Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun
FROM:	Chuck Soules
CC:	Shoeb Uddin, Dena Mezger, John Miller, Toni Wheeler,  David Woosley, Scott Wagner
Date:	July 18, 2007
RE:	George Williams Way Benefit Districts

Please include the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at the July 24, 2007 meeting:

Project History.

April 17, 2007	City Commission approved Mercato plat and accepted right-of-way.
May 15, 2007	Public hearing establishing three benefit districts for GWW.
May 15, 2007	Approved Resolutions 6661, 6663 and 6665 directing the improvements for GWW and intersection at 6^th Street.
June 6, 2007	City received protest petition against benefit district south of 6^th Street (Resolution 6663).

Project Status.  The limits of the three benefit districts included:

Resolution 6661	GWW (north) from Overland Drive to north city limits.
Resolution 6663	GWW (south) from Ken Ridge Drive north to 6^th Street, including one-half of the intersection improvements (signal and southbound right-turn lane)
Resolution 6665	GWW (north) from 6^th Street north to Overland Drive including one-half of the intersection improvements (signal and northbound right-turn lane)

The City received a timely protest petition for the benefit district from George Williams Way south to Kenridge Drive. Staff met with a representative of the property owners to discuss a possible solution to their protest and to request a withdrawal of their protest.  An agreement with the property owners could not be reached.  The protest petition has been reviewed by staff and determined to be valid.  Therefore, the south GWW benefit district cannot proceed, and the intersection at 6^th Street and GWW cannot be constructed

In order to complete the intersection (signalization and turn lanes) we are recommending the formation of a separate benefit district solely for the intersection improvements.  The properties included in this benefit district are shown on the attached map.  These are the same properties that commutatively would have paid for the intersection improvements originally.  The distribution of costs over these properties is such that no single owner would control the fate of the benefit district and the necessary improvements could be completed. 

The GWW benefit district north of 6^th Street to Overland Drive will be revised to decrease the scope of the improvements and the costs to be assessed. Staff will work with Bond Counsel on the restructuring of the district and they advise this can be completed solely with approval of a Resolution (and publication) as we will be reducing the scope of work (removal of intersection improvements).

Action Requested.  Approve Resolution 6730 setting a public hearing date of August 28, 2007 for intersection improvements at 6^th Street and George Williams Way.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

CFS/je

Attachments:  Resolution No. 6730

Map