CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Residential lot inventory update
City Staff recently completed a revision to the residential lot inventory conducted at the beginning of the year. This update found that there are currently almost 1,100 single family residential lots available for development in areas platted since January 1st, 1997, and over 1,400 lots available throughout the City. Over the next year, completed infrastructure projects will make available an estimated additional 350 single family residential lots. Additionally, a number of areas within current city boundaries are available for additional single family development including property at the southwest corner of Peterson and Monterey Way and property west of Queens Road. The number of buildable lots is due in part to the slow down in the housing industry. It also demonstrates a substantial commitment of the city and development community to ensure the timely installation of available water, sanitary sewer, and street improvements for the future growth of the community. Staff plans to periodically update this material and use it in future planning efforts. Please see the attached staff memo for more details.
August building permits report
There were 207 building permits issued in August 2008 compared to 313 a year ago. Despite the lower number of permits issued, permit valuation and fees collected were higher in August 2008 than in 2007. The number of permits in most permit categories is down from the same period a year ago, including new single-family down from 17 to 10 and remodels down from 29 to 17. However, permits were issued for 6 duplexes this year compared to none a year ago. Although the number of permits year to date is down from 1,591 at this time in 2007 to 1,491 this year, total valuation and total fees collected have increased. A staff memo, summary report, and full report of building permits are attached.
CDBG/HOME grants
The City’s 2008 Consolidated Action Plan for CDBG and HOME grants has been approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (see attached letter). Staff has prepared the attached spreadsheet with the history of funding allocations to these two grant programs.
MPO redesignation process enters public review phase
Over the last few months the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) staff has been discussing the redesignation of the MPO. This redesignation agreement would change the composition of the MPO from a group of appointed planning commissioners to a group composed primarily of elected officials. The redesignation process is now moving into the public review phase which provides for a thirty day public comment period. The redesignation should be ready for City Commission consideration in October or November. Please see the attached memo and draft redesignation agreement for more information.
IPM Manual update
A draft Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Manual was provided to the City Commission in a City Manager’s Report in May. In May and June, the IPM task force reviewed and made recommendations for changes to the draft plan. Attached is a staff memo on IPM efforts in the Parks and Recreation department along with the manual, currently in use by departmental staff.
BNSF Depot Progress
The Depot Redux group, Lawrence Modern and East Lawrence Neighborhood Association have volunteered over one hundred hours of time since June to clean the depot monthly and plant and maintain flowers (see attached photos). The depot floors have been shined by the volunteers. They offer complimentary hot drinks to passengers, and have made the building very welcoming. Depot Redux’s volunteer host continues to open and close the depot for the east bound morning train. As volunteer host, Mr. Kennedy greets passengers upon arrival and sees to the well-being of passengers waiting for the morning train. The group placed pamphlets about Lawrence in the depot for the convenience of travelers. Management Analyst Michael Tubbs assisted with the placement of a “you are here” map at the facility to help orient travelers to Lawrence. Depot Redux chair Carey Maynard-Moody has arranged, through BNSF, for deferred plumbing and electrical work in the facility as well as the replacement of broken glass in an interior door.
Staff continues discussions with the BNSF and Amtrak regarding possible acquisition of the facility. Based upon discussions thus far, BNSF is reluctant to transfer any ownership of the land, but is willing to discuss possible arrangements of the facility although it is unclear at this time whether that may be a lease or ownership.
2008 Pooch Plunge
The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department hosted its 6th Annual Pooch Plunge on Tuesday, September 2 at the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center (see attached photos). Despite threatening weather, 360 dogs, their owners, and scores of spectators enjoyed this end-of-the-summer swim. Local media covered the event, which also featured a dozen local pet supply vendors and organizations, including the Lawrence Humane Society and the American Red Cross. The event brought in $1,800 for the Outdoor Aquatic Center—a record total. The Pooch Plunge is coordinated by Aquatic Programmer Jai Hoyer and aquatic division staff.