February 26, 2002

 

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 Hack presiding and members Dunfield, Henry and Kennedy present.  Mayor Rundle was absent.  Student Commissioner Raney was present. 

Vice Mayor Hack proclaimed the week of February 21 – 28, 2002, as “February Sisters Week.”

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve the City Commission meeting minutes of February 19, 2002.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve the Traffic Safety Commission meeting minutes of February 4, 2002; the Public Library Board meeting minutes of January 21, 2002; the Public Health Board meeting minutes of December 17, 2002; and, the Public Transit Committee meeting minutes of February 19, 2002.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda,it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve claims to 342 vendors in the amount of $1,609,455.54 and payroll from February 10, 2002 to February 23, 2002 in the amount of $1,256,498.48.  Motion carried unanimously.

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve the Drinking Establishment License for Mexi-Kans, 2412 Iowa (Contingent Upon State License); Bada Bing, 913 North 2^nd (Contingent Upon State License); Old Chicago, 2329 Iowa; Free State Brewery, 636 Massachusetts; Jack Flanigan’s Bar & Grill, 804 West 24^th Street (Contingent Upon State License); Marisco’s, 4821 West 6^th Street, Suite A (Contingent Upon State License); J.B. Stout’s, 721 Wakarusa, Suite 100 (Contingent Upon State License); El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant II, 804 Iowa; The Pool Room, 925 Iowa; and, the Retail Liquor License for Hird Retail Liquor, 601 Kasold B-101.  Motion carried unanimously.

The City Commission reviewed the bids for two (2) Extended Cab Trucks with Utility Beds for the Utilities Department.  The bids were:

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to award the bid to Laird Noller, in the amount of $48,630.  Motion carried unanimously.                   (1)

The City Commission reviewed the bids for two (2) Hybrid Sedans (Toyota Prius), for the Neighborhood Resources Department.  The bids were:

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to award the bid to Crown Toyota, in the amount of $42,146.85.  Motion carried unanimously.      (2)

The City Commission reviewed the bids for seven (7) Pickup Trucks, for various departments.  The bids were:

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to award the bid to Laird Noller, in the amount of $128,949 because the bid specifications called for the engine size to be a minimum of 5.0 liter. Laird Noller’s alternate and Olathe Ford’s bids each had a 4.6 engine, therefore, the engines did not meet bid specifications.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                                   (3)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to authorize $55,000 expenditure from the Equipment Reserve Fund for underground fuel tank work at 11^th and Haskell.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                          (4)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to authorize the City Manager to execute the Engineering Services Agreement with Landplan Engineering for Project No. 55-CP11-901(BD), Wakarusa Drive, Overland Drive to Eisenhower Drive, street, stormsewer, and waterline improvements, for $184,000.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                                   (5)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to place on first reading Ordinance No. 7503, amending Chapter 5, Articles 801-805, concerning the regulation of swimming pools.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                  (6)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to place on first reading Ordinance No. 7474, annexing approximately 13 acres of right-of-way along North 1400 Road (Douglas County Route 422), generally located east of Noria Road.  The annexation is required as a condition of the Final Plat of East Hills East No. 2.  Motion carried unanimously                                                                                                                                    (7)

Ordinance No. 7471, rezoning [Z-08-30a-01] approximately 2.75 acres from A (Agricultural District) to PRD-2 (Planned Residential Development), was read a second time.  The property is generally located northwest of the intersection of West 6^th Street and Wakarusa Drive.  As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to adopt the ordinance.  Aye:  Dunfield, Hack, Henry, and Kennedy.   Nay: None.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                                (8)

Ordinance No. 7491, rezoning [Z-08-31-01] approximately 19.19 acres from A (Agricultural District) to PCD-2 (Planned Commercial Development), was read a second time.  The property is generally located northwest of the intersection of West 6^th Street and Wakarusa Drive.  As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to adopt the ordinance.  Aye: Dunfield, Hack, Henry, and Kennedy.  Nay: None.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                                         (9)

Ordinance No. 7488, providing for the Phase III tax abatement for Sauer Danfoss; originally authorized by the City Commission on September 7, 1999, was read a second time.  As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to adopt the ordinance.  Aye: Dunfield, Hack, Henry, and Kennedy.  Nay: None.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                                              (10)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to adopt Resolution No. 6366, declaring the necessity of condemnation for a drainage easement for the North Michigan Street improvements, 2^nd Street to Riverridge Road.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                                    (11)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to adopt Resolution No. 6367, providing City approval for Young Management Corporation to receive tax credits from the Kansas Department of Commerce & Housing.  The proposed Elderly Housing Project is at 2424 Melrose Lane (Prairie Ridge Place).  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                                                                  (12)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to adopt Resolution No. 6368, allocating $200,000 in general obligation bond authority for traffic signal renovation projects.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                            (13)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve the site plan (SP-09-60-01) for a licensed premises located at 1350 North 3^rd Street, subject to the following conditions:

1.                  A Site Plan Performance Agreement be executed (Per Section 20-1433);

2.                  Provision of an Agreement Not-to-Protest the formation of a benefit district for street improvements on North 3^rd Street;

3.                  Revise “Property Description” to be consistent with legal description;

4.                  Approval of a Floodplain Development Permit prior to release of the site plan to the Code Enforcement Division.  Provide a reference number on the site plan; and,

5.                  Approval and filing of a final plat with the Register of Deeds.

 

Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                         (14)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve a request from Marc Herman (1406 East 965 Road) for annexation of approximately 2.49 acres (Lot 1, Herman Addition), generally located north of Clinton Parkway near Lake Alvamar; and, authorize an ordinance to be drafted and placed on a future agenda.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                     (15)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve an agreement not-to-protest a benefit district for construction of Overland Drive, between Queens Road and Congressional Drive (extended) from Edward K. Wang.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                (16)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to concur with the Traffic Safety Commission’s recommendation to construct traffic calming circles at the intersection of Century Drive and Crestline Drive; and, refer to staff for an implementation report.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                              (17)

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 “STOP SIGNS” on Westbrooke Circle at Westbrooke Street and on Petefish Drive at Westbrooke Street; and, direct staff to prepare the appropriate ordinance.  Motion carried unanimously.                                 (18)

As part of the consent agenda, it was moved by Kennedy, seconded by Dunfield, to approve a request for a temporary banner along Massachusetts Street for the St. Patrick’s Day parade.  Motion Carried unanimously.                                                                                          (19)

Vice Mayor Hack called a public hearing on the proposed special assessments for a turn lane on southbound Kasold Drive south of Clinton Parkway and street and storm sewer improvements at Clinton Place.

Dave Corliss, Assistant City Manager/Legal Services Director, explained this was the last of several special assessment projects in anticipation of the City’s spring bond issuance.  Corliss explained that this benefit district was unique because the City waived its bidding procedures at the request of the developer and one of the benefit district participants then selected the contractor.  Corliss stated this is a possible trend in benefit district financing where the developer asks the City to waive the bidding procedures and the developer selects the consultant and the contractor that they want to work with.  In this benefit district, all of the costs are assessed to the property owners.  Corliss stated the bid waiving request may be a trend and sometimes when there is a trend, the City may need to rethink and adjust its practices and policies accordingly.  Corliss said generally there is no problem with the developer selecting the contractor unless there is a significant amount of public participation in the project.  In addition, it is important that all of the property owners consent to that procedure.  He said the City might want to think about this practice for future projects. 

Corliss also mentioned that this benefit district is somewhat unique in that there is only a five-year payout and the proposed ordinance reflects that the bonds will only be issued for five years.  Corliss said all of the property owners have been notified of the public hearing. 

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

Moved by Dunfield, seconded by Kennedy, to place on first reading, Ordinance No. 7504, establishing special assessments for a turn lane on Kasold Drive south of Clinton Parkway and storm sewer improvements at Clinton Place.  Motion carried unanimously.                       (20)

David Corliss, Assistant City Manager/Legal Services Director, presented the staff report concerning a Fence Encroachment License Agreement for a fence along Folks Road.  He explained the fence is the white rail fence north of 6^th Street adjacent to the Briarwood development.  This fence is in the City right of way by about 4-5 feet.  The City did not notice that the fence was in the right of way until it was there for several years and that was the City’s mistake.  Corliss said the City does not have a fence permit process.  Property owners put fences up as they wish and in many cases there are no problems.  He said it is clearly within the City’s authority to request that the fence be moved.  During discussions with the property owner, it was pointed out that it would cost a lot of money since there was quite a bit of landscaping in place.  In addition, Corliss said when the usual public safety reasons for requiring that the fence be moved were looked at, such as sight distance issues, those arguments were not as strong as in other situations.  Therefore, the property owner requested that an exception be made.  Staff indicated that it was a Commission decision but, if an exception were made, staff recommended an agreement to memorialize that exception and that the City’s authority to use the right of way at any time would not be encumbered.  This license agreement allows that.

Mark Andersen, attorney for the property owner, explained the property owner’s reasons for requesting the exception.  He explained that the fence was not intentionally placed in the right of way.  He said a professional engineering firm erred in staking and locating the fence.  He said the property owners are pleading equity since they did not make the mistake.  Many of the fenceposts are set in concrete and to remove them would virtually destroy the fenceposts.  The full length of the fence is landscaped with trees and those would be displaced.  The agreement provides that if the fence needs to be moved in the future it would be done so at the property owner’s expense.  Andersen doesn’t see any harm or detriment to the City by agreeing to leave the fence where it is for the time being. 

Commissioner Kennedy said the fence looks great and it is too bad it is in the right of way.  He doesn’t foresee any problems because there are no apparent public safety hazards or traffic congestion related issues and therefore he would agree to leave the fence where it is. 

Commissioner Dunfield said the agreement appears to protect the City’s interests.

Commissioner Henry concurred with Dunfield’s comment.

Vice Mayor Hack said the fence doesn’t appear to be creating any problems and the City does have the option to change the location if we need to in the future.

Moved by Kennedy, seconded by Henry, to authorize the Vice Mayor to sign a Fence Encroachment License Agreement for a fence along Folks Road.  Motion carried unanimously.

                                                                                                                                          (21)

Casey Liebst, Management Intern, presented the staff report on a Kansas Department of Transportation grant proposal for a Police Traffic Unit.  Liebst said staff met last summer with KDOT representatives to discuss the availability of traffic enforcement and citizen safety awareness grant opportunities.  Staff learned about the Section 402 Highway Safety Plan Grant and was invited to submit a preliminary application. 

Liebst said the goal of the grant is to develop comprehensive local traffic enforcement programs to decrease traffic accidents particularly those resulting in personal injury or death.  The grant is for a three-year period beginning in federal fiscal year 2003 and continuing through federal fiscal year 2005.  The amount of the award varies depending on the needs of each community.  The cost in the City’s initial proposal is $3,661,682.  However the amount of the actual award will probably be less.  The grant requires matching local funds, which would be negotiated at the end of the grant process.  Some cities have paid 20% of the total costs while others have paid for all of the personnel costs KDOT paid for equipment costs.  Liebst said following the end of the grant period, the City becomes responsible for funding 100% of the unit and the City must also agree to maintain the unit as a dedicated traffic enforcement unit.  Therefore, with the exception of department emergencies these officers will not be responding to other non-traffic related calls for service. 

Liebst said it was difficult to estimate the cost of maintaining the unit without knowing the actual award amount as this would determine the size of the unit and the equipment provided.  Additional revenues would be collected through increased traffic tickets that are issued and this should offset the costs as well as would other grant programs.  However, it is important to understand there will be future costs.

The actual proposal calls for the establishment of a selective enforcement unit that would be comprised of 8 officers, 1 sergeant, and one civilian administrative clerk.  Six of the officers would be assigned to selective enforcement and fatality accident investigation and two would be assigned to DUI detection and enforcement.  These officers would receive specialized training and would be equipped with vehicles, radar equipment, digital cameras, and other equipment necessary for accident evidence collection.  There would be a laptop computer in every vehicle to allow the officers to communicate while out in the field.  The unit would also have equipment that would enable the officers to track accident data and target enforcement according to high accident locations in the community.  Liebst mentioned that it is possible that the unit and its training and equipment needs could change during the negotiation process with KDOT.

Liebst said the Lawrence Police Department is the largest law enforcement agency in Kansas without a dedicated traffic enforcement unit.  Assuming the City is awarded funding, the City would have resources to address public safety concerns of residents and neighborhood associations.  Officers would be able to respond to speed limit enforcement requests, to run red light enforcement, to enforce neighborhood parking regulations, to detect DUIs and to get drunk drivers off the streets.  They would be able to decrease accidents, injuries, and property damage.  The City of Lawrence is fifth on a list that ranks cities by severity of traffic accidents.  Creation of a selective enforcement unit would also allow other officers in the department to focus on other law enforcement opportunities.

Liebst acknowledged the help of Lt. Kevin Harmon, Officers Tracy Russell and Mike McLaren for their hard work on this project.

Hack commended Liebst for an excellent presentation and she thanked staff for their time and effort in the project.  She asked about the amount of additional revenue and asked if those would come about from increased fines.

Liebst said yes.

Commissioner Henry stated he was very pleased to see this proposal.  He said he has long been a champion of a larger patrol force.  He said he was very much in favor of it.

Commissioner Dunfield said the City needs to be cognizant of the ongoing costs once this gets started and to factor that into future budgets but this is clearly one of the things we have been hearing a lot about from citizens that they would like to see better traffic enforcement.

Commissioner Kennedy urged citizens to be safer drivers and to follow all traffic procedures and drivers would have no trouble with the new traffic patrol.  He welcomed this unit, as it would make our town safer.

Vice Mayor Hack concurred and said she often hears from citizens about traffic enforcement such as parking, speeding, and running red lights.  The issue of DUI enforcement is particularly important to this community.  She also appreciated the fellow commissioners’ concerns about future costs.  She said this was in the City’s best interests and we should pursue it. 

Moved by Henry, seconded by Dunfield, to authorize staff to submit a Traffic Safety Grant Proposal to KDOT, for implementation of a Police Traffic Unit.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                                           (22)

Mike Wildgen, City Manager, presented the staff report concerning nomination of Haskell Indian Nations University to the National Register of Historic Places.  He said the Corp of Engineers has written a letter to several parties inviting comment on two issues:  1) pending eligibility determination of the former Haskell Institute to be registered on the National Historic Register; and 2) KDOT’s plans to extend K-10.  He said the Commission could say whatever they believe is appropriate but the determination has already been made that Haskell is eligible.

Dennis Enslinger, Planner, said this is part of the federal Section 106 review and the Corp of Engineers is required to ask an opinion from the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) whether he thinks a particular property is eligible for listing on the National Historic Register.  The Corp is then also required to ask the opinion of other interested parties and the Corp takes all of that information into consideration.  The Corp could disagree with the SHPO opinion.  It is important to understand that this only means that the property is eligible for listing not that it is actually listed.

Dunfield asked if the Corp is involved because of the route selection involving the wetlands.

            Commissioner Dunfield asked Enslinger if the Corp’s involvement was brought about in this whole process because of the route selection involving the wetlands.

            Enslinger said “yes”.

            Wildgen said the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was also part of that.

            Henry asked, in terms of environs, what would be the effect upon surrounding properties if it were to be listed.

            Enslinger said the determination by SHPO or the Corp did not list the property, it only determined if it was eligible.  If the property were listed, the property boundaries would determine the 500-foot environs.  From the current listings, which were individual properties, the boundaries would be expanded.

            Commissioner Hack asked if Enslinger was referring to Haskell and the Baker Wetlands.

            Enslinger said yes and they were combined into one “district” for these purposes.  The SHPO determined both areas, the campus itself, and the Baker Wetlands, which is not federal land at this point, were eligible for nomination.

            Commissioner Hack asked what happened after the nomination.

            Enslinger said the nomination needed to be a separate process.  The EIS process would be separate from any listing.  In order for it to be listed, the property owners or someone would need to put forth the nomination and there would be a separate process for that.

            Commissioner Kennedy asked if the property owners needed to initiate further action on this issue to have their property listed on the Register.

            Enslinger said the property owners could initiate it and the SHPO could also initiate the process.  

            Commissioner Hack asked if all the Commission was asked to do is to comment on the eligibility since the SHPO already said it was eligible.         

            Enslinger said the SHPO determined it was eligible based on a study that was referenced in the cover letter.  Enslinger said he had not reviewed that study although he has requested it so he could not give a professional opinion on the eligibility. 

            Commissioner Hack asked if it made sense to refer this issue to the Historic Resources Commission (HRC) for comment and bring this issue back to the Commission.

            Enslinger said he did not think so because it did not have an affect in terms of what the SHPO determination was already.  The HRC would have a role if the nomination ever proceeded forward and the City Commission would too.

            Commissioner Dunfield said in essence, the Commission was being asked to editorialize, if they chose too.

            Wildgen said “yes.”  The Commission did not need to make any comment if it chose not to. 

            Enslinger said the City was one of about 350 parties asked to comment on the determination. 

            Bea Dewing, Lawrence, said the Haskell alumni association and the student organization were working actively to promote listing the site for its historical and cultural value.  She asked the City Commission to make some statement in support of the listing.   She said she was new in town and did not have the opportunity to study the history of these particular wetlands, but she said she has collected information on an international treaty that the United States had signed and was obligated to protect the history and culture of wetland areas.  Dewing said wetlands had a particular archeological importance because the artifacts that were buried there, sometimes including human remains, tended to be well preserved.  She said she understood from talking to some of the people from Haskell that they had oral history of burials in this wetland area and a lot of Native American activity. 

Dewing said it was important for the City to recognize that the Wetlands were an important educational resource.  Schools frequently took field trips to these Wetlands to teach the children how wetlands were important to wildlife for nurseries for many species; how they acted as natural sewage treatment plants; promoted clean air; and were also a great recreational and educational resource for the citizens of Lawrence.  She asked the City Commission to make a favorable recommendation for this listing. 

            Marci Francisco, Lawrence, said she would like to urge the City Commission to respond to the letter in a positive way.  She said Lawrence has gained valuable information through identification and understanding of archeological, cultural, and historic resources.  The determination that this area, not just the buildings that were already identified as national historical registered property on the Haskell campus, but also the wetlands area, including the part of the farm that was connected with the early school, are all an important part of the history of Lawrence.  She said this may not be the best part of our history but part of the history was understanding about the Indian school and the separation of children from their families.  It is a part of the history that the City should be aware of.  Finally, she said it seems appropriate to send this item to the HRC for comment.

Bruce Plenk, attorney for the Wetlands Preservation Organization, said he has had an opportunity to be involved in a variety of discussions for many years over the proper place in the community of the Haskell/Baker wetlands and how that fitted in both with education of students at Haskell as well as with traffic items in the City and the bigger picture of Lawrence and Douglas County.  He said the moment was upon us for developing the heritage aspects of Lawrence and Douglas County.  He said he knew that Commissioner Dunfield’s committee was working on that.   He said sometimes there can be too much of an emphasis on the Bleeding Kansas and Quantrill’s Raid aspect of our heritage which of course was critically important, but he said he also thought it was important to remember, for many Native Americans and many people who had contact with Haskell and with the Native American Community, Haskell’s history was as important as the history of “Bleeding Kansas” and the north versus the south.  He said it was important to remember that Haskell as an institution, and to a large extent the Haskell/Baker wetlands as a part of Haskell, was an important part of the heritage of Lawrence.  He said he thought that heritage would be severely disrupted and would be unfortunately disrespected if a freeway were built through the Haskell/Baker wetlands. 

Plenk said the position of the Wetlands Preservation Organization was to not build a road through the wetlands.  One of the reasons for that was because that piece of ground was of high historical and cultural interest and should be placed on the National Historic Register.  He said for all the same reasons all of us were extra careful with grandmother’s china dishes and those were only used for special occasions, the Wetland Preservation Organization believed that this piece of ground should become part of the National Historical Register and should be treated differently. 

Plenk said regardless of the outcome of the trafficway dispute, he thought it was important to the heritage of Lawrence and to the history of Haskell to remember that piece of ground was special and has played a large role in the tradition of developing education for Native American children over the past 100 plus years.  Preserving this area and acknowledging the Haskell/Baker wetlands and the rest of the Haskell campus as an important item on the Historic Register would be an important declaration by the City, the Corp of Engineers, the State and the keeper of the Register.  He urged the City Commission to support the nomination to the National Historical Register.

            Wildgen said he wanted to remind the City Commission that this was not about a nomination, but only the eligibility to be listed.  The nomination might come sometime.

            Plenk said the nomination may or may not be already in the works, and while the technical question now was eligibility, it was a sure bet that there would be a nomination from one source or another.  He said there was no reason to wait for the nomination to make the decision about eligibility.

            Commissioner Henry said Haskell has a rich history.  He was encouraged by the letters from the Corp and the SHPO. 

            Commissioner Dunfield said he would like to see the City take a favorable position in terms of the eligibility of Haskell and the Baker Wetlands as a national historic district.  He said he had been working on a Committee to study the possibility of a National Heritage Area for Douglas County and the City of Lawrence.  He said it has become immediately clear in the Committee’s work that Lawrence and Douglas County has two areas of real national significance and distinction.  These two areas had to do with the Territorial Days in the Civil War situation in Lawrence and the founding and evolution of Haskell from an Indian boarding school into the only all-tribal Native American university in the country.  Both of these stories were very interestingly interrelated in what they say about who we were as a society.  He said he thought the Haskell story deserved to be better known as does our Territorial history. 

Dunfield said he received a book recently from his wife from the Oxford History of Arts series titled “Architecture in the United States”, a series of college textbooks.  One example in the book is a picture and commentary on the Triumphal Arch at Haskell Stadium.  He said while he did not necessarily agree with all of the commentary, he thought it was quite interesting to see Haskell in that context and it reinforced to him the real national significance of Haskell’s story.  He said he would like to see the Commission support this idea of eligibility.

            Commissioner Kennedy concurred with Commissioner Dunfield’s comments.  He said it was a pleasure for the Corp of Engineers to initiate this process to find out whether the Baker Wetlands and Haskell were eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  He said the Commission should agree with what the SHPO and the Corp have said and tell them to proceed.

            Commissioner Hack also agreed with Commissioner Dunfield’s comments.  She said Haskell has been a treasure for our community and the City has always benefited from that partnership.  She said she agreed with Francisco that the HRC comment on this matter and perhaps HRC’s comment could come simultaneously with City Commission comment if appropriate. 

Hack also said she understood the Corp wanted comments on the proposed KDOT’s routes for the SLT and she asked if the Commission could include the minutes from the previous meeting where the Commissioners discussed their opinions. 

            Enslinger said the HRC would meet on March 21, 2002, so it would be in the forty-five day period.  He asked if the Commission would like comments brought back to them. 

            Commissioner Kennedy suggested submitting the Commission’s comments now and later submit a report from the HRC would also be sent.

            Wildgen asked if the Mayor should sign a letter supporting the eligibility and include the City Commission minutes and then send the matter to the HRC.

            Hack said yes.

Moved by Kennedy, seconded by Henry, to direct staff to prepare a letter for the Mayor's signature expressing support for the site of the former Haskell Institute (the modern HINU campus and Baker wetlands) to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as an "Historic District”; and to include a copy of the October 23, 2001 City Commission minutes during which the City Commissioners expressed their individual opinions on proposed alignments of the South Lawrence Trafficway; and to refer the February 6, 2002 Corp of Engineers letter to the Historic Resources Commission for comment.  Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                                                             (23)

            During public comment, Julia Gilmour Gaughan said in a brief ten-minute span she found fifty-two people who were in favor of the roundabouts.

            Kennedy said the City had learned about roundabouts the last three City Commission meetings and he thought it was good for the public to talk about these issues and receive comments.

            Commissioner Dunfield asked about Haskell’s invitation to President Bush to visit on April 2-3, 2002.  He wondered if it was appropriate for the City Commission to send a letter, adding our invitation to Haskell’s, to the President to come visit.

            Hack said she asked Steve Cadue for further information on Haskell’s program.  She said she would be happy to draft a letter and send it to the White House.

            Commissioners Dunfield and Henry agreed.   

            Moved by Henry, seconded by Dunfield, to adjourn at 7:30 p.m.   Motion carried unanimously.     

                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            APPROVED:

                                                                                    _____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                                Mike Rundle, Mayor

___________________________________                                                                       

Frank S. Reeb, City Clerk

COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 26, 2002

1.                  Bids – 2 Extended Cab Trucks w/Utility Beds for the Utility Dept., to Laird Noller for $48,630.

2.                  Bids – 2 Hybrid Sedans for Neighborhood Resources, to Crown Toyota for $42,146.85.

3.                  Bids – 7 Pickup Trucks for various depts., to Laird Noller for $128,949.

4.                  Underground fuel tank work at 11^th & Haskell, authorize $55,000 from Equipment Reserve Fund. 

5.                   Engineering Service Agreement – Landplan for $184,000, Wakarusa Dr., Overland Dr. to Eisenhower Dr., street stormsewer & waterline improvements.

6.                  Ordinance No. 7503 – 1^st Reading, Amend Chapter 5, Article 801-805, swimming pool regs.

7.                  Ordinance No. 7474 – 1^st Reading, annex 13 acres, N 1400 Rd, E of Noria Rd.

8.                  Ordinance No. 7471 – 2^nd Reading, Rezone [Z-08-30a-01], 2.75 acres, A to PRD-2, NW of intersection of W 6^th & Wakarusa.

9.                  Ordinance No. 7491 – 2^nd Reading, Rezone [Z-08-31-01], 19.19 acres, A to PCD-2, NW of intersection of W 6^th & Wakarusa.

10.              Ordinance No. 7488 – 2^nd Reading, Tax Abatement Phase III, Sauer Danfoss.

11.              Resolution No. 6366 – Condemnation for drainage easement, N Michigan, 2^nd St. to Riverridge.

12.              Resolution No. 6367 – Young Mgmt Corp to receive tax credits from KS Dept of Commerce. (2424 Melrose Ln.).

13.              Resolution No. 6368 – $200,000 GOB for traffic signal improvement project.

14.              Site Plan – (SP-09-60-01) 1350 N 3^rd.  

15.              Annexation Request – 2.49 acres, N of Clinton Pkwy near Lake Alvamar.

16.              Agreement Not-to-Protest – Overland Dr., between Queens Road and Congressional Drive.

17.              TSC – Traffic calming circles, intersection of Century Dr. and Crestline Dr.

18.              TSC – “Stop Signs”, Westbrooke Circle at Westbrooke St. & on Petefish Dr. at Westbrooke St.

19.              Temporary Banner – Mass St., St. Patrick’s Day.

20.              Ordinance No. 7504 – 1^st Reading, Special Assessment for a turn lane on Kasold Dr., S of Clinton Pkwy & storm sewer at Clinton Pl.

21.              Fence Encroachment License Agreement – along Folks Rd.

22.              Traffic Safety Grant Proposal – Police Traffic Unit.

23.              National Register of Historic Places – Haskell Indian Nations University.