CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending September 6, 2013
Invitation for Responses - Real Estate for New Police Facility
The City of Lawrence, Kansas 2014 capital budget includes funding for the initial stages of a new facility for all of the City’s police department and related functions. The proposed facility would be located on approximately 12 to 15 acres of property. The City is currently evaluating possible locations and invites property owners and/or their representatives to submit proposals or information concerning their interest in selling property to the City for this use. The attached invitation for responses has been posted to the Police Facility page on the city’s website. The invitation has also been mailed to local real estate companies and a summary of the invitation will be published in the Lawrence Journal World on September 6 and 13.
Responses to this invitation are due to the City Manager’s Office at cityhall@lawrenceks.org by September 30, 2013, 5:00 p.m. Questions/Inquiries are welcome at the City Manager’s Office, dcorliss@lawrenceks.org, (785) 832-3400.
August Building Permits
The Building Safety Division issued 193 building permits in August, with total construction for the month valued at $33,086,659. Total permit fees assessed for the month were $113,859.60. Permits were issued for 14 new residential projects, all of which were new single-family dwellings. Please see the attached memo, summary, and full report for more information.
Major On-Going Code Enforcement Cases
The Code Enforcement Division has provided the attached update on major on-going cases. These are cases that the Code Enforcement Division has identified as difficult to resolve. Since the last update, three properties have been removed from the list and none have been added.
Utilities Department Proceeds with Smoke Testing for Rapid I/I Reduction Program
The Lawrence Department of Utilities and TREKK Design Group continue to inspect the sanitary sewer collections system as part of the Rapid I/I (Inflow and Infiltration) Reduction Program. Over the past two to three weeks, TREKK has conducted manhole inspections in the area north and west of the University of Kansas main campus, designated as KR4017 on the attached map.
As the next step in identifying sources of I/I, TREKK and Utilities Department staff plan to begin smoke testing of the sewer lines around Wednesday, September 11 as long as soil conditions remain dry. Smoke testing is conducted by forcing a non-toxic, harmless, odorless smoke into the sewer lines. The smoke leaves the enclosed pipe in areas where there are cracks or leaks and makes its way to the ground’s surface, where personnel can mark the defect location. The smoke will also follow the private line laterals and leave them through the roof vents in homes. Sometimes the smoke can enter a home or building through dry floor drains and p-traps or defects in the interior plumbing system. The smoke can quickly be removed by opening windows. Approximately 24-48 hours prior to the start of any smoke testing, door hangers with notifications and instructions to fill floor drains and p-traps with water will be distributed to all residents in the area that may be affected. TREKK will also have portable street signs posted in the immediate vicinity of the smoke testing. Fire/Medical, public works, and dispatch will also be notified with specific locations. As the smoke testing takes place, TREKK personnel are in the neighborhood to provide any assistance and answer any questions. All TREKK employees and vehicles will be clearly identifiable.
The manhole inspections will continue in the area designated as KR-6B and KR6015 as planned. Smoke testing of these areas will follow as soil conditions allow. Additional information and updates on the Rapid I/I Reduction activities will be provided as the project progresses.