Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works
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TO: |
David L. Corliss, City Manager
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FROM: |
Charles F. Soules, P.E., Director of Public Works
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CC: |
Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Wagner, Jonathan Douglass, Scott McCullough, David Cronin, Mark Thiel
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DATE: |
October 8, 2013
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RE: |
Farmland Infrastructure /
Benefit District
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Project Background:
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Ø September 2010 the City took ownership of the former Farmland Industries nitrogen fertilizer production plant on Highway K-10 |
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Ø 2011 the City began demolition of the abandoned structures on the site removing over 1600 tons of scrap metals |
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Ø February 2012 the City contracted with Bartlett & West Engineers to develop a masterplan and infrastructure plans for the future industrial land use of the property |
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Ø May 2012 the City held meetings with neighbors and businesses to discuss the concept plan |
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Ø December 18, 2012 the City Commission approved the final plat |
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Ø December 11, 2012 the City Commission awarded the intersection improvements at O’Connell and K-10 including signalization and turn lanes into the Farmland site |
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Ø January 2013, plat filed |
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Ø February 2013, benefit district established |
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Ø March 2013, awarded bid to RD Johnson Excavating |
Project Details:
The improvements include the infrastructure of the Farmland Property:
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Streets - |
10” concrete pavement, curb and gutter, storm sewer, sidewalks on both sides, bike lanes, and fiber conduit |
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Water - |
12” looped watermain, hydrants and valves |
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Sewer - |
Sewer main and manholes |
Proposed Improvement District Includes:
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Streets and Water - |
All property within the Farmland plat |
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Sewer - |
All property within the Farmland plat that does not currently have sewer access |
Estimated Costs:
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Streets and Water |
$7,855,000 |
Including some alternates for grading and fiber |
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Sewer |
$1,725,000 |
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Method of Assessment:
Is based on the proportionate share of square footage of each tract.
Apportionment of Costs:
100% paid by the Benefit District and 0% paid by City at Large.
Project Funding:
The improvements are to be paid for through the special assessment benefit district. All platted property is included within the Benefit District. The City and Douglas County entered into an agreement to defer the special assessments on property owned by the county.
A public hearing was held on February 26, 2013 for this project. Bond Council has advised that there was an error in the publications (omission in the legal description of some of the property) and we will need to hold a new public hearing on the establishment of the Benefit District.
All other elements of the Benefit District are the same and this does not affect the funding.
Action Requested:
Adopt Resolution No. 7046, establishing a public hearing on the creation of a Benefit District for street and watermain improvements on November 5, 2013.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charles F. Soules, P.E.
Director of Public Works
CFS/ch