Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

Britt Crum-Cano, Economic Development Coordinator

 

CC:

Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager

 

Date:

 

June 28, 2012

RE:

Authorization to Pay Expenses from Bond Proceeds for the Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC) for Expenses related to the BTBC Expansion Facility (the City/County-owned lab building at Bob Billings Parkway and Wakarusa)

 

Please place this item on the consent agenda for the July 3, 2012 meeting:

 

Authorize reimbursement of up to $222,702.45 in Expenses from Bond Proceeds for the Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC) for Expenses related to the BTBC Expansion Facility (the City/County-owned lab building at Bob Billings Parkway and Wakarusa).

 

Background:

In early 2010, the City and Douglas County purchased a lab building near the intersection of Bob Billings Parkway and Wakarusa to be utilized by the BTBC as additional incubator space.  In the original bond issuance to purchase the building, funds were included to make various improvements to the building.  In accordance with the lease agreement with the BTBC, expenses from the original bond issuance must be authorized by the Management Committee, consisting of the City Manager and the County Administrator. 

 

Discussion:

The BTBC is seeking to make several improvements to the facility to accommodate a tenant.  This work involves finishing out 1,094 square feet of wet laboratory space and includes installing two fume hoods, lab bench top space, electrical outlets, and renovating the HVAC system in order to increase utility efficiency.  The Management Committee approved these expenses in May 2012.  The BTBC receive bids from three firms for the work, as explained in the attached materials from the BTBC.  Processing these invoices through the City will allow the BTBC to have the purchases be exempt from sales tax, which is appropriate given that these are fixtures to the building that is city-county owned.

 

Requested Action:

Authorize reimbursement of up to $222,702.45 in Expenses from Bond Proceeds for the Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC) for Expenses related to the BTBC Expansion Facility (the City/County-owned lab building at Bob Billings Parkway and Wakarusa).