CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending February 7, 2014

City Manager Message to Employees in February Phoenix

The City Manager’s message to employees for the February Phoenix includes the City Manager’s thanks as well as positive comments we received from citizens about our employees’ hard work clearing snow.   

Positive Response for This Winter’s Yard Waste Collection Pilot Program

Due to the warmer weekends this winter, trash collection crews have seen an increase in yard waste set out at the curb. Due to the increase in yard waste set out, and in effort to keep this material out of the landfill, the City began a pilot program on January 27th to collect yard waste separate from trash for the remaining winter months. The division has received a lot of positive feedback for the yard waste collection pilot program.  

Public Works Divisions Release Annual Reports

The engineering division of public works has completed a 2013 Annual Report. In addition, the 2013 Annual year-end update and status report of the Facilities and Structures Program is available. 

2014 Wage Floor

Pursuant to the City’s Tax Abatement Policy, the wage floor hourly wage is adjusted annually.  For 2014, the City of Lawrence’s wage floor increased to $12.37 from $12.21 in 2013.  This wage is adjusted each year, based upon an average wage equal to one hundred thirty percent of the federal poverty threshold for a family of three.  The poverty level for a family of three, as established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, was $19,790 for 2014. A summary of the wage floor amounts since 2003 can be found in the attached memo.