CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending March 23, 2012
2013 social service funding applications to be accepted
Application materials for social service funding for 2013 will soon be posted online at www.lawrenceks.org/budget and are due May 4, 2012. The social service funding board will review applications and make recommendations to the City Commission, who makes the ultimate decision on funding as part of the annual budget process. The Board made changes (see attached memo) to the applications this year in order to clarify the criteria they use to develop their recommendations.
Union Pacific volunteers help Parks and Recreation Department with landscaping projects
Volunteers from the Union Pacific System Gang 9093, working in Lawrence on a Union Pacific Railroad tie replacement project, took time away to participate in a service project celebrating the upcoming Earth Day. The Union Pacific workers were from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wyoming. They assisted staff to complete planting 24 trees along the Burroughs Creek Trail, unloaded 100 flats of spring shipped Pansies, and mulched landscaped gardens near the historic Lawrence Union Pacific Depot. Please see the attached report for more information and photos.
Daddy Daughter Date Night attendance up
Lawrence Parks and Recreation recently held its annual Daddy Daughter Date Night, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds for its 10th year. More than 143 fathers and daughters were in attendance for the “Red Carpet” themed evening, which included dinner provided by Biemer’s BBQ, photos, flowers, the Say Cheez It Booth and dancing. This was a 23 percent increase over those who attended last year. Please see the attached report for more information and photos.
Arts Commission requests study session to discuss Final Friday's economic impact
The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission recently had a report completed to measure the economic impact of the Final Fridays arts activities in downtown Lawrence. The report demonstrates that approximately $84,000 is spent every Final Friday and suggests ways to further build upon current strengths and enhance the arts economy in Lawrence, including the suggestion for the City to hire a full-time cultural economic development management function and position. The report also suggests creating a cultural economic development strategy. The Cultural Arts Commission requests a study session to discuss the report and its recommendations.
2011 Pavement Maintenance Program Report
The city’s 2011 pavement maintenance program was reviewed and approved by City Commission on December 14, 2010. The program had an approximate budget of $5.6 million. The program projects map had some revisions throughout the year which included the addition of miscellaneous concrete pavement rehabilitation, localized mill and overlay contracted work, and also the installation of speed humps and cushions for traffic calming as a “complete streets” element. The As-Built 2011 Comprehensive Street Maintenance Program memo and map are attached.
Public Works Department holds annual stakeholders meeting
On February 17, 2012 Public Works held its 4th annual stakeholders meeting. This annual meeting is set for the purpose of getting stakeholders together with city staff to review the past years construction projects, discuss proposed specification changes, summarize upcoming projects and have a general discussion about the process. Please see the attached memo for more information.