CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending April 22, 2011

City receives GFOA distinguished budget presentation award for 2011

The City of Lawrence has received The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2011 budget.  In order to receive the award, the City had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.  Budget documents are reviewed for how well they serve as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.  This will be the 9^th consecutive year the City has received the award.   

Updated available residential lot inventory

Economic Development Coordinator Corey Mohn has updated the attached available residential lot inventory. Overall, the update finds that based on current market conditions, there is sufficient inventory to meet 4-8 years of demand for single-family housing.  At historical permitting rates of 179 lots per year, available lots represent about 6 years of demand. At current permitting rates of about 146 lots per year, the available lots represent about 8 years worth of demand.  When only examining lots with existing infrastructure, there is sufficient inventory to meet 4 years of demand.

Fake ID 101 gets national recognition

The Lawrence Police Department was recognized by the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center (see attached) for its involvement in the Fake ID 101 enforcement efforts last year. The Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center was established by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (within the U.S. Department of Justice) to support its Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program. Fake ID 101 involved a coalition of law enforcement agencies and business owners with efforts toward both enforcement and education of potential underage drinkers.

Recruiting efforts for Police Academy underway

The recruitment process for the 32nd Basic Recruit Academy opened on April 1, 2011. The Training Unit is making every effort to ensure recruitment initiatives reflect the diversity of the Lawrence community. The attached memo provides more information on those efforts.  

2010 State of the City address available online

Mayor Mike Amyx delivered the State of the City address on Tuesday, April 12.  The Lawrence City Commission room was packed with individuals who attended the speech and watched as newly elected City Commissioners were sworn into office.  For those unable to attend the meeting, the State of the City address is available online via You Tube.  The State of the City address recapped the year and provided an insight into City Commission priorities. It can be seen online at http://www.youtube.com/user/lawrenceksvideo and also on the city’s website at www.lawrenceks.org/commissioners/2010_state-of-the-city-address.

Partnership between Parks & Recreation and Lawrence Rotary honored

The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department and the Lawrence Rotary Clubs received Certificate of Merit from the Arbor Day Foundation for the 2011 Arbor Day Awards competition, which recognizes outstanding individuals, leaders, and innovative organizations for their sustainable conservation efforts on an international, national, state and/or community level. They received recognition for their partnership on the Lawrence Rotary Arboretum (see attached photos).