Dena Mezger, Lawrence assistant director of public works, will discuss the city’s infrastructure, including the recent report that found the city is still having a tough time keeping many of its streets from falling into the “unacceptable” condition category.

Moderator

Good morning. This is Dennis Anderson, managing editor of the Lawrence Journal-World. I will be moderating today’s chat with Dena Mezger, assistant director of public works for the city of Lawrence. Welcome, Dena.

Dena Mezger

Hello. I’m glad to be here and hope I can answer some questions on streets.

Moderator

Please give us a brief overview of the projects we can expect to see in the city this summer.

Dena Mezger

This summer will see several pavement maintenance projects. The cracksealing project is already under way in the western part of the city. It will be completed later this month. In approximately a month we will begin microsurfacing in the southeast part of the city. Microsurfacing is a very thin seal coat on asphalt pavements. At about the same time we will begin the first phase of the overlay and curb program in an area west of the KU campus and then north of 6th Street. Overlay on Iowa between Irving Hill and 23rd St will begin sometime in June.

Moderator

You are relatively new in the assistant public works director position. What are your short-term and long-term goals for the job?

Dena Mezger

Short term I would like to see better use of our in-house capabilities to support the work done by outside contractors on street maintenance. We think we can stretch our contract maintenance dollars further if we can do much of the preparatory work with city crews. I am also working on upgrading the technical requirements for paving materials to get an improved product.

Longer term I want to participate in looking for additional long term funding solutions to rebuild and maintain the city’s streets.

Moderator

Overall, what kind of shape are the city’s streets in?

Dena Mezger

The streets certainly need some work. Our recent review of the condition indicates that the overall condition is going down. However, we have seen positivie results in those areas where maintenance programs have been used. The rate of deterioration has been greatly reduced or even reversed.

The major area of concern for me is the number of streets that are rated as unacceptable in our rating system. Currently over 1/3 of our street segments fall in that category. That usually means that those streets are beyond the point where normal maintenance will be beneficial and need to be completely rebuilt, a much more costly program. A long term funding source will be needed in order to address this level of improvements.

Moderator

What are some of the options for paying for street maintenance?

Dena Mezger

Of course property taxes are the major source of funding at this time. The city also uses state and federal grants as much as posible.Other options that have been used in other communities are dedicated sales taxes for roads and impact fees on new development based on traffic impacts. A combination of a sales tax and impact fees was very successful in the community I worked in prior to Lawrence.

Moderator

Other than street maintenance, what are your other responsibilities?

Dena Mezger

I also oversee the facilities maintenance group that takes care of city buildings,and the project inspections group that oversees the construction of projects in the field.

Moderator

Are there any long-term maintenance concerns related to those other duties?

Dena Mezger

The main concern is the city’s street maintenance facilitiy at 11th and Haskell. There is insufficient space for all of the equipment, materials and staff parking needed. The maintenance barn and several smaller buildings are in poor condition. Part of the area that should be used for equpiment and materials has to be used for employee parking. We are working on a plan for a new maintenance facility and hope that it can be included in the city’s capital projects budget in the near future.

Moderator

If people have questions or concerns about the city’s streets, how can they get in touch with your department?

Dena Mezger

I can be reached by phone at 832-3134 or by email at dmezger@ci.lawrence.ks.us. You can also use the city’s website to submit comments, questions, requests, etc.