Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager

FROM:

Charles F. Soules, Director of Public Works

CC:

Casey Toomay, David Cronin

DATE:

August 11, 2015

RE:

6th & Champion Lane, Benefit District, Project Number PW1507

 

Traffic volumes at the intersection of 6th St. and Champion Ln. continue to increase.  As Bauer Farms continues to develop the need to signalize the intersection is necessary for safety and access to both Bauer Farms and Westgate Development.

 

The improvement district includes all property north and south of 6th St. that has access to the intersection between Folks Rd. and Wakarusa (see attached map).  Tracts 5, 7, 8, and 31 of the attached map are drainage easements and are not included in the benefit district.  When the Bauer Farm Development was platted the development entered an agreement not to protest the signalization of this intersection. 

 

The improvements include signalization of the 6th St. and Champion Ln. intersection, pavement marking, crosswalks, and sidewalk/accessible crossings. 

 

The total estimated cost is $400,000.  The KDOT and City of Lawrence entered a “Turnback” agreement for Hwy-40 from K-10 to Iowa St. in 2012.  In return for the city accepting full maintenance responsibility KDOT provided partial funding for several projects including $250,000 for the signalization of 6th St. and Champion Ln.  The benefit district will be responsible for the remaining $150,000.

 

The method of assessment is equally per square foot of the parcel.

 

The benefit district will pay for 100% of the costs with the City participation of 0% (the KDOT turnback funds in the amount of $250,000 will be expended).  Tract 25 is the Dillons Store on West 6th Street.  The parcel line does bisect the western end of the store.  The benefit district is comprised of legally platted property and does not follow building footprints. The owners of the property will need to replat if they want the assessments spread differently.  This can be done at any time and the assessments will be adjusted.  Every year there is property that has been included in a previous benefit district and is replatted.  The assessments are adjusted at that time. 

 

The assessment period is 10 years.

 

At the Commission meeting on June 14, 2015 the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 7127 setting August 4, 2015 for a public hearing.

 

On August 4, 2015 the City Commission opened a public hearing and adopted Resolution No. 7129 setting out the findings and authorizing the improvements to be completed.

 

The next step in the benefit district process is for the City Commission to approve the following documents:

Exhibit A - Assessment Roll Certification

Exhibit B - Notice of Public Hearing

Exhibit C - Form of Notice of Hearing and Statement of Cost Proposed to be Assessed.

 

Action

Approve Exhibits A, B, and C

 

Establish September 8, 2015 at 5:45, or as soon thereafter as may be heard, to meet for the purpose of hearing any and all written or oral objections to the respective assessments set forth therein;

 

                   Cause the City Clerk to publish the Notice of Public Hearing (Exhibit B) in the official City newspaper not less than 10 days prior to such public meeting date;

 

Direct Staff to mail the Form of Notice of Hearing and Statement of Cost Proposed to be Assessed (Exhibit C) to each and all owners of property affected by such assessments at their last known post office address on the same date as the publication of Notice of Public Hearing (Exhibit B); and

 

                    Direct Staff to file each of said documents of record in the office of the City Clerk and      make the same available for public inspection.