CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Next Steps
Linda Finger, Planning Director, provides the attached memo outlining suggested “next steps” for the community to engage in as a follow up to the Neighborhood Development Workshop (2/11-2/12) and the SmartGrowth Leadership Grant.
Chief McSwain To Be Honored
Fire/Medical Chief Jim McSwain will be honored with the 2005 Buford Watson Public Service award to be given at the Leadership Lawrence Celebration scheduled for Friday, April 29 at 7:30 a.m. at Maceli’s. McSwain has been Chief of the department since 1978. He has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from Central State University and an associate’s degree in fire protection technology. Prior to serving the citizens of Lawrence, McSwain was an assistant university professor in Oklahoma and held many positions with the City of Montgomery, Alabama Fire Department. Noteworthy innovations from Chief McSwain include implementation of a physical fitness program in 1980 for the department, creator of the Special Rescue team program, introduced the Quint concept to Lawrence, created the first department in Kansas to have a certified SCBA repair and overhaul facility, started an apartment inspection program, created the Night Consultant Program, which won Public Technology Inc.’s (PTI) National Award in 1982 for fire safety and disaster preparedness, created the extraboard system in Lawrence, and led the successful merger between Douglas County Ambulance Service and the City of Lawrence Fire Department in 1997. McSwain was also the State of Kansas Fire Chief of the Year in 2004.
WWTP Staff Awards
Attached is a memo detailing the three awards Utilities Department staff recently received from the Kansas Water Environment Association. In receiving the Plant Operations and Maintenance Award, Biosolids Management Award, and Plant Safety Award from the Kansas Water Environment Association at their annual conference and convention on April 12-14, 2005, the City of Lawrence Wastewater Treatment Plant staff was awarded 3 of the major 3 possible awards in our size category (sort of the “triple crown” of the wastewater awards).
Hybrid Vehicle Information
In response to an information request from Commissioner Schauner, Steve Stewart, central Garage Supt. with the Public Works department submits the attached report.
Organizational Update
The attached memo provides an update to some of the organizational adjustments that have been accomplished this year or are underway.
HB 2058
Staff is reviewing recently enacted HB 2058 (attached) which mandates that cities require continuing education requirements for licensed plumbers and HVAC licensees. A copy of the law is also being provided to board members on City trades boards. A staff report and recommendations for compliance with this new law will be provided to the Commission on a future agenda.
Work Plan for 2004
The attached work plan that enumerates the variety of completed projects by the Parks Maintenance Division of the Parks and Rec Department, helped contribute to the City of Lawrence being named once again as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
City of Lawrence news releases included in MARC regional newsroom
The Regional Newsroom at www.marc.org/regionalnewsroom.htm serves as a repository for news releases from local governments throughout the metro area. Public Information Officers in city and county governments and agencies on both sides of the state line submit news releases to this site on a daily basis. This allows media to access releases they might not normally see based on geographic distribution of releases.
Travel Training Featured in Kansas Trans Reporter
The “T” Time travel training program offered by Lawrence Transit System was featured in the April 2005 edition of the Kansas Trans Reporter, a newsletter for Kansas rural and specialized transportation providers. The newsletter may be viewed online at the University of Kansas Transportation Center website. http://www.kutc.ku.edu/cgiwrap/kutc/home/newsletters.php
Action Items from 04-19 -05
A report on the action items assigned to staff during the 04/19/05 City Commission meeting is attached, along with an update of previous action item assignments.
Action Items from 04-19-05
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Consent Agenda Item # |
Action Request |
Timetable |
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City Manager’s Report |
Action Request |
Timetable |
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Regular Agenda Item # |
Action Request |
Timetable |
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Commission Item |
Action Request |
Timetable |
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Action Items from previous CC meetings:
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Agenda Item |
Action Request |
Timetable |
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noise ordinance and construction exemption |
Staff to gather input from interested parties (neighborhoods, construction contractors, etc.), review various laws and practices from other cities and bring options back to CC for further consideration |
tbd |
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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 |
Discussed at the April 12 Advisory Board meeting; Board voted to recommend purchase of property to CC |
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Pesticide proposal |
Parks and Recreation staff and Advisory board to review the proposal with timeline and recommendations |
Tentatively scheduled for 05/17/05 CC agenda item |
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Smoking ordinance discussion |
Research nursing home issue |
Spring, 2005 |
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Recommended energy conservation strategies |
Schauner wants more information (updated with new fuel costs) regarding a schedule for acquiring larger hybrid vehicles |
Staff memo provided to the City Manager’s office on hybrid vehicles, 4/6/05 |
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Development Code |
Further study and corrections; legal review underway |
Fall, 2005 |
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Storm shelter/safe house |
City’s role in public education – increase awareness of the different types of shelter that are available for protection |
Will work with Lisa Patterson re: pub ed campaign options. |
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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.
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Torres memo |
Place Structural Blight Abatement and Neighborhood Revitalization Act memo on future CC agenda |
Future CC agenda item |
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Commission Item |
Action Request |
Timetable |
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Highberger |
Discussion at CC level of annexation policy for the City sometime soon after the election. |
Tentatively scheduled for 05/18/05 SS with County |
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Highberger |
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 |
Was discussed at the April 12 advisory board meeting. Parks standard survey of area cities completed. Continued discussion slated at the May 10 meeting. |
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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. |
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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 |
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Rundle |
Convene downtown parking board to discuss issues |
Meeting date to be determined |
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Rundle |
Rundle will proceed with discussions with staff to develop review process of ordinances addressing public behavior |
04/12/05 meeting held with interested parties. |
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Rundle |
Place discussion and funding of CHAT process on future agenda |
Funding approved by CC; focus groups being formed and meetings scheduled |