Week ending September 1, 2018
Common Ground Community Garden Program Update and 10/05/18 Garden Tour Invitation – Added 09/14/18
The City of Lawrence Common Ground community garden program was created in 2011 in collaboration with City leadership, staff, and the Food Policy Council. The program sought to support the development of urban agriculture and community gardens in the City of Lawrence and Douglas County, increasing local food production, and providing community benefits. The program has operated in response to the creativity of Lawrence residents, while establishing basic Rules and Procedures and a 3-year, rolling license for agricultural use of city-owned land. Existing sites include:
• Multiple rent-a-plot sites in parks and residential areas,
• A community orchard,
• A 5-acre incubator farm, and
• A permaculture demonstration garden.
Sustainability staff provide program management, in collaboration with the City Attorney’s Office, Parks & Recreation, and Planning & Development Services, among others.
Over these seven years, the program has grown and evolved, adding new sites and refining internal procedures, including city financial support for some garden start-up expenses. Common Ground relates to the City of Lawrence Strategic Plan Critical Success Factors of Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods and Collaborative Solutions. See the attached memo for more information.
Planning & Development Services Monthly Project Report
Attached is an update on Planning & Development Services projects.
August Monthly Building Permit Reports
The Building Safety Division issued 277 building permits in August, with total construction for the month valued at $23,753,983. Total permit fees assessed for the month were $161,201, and total review fees assessed were $7,662. Permits were issued for 48 new residential projects, including 23 single-family dwellings and 25 duplexes. Staff Report August Summary Year-to-Date Summary
Monthly Utility Billing Report
Attached is the August 2018 Monthly Utility Billing Report.
Animal Code Update
City staff has been working to revamp Chapter 3 of the City Code concerning the Regulation of Animals. In July, City staff began working together with Katie Barnett, an attorney for the Humane Society, on amendments to the Code. Those amendments propose changes to a number of sections, some of which have not been updated since the 1990’s and are anticipated to provide clarity and modernization to that section of the law. The proposed changes will be forwarded to the City Attorney for review in the coming weeks. The item is expected to appear on a City Commission agenda by the end of the year.
MSO/Utilities Staff Recognition
Congratulations to the 2018 Kansas Water Environment Association/Kansas Section of the American Water Works Association (KWEA/KsAWWA) Environmental Excellence Competition champions! The competition is a water and wastewater quiz-bowl style event. Lawrence's 4-person team comprised Control System Tech Daniel Whitmore, Utility Operator Nic Caruthers, Utilities Treatment Technician Andrew Burkhart, and Utility Operator Meredith Falkenstien. The team was coached by Utilities Manager Steven Craig. With this championship, the team advances to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exposition in Denver, Colorado next summer.
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.