Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	Mayor and City Commission
FROM:	Thomas M. Markus, City Manager
DATE:	August 9, 2016
RE:	First 100 Days as City Manager of Lawrence, Kansas

By my count, the first 100 business/work days concludes on August 10, 2016.  As you will recall, one of the assignments for the finalist in the City Manager search was to prepare a report on what the applicant would undertake in the first 100 days.  I have attached a copy of my submittal for your review.

I have also attached a summary of the activities I undertook during the first 100 days.  Please recall that the theme of my first 100 days was “Connecting, Understanding the Lawrence Culture, and Moving Forward on a Strategic Path”.  The attached summary attempts to give you an understanding of what types of activities I have been involved with during my first 100 days.  The summary by no means should be considered a complete review of all the activities I have been engaged in during the first 100 days.

The summary in many respects addresses the 100 day plan and not the typical day to day City Manager responsibilities that I have engaged in during the first 100 days. As City Manager, I have also been involved in numerous City Manager activities including:  1)  preparation and presentation of the 2017 City budget; 2)  numerous engagements with staff, developers, and the public regarding development issues; 3) numerous personnel matters; 4)  litigation issues; 5) review of the incentives policy; 6) review and recommendation for our strategic plan process; 7)  review of a succession plan draft prepared by the Human Resources Office; 8) evaluation of system operations and possible efficiency enhancements and most importantly, day to day engagement with our elected officials and citizens regarding their concerns, problems, and service needs.

Overall, I believe I am gaining an understanding and appreciation for the Lawrence culture and believe I have successfully managed to get out into the community, to get to know our community, and for the community to know me.  The process does not end at 100 days.  To be successful, I have to learn from every engagement and seek out opportunities to better know and understand Lawrence.  I would say Lawrence has certainly lived up to my desire for a new professional challenge.  Change is a two-way street.  I have to change my thoughts and understanding of Lawrence, and our organization needs to continue to improve to meet the challenges that all cities face in meeting our changing demands for services and the resources that are, and will be, available.  Working together, we will find the solutions and in the process make Lawrence a better and more resilient place.  To me, Lawrence has incredible upside and the potential to be even greater.

Finally, I have attached a copy of the position profile from the Lawrence City Manager position.  This profile was utilized as the guidepost in which to judge and select a new City Manager.  Please review it and let me know if I am missing anything or you would like to emphasize a particular focus point.

On a personal note, Debbie and I have (or will have) moved three times since moving to Lawrence.  We now own a home in Lawrence and are hopeful that our Iowa City home will be sold shortly.

Thanks to the City Commission, City staff, and public for their support in welcoming us to Lawrence, Kansas.