City of Lawrence, KS

Community Development Advisory Committee

December 12, 2013 Minutes (City Commission Room)

MEMBERS PRESENT:		Linda Bush, Alex Delaney, James Minor, Quinn Miller, Vern Norwood, Travis Weller, Patrick Wilbur, Steven Koprince

MEMBERS ABSENT:		Julie Mitchell

STAFF PRESENT:		Danelle Dresslar, Brad Karr, David Corliss

PUBLIC PRESENT:		None

In the absence of a Chair, Vice Chair Minor called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.

1. Introductions.

Members introduced themselves. Dresslar noted that since Weller moved neighborhoods, he is now considered as representing the North Lawrence area, which leaves an opening for an East Lawrence representative.

2. Approval of the September 26, 2013 Minutes.

Minor moved to approve the CDAC meeting minutes from September 26, 2013. The motion was seconded by Wilbur and passed 6-0; Koprince abstained.

3. City Manager Presentation.

City Manager David Corliss gave a presentation entitled Lawrence: A Foundation for the Future. The City Commission has instructed staff to focus on four major priorities: Improving Our Infrastructure, Community & Economic Development, Improving the Quality of Life in Lawrence and Your City Services.

Infrastructure improvements have largely been focused on needed street maintenance. An example of this is the reconstruction of the 15^th St and Iowa St intersection. Future projects include the South Lawrence Trafficway, the 6^th St and Iowa St intersection reconstruction, the new Bob Billings Parkway and K-10 interchange, and the 23^rd St and Iowa St intersection reconstruction. Norwood had questions about the location of on ramps and exits to the SLT, and its impact on KU game day traffic. Corliss explained the locations of the trafficway in more detail, and indicated that game day traffic should be spread out more on Haskell Ave, 23^rd St and 19^th St. Delaney asked if the SLT would have a negative economic impact by driving traffic south of the low/mod neighborhoods that the Committee is representing. Corliss indicated that he thinks the SLT will have a positive effect on 23^rd St businesses. The traffic on 23^rd St will be people who actually want to shop there, instead of people just using 23^rd St to get across Lawrence. Delaney asked if the City was expecting new development at the 31^st St and Haskell Ave interchange, and if the area would need to be rezoned. Corliss said there will be new development in that area, primarily related to auto services, and there will be interest in rezoning some of the area. Miller asked about the future of the 27^th St and Wakarusa Dr intersection. Corliss stated that the intersection needed to be upgraded to an interchange to make it a safer location, but there is no money to fund the project.

Community & Economic Development is a big priority of the City Commission. Current projects include the redevelopment of the Warehouse Arts District, the 9^th St and New Hampshire St development, Lawrence VenturePark and the Bioscience & Technology Business Center. Weller asked about the rent control requirements at the Poehler Building and the new apartments being built in that area. Corliss explained that the developer made the decisions on those rent control issues, and the City supported that, but did not make it a requirement. Delaney asked about how much of the pollution remediation money had been used at Lawrence VenturePark. Corliss explained what had been done so far, and what areas still needed attention to solve the ground water pollution problem at the site. Wilbur asked how much was the initial investment by the City for phase I of the Bioscience building, and Weller asked how much was being invested in Phase II. Corliss said the City invested $750,000 in Phase I, and $1,000,000 in Phase II.

Quality of Life Improvements in the City include the Lawrence Public Library Expansion, the Recreation Center at Rock Chalk Park, and several KDOT grants for local improvements. Minor asked if any track events would be held at the Recreation Center. Corliss said the City track is designed more for exercise and use by the community instead of events, while KU’s Rock Chalk Park will be the site for large events.

Improvements in Your City Services in 2014 will include additional resources in Public Safety, a Curbside Recycling program, and Water & Wastewater infrastructure improvements. Weller asked if there were any updates on new developments in North Lawrence. Corliss spoke about the Delaware tribe’s purchase of land in North Lawrence, and the potential effect on the City.

Corliss concluded by encouraging the Committee to contact him if they had any questions or comments about City issues.

4. Discussion of 2014 CDBG and HOME applications and timeline.

Dresslar handed out a preliminary list of CDBG and HOME applications for the Committee to see the amounts being requested and the projected amounts available. Dresslar explained that the applications are still under review by staff, and that these numbers are just to give the Committee an idea of what will need to be decided in future meetings. Dresslar said there is one new organization that applied for Public Services this year, Success By Six. Bush asked if the Oread Neighborhood Association’s application included money for the Block Captain program that was previously discussed. Dresslar explained that the ONA recently elected a new president who was unaware of the application deadline. ONA submitted an application in time, but it does not look like it included any request for the Block Captain program, just Operating/Coordinator funds.

Dresslar said that it looks like there is a potential for $100,000 in reallocation in Capital Improvement from neighborhoods not spending all their money, program delivery funds not completely being spent, or an increase in program income. That money can only be used for Capital Improvement. Dresslar also explained the amount listed for CDD is a lumped together total for Comp Rehab, EL, FL, Weatherization, etc. This will allow some of the money to be allocated to needed projects, such as the Furnace Loan program. That program has had to be stopped for the last couple of years due to a shortage of funds to cover the demand. Now with one lump sum, the money can be shifted to that program when needed during the peak demand months. The estimates of each CDD program will still be listed on the application for the Committee to review.

HOME applications will be difficult this year due to the amount requested, and not enough money to cover them all. The Committee discussed whether to start with the Public Services, Capital Improvement or HOME applications first. Dresslar indicated that several of the agencies want to come and speak with the Committee this year to discuss their applications. Norwood said that a time limit should be set on each agencies presentation to make effective use of the Committee’s time. Dresslar also told the Committee that there would be a presentation in January about a tax credit project proposed at 25^th St and O’Connell Rd for a senior housing project. Tax credit requests go through the CDAC first, then to the City Commission with a recommendation for the resolution. KHRC requires a resolution from the City Commission before processing an application for a tax credit project. Weller asked if a time limit could be established for the tax credit presentation. Dresslar responded that there never has been a time limit, but one could be established.

5. Discussion of Chair and Vice Chair Positions.

Delaney made a motion to nominate James Minor as Chair of the CDAC. The motion was seconded by Wilbur and passed 8-0.

Delaney made a motion to nominate Patrick Wilbur as Vice Chair of the CDAC. The motion was seconded by Minor and passed 8-0.

6. Public Comment.

There was no public comment.

7. Miscellaneous/Calendar.

Norwood asked if the City ordered calendars this year. Dresslar responded that no, there was no money in the budget for calendars this year. The next meeting is January 9, 2014 and will continue on for the second and fourth Thursday of every month.

8. Adjourn.

Minor moved to adjourn the December 12, 2013 meeting of the CDAC at 6:50 p.m. Wilbur seconded the motion. The motion passed 8-0.

Attendance Record

Members

Jan 10

Jan 24

Feb 14

Feb 28

Mar 14

Mar 28

Apr 11

May 23

Jun 13

July 11

July 26

Aug 8

Aug 22

Sept 12

Sept 26

Oct 10

Oct 24

Nov 14

Dec 12

Dec 26

Deron Belt

Linda Bush

Alex

Delaney

Eric Hethcoat

Quinn Miller

Julie Mitchell

Vern Norwood

Aimee Polson

E**

David Teixeira

Patrick Wilbur

James Minor

Travis Weller

Steven Koprince

E Excused Absence

U Unexcused Absence

X Meeting Cancelled – Weather Conditions

- Meeting Cancelled – Committee Vote/No Business

* First meeting after appointment

** Last Meeting Prior to expired term

^ Last Meeting