CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending May 3, 2013
April Sales Tax Distribution Received
The City of Lawrence recently received its April sales tax distribution. The distribution is the result of retail sales from mid-February to mid-March. The distribution of $2,415,593.33 is $120,000 more than the prior year distribution for the same month. The first quarter 2013 sales tax distribution was up slightly less than 2.0% compared to the first quarter of 2012. Please see the attached memo for more information.
Major On-Going Code Enforcement Cases
The attached memo contains an update on several properties and code enforcement cases that have proved difficult to resolve. Since the last update on these properties was provided to the City Commission, several properties have been removed from the list, no new properties have been added, and several continue to be monitored.
Report on Broadband in Lawrence
Earlier this year, the City engaged CTC Technology & Energy to evaluate opportunities to enhance broadband in Lawrence. The consultants have prepared a report on this topic after visiting with providers, business representatives and representatives from governmental and educational institutions. It is anticipated that the report will be scheduled for a City Commission agenda on June 11 and the consultants will be present to review the report and answer any questions. The City Commission may wish to provide direction regarding some of the recommendations in the report at that time.
KDHE Monitoring Continues Near Presto at 9th and Louisiana
Several years ago, following detection of a leaking underground tank at the Presto station at 9th and Louisiana, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment installed a number of groundwater monitoring wells in nearby neighborhoods. In the last few weeks KDHE has been investigating the presence of petroleum detected in a monitoring well on Ohio Street. KDHE continues to monitor the situation and has distributed an information flier to residents along both sides of Ohio Street between 8th and 9th, as well as residents along the west side of Tennessee Street between 8th and 9th. KDHE is working with a contractor for Presto on remediation efforts, and is providing regular updates to city management and public safety officials.
Staff Responds to Sidewalk Questions
City staff recently responded to a number of questions from a citizen group regarding policies, practices, and funding for sidewalk repair and installation. Attached are questions submitted by the group and responses from staff.
Aerial Photos of Work at Rock Chalk Park
David Cronin, City Engineer, took several aerial photos of the work progressing at Rock Chalk Park. David was participating in the Lawrence flyover as part of his Leadership Lawrence class on April 25, 2013.
Street Maintenance Program Update
Public Works Department 2013 construction season is well underway. The attached report contains project status updates and a brief overview of our comprehensive street maintenance program.
Prescription Drug Take Back Event is Successful
On Saturday, April 27, the Lawrence Police Department, Kansas University Public Safety, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office sponsored drop off locations for people to properly dispose of unused and unwanted prescription drugs. The event resulted in over 300 participants disposing of over 875 pounds of medications. The service is free to the public and anonymous with no questions asked. These events help reduce opportunities for abuse, decrease the potential for accidental poisonings and overdoses and allow for safe, legal, and environmentally sound disposal of medications. Please see the attached media release for more information.
Parks and Recreation Department Makes Downtown Upgrades
The Parks and Recreation Department has recently made several improvements downtown, including refinished benches, repainted trash containers, and new historic signs in South Park. Please see the attached report for more information and photos.
Pinckney Tunnel Upgrades
A collaborative effort to repair, clean up, and brighten the Pinckney Tunnel was completed recently, with the Pinckney Elementary School PTO, Van-Go, and the City of Lawrence Public Works Department unveiling the new project and murals. Please see the attached report for more information and photos.
Development of Brick Street Maintenance Guidelines
Public works began the input and public comment portion of a project to develop brick street maintenance and restoration guidelines, with a presentation to the Historical Resource Commission on 4/18/2013. Please see the attached memo for more information.
City’s Earth Day Celebration and Water Festival Draw a Large Crowd
On Saturday, April 20, 2013, the City’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Division hosted the 13th Annual Earth Day Celebration at South Park (see attached report for more information and photos). Event features were the Parade for the Earth hosted by KU Environs and the ‘April Showers to Water Towers’ a Water Festival for Douglas County (see attached report for more information and photos) organized by the City’s Stormwater Division. Over 1,500 citizens participated in the Earth Day activities which included live music, informational booths, and South Park tree identification tours led by the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, the Lawrence Transit System offered free rides all day, providing the experience and benefits of public transportation on all fixed routes. Earth Day, observed on April 22nd, was created in 1970 to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment.
EPA, City, KU partner on Oread Parking Workshop
On April 17th, City and KU staff, stakeholders, and neighbors convened with technical experts from EPA to discuss the unique parking challenges of the Oread neighborhood. Prior to the workshop, a “parking audit” had been conducted by City staff and volunteers to assess the parking demand in the neighborhood, and to identify blocks with particularly high parking demand. At the workshop, EPA staff and consultants worked with stakeholders to review the Oread parking audit data and identify national best practices in parking management that could be applied to the neighborhood. Key discussion topics included improvements to multimodal services, improved pedestrian access, and the possibility of a resident parking permit program. A final report should be available for review by mid May. This was part of an EPA Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities grant that the City was awarded in 2013.
Common Ground Receives National Attention
The Sustainable City Network invited the Sustainability Coordinator, Eileen Horn, to present a webinar on the Common Ground program to a national audience on April 18th. Over 700 people registered for the webinar, and 92 communities submitted questions about the program. In particular, Hutchinson, Lenexa, and Wichita are all considering a similar program in their communities. The Common Ground program of leasing city-owned properties to community gardeners and urban farmers is a unique and innovative model that continues to receive attention and interest from other communities nationwide. An archive of the webinar can be accessed here: https://scitynetwork.contentshelf.com/shop?view=C1301110000000F2