CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending October 16, 2009

September building permits report

The Development Services Division issued 167 permits with total construction value of $2,774,787 in September 2009 compared to 177 permits valued at $8,157,505 in September of 2008.  Fees amounted to $26,037.30 compared to $60,138.89 last year. Fifteen permits were issued for new single-family dwellings, compared to 10 single-family and six duplexes in September last year. Please see the attached memo, summary report and full report.

City Commission goals online

The City Commission’s goal statement is posted online at http://www.lawrenceks.org/city_commission/goals. The goal statement is periodically updated as progress is made toward the goals. The page also contains a link to archived goals from past City Commissions.

Community Development emergency loan program

The Community Development Division of Development Services administers an emergency loan program that can help owner/occupants who meet income guidelines to make home repairs, including to private water and sewer lines. The application for the program can be found online at http://www.lawrenceks.org/planning/DevServices/EmergencyLoan.pdf. Income guidelines and eligible projects are described in the application document. Generally, improvements that eliminate immediate hazards to health and safety, and replacement of existing heating sources with approved energy-efficient appliances are allowed projects.

2^nd and Locust intersection update

The existing retaining wall has been removed and the contractor has been excavating to prepare for reconstruction of the wall. Water line and storm sewer work are substantially complete. Within the next few weeks pavement removal should begin with paving beginning in November. The northbound lanes are tentatively scheduled for completion near the end of the year, weather permitting, at which point both north- and south-bound traffic (one lane each) will be transferred onto the new pavement and detours will no longer be necessary. Please see attached photos of the project. 

Bowersock Dam

Terracon was selected by LG Barcus to conduct the geotechnical investigation for the Bowersock Dam Maintenance Project. Dry land borings are scheduled to proceed the week of October 11^th. The river borings are scheduled for the week of October 18^th. The total for all geotechnical investigation is $92,700. This includes borings that have been requested by KDOT and the Bowersock Mill & Power Company. This cost is being split between all the stake holders.  The structural steel fabricator is planning another rolling mid to late November. This equates to sheet piling being driven the first week of December.