CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending December 11, 2009
Survey of Parks and Recreation needs
The attached memo provides an update from the discussion staff had with the City Commission on October 6, 2009, regarding the public discussion to identify and prioritize future Parks and Recreation needs in the community. The Parks and Recreation Department began the dialogue through three public forums held October 26, November 5 and November 10, after which participants filled out a survey to rank the top three items from a list in four different categories (indoor recreation facility needs; outdoor recreation facility needs; park development needs and trail development needs). The department also conducted some additional outreach opportunities with other community groups to provide additional feedback from a cross-section of the community. After conducting all the public forums, the department then made the survey, as well as the presentation available on the city Web site. More than 150 people participated in the public forums and more than 575 people completed the survey online.
East Lawrence Turnpike exit to close in March
The Kansas Turnpike Authority will close the East Lawrence Exit in March 2010 for a period of eight months. The only exits available to motorists wishing to visit Lawrence will be West Lawrence and Lecompton.
In an effort to guide visitors to the downtown area and the Visitor’s Information Center, the CVB has arranged for advertising in the exit terminal windows. The advertising encourages motorists to ask the terminal attendant for a Lawrence map which directs them to downtown and the Visitor’s Information Center.
The map has a highlighted route from the exits to downtown and the Visitor’s Information Center. It is the same map the CVB provides to hotels and uses at the Visitor’s Information Center. One side has a city map with a Downtown inset and the other side has a list of hotel accommodations and brief list of attractions. The KTA sponsored the maps and is underwriting the cost of adding the second color to highlight the alternate route. In exchange, the CVB included the KTA logo and the phone number for road condition updates.
Northeast Sector Plan
The planning process for the Northeast Sector Plan kicked off on September 17, 2009 with a public meeting for property owners and other stakeholders. Approximately 100 people attended the first meeting and provided input for the plan through a couple of planning exercises. Approximately 75 people attended the 2nd public meeting to review and prioritize issues on October 8, 2009. The 3rd public meeting was held on November 5, 2009 and was attended by approximately 70 people. The 3rd public meeting was dedicated to reviewing draft goals and policies and participating in a small group future land use exercise. Staff is currently drafting the Northeast Sector Plan. The next public meeting will take place after the first draft is released, likely in January, 2010. Information about the Northeast Sector Plan can be found here: http://www.lawrenceks.org/pds/draft_plans
Parks and Recreation completes East Lawrence street tree pruning
The Parks & Recreation department recently completed raising and pruning work on street trees in East Lawrence. This work is part of our annual urban forestry management program. A section of the city is identified and a contractor is hired to raise and deadwood all of the right-of-way trees to allow for proper clearance on the roads and sidewalks. This year’s area was east of Rhode Island Street between 7th & 23rd. In all, 1,144 trees were pruned in a three week period (see attached report for locations).
Public meeting regarding airport sewer study scheduled
The Public Works Department will be holding a public meeting at 6:00 p.m. on December 21, 2009, at the Lawrence Municipal Airport regarding the airport sewer study. Please see attached report, aerial map, appendices, and engineering report.