CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending May 18, 2012
City hosts input meetings for Farmland Master Plan
City staff and Bartlett & West/CDM Smith, the city’s consultants on the Farmland Master Plan, have been hosting input meetings on the status of the master plan. A meeting was held with property owners of the East Hills Business Park on May 9. On May 16, a meeting was held with neighbors in the Farmland area (see photos). A preliminary concept map of the master plan was shared at the meetings. Also, a concept map with visual representations of possible park features was shared. Highlights include a proposed signalized intersection at O’Connell Road, a new east-west road connecting the intersection back with the East Hills Business Park to allow business park users access to a signalized intersection, sustainable approaches to stormwater runoff, making stormwater runoff an amenity, bike lanes, trails, relocation of the current Westar substation, a regional detention pond on the site, a future connection with 19th Street at such time that 19th Street is improved, approximately 260 new acres for industrial/business park development opportunities, and a flexible lot layout. Additionally, the consultants are examining various alternatives for generation of energy on site, including solar, biogas and algae to biofuels. The City recently was awarded an EPA grant and is working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on energy alternatives, as well. Next steps are bringing the plan to the City Commission for input and formal adoption later this summer.
KU Small Business Development Center impact report
Please see the attached report on the economic impact of the KU Small Business Development Center. The Center provides counseling to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the community. In 2011 the Center provided over 1500 hours of counseling to 338 clients. The City of Lawrence provides $20,000 annually in funding for the KU Small Business Development Center.
Lawrence recycles 27.57 tons of electronic equipment at city-sponsored event
On Saturday, May 12, 2012, the city’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Division hosted an Electronic Recycling Event at the Free State High School parking lot. A total of six hundred forty-five (645) participants dropped off 55,130 pounds (equivalent to 27.57 tons) of electronic equipment for recycling. Electronic recycling was provided by Extreme Recycling. See the attached event report and participant survey results for more details. The City of Lawrence hosted the first Electronic Recycling Event in April 2008 and since then 5,431 participants have dropped off 483,939 pounds (equivalent to 241.97 tons) of electronic equipment for recycling during the nine city-sponsored events.
Housing Authority payment in lieu of taxes
The Lawrence Douglas County Housing Authority recently presented the city with a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for 2011 in the amount of $92,247 (see attached letter). The Housing Authority is a tax exempt organization but per federal regulations pays the city a PILOT in recognition of the public services furnished by the city.
Tennis Block Party hosted by city and Jayhawk Tennis
The Parks and Recreation Department, along with Jayhawk Tennis, held the 5th annual Tennis Block Party this spring. The event was open to all ages and featured tennis instruction, interactive games and other attractions, offering people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy and learn the benefits of the sport of tennis. More than 75 youth and adults participated in the event. Please see the attached report for photos of the event.