CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Assistance to Firefighters Grant application not successful
The Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Department has been notified that their application for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant was not selected for funding. This is a competitive grant program sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security. The Fire Medical Department had applied for funds for a ladder truck.
Striping projects completed
The Street Division recently completed striping projects at the following locations (see attached photos):
City partners with school district on district employee wellness program
USD 497 recently hired a wellness coordinator to promote fitness and healthy lifestyles among the school district employees. The district obtained a 3 year wellness grant to be utilized towards a variety of programs that would be beneficial to their state of mind and body. USD 497 is covering the cost of all classes so employees may participate at no charge.
USD 497 approached the Parks and Recreation Department in June to discuss the possibility of forming a partnership to offer fitness classes for their employees. Recreation Supervisor Jo Ellis coordinated and organized 10 different fitness classes including Zumba, Yoga, Body Sculpting, Cardio Kick, Hoop Dance and Yogilates, to be held in the early morning and evening at district facilities, and in the mid-afternoon at City facilities. A 10-week session was offered this fall and 229 school district employees took advantage of this opportunity. The school is charged the same amount for their classes as a regular Parks and Recreation participant would pay.
Planning staff presents at LKM conference
Long-Range Planner Dan Warner joined Jon Fisk of the League of Kansas Municipalities in presenting a training session at LKM’s Annual Conference in Wichita on October 13, 2008. The session, Growth and Development Challenges, was well attended with upwards of 100 participants. Warner presented information regarding the Lawrence SmartCode, the recently adopted Mixed Use District and the development bonuses incentives adopted as part of the Mixed Use District.
Stormwater Division performs waterway maintenance
The Stormwater Division of Public Works maintains the Kansas River and Mud Creek levees, as well as various waterways leading into the Kansas River and Mud Creek. Crews recently completed some clean up projects around those waterways (see attached photos).
Lawrence Municipal Airport supports global economic activity
The Lawrence Municipal Airport is home to a number of successful businesses, including GUT (Grown Up Toys) Works, LLC, which specializes in the design, fabrication, repair and shipping of aircraft. GUT Works recently shipped a plane to a client in France (see attached photo).
City holds employee picnic benefiting United Way
City employees held their annual United Way picnic on Wednesday, October 15, at the Community Building. All City employees were invited for lunch, and employees who turned in United Way pledge cards were entered into a drawing for prizes, including a football signed by Mark Mangino. The picnic featured for the first time a pie throwing event, in which employees could donate to the United Way in exchange for a chance to throw a pie at various management staff and City Commissioners, including Mayor Dever and Commissioner Highberger (see attached photos). City employee pledges for 2009 are $36,355 to date (a 15.5% increase over last year), and cash raised at the picnic through the pie throwing and a bake sale netted an additional $247 for United Way.