CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Update on 617 W 4th Street rehabilitation
The City Commission has requested periodic updates on the progress of the rehabilitation of 617 W 4th Street. The Commission stayed a demolition order on the property pending satisfactory progress on rehabilitation. Please see the attached memo and photos for more information. Correspondence – Added 8/31/09
Northeast Sector Plan stakeholder meeting scheduled
Planning and Development Services staff has begun the Northeast Sector Plan planning process. The Northeast Sector Plan will provide long-range guidance for the future of an area north of Lawrence in Grant Township (see attached map). Information about the Northeast Sector Plan can be found on the Planning and Development Services website at: http://www.lawrenceks.org/pds/draft_plans. A kick-off meeting involving property owners and other stakeholders will be held on September 17, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Prairie Moon School, 1853 E 1600 Rd.
Staff and advisory board review of 2009 International Codes
Staff is working with the relevant advisory boards to review the 2009 International Code Council (ICC) model building codes for possible adoption by the City. Possibly the most significant code change included in the 2009 codes is the requirement for sprinkler systems in all dwellings. The 2009 International Residential Code (IRC), which regulates the construction of one- and two-family dwellings and some townhouses, includes mandatory requirements for fire sprinkler systems. In past editions of the IRC, requirements for fire sprinkler systems have been included in an appendix which was only applicable if specifically adopted. The ramification is if the City chooses to not require sprinklers in dwellings constructed under the IRC, it must take specific action to opt out of the requirements. Staff anticipates that the advisory boards will complete their reviews by May of 2010, and that a draft ordinance amending and adopting these model codes will be completed for City Commission consideration by July 2010. Please see the attached memo for more details on changes in the 2009 codes.
LDBCA Incubator update
Attached are the most recent building renderings and floor plans for the Lawrence Douglas County Bioscience Authority incubator facility to be located on KU’s West Campus. Construction on the facility should begin this fall.
PDS Assistant Director certified as CDBG administrator
Margene Swarts, Assistant Director in Planning and Development Services, has passed the Kansas Department of Commerce CDBG Certified Administrators exam. The certification is effective immediately until March 15, 2011, at which time recertification is offered. The City is benefitted by having a state certified CDBG administrator on board when working with state administered programs such as the NSP 1 or local agencies that might apply for the state CDBG-R program.
City and partners honored for collaboration in housing projects
The City, in partnership with Tenants to Homeowners, Inc., the City’s certified Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), Capitol Federal Savings, and the KU Credit Union was awarded the “Excellence in Partnership Award” at the Kansas Housing Conference, held in Overland Park, August 19-21. The award honors the achievement of multiple organizations partnering together to develop programs or services that promote or expand access to affordable housing. TTH receives CDBG and HOME funds from the City to further the Lawrence Community Housing Trust Program (LCHT) which is the first time homebuyer program and provides permanently affordable housing in the community.
Update on LHS and FSHS athletic field projects
Please see the attached update on the construction progress of the Lawrence High School and Free State High School athletic field projects.