The Flame – December 2013

In this month’s issue…

• Snow Season is Here
• Understanding the City’s Sidewalk Ordinance
• Tree-cycling Offered Again this Year
• City Hires Small Business Facilitator
• Looking for a parking spot downtown?
• Bus Passes Now Sold in More Locations

Snow Season is Here

Where to go to find out about the city’s snow operations & progress

During snow operations, residents can set their browsers to www.lawrenceks.org/snow to receive the latest information on snow plowing, salting, city closures and other related information. The website will provide a listing of current press releases, contact information, citizen responsibilities and snow-related resources.

The snow operations map will only be utilized when crews are in full snow operations mode; crews may pre-treat areas if slick road conditions are predicted but the map will be most helpful when accumulation or major winter weather is predicted or occurring. Full snow operations go into effect at a depth of one-inch.

During snow operations, Public Works staff will be responsible for monitoring areas that have been addressed and updating the snow map. The operations map will provide citizens with general information on where trucks are operating, where streets have been plowed, sanded or salted, and the ability to review traffic cameras at major intersections to see how traffic is flowing during snow operations.

Understanding the City’s Sidewalk Ordinance

What is the property owner’s responsibility?

According to the City Code 16-115, Lawrence property owners must keep the sidewalks adjacent to their property clear of snow and ice within 48 hours of a winter storm. This ordinance applies to all public sidewalks in the city limits. The city’s snow ordinance was revised in 2008 to strengthen the policy related to property owner responsibilities.

What are the consequences of not clearing your sidewalks?

If property owners fail to comply with the ordinance, a citation will be written. Fines for not clearing sidewalks are $20 for each day the violation occurs, plus court costs, if found guilty of the violation. This ordinance is in place to make public sidewalks safe for pedestrians. For more information on the snow and ice removal ordinance, contact Development Services at (785) 832-7700 or visit www.lawrenceks.org/snow.

Tree-cycling Offered Again this Year

‘Tis almost the season to recycle your old Christmas tree. After the holidays, please place your live-cut tree at the curb or alley for collection on Monday, December 30 and Monday, January 6. The trees will be used for wildlife habitat. Please remove all artificial items including tinsel, lights, tree stand, etc. and have your tree set out at the curb by 6:00 a.m.

For more information, visit www.LawrenceRecycles.org.

City Hires Small Business Facilitator

There is a new, friendly face at City Hall in downtown Lawrence. Cyndi Hermocillo-Legg has joined the Planning and Development Services Department as the Small Business Facilitator. In her new capacity, Hermocillo-Legg will work to assist small businesses with city departments, ordinances and zoning regulations.

“I am honored to become part of the City of Lawrence’s team and look forward to continue to build resources for small-to-medium sized enterprises to navigate the development processes of the city,” said Hermocillo-Legg.

She joins the city after five years as a Vice President with the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka Economic Partnership, Hermocillo-Legg brings with her an extensive background in small business development, strategic planning, business growth and expansion, market analysis and positioning and financial management.

“The city is actively working to create a responsive system for businesses,” said Hermocillo-Legg. “I want to be a part of that proactive environment that will advance the mutual needs of the city and the business owners.”

Hermocillo-Legg can be reached at (785) 832-3150 or clegg@lawrenceks.org.

Looking for a parking spot downtown?

Get a parking pass to make the search easier.

Using a City of Lawrence parking pass can’t guarantee you a spot but it opens up more options for parking in city parking garages and long-term city parking lots in downtown Lawrence.

The city’s 2014 parking passes are available and can be purchased two locations, the second floor of City Hall, 6 East Sixth Street and Municipal Court building, 1006 New Hampshire. Both locations are open 8 a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday. Annual passes are $192 per year and are valid January through December. Quarterly parking passes are available for $50 per quarter, valid January, February and March or April, May and June or July, August, September or October, November and December.

Both annual and quarterly parking passes are valid in long term-parking lots and at ten-hour meters. Long-term lots are designed to accommodate the parking needs of employees working in the downtown area and others with long-term parking needs in the area.

Long-term downtown parking includes the parking garage at 933 New Hampshire, the lower level of the Riverfront parking garage at 600 New Hampshire and eight long-term parking lots throughout downtown. The new Vermont Street Parking Garage is currently free to park but will be a paid lot in the future.

Bus Passes Now Sold in More Locations

Public transit riders now have six new locations to purchase bus passes across the city.

Lawrence Transit System is pleased to announce a partnership with Dillons and Hy-Vee stores to sell monthly passes and 10-ride punch cards. Passes already are sold at The Merc and City Hall.

“This will be a nice benefit to our riders,” said Robert Nugent, transit administrator. “Having additional sales outlets throughout the city makes it even more convenient to ride the bus.”

Individual bus passes will no longer be sold at the transit administrative office at 933 New Hampshire, effective January 1, 2014. That office will still handle bulk sales to agencies.

For information on bus pass pricing or details about accepted forms of payment at each sales location, please visit www.lawrencetransit.org or call (785) 864-4644.