The City Current

Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes

Note: This is only an unofficial recap of the meeting and not the official minutes.

During the December 4 City Commission meeting, the Commission acted on the following Consent Agenda items:

1.         Approved City Commission meeting minutes from 11/20/12 and amended City Commission meeting minutes from 11/13/12.

2.         Received minutes from the following boards and commissions:

• Community Development Advisory Committee meeting of 10/11/12
• Historic Resources Commission meeting of 10/18/12
• Homeless Issues Advisory Committee meeting of 10/09/12
• Mental Health Board meeting of 10/30/12
• Traffic Safety Commission meeting of 11/05/12

3.        Approved claims to 194 vendors in the amount of $2,234,934.55 and payroll from 11/18/12-12/01/12 in the amount of $1,968,577.39.

4.         Bid and purchase items:

a)         Approved purchase of computer hardware and software for the Lawrence Police Department from Eaglesoft for $31,861.20 (hardware) and $4,800 (software).

b)        Approved emergency procurement of the replacement of the biosolids conveyor system for a total estimated cost of $270,000.

5.         Adopted the following ordinances on second and final reading:

a)         Ordinance No. 8825, authorizing the codification of ordinances of the City of Lawrence, January 1, 2013 edition.

b)       Ordinance No. 8823, to annex (A-12-00190) approximately 90 acres located east of Kansas Highway 10 (K-10) and north of W 6^th Street adjacent to the Baldwin Creek City Park, generally bounded by E 902 Rd on the west and George Williams Way extended on the east. (PC Item 2A; approved 8-0-1 on 11/12/12)

6.         Received update on the status of Special Use Permit, SUP-12-7-11, for the Lawrence Community Shelter, located at 214 W 10^th St/944 Kentucky Street.

7.         Concurred with the Traffic Safety Commission recommendations for the following:

a)         Install a pedestrian hybrid beacon on Connecticut Street at 10^th Street for Project No. PW1308 when funding allows, and authorize the submission of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for funding of this project. (TSC item #2; approved 6-0 on 11/5/12)

b)         Establish a mid-block crosswalk on Kasold Drive between 27^th Street & 28^th Street and to the list of future projects a pedestrian hybrid beacon.  (TSC item #3; approved 5-1 on 11/5/12)

c)         Deny the request for a stop sign on St. Andrews Drive at Tam O’Shanter Drive. (TSC item #4; approved 6-0 on 11/5/12)

8.         Authorized the City Manager to sign a Long Term Care Agreement and pay a one-time lump sum of $50,345.07 to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for associated oversight and inspections related to the former Farmland Industries Nitrogen Plant site.

9.         Authorized staff to negotiate an engineering services agreement with Burns & McDonnell for Project UT1209 – Taste and Odor, and Algal Toxin Water Treatment Process Evaluation.  Any request to authorize the execution of a successfully negotiated contract would be withheld until the City Commission’s approval of the required funding for the project.

10.       Approved the City Park located at 19th and Haskell Streets to be named “Chief Jim McSwain Park,” with the byline “Dedicated in honor of all firefighters.”

11.     DEFERRED AT APPLICANT’S REQUEST.  Receive request from Outside for a Better Inside for City maintenance agreement for proposed walking trail as part of Bert Nash project;  refer to staff for report and preparation of agreement.

12.       Authorized the City Manager to sign a lease agreement with 720, L.L.C. for the lease of 720 E 9^th Street #2, for a total payment of $30,375, for use as a storage facility for the Lawrence Public Library during construction at the current library site.

13.       Authorized the Mayor to sign a Subordination Agreement for James and Patrice Krause, 1409 New Jersey Street.

14.      Authorized the Mayor to sign Releases of Mortgage for Jan See, 921 Lawrence Avenue, and Robert Rose, 1415 Delaware.

15.       Approved appointments as recommended by the Mayor.

• Appointed Gary Knudson to a vacant Aviation Advisory Board position that expires           05/31/15.
• Appointed Linda Bush to a vacant Community Development Advisory Committee position that expires 09/30/15.
• Appointed Mike Brouwer to a Homeless Issues Advisory Committee position that expires 12/31/13.
• Appointed Nicole Rials to a Lawrence Citizen Advisory Board position that expires 03/01/15.
• Reappointed Chris Rogge to the Lawrence Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee for an additional term that expires 12/31/15.
• Reappointed Joe Caldwell and Andy Clayton to additional Parks & Recreation Advisory Board positions that expire 12/31/16 and appointed LaRisa Lochner to a term that will expire 12/31/16.
• Reappointed James Pavisian, Marion Hukle, and Mark Hurt to additional Public Transit Advisory Committee terms that expire 12/31/15.
• Reappointed Ione Unruh to the Sister Cities Advisory Committee for an additional term that expires 12/31/15.

During the Regular Agenda, the Commission:

1.        Considered staff recommendations regarding the 9^th Street, Tennessee Street to Kentucky Street improvements. Approved option 3 contingent on the adjacent property owner donating the necessary property interests to the city.

2.         Directed staff to make certain changes to the 2013 Legislative Priority Statement and bring it back for future city commission consideration.

Approved the 2013 City Commission meeting calendar.

To view this week’s City Manager’s Report, please click on the following link:

http://www.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2012/12-04-12/cm_report.html

Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes

Note: This is only an unofficial recap of the meeting and not the official minutes.

During the November 27 City Commission meeting, the Commission acted on the following Consent Agenda items:

1. DEFERRED approval of the City Commission meeting minutes of 11/13/12.

2. Received minutes from various boards and commissions:

• Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting of 11/13/12
• Public Health Board meeting of 09/17/12

3. Approved claims to 148 vendors in the amount of $1,415,281.49.

4. Approved the appointments to the Douglas County Senior Services Advisory Board:

• Dr. Phil Godwin to a one-year term that ends 12/31/13.
• Dennis Domer to a two-year term that ends 12/31/14.
• Hank Booth to a three-year term that ends 12/31/15.
• Kathy Clausing-Willis to a three-year term that end 12/31/15.

5. Bid and purchase items:

a) Set bid date of Tuesday, December 18, 2012 for the Comprehensive Rehabilitation project at 133 Florida Street.

b) Awarded Bid No. B1263; Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals for 2013 to the bidders marked by a triple asterisk (***) on the attached bid summary.

c) Awarded bid to replace the Bly room floor in Holcom Recreation Center for the Parks and Recreation Department to Regents Flooring Co. for $18,484.

6. Adopted on first reading, Ordinance No. 8825, authorizing the codification of ordinances of the City of Lawrence, January 1, 2013 edition.

7. Adopted on second and final reading, Ordinance No. 8822, establishing the parking lot adjoining 700 New Hampshire Street as two hour parking for the duration of the lease agreement between the City of Lawrence and Lawrence Store No. 203, L.L.C.

8. Approved annexation, A-12-00190, of approximately 90 acres, located east of Kansas Highway 10 (K-10) and north of W 6^th Street adjacent to the Baldwin Creek City Park, generally bounded by E 902 Rd on the west and George Williams Way extended on the east. Submitted by Paul Werner Architects, for Fairway, LC, Property owner of record. Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 8823, to annex (A-12-00190) approximately 90 acres located east of Kansas Highway 10 (K-10) and north of W 6^th Street adjacent to the Baldwin Creek City Park, generally bounded by E 902 Rd on the west and George Williams Way extended on the east. (PC Item 2A; approved 8-0-1 on 11/12/12)

During the Regular Agenda, the Commission:

1. Received update from Bob Sanner regarding the Ugly Sweater Run scheduled for December 1, 2012 and the 2013 Color Run.

2.  Approved temporary move of downtown transit transfer point from the area of 9^th and New Hampshire to the area of 9^th and Vermont Streets.

3. Reviewed staff report related to occupancy limits and rental licensing requirements in Planned Development districts, and directed staff to prepare ordinances for city commission consideration that would 1) revise the definition of Family to limit unrelated occupants to no more than 3 for the Detached Dwelling and Duplex housing types in PD zones and provide a grace period of 18 months for owners to comply with the revised code standard, 2) revise the definition of Family to limit unrelated occupants to no more than 3 for the Detached Dwelling and Duplex housing types in PD zones and provide a grace period of 18 months for owners to comply with the revised code standard; and direct staff to analyze including RM in the limits.

4. Reviewed staff report related to expanding the rental licensing program, and directed staff to draft an implementation plan for City Commission consideration that would eventually expand the rental licensing program to all rental units in the city, regardless of structure type or zoning, with implementation phasing options, as close to cost neutral as possible, and including a bonus/incentive system for compliant properties.

5. Considered revisions to Chapter 5, Article 18 of the City Code to revise sign standards to exempt temporary, double-sided freestanding and A-Frame signs from the sign code under certain circumstances. Approved the draft code language and directed staff to draft an ordinance incorporating said language.

6. Considered revisions to Chapter 6, Article 12 of the City Code and to the accompanying Administrative Regulations to revise the standards related to sidewalk dining to address umbrella height, railing materials, and amplified music and sound within sidewalk dining areas. Directed staff to draft an ordinance for City Commission consideration.

7.       Received the City Auditor’s November 2012 Audit Recommendation Follow-Up Memo, and directed the auditor to close recommendations A-D.

To view this week’s City Manager’s Report, please click on the following link:

http://www.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2012/11-27-12/cm_report.html

Reading time: 3 – 5 minutes

Note: This is only an unofficial recap of the meeting and not the official minutes.

During the November 20 City Commission meeting, the Commission acted on the following Consent Agenda items:

1. Approved claims to 232 vendors in the amount of $2,933,707.23 and payroll from November 4, 2012 to November 17, 2012 in the amount of $1,865,201.14.

2. Bid and purchase items:

a) Set a bid date of December 4, 2012 for 23^rd Street and O’Connell Road Intersection, Geometric and Traffic Signal Improvements, Project No. PW1127.

b) Set a bid date of December 4, 2012 for 2013 Crack Sealing Program, Project No. PW1306.

c) Set a date of December 11, 2012 for 2012 Crosswalk Marking Project, Project No. PW1233.

d) Awarded the bid for a Deck Mower, to Heritage Tractor, for a total amount of $15,936.52.

e) Approved as sole source purchase, the purchase and installation of three Motorola MW 810 Mobile Data Computers for the Animal Control Division of the Lawrence Police Department, to Topeka FM for a total cost of $18,650.70.

3. Adopted on first reading, Ordinance No. 8822, establishing the parking lot adjoining 700 New Hampshire Street as two hour parking for the duration of the lease agreement between the City of Lawrence and Lawrence Store No. 203, L.L.C.

4. Adopted on second and final reading, the following ordinances:

a) Ordinance No. 8821, adopted the 2013 Wholesale Water Rates.

b) Ordinance No. 8816, for text amendments (TA-12-00182 & TA-12-00183) to the City of Lawrence Land Development Code, Chapter 20, Article 4 to change the Truck Stop use from permitted to permitted with a Special Use Permit in the IG (General Industrial) District and to change the Recycle Processing Center use from permitted to permitted with a Special Use Permit in the IL (Limited Industrial) District.

5. Accepted dedication of easements and right-of-way for a Final Plat, PF-12-00247, for Lincoln Subdivision an 8-lot residential subdivision located in the 700 Block of Lincoln Street (east of Lyon Park on the north side of Lincoln Street). Submitted by Grob Engineering Services, LLC, for Bluejacket Ford, LLC, property owner of record.

6. Received Census 2010 analysis, authorizde staff to proceed with Census Count Question Resolution appeal process and authorized Mayor to execute related documents.

7. Authorized staff to develop a Scope of Services with Airport Development Group for the Airport Pavement Maintenance and Repair, Project No. PW1304.

8. Authorized endorsement of the Lawrence Arts Center National Endowment of the Arts grant application and approved grant writing support in the amount of $2,000, and approved the Lawrence Arts Center request for support for a Final Friday’s coordinator in the amount of $3,600 for the next year.

9. Approved funding for 2012 longevity payments.

During the Regular Agenda, the Commission:

1. Conducted public hearing regarding exterior yard conditions at 331 Johnson Avenue and adopted Resolution No. 6996, declaring the exterior to be in violation of the City’s Environmental Code and ordering the property owner to remove all violations within a specified period of time.   Should owner fail to comply, the City will contract for the removal of the exterior yard violations.

2. Received update on Multi-Dwelling project, including the Varsity House, located at 1043 Indiana Street. Directed that the certificate of occupancy be withheld until a donation agreement was reached, with the applicant providing $50,000 before the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, the donation being made to the Douglas County Community Foundation in a fund with the City Commission having the final determination on the dispersal of funds.

3. Approved the following recommendations concerning the library project:

a) Approved bid packages for the Vermont Street Parking Garage and utility/site improvements for $5,274,345.

b) Approved recommendation from the Public Art for the Library Expansion Project Selection Committee of the team of Dierk Van Keppel and John Shreve to complete the art for the library project within the budget of $75,000, and authorized contract negotiations.

4.       Received presentation of 2012/2013 snow operation and preparations.

To view this week’s City Manager’s Report, please click on the following link: http://www.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2012/11-20-12/cm_report.html

Reading time: 2 – 4 minutes

Note: This is only an unofficial recap of the meeting and not the official minutes.

During the November 13 City Commission meeting, the Commission acted on the following Consent Agenda items:

1. Approved City Commission meeting minutes from 10/23/12 and 11/06/12.

2. Received minutes from the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting of 10/04/12.

3. Approved claims to 178 vendors in the amount of $2,205,348.21.

4. Approved licenses as recommended by the City Clerk’s Office.

Drinking Establishment Licenses for El Matador Café, 446 Locust, and Intorno Classic Italian Restaurant, 801 Massachusetts.  Retail Liquor Licenses for Cork and Barrel Downtown, 901 Mississippi, Cork and Barrel, 2000 West 23^rd St and Roy’s Wine & Spirits, 721 Wakarusa No. 107.

5.         Bid and purchase items:

a)         Awarded bids for the 2012 Weatherization program as follows:

i)          Attic insulation to A+ Insulation for $12,660;

ii)         Storm windows to Ziegler Glass for $12,475.88; and

iii)         Weather-stripping doors to Airtight, Inc., for $1,787.89

b)         Waived staff estimates and awarded bids for the comprehensive rehabilitation projects at 1315 E. 21^st Street to Schmidt Contracting, Inc., for $26,928 and 1024 Iowa Street to T & J Holdings, Inc., for $24,785.

6.         Adopted on first reading, Ordinance No. 8821, adopting the 2013 Wholesale Water Rates.

7.         Adopted the following ordinances on second and final reading:

a)         Ordinance No. 8818, to rezone (Z-12-00147) approximately .1 acre from CS (Strip Commercial) to RS5 (Single-Dwelling Residential), located at 833 Connecticut Street.

b)         Ordinance No. 8819, to rezone (Z-12-00194) approximately 14,317 square feet from IG (General Industrial) to RS7 (Single-Dwelling Residential), located at 513 N 7^th Street.

c)         Ordinance No. 8820, to rezone (Z-12-00196) approximately 7,887 square feet from IG (General Industrial) to RS7 (Single-Dwelling Residential), located at 529 N 7^th Street.

8.         Approved text amendments, TA-12-00182, to the City of Lawrence Land Development Code, Chapter 20, Article 4 to change the Truck Stop use from permitted to permitted with a Special Use Permit in the IG (General Industrial) District. (PC Item 5; approved 8-0 on 10/22/12).

9.         Approved text amendments, TA-12-00183, to the City of Lawrence Land Development Code, Chapter 20, Article 4 to change the Recycle Processing Center use from permitted to permitted with a Special Use Permit in the IL (Limited Industrial) District. Adopted on first reading, Ordinance No. 8816, for text amendments (TA-12-00182 & TA-12-00183) to the City of Lawrence Land Development Code, Chapter 20, Article 4 to change the Truck Stop use from permitted to permitted with a Special Use Permit in the IG (General Industrial) District and to change the Recycle Processing Center use from permitted to permitted with a Special Use Permit in the IL (Limited Industrial) District. (PC Item 6; approved 8-0 on 10/22/12)

During the Regular Agenda, the Commission:

1.         Received staff report regarding the proposed recreation center and directed staff to prepare necessary documents – for future City Commission review and approval – for a partnership with KU Endowment Association for the Rock Chalk park site.  These documents would include, but not be limited to, City approval of all plans and specifications, review of bids and costs, property transfer, common area maintenance and access, and other necessary items related to the project.

To view this week’s City Manager’s Report, please click on the following link:

http://www.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2012/11-13-12/cm_report.html

Reading time: 3 – 4 minutes

Note: We’ll be trying out posting a summary of what happens after each City Commission meeting, starting with the Nov. 6 meeting. This is only an unofficial recap of the meeting and not the official minutes.

During the November 6 City Commission meeting, the Commission acted on the following Consent Agenda items:

1.         Received minutes from the following boards and commissions:

Board of Zoning Appeals meeting of 08/02/12

Historic Resources Commission meeting of 09/20/12

Hospital Board meeting of 09/19/12

Mechanical Board of Appeals meeting of 09/18/12

Mental Health Board meeting of 09/28/12

Planning Commission meeting of 09/24/12

2.         Approved claims to 279 vendors in the amount of $4,387,405.04, and payroll from October 21, 2012 – November 3, 2012 in the amount of $1,855,403.22.

3.         Approved licenses as recommended by the City Clerk’s Office.

Retail Liquor License for Ten Ten Liquor, 1010 N 3rd

4.         Bid and purchase items:

a)         Set bid date of December 2, 2012 for the installation of welding stations and exhaust hoods at the SWAN facility, Project No. PW1305.

b)         Authorized the City Manager to sign a contract with Surdex for the 2013 aerial photography and LiDAR project and authorize payment in an amount not to exceed $19,832.47.

5.         Adopted the following ordinances on second and final reading:

a)         Ordinance No. 8791, adopting the 9th and New Hampshire Redevelopment Plan and approving a Redevelopment Agreement for the South Project Area (needs 2/3 majority)

b)         Ordinance No. 8803, creating the 9th and New Hampshire Transportation Development District for the project and authorizing levying an additional one percent (1%) sales tax on property owned by the developer

c)         Ordinance No. 8804, authorizing the issuance of Industrial Revenue Bonds for the 900 New Hampshire project.

6.         Approved rezoning, Z-12-00147, approximately .1 acre from CS (Strip Commercial) to RS5 (Single-Dwelling Residential), located at 833 Connecticut Street. Submitted by Leslie Soden, property owner of record. Adopted on first reading, Ordinance No. 8818, to rezone (Z-12-00147) approximately .1 acre from CS (Strip Commercial) to RS5 (Single-Dwelling Residential), located at 833 Connecticut Street. (PC Item 3; approved 8-0 on 10/22/12)

7.         Approved rezoning, Z-12-00194, approximately 14,317 square feet from IG (General Industrial) to RS7 (Single-Dwelling Residential), located at 513 N 7^th Street. Initiated by Planning Commission on 5/25/11. Adopted on first reading, Ordinance No. 8819, to rezone (Z-12-00194) approximately 14,317 square feet from IG (General Industrial) to RS7 (Single-Dwelling Residential), located at 513 N 7^th Street. (PC Item 7; approved 6-0 on 10/24/12)

8.         Approved rezoning, Z-12-00196, approximately 7,887 square feet from IG (General Industrial) to RS7 (Single-Dwelling Residential), located at 529 N 7^th Street. Initiated by Planning Commission on 5/25/11. Adopted on first reading, Ordinance No. 8820, to rezone (Z-12-00196) approximately 7,887 square feet from IG (General Industrial) to RS7 (Single-Dwelling Residential), located at 529 N 7^th Street. (PC Item 8; approved 6-0 on 10/24/12).

9.         Approved a Site Plan, SP-12-00170, for sidewalk dining and hospitality area at 508 Locust Street (Frank’s North Star Tavern) and approved sidewalk dining and hospitality license. Submitted by Frank Dorsey, for Jesse DelCampo and Severina DelCampo, the property owners of record.

10.       Authorized the Mayor to enter into a cooperation agreement with Douglas County and Douglas County Senior Services to provide for coordination of services to residents of Lawrence and Douglas County, age 55 and older; and authorized the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Douglas County Senior Services relating to utilization of a city building located at 8^th and Vermont Streets.

11.       Approved proposal regarding the use of displaced trees at the Lawrence Public Library site.

12.       Authorized issuance of a Temporary Use of Public Right-of-Way Permit for the Ugly Sweater Run on December 1, 2012, allowing the closure of various city streets.

There were no regular agenda items.

To view this week’s City Manager’s Report, please click on the following link:

http://www.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2012/11-06-12/cm_report.html