CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Sanitary Sewer Project Update
Jim Stuit, Field Operations Supt. for the Utilities Department, provides the attached report for the Clinton Parkway and Wakarusa Relief Sewer Project. This $140,793 project involved the installation of a relief sewer that enabled the City to decommission a pump station at 4820 Clinton Parkway.
CAFR Earns GFOA Award
The City of Lawrence has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. This Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. The 2003 CAFR is the first report that incorporated the GASB 34 standard.
Fire/Medical Department Annual Report
Attached is the 2004 Annual Report from the Fire/Medical Department.
Crash Data Update
David Woosley, Traffic Engineer, provides the following data. During the 5 years prior to the construction of the roundabout at 19th & Barker, there were 17 reported PDO crashes and 6 reported INJURY crashes. Based on the latest information from KDOT on the state-wide average cost of crashes, these crashes cost the public $435,150 ($2,550/PDO, $65,300/INJURY). Since the intersection reopened, there have not been any reported crashes. During the 5 years prior to the construction of the traffic calming circle at 17th & New Hampshire, there were 5 reported PDO crashes and 3 reported INJURY crashes. Based on the latest information from KDOT, these crashes cost the public $208,650. Since the intersection reopened, there have not been any reported crashes. We are in the process of determining the 85th percentile speeds on Barker Avenue adjacent to the islands that were constructed as a part of the same project.
FHWA Roundabout Brochure
The attached informational brochure is provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) describing the benefits of roundabouts.
Street Inventory Update
The attached map illustrates the streets inventoried to date and those scheduled to be inspected in April, 2005. 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.
Spring Application of Biosolids
Attached is the project report for the Spring, 2005 land application event.
HAND Update
As the City Commission prepares to participate in a review of the housing affordability issue, staff has prepared a follow-up report on the HAND Addition which was a public-private partnership constructing a single family development.
Compost Use Saving Money
The City’s Parks Department has not had to buy compost for a variety of parks projects the past few months, due to ongoing use of the screened compost that is processed by staff at the compost site on East 11th Street. For the period from October through December, 2004, 54 cubic yards of compost were used in South Park, 12 cubic yards at 12th and Haskell, and 60 cubic yards at the Rotary Arboretum, for a total of 126 cubic yards used.
Action Items from 03-29 -05
A report on the action items assigned to staff during the 03/29/05 City Commission meeting is attached, along with an update of previous action item assignments. (There were no action items assigned during the 04-05-05 meeting)
Action Items from 03-29 -05
|
Consent Agenda Item # |
Action Request |
Timetable |
|
#10 Burroughs Creek Area Study Committee proposal to acquire Lot 1, Sale Barn Addition |
Refer to Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and city staff for report |
To be discussed at the April 12 Advisory Board meeting |
|
City Manager’s Report |
Action Request |
Timetable |
|
|
|
|
|
Regular Agenda Item # |
Action Request |
Timetable |
|
#4 Pesticide proposal |
Ask the Parks and Recreation staff and Advisory board to review the proposal with timeline and recommendations to work toward this goal. |
30 day report back to City Commission |
|
Commission Item |
Action Request |
Timetable |
|
Rundle |
Minutes need to be substantially as Board discussion and recommendations are developed and stated. |
Reminders have been sent to all Advisory Board staff liaisons. |
|
Highberger |
Discussion at CC level of annexation policy for the City sometime soon after the election. |
tbd |
Action Items from previous CC meetings:
|
Agenda Item |
Action Request |
Timetable |
|
Smoking ordinance discussion |
Research nursing home issue |
Spring, 2005 |
|
Recommended energy conservation strategies |
Schauner wants more information (updated with new fuel costs) regarding a schedule for acquiring larger hybrid vehicles |
Staff memo being developed by Fleet Manager; target completion, mid-April |
|
Development Code |
Further study and corrections; refer KU/City agreement to PC |
Fall, 2005 |
|
Storm shelter/safe house |
More info on construction changes to structures; City’s role in public education – increase awareness of the different types of shelter that are available for protection; multi-family storm shelters. Discuss schools at next joint meeting |
Will work with Lisa Patterson re: pub ed campaign options. Shelters for schools will be agenda item for April 18th joint meeting |
|
TSC recommendations from New York School PTO |
Explore safe crossing options for 11th Street, research and bring to TSC |
Will bring safe crossing options to TSC spring, 2005.
|
|
Torres memo |
Place Structural Blight Abatement and Neighborhood Revitalization Act memo on future CC agenda |
Future CC agenda item |
|
Traffic Calming Improvements |
TSC to consider options to make pedestrian crossing on GWW safe-at school |
Roundabout is being constructed at Harvard and GWW (north property line of school). Stop sign at 15th and GWW. |
|
Commission Item |
Action Request |
Timetable |
|
Highberger |
Ask P&R advisory board to look at Master Plan verbiage regarding ½ mile service area for parks; look at possibility of amending Master Plan to include smaller neighborhood parks w/smaller service radius |
Will be discussed at the April 12 advisory board meeting. |
|
Highberger |
Safe crossing options on 6th St. at Kentucky and Tennessee |
Options are being generated by staff. Options need to be reviewed by Traffic Safety Commission and affected neighborhoods and property owners. |
|
Rundle |
Will form small work group to work with City Manager/staff to improve efficiency (focus on employee’s role in addressing change and improvements) |
Meetings to be established with work group Spring, 2005 |
|
Rundle |
Convene downtown parking board to discuss issues |
Meeting date to be determined |
|
Rundle |
Rundle will proceed with discussions with staff to develop review process of ordinances addressing public behavior |
April meeting being established with interested parties. |
|
Rundle |
Place discussion and funding of CHAT process on future agenda |
Funding approved by CC; focus groups being formed and meetings scheduled |