CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending April 11, 2008

March Building Permits Report

The March 2008 building permits report shows a decrease in building permit fees and valuation compared to March 2007, while year to date fees and valuation remain higher than the same period last year. Eight single family permits were issued in March for a total of 13 single family permits this year. During the first three months of last year 32 single family permits were issued.

Revised SmartCode Draft Available Online

The Lawrence SmartCode documents will have their second public hearing at the Planning Commission on April 23. A revised draft of the Lawrence SmartCode is available online for review at http://www.lawrenceplanning.org/TND.shtml. Also posted are a list of revisions for the latest draft and an outline of the development processes of the code for this new draft.

Kansas City Voters Renew Sales Tax for Transit

On Tuesday, April 8, 65% of Kansas City voters approved a 15 year renewal of a 3/8 cent sales tax to support bus operations for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. The sales tax provides about a third of the revenue of the KCATA.

Downtown Street Maintenance Planned for this Summer

City staff met with Downtown Lawrence, Inc. on April 9 (see meeting agenda) to discuss the downtown street maintenance project planned for this summer. The City is working to minimize disruptions to businesses downtown, and to coordinate with several events that are planned. Please also see the attached map of the project.

City Supports Green Yards and Communities

The Green Yards and Communities Program is coming to Lawrence and Douglass County in May 2008. Green Yards and Communities is designed to educate the public on environmentally conscious lawn and garden care techniques, and will include a program to allow residents to take appropriate steps to achieve certification as a “green yard.” The Douglas County K-State Extension Office is the lead facilitator of the program, which is funded by a pollution control grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. City staff in Parks & Recreation and Waste Reduction & Recycling contributed to the development of the program. More information on the program can be viewed at www.kansasgreenyards.org.

Emergency Generators Back Up Essential City Services

The City of Lawrence recently installed natural gas powered generators at City Hall and two Fire Medical Stations. The generators at the Fire Medical Stations were installed at a total cost of $107,215 with $73,696 funded by a FEMA grant. The generator at City Hall was installed at a cost of $71,250 and backs up systems (including the Information Systems server room, the phone system, the sewer ejector pumps and the Utility Billing customer service counter) which are essential to continuing basic city services.

Spring Woodchips Sale a Success

On April 3-5 the Forestry Division completed its Spring Woodchips Sale. $8,470 was generated as 3,388 cubic yards of wood chips were sold at a cost of $10 per truck load. The woodchips are made from tree materials brought in from residential and commercial sources.