CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending August 21, 2009

Implementation of downtown parking changes underway

In July the City Commission authorized changes to the downtown parking system, including increased rates on 30 minute and 2 hour meters, adoption of an amended habitual violator ordinance, and expansion of enforcement hours until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. This week the city received the last of the new enforcement hours and rate plates needed to begin changing the meters. On August 20 Parking Control staff began reprogramming meters and installing the new plates. As the meters are reprogrammed the new rates will immediately become effective. The new $3 overtime fine and enforcement until 6:00 p.m. will begin on September 1.  

Once the changes to the meter rates are completed, staff will focus on other potential improvements to the parking system, including improved directional signage on the meters and the potential for a pilot program utilizing next generation meter technology.

Public meetings scheduled on Airport and Kasold Drive Projects

The Public Works Department is hosting public meetings on two important community projects:

• An open house will be held in the Terminal Building at the Lawrence Municipal Airport, 1930 Airport Road, on Monday, August 24, 2009, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM to discuss the water main extension project and schedule.  Property owners along 7^th Street are encouraged to attend to learn more about the project, which involves extending a water main from North Street on the west side of 7^th Street (E. 1500 Road) to Hwy 24/40 then east to Airport Road. 
• An open house to discuss the Kasold Drive Reconstruction Project will be held on Monday, August 31, 2009, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 p.m. in the Wayne Bly Meeting Room at the Holcom Park Recreation Center, 2700 W. 27th Street. The purpose of the meeting is to gather public input regarding the construction process on items such as access, duration, traffic control, safety, and other issues.

Notice of the airport meeting was sent to properties along 7^th Street/E. 1500 Road, the rural water districts, and Douglas County. Notice of the Kasold Reconstruction meeting was sent to properties in the neighborhoods east and west of Kasold Drive between Clinton Parkway and 31^st Street.

Ridership up at Lawrence Amtrak station

Despite overall traffic on the Southwest Chief Amtrak route being down 2.8% year to date, traffic at the Lawrence station is up 15%. The Depot Redux group has been active in its efforts to promote the use of the depot and Amtrak, and has been involved in a number of initiatives to improve the facility and assist passengers arriving and departing.

Employee Appreciation Picnic, Saturday, August 29

The annual Employee Appreciation Picnic will be held Saturday, August 29, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Broken Arrow Park. Current and retired city employees, City Commissioners, and their families are invited. Pizza will be provided and employees are invited to bring drinks, lawn chairs, and a dessert to share.

Street Division work around KU and the Oread Development

In addition to ongoing contracted work, the Street Division has completed several improvements around KU and the Oread Development (see photos).  Street crews improved the horseshoe turnaround at 12^th and Oread, the intersection of 10^th and Mississippi, 13^th Street from Oread to Louisiana, and access points off of 11^th Street to several KU facilities. Several areas along the Tour of Lawrence course received improvement.

The Street Division assisted current contracted projects including the 9^th Street overlay and retaining wall (see photo), Phase II Mill & Overlay inlet construction and storm sewer pipe installation, and Microsurfacing.  The crews perform work that is difficult for contractors to bid and complete ahead or on project schedules.  The Division continues to play an integral role in the overall success of our Pavement Management Program and the success of the Public Works Department.

The Street Division continues to improve the street, levee and storm water system throughout the City.  They have a huge workload and never a shortage of projects.  Crews continue to respond to public requests on a daily basis keeping response time to a minimum.  An unusually wet July and August have kept levee maintenance crews busy mowing daily.  In addition, the levee crews are grading the levee and cleaning storm ditches and driveway tubes.  Street sweeping is an ongoing process with a goal of completing a “city loop” at least five times per year with special attention to certain high traffic areas such as downtown.  The concrete and asphalt crews continue to work on scheduled list of streets as well as issues that arise day to day. 

Planning for the upcoming winter is ongoing and on-site storage of salt is almost complete (see photo).  The City currently has 3,500 tons of salt in storage.  The City used 2,600 tons of salt last year.  The City typically uses 3,000 tons of salt during an average winter.  Each year the Division prepares and practices a dry run in preparation of the upcoming winter.

Occupancy detectors enhance energy efficiency

The Public Works Department has been installing occupancy detectors in various locations in order to save energy. Occupancy detectors were installed in each elevator at City Hall which automatically turn off the lights after three minutes without movement. The city is installing occupancy sensors in conference rooms, restrooms, offices, and any other area where energy savings could be realized.  

Peterson HAWK Beacon installed

The Public Works Department recently completed installation of a HAWK (High Intensity Activated Cross WalK) Beacon on Peterson Road near Arrowhead Drive (see photos). The crosswalk was requested by the neighborhood and was approved by the City Commission to help pedestrians cross the street in this 40 MPH zone safely. The HAWK Beacon replaced the 20 MPH school beacons formerly at that location, and functions anytime a pedestrian activates it.