Bottom line

It’s time for city commissioners to make some critical decisions about the 2007 budget. Commissioners are scheduled to approve the 2007 budget for publication. Publishing the budget determines the maximum spending levels for the city in 2007.

Background

The biggest issue left to decide is whether the city will budget $5 million or $6 million for street maintenance. Interim City Manager David Corliss has recommended $6 million, but commissioners have considered $5 million in an effort to reduce the need for a property tax rate increase.

Other business

Proclamations

¢ Proclaim Wednesday, July 26, as “The City of Lawrence, Kansas, Celebration of the 16th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

¢ Proclaim the week of Aug. 1-7 as “Breastfeeding Awareness Week.”

Consent agenda

¢ Approve City Commission meeting minutes from July 11.

¢ Receive minutes from various boards and commissions.

¢ Approve all claims.

¢ Approve licenses as recommended by the department of administrative services.

¢ Approve appointments as recommended by the mayor.

¢ Approve payment of $17,983.30 to P.H.I. Investigative Consultants Inc., for fees and expenses incurred for leading the Practical Homicide Investigation Seminar.

¢ Adopt the following on first reading:

a.) Ordinance No. 8023, designating as a landmark on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places the structure located at 820 N.J.

b.) Ordinance No. 8027, adopting the 2003 Uniform Plumbing Code with amendments, as recommended (and approved) by the plumbing board.

¢ Adopt the following resolution(s):

a.) Resolution No. 6666, declaring 1401 Monterey Way environmentally blighted, ordering the property owner to remove violations within 20 days. Failure of the owner to remove the violations will result in the city having violations removed with expenses incurred being the responsibility of the property owner of record.

b.) Resolution No. 6667, declaring 1024 N.Y. environmentally blighted, ordering the property owner to remove violations within 20 days. Failure of the owner to remove the violations will result in the city having violations removed with expenses incurred being the responsibility of the property owner of record.

c.) Resolution No. 6668, declaring 1321 Mass. environmentally blighted, ordering the property owner to remove violations within 20 days. Failure of the owner to remove the violations will result in the city having violations removed with expenses incurred being the responsibility of the property owner of record.

d.) Approve and authorize drafting of an ordinance/resolution for text amendment TA-05-03A-06: Consider revisions to Chapter 20, Development Code, concerning planned development conditions and related items [TA-05-03A-06] to 20-701(f). (Item No. 5A; PC Approved 8-0 on 6/28/06)

¢ Approve submittal of KLINK, Geometric Improvement, and Economic Development applications to KDOT.

¢ Approve unanimous recommendation from the Traffic Safety Commission for the following:

a.) Accept recommendations of KDOT for establishing speed limits on West Sixth Street.

b.) Adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 8022, establishing speed limits on West Sixth Street as follows: from 430 feet east of Lawrence Avenue to Monterey Way the speed limit shall be 40 mph, and from Monterey Way to the west city limits the speed limit shall be 45 mph.

c.) Approve request to provide an adult crossing guard at the intersection of George Williams Way and Harvard Road.

¢ Authorize the mayor to sign a release of mortgage for:

a.) Lenny and Kimberly DeFazio, 1602 Irving Court; and

b.) Michael and Ginger McHugh, 1029 Home.

¢ Authorize the mayor to sign a subordination agreement for Alex and Waldina Sabilion, 1005 Parkview.

¢ Receive request from Kansas River Expression of Soul Project for a naturalistic sculpture trail along the Kansas River.

¢ Receive city manager’s report.

Regular agenda

¢ Consider request from Diversified Concepts LLC to amend the city of Lawrence sign code to allow the use of perimeter banners on the chain link fencing around a project.

¢ Receive request from Pedestrian Advisory Committee to be established as an Advisory Board to the City Commission.

¢ Consider adopting the Commercial Design Standards and Guidelines.

¢ Receive draft letter concerning the city’s position on the proposed relocation of the post office distribution facility at Seventh and Vermont streets.

¢ Consider the following items related to the 2007 budget:

a.) Receive information from Chuck Soules, public works director, regarding the impacts to the budget and street conditions if the street maintenance program for 2006-2008 is spread over a four-year period (2006-2009).

b.) Receive staff recommendation to publish 2007 budget summary and set Aug. 8 as public hearing date.