CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending January 25, 2005

 

Downtown Tree Replacement Information   Staff Memo

A staff memo responding to a City Commission information request is attached.

 

Public Transit Performance Measures   Performance Statistics

Attached please find statistics representing four years of operation for the Lawrence Public Transit System. 

 

IEMC Follow-Up Activity   Staff Memo

Public Works Department personnel who participated in the Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, met for a debriefing on December 15, 2004.  The summary of debriefing is attached and has been forwarded to the Douglas County Emergency Preparedness for inclusion in their after-action report.  The Public Works Department is currently working on scheduling for ICS training for front-line supervisors and developing a tabletop emergency management exercise that coordinates City and County response.

 

Community Support From City Employees

During the 2004 holiday season, city employees donated time, money and energy all with one goal in mind — to provide assistance and perhaps some joy to those who are in need in the Lawrence community.  The following list is representative of some of the employee efforts this past holiday season:

·        City employees raised more than $500 to support the adopt-a family program.  City employees coordinated the adoption of a family through the Ballard Center.  Gifts for each family member, dinner and a gift certificate were donated.

·        The Employee Relations Council and City of Lawrence Community Volunteers had funds remaining at the year end and donated $250 in support of adopting families through the holiday bureau at the Ballard Center.

·        City employees organized a fundraiser to support LINK.  Employees had the opportunity to enter a drawing for frozen turkeys.  The result was a $121 donation to the food kitchen.

·        City employees supported Toys for Tots during the employee holiday luncheon on December 15 by contributing new, unwrapped toys in the collection box.  Parks and Recreation supported the program by provided collection boxes at all recreation centers.

·        2004 Festival of Trees participation by city employees netted $1,300 at the annual auction held in support of The Shelter.

 

FEMA Funds Received  

Subsequent to the severe storms and flooding that occurred in Douglas County over the period August 27 – 30, 2004, the county was declared eligible for public assistance.  The City of Lawrence received $18,045.61 from FEMA to cover labor and equipment costs that were precipitated by the event.  The following department representatives assisted in the compilation of data necessary to receive these funds: Dan Affalter, Police Dept., Tammy Bennett, Public Works Dept., Peter Houston, Fire/Medical Dept., and Michael Tubbs, Utilities Dept. 

 

Street Inventory Update   Street Survey Map

The attached map illustrates the streets inventoried to date and those scheduled to be inspected in January/February.  This inventory step is the first component of the Pavement Management System that has been developed in the Public Works Department to prioritize street maintenance projects.

 

Structural Blight Abatement / Neighborhood Revitalization Act

The attached memo offers additional information to the Commission regarding these two topics.

Staff Memo  El Dorado, Kansas Revitalization Plan   K.S.A. 12-17114

 

Storm Shelter Recommendation   Staff Memo   UBC Minutes (09-16-04)

The attached memo contains and copy of minutes deals with the issue of storm shelters and the Uniform Building Code Board of Appeals (UBC) recommendation regarding this topic.

 

Action Items from 01-18-05

 

Consent Agenda Item #

Action Request

Timetable

n/a

No requests made

n/a

Regular Agenda Item #

Action Request

Timetable

1 – TSC recommendations from New York School PTO

Remove 30 MPH sign in from on New York School, install 4-way sop signs temporarily at 10th & NY and 9th & NY; explore safe crossing options for 11th Street, research and bring to TSC; remove stop sign at 9th & NJ; monitor traffic counts  and speeds on 11th Street

Begin process asap; get traffic counts and speeds for 11th St. while school is in session this semester; bring safe crossing options to TSC spring, 2005

2 – Housing Trust Fund Board request for direction

Com. Hack requested that during the 2006 budget process, staff remind the CC to discuss the need for an ongoing funding source for the HTF

Budget study session – note on calendar

5 – Adopt new Development Code

Defer for two weeks; bring back to CC written responses to the questions raised re: non-conforming uses and duplexes.

02/01/05

7 – 19th & Louisiana engineering contract

Provide prioritized list of signal and intersection improvement projects

01/25/05

8 – Executive Session

Defer to 01/25/05

01/25/05