CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending April 30, 2010
2010 Census campaign update
The first stages of the 2010 U.S. Census are wrapping up and Complete Count Committee co-chairs Ken Grotewiel and Sue Hack are pleased to provide the following update to the City Commission.
The Census Bureau awarded 12 grants to members of the Complete Count Committee for outreach purposes for a total of approximately $36,000. These funds were used to promote the Census and educate residents as to why participation in Douglas County is important. The current participation rate for Douglas County and Lawrence stands at 76% (this figure represents the percentage of households responding to the initial delivery of Census questionnaires). This is 1% above the 2000 Census totals. The committee did not set a specific goal but did want to match or exceed the 2000 totals. The Kansas participation rate stands at 75% and the national participation rate stands at 72%. The overall rate is expected to go up once Census takers begin canvassing neighborhoods.
The Census Bureau began training part-time employees the week of April 25 to canvass neighborhoods and find people who did not send in their Census Forms. This activity will start May 1. By request of the Complete Count Committee, this canvassing will begin in the neighborhoods with high student populations. We made this request since many students will begin moving out of their residences in mid-May. The Compete Count Committee will also get together for an appreciation lunch at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 in the City Commission meeting room and would enjoy having the City Commission join the luncheon.
US-40/K-10 Management Plan RFP published
The RFP for the US-40 / K-10 Management Plan was published April 29, 2010. The City Commission approved the City of Lawrence’s participation in the Interchange Management Plan on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. The city share of the costs would be $11,000. The plan will consider Highway 40 from George Williams Way to 800 Road in Douglas County. The attached letter from KDOT contains the details of the study and funding agencies.
Parks and Recreation seeking volunteers
Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department is seeking assistance for its annual Project May Flower: May 1, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14 and 15. Volunteers are asked to spend four hours, from 8 a.m. to noon, planting flowers Downtown, at South Park and at the Depot. To sign up or for additional information, please visit: http://www.lawrenceks.org/lprd/volunteeropportunities.
Library seeking citizen input on needed services and programs
The Lawrence Public Library has announced plans to ask the City Commission to place a bond issue on the ballot this November which would provide additional funding to expand and remodel the current downtown location. The library Board of Directors, staff and library patrons have provided input regarding improvements needed but citizen input is also a critical part of determining the library’s future needs.
Some services that have already been targeted as part of the possible recommendation to the City Commission include:
§ Renovation and expansion of the current facility by 15,000-20,000 square-feet
§ Expansion of the children’s room
§ Create more public meeting spaces for both large-and-small scale community programs
§ Provide 100 additional computers for public use
§ Add a small parking structure and angled on-street parking that would provide 50 additional parking spaces for the library and outdoor pool.
The Library Board of Directors and staff are seeking citizen input on additional services that need to be reviewed as part of this bond issue. Three open houses are available for residents to come and discuss their ideas:
§ Tuesday, May 4, 4:30-6:00 p.m., at the Lawrence Visitor’s Center (Union Pacific Depot), 402 N. 2nd Street
§ Thursday, May 6, 7:00-8:30 p.m., at the Holcom Park Recreation Center, 2700 W. 26th Street
§ Monday, May 17, 7:00-8:30 p.m., at the Public Library (Auditorium), 707 Vermont
County-wide sales tax distribution over time
Pursuant to state law, proceeds from the county-wide sales tax are apportioned among the county and cities located in the county according to property taxes levied and population. The attached information shows how as other cities and Douglas County have experienced growth in population and property tax collections, the portion of the county-wide sales tax proceeds received by the City of Lawrence has become smaller.