CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending September 16, 2011

11^th Annual Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair and Sustainable Homes Tour

The City’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Division hosted the 11^th Annual Lawrence Energy Conservation Fair and Sustainable Homes Tour on Saturday, September 10^th. Approximately 600 attendees visited forty exhibitors at the Energy Fair. Exhibitors included local builders, architects, engineers, insulation contractors, home energy efficiency specialists, and alternative fuel vehicle representatives. The Tour showcased six buildings which featured photovoltaic panels, passive solar design, a wind turbine, solar hot water, radiant floor heating, ground and air source heating and cooling systems, and a wide variety of other energy efficient designs, products, and appliances. See attached event summary and photos.

Broken Arrow Park parking lot improvements

The Public Works Department recently lent its street maintenance expertise to the Parks and Recreation Department by resurfacing the roads and parking lot at Broken Arrow Park. See attached photo of the work in progress.

City videos available online

The City of Lawrence created a You Tube video page in 2009 and has since used this channel to post videos online.  Most recently, videos on the Energy Conservation Fair, the city’s sustainability efforts, the citizen survey and street maintenance efforts have been posted.  Anyone can sign up to subscribe to our page and follow videos as they are posted.  The You Tube channel can be found at www.youtube.com/user/lawrenceksvideo?blend=21&ob=5.  Videos are also posted on the city website under related departments.

CBDG and HOME programs benefit low to moderate income homeowners

Community Development Division staff of the Development Services Division administer many programs that are funded with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds. The attached report illustrates these activities and their impact on the community for the 2010 program year, which ended July 31, 2011. Comprehensive Rehab, Emergency and Furnace Loans, Clearance & Demolition and Weatherization are all programs that help low and moderate income homeowners repair and maintain their homes. Staff also partners with Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. (TTH), who as the City’s identified affordable housing provider provides administration, outreach and education for the First Time Homebuyer Program, the Lawrence Community Housing Trust.