CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending December 3, 2016
Visit from local high school students
Today, approximately 20 high school students, largely from Lawrence High School, visited the City Manager’s Office to discuss the attached request for action on the part of the City. It is expected that these students will attend the December 6 Commission Meeting to explain their request. Some items likely will require research and refinement in terms of a position statement the City would wish to issue. It would be appropriate for the City Commission to give direction to the City Manager to bring a written recommended statement to a future City Commission meeting.
North Lawrence Grain Elevator Noise
Mr. Ted Boyle, North Lawrence Improvement Association President, reported to the City his concerns regarding the noise generated by the North Lawrence grain elevators located at 325 Locust Street. Staff has contacted the owners of the grain elevators, Ottawa CO-OP, who agreed to shut off the elevator fans on November 21, 2016. The fans will still need to be turned on during this harvest season; however it will be done on an as needed basis and when possible, they will only have the fans running during the day.
Additionally, the grain elevators operated by Ottawa CO-OP are following all applicable City Code regarding their operation. Mr. Boyle has been contacted regarding this matter
City Student Dinner Hosted by HINU
On November 4th, 2016 Mayor Amyx, Vice-Mayor Soden, City staff, students from Haskell Indian Nations University and the University of Kansas met for a dinner hosted by Haskell Indian Nations University. This was organized by the City Liaison Intern to discuss challenges and opportunities facing each entity. This is the first event of its kind in recent Lawrence history. Another one of these events will be hosted in February. More information can be found in the attachment.
2016-2017 Snow and Ice Control Plan
The Street Division is prepared for the upcoming winter season. On November 1, crews checked all equipment and performed a “dry” run on all routes. The City prioritizes the snow removal for major routes and community centers (hospital) first. The City also pretreats in advance of snow/ice events. Information on route maps, location of snowplows, and traffic cameras can be found on the City’s website. Additionally residents are responsible to remove snow from sidewalks within 48 hours after an event.
Please see the attached Snow and Ice Control Plan for more detailed information. Staff Presentation
Upcoming HUD Fair Housing Reporting Requirements for Federal Grantees
In March of 2016, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development released a final rule on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH), and launched a new tool, the Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) for communities who receive Federal funding to address Fair Housing issues in their community. The AFH document is due to HUD 270 days prior to the onset of the community’s next five-year Consolidated Plan. For the City of Lawrence, the next Consolidated Plan start date is August 1, 2018, which means the City’s AFH is due to HUD no later than November 1, 2017. Staffs from the Community Development Division, the Human Relations Division, and the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority hope to partner on this initiative, and all three have begun preliminary work on the assessment and the timeline. In October, the City Commission approved an amended Citizen Participation Plan to include additional public participation requirements related to the AFH. The City Commission may see several items related to this requirement as staff moves through the assessment in next few months. After a period of public comment and input, the issue will be brought to the Commission as a Study Session item toward the end of the first quarter of 2017 for additional input on goals, strategies, and activities. The HUD page for the AFFH and AFH can be found here: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/affht_pt.html#affh.
Planning & Development Services Monthly Project Report
Attached is an update on Planning & Development Services projects.
September Monthly Building Permit Reports
The Building Safety Division issued 230 building permits in September, with total construction for the month valued at $45,109,527. Total permit fees assessed for the month were $245,702. Permits were issued for thirty-eight (38) new residential projects, including five (5) single-family dwellings and thirty-three (33) multi-family dwellings with 762 dwelling units. Staff Memo September Report Year to Date Summary
November 2016 Sales Tax Reports
Monthly sales tax reports can be found on the website at: https://www.lawrenceks.org/finance/accounting/sales-tax
October 2016 Financial Reports
The monthly financial reports include a summary of ALL funds. A cover memo for the financial report include revenue and expenditure highlights for October. The Finance monthly reports can be found on the website at: https://www.lawrenceks.org/finance/accounting/reports
Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Monthly Activity Report
Attached is the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical monthly activity report for October, 2016.
Update of the relocation of Fire Station No. 1 during construction
Attached is an update from Chief Mark Bradford regarding the relocation of Fire Station No. 1 during the reconstruction of the building.
Junior Olympics Update
Attached is an update from Bob Sanner, Lawrence Sports Corporation, on the upcoming Junior Olympics.
Bioscience and Technology Business Center Metrics and 2017 Operating Plan & Budget
The Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC) recently released its most recent job creation metrics. BTBC reports the creation of a total of 219 direct jobs, 138 indirect jobs for a total of 364 jobs with an annual payroll of over $21 million. For 2017, BTBC will focus on two strategies to achieve continued growth and expansion: generating and assisting start-up companies and recruiting private industry to Lawrence, Douglas County and KU. The City of Lawrence and Douglas County financially assist the BTBC annually in order to promote these job creation efforts. Attached is the job creation metrics report and the 2017 BTBC Operating Plan and Budget.
2016 Potable Water Production
Attached is the monthly Potable Water Production Report.
Massage Ordinance update
Staff continues to work on an ordinance regulating massage therapy in Lawrence. In October, staff sent letters to 44 massage businesses in town, enclosing a copy of a draft ordinance and inviting them to attend a meeting with staff. On November 10, staff met with approximately 30 local massage therapists and bodyworkers to explain the absence of state law on the topic and the importance of having a local ordinance in place. Human trafficking is a serious problem across the United States, and has led a number of cities, including many in Kansas, to enact regulations for local massage therapy businesses. Staff has also met with and responded to inquiries about the draft ordinance with service providers and others both before the Nov. 10 meeting and after. Attendees at the meeting agreed to meet amongst themselves to propose language for staff to consider adding to the proposed ordinance. An ordinance is expected to appear on a City Commission agenda early next year.