CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Stoneridge water tower site plan submitted
The attached site plan and site plan application for an elevated water storage tank have been submitted on behalf of the City of Lawrence by Bartlett & West and Black & Veatch. The tank will be located near Stoneridge Drive and 6th Street on property owned by the City and will provide additional water capacity and fire flow for development in the area. This Utilities Department project was forecast in the 2003 Water Master Plan and is in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. The project is in the predesign phase and approval to bid the project will be a future City Commission agenda item.
Kasold construction updates
§ Bob Billings Parkway to 22nd - The work continues to progress smoothly. Subgrade preparation has been completed. All the retaining walls have been finished with only a few cosmetic items to complete. Fence installation is nearly complete. Intersections at 22nd, Augusta, Scioto, and Seminole are complete along with short runs of mainline paving at the north and south ends of the west lanes. The intersection at Tam O’ Shanter has the forms set and will be placed, weather permitting, this week. Seeding will start as soon as the soil dries. Please see attached photos of the project.
§ Peterson to KTA - The contractor is working on grading the street and installing storm sewer. Storm sewer is 85% complete for two phases of the project. The large concrete culvert was completed on Wednesday. Backfilling the structure and building the street will begin soon. The project is ahead of schedule and the paving contractor is expected to begin concrete pavement construction by May 1st. Please see attached photos of the project.
Contact list for Downtown concerns posted online
City staff has produced a contact list for common concerns regarding Downtown issues, such as lights, landscaping, parking enforcement and more. The list may be viewed on the City Services page of www.lawreceks.org (click under the “Downtown” heading at http://www.lawrenceks.org/services/).
Transit Administrator meets with Congressional delegation
Transit Administrator Cliff Galante recently returned from the American Public Transportation Association’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., and prepared the attached report. The Conference featured many Congressional leaders and other individuals making public transit policy at the federal level. In conjunction with the conference, Cliff was able to meet with Senator Brownback and his staff, Representatives Boyda and Moore and their staffs, and staff from Senator Robert’s office.
Monthly building permits report
The attached building permits report for March 2007 shows permits and permit fees are down compared to March 2006.
Annual compost giveaway a success
The City of Lawrence Solid Waste Division conducted its Spring Compost Giveaway for Lawrence residents from Thursday, March 22, through Saturday, March 24. The annual event provides free loads of compost in quantities as large as pickup truck beds and small trailers. The attached report contains photos of the event and information regarding the amount of compost distributed.
Human Relations Commission receives training
On March 30, staff from the Human Relations and Legal Services departments held a training session for new and existing Human Relations Commissioners. The attached agenda provides a summary of the topics covered during the training session. Presentations were made by Michelle Smith, Human Relations Specialist, Paul Winn, Human Relations Specialist, and Toni Wheeler, Legal Services Director.
Lawrence Arts Commission 2006 Annual Report
The Lawrence Arts Commission has submitted the attached annual report for 2006.