CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Week ending April 11, 2014
March Sales Tax Distribution
The City of Lawrence has recently received its March sales tax distribution. The distribution is the result of retail sales from mid-January to mid-February. The distribution of $2,812,337.17 is $75,000 more than the prior year distribution for the same month. Please see the attached memo for more information.
Reminder to Update Statements Of Substantial Interests
City Commissioners are reminded every spring to update their Statement of Substantial Interest form if there have been any changes in their substantial interests since the last from was filed. If an updated form is required, it must be filed between April 15 and April 30. More information is available by contacting the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission at (785) 296-4219 or visiting www.kansas.gov/ethics.
City’s 2014 Budget Receives GFOA Award
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) presented a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to City of Lawrence, Kansas for its annual budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2014. In order to receive this award, a governmental unit must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as an operations guide, as a financial plan, and as a communications device.
City Extends CSA program to Advisory Board Members
The City of Lawrence hosts a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program at City Hall for our employees to purchase fresh, local produce. This year, we are extending the opportunity to our city advisory board members to join the CSA weekly pickup at City Hall on Thursday afternoons. This is the second year of the program, which was designed by our CHAMP employee wellness committee. Subscribers to the CSA receive a bag of seasonal produce each week, fresh from the fields of three farms in Douglas County.
April “Lawrence In Focus” Online
The city’s latest edition of Lawrence In Focus is now online. This month's edition of Lawrence In Focus discusses upcoming trash route changes for residential customers, street maintenance projects to improve our roads, board and commission volunteer appreciation, and how to build a rain barrel. The video is online at http://www.lawrenceks.org/in-focus or on the city’s You Tube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcfhg0efngU. The video has also been posted to the city’s social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter, and a link was sent out to the city’s various email lists.
Wakarusa and Inverness Roundabout Follow-up Information
On November 26, 2013 the City Commission directed staff to proceed with the design of a round-a-bout at the intersection of Wakarusa Drive and Inverness Drive. At the meeting, several questions were raised by the public. Staff has prepared the attached responses.
The City has also received a few emails (updated 04/14/14) from nearby residents raising questions and concerns. Staff has developed a memo to address those items.
671 Tons of Compost and Woodchips Distributed During Spring Sale Event
The City’s Solid Waste Division sold 898 cubic yards (494 tons) of compost and 616 cubic yards (177 tons) of woodchips during the Spring Compost and Woodchip Sale on March 27th through 29th. Nine hundred fifty-six (956) vehicles participated during the three day sale and a total of $8,950 was generated during the sale. Compost and woodchips were sold for $10 per bucket load which is approximately 2 cubic yards. Please see the attached report for more details.
Utilities Field Operations Annual Report Now Available
The Utilities Field Operations Annual Report for 2013 is attached.
Spring Land Application of Biosolids Begins
On April 10, the Utilities Department started its spring land application of biosolids, which is the treated solids from the wastewater treatment process, to farm fields. The fields are located north and east of Lawrence. Parker Ag Services, a contractor for the City, will transport the solids in semi-trucks and apply approximately 2500 cubic yards of biosolids to 130 acres of farm ground. The biosolids provide the growing crop with essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous, micro nutrients, and organic matter. Lawrence has been reusing the treated wastewater solids in this manner for over 20 years on privately owned local farms and nearly 20 years prior to that on City owned farm ground, leased to local farmers. Department staff and the contractor expect this spring’s land application to be completed in 1-2 weeks, dependent on weather conditions and rainfall.