Week ending September 2, 2017
City Manager Approved Co-Managers of Oread Inn, L.C.
In accordance with the Settlement Agreement and the First Amendment to the 12th & Oread Tax Increment Financing District Redevelopment Agreement, Thomas Fritzel resigned as co-manager and Developer’s Representative of the Oread Inn, L.C. on April 25, 2017. Under the settlement documents the Oread Inn, L.C. and the City Manager must mutually agree on two co-managers, with one serving as the Developer’s Representative. The City Manager approved the appointment of Sandra L. Praeger to serve as a co-manager and the Developer’s Representative under the amended redevelopment agreement. Ms. Praeger has a long and distinguished record of public service, having served as the Kansas Insurance Commissioner, a state Senator, a Lawrence city commissioner, and the City’s mayor. The other co-manager approved by the City Manager is Denise Lane, a certified public accountant (CPA). The City is making preparations for the first annual audit of the sales tax records of all commercial entities located within the redevelopment district. The audit is scheduled to occur in November and the costs of the sales tax audit shall be borne by Oread Inn, L.C.
Update on Unpaid Land Lease and Related Payments by Riverfront, L.L.C.
Staff previously reported that the City became aware this spring that certain accounts receivables of the City had not been billed and had not been paid. According to a preliminary review, the largest outstanding accounts receivable is with Riverfront, L.L.C. for a long-term land lease, and related garage maintenance payments for a portion of the Riverfront building located at 6th and New Hampshire. Staff from the City Manager’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office continue discussions with the Simons family and their attorneys regarding payment of the sum due the City.
Miscellaneous Billing Review Project Update
Attached is an update from RSM regarding miscellaneous billing receivables.
Farmland Remediation Project Status Update
Attached is an update on the former Farmland Industries Nitrogen Plant site.
East 9th Street Reconstruction Project
At the City Commission meeting on August 15, 2017, questions about the E. 9th Street Reconstruction Project, costs and oversight, were raised during public comment. On June 20, 2017, the City Commission approved the design concept for the E. 9th Street Project. The estimated project costs include:
|
Construction (not including bike lanes & burying overhead electric lines) |
$1.8 million |
|
Contingency |
200,000 |
|
Engineering |
170,000 |
|
Estimated Project Total |
$2.18 million |
|
Project Budget |
$2.5 million |
The Public Works Department is directing the project design with Bartlett & West Engineering and will also provide project oversight during construction including engineering, administration, inspection, and material testing.
Public Works Street Division Staff Compete in Annual Snow Roadeo
Attached, please find information on the Kansas American Public Works Association Snow Roadeo.
Update on Planned Street Events Through December 2017
Attached is an update of street events currently planned through the remainder of 2017.
Transportation Commission Update – Complete Streets Policy Review
The National Complete Streets Coalition held a Workshop in Lawrence on June 20, 2017 to discuss “Complete Street Policy Development” (Participant Resources attached). The workshop was open to the public and six Transportation Commissioners attended. Discussion included best practices, implementation strategies and performance measures. The effectiveness of the Lawrence Complete Streets Policy that was adopted in 2012 was also discussed.
At the July 10, 2017 Transportation Commission meeting, the Commission discussed formally evaluating the Lawrence Complete Streets Policy. The Commission unanimously approved forming a committee including Commissioners Schartz, Dillon and Evans to review the policy. The committee will meet and report back to the Transportation Commission on the timeline to complete the review.
Monthly Building Permit Report
The Building Safety Division issued 189 building permits in July, with total construction for the month valued at $9,382,019. Total permit fees assessed for the month were $54,159, and total review fees assessed were $5,912. Permits were issued for three (3) new residential projects, all for single-family dwellings. Staff Memo Monthly Permit Report Year-to-Date Summary
Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical July Monthly Activity Report
Attached is the July monthly activity report for the Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical Department.
Lawrence Transit Wins Highest Ridership Award Three Years in a Row
The partnership between Lawrence Transit and the University of Kansas was once again recognized at the Kansas Public Transit Association Annual Meeting and Expo in Garden City, Kansas on August 15. For the third year in a row, the Federal Transit Administration presented Lawrence Transit and the University of Kansas the 2015-16 award for the highest increase in ridership (374,143) by any urban provider in the state.
John Williams Presents at the 2017 CHECK Conference
John Williams, Technology and Services Manager from the City’s I.T. Department, recently presented at the Conference for Higher Education Computing in Kansas (CHECK), held at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas in June. John’s presentation was on “The Technology Group,” based on a project John has been implementing at the City of Lawrence. John’s presentation focused on I.T. management in a resource-restricted environment. John’s presentation was well attended, and well received, and John has been asked to speak at next year’s CHECK Conference, which will be at Kansas University.
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.