CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending June 29, 2012

2013 City Commission Election

The city’s website has been updated with information regarding the 2013 City Commission Election. A memo to candidates explaining the filing process, and the documents necessary to file as a candidate, are available on the webpage or in the City Clerk’s Office. Some important dates relating to the election are:

Filing Deadline:	January 22, 2013
Primary Election (if 7 or more candidates file):	February 26, 2013
General Election:	April 2, 2013

Lawrence hosts Kansas Association of Airports Conference

On June 21st, Mayor Schumm provided opening remarks welcoming guests to the Kansas Association of Airports Conference. The conference hosted 70 Fixed Base Operators (FBO’s), Airport Managers, FAA & KDOT Staff, and other aviation professionals. The event was held at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. The topics discussed included a briefing from the FAA on security, KDOT Aviation on programs, and KU faculty presented several topics ranging from research in the Antarctic, to unmanned aircraft, and insurance and liability issues at local airports. The conference “teed off” at Eagle Bend Golf Course and held a dinner at the Carnegie Building downtown.

Kaw Water Treatment Plant large valve and raw water flow meter replacements completed
The Department of Utilities, Nowak Construction and BG Consultants have completed the large valve and flow meter replacement projects at the Kaw WTP (map and photos attached).
 

The project involved the replacement of four (4) inoperable 16” to 24” diameter butterfly valves on the Kaw Water Treatment Plant Central Service high service pump discharge transmission mains. These four first tier valves are critical in the event the Kaw WTP needs to be isolated from the transmission system. The project also replaced 360 linear feet of 24” diameter cast iron transmission main, two (2) 24” diameter check valves and removed 2 deteriorated concrete valve vaults. The two 24” butterfly and check valve combinations dated to 1955 and 1958 and were in the concrete valve vaults within the 3^rd Street right-of-way. The 24” diameter transmission main dated to 1955 and 1958, and the two 16” butterfly valves in Indiana Street dated to 1954 and the early 1900’s.

The concrete vaults were demolished eliminating a confined space hazard for staff and cleaning up the surface area in the right-of-way. The new butterfly valves were installed as direct-bury type with only a standard valve box visible at grade. The two existing check valves were replaced with a single check valve installed on the high service pump discharge within the Kaw WTP building. The 24” diameter transmission main was replaced with 36” diameter pipe. Fittings were installed at the intersection of 3^rd and Indiana to facilitate the future extension of the 36” diameter Kaw Water Treatment Plant Transmission Main through North Lawrence and onto Southeast Lawrence.

The project also replaced the existing 24” diameter Raw Water flow meter with a 36” diameter meter, associated fitting and pipe supports, and electrical and control modifications. This replacement was necessitated by the results of a plant inspection by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Water Resources which found the 24” flow meter installation to be out of compliance with the installation requirements. The existing 24” flow meter was installed in a run of 36” diameter pipe with reducer fittings immediately up and downstream of the flow meter. The reducers could not be relocated to an acceptable distance from the flow meter. The new 36” flow meter matches the nominal 36” pipe diameter as required.

Nowak Construction was given notice to proceed on January 25, 2012. Contractual Final Completion was required by April 13, 2012. The contract also included an intermediate milestone for partial completion which would allow the Kaw WTP to be placed back in service. The project was Final Complete on April 27, 2012 as allowed by Change Order.

The project was awarded to Nowak Construction in the amount of $621,017.00. During the construction four (4) change orders were processed addressing required field adjustments totaling $43,239.88, for a final construction contract cost of $664,256.88. Total project expenditures, including construction, design and construction phase engineering services, and Department procured material costs totaled $702,141.88.