CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending November 1, 2013

 

Rock Chalk Park Aerial Photos

The attached aerial photos were recently taken of Rock Chalk Park.

 

Third Quarter Budget Report

The attached report summarizes the financial activities of the City of Lawrence through the end of the third quarter of 2013 on a budget basis.  The report provides budgetary highlights from the major funds of the City.  The report also compares financial activities to the budget and the two previous years.  With 75% of the year lapsed, revenues in most of the City’s budgeted funds are exceeding 75% of budget.  Likewise, expenditures in all of the City’s budgeted funds are below 75% of budget.  Departments will continue to monitor revenues and manage their expenditures accordingly in order to finish 2013 as projected, with balanced budgets in most the City’s major budgeted funds. 

 

October Sales Tax Distribution

The City of Lawrence recently received its October sales tax distribution. The distribution is the result of retail sales from mid-August to mid-September. The distribution of $2,893,758.04 is about $20,000 less than the prior year distribution for the same month. The 2013 budget for the total sales and use tax distribution is $32,737,625. The first nine months of 2013 sales tax distribution was up 2.7% compared to the first nine months of 2012. Please see the attached memo for more information.

 

City Awarded Grant for Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Program

The city recently received notification that KDOT has awarded us a grant for implementation of ITS equipment on Clinton Parkway, Wakarusa Drive and W 6th Street in the amount of $129,250. The grant requires a city match of $107,000. An agreement accepting the grant will be presented for City Commission approval at a later date.

 

Parks and Recreation Hosts Halloween Activities

Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department recently held several Halloween-themed activities for youth and adults. The Halloween Trick-or-Treat Trail Hike was sponsored by the Prairie

Park Partners, the nature center’s friend’s organization, and featured trick-or-treating around Mary’s Lake, and cookies and cider served in the Nature Center. The 34th annual Halloween Paint-In featured 34 painters that painted store windows on several Massachusetts St. buildings in downtown Lawrence. The Breakfast Optimist Club and Downtown Lawrence Inc. co-sponsored the event. Please see the attached report for more information and photos.

 

Approximately 2,270 Tons of Compost and Woodchips Distributed in October

The City’s Solid Waste Division sold 885 cubic yards (487 tons) of compost and 711 cubic yards (204 tons) of woodchips during the Fall Compost and Woodchip Sale in October. Nine hundred thirty-nine (939) vehicles participated during the 4-day sale and a total of $8,210 was generated during the sale. Compost and woodchips were sold for $10 per bucket load which is approximately 2 cubic yards. Please see the attached report for more details.

 

In addition, the City of Lawrence hauled 2,870 cubic yards (1,579 tons) of compost produced at the City’s Wood Recovery and Composting Facility to Lawrence VenturePark in October. This compost was used as soil amendment for berms and other landscaping projects at Lawrence VenturePark.