CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending June 17, 2016

 

 

City nominated in several ‘Best of Lawrence’ categories

The Lawrence Journal-World holds an annual ‘Best of Lawrence’ contest where the public votes on various services, locations, businesses, etc. Several city departments received nominations.  The following is a quick list city-specific awards or nominations:

 

#1 Unsung Hero : Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Department

#2 Family Fun Place : Sports Pavilion Lawrence (the Indoor Aquatic Center and gymnastics/athletics program was also nominated in the category)

#2 Gym/Fitness Center : Sports Pavilion Lawrence (the Community Building was also in the nominations)

#2 Utility Company : City of Lawrence Utilities

#1 and #3 – Best Park : South Park and Centennial Park (Prairie Park, Watson Park, Clinton Park, Holcom Park, Hobbs Park, Deerfield Park and Dad Perry Park were also in the nominations)

#2 Golf Course : Eagle Bend

#3 Hiking & Biking Trails : Mutt Run (Prairie Park Nature Center Burroughs Creek and DeVictor Park also in the nominations)

 

Sports Pavilion Lawrence and the LPRD gymnastics program were nominated as a “Best Place to Have a Kids Birthday Party.” Final Fridays was nominated in the “Best Local Event” category and the City of Lawrence was included in the nominations for “Best Place to Work, large business 100 or more employees.”

 

May 2016 Monthly Building Permit  Reports:

The Building Safety Division issued 217 building permits in May, with total construction for the month valued at $19,686,154.  Total permit fees assessed for the month were $96,643.  Permits were issued for seventeen (17) new residential projects, all of which were for single-family dwellings.  Staff Report   Monthly Permit Report   Year to Date Permit Summary

 

Aviation Youth Camp

On May 21, 2016 the Lawrence Municipal Airport hosted the 5th Annual Aviation Youth Camp.  The camp is a joint partnership of the Lawrence Municipal Airport Aviation Advisory Board, the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department, the Jayhawk Model Masters and the Northeast Kansas 99’s Women Pilots.  This camp offers an introduction on the fundamentals of flight to children ages 12-15 years old.  The camp teaches about flight planning, aviation weather, weight and balance of planes, careers in aviation, airport traffic patterns and communications.  This year’s camp was attended by 26 kids.  Each child was given a camp T-shirt, graduation pizza party and the highlight was an opportunity to take a 15-20 minute discovery flight of Lawrence. Please see attached photos.

 

Emerald Ash Borer Strategic Readiness Plan Update – Summer 2016

Parks and Recreation provides an update to the Emerald Ash Borer Strategic Readiness Plan, which the department recently began, including community outreach inventorying, treatment and/or removal of trees. Please see attached for more information.

 

Parks & Recreation

Attached is a summary of two Parks & Recreation programs – Wine and Yoga and the Lawrence Public Library’s summer reading program.

 

Rental Licensing Statement

Senate Bill No. 366, which will become law July 1, 2016, provides that “[n]o city … shall adopt, enforce or maintain a residential property licensing ordinance … which includes a requirement for periodic interior inspections of privately owned residential property for city … code violations unless the lawful occupant has consented to such inspections ….” The City at Chapter 6, Article 13 of the City Code has a residential property licensing ordinance which includes a requirement for periodic inspections of privately owned residential properties. Under Chapter 6, Article 13 of the City Code  and City Regulations, however, the City may make no inspection of privately owned residential property until the City first gives notice to the owner and seeks consent of the lawful occupant. Because the City’s Residential Rental Property Code does not appear to be in conflict with the terms of Senate Bill No. 366, the City does not anticipate amending its Residential Property Code at this time.

 

Miscellaneous Articles:

Attached, please find an article entitled “The “But-For” Test – a.k.a. “Do they really need our help?” from the Springsted Newsletter – June 2016 and an article from Urbanland – the Magazine of the Urban Land Institute, entitled “improving Economic Outcomes for Residents in Mixed-Income Developments”.

 

City of Lawrence receives grant from the Sunflower Foundation

The City of Lawrence, in partnership with LiveWell Lawrence and Lawrence Parks & Recreation) has received a grant from the Sunflower Foundation to assist in construction with the Rock Chalk Park portion of the Lawrence Loop.  Please see attached for more information.