CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Development Services staff assists Chapman, KS
The week of August 4, 2008 Phil Burke, electrical inspector and Barry Walthall, building safety manager staffed the Chapman, KS building inspection operation to assist with recovery after a tornado that struck in June, 2008. The tornado touched down in the central part of town causing a path of damage approximately a half mile wide and a mile long. It is estimated that 30 percent of the town was damaged. There were at least 60 structures destroyed beyond repair and numerous structures in need of repair. The town’s elementary, middle and high schools all sustained major damage and the school district is working furiously to prepare portable classrooms for the new school year. Burke and Walthall assisted with the issuance of building and demolition permits, inspections of repair and demolition projects and inspection of portable units for school classrooms. This was a volunteer effort in conjunction with the Heart of America Chapter of the International Code Council (HOA Chapter), of which the City is a member. The HOA Chapter coordinates with the State of Kansas Emergency Preparedness Department to provide damage assessment and recovery services for jurisdictions in need of assistance as a result of disasters. Photos attached.
Traffic Division completes striping project at 9th and Iowa
Recently, Traffic Division staff within the Public Works Department completed replacement of lane stripes and turn arrows on the pavement at the intersection of 9th and Iowa. This work is undertaken to enhance the safety of the traveling public and is being completed in-house rather than using contractors as an efficiency measure. Photos are attached.
Lawrence Transit System wins award for Annual Report
The Lawrence Transit Department was recently made aware that it will be receiving a First Place Award for its Annual Report from the American Public Transportation Association at its upcoming meeting in October in San Diego. The annual AdWheels Award Competition recognizes outstanding communication efforts by public transit agencies. Announcement letter attached.
Homeowner excited with recent housing improvements.
A recently completed CDBG funded Comprehensive Housing Rehabilitation loan created so much excitement for the homeowner that she posted pictures of the process online (seen here) to share with her friends and neighbors. At the time Projects Specialists Tony Hoch and Larry Hamm did their initial housing inspection, the homeowner showered on a wooden pallet in the corner of her unfinished basement due to the inadequacy of her cast iron claw foot bathtub. Now, she can shower upstairs in the original bathtub which has been retrofitted with a shower head and wrap around shower curtain. Other work performed by the general contractor, Penny Construction Co., Inc. included replacement of a basement foundation wall, sidewalk replacement, electrical and plumbing repairs, interior plaster repairs and room painting, window repairs and exterior painting using lead safe work practices. With the extremely wet weather this spring, parts of the project were delayed yet the process went smoothly from start to finish for the homeowner.
Bike Path Maintenance
The Parks and Recreation Department recently completed the replacement of two sections of bike path. One path is located in DeVictor Park at the north east end of the park. A concrete path was installed to replace a section of ag lime path that was eroded due to rains earlier in the year. The other path is along Clinton Parkway is at the far west end, on the south side of the road. This replacement was necessary due the deterioration of the original asphalt path. All bike and recreation paths in the city are continually evaluated by the Parks and Recreation staff and the worst sections are replaced as budgets allow. Photos attached.
Hand Park Playground
Work was recently completed on the renovation of the playground surfacing at Hand Park, 1040 Home Circle. The attached pictures show a before and after photo of the project. The wood chips that were under the playground were heavily infested with weed and the area was becoming unsightly. The new recycled tire rubber surfacing gives the park a much cleaner appearance and should not have the weed problem in the future. Photos attached.
Memorial Park Cemetery road resurfacing underway
Work in underway to resurface the roads in Memorial Park Cemetery. The Public Works Department is removing the old deteriorated road surface. Once this preparation work is completed, LRM of Lawrence will be installing an asphalt overlay on all of the roads. Photos attached.