Memorandum

City of Lawrence

TO:	Mayor and City Commission
FROM:	City Manager David L. Corliss
CC:	Ed Mullins, Casey Toomay
Date:	August 11, 2011
RE:	Bond Resolutions implementing the approved 2012 capital improvement budget

The City Commission approved the 2012 City budget which includes a number of important capital projects providing infrastructure improvements to several parts of our community, enhancing our economic development opportunities, and maintaining a number of City facilities and streets. The City generally issues debt on an annual basis, with the current debt issuance planned for next month. In order to keep these projects moving forward, City Commission consideration and approval of these resolutions at this time is necessary. Obviously, a number of additional approvals will be necessary for these projects, including additional opportunities for public input and meetings, establishing bid dates and bid approvals for a number of projects, etc. Approval of these resolutions at this time does not irrevocably commit the City to these projects, but does follow through on the already approved 2012 Capital Improvement Budget.

Resolution No. 6934 - 23rd Street Bridge Project

This project will be bid by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) next year and involves completely replacing the existing bridge. The City has already authorized the design of utility relocations necessary for this project and will be bidding those relocations later this year. The utility relocation costs (approximately $1 million) will be paid separately from utility funds. The necessary resolution provides $150,000 in City funding for the approximately $8 million bridge project.

Resolution No. 6933 -23^rd Street Access Management Project

The City has successfully partnered with KDOT to re-construct a number of access points along 23^rd Street (Highway K-10) in order to improve safety, capacity and traffic flow. The original access management program began over 6 years ago and continues as eligible improvements are identified. The recent removal of the Burger King near 23^rd and Naismith and replacement with a new grocery store has allowed for an improved access point along 23^rd Street. The City’s participation in this project was previously authorized by the City Commission, and the attached Resolution authorizes City funding of $12,500.

Resolution No. 6935 -Mill/Overlay West 6^th Street from Iowa to Monterey Way

The City’s 2012 approved capital improvement budget allocates $1 million for milling and overlay of West 6^th Street from Iowa to Monterey Way. KDOT will provide their maximum KLINK participation of $200,000. This project was identified as a top candidate because of street condition and traffic. Staff will also examine opportunities for pedestrian improvements and possible bus turn-out lanes along this corridor.

Resolution No. 6936 - Wakarusa Re-build from Oread West Drive to Research Park Way

The City’s approved 2012 capital improvement budget allocated $1 million for the reconstruction of Wakarusa from Oread West Drive to Research Park Way (essentially the areas immediately north and south of already reconstructed intersection at Bob Billings Parkway). As with all of these projects at this point in our planning process, not all of the specifications have been developed for the project, but the project will include a complete re-build, turn lanes, multi-use path. Staff anticipates seeking improvements for additional parts of Wakarusa in future years.

Delaware Street Construction Between 8^th and 9^th Street

The Poehler building reconstruction and rehabilitation is currently undergoing land use approval reviews. Additionally, a comprehensive re-development agreement will be prepared for City Commission review, likely after Public Incentive Review Committee recommendation as well. The City’s approved 2012 capital improvement budget allocated $750,000 for Delaware Street construction between 8^th and 9^th Street. If all of the necessary development and land use approvals are forthcoming, the City wants to be able to install this street as part of the City’s participation in this project. Additional City participation is likely with partial assistance on fire sprinklers and a parking lot south of the Poehler building. The parking lot cost is included in Resolution 6937, concerning city facilities. Ordinance No. 8660, which designates this portion of Delaware Street as a main trafficway, is necessary to proceed with debt financing this project.

Resolution No. 6937 - City Facility Repairs

As part of approved 2012 capital budget, the City Commission approved funding a number of needed maintenance projects on existing City facilities. (Additionally, bond counsel advises us that we need to include our debt authority for the Poehler parking lot in this resolution as well.) The needed City facility improvements are:

a) City Hall improvements, including but not limited to roof repairs, brick seal and tuck pointing;

(b) Riverfront Parking Garage repairs;

(d) Swimming pool concrete, painting and slide repair at outdoor swimming pool;

(e) Deerfield Park rehabilitation, including but not limited to court repairs;

(f) Improvements and repairs to the skateboard park at Centennial Park; and

(g) Construction of a public parking lot on Delaware Street, between 8^th Street and 9^th Street;

Item (g) is related to the Poehler building project, but falls under same legal authority as the other projects so is included in this list of city facility projects.

These projects total $1,205,000.

Resolution No. 6938 - Annual Debt Limit as Required by Charter Ordinance 27

Additionally, our Charter Ordinance No. 27 requires that the City Commission establish an annual amount of certain debt financed repairs authorized by Charter Ordinance No. 27. That amount totals $1,635,000.

Ordinance No. 8658 - LDCBA Incubator Expansion

The Lawrence Douglas County Bioscience Authority main facility (a/k/a incubator facility) on the KU West Campus has exceeded expectations in its occupancies and generated a number of jobs and new companies to the Lawrence/Douglas County community. The City and Douglas County have each received a request to provide $1 million each in funding for an expanded facility. The City’s approved 2012 capital budget included $500,000 in City participation in the project. Additional participation from other entities will be solicited. While the project is still in planning stages, it is appropriate to approve the necessary debt resolution at this time. Any City participation will require additional City Commission approval. Staff would recommend that any City funding be contingent upon a cooperation agreement with the LDCBA.

Action Requested

It is recommended that the City Commission adopt the ordinances and resolutions implementing the approved 2012 capital improvement budget as outlined above.