CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending July 30, 2015

Lawrence Utilities Department kicks off Phase 3 of the Ecoflow Rapid Rainwater Reduction Program

The Lawrence Department of Utilities and TREKK Design Group, LLC will begin Phase 3 of the Ecoflow Rapid Rainwater Reduction Program in August 2015. As part of the investigation work, TREKK Design Group will be conducting private property plumbing evaluations, manhole inspections, and sanitary sewer smoke testing in the project area. The start of Phase 3 private property plumbing evaluations will follow an informational open house in the Liberty Memorial Central Middle School cafeteria planned for September 16 at 5:00 pm. 

The Utilities Department and TREKK Design Group anticipate beginning the sanitary sewer smoke testing on Wednesday, August 5 as soil conditions allow. The sanitary sewer smoke testing will begin in an area near the University of Kansas main campus and continue through the area shown on the attached map. Smoke testing is conducted by forcing a non-toxic, harmless, odorless smoke into the sewer lines. The smoke leaves the enclosed pipe in areas where there are cracks or leaks and makes its way to the ground’s surface, where personnel can mark the defect location. The smoke will also follow the private line laterals and leave them through the roof vents in homes. Sometimes the smoke can enter a home or building through dry floor drains and p-traps or defects in the interior plumbing system. The smoke can quickly be removed by opening windows. Approximately 48 hours prior to the start of any smoke testing, door hangers with notifications and instructions to fill floor drains and p-traps with water will be distributed to all residents in the area that may be affected. TREKK will also have portable street signs posted in the immediate vicinity of the smoke testing. The University of Kansas, Fire/Medical, Public Works, and dispatch will be provided daily notification with specific work locations. As the smoke testing takes place, TREKK personnel are in the neighborhood to provide any assistance and answer any questions. All TREKK employees and vehicles will be clearly identifiable.

The manhole inspections will begin in the area designated following smoke testing activities. Additional information and updates on the Ecoflow Rapid Rainwater Reduction Program will continue to be provided as the project progresses.

Fence project at Prairie Park Nature Center

Details on Sam Goodwin’s Eagle Scout project to replace the fence at Prairie Park Nature Center with a new fence are attached.

Community Recognized for Food Policy Innovations

The Douglas County Food Policy Council was recognized by a national food systems effort – Growing Food Connections – funded by the National Institute of Food & Agriculture of the US Department of State.  Growing Food Connections conducted a national scan of over 299 local governments to identify innovative local food systems policies.  Douglas County and Lawrence were selected as one of six “Communities of Innovation” in recognition our leadership in collaborative food systems planning and policy work.  Our Common Ground garden program, our SNAP matching program, and our work towards a food hub were all cited as best practices. http://growingfoodconnections.org/research/communities-of-innovation/