CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending August 8, 2014

 

 

Rock Chalk Infrastructure Report

Please see the attached report regarding the progress and costs of infrastructure at Rock Chalk Part for June 2014.

 

Public Works Mid-Year Report

Please see the attached mid-year report for the Building Maintenance Division.

 

Santa Fe Station Project Update:

City staff has been working with the BNSF Railway and Amtrak on finalizing various agreements necessary for the land transaction for City Commission approval.  The project was originally scheduled for an October 2014 bid date.  However, with the land transaction not completed, KDOT has agreed to push the bid date back and reschedule the date when the land transaction is completed.  The City will still have access to the grant funds awarded for the project.  City staff will continue to work with BNSF and Amtrak to achieve the land transaction completion later this fall.  

 

Lawrence Department of Utilities Receives Peak Performance Award

The Lawrence Utilities Department has received a Platinum Peak Performance Award. The Peak Performance Awards program presented by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) recognizes public wastewater treatment facilities for their outstanding compliance records in the 2013 calendar year. NACWA was proud to recognize 450 Peak Performance Award facilities during the Association’s 2014 Summer Conference and 44th Annual Meeting, held July 13-16, 2014 in Portland, Oregon.

 

Lawrence has received the platinum Peak Performance Award which pays special tribute to agency facilities that have achieved five consecutive years of 100 percent compliance with their NPDES permit.

 

“Lawrence’s Wastewater Treatment Utility is an outstanding example of environmental efforts. NACWA is honored to showcase the achievements of the Lawrence Department of Utilities and our nation’s public wastewater utilities through the Peak Performance Awards Program.” Ken Kirk, NACWA’s Executive Director. 

 

Bikes Take the Lane video now online

The City of Lawrence’s video program, Lawrence In Focus, takes a look at bicycling and the importance of sharing the road. As a vital component of the entire transportation system in Lawrence and Douglas County, bicycles provide both essential commuter and recreational transportation. This video explores roadway safety, emphasizing the importance of shared use of our roadways between bicyclists and motorists. Watch the video here: http://www.lawrenceks.org/in-focus or on the city’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz2KURJQF-s.

 

9th Street Corridor ArtPlace Grant Open House Meeting-  Monday, August 25 5-6 pm Lawrence Arts Center Middle Gallery, 940 New Hampshire

The City of Lawrence and the Lawrence Arts Center are hosting a public meeting regarding the recently announced ArtPlace grant received by the Lawrence Arts Center.  The grant will provide funding toward design and artistic components related to the reconstruction of the 9th Street Corridor from Massachusetts to Delaware Street in a complete street concept allowing for appropriate vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle access.  The purpose of the opening house meeting, which is a drop-in format, is to receive general information about the project and to provide input on the draft Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to design teams for the project.  There will be extensive public meetings and involvement of stakeholders relating to the development of the design concept once the design team has been selected.  Comments on the RFQ can also be submitted electronically to Diane Stoddard at dstoddard@lawrenceks.org.