CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending April 4, 2014

City Budget 101 Meeting to be Held

The application materials for social service agencies, economic development agencies, and vendor provided services for the 2015 budget are now online at www.lawrenceks.org/budget.  We will also be hosting a “City Budget 101” meeting on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 5:30 pm in the Jayhawk Room at Fire Station 5, located at 1911 Stewart Avenue.  Agency representative and board members are invited to attend to hear an overview of the city budget process as well as our revenue and expenditure projections for 2015. 

2013-1014 Snow Removal Summary

The City of Lawrence Public Works Department completes another successful season of snow operations with 13 events, 29.65” of snow and one record event of 14”. See the attached report for more information. 

Public Works Hosting Public Meeting on Naismith Dr. and Crescent Rd.

The University of Kansas is reconstructing Naismith Drive from 15th St. to Crescent Road/Jayhawk Boulevard in summer of 2014.  The City and University are seeking input on geometric improvements for the intersection of Naismith Dr. and Crescent Rd. to enhance pedestrian and vehicle safety.  Options include limiting turning movements and vehicular access to Crescent Road from Naismith Drive

A meeting will be held on April 9th from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the Gridiron Room of the Burge Union, 1601 Irving Hill Rd to provide information and answer questions about the reconstruction of the intersection; both City and University staff will be present.  Notice of the meeting was sent to the surrounding neighborhood. 

Playground Grant Community-Build Project Update

An update on the $20,000 KaBOOM! grant the City received to update the playground equipment at Edgewood Park is attached.

Bug Gourmet Featured On Fox 4 Morning Show

Marty Birrell, nature interpretive supervisor, recently appeared on two cooking segments of the Fox 4 Morning Show in Kansas City to prepare a couple of dishes using bugs and highlighting a program, The Bug Gourmet, that was being held at Prairie Park Nature Center.  See the attached report for more information. 

2013 Utilities Integrated Plan Annual Report

An annual report outlining the status of the projects as identified in the City’s Integrated Wastewater Plan during 2013 and the Department’s projected plans for 2014 is attached. 

Cross Connection Control Program Reminder

The Cross Connection Control Program is currently under review by the Utilities Department. Pending program changes, the department intends to issue a public notice reminding City water users of the requirement to test backflow devices on an annual basis. This public notice would be coupled with a direct mailing to currently identified backflow testers requesting them to follow up with their customers on testing.  For more information see the attached.

First Quarter Report From DCSS

The attached report regarding the activities of Douglas County Senior Services (DCSS) for the first quarter of 2014 has been submitted pursuant to the City/County/DCSS Cooperative Agreement signed in the fall of 2013.