CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending September 17, 2010
Airport Open House scheduled
There will be an Open House at the Lawrence Municipal Airport on Saturday, October 9, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (see attached schedule of events). Events will include displays of aircraft, balsa airplane contest, RC airplane demonstration, and food sales.
Grant application for airport improvements unsuccessful
The city was not successful in our grant application for improvements at the airport, which included sewer main and tee hanger improvements. Please see the attached media release regarding the grant program.
Changes to Transit Route #6
On August 2, 2010 the Public Transit Department implemented a major change in route alignments and service. These changes, for the most part, have been successful operationally. Since our implementation of the new route alignments in August we have been monitoring the service for any issues that may have resulted from the change. In doing so we recognized that route #6 was continually having problems staying on schedule during the afternoon hours. This appears to be the result of increase ridership activity and compounded by congestion. Therefore, on September 27, 2010 we will be discontinuing the “Merc Loop” (Rockledge between 6th Street and 9th Street, 9th Street between Rockledge and Iowa, and Iowa between 9th Street and 6th Street) of route #6. This area will still be served by Route 10 and Route 28. For those still wanting to use Route 6, bus stops will be installed in both directions at 6th and Rockledge. For additional information please see the attached memo and map of Route #6.
City and University team up for trails mapping project
GIS Coordinator, Micah Seybold and KU Professor George McCleary’s cartography class was featured on 6News Lawrence and the Lawrence Journal World (see article) for the Parks and Recreation trails mapping project. The KU class and volunteers from the KC Orienteering Club were recruited to help map trails in various parks around Lawrence. See attached photos.
City hosts Energy Efficiency and Conservation Fair and Tour
The city’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Division hosted the 10th Annual Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair and Sustainable Homes Tour on Saturday, September 11th. Approximately 600 attendees visited forty-five exhibitors at the Energy Fair. Exhibitors included local builders, architects, engineers, insulation contractors, government agencies, home energy efficiency specialists and alternative fuel vehicle representatives. The Tour showcased seven buildings which featured passive solar design, structural insulated panels, straw-bale construction, geothermal heating and cooling systems, and a wide variety of locally obtained materials and energy efficient products and appliances. See attached report for photos and more information.
Utility Plans for replacement of water main at 10th and Alabama Street
Beginning the week of September 27, 2010, the City of Lawrence Utilities Department will be installing a new 8” PVC waterline to replace the existing 4” Cast Iron waterline, installed in 1934. The waterline will be installed under the street on the west side of Alabama Street from W. 10th Street to W. 11th Street. Replacement is based on the condition of the existing waterline and the number of water main breaks in recent months. Replacement will help decrease further breaks, which may occur in the future and at possibly inopportune times. The block will be posted for no parking prior to the start of work. The new line will run in parallel service to the old line to allow for individual customer lines to be connected with a minimum of service loss and interruption to traffic. All customer services will be switched over the following weeks during work hours. Traffic and parking for Kansas University Home Football games will not be affected.
Department staff has made every attempt to notify the affected residents and landowners in this block with door hangers. Additional personal contacts are being made via phone and letter.