CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Farmland update
The Mayor and City staff met with KDHE officials on September 24, 2008 to discuss progress on the finalization of remediation plans for the former Farmland Nitrogen property adjacent to the City’s eastern boundaries. Additionally, City staff toured the property on October 1, 2008 with a KDHE representative. KDHE was on the property to conduct additional environmental assessments on the property necessary as part of the finalization of the remediation plans. A letter from the City’s attorney, Bill Ford, to KDHE officials summarizing the status of issues related to both the remediation plans and possible City acquisition of the property is attached.
NLC Fiscal Conditions Report
The National League of Cities has released the attached Fiscal Conditions Report, showing that “the fiscal condition of the nation’s cities has weakened dramatically in 2008,” due largely to falling property tax revenues and rising costs of energy, infrastructure and health care.
Sales Tax Distributions
The City of Lawrence has recently received its September sales tax distribution. The distribution is the result of retail sales from mid-July to mid-August. The amount budgeted in 2008 for total city sales tax revenue (city, county, and use taxes) equals $22,675,298. Using a trend analysis of previous distributions, a projection of 2008 sales tax revenue was $22,602,146 or $73,152 less than the amount budgeted.
Actual distributions for the January through September period (reflecting mid-November through mid-August sales) total $17,168,975. Projections based on the trend analysis anticipated $16,772,128 for January through September collections. As a result, the actual distributions for the seven months are $396,847 more than the amount projected. A spreadsheet showing total monthly sales tax distributions since 2001 is attached.
The 2008 to date sales tax distributions represent an increase of 6.0% over the same period in 2007. The 2008 actual amount represents a 2.4% increase over the 2008 projection. Based upon the first nine months results, it remains likely that our sales tax revenue will meet or exceed the budgeted amount.
Planning Division updates population estimates
In an ongoing effort to monitor demographic trends, Planning staff produces biannual population estimates. The most recent population estimate for the City of Lawrence for July 1, 2008 is 90,866 people. More information can be found on the Planning and Development Services website at http://www.lawrenceks.org/pds/lr-demo.
T-Hangar proposal being evaluated
The Airport Advisory Board recently submitted a proposal for the City of Lawrence to consider the construction of additional hangars at the airport. Demand for hangar space remains high and there is a lengthy waiting list for hangar space. Staff is currently working to evaluate the proposal in conjunction with the Airport Advisory Board to see if the hangars can be feasibly constructed utilizing hangar rents to retire the debt for construction.
Construction costs continue to increase
As has been previously reported, over the summer asphalt prices saw several increases. The City recently received the attached correspondence from one of our concrete suppliers that concrete prices will also see a nearly 20% increase for this construction material.
City programs and events benefit the environment
City website showcases recognition received by the City
A new page has been added to the City website called Lawrence Recognition, available at www.lawrenceks.org/recognition. This section showcases awards and other honors received by City workers and departments. Recognitions received by the City are listed from 2004 to present.
Parks and Recreation holds 29th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival
The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department held its 29th Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival on Sunday September 14. This year's event future the Celebration of the City of Lawrence 154th Birthday with the City of Lawrence City Band playing Birthday tunes. Other bands that played that day pictured were Billy Spears and the Beer Bellies and the Lonnie Ray Blues Band. The event had 163 exhibitors exhibiting and selling their handmade arts and crafts. Please see the attached photos of the event.
Flood information distributed to residents via water bills
Toward the end of October, Lawrence residents will receive a Flood Information Brochure inserted with their water bill. The brochure provides information on obtaining flood insurance, flood safety, obtaining a floodplain development permit, and historical information on floods in the Lawrence. This outreach brochure is sent out by the Planning Department annually and is part of the city’s participation in the Community Rating System (CRS), which enables property owners in the City of Lawrence to receive a discount on flood insurance.
Post Construction Best Management Practice Manual under development
Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972. This act created the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. This program is a comprehensive two-phased national program for addressing the non-agricultural sources of stormwater discharges which adversely affect the quality of our nation's waters. Under the NPDES stormwater program, operators of large, medium and regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) require authorization to discharge pollutants under an NPDES permit. Within the MS4 Permit there are six minimum control measure requirements regarding Stormwater Management.
1. Public Education and Outreach
2. Public Involvement and Participation
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
4. Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control
5. Post-Construction Site Stormwater Management in New Development & Redevelopment.
6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping for Municipal Operations
In order to complete requirement #5 the City of Lawrence has joined 14 other communities in developing a Post Construction Best Management Practice Manual at a cost of $5214.00 per community. This is a significant savings to the City, which would have cost approximately $30,000 to $35,000 had it been completed individually. The City's current MS4 Permit specifically outlines that a post construction manual will be completed prior to the expiration of its current five year permit. The City's current permit is in its fifth and final year. Following the completion of the Post Construction Manual the development of a Post Construction Ordinance will follow.
Bridge Inspections
The nine City of Lawrence bridges listed in the national bridge inventory have all been inspected. The remaining fourteen of the City’s bridges will be inspected this fall. No structural problems were discovered during the inspections with only a couple maintenance issues that need to be addressed. Stormwater Engineer Matt Bond was certified by the National Highway Institute earlier this summer enabling the inspection work to be done by staff at a lower cost to the taxpayers. The cost savings is estimated to be approximately $5,000 for inspecting all the City-owned bridges.
Levee Recertification update
Work continues on the recertification of the Kansas River Levee. The annual inspection by the US Army Corps of Engineers was conducted on September 17. At the conclusion of the inspection it was relayed that the levee would be recommended for the highest rating, the USACE's official report is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
Stormwater Engineer passes Certified Floodplain Manager exam
Stormwater Engineer Matt Bond took and passed the Certified Floodplain Managers Exam that was administered on September 5th in Salina following the Kansas State Floodplain Managers Conference.