July 11, 2000

 

The Board of Commissioners of the City of Lawrence met in regular session at 6:35 p.m., in the City Commission Chambers in City Hall with Vice Mayor Rundle presiding and members Dunfield, Hodges and Kennedy present.  Henry was absent.   

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve the City Commission meeting minutes of June 27, 2000.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to receive the Traffic Safety Commission meeting minutes of June 5, 2000; the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission meeting minutes of May 24, 2000; and, the Lawrence-Housing Authority meeting minutes of May 23, 2000.

            As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve claims in the amount of $1,392,853.85 and payroll from June 18, 2000 to July 1, 2000 in the amount of $1,140,675.97.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve the Drinking Establishment License for Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant, 711 West 23^rd, Ste: 28; Wagon Wheel Café, 507 West 14^th (Contingent Upon State License); Coco Loco Mexican Café, 943 Massachusetts; Panda Garden, 1500 West 6^th; La Parrillia, 814 Massachusetts; the Caterer License for Brandon Woods Retirement, 1501 Inverness Dr.; the Retail Liquor Licenses for Ray’s Liquor Warehouse, 1215 West 6^th; and, Ray’s Wine and Spirits; 2100A West 25^th.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to concur with the recommendation of the Mayor and appoint Steve Parsons to the Traffic Safety Commission.  Motion carried unanimously.

The City Commission reviewed the bids for YSI Electrical Rewiring for the Parks and Recreation Department.  The bids were:

 

 

            As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to award the bid to Ace Electric in the amount of $28,629.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

The City Commission reviewed the bids for a Plotter in the Planning Department.  The bids were:

            As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to award the bid to Drexel Technologies in the amount of $9,170.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

The City Commission reviewed the bids for the remodeling of the ground floor restrooms for City Hall.  The bids were:

 

            As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to award the bid to Penny Construction in the amount of $32,017.50.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to award the sole bid for two (2) Super Secure Restroom Building Kits for Lyons and Centennial Park to Custom Play Systems, Inc., in the amount of $75,000.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

The City Commission reviewed the bids for the Habitat Neighborhood Addition No. 4, Sanitary Sewer Improvements for the Public Works Department.  The bids were:

            As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to waive the engineer’s estimate and award the bid to Razorback Contractors of Kansas, Inc., in the amount of $99,116.40.  Motion carried unanimously.

 As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve the purchase of fifty-one (51) 800 MHz portable radios from Motorola Direct for a total cost of $130,030.00.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve the State of Kansas Transportation Planning Grant in the amount of $270,000.00 and authorize the Mayor to execute a grant agreement.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to place on first reading Ordinance No. 7231, annexing Clinton Parkway right-of-way west of Wakarusa Drive.  Motion carried unanimously.                                         (1)  

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to place on first reading Ordinance No. 7232, designating South Park as a landmark on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places (L-4-1-97).  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                         (2)  

            As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to place on first reading Ordinance No. 7233, designating the E.H.S. Bailey residence located at 1101 Ohio Street as a landmark on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places (L-2-2-99).  Motion carried unanimously.                                              (3)

            As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to place on first reading Ordinance No. 7234, designating the Social Service League building located at 905-907 Rhode Island as a landmark on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places (L-8-3-96).  Motion carried unanimously.                    (4)

Ordinance No. 7230, allowing beer sales in Burcham Park on July 18, 2000, pursuant to Parks & Recreation rules was read a second time.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to adopt the ordinance.  Aye:  Rundle, Dunfield, Hodges, and Kennedy.   Nay: None.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                  (5)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to adopt Resolution No. 6021, authorizing bonds to be issued in the amount of $200,000.00 for certain main trafficway improvements for traffic signal renovation of existing traffic signals, per the Capital Improvement Budget, located at 23^rd and Alabama; 6^th and Lawrence Avenue; and, Clinton Parkway and Lawrence Avenue.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                   (6)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to adopt Resolution No. 6198, recognizing and endorsing the revised mission statement and revitalization of the Lawrence Alliance.  Motion carried unanimously.    (7)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve the site plan (SP-5-34-00) for College Park Apartments, Phase II, a 60 unit apartment complex, located at 19^th and Stewart Avenue, subject to the following conditions:

1.                  Provision of a Revised Site Plan depicting the following:

a.                  Relocation of a six foot (6’) wood screen fence shown in northwestern portion of site out of the sight triangle;

b.                  The proposed drainage channel along the east line of Phase II must be expanded.  Make use of the space adjacent to the north building.  Make use of the proposed retaining wall to provide channel flowlines at least one foot (1’) lower than the grades at the east property line.  Turn the curb inlet around the corner at the southeast corner to provide more space for grading of the channel;

c.                  Label all curb inlets as City Std.  Label curb inlets with “length x width.”;

d.                  Label the top elevation and flowline elevation of all curb inlets;

e.                  Add a curb inlet in the southeast corner of the parking area north of the south building to direct runoff to the detention structure;

f.                    To screen the parking lot cars from the homes to the east add additional screening on east property lines as per landscape code;

g.                  Correct Impervious Surface Summary to account for dedication right-of-way;

2.                  Execution of an Agreement Not-to-Protest street and sidewalk improvements for Stewart Avenue and 19^th Street;

3.                  Dedication of ten foot (10’) of right-of-way along northern property line;

4.                  Execution of a Site Plan Performance Agreement;

5.                  The drainage channel along the east property line of College Park Apartment Phase I has not been constructed per the approved Site Plan.  This drainage path must be corrected prior to issuance of a building permit for Phase II.  Drainage must be directed south on the apartment property; and,

6.                  Provision and approval of a photometric plan, if applicable.

Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                              (8)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to concur with the Traffic Safety Commission’s recommendation to establish “no parking” on Oread Avenue, west side, 260 feet south of 12^th Street to 13^th Street and on Mississippi Street, east side, from 50 feet south of the southwest corner of Lot 7, Block 8, Oread Addition, thence north 260 feet and direct staff to prepare the appropriate Ordinance.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                       (9)

 As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to concur with the Traffic Safety Commission’s recommendation to establish an amendment to the Standard Traffic Ordinance establishing right-of-way at roundabouts and direct staff to prepare the appropriate Ordinance.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                          (10)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to designate the City of Lawrence City Clerk as the Freedom of Information Officer under the Kansas Open Records Act, as amended by the 2000 Kansas Legislature.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                   (11)

Vice Mayor Rundle opened the continued public hearing on the proposed Order of Vacation for a drainage easement in Meadowlark Addition, located at 2019 East 26^th Street.

George Williams, Public Works Director, said the applicant discussed the proposed vacation with the person present at the last City Commission meeting.  If the person’s concerns were not adequately addressed, he anticipated the person to be at the meeting. 

Upon receiving no public comment, it was moved by Hodges, seconded by Kennedy, to close the public hearing.  Motion carried unanimously.                 

Moved by Hodges, seconded by Kennedy, to approve the Order of Vacation for a drainage easement in Meadowlark Addition, located at 2019 East 26^th Street and authorize the Mayor to sign the vacation order.  Motion carried unanimously.             (12)

Vice Mayor Rundle called a public hearing on the proposed bonding for the construction of the Lawrence Arts Center.

Mike Wildgen, City Manager, said the proposed $5,100,000.00 principal amount of General Obligation Bonds for the Arts Center would finance the City’s portion as well as the portion requested by Lawrence Arts Center Inc.  The City Commission approved including the Lawrence Arts Center Inc. portion because of pledges received by the Center.  Temporary Notes would be issued for the project and the total amount to be borrowed would depend upon money raised by the Arts Center. 

Upon receiving no public comment, it was moved by Hodges, seconded by Kennedy, to close the public hearing.  Motion carried unanimously.                 

Dunfield informed the City Commission that he would not vote or discuss the proposed funding of the Lawrence Arts Center because of a potential conflict of interest.

Moved by Kennedy, seconded by Hodges, to direct staff to proceed with the financing of the Lawrence Arts Center.  Aye:  Rundle, Hodges and Kennedy.  Nay:  None.  Abstain:  Dunfield.    Motion carried.                                                                      (13)

Karin Rexroad, Public Transit Administrator, presented the staff report on bus purchases.  Rexroad said based upon the initial review, staff recommended to the City Commission the Blue Bird QBRE-2904 for the transit system.   After the recommendation, staff received several questions regarding technical aspects of the vehicles that required further study by the selection committee.  Staff then met with representatives from Eldorado Bus Company and Blue Bird.   On June 21, 2000, staff faxed a best and final offer request to both vendors.  After a review of both the technical and pricing best and final offer proposals, the selection committee was recommending Transmark RE which received the highest technical and overall score.  The price per vehicle was $205,975.00. 

Hodges asked if the Blue Bird CSRE 3204 which cost $186,771.00 met specifications.

Rexroad said no.

Kennedy asked if this would be the final decision concerning the bus purchase.

Rexroad said both vendors had until Friday of this week to request an appeal of the decision.

Moved by Hodges, seconded by Kennedy, to approve the selection of Transmark RE 29 Bus, in the amount of $205,975.00 per vehicle and authorize staff to execute an agreement for bus procurement.  Motion carried unanimously.        (14)

Charles Jones, Douglas County Commissioner, presented a request from Douglas County for an additional delay in the implementation of City fees for septage.  Jones reviewed with the City Commission the process the County Commission was using to address the septage waste problem.  On August 23, 2000, the County Commission would decide whether to proceed with implementation of a program.  He requested the City Commission continue the fifteen dollar ($15.00) fee until that time or at a maximum increase of the fee to thirty dollars ($30.00).  He anticipated it would cost septage haulers about forty-five dollars ($45.00) per load if the County assisted the City of Eudora in providing a disposal facility.  The proposed facility, which would be a tank, would off-load septage from vehicles, grind the waste, and use a ground injection process to dispose of the waste.  The County was anticipating charging each septic tank resident a seven dollar ($7.00) fee which would pay for the capitalization of the project.  If the County were to proceed in August with this project, at that time, he recommended the City Commission raise their rate for dumping to forty-five dollars ($45.00).

Rundle asked if the County fee on septic users would end once the capitalization cost were realized.

Jones thought it would be a on-going fee because of the need for equipment repair and replacement.

Rundle asked if City staff could review the City’s proposed program and using the proposed County fee come up with a project that would work.

Mike Wildgen, City Manager, said the difference between the City of Lawrence program and the program proposed by Eudora was the City of Lawrence was treating the solid waste.   The Eudora project would inject the raw septage into the ground.

Rundle asked if there were any future proposed regulations that would have an impact on this concept.

Dave Wagner, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor, said he was not aware of any proposed regulations that would impact what was being proposed by the County.

Hodges asked the number of loads per month coming to the treatment facility and what the proposed increase was.

Wagner estimated forty-five (45) loads per month, with the current rate of fifteen dollars ($15.00).  The proposed rates would increase the fees for chemical haulers to sixty-three dollars and seventeen cents ($63.17) per one-thousand (1,000) gallons and for septage haulers, sixty-nine dollars and thirteen cents ($69.13) per one-thousand (1,000) gallons.

Hodges said the costs for the additional delay was minimal.  After August 23, 2000, he did not want any additional delays in the implementation of the fee increases.

Moved by Rundle, seconded by Hodges, to concur with the request from Douglas County on delaying the implementation of City fees for septage until August 23, 2000.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                               (15)

Mike Wahlstedt, TranSystems Corporation, presented the report on Barker and 23^rd Street improvements and Barker Neighborhood traffic calming issues.  Wahlstedt reviewed the process which was used to develop the recommendations.  On reviewing the area, cut-through traffic on Barker amounted to ten percent (10%) of the traffic.  Since Barker was a collector street, he did not perceive that percentage to be high.  Speed counts on Barker showed the eighty-fifth percentile (85%) speed was thirty-five (35) miles per hour which was a little high for the design of the street.  The posted speed limit was thirty (30) miles per hour which Wahlstedt thought was more appropriate.  The recommendation included installing traffic calming devices on Barker on a trial basis.  The street narrowing and alternating parking could be installed along the corridor using temporary materials.  While this was not necessarily esthetic, the temporary installations would allow residents to judge the value of the improvements before making the improvements permanent.  After three (3) to six (6) months, studies would be conducted to determine the impact on speeds and neighborhood comments.  If the response was favorable, permanent-landscaping islands could be installed.  If negative, the devices would be removed.

Concerning the intersection of 19^th and Barker, the recommendation was to install a small roundabout.  The roundabout had the added benefit of calming traffic on both streets. 

For the intersection of Barker and 23^rd Street, Wahlstedt recommended a left turn lane on all approaches which would maximize the operation of the intersection.  The neighborhood was mixed concerning that recommendation especially for left-turn lanes on Barker.  At the first public hearing, the residents were evenly split on that recommendation and at the second public hearing most opposed left-turn lanes on Barker.  The survey came back evenly split on that recommendation.  Left-turn lanes on Barker were not essential for proper operation of the intersection, but from an engineering perspective, they were needed.

Rundle asked about a left-turn lane on the south side of 23^rd Street because of special events and activities at Haskell. 

Wahlstedt recommended either left-turn lanes on both approaches or neither.  From a safety perspective, cars would not line-up properly in the intersection which proposed significant problems.  From a traffic engineering prospective, having a left-turn lane on one approach and not the other was not desirable.

Kennedy supported the left-turn lanes on 23^rd Street and no left-turn lanes on Barker.

Hodges asked about the traffic impact on 19^th Street if a roundabout was built at 19^th and Barker.

Wahlstedt said the small roundabout would be able to handle traffic for the area well.  The roundabout would have less of an impact than a traffic signal because the traffic signal would create additional traffic lanes for left turns.  Overall, less greenspace would be eliminated with the roundabout.  The small roundabout would handle all the traffic on both 19^th Street and Barker Ave. well.

Brad Kemp, 1846 Barker, supported the roundabout at 19^th Street and Barker.  Most people objecting to roundabouts were concerned about other people not knowing how to use them.  From his observation, he thought most people did not know how to use four-way stops.

Rundle asked the time frame for studying traffic calming in the rest of the Barker Neighborhood.

Wahlstedt anticipated the project to be completed sometime in November.

Mike Wildgen, City Manager, said the primary concern at this time was the design of the intersection at 23^rd and Barker.  The staff needed direction on how to proceed with that project.                   

Moved by Dunfield, seconded by Kennedy, to direct staff to proceed with the geometric improvements at 23^rd Street and Barker Avenue with left-turn lanes on 23^rd Street and no left-turn lanes on Barker Avenue.  Motion carried unanimously.       (16)

David Woosley, Traffic Engineer, presented the report from the Traffic Safety Commission to increase enforcement of the existing crosswalks at the intersection of 11^th and New Hampshire Streets, to add crosswalk signs, and to use fluorescent yellow-green signage.  The descending vote expressed a concern about adding additional crosswalks at the intersection.

Moved by Kennedy, seconded by Hodges, to concur with the Traffic Safety Commission’s recommendation to increase enforcement of the existing crosswalks at the intersection of 11^th and New Hampshire Streets, to add crosswalk signs, and to use fluorescent yellow-green signage.  Motion carried unanimously.                               (17)

Mike Wildgen, City Manager, presented the staff report on projects for funding from KDOT through various programs.  Wildgen noted the City was asking for geometric improvements for fiscal year 2004 for a traffic signal at Highway 10 and East Hills Drive.  Even though the State had denied this project in the past, by the year 2004 there could be an identified need.

Dunfield asked if projects could be moved or additional projects added to each category once the list was submitted.

Terese Gorman, City Engineer, said one (1) project was requested for each category.  

Mike Wildgen, City Manager, suggested asking KDOT, if a project was funded by another program, if projects could be substituted or replaced from another category.

Moved by Kennedy, seconded by Hodges, to direct staff to submit three (3) projects for KDOT Federal-Aid Safety Funding including 6^th Street and Kasold, 23^rd Street and Haskell Avenue and 31^st Street and Iowa Streets; and, submit for KDOT funding the City Connecting Links Resurfacing Program, Fiscal Year 2000, 6^th Street, Monterey Way to Wakarusa Drive; Geometric Improvements of City Connecting Links, Fiscal Year 2004, East 23^rd Street and East Hills Drive; and, Economic Development Projects, Fiscal Year 2004, 6^th Street, Kasold Drive to Wakarusa Drive; and, to direct staff to ask KDOT if projects could be switched or added because a project was funded by another program.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                        (18)

Moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                       

 

APPROVED:

_____________________________James R. Henry, Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________________________                                                                       

Raymond J. Hummert, City Clerk

COMMISSION MEETING JULY 11, 2000

1.                  Ordinance No. 7231 – 1^st Reading, Annex Clinton Pkwy R-O-W, W of Wakarusa.

2.                  Ordinance No. 7232 -  1^st Reading, Historic Register (L-4-1-97), S Park.

3.                  Ordinance No. 7233 – 1^st Reading, Historic Register (L-2-2-99), E.H.S. Bailey, 1101 Ohio.

4.                  Ordinance No. 7234 – 1^st Reading, Historic Register (L-8-3-96) Social Svc League, 905-907 Rhode Island.

5.                  Ordinance No. 7230 –  2^nd Reading, Allow beer sales, Burcham Park, July 18, 2000.

6.                  Resolution No. 6021 – Bond issuance for $200,000, trafficway improvements for 23^rd & Alabama; 6^th & Lawrence Ave; and, Clinton Pkwy & Lawrence Ave.

7.                  Resolution No. 6198 – Mission Statement for Lawrence Alliance.

8.                  Site Plan – (SP-5-34-00), College Parks Apts, 19^th & Stewart Ave.

9.                  TSC – No parking, Oread Ave, W side 260’ S of 12th to 13^th & Miss, E side, from 50’ S of SW corner Lt 7, Blk 8, Oread Add, thence N 260’.

10.              TSC – Amendment to STO

11.              Freedom of Info Officer, City Clerk designated.

12.              Vacation Order –  Public Hearing, Drainage easement, Meadowlark Add, 2019 E 26^th.

13.              Bond – Public Hearing, Lawrence Arts Ctr.

14.              Transportation – Agreement for Bus Procurement with Transmark.

15.              Fees – Implementation of Septage Fees.

16.              Geometric Improvements – 23^rd & Barker & Baker Traffic Calming.

17.              TSC – Crosswalks at interesection of 11^th & New Hamp.

18.              KDOT – funding for Fed-Aid Safety Program, 2002 & 2003.