CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Wastewater Utility receives Innovation Award
The City of Lawrence Wastewater Utility recently received an Outstanding Achievement in Local Government Innovation Award from the IG Innovation Groups. The Innovation Groups encourage and foster opportunities for innovation in local government in an effort to make a difference in our local communities. The award recognizes the Wastewater Utility for its implementation of the Lawrence Wastewater Management System (LWWMS) that was audited and certified by independent 3rd party auditors and is in conformance with ISO14001 (environmental), OHSAS18001 (occupational health and safety), and NBP EMS (environmental/biosolids). Official receipt of the award will take place at the Transforming Local Government Conference in Bellevue, WA on June 7. Please see the attached award application for more information.
City receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has presented the City of Lawrence with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2007 budget. To receive the award the City had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation which assess how well the budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device. Please see the attached letter and press release for more information.
Building Permit Report
The attached report details building permit activity for the year through April. During April 2007 the same number of permits was issued as April 2006, but for the year permits are down from 851 to 657. Building permit revenues for the year are down compared to the same period of 2006, from $280,399 to $202,623.
City cooperates with other agencies to organize Water Festival
‘April Showers to Water Towers’ a Water Festival for Douglas County was held in conjunction with other Earth Day activities April 21st in South Park. Information regarding watersheds, stormwater pollution, erosion, drinking water, ground water and other water quality issues were presented using fun, educational activities. Organizers included the City of Lawrence Stormwater Division and Department of Utilities, Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance, Environmental Protection Agency, Douglas County Farm Bureau, K-State Research and Extension and the Kansas Geological Survey. Over 500 people attended the festival, with over 150 citizens receiving a rain poncho or backpack for visiting all nine activities. Please see the attached report on the activity.