CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending April 5, 2013
March Sales Tax Distribution
The City of Lawrence recently received its March sales tax distribution. The distribution is the result of retail sales from mid-January to mid-February. The distribution of $2,725,861.49 is $18,000 less than the prior year distribution for the same month. The first quarter 2013 sales tax distribution is up slightly less than 2.0% compared to the first quarter of 2012. Please see the attached memo for more information.
Economic Development Progress Report Online
The city’s annual Economic Development Progress Report has recently been completed, and features some of the programs and projects the city, Chamber of Commerce, Douglas County, and other economic development partners worked on or implemented over the past several months. More information on the city’s economic development efforts is available at http://www.lawrenceks.org/economic_development.
Transit adding two new services
This summer, the Lawrence Transit System will operate two new programs:
Student summer bus pass: Students have a new option to get around town this summer. For only $10, a student summer bus pass is good for unlimited rides in June, July and August. The pass is for K-12 students. It will only be sold at the Transit administrative office, 933 New Hampshire.
Night Line bus service: Starting June 1, Lawrence Transit System will operate ‘Night Line’ – the new night and after hours curb-to-curb, shared ride bus service for those who don’t work on a traditional schedule. Bus service will be available from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday. The fare will be $2 each way. Night Line is a demand response service, and rides must be scheduled in advance. Call (785) 312-7054 to schedule a ride during business hours, Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00. p.m.
Information the Lawrence Transit System can be found online at www.lawrencetransit.org.
Current Taste & Odor status at the Kaw Water Treatment Plant
Over the past few weeks, the Utilities Department has experienced an increase in taste & odor compounds at the Kaw Water Treatment Plant. This increase can be attributed to a combination of conditions in the river. These conditions include the current low levels in the upstream reservoirs due to the drought and the reduced releases from these reservoirs, which has resulted in low flows in the Kansas River, and the increased amount of water held in the mill pond. Although the deeper water of the mill pond has resulted in a benefit of decreased turbidity and hardness, the water is held for longer periods of time, which may allow taste & odor compounds to accumulate near the intake. The increase in taste & odor compounds has resulted in an increase in current carbon usage of 2-3 times more than during the winter months. The current treatment processes are effectively reducing the taste & odor compounds to levels that typically go unnoticed. As more water is released from the reservoirs this summer, taste & odor compounds are expected to increase, which will increase the use of carbon as well as cost of water treatment.
Planning and Development Services 2012 Annual Report
Planning and Development Services staff work hard throughout the year responding to customer inquiries, improving and enforcing regulations, refining departmental efficiencies, and processing development related applications. The attached 2012 Annual Report highlights efforts undertaken throughout 2012 by the department.
ICMA Highlights City’s Energy Efficiency Efforts
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) recently developed a case study based upon the City of Lawrence and Douglas County’s energy efficiency programs and projects. The case study specifically highlights how the City is currently tracking energy use through our EnergyCAP software, and using that information to change behaviors and equipment to reduce energy use and maintenance costs. The case study is posted here: http://icma.org/en/icma/knowledge_network/documents/kn/Document/304736/ENERGY_STAR_Case_Study__Lawrence_and_Douglas_County_KS