Week ending September 16, 2017
Update on short-term rentals (Airbnb)
On August 15, 2017, the City Commission directed staff to pursue a framework to regulate owners and properties being used as short-term rental properties. Staff have developed a public participation program to solicit input prior to bring forward a recommended ordinance.
The public is invited to attend a stakeholder/community meeting on Tuesday, September 26, 2017. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall in the City Commission Room. There will be a short presentation followed by public comment. Participants will also be asked to take a brief survey which will be available online at www.lawrenceks.org/lawrence-listens from September 26 to October 13. The feedback collected will help guide staff through the development of a short-term rental ordinance which will be presented to the City Commission tentatively scheduled for their November 14, 2017 work session.
Lawrence Loop Alignment Study
The City of Lawrence is studying potential alignments for two incomplete sections of pedestrian and bicycle path (the north end of the Burroughs Creek Rail Trail along 11th Street to the Shared Use Path in Burcham Park and the west side of the Sandra Shaw Trail to the Peterson Road Shared Use Path) to complete the Lawrence Loop. An open house was held in June to gather public input on proposed routes. Over the summer the study team evaluated the proposed routes and developed a series of alignment options. We are now seeking input on the proposed routes. There are two ways to provide input.
· Attend the open house September 18th, 2017, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Lawrence Public Library Auditorium, 707 Vermont Street. There will be no formal presentation so please feel free come at your convenience between these times.
· Take the short survey on Lawrence Listens - www.lawrenceks.org/lawrence-listens.
For more information or to view the proposed routes go to www.lawrenceks.org/loop.
Cost of Primary Election Update
The invoice to the City for the primary election held on August 1, 2017 totaled $37,380.74. If not for a portion of the costs being shared with USD 343, the City would have been charged an additional $400.00. In 2015, the cost to the City was significantly lower, $17,100.28, due to a 44/56 split with USD 497. Because we can’t rely on or predict shared costs, $40,000.00 will need to be allocated for primary election expenses going forward.
Charter Ordinance No. 44 reduces the number of candidates required to hold a primary election from more than three times the number of candidates as there are members to be elected (K.S.A. 25-2108), to more than two times the number of candidates. This increases the probability of a primary election being held. Considering the City incurs no costs for the general election, it might be prudent to review the benefits of this policy.
Application period for 2018 Transient Guest Tax grants will open October 5
In the 2018 budget, the City Commission set aside $150,000 in Transient Guest Tax funds for the purpose of supporting a grant program that would allow the city to draw on budgeted funds for requests for support. The grant process and program goals were revised recently. The application and program guidelines will be available online October 5 at lawrenceks.org/cmo/tgt-grants/.
An informational meeting will be held on Friday, October 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. at City Hall, 6 E. 6th Street, for any organization that is interested in applying for funding. At the informational meeting, city staff will be available to answer questions form organizations interested in applying for grant funds.
The Transient Guest Tax Grant Program will provide funding for specific events which meet the following goals:
· demonstrate a measurable economic benefit including enhancing the cultural economy or travel/tourism economy, create additional transient guest tax and sales tax; and
· enhance Lawrence’s character and reputation for tourist activities and demonstrate pull of regional visitors.
The program will have one funding cycle for 2018 (for events occurring January 1 through December 31, 2018). An advisory board reviews the applications and makes recommendations for funding to the City Commission for approval and final funding decisions. Grant applications for 2018 are due by November 3, 2017.
The online application and grant guidelines are online at lawrenceks.org/cmo/tgt-grants/.
Please contact Porter Arneill, Arts & Culture Director, (785) 832-3402, parneill@lawrenceks.org.
Planning & Development Services Monthly Project Report
Attached is an update on Planning & Development Services projects for September 2017.
Utility Billing Monthly Report
Attached is the August 2017 monthly report for Utility Billing.
Facilities Conservation Improvement Program
Attached is the September 2017 update on the Facilities Conservation Improvement Program.
Sports Pavilion Lawrence Monthly Update
Attached is the September 2017 monthly update for Sports Pavilion Lawrence.
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.