CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending June 11, 2010

 

 

2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) available online

The 2009 CAFR is now available online at http://lawrenceks.org/finance/accounting.

 

May building permits

There were 192 permits issued in May, compared to 133 permits issued in May 2009. Permit valuation was $14,711,012 compared to $3,949,165 last year.  Fees were $75,586.20 for May versus $38,385.40 a year ago. Permits were issued for ten new single-family dwellings and four duplexes last month, compared to eight permits issued for new single-family dwellings along with two duplexes in May last year. Five permits were issued for projects valued at over one million dollars in May. Please see the attached memo, report and summary for more information.

 

Development projects status update

The Planning and Development Services Department has prepared the attached memo providing an update on some of the larger or more visible development projects that have been processed or are being processed through the city’s development review program.

 

Lawrence sales tax web page created

The City of Lawrence has created a web page (http://www.lawrenceks.org/sales_tax) dedicated to information on local sales taxes and special taxing districts. A link is also available from the home page of the city’s website (www.lawrenceks.org). On the sales tax web page, viewers can review current sales tax information, pull up a GIS mapping layer showing special tax districts, and review information from past voter-approved sales tax initiatives.

 

Negotiations with Hamm Quarry regarding landfill rates

On June 9, 2010, staff from the City Manager’s Office and Public Works Department, along with County Administrator Craig Weinaug, met with representatives of Hamm Quarry, Inc. to receive a proposal from Hamm regarding landfill rates.  An agreement between Hamm, Douglas County and the City of Lawrence has been in place since December, 1992.  The current rate of $19.15 per ton for disposal of solid waste has been in effect since 1993.  This includes a base rate of $18.00 per ton and taxes of $1.00 to the State of Kansas and $0.15 to Douglas and Jefferson Counties for maintenance of the access road to the landfill site.  On Wednesday, Hamm proposed an increase in the rate to $24.50 ($23.35 base rate and $1.15 in taxes).  This represents an increase of 27.9% over the current rate of $19.15. 

 

Staff had developed a balanced 2011 solid waste budget, which anticipated a 10% increase in landfill rates for 2011.  This budget includes a reduction in staffing levels, delay in purchasing some equipment and includes an increase in solid waste rates of 4%.  Additional increases to the landfill rates would have an impact on the rates charged solid waste customers.  Review of this impact is ongoing, as are discussions regarding the landfill rate.  Representatives of Hamm Quarry, Inc. will present information to the City Commission regarding their proposed landfill rate at the June 22 City Commission meeting.  The recommended solid waste budget will be adjusted as necessary to reflect these negotiations and City Commission direction.

 

Potential EPA Lawsuit for Nutrient Limits in Kansas

Utilities staff received a copy of a letter in which a 60-day notice of intent to sue the EPA Administrator for failure to impose numeric limits on nutrients in Kansas was filed on behalf of Friends of the Kaw. Staff is unsure of the viability of the action; however a similar lawsuit was filed in Florida but did not go to court. The EPA settled and numeric limits were established by the state. If this action is successful it could significantly impact the city’s current and future wastewater operations.

 

City assisting KU with new student orientation information

The City of Lawrence is working with KU’s new student orientation staff to provide informational materials about city services and programs for incoming students. The Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical staff provided a brochure on student fire safety from FEMA. Waste Reduction and Recycling provided information on residential recycling, electronics recycling and household hazardous waste disposal. Lawrence Police provided information on domestic violence awareness and underage involvement with alcohol. Staff will continue to provide information to KU for their new student orientation programs as it is needed. Orientation began last week on campus.  

 

Watson Park locomotive painting

Over the past two weeks, volunteers from the Lawrence Breakfast Optimist Club have volunteered their time and talent to repaint the locomotive in Watson Park (see photos). Donated in 1955 by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, the No. 1073, 262 Prairie Locomotive was in service from 1908 to 1952 and logged more than 870,000 miles and originally cost a little more than $20,000.  

 

City participates in Flood Map Modernization project

The City of Lawrence is part of The Douglas County Flood Map Modernization project, which is a comprehensive effort to remap county flood risks using the latest flood modeling and digital mapping technologies. The new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) will go effective August 5, 2010. In preparation for the new maps, Douglas County distributed informational letters to owners of property in flood prone areas of both the City of Lawrence and Douglas County. The county also held an informational meeting on June 2nd and city staff was present to answer residents’ questions. City staff has also continued to respond to inquiries from city residents regarding the letters. More information on the mapping project can be found by visiting this website.