CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending May 2, 2014

New Notify Me Text Message Alert System Available for Trash Services

The city launched a new communications service on April 30.  Notify Me, allows residents to sign up to receive a text or e-mail alerts giving advance notice of trash and yard waste collection dates.  The system will also provide notice for curbside recycling services when the city begins this service in mid-October. The Notify Me system allows each user to customize their notification preferences for trash, recycling and yard waste services any time from the evening before to the morning the service is set to occur.  The system allows the user to select how far in advance they want to be notified of changes in the schedule when services might be altered for holidays. Notify Me allows the user to view, print or download a calendar of their services by month based on their service schedule. The scheduling system is based off of the address given in accordance to the city’s designated routes.  An interactive map is available to locate an address based on the routing system. Notifications will begin the week of May 5 in association with the city’s upcoming trash route changes.  Visit www.lawrenceks.org/notify to sign up.  The system was designed completely in-house by web developer Chris Stringer with GIS assistance from Micah Seybold. The City Communications Office would like to expand the service in the future to include other city services.

City Hosting Budget Input Meetings in Community

The city will host two budget input meetings for the public to come and visit with City Commissioners and city staff about their top priorities, projects and concerns.  The meetings will be held at the following date and time: 

Monday, May 5, 5:30 p.m., Union Pacific Depot, 402 N. 2^nd Street

Thursday, May 8, 5:30 p.m.  Fire Station No. 5, 1901 Stewart Avenue, Jayhawk Room

The city posts budget documents and related information online at www.lawrenceks.org/budget.  You can email your comments to cityhall@lawrenceks.org if you are unable to attend the meetings. 

Update on Rental Licensing and Inspection Program Implementation

Staff has prepared the attached memo tracking the progress of implementation of the new rental licensing and expansion program. 

In addition, the City of Lawrence Planning & Development Services Department is hosting three educational seminars to assist property owners, property managers, tenants and the public with the transition.  Staff will review the initial licensing, license renewal and inspection processes followed by a question and answer session.   The seminars will be held on the following dates:

• May 15^th / 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Union Pacific Depot, 402 N. 2^nd Street.  This seminar will focus mainly on the transition of single-family properties into the new program, although anyone is welcome to attend.
• June 3^rd / 10:00 a.m.—Noon – Douglas County Fairgrounds Dreher Building, 2110 Harper Street.  This seminar will focus on all aspects of the program, from transitioning single-family properties into the new program and all rental properties within the city beginning January 1, 2015.
• June 18^th / 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. – Lawrence Free State High School commons, 4700 Overland Dr.  This seminar will focus on all aspects of the program, from transitioning single-family properties into the new program and all rental properties within the city beginning January 1, 2015.

The webpage for this program is http://www.lawrenceks.org/pds/rental-licensing

Leadership Lawrence Class of 2014 Includes Six City of Lawrence Employees

On April 25, 2014, six city employees graduated from the Leadership Lawrence Class of 2014: Britt Crum-Cano, Economic Development Coordinator; Myrone Grady, Lawrence Police Department Sergeant; Brandon Holloman, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical Captain; Eileen Horn, Douglas County / City of Lawrence Sustainability Coordinator; Kathy Richardson, Solid Waste Division Manager; and Bronson Star, Lawrence Police Department Sergeant (see photo).  In addition, this past year Tammy Bennett, Assistant Public Works Director, and Casey Toomay, Budget Manager, were active members serving on the Leadership Lawrence Advisory Board.  Tammy Bennett also served as co-chair of the curriculum committee.

Leadership Lawrence, a program of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, is a professional development program that provides participants first-hand exposure to the inner workings of Lawrence and Douglas County.  Since its creation in 1982, the program has developed more than 700 leaders in the community.  The mission of the Leadership Lawrence program is to inspire and strengthen active leadership in our community.

April Sales Tax Distribution

The City of Lawrence has recently received its April sales tax distribution. The distribution is the result of retail sales from mid-February to mid-March.  The distribution of $2,584,636.56 is $170,000 more than the prior year distribution for the same month.  Please see the attached memo for more information. 

March 2014 Monthly Permit Reports

The Building Safety Division issued 109 building permits in March, with total construction for the month valued at $15,158,554.  Total permit fees assessed for the month were $81,170.  Permits were issued for 17 new residential projects, including 11 single-family dwellings and 6 duplexes.  Please see the attached memo, report, and summary report for more information.

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 March 2014.

Time Lapse Video Shows Downtown Shot Put

For the fourth year the Lawrence Sports Corporation held its annual elite men’s shop put competition downtown in the intersection of 8^th Street and New Hampshire Street. Thanks to Public Works crews this was another successful year for the downtown shot put event.  See the attached report for more information. 

City’s Earth Day Celebration and Water Festival Draw a Large Crowd

On Saturday, April 19, 2014, the City’s Solid Waste Division hosted the 14^th Annual Earth Day Celebration at South Park (event summary and photos). Event features were the Parade for the Earth hosted by KU Environs and the ‘April Showers to Water Towers’ a Water Festival for Douglas County (event summary and photos) organized by the City’s Stormwater Division. Over 2,000 citizens participated in the Earth Day activities which included live music, informational booths, and South Park tree identification tours led by the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, the Lawrence Transit System offered free rides all day, providing the experience and benefits of public transportation on all fixed routes. 

Common Ground Garden Receives Grant from Kansas Community Gardens Project

The Pearl Clark Community Garden, located at 639 Illinois, and member of the Common Ground program, just received a $4,895 grant for garden improvements.  The grant is provided by the Kansas Community Gardens Project, a joint initiative of the Kansas Health Foundation and K-State Research and Extension.  The Pearl Clark Community Garden is one of 26 community garden projects across the state to receive this funding, which will help support the construction of irrigation hydrants, a shed, garden tools, signage, and materials for ADA-accessible garden beds.

League Released Comparison Information for 2014 Budget Year

The League of Kansas Municipalities released their annual “Kansas Tax Rate and Fiscal Data Book.”  The document compares cities, counties, and school districts in the state in terms of population, assessed valuation, indebtedness, and mill levy rate.  Note data regarding indebtedness amounts are as of 06/30/2013.  As of May 1, 2014, the City of Lawrence debt is as follows:

General Obligation Bonds:	$67,610,000
Outstanding Notes:	$124,005,000
SRF Loans:	$20,577,479
Revenue Bonds:	$46,390,000
Total:	$258,582,479