In this issue:
- Caution: Road Construction Ahead
- Public Transportation, Streets & Infrastructure Sales Tax
- Frequently Asked Questions
- LKPD offers advice for residents regarding peddlers and transient merchants
- Share the Road – It’s an attitude!
Caution: Road Construction Ahead
Summer projects planned to improve roadways
In a typical Kansas summertime, you can expect several things – swimming, ice cream, heat, humidity and road construction. This summer in Lawrence, residents can expect road construction projects to race toward completion in the hot summer sun.
The harsh weather Lawrence experienced over the winter took a toll on local roadways and the city has already responded by reprioritizing some street maintenace funds to repave sections of Iowa Street, 6th Street and Louisiana Street. This summer, residents can expect to see milling and overlay projects on 23rd Street (east of Haskell), microsurfacing of roadways in sections of North Lawrence and crews patching roadways with crack sealing treatments throughout town.
Over $5 million will be spent in 2010 on various road projects that are all targeted to improve Lawrence’s road system. To stay up-to-date on current road projects, sign up for City News Releases at www.lawrenceks.org/subscriptions to get weekly updates on where road construction will affect drivers this summer.
Public Transportation, Streets & Infrastructure Sales Tax:
Progress made on projects funded by sales tax
It has been just over one year since the city began collecting three new sales taxes approved by voters in 2008. Each of these taxes will remain in effect for 10 years and each has a dedicated purpose.
Sales Tax: 0.3 percent for streets and infrastructure
This tax was approved to help Lawrence fund maintenance of streets, sidewalks, trails, storm sewers and equipment replacement. In 2009, the city collected $2,389,133. These funds have been used to support three projects: 9th Street from Iowa to Tennessee, Burroughs Creek Trail, and Kasold Street from Clinton Pkwy to 31st Street. In 2010, funds have been budgeted from this sales tax for fire apparatus replacement.
Sales Tax: 0.2 percent for public transportation
This dedicated funding source replaced property tax as the main local revenue source for operation of the city’s public transit system. The city collected $1,592,756 from this sales tax in 2009.
Sales Tax: 0.05 percent for public transportation, expanded
This sales tax was approved to provide additional dedicated resources for the transit system for route enhancements and vehicle and facility improvements. The city collected $398,189 from this sales tax in 2009. The city has ordered hybrid buses to replace some of their fleet, which will be paid for, in part, with proceeds from this sales tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the hours of enforcement for the downtown parking meters?
A: Parking meter hours are enforced from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Expired time violations are fined $3 if paid within 10 days. If you are cited, simply place $3 in the yellow envelope and deposit it in the nearest yellow box along Massachusetts Street or in the public parking lots. Parking fines increase to $15 after 10 days.
Q: Is there free parking in downtown Lawrence?
A: Yes. Many lots offer two-hour free parking and the top floor of the parking garage in the 900 block of New Hampshire is always free for parking.
The City of Lawrence encourages residents and visitors to use the 10-hour metered parking lots located throughout downtown to park if you’re spending the day or an extended period of time in downtown Lawrence. This provides flexibility in parking when visiting downtown Lawrence. To find out more about downtown parking, visit www.lawrenceks.org.
The Downtown Lawrence Parking system is supported solely by meter receipts and overtime fines. Funds allow the city to pay for landscaping, trash removal, lighting and other lot and meter improvements and maintenance, and enforcement of parking ordinances. The system receives no property tax or sales tax revenues.
LKPD offers advice for residents regarding peddlers and transient merchants
With warm weather comes an increase in door to door sales within the city. The Lawrence Police Department would like to remind you of a few ordinances pertaining to peddlers and transient merchants in the city.
Every person selling door to door within the city must have a City of Lawrence Solicitor’s License with their name, photo and business name on it. Persons issued a city solicitor’s license are required to exhibit their license when requested by a citizen. Solicitors are prohibited from engaging in illegal activities during the course of their business. This includes acting in any manner which alarms, angers or disturbs others or refusing to leave a property when asked by the occupant/owner.
For exclusions to the ordinance and more information regarding Peddlers and Transient Merchants, see Chapter 6, Article 8 of the City Code, which can be found at www.lawrenceks.org. Call (785) 832-7509 to report a violation to the LKPD.
Share the Road – It’s an attitude!
Educating motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians about sharing the road is a top priority in Lawrence
Motorist Rules and Tips
- Allow at least four feet of passing space between you and the bicycle.
- Don’t blast your horn when approaching a cyclist – you may startle him/her.
- Never pass and turn across the path of a moving cyclist. Slow down and turn behind the cyclist.
Pedestrian Rules and Tips
- Be predictable and cross at intersections and crosswalks.
- Where no sidewalks are provided, it is usually safer to walk facing traffic.
Bicyclist Rules and Tips
- Obey all traffic rules, signals and stop signs.
- Use head and tail lights at night.
- Don’t ride on downtown sidewalks.
- Never ride more than two abreast.
- Always ride with the flow of traffic.
- Don’t pass vehicles on the right. When stopping in traffic, it is safer to hold your place in line with traffic.
WEAR YOUR HELMET!
Wearing a helmet can reduce serious head injuries by as much as 85%!