CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending February 8, 2013
TASER usage report
In 2012, the Lawrence Police Department responded to 112,464 calls for service and wrote 16,445 investigative and 2,861 accident reports. In the course of performing these duties, officers utilized an Electronic Control Device (commonly called TASERs) on eleven occasions (2010 deployment was eight occasions, 2011 deployment was seven occasions). Additionally, between January 1 and December 31, 2012, we displayed TASERs 19 times without deploying the device. The circumstances in these incidents meant that the presence of the ECD was enough to stop the potential for violence. Please see the attached cover memo and report for more information.
EPA to provide parking workshop regarding Oread neighborhood
The city applied for and was awarded a Parking Audit Workshop from EPA (see attached media release). Across the nation, EPA awarded 43 communities with technical assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program. The workshop will provide Lawrence with key assistance to manage parking supply and demand in the Oread neighborhood. This technical assistance comes in two forms:
This effort is being led by the City’s Planning staff, MPO, & Sustainability staff, in partnership with KU Parking, Facilities, and Sustainability departments. The workshop is tentatively scheduled for April 17.
January building permits report
The Building Safety Division issued 145 building permits in January, with total construction for the month valued at $16,887,920. Total permit fees assessed for the month were $107,210.80. Permits were issued for 19 new residential projects, including 8 new single-family dwellings and 11 apartment buildings with 264 dwelling units. Please see the attached memo, summary, and report for more information.
2012 delinquent special assessments report
State law and the city’s development policy allows for special assessment financing for certain public improvements. Additionally, the City has the authority to place special assessments on property for certain code clean-up work such as mowing property with excessive vegetation. The most recent 2012 delinquent special assessment report is attached along with a map indicating the location of delinquent special assessments. The total delinquencies of $33,489 represented a delinquency of 1.2% of the total $2,690,000 which was billed. Unpaid special assessments, like property taxes, will eventually be part of any County foreclosure action on unpaid taxes and specials.
2013 tax abatement wage floor
The tax abatement policy wage floor is adjusted each year, based upon the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty rate for a family of three. The wage floor rate for Lawrence in 2013 is $12.21/hour, up from $11.93/hour in 2012. See attached memo for more information.
2012 Facilities and Structures Division annual report
The Facilities and Structures Division has responsibilities in 5 main program areas – Community Health Building, Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence Municipal Airport, Facilities and Structures (general), and parking garages (Riverfront Parking Garage and New Hampshire Parking Garage). The attached annual report highlights many of the big and small projects completed by the division in 2012.
2012 Energy Usage + Cost Report
The City/County Sustainability Coordinator and staff in various departments monitor the city’s energy usage for four commodities (natural gas, electricity, unleaded gasoline, and diesel fuel). The 2012 Annual Energy Report memo describes key findings, and the report shows usage by department, total city expenditures on energy, and an overview of key energy efficiency projects undertaken or completed in 2012.
Monthly tracking of the City’s energy use continues with our EnergyCAP software, and is reviewed quarterly by the cross-departmental Energy Management Team. By utilizing both the monthly EnergyCAP tracking and the real-time data provided by smart meters, the Team is able to track progress on efficiency savings and identify energy usage irregularities quickly. Progress continues on work to identify key opportunities for energy efficiency and conservation – especially in LED lighting technologies and alternative fuel vehicles.
Presentation: Sustainability 2012 Year In Review
City staff in Sustainability, Public Works, Planning, and Utilities will provide an overview of the city’s sustainability successes in 2012. The presentation highlights efforts across city departments.