CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending February 10, 2012

January building permits

The Building Safety Division issued 176 building permits in January, with total construction for the month valued at $2,769,066. Total permit fees assessed for the month were $30,039. Staff issued seven permits for new residential construction in January, all for new single-family dwellings.  No permits were issued for new residential projects in January last year. Please see the attached memo, building permits report, and summary report for more information.

Police Department presents life saving and public service awards

During the 32nd Basic Recruit Academy Graduation on February 3, the Police Department presented awards to two officers and three members of the public. Officers Ronald Ivener and Myrone Grady received the Life Saving Award (see attached for details on their actions) and private citizens Samuel Weese, Austin Rogers and Matthew Tuckel received Public Service Awards (see attached for details on their actions).

100% of traffic signals converted to LED

The City of Lawrence recently completed the final installation of LED traffic signals.  Since mid-1990s, the city has replaced incandescent traffic signals with high-efficiency LED traffic signals and was the first city in Kansas to start this conversion. Each LED traffic signal saves approximately 120 watts of electricity per hour of use.  The estimated cost to operate the LED signals will be 90% less than what the city paid in the mid-1990s to operate the incandescent signals. The city estimates that traditional incandescent traffic signals cost approximately $1,821.19 per year to operate. LED traffic signals cost $202.37 per year, or a savings of $1,618.82. The annual estimated cost savings for the LED traffic signals is $137,599.70. The project was initiated by city traffic engineer David Woosley and has been completed utilizing in-house personnel. 

Plan review performance report

Among the performance measures tracked by the Building Safety Division are plan review “turn-around” goals to review permit applications and plans and return comments or issue permits; within 5 days for residential projects and 15 days for commercial projects. The Building Safety Division met these goals for 96% of all commercial permit applications, and 97% of residential applications in 2011. Please see the attached memo for more information.

Home Improvement Programs brochure distributed

The Community Development Division of Planning and Development Services distributed an updated “Home Improvement Programs” brochure at the recent Lawrence Home Show. The brochure is used to educate the public about the programs and some of the eligibility criteria.