Week ending March 16, 2019
Lawrence Islamic Center – Added 03/19/19
On 3/15/19 Chief Greg Burns addressed members of the Lawrence Islamic Center concerning the terror attacks at two (2) New Zealand Mosques that left 49 people dead and 47 people injured on 3/14/19. Chief Burns made it clear that the City of Lawrence and its law enforcement officers stood with the members of the Islamic Center against this unprecedented violence that has no place within any community. Available resources such as directed patrol and active shooter training were offered. It was also made clear that at this time the Lawrence Police Department had received no information of threats directed toward the Lawrence Islamic Center. Also present were Captain Troy Squire, Sergeant Steve Verbanic, and a representative from the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
Response to Comments Regarding the Short Term Rental at 921 Holiday Drive
At the March 5, 2019 City Commission meeting, the commission considered a special use permit (SUP), SUP-18-00572, to establish a short term rental (STR) use at 921 Holiday Drive. During the consideration, there was concern about the applicant’s renting out their property as a STR before approval of the special use permit. Staff refutes this notion in the attached memo.
Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical Chief Search
The City Manager will provide an update regarding the Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical Chief Search process. Attached is a letter from the County regarding the search. Chief of Fire Medical Department (Director) Public Process - Added 03/19/19 PowerPoint - Added 03/19/19
Attached is information previously distributed on the March 5, 2019 City Manager’s Report regarding involvement in the Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical Chief search.
Animal Control
Lawrence Animal Control Officers have the ability to respond to emergency situations or serious calls for service 24 hours a day. These calls are answered by the Douglas County Dispatch Center. Outside of the hours worked by Animal Control Officers, patrol supervisors may authorize the call out of off-duty Animal Control Officers should the seriousness of the situation warrant the callout. Animal Control Officers only, have the ability to assess the Humane Society 24 hours a day. Regular patrol staff do not have this access.
Strategic Plan Update
Attached is an update on the strategic plan that was deferred from the March 5 City Commission meeting. No formal action is required on this item.
Safe Routes to School Implementation and Planning Work
In 2019, the Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) partnership, led by the Lawrence - Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization, will conduct a planning process to develop a citywide SRTS plan. The partnership includes: the Lawrence – Douglas County Health Department, City of Lawrence, Lawrence Public Schools, the University of Kansas (as part of the Academic Health Department), and the Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Office. The process will review/revise the Community’s goal for SRTS, evaluate the SRTS routes established in the Regional Pedestrian Plan, and make recommendations for improved walking and biking to Lawrence’s Elementary and Middle Schools. The process will provide opportunities for the public to hear about the progress we have made and provide input as we continue to work towards being more walkable and bikeable. For more information, read about the SRTS implementation since 2014 in the Safe Routes to School Progress Update memo.
City submits testimony supporting Senate Bill 124- the Kansas Energy Fairness Act and letter to the House Committee on Elections regarding SB 105, the bill that would reduce the “lame duck” period between local elections and the time when local elected officials would take office
In line with the adopted legislative program urging support for energy efficiency, the City has submitted testimony supporting SB 124, the Kansas Energy Fairness Act, which supports the repeal of punitive fees on solar users. These fees have negatively impacting solar businesses based in Lawrence, as well as solar consumers. A letter has also been sent to the House Committee on Elections regarding SB 105, the bill that would reduce the “lame duck” period between local elections and the time when local elected officials would take office. A similar letter had previously been sent to the Kansas Senate. Both items of correspondence will be posted on the City’s legislative issues page on the City’s website, https://lawrenceks.org/legislation/. Mayor Larsen Letter on SB 124 Mayor Larsen Letter on SB 105
Monthly Utility Billing Report
Attached is the Monthly Utility Billing report for February.
January 2019 Sales Tax Report
The January Sales Tax Report has been posted on the Finance Department’s site, https://lawrenceks.org/finance/accounting/sales-tax/. The attached January report show year-to-date sales tax revenues with a 7.7% increase over the same period in 2018. January 2019 saw a 7.7% increase over the same month in 2018.
Transit Amenities Update
Attached is the Transit Amenities Update report.
Transit Amenities at Franklin Road and 25th Terrace Update
Attached is a report regarding Transit amenities at Franklin Road and 25th Terrace.
Bike Boulevard Pop-up Layouts
Attached is the 2018 Bicycle Boulevard Update report.
Pothole Mitigation Summary
Attached is the Roadway Pothole Mitigation summary report for January/February 2019.
Snow event Summary of Salt Inventory
Attached is the Salt Inventory Summary report for 2018/2019 Snow events.
Municipal Services & Operations Department Update
The attached memorandum provides an update about the ongoing formation of the Municipal Services & Operations (MSO) department. Formation of the MSO is substantially complete, and the department’s new organizational chart is available here: Municipal Services & Operations Org Chart
City of Lawrence Participation in Earth Hour
Earth Hour, an initiative of the World Wildlife Fund, began as a single-city initiative in Sydney in 2007 and has grown into a global movement. Hundreds of millions of people from more than 7,000 cities and towns in more than 180 countries and territories across every continent switch off their lights for an hour and join the movement to take climate action.
From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30, the City will turn off City Hall lights that are not required for safety or emergency operations.
Residents and businesses are invited to join the City of Lawrence in this global initiative and encourage their families and friends to switch off their lights for Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m. Saturday March 30. Visit https://www.earthhour.org/ to find out more about the event and show your support.
Parks & Recreation Nutrition Education Program
Parks and Recreation has applied for a grant in support of its nutrition education program used in its summer camps, as well as in conjunction with the Summer Free Lunch Program sites. See attached for more information
Parks & Recreation Daddy/Daughter Date Night Follow-up
This serves as an update to the Daddy/Daughter Date Night program held Saturday, March 2, which drew attention via social and local media for staff not initially allowing a mother to take her daughter to the event because her husband had recently passed away. It was an event he and his daughter annually attended for several years. It was quickly corrected, and the mother was notified she and her daughter would be welcome to attend the dance. The department has addressed with staff the need for inclusiveness within all programming and also reviewed its approach regarding sensitivity and protocol.
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.