Bottom line

The Lawrence City Commission will conduct a public hearing on recommended 2004 city budget and consider adoption of the budget ordinances.

Background

The commission is expected to approve a 2.5-mill property tax increase, which means the owner of a $150,000 home will pay an additional $43 in property taxes when tax bills arrive this winter. A mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed valuation.

Other business

Recognition

• Proclaim Aug. 16 as “Scouting Extravaganza Day.”

Consent agenda

• Approve City Commission meeting minutes of July 22.
• Receive minutes from Traffic Safety Commission meetings of July 7 and Aug. 4.
• Approve all claims.
• Bid and purchase items: Award bid for a fuel management system for the Public Works Department to Broyles Topeka Pump Co. Inc. for $41,283 for the fuel lock system, and $1,995 for the optional gate opening system for a total of $43,278.
• Adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 7677, amending Section III of Ordinance No. 7515, pertaining to Phase II of a 50 percent exemption from ad valorem taxation on the appraised value of building expansion improvements and machinery and equipment used by Allen Press Inc. to read as follows: “The exemption from ad valorem taxation hereby granted shall begin with the taxes levied in the calendar year 2002.”

Adopt on second and final reading the following ordinances:

• Ordinance No. 7669, annexing 76.20 acres north of Peterson Road and east of Monterey Way.
• Ordinance No. 7670, rezoning 76.20 acres north of Peterson Road and east of Monterey Way.
• Ordinance No. 7671, annexing 55.95 acres north of Peterson Road and west of Monterey Way.
• Ordinance No. 7672, rezoning 55.95 acres north of Peterson Road and west of Monterey Way.

Adopt findings of fact; approve rezoning requests; authorize drafting of ordinances for placement on future agenda:

• A request to rezone a tract of land approximately 0.595 acre from light industrial district to general commercial district. The property is described as being at 952 N. Third St. Submitted by Allen Belot for Dean Penny, owner, and Larry and Laura Ojeleye, contract purchasers of record.
• A request to rezone a tract of land approximately 1.44 acres from agricultural district to single-family residence district. The property is generally described as being on the east side of Mulberry Drive extended, north of Harvard Road. Submitted by Landplan Engineering, P.A., for Pinnacle LC, c/o Robert L. Stephens, property owners of record.
• Approve use permitted upon review request for expansion of a cell tower. The plan proposes expanding the height of the tower from 120 feet to 150 feet. The property is on approximately 850 square feet, and is on the Free State High School property at 4700 Overland Drive. Submitted by Selective Site Consultants for AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile Communications, applicants.
• Approve the amendment to the city zoning ordinance, chapter 20 of the city code, revising section 20-1808 limitation on successive petitions to clarify the process and standards for submittal of a reapplication request.
• Approve site plan for A4DABLE Limousine & Used Cars; a site plan for the development of a commercial automotive sales and rental service business located at 952 N. Third St. Submitted by Allen Belot for Dean Penny, property owner of record, and Larry and Laura Ojeleye, contract purchaser, subject to conditions.

Approve the following unanimous recommendations from the Traffic Safety Commission:

• To establish no parking along the west side of Legend Trail Drive from 15th Street southerly, westerly, northerly and easterly to its end.
• To establish stop signs on Perry Street at Fifth Street.
• To establish an all-way stop at Naismith Drive and Allen Field House Drive/Schwegler Drive.
• To provide immediate temporary closure of Goldleaf Place at 15th Street and an aesthetic permanent closure be constructed soon.
• To amend the speed hump/speed cushion policy to establish a 600-foot area for property owner approval.
• To approve/accept the Harvard Road permanent traffic calming plan, implementation to proceed as soon as possible, and the installation of temporary devices until permanent construction can be accomplished.

Deny the following unanimous recommendations from the Traffic Safety Commission:

• Deny the request to remove parking along the east side of Michigan Street between Second Street and Third Street.
• Deny the request to construct speed humps on Fall Creek Road and Running Ridge Road.
• Authorize the mayor to sign a Subordination Agreement for Steven A. Berger, 1618 Irving Court.
• Authorize the mayor to sign a Release of Mortgage for Cheryl Green, 319 Clayton Court.
• City manager’s report.

Regular agenda items

• Conduct public hearing on proposed maximum special assessments for the construction of sanitary sewer improvements in and near the intersection of 23rd and Louisiana streets.
• Conduct public hearing on recommended 2004 city budget and consider adoption of implementing ordinances and actions.

a) Conduct public hearing;

b) Approve 2004 city budget;

c) Adopt on first reading the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 7679, adopting the 2004 city budget; Ordinance No. 7680, determining the appropriateness of 2004 budget property tax revenues in an amount which exceeds the revenues budgeted and expended for budget year 2003; approve 2004 wholesale water rates for rural water districts and Baldwin; adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 7683, establishing water and sanitary sewer rates for 2004; adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 7678, establishing sanitation rates for 2004; adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 7681, establishing parking meter rates and overtime parking fees for 2004; provide direction on parking garage rates; adopt on first reading Charter Ordinance No. 36 establishing a 5 percent guest tax; approve Parks and Recreation aquatic, golf, and cemetery fees for 2004; approve Administrative Policy 92, establishing fee increase for construction engineering services.