Week ending August 12, 2017
Conference Center Work Session Request
Staff has received a request for a work session with the City Commission to hear about a proposed downtown conference center and mixed-use hotel project on the site of the former Journal World production facility at the south end of Massachusetts Street. Staff has suggested an October date for scheduling this item.
Police Department Safety Initiative
Starting August 16th and running through September 23rd, the police department will be deploying extra personnel for an anti-crime and safety initiative. The primary nights of operation for this initiative will be Wednesday through Saturday, and the focus will be on deterring criminal activity and enforcing traffic safety in neighborhoods that typically see an influx in activity upon the start of the academic calendar. Four to six officers and a supervisor will be staffing the initiative on an overtime basis. Some of the issues of focus will include; traffic safety, alcohol enforcement, pedestrian issues and the active prevention of street robberies or assaults. The initiative holds importance as an education issue for new community members and a crime prevention issue for our residents or visitors.
Bloomberg Philanthropies 2017 Mayors Challenge
Lawrence has been entered into the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2017 Mayors Challenge. This challenge is designed to assist a community with generating an innovative idea and develop plans to tackle implementation of the idea in an innovative way. Bloomberg Philanthropies will host an idea accelerator workshop designed to help city leaders strengthen idea development by drawing upon the expertise of the community. One day workshops will take place starting in late July and run through September. There is no cost to the city to participate. Cities will then be requested to submit its best idea through an initial application in October 2017. Of those cities that participate, 35 Champion Cities will be awarded up to $100,000 to begin to bring their ideas to life. The grand prize winner will be awarded $5 million and four cities will each win $1 million to bring their ideas to life.
Solid Waste Division work hours
Attached is a report on Solid Waste Division work hours since the beginning of May, comparing similar time frame in prior year.
Planning & Development Services Monthly Project Report
Attached is an update on Planning & Development Services projects.
Update on short-term rentals (AirBnB)
On February 21, 2017, at the request of the city commission, staff submitted a research report outlining issues related to the short-term rental industry. The report outlined the benefits and concerns associated with homesharing, noted how other communities are addressing this new and growing industry, and reported on the regulations that the City of Lawrence currently has in place which prohibits their use. Finally, the report provided options for the City to take moving forward: (1) maintain the prohibition of all homesharing activities and address complaints as they are submitted, or (2) regulate homesharing activities through zoning code changes and policies that mitigate potential negative impacts.
During the time of developing the research paper staff had received a few complaints and advised all involved that the matter was pending before the city commission. Enforcement was not actively pursued during this time. A May 2017 report indicates that there were 132 active listings in Lawrence on the AirBnB website. Because complaints on the use of short-term rentals has continued, and pending any new direction from the city commission to draft regulations to address this industry, staff will begin to immediately pursue enforcement of violations of the Development Code on a complaint basis.
Comprehensive Plan Update
On August 31, 2015, the Horizon 2020 Steering Committee approved the Issue Action Report which contains the Steering Committee’s findings regarding how to best strengthen the existing plan and ensure that the document reflects the community’s vision, while also setting a foundation for creating the inclusive and sustainable community we want Lawrence and Douglas County to be in the future. The Issue Action Report presents 19 major issues to address, based on community input and identified needs, and it outlines action steps to help address and resolve these issues.
The Issue Action Report was presented to the Planning Commission on September 21, 2015 and was unanimously approved. It was presented to the City Commission at their November 10, 2015 meeting and to the County Commission at their November 11, 2015 meeting and was unanimously approved by both governing bodies. Using the Issue Action Report as a basis, staff developed and presented a new draft comprehensive plan, along with a plan for obtaining public input, to the Steering Committee at their July 31, 2017 meeting. The Steering Committee reviewed the draft plan and directed staff to release the draft plan for a 60-day public comment period, which Staff will do in mid-August. Information on this effort can be found at http://lawrenceks.org/pds/horizon-2020-update-process. Jeff Crick is the Staff contact.
Emerald Ash Borer Strategic Readiness Plan Update
Attached is an update of the Emerald Ash Borer Strategic Readiness Plan.
Monthly Utility Billing Report
Attached is the Utility Billing Report for July, 2017.
Fire Station No. 1 and Senior Resource Center Construction Delay Update
Attached, please find an update regarding construction delays for Station No. 1 and the Senior Resource Center.
Former Farmland Site Update
The City acquired the former Farmland property in 2010 to remediate existing environmental contamination and transform the property into a viable industrial park and a welcoming ‘gateway’ to the community. As part of the City’s acquisition, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) issued a Consent Order which establishes the remediation plan for nitrogen-contaminated groundwater at the property. At the time of acquisition, the City received trust funds to fund the remediation program. The groundwater remediation program involves collection and retention of nitrogen-contaminated groundwater on-site and application of the water on privately owned farm land.
Several recent events have spurred City staff to review the status of the remediation program. Crop conversions at participating farms has led to lower demand for nitrogen with a corresponding reduction in the volume of water applied to these farms. At the same time, the on-site groundwater management system is collecting more nitrogen-contaminated water due to improvements that were completed pursuant to the remediation plan established by the Consent Order. Examination of the program’s financial status has revealed that the remediation trust funds are generating less revenue from interest than was projected in 2010. Interest on the trust funds is a key revenue source for the remediation program.
City staff is closely monitoring the situation to ensure regulatory compliance. Additionally, staff believes it would be prudent to engage an environmental consultant to revisit the remediation program to determine the most fiscally sustainable approach based on current conditions. Staff is preparing a scope of work for a consultant-led assessment of the site. The City has also proactively engaged the Kansas Department of Health & Environment in assisting with the matter. Additional updates will be provided in the future.
Future Agenda Items
Attached, please find a summary of future agenda items.
Future Work Session Items
Attached, please find a summary of future work session items.