LJWorld.com

Welcome to our online chat with Lawrence City Manager Mike Wildgen.

The chat took place on Thursday, August 11, at 3:00 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Moderator: Welcome to our chat today with Lawrence City Manager Mike Wildgen.

Mike is in our News Center this afternoon to respond to your questions.

We already have a lot of questions, so we'll get started.

Kyle, Lawrence: What do you consider the main priorities of your job, say, the top 3 or 5?

Mike Wildgen: Hi Kyle--the main priorities of my job are, in a broad sense, very general. By law the budget preparation and management is very important. However, that document is often a policy document too and the direction and discussion from the city commission is vital. On a day to day basis the dozen or so departments that provide city services demand a lot of time and the great staff the works for the city has responded well to the goals and policies adopted by the commission.

Kevin Maxon: Until some sort of progress begins on completing the SLT, why don't you and the City/County Commissioners work on alleviating traffic congestion by improving 31st Street? Turn lanes and signals at the intersections of 31st and Louisiana and 31st and Haskell would help tremendously to move the traffic during rush hour.

Mike Wildgen: Hi Kevin: Improvements to 31st have been considered and studied in the past few years but there hasn't been any consensus on what should be done in the immediate future. The two project you mentioned are the ones most likely to happen in the near future but would likely require additional right of way.

Jim, Lawrence: Since 15th Street is getting new curbing for the second time in 5 years, who holds the concrete construction company responsible for the work? I mean, how many times does a curb need to be replaced within a ten year period, two, three or more times?

What is the life expectancy for a curb?

Sixth street in front of the newer HyVee had its curbs replaced twice in two years.

I am just curious as to who takes responsibility for requesting a job and assigning a job?

The curbs on the street I grew up on (here in Lawrence) didn't get replaced for 15 years, and we had harsher winters at the time.

I feel like I am seeing our tax dollars (the citizens' money) going to waste for either poor workmanship or cheap materials.

Mike Wildgen: Hi Jim: The life expectancy of a curb can depend on any number factors...weather, drainage, material, etc but we certainly would like to see most of the curbs last at least 15 years. Some of the work you mentioned at HyVee , I believe, was not due to deteriorate curb but to required access changes for the development. We have changed our concrete standards in the last couple of years which we hope will lead to longer lasting curbs. Our Pavement Management engineer is using his skills to help determine the best use of street repair funds and has been a great asset to have on staff

Deborah Snyder: Dear Mr. Wildgen -

I am asked to pass along the many, many "thank-you's" from various neighborhood association residents in the central part of the city. You and your staff don't get to hear enough of our gratitude in exchange for all the effort put into making Lawrence a better place to live.

My question deals with (as always) the city's evolving plans for single-family zoned land use in central Lawrence.

Centennial Neighborhood Association studies show that most of the city's modest housing stock exists in these areas, and continues to endure a larger percentage of rental conversions than in other parts of the city.

Would overlay districts designed to encourage home ownership (offering such things as five-year tax rebates or abatements, etc.) be an affordable possibility that the city can convince Douglas County to create?

Mike Wildgen: Hi Deborah: Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I think that the Neighborhood Revitalization statute has a strong possibility of being a tool that could help encourage SF areas. To my knowledge the County doesn't have to create this tool. Staff is looking at this incentive idea and what would be required. Would be glad to meet and go over that idea.

Jim K. in Lawrence: What are your plans for Eagle Bend Golf Course? It seems to be a loosing money and the city tax payers have to pay the short fall. Do you have any short term goals?

Mike Wildgen: Hi Jim: The short goals remain as they have been..provide a well managed and maintained golf course at a moderate cost. When we think of recreation facilities golf courses are part of city programs and don't "make money". Given golf course development in the region i expect our course to be popular but not one that will necessarily pay for itself. This isn't any different that the aquatic facilities we provide though...they haven' paid for themselves and won't in the future.

Phil, Lawrence: Is the city engineer married to one of the owners of LRM Industries? If so, what safeguards are used to ensure that the engineer's decisions are not based on matters in which she has a conflict of interest?

Mike Wildgen: Phil: yes. Both I and the two Public Works Directors Terese has worked for have made the city ethics requirements clear. I have never felt that she has used her position inappropriately. Chuck Soules, her supervisor continues to provide oversight and supervision of her decisions on any city public works project

Kristine, Lawrence: What is the progress of the quiet zone in North Lawrence. We haven't been updated on this subject in quite some time, and in February the inventory of the crossings was completed. There was supposed to be a meeting last spring with the feds and KDOT. Any updates????

Mike Wildgen: Hi Kristine: good question. Here is the update: the final federal rules were adopted in late June. Since that time we have finalized the numbers required by KDOT and the Federal Railroad Administration.. I expect a report to the city commission in September that will outline the timetable. It is likely that two intersections may require additional improvements to meet the safety standards required by the feds.

John, Lawrence: I understand the Japanese Garden has had some vandalism recently. It is a significant gift from our sister city in Japan as well as local citizens. With downtown Lawrence's interest in improving landscaping, is there anything that can be done to help prevent this vandalism (lighting?, cameras?, locks?)

Mike Wildgen: Hi John: While i would like to see vandalism eliminated it is a fact that many of our park areas suffer from those actions. This particular area is well lighted and in a well traveled area of downtown. I would hate to lock it up at night but that might be a solution if the vandalism continues

Kyle, Lawrence: Hello, Mike,

How do you deal with the criticism that is inherent with your position?

Mike Wildgen: Hi Kyle: most public officials have this burden and the best way to deal with criticism is to be professional and polite(and take your blood pressure pills religiously). I expect critical review of my actions and those of the staff and commission so it is just a part of the job and I try not to take negative feelings home with me a night.

Bob Fosher, Lawrence: why can't the city make the turnpike fix the street they are responsible for? McDonald Drive from 2nd St.. to Iowa St.., this is a terribly fast paced high traffic area. Also the intersection at 4th and McDonald Drive is an accident waiting to happen. This would be a perfect place for a ROUND-A-BOUT.

Mike Wildgen: Hi Bob: We don't have the ability to order improvements to McDonald Drive but have been in contact with the KTA engineers to urge them to maintain the property they own. I will try to get an idea of when they plan to improve that road.

Moderator: We'd like to thank Mike for taking time out of his busy schedule to come over to our offices this afternoon for this chat.

And we'd like to thank our readers for all their questions.

Our next chat will be at 2 p.m. next Thursday with Sam Rabiola, president of the Lawrence Education Assn.

Copyright 2012 The Lawrence Journal-World. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. We strive to uphold our values for every story published.