CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Greenbelt Master Plan
Fred DeVictor, Parks & Rec Director, provides the attached master plan for City Commission review. The department has completed the process of holding several public meetings and developing consensus for the master plan for the 42 acre greenbelt park east of Langston Hughes Elementary School. This final plan is ready for final consideration and approval. The process began last fall with Landplan Engineering working with staff to develop schematic conceptual drawings which were presented at several public meetings after which a final master plan was developed. At their April 12th meeting the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board approved this plan for future development, which has West Lawrence Neighborhood Association endorsement. This project is one of several on the list for consideration for the 2006 CIP Budget.
Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems Crew Prepares for Severe Weather
At the Tuesday, May 24th monthly safety meeting for the Department of Utilities collection systems division, employees participated in the annual review of severe weather precautions. Bill Brubaker of Douglas County Emergency Management delivered an educational presentation on severe weather covering precautions to take in the field. He also showed a video of severe storms, covered indicators to be aware of during severe weather season, and the dangers of lightning. Emergency Management presented the group with an all hazards radio. Weather affects the crew's work flow and annual training such as this helps ensure that they work safely in the field. Mike Lemming, Collection Systems Operator, coordinated the meeting.
Lawrence Municipal Airport – 2004 Annual Report
MARC Planning Ethics Seminar
Linda Finger, Planning Director and David Corliss, Assistant City Manager/Director of Legal Services, attended a MARC Planning Ethics Seminar on May 19 in Kansas City, Missouri. Corliss presented the attached paper surveying the law on due process, ex parte communications, pre-judgment, conflict of interest, and open meetings requirements. Corliss also participated in a panel discussion on ethics issues with Paul Farmer, Executive Director of the American Planning Association.
Watershed Protection Committee Report
Shari Stamer, Water Quality Manager for the Utilities Department, has been involved over the past few years with the Core Working Group for the Water Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) for the Upper Wakarusa Watershed. In October 2003, members of this Group gave brief presentations to key officials on the WRAPS goals and initiatives. Since that time, the Group has been working on prioritizing and implementing the specific goals listed in the WRAPS document. Earlier this year, two subcommittees (urban and rural) were formed, and Shari is a member of the urban subcommittee. The Urban subcommittee members met on 5/16/05. Attached for your information are the notes from that meeting.
19th and Learnard Sanitary Sewer Project Report
Moundridge and Harvard Crosswalk
The attached photos illustrate the method used to install “Street Print” – a treatment that allows the contractor to stamp and color the asphalt to look similar to a brick crosswalk.
More Earth Day Photos
The attached photos capture some of the events hosted by the Utilities Department staff during the April 23rd Earth Day celebration in South Park.
Ridge Court Stormwater Project
The attached photo shows the final stages of a project that was completed this spring involving the construction of a detention basin where the duplex used to sit. This project is on the 1996 list of Group 1 stormwater projects.
Action Items from 05-17 -05
A report on the action items assigned to staff during the 05/17/05 City Commission meeting is attached, along with an update of previous action item assignments.