CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Site plan processing times report
The Planning and Development Services Department has analyzed site plan processing times for 2008 and provides the attached report, draft processing times data and site plan status update for the City Commission’s review. Staff continues to analyze this information to ensure that the city’s process for reviewing site plan applications is appropriate and meets our goals of providing consistent and objective review of applications. Additional reporting for 2008 will soon be submitted in the department’s annual report.
Status update on implementation of Matrix report recommendations
The Planning and Development Services Department has updated the attached report regarding implementation of Matrix report recommendations.
Oread Neighborhood Plan Update
The Planning and Development Services Department is beginning work to update the current Oread Neighborhood Plan which was originally adopted in 1979. The plan includes the area generally located north and east of the University of Kansas main campus, south of W. 9th Street, north of W. 17th Street and west of Massachusetts Street. This plan will outline goals and policies to address identified topics and guide the future development and redevelopment of the neighborhood. As part of the planning process, various public meetings will be held. Property owners, tenants and interested individuals are invited and strongly encouraged to attend to give input to the plan.
The Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission will be asked to initiate the Comprehensive Plan Amendment regarding the neighborhood plan update at their January 28, 2009 meeting. The first public meeting for the plan will be on Monday, February 9th from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont Street. At the meeting, individuals will be asked to brainstorm and prioritize the strengths, weaknesses, issues and opportunities of the neighborhood. A timeline, plan outline and planning area map are available online at www.lawrenceks.org/pds/draft_plans.
Status of text amendment related to homeless facilities
Last fall the Lawrence City Commission conceptually authorized but did not finally adopt a text amendment related to homeless facilities that more comprehensively addressed their location and use standards. Subsequently, the city received a letter of concern challenging the legality of portions of the proposed language. Additionally, representatives of Family Promise have stated concern with aspects of the ordinance and its implications for meeting the city’s building and/or fire codes. City staff is reviewing the text amendment language and these stated concerns in order to provide the City Commission recommendations on how to proceed with this important policy amendment.
Ohio Street brick reconstruction satisfaction survey
After the brick reconstruction of Ohio Street from 6th Street to 8th Street was completed, the Public Works Department conducted a survey of neighborhood residents regarding their satisfaction with various aspects of the project. The attached results indicate overall satisfaction with the project, with the some concerns expressed about the length of time it took to complete.
Department of Revenue publishes new sales tax rates
The Department of Revenue released the attached summary of sales tax rate changes that become effective April 1. Of particular interest are Johnson County cities and transportation development districts whose sales tax rates have changed due to the increased county sales tax rate.
Proposed implementation of Employee On Site Health Center delayed
Members of the Health Care Committee have reviewed the proposals for the On Site Health Center and have narrowed the number of respondents to two vendors. While interviews are scheduled with these two companies for later this month, the proposed implementation date for the on site health center has been postponed to either June 2009 or January 2010 in order to get more detailed information about the specifics of the center and the related health risk appraisal. Based in large part on the feedback from employees, the committee needs to determine the specific location of the center; specific times the center will be open and whether dependents would be eligible to use the center; information on the best incentives to promote the use of the center; detailed information on the return on investment; and the ability to utilize physical exams from other sources (such as a physical exam from the employee’s personal physician) for portions of the health risk appraisal before making a recommendation to the City Manager regarding the center. Employees have been encouraged to contact the Director of Administrative Services or the Human Resources Manager with any questions or comments.
New tax withholding rules announced by IRS
The Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 requires 3% income tax withholding on payments for property and services paid for by government entities after December 31, 2010 (see attached letter). City staff has analyzed the Act and concluded, with the concurrence of our auditors, that the city should be exempt from this requirement because total expenditures minus wages and benefits do not meet the $100 million threshold stipulated in the legislation. It is possible the city could meet that expenditure threshold in future years if large capital projects are undertaken.
Fire Medical Department wins award for Station 5 construction
Construction Communications Magazine has awarded the Fire Medical Department with the Building of America – Community Service Award for the construction of Station 5 (see attached letter).