CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending January 3, 2014
Snow Season Operations Report
The city has responded to 8 snow events so far this season. The predictions for our region, for higher-than-average snowfall, is holding true. A report on this season's events is provided.
January 2014 Message to City Employees
The City Manager sends a monthly message to employees via The Phoenix, our city employee newsletter. The January message outlines several major projects and initiatives our staff are involved in and will work on in the coming 12 months.
Rock Chalk Park Infrastructure Report
Please see the attached report regarding the progress and costs of the construction of infrastructure at Rock Chalk Park for November 2013.
December Sales Tax Distribution
The City of Lawrence has recently received its December sales tax distribution. The distribution is the result of retail sales from mid-October to mid-November. The distribution of $2,831,942.19 is about $230,000 more than the prior year distribution for the same month. Please see the attached memo for more information.
City Receives Responses to Historic Preservation RFP
The City of Lawrence solicited Requests for Proposals to utilize $50,000 in funding for the purpose of providing a grant(s) for the furthering of historic preservation within the city. The staff memo and RFP request provide detail of the effort. Proposals have been received and can be reviewed here. Ten projects were submitted for consideration reflecting $348,930 of funding requests. City staff, Douglas County Community Foundation staff, and two Historic Resources Committee members will review the proposals in order to recommend to the City Commission projects to award later in January or February.
Parks and Recreation News for December
Teamwork Awards Presented At Annual Holiday Luncheon. Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department held its annual Holiday Luncheon and Teamwork Recognition Friday, Dec. 13. During the luncheon, the Tom Wilkerson Teamwork Awards were also presented.
Crew Works Overnight To Clear Lots. A crew from Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department worked overnight from midnight to a little past 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24, clearing parking lots Downtown to aid last minute shoppers from encountering piles of snow in downtown parking lots during the day.
Pint-Size Ballerinas Perform. Participants in Pint-Size Ballet performed for parents, grandparents and friends for their last class in December. The class met Tuesdays beginning in September and ending the first week in the December. Throughout the class the 3 year-olds and 4 year-olds learned an introduction to ballet movements and dance fundamentals.
Softball Team and Santa Visit Special Populations Coffehouse. There were almost 80 Special Populations participants at the December coffeehouse/Holiday party. One of the highlights of the evening was having the Baker University softball team in attendance. The team volunteered for the entire evening from start to finish. They helped set up tables and chairs, serve the food, decorate, clean up and spent quite a bit of time out on the dance floor with our participants. Another highlight was a special visit from Santa (aka our own Rod Hoffer). Rod spent some one on one time with every individual there and helped make the night a huge success. The Baker University softball coaches, Jamie Stanclift and Gary Hines, were also in attendance all evening and helped coordinate all the softball players.