CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending June 6, 2008

 

 

Lenexa voters approve sales tax for roads, parks and civic center

Lenexa voters approved a 3/8-cent sales tax to be used for investing in road and park maintenance, park facility upgrades and development, and a new civic center. In the unofficial final results according to the Johnson County Election Office, 5781 voters said yes (58 percent), and 4160 said no. Nearly 10,000 votes were cast in the mail ballot election, which was held from May 7-27. The sales tax, which will go into effect on October 1, 2008, is expected to generate approximately $3.5 million additional revenue in the first year. The tax will expire in 20 years.

 

Johnson County voters to decide on sales tax for higher education

Johnson County Commissioners have approved placing on the November ballot a proposal to create a 0.125% county-wide sales tax for higher education programs, and the Johnson County Education Research Authority, which would oversee the funding. Funding would be distributed equally among the KU Edwards Campus, KU Medical Center’s Johnson County location, and Kansas State University’s Olathe campus. For more information see the following materials from Johnson County: staff memo, meeting minutes and proposed ballot language.

 

Building permits report for May 2008

May recorded highs for the year in building permit valuation ($23,412,042) and fees ($76,453). Valuation increased 24% and fees 61% compared to May of last year. Year-to-date fees are up 12% ($32,424.95) compared to 2007. New home construction, however, continues to lag with only 34 new single family permits issued year to date, compared to 83 in 2007 and 117 in 2006. Please see attached memo for more information.  

 

City meeting with EPA regarding Farmland Industries property

The attached letter from the Environmental Protection Agency outlines EPA’s position with respect to the remaining corrective requirements at the Farmland Industries property. Staff is planning to meet with EPA officials and others in June to discuss options for meeting current and future federal environmental liabilities and obligations related to the site. Staff is also working on cost estimates for extending city services to the site, should the City be the successful bidder in the auction for the property.

 

Report on Spring 2008 Biosolids program

The attached report, prepared by Residuals Coordinator Carolyn Woodhead, provides information on the Spring 2008 Biosolids Land Application Program. Over 4,000 cubic yards of material was applied to 200 acres of land. The report includes information regarding training undergone by the contractor, public outreach efforts, and areas for improvement for future applications.

 

2008 Citizens’ Academy completed

Sixteen Lawrence residents, including Utilities Department Management Analyst Beth Frailey Krishtalka, graduate from the Police Department’s Citizens’ Academy on Thursday, June 5. The Citizens' Academy is a 30-hour course designed to bring the people of Lawrence closer to their police department. The Citizens' Academy covers police training, police procedures, legal issues, and basic Lawrence Police philosophies. Participants are afforded opportunities to speak with patrol officers, department staff, and the Chief of Police. The department’s goal is to give the public an open and honest view of the local police agency that serves them, with the hope that these contacts will improve cooperation between the public and the Lawrence Police Department.

 

Development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) manual proceeds

On Thursday, May 29, members of the IPM Manual task force met to review the draft manual for the first time. At this meeting Parks & Recreation staff took comments from citizens concerning the IPM manual that was drafted for future consideration by the City Commission. Attached are the notes from the meeting and a list of those in attendance. Another meeting of the task force is scheduled for June 10; it is anticipated additional comments will be generated from members that were not able to attend the first meeting.

 

Draft West of K-10 Plan available online for review and comment

A draft of the West of K-10 Plan has been released for public review and comment. This is the first step in the public process to continue the development of the plan. A meeting to discuss the draft plan with property owners, stakeholders and the public will be held on June 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive. The draft plan, along with a planning area map, can be found online at http://www.lawrenceplanning.org/draftplans.shtml.

 

Burroughs Creek Rail Trail grant awarded

Burroughs Creek Rail Trail project has been selected by the Kansas Department of Transportation for Transportation Enhancement (TE) funding for FY 2009/2010. The award amount is fixed at $500,000.00 (see attached letter). This project is one of 15 projects selected from 62 applications this year. The project consists of a 10 feet wide Concrete Trail for pedestrian and bicyclists extending from 23rd street to 11th street along the abandoned railroad corridor located just west of Haskell Avenue (see attached map). Total length of this trail is approximately 8,700 linear feet. This project is part of the master plan for the Burroughs Creek Trail and Linear Park; the master plan was approved by the City Commission on September 4, 2007.

 

Total estimated Project Cost:

$845,940.00

Transportation Enhancement Grant:

$500,000.00

City’s Share:                 

$345,940.00

 

The above total project cost does not include the cost of engineering design and construction specifications. Public Works staff will perform these tasks in-house. Construction engineering services will also be provided by city staff and the cost (estimated at $30,000.00) for this work has been included in the city’s share, as part of the total cost of the project.  The City Commission will need to consider whether to accept the grant and commit to city funding, which would include property acquisition. If funding is available, the tentative schedule for the project provides for completion of property acquisition, engineering design and construction plans by December 2008, and construction in summer 2009.