CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending March 19, 2010
Iowa Street Public Meeting
The Public Works Department mailed out notices this week regarding an upcoming public meeting to discuss reconstruction options for Iowa Street, from Yale Road to Irving Hill Overpass. The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 29 at Fire Station No. 5, 1911 Stewart Avenue.
At this meeting, public works staff will present options for long-term improvements, including adding a center turn lane on Iowa Street. Public comment on the proposed project is vital at this point in the discussion. If interested individuals are unable to attend the meeting, comments are welcome via email to suddin@ci.lawrence.ks.us or by calling (785) 832-3123.
Transit Service Recommended Route Changes Available for Review
In January 2009, Olsson Associates (OA) and Bourne Transit (BT) were tasked with creating an implementation plan for the Lawrence Route and Schedule Design for Coordinated Transportation Plan, for the expressed purpose of increasing coordination between the transit operations of the University of Kansas (KU) KU on Wheels (KUOW) and the City of Lawrence (The T). They are nearing the completion of their project and we are in the process of reviewing their final report. The suggested recommendations have been considered by the Public Transit Advisory Commission and the next step will be City Commission consideration. The changes to the North Lawrence area transit service as proposed by the consultant are not being recommended for implementation at this time. The memo summarizing the changes and the Olsson report is now posted on the future agendas memo.
Proposals accepted for Moodie Road building
The City of Lawrence is entertaining proposals from private, non/profit entities whose client base is primarily low and/or moderate income to lease the city structure at 1920 Moodie Road (formerly Health Care Access). For more information, please contact Margene Swarts at 785-832-3117 or check the City’s website at www.lawrenceks.org. Deadline for the RFP is April 30, 2010.
Centennial Skate Park
Over the course of the last several weeks, a number of calls and emails have been received relating to the deterioration of the skate park. Parks and Recreation staff has developed recommendations to review and address the situation.
617 W 4th Street rehabilitation update
Staff has continued to monitor the progress of the rehabilitation and is pleased to report that significant work has been completed since the last update was provided on January 12th. The new window installation was completed on March 9th. Approximately 90% of the new hardie board plank siding has been installed and the remaining siding will be completed within a few days. The front and side porches will be finished with the installation of decorative guard/hand rails in the coming week.
It is anticipated the contractor will paint the house and pour the new public sidewalk as soon as the weather permits. Staff’s main goal at this time is to ensure the exterior of the structure is code compliant with all applicable city codes. As of March 8th, the remaining fund balance within the City’s escrow account is $15,181.92. In addition to those funds, the owners paid the contractor $7,500 when the project began to help cover additional costs.
Code Enforcement Manager Brian Jimenez plans to meet with the owners and contractor at the property within the next week to discuss the progress made to date and to assist in determining the next steps of the rehabilitation. Before and after pictures are attached.
City Manager appears before State Legislature
City Manager David Corliss spoke before the Kansas Legislature’s Vision 2020 Committee on March 8 to present the Kansas Water Authority’s Reservoir Roadmap which responds to the Committee’s request that the Authority present to the legislature statutory and fiscal challenges associated with maintaining the sustainability of reservoir’s serving Kansas. The Roadmap (attached) was developed by the Kansas Water Office staff and formally approved for recommendation to the legislature by the Authority in January. Corliss serves on the Kansas Water Authority.
City launches Census 2010 web page
The City of Lawrence is actively encouraging residents to participate in the 2010 Census. Census day is April 1st. Every year, the federal government allocates more than $400 billion to states and communities based, in part, on census data. In Douglas County, that equates to over $180 million in grants that support our local community. Census data is used to determine locations for retail stores, schools, hospitals, childcare centers, senior service centers, new housing developments and other community facilities. Census data provides funding for highways, local transit, school lunch programs, grants for home rehabilitation, and education programs that keep our schools drug free. By filling out the Census questionnaire and mailing it back, it ensures that Douglas County and Lawrence will be accurately counted and continue to receive the funding for programs that support our community on a daily basis. The city is partnering with the Douglas County Complete Count Committee to promote the Census and citizen participation. The city’s Census 2010 website is http://www.lawrenceks.org/census/2010.
Updates to Statements of Substantial Interest
During the month of March each year the City Clerk’s Office sends a reminder to City Commissioners to update their Statement of Substantial Interest (SSI) forms if any change occurred in their substantial interests in the preceding calendar year. If an updated form is required, it must be filed with the City Clerk between April 15 and April 30.