CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending February 24, 2012

2011 Weatherization Program – Follow Up

In response to questions received from Commissioner Carter regarding the 2011 Weatherization Program highlighted on the February 21 City Manager’s Report, staff conducted a brief analysis of the program for the previous five years. The number of persons served and the amount of dollars spent on weatherization activities varied during the years.  In the years where the expenditure exceeded the allocation, Weatherization program funds would have been supplemented from Contingency funds and/or the Emergency and Furnace Loan program or Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program. All eligible applicants were funded during these years. 

Program Year	Applications	Eligible Participants	Funds Budgeted	Funds Expended
2011	47	30	$71,987	$33,654
2010	96	83	$80,000	$84,013
2009	87	67	$40,000	$89,287
2008	57	43	$40,000	$76,690
2007	35	27	$40,000	$39,669

Implementation Plan for Lot 10 and other associated parking changes

In 2011, the City Commission approved changes to the city’s Parking Lot 10 and the on-street parking on the 1000 block of Vermont Street and on N. Park Street, all related to the proposed redevelopment of the building located at 1040 Vermont Street. The attached memo provides an implementation plan for those changes. Unless the City Commission directs staff otherwise, the changes will be implemented according to this plan. Lot 10 will be cracksealed and restriped in spring 2012 and other changes will likely wait until fall 2012, timed to be complete shortly before the 1040 Vermont project.

2011 Facilities and Structures Update

The attached memo provides a year-end update and status of the Public Works Department’s 2011 Facilities and Structures Program. The Facilities and Structures Division maintains two parking garages: Riverfront Parking Garage and the New Hampshire Parking Garage. This division has seven full time employees including five skilled maintenance workers (electrician, HVAC technician, multi-trade maintenance person for all buildings, one assigned to health facility, one assigned to airport, one assigned to parking structures) and a custodian for City Hall. A Work Order Request system allows work to be prioritized and completed in a timely manner.  Major work completed in 2011 includes KU Lighted Walkway, Downtown Lawrence LED Lighting Project, restriping downtown parking lots, and Pickney Tunnel renovation. 

Common Ground Program Grant Application

The City/County Sustainability Coordinator is in the process of applying for a grant to support our new Common Ground Program.  The grant, offered by the Kansas Health Foundation and K-State Research and Extension, provides grant funding up to $5,000 per site.  This would be used to cover the costs of fences, signage, tools, sheds, seeds, etc. to ensure that our garden sites are well-equipped to flourish this year.  The grant deadline is March 1, and the City would be notified of the results April 1.

Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP)

The City of Lawrence, in partnership with the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, was awarded a total of $748,000 by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation to help families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  The LDCHA administered the program. HPRP offered a variety of short-term financial assistance to those who would otherwise become homeless, many due to sudden economic crisis. This included short-term rental assistance (up to three months), security deposits, utility deposits and/or utility payments, and hotel vouchers. The program expended its final funds on February 13, 2012.  At the program end, 296 households have received HPRP Assistance, 248 households were prevented from becoming homeless, and 48 households became housed through participation in the program. Please see the attached memo for more information.