Memorandum

City of Lawrence

TO:	Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM:	City Manager David L. Corliss
CC:	Toni Wheeler, Diane Stoddard, Jerry Cooley, Bill Ford
Date:	March 6, 2008
RE:	Status of former Farmland property

City staff and Commissioners Dever and Chestnut attended a briefing conducted by representatives of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Secretary Bremby and members of the Division of Environment briefed us on the environmental status of the property.

At our March 11 meeting we will discuss the status of the property. Our attorney assisting with these issues, Bill Ford, with the law firm of Lathrop & Gage, will be present to further brief us on these issues. Attached is his memorandum.

KDHE officials have also indicated that they will be able to be present to provide a briefing on the property. At our meeting today they provided us with a list of key issues concerning the site and possible City acquisition. The memo is written assuming eventual City ownership and the assumption of certain responsibilities for the property. This memo is attached. As you know, there are a number of steps and issues related to any City acquisition of this property, significantly a major issue is the City’s ability to avoid any liability for environmental responsibilities currently existing on the property.

It is important to note that any estimates on the clean up of this property are just that – estimates based on current understandings of the costs of what is currently known about the property.

Staff is also recommending that concurrent with the adoption of a general land use plan for the property, the City Commission initiate consideration of annexation of this property into the City to ensure that any future redevelopment occur to an adopted City plan.