ITEM NO. 7:              RECEIVE PROPOSALS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS (DRG)

 

Receive suggestions and/or proposals from the public, Fire & Medical Department, Police Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and City Manager’s Office for projects to be included in the 2005-2010 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for the City of Lawrence.

 

STAFF PRESNTATION

Mr. Guntert introduced the first part of the 2005 - 2010 Capital Improvements Projects list.  The document had been split into two sections this year for manageability, and the second section would come before the Commission in April 2004.

 

The first section included projects from various City Departments, as well as those projects suggested during public hearings.  Of the 34 projects in this section, ten were identified to begin in 2004-2005, based on the financial feasibility of completion within 12 months.  The remaining projects had been spread over the next five years of the project list.

 

Mr. Guntert explained a few projects included in the 2005-2010 list were more likely to occur after 2010, but were included to keep them “active”. 

 

Staff revised the tables and maps per Study Session discussion, giving an ID code to each project and carrying these codes over to the maps to identify the location of each project.  Maps were also provided showing fire station coverage, based on a 4-minute response time, for existing conditions and with the proposed new stations.

 

Staff recommended approval of the first section of the 2005-2010 CIP, based on the determination that all projects were in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.

 

DraftPUBLIC HEARING

No member of the public spoke on this Item.

 

CLOSING COMMENTS

Staff had no closing comments.

 

COMMISSION DISCUSSION

Comm. Schachter said he planned to limit his comments to land use issues, although the “inadequacy of the process” would need to be discussed at a later date.  He said it was apparent from the coverage maps that more fire stations would be needed in the Urban Growth Area.

 

Park land was discussed, noting that much of the land already acquired was not located suitably for park land, based on the criteria stated in the Comprehensive Plan.  The Commission was pleased that acquisition of new park land would now come before them for review.

 

 

ACTION TAKEN

Motioned by Comm. Lawson and seconded to approve the first section of the 2005 – 2010 Capital Improvements Projects list and forward it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval, based on the determination that all projects were substantially in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.

 

DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION

It was verified that the word “substantially” would be included in the record.

 

Comm. Burress stated he would vote against the motion because he did not feel the Commission had a substantive basis for determining conformance.

 

ACTION TAKEN

Motion on the floor was to approve the first section of the 2005 – 2010 Capital Improvements Projects list and forward it to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval, based on the determination that all projects were substantially in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.

 

Motion carried 7-2, with Comm.’s Angino, Eichhorn, Haase, Schachter, Schenewerk, Lawson and Jennings voting in favor.

Comm.’s Burress and Johnson voted in opposition and Student Commissioner Bittenbender voted in the affirmative.