Commissioners to consider financial request from nonprofit agency

Bottom Line

The Lawrence City Commission will consider a request to give $13,000 to Housing and Credit Counseling Inc.

Background

The nonprofit agency gave free assistance to more than 800 renters in 2001, mediating disputes with landlords, educating them about their rights and the proper procedures for ensuring those rights are enforced. Officials with the program say the money is needed to keep operations going through the rest of this year.

Other business

Proclamations

Proclaim April 25, 26, and 27 as the “Annual Altrusa District Eight Conference.”

Proclaim April 27 as the “Lawrence Municipal Airport Open House.”

Proclaim the week of April 22 as “Tree City USA Week” and April 26 as “Arbor Day.”

Proclaim May to be “Bicycle Safety Month” and the week of May 13 as “Bike to Work Week.”

Consent agenda

Review and approve minutes of various boards and commissions: Lawrence City Commission meeting of April 16; Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission meeting of March 27; Sister Cities Advisory Board meeting of March 13; Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting of March 12.

Approve all claims.

Approve drinking establishment licenses for: Set’Em Up Jacks, 1800 E. 23rd St., Suite G; Paradise Inc., 728 Mass.; Chipotle Mexican Grille, 911 Mass.; Ixtapa of Lawrence, 2016 W. 23rd St., Suite B.

Approve the following mayoral appointments: Brad Finkeldei, Jo Bryant, Charles Briscoe and Chrisy Khatib to the Special Alcohol Fund Advisory Board; Jim Carpenter to the Board of Plumbers and Pipefitters; Craig Penzler and Jill Fincher to the Lawrence Public Library Board; Jeremy Anderson, Paul Graves and Brian Edwards to the Traffic Safety Commission.

Bid and purchase items:

Set bid opening date of May 14 for the Neighborhood Resources projects of the Ballard Community Center Electrical System Upgrade at 708 Elm, and the Hearthstone Bathroom Renovation at 745 Ohio.

Declare surplus property from various city departments. Establish May 4 as public auction date for surplus property.

Award 2002 Overlay and Curb Repair project to LRM Industries Inc. in the amount of $316,410.

Approve purchase of the following real property for 13th and Oregon street stormwater project: 917 E. 12th St. for $60,000 and 905 E. 13th St. for $44,500.

Authorize the Housing Trust Fund Board to solicit Request for Proposals for award of approximately $65,000 in Housing Trust Fund moneys.

Adopt on first reading an ordinance rezoning approximately 5.0316 acres from multiple family residence to residence office district. The property is generally located at 4340 W. Sixth St.

Adopt on second and final reading an ordinance rezoning approximately 144.74 acres from agricultural, heavy industrial and single family residence to general industrial district. The property is generally located between East Eighth Street and East 11th Street, and is the site of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Authorize drafting of an ordinance to rezone Lots 3-8, (inclusive) Commerce Plaza Addition along the northeast quadrant of South Iowa on 31st Street from general commercial and limited commercial to planned commercial district. Initiated by the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission.

Approve a temporary use permit for a ground blessing ceremony from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 18 at St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center; 1635 Engel Road.

Approve site plans for KANU facility, 1120 W. 11th St.; and Cactus Club; 534 Frontier Road.

Approve submittal of the five-year plan to KDOT for funding projects in fiscal years 2003-2007.

Authorize the mayor to execute a cooperation agreement with Wakarusa Township establishing maintenance responsibilities for certain roads that comprise common boundaries.

Authorize the mayor to sign the following releases of mortgage: William and Alietha Beckman, 1123 Conn; William and Alietha Beckman, 1129 Conn.; William and Alietha Beckman, 1501 Harper; Concept IV, 741-745 Conn.; James and Nancy Dunn, 1046 R.I.; R & M Investments, 938 R.I.; Gordon Sailors and Paula Kellogg, 1135-37 N.Y.; Harold and Caroline Shephard, 1446 Maple Lane; Ten Forty Two Partnership, 1042 Ohio; Ronald and Linda Wright, 1211 Almira; and Robert and Debra Morgan, 907 Ward.

City manager’s report

Regular agenda

Consider the adoption of the 2002 annual update of the consolidated plan and consider Resolution No. 6377, authorizing the mayor to execute agreements for the 2002 CDBG and HOME programs and other such documents as may be required to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for such programs.

Consider HCCI budget request.

Receive Project Analysis for T-Hangar Construction & Financing at the Lawrence Municipal Airport from the Aviation Advisory Board. Receive update on Phase II improvements at the airport.

Consider amendment to Uniform Building Code concerning natural light requirements.

Consider amendment to Uniform Housing Code concerning egress requirements.

Consider approval of city image survey and city employee survey.

Commission items

Commissioner Rundle requests discussion for a proposal for signage for the city parking garage.