CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending January 15, 2010

Snow Operations Update

The attached memo contains information and statistics regarding the city’s response to the snow events thus far experienced in the 2009/2010 winter season. In an average season Lawrence will see ten snow events and 21” of snow. To date this season has produced 25.95” of snow over six events in a 21 day period.

Santa Fe Station/BNSF Depot Update

The Transportation Enhancement grant application for the phase 1 improvements of the Santa Fe Station was completed and submitted to the Kansas Department of Transportation at the end of the year, based upon the direction from the City Commission.  As the Commission will recall, the phase 1 improvements were high priority items that relate to ADA improvements and HVAC improvements and other structural improvements, such as the roof.  Since the City Commission meeting on this topic, additional clarification has come from Amtrak regarding the scope of their improvements.  According to the information received from Amtrak officials, there appears to be very little overlap in the Amtrak project and the necessary ADA improvements identified and included in the City’s TE Grant application.  There was only a small overlap item involving some sidewalk in the brick parking lot. The following is a link to the original funding announcement from KDOT regarding the depot stimulus projects in Kansas:

http://www.ksdot.org/PDF_Files/Amtrak%20Stimulus%20Projects%20in%20Kansas.pdf

The City continues to await word from BNSF regarding proposed agreements for the transfer of the Santa Fe Station building to the City and the associated land lease.