CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Report on Blasting Procedures Application
The attached staff report is provided to update the City Commission on efforts to draft an ordinance amending the blasting regulations found in Chapter 8, Article 2 of the City Code.
Olin Interviewed in Homeland Security Periodical
The July, 2004 issue of the Homeland Protection Professional includes an interview with Police Chief Ron Olin and includes Olin’s thoughts on a variety of post-September 11th security issues. (attachment)
“T” Hits Ridership Milestone
The Lawrence Transit System had a record ridership of 2,110 rides for total system ridership on July 15, 2004. The “T” fixed route system provided a milestone number of 1,927 rides. Leveraging the popularity of the annual sidewalk sale and two benefits of the “T”, no parking or traffic worries, the free ridership promotion was a success bringing in more riders to the system. The milestone is a 63 percent increase compared to the 2003 annual sidewalk sale record ridership day where the system provided 1, 182 rides. The T Lift, paratransit door-to-door service for disabled individuals contributed to our system milestone with 183 paratransit rides.
The attached spreadsheet reports the 2004 YTD sales tax collections as well as provides an historical reference (1995 thru 2003).
Rain and Softball – A Challenge
Last week’s National Girls Fast Pitch softball tournament brought lots of visitors to town and required nearly 24 hour/day ball diamond maintenance for over a week. Added to that was the challenge of getting the fields playable despite three major rain events! Gary Hines and the Park District #1 staff met the challenge and greatly contributed to the tournament’s success.
2004-2005 Byrne Law Enforcement Grant
In 2003, the Lawrence Police Department was awarded the federally funded, state administered Byrne Law Enforcement Grant, which provided funding for the upgrade of the department’s Forensic Video System as well as advanced forensic training. During the grant period, the LPD processed over 100 video exhibits and helped every agency with overlapping or adjacent jurisdictions to the LPD. Additionally, we were able to assist the following: Fort Riley Military Police, FBI, Junction City Police Department, KSU Police Department, Marysville Police Department, Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Due to the success of last year’s grant and the extensive use of the purchased equipment, the LPD applied to continue this funding and was recently awarded the grant for 2004-2005. The grant is for $53,547 with a City match of $16,064. This combined funding will upgrade and enhance computer storage for both the video forensic computers and the computer forensic computers. This equipment often assists with digital video exhibits and the storage will help accommodate the increase in video exhibits being processed. Additionally, the recent grant will provide advanced training for the detectives tasked with analyzing the many different types of video exhibits being processed as evidence and for use in court presentations.
South Park Improvements
Parks and Recreation Department staff has recently completed some improvements to South Park, including the installation of new fencing around the gazebo. The fencing replaces some deteriorated wooden fence, helps define the landscape beds to limit foot traffic through them, and will be used to support climbing roses that will be planted next spring. Rowan Green and the Park District #2 staff and Crystal Miles and the Landscape staff are to be commended for the nice work they have done on the east side of South Park over the past year.
Claims Data Available
As a new feature of the paperless agenda, the list of claims approved by the City Commission at each meeting will be posted to the agenda the day after the City Commission meeting.
