CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending September 27, 2013

 

Licensed contractor database available online

Planning & Development Services and Information Technology have developed a new building and trade contractor license search tool for the city web site.  The new tool allows users to search for contractors currently licensed by the city to provide building and/or trade construction services under a permitting process. The database is searchable by business name, business address/city location, contractor license classification and/or contractor license number.

 

Contractor licensing helps ensure that construction, remodeling and trade work is performed by qualified building and trade contractors, and that such businesses are appropriately insured to protect consumers and business employees.  The new search tool can be found on the Planning and Development Services webpage at http://www.lawrenceks.org/pds/contractor-license-search

 

Multimodal Studies Project update and public meeting

The Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has been working on a Multimodal Studies Project which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013. Over the last five months the project team sought input from the community through a variety of means and that community input has been blended with land use and transportation planning information to develop draft reports for the three studies: Commuter Park-and-Ride Study, Fixed-Route Transit and Pedestrian Accessibility Study, and Countywide-Bikeway System Plan. The overall goal of this planning effort is to identify and prioritize transportation needs for commuters, pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders for the next 5-10 years. The attached memo contains more information.

 

A survey regarding multimodal transportation is available on the project web page at www.lawrenceks.org/mpo/study now through October 15. The public is also invited to share their thoughts about the Multimodal Studies Project on Wednesday, October 9 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Tom Wilkerson Room of the Indoor Aquatic Center (4706 Overland Drive). 

 

Kaw Water Treatment Plant project updates

The attached memo contains updates on two upcoming projects at the Kaw Water Treatment Plant. Water transmission main improvements and water intake improvements are both scheduled for bid in the upcoming months. Both projects will impact Burcham Park. Park access will be maintained, and the work areas will be controlled with temporary fencing. Utilities staff have met with impacted stakeholders including the Pinckney Neighborhood Association, University of Kansas Athletics and Crew team, and Bowersock Mills & Power Company.

 

CBDG and HOME programs benefit low to moderate income homeowners

Community Development Division staff in the Planning and Development Services Department administer many programs that are funded with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds. The attached report illustrates these activities and their impact on the community for the 2012 program year, which ended July 31, 2013. Comprehensive Rehab, Emergency and Furnace Loans, and Weatherization are all programs that help low and moderate income homeowners repair and maintain their homes. Staff also partners with Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. (TTH), who as the city’s identified affordable housing provider provides administration, outreach and education for the First Time Homebuyer Program, the Lawrence Community Housing Trust.

 

Additional funding awarded for Neighborhood Stabilization Program

The Community Development Division in Planning and Development Services administers several federal and state grants, including the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP1) grant. The attached memorandum addresses the reallocation of additional program income funds to the City of Lawrence for continued development of housing units under NSP1.

 

KU Rotaract Club performs service at Rotary Arboretum

Seven volunteers, including University of Kansas Rotaract Club members and friends recently planted 100 mums, asters, prairie grasses, blue mist spireas, fleece flower, goldenrod, and Russian sage at the Rotary Arboretum Gardens for a total of 14 hours (see attached photos).

 

Energy Savings at Lawrence Arts Center

In August of 2012, City and Arts Center staff replaced inefficient lamps with high efficiency lamps in the track and recessed lighting fixtures throughout the Lawrence Arts Center.  The retrofit included a $9,657 investment in parts (200 LED bulbs, 8 LED troffers and 13 replacement dimmers).  In the past year, we have saved over 178,000 kWh versus the previous year and $9,202 in unadjusted dollars (the cost per kWh has gone up, but no adjustment was made).   We attribute much of these savings to the new, higher-efficiency lighting fixtures which not only use less energy, but emit less heat that would cause additional air conditioning load.  Based upon the energy savings to-date, we estimate this project will pay for itself in less than two years.  We have also seen reduced maintenance costs as well (saved $1,000 this year), due to the longer life of these bulb technologies.  Over the 16 year lifetime of these new lamps, we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 521 tons of CO2, equivalent to taking 120 cars off the road.

 

City, County recognized at Food Systems Workshop

Mayor Dever, Commissioner Schumm, County Commissioner Thellman and Food Policy Council members attended the Institute for Sustainable Communities Local Food Systems workshop in Memphis, TN, recently. City/County Sustainability Coordinator Eileen Horn was invited to present on the successes of the Douglas County Food Policy Council and the city’s Common Ground Program.  Our efforts were recognized alongside Boston, Omaha, St. Louis, Albuquerque, Buffalo, Knoxville, Memphis and Eugene (OR).

 

Common Ground Program celebrates 2 successful years

On September 24th, gardeners and farmers in the Common Ground Program invited city staff to a celebration potluck luncheon, featuring dishes made from the vegetables grown in the Common Ground gardens.  Growers from all seven Common Ground sites came to show their appreciation to city staff for their support, and to celebrate another successful year of growing healthy foods in our Lawrence neighborhoods.  Staff from across city departments have helped draft leases, haul compost, approve tool sheds, etc.