Bottom line

City commissioners are scheduled to hire Tischler & Associates, a Maryland-based consulting firm, to prepare a cost-of-growth study for the city.

Background

A city-appointed Public Improvement Task Force earlier this year asked city commissioners to conduct a study of how much the city’s growth costs taxpayers. The study will examine the costs of new infrastructure and services needed to accommodate growth, and review the city’s system development charges that attempt to recover some of the costs associated with growth. Tischler & Associates has conducted similar studies in about 500 communities. The company has said a Lawrence study would cost about $90,000.

Other business

Consent agenda

• Approve City Commission meeting minutes from Nov. 9 and Nov. 16.
• Receive minutes from various boards and commissions.
• Approve all claims, including employee longevity payments.
• Approve drinking establishment licenses for the Yacht Club, 530 Wis., and Quinton’s Bar & Deli, 615 Mass.
• Approve appointments recommended by mayor.
• Bid and purchase items:

a.) Set bid date of Dec. 14 for alley reconstruction for area from Eighth to Ninth streets between Vermont and Kentucky streets.

b.) Approve adding federal grant procedures to the present purchasing policy.

c.) Award bid for ITC mechanical renovations to Huxtable Inc. for $29,780.

• Adopt on first reading an ordinance establishing no parking along the south side of Kresge Road along the entire frontage of 601 N. Iowa.
• Adopt on second and final reading an ordinance authorizing the condemnation of property interest for the improvement of Folks Road.
• Approve following permits:

a.) Use permitted upon review permit for a five-year extension to operate the Lawrence Open Shelter, 944 Ky. The request includes the potential to expand the shelter from a maximum occupancy of 20 people to 30 people.

b.) Temporary use permit for overflow parking at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Sixth St. The request is to accommodate construction of a church expansion.

• Approve unanimous recommendations from the Traffic Safety Commission for the following:

a.) Establish no parking along the south side of Kresge Road along the entire frontage of 601 N. Iowa.

b.) Establish yield signs on 29th Street at Kensington Drive.

c.) Deny request to establish no parking along one side of Morning Dove Circle, Eagle Pass Drive, Field Stone Drive, Gunnison Drive and Hill Song Circle.

d.) Establish reserved parking space for people with disabilities in front of 1505 Vt.

e.) Establish no left turn from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday on 23rd Street at Ohio Street, Tennessee Street, Vermont Street, New Hampshire Street, Rhode Island Street and Learnard Avenue.

• Authorize mayor to sign a release of mortgage for B. Gordon Fitzsimmons, 812 Ind.

Regular agenda

• Consider authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract with Stephen Johnson for a sculpture to be placed near the southwest corner of Sixth and Massachusetts streets. The sculpture is part of the city’s sesquicentennial celebration.
• Receive updates from the Economic Development Department regarding results of the Biosciences Impact Study, 2004 Business Retention Report and Third Quarter Economic Development Activity Report.
• Receive recommendation from selection committee concerning consultant services for cost of growth study.
• Conduct public hearings on proposed maximum special assessment ordinances for the following public improvements:

a.) Lake Pointe Drive, north of Clinton Parkway

b.) Third Street, Alabama to Illinois streets.

• Receive staff report concerning 2005 state legislative priorities.

Commission items

• Commissioner Boog Highberger requests discussion regarding Workshop for Community & Neighborhood Development/Design.