CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Traffic Unit Report
Sgt. Randy Roberts, supervisory of the Lawrence Police Department Traffic Unit, will provide an activity report.
First Quarter Financial Report
Ed Mullins, Finance Director, will briefly summarize the 2005 First Quarter Financial Report.
Public Works Awards and 2004 Annual Report
Chuck Soules, Public Works Director, announces that the Public Works Department has received three notable awards this year:
· APWA Project of the Year Awards – 19th and Barker
· ACPA Project of the Year Award – Airport Runway Rehab Project
· APWA Excellence in Field Supervision Award – Mike Cheek, Solid Waste Supervisor
In addition to noting these awards, the 2004 Annual Report for the Public Works Department is attached. The Report can also be viewed on the department’s website at http://www.lawrencepublicworks.org/pdf/2004_Annual_report.pdf
19th and Louisiana Public Meeting
The attached post card was sent to 944 property owners in the area of 19th and Louisiana notifying them of an upcoming public meeting being held to discuss the upcoming intersection improvements project.
Street Inventory Update
The attached map illustrates the streets inventoried to date and those scheduled to be inspected in May, 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. The inventory component is 71% complete.
Blasting Ordinance Update
Toni Wheeler, Staff Attorney, provides the attached memo as an update to the City Commission on the progress of the revisions to the City’s blasting ordinance.
Legislation Impacting Lawrence
A number of new State laws will impact City laws and services. City staff is reviewing these new State laws as copies become available. New State laws impacting the City include:
· SB 77 Prohibition Against Racial Profiling / Law Enforcement Agency Reporting Requirements
· SB 78 Amendments to Open Records and Open Meetings Laws; Open Records Requirements for Certain Not-for-Profits Receiving Public Funds
· H. Sub for SB 24 Amending the State Annexation Laws; Requiring Certain Considerations in Unilateral Annexations
· H. Sub for SB 195 Preempting Local Firearm Transportation Laws
· SB 63 Landlord/Tenant Requirements for water service
· SB 148 Amending the State DUI law to remove the 5 year cap on diversions
Additionally, staff will be researching SB 298, which alters State liquor laws and will impact the City’s charter ordinance allowing for retail alcohol sales on Sundays.
South Park Center Improvements
Marks Hecker, Parks Superintendent, provides these pictures of improvements recently completed at the South Park Center. Improvements included new windows, new exterior paint, new entry, new offices, new kitchen, new HVAC, new meeting room…….. If you haven’t been by lately, stop in sometime. Later this summer we plan to replace the flooring in the north room, west room and hallways.
Action Items from 05-03 -05
A report on the action items assigned to staff during the 05/03/05 City Commission meeting is attached, along with an update of previous action item assignments.