CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending February 15, 2013

Eagle Bend Golf Course and Learning Center year end report

Eagle Bend Golf Course and Learning Center saw improvements on and off the course in 2012. Eagle Bend totaled 25,170 rounds in 2012 compared to 20,779 rounds in 2011, which is a 21 percent increase. With rounds going up, total revenue increased. Revenue for 2012 was $821,020, a 14.7 percent increase over last year’s total of $715,648. Eagle Bend ended the year making more than $27,000 over operational expenditures for the year.

Eagle Bend was able to see revenue increases while also making improvements to the course and facility. Notable improvements included the following (please see the attached report for photos):

• Switching from gas-operated to electric-operated golf carts
• Revamping the cart barn to accomadate electric carts
• Improvements to the Pro Shop/Snack Bar
• On course improvements to several holes, including stripping in zoysia fairways and excavating and working on several tee boxes.

Parks and Recreation Department, and staff, receive awards from state association

The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department (LPRD) was recognized at the Kansas Recreation and Park Association’s annual state conference in January (please see attached report for more information).

• BlueCHIP Award  - For the second time in three years, the City of Lawrence was recognized and awarded the BlueCHIP Award from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas and the KRPA. The BlueCHIP Award’s mission is to recognize and reward Kansas communities who encourage and support healthy lifestyles through programs, initiatives, policies and/or community-wide events. Lawrence was noted for its heavily-used walking and biking trails and programs aimed to get people active.
• Outstanding New or Innovative Program Award  - LPRD received the Outstanding New or Innovative Program Award from the KRPA Recreation Branch for its program Fit-trition Fun with the OrganWise Guys, which was organized by Jessie Danon, nutrition education program assistant.
• Distinguished Fellow Award - Ernie Shaw, interim director of Parks and Recreation, was awarded the Distinguished Fellow Award for his long-time support of parks and recreation at the local, state and national level. Shaw has worked in the parks and recreation field more than 37 years. Shaw also served as president of the KRPA for 2012 and oversaw the planning of the state conference. Shaw is one of four individuals who have served two terms as president of the association.

Department of Utilities to publish annual update to standards and details

The Department of Utilities has recently completed its annual review of its construction material specifications, design criteria, and standard details for watermains and sanitary sewers. Notable changes include the following:

• Change to tracer wire requirements to conform to the limits of the specified tracer wire connector kit.
• Revision of typical fireline connection details to clarify materials required for varying installation conditions.
• Correction of references within the design criteria and material specifications.

Several other minor modifications have been made to various sections in order to correct identified omissions and errors noted in the previous publication as well as to update materials identified to reflect current manufacturers. The corrections made do not alter the existing material requirements nor do they pose an impact to material or development costs. A complete list of modifications and updated documents has been posted to the Department of Utilities website at http://www.lawrenceks.org/utilities/technical_resources, and is available for general public access. Consulting engineers and contractors have been notified of the update via direct mailing announcement.