees compared to last year are down from $810,599 to $611,510. Please see the attached report for more details.
Destination Management, Inc. Organizational Meeting Held
The organizational meeting of Destination Management, Inc. was conducted in the City Commission meeting room on Friday, December 7. The by-laws establishing the membership of the group were adopted. The group designated January 10, 2008, 4 p.m. as the next meeting date in the same location; meetings will be open to the public. Officers were selected: Deanell Tacha, chair; Charles Jones, Vice-Chair; Joan Golden, Treasurer; and David Corliss, Secretary. Future agenda items for both DMI and the City Commission will be a proposed City of Lawrence – DMI contract for Convention and Visitors Bureau services.
Ruth Ramona Cowles Living Trust to Plant Trees in Lawrence
Ruth Ramona Cowles passed away on January 10, 2007 in Topeka, Kansas. In her Trust Agreement, she left an amount of $7,000.00 to the City of Lawrence, Kansas to be used for the Memorial Tree Fund. On December 6, 2007, the City received a check in this amount from the trustee. These funds will be used by the Parks and Recreation Department to plant trees throughout the City. Parks and Recreation staff will prepare a letter of recognition and thanks to send to the trustee and family. Ms. Cowles will also be recognized as a Friend of the Park.
City of Lawrence a Pioneer in LED Lighting
LED (light emitting diode) lights use less energy and last longer than the incandescent bulbs traditionally used in street lights. The City of Lawrence was the first city in Kansas to utilize LEDs in traffic signals and the first city in Kansas to make them standard equipment on all new installations. The Public Works Department has been engaged in a long-term, systematic process to convert our traffic signal bulbs to LED. All “red” indications have been converted since LEDs last much longer than incandescent bulbs and the “red” is the most critical for motorist safety. Sixty-five percent of signal lenses have already been converted to LED. Signals are converted when other work at an intersection is being completed. For instance, the department is in the process of adding battery backup systems to traffic signals at major intersections; this requires that all signal lenses be LED. Conversion to LED lighting at a major intersection costs approximately $6,000. Early next year, we plan to convert the 9th and Iowa intersection to LED when signal poles are replaced. In addition to the LED technology being used on the signal poles, the department is also using solar power on new school zone beacons (which also use LEDs).
2008 Planning Commission Meeting and Submittal Calendar Released
The 2008 Planning Commission Meeting Schedule and Submittal Calendar have been prepared, and the attached letter has been distributed to businesses and individuals who have used Planning and Development Services in the past. The letter also contains an update on the merger of the former Planning and Neighborhood Resources departments into the combined Planning and Development Services Department.
City Owned Facilities Exempt From City Permit Fees and System Development Charges
The attached memorandum explains the City practice of exempting City owned facilities from City building permit fees and system development charges. The exemption has also applied to property that the City has title to but is occupied by City agencies or City supported agencies (Health Department, Arts Center, etc.). Because the City holds title to the real property for the Lawrence Memorial Hospital campus, the City has exempted LMH from building permit fees and is continuing to exempt LMH from system development charges.