Week ending November 18, 2017
Federal Legislation – Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The United States House of Representatives recently introduced a large overhaul bill pertaining to many sections of the Internal Revenue Service Code entitled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The House Committee on Ways and Means on November 6, 2017 began initial hearings on the legislation. There are several areas of the proposed act that would impact municipalities. These include changes to the tax-exempt status of some municipal bond issuances and repeal of historic tax credits and new markets tax credits. Kansas 2nd congressional district Representative Lynn Jenkins serves on the House Ways and Means Committee. Letters were sent to Representative Jenkins, Senator Moran, and Senator Roberts, detailing the impacts this legislation would have on Lawrence. Staff will continue to monitor this legislation.
October 2017 Monthly Utility Billing Report
Attached is the October 2017 Monthly Utility Billing Report.
Utility Billing Drop Box Update
The Finance Department recommends to cease accepting Utility Bill payments made through the grocery store drop boxes starting on December 29, 2017 and encourages customers to utilize other payment options available. See attached memo for additional information. Correspondence - Added 11/27/17
Low-Income Elderly Reduced Rate Program
The City Commission passed an amendment to the City Ordinance that allows qualified elderly residents reduced water, sanitary sewer, and sanitation charges. Qualification parameters are detailed in Chapter 19 Article 3 of City Code. As of November 2017, there are 74 active accounts that qualify for the elderly reduced rates. This program is managed by the Finance Department.
The Finance Department was directed by the governing body to submit a proposal expanding the reduced rate program to beyond just elderly customers. The Finance Department is working on that proposal and will be able to present it to the City Commission in the early part of 2018.
October 2017 Monthly Building Permit Reports
The Building Safety Division issued 177 building permits in October, with total construction for the month valued at $29,914,092. Total permit fees assessed for the month were $135,295, and total review fees assessed were $16,745. Permits were issued for fourteen (14) new residential projects, all for single-family dwellings. Staff Memo Monthly Permit Report Year-to-Date Summary
Thanksgiving Solid Waste Collection Times
There will be no trash, recycling, or yard waste collection service on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23rd. Thursday routes will be completed on Friday, November 24th and Friday routes will be completed on Saturday, November 25th. Only Thursday and Friday customers will be affected. There will be no collection service changes next week for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday customers.
Kansas Historical Society Heritage Trust Fund Grant
Parks and Recreation has submitted an application for a Heritage Trust Fund Grant from the Kansas Historical Society to repair the Oak Hill Mausoleum. Phase I repairs requested for the mausoleum include roof repairs, joint repairs, and mortar restoration. Costs for Phase I are estimated at $118,170. The grant submitted was for an 80/20 grant, with project cost being $23,634 for the City’s share of the work if the grant is awarded. Awards will be issued in early February.
Parks and Recreation’s Prairie Park Nature Center Receives Grant for Outreach to Youth
Parks and Recreation’s Prairie Park Nature Center has been awarded a grant from the Elizabeth Schultz Environmental Fund through the Douglas County Community Foundation to conduct outreach at local school classrooms in Douglas County on nature education. The grant will fund 25 of the nature center’s environmental education outreach programs to be delivered to school classrooms in Douglas County schools that have more than fifty percent (50%) of students qualifying for Title I funding. The primary goal of this project is to provide opportunities for local area schools with limited funding for science enrichment programs to access nature center programs for schools that support regular science curriculum. The goal is to get seventy-five percent (75%) of qualifying classrooms to participate, and a secondary mission is to help students connect with the natural world around them through engagement with live animals from the nature center as most programs will include education animals.
Future Agenda Items
Attached (updated 11/20/17), please find a summary of future agenda items.
Future Work Session Items
Attached, please find a summary of future work session items.