Bottom line

City commissioners will consider giving a 10-year, 55 percent tax abatement to API Foils for an expansion of its plant at the East Hills Business Park.

Background

The city’s Public Incentives Review Committee gave the project a strong recommendation. The abatement would cover about $4.5 million worth of building expansion. The expansion would be expected to produce 31 new jobs. All of the jobs would pay above the city’s living wage of $10.73 per hour, plus benefits. The jobs also would pay above the statewide average for such jobs.

It is not assured that the company will undertake the expansion in Lawrence. The company says it also is considering a site in New Jersey. Company officials say they want to know what type of incentives Lawrence can offer to determine which site to use for the expansion.

Other business

Recognition

¢ Proclaim March 6 as Friends of the Park Day.

Consent agenda

¢ Approve City Commission meeting minutes from Feb. 20.

¢ 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.

¢ Bid and purchase items:

a.) Authorize the purchase of replacement uniform items for Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical, from various vendors, for $40,000.

¢ Adopt the following ordinances on second and final reading:

a.) Ordinance No. 8080, amending the franchise fee Kaw Valley Electric Cooperative pays to construct, maintain, extend and operate its facilities for the purpose of supplying electric services to the city of Lawrence.

b.) Ordinance No. 8081, adjusting the franchise fee by Southwestern Bell Telephone L.P., doing business as AT&T Kansas, as a single adjustment to the fee rather than a phased adjustment.

c.) Ordinance No. 8083, authorizing a special use permit (SUP-07-01-06) for a 150-foot T-Mobile monopole cellular tower and equipment shelter. The property is located at 2206 E. 23rd St. Submitted by Selective Site Consultants for T-Mobile Central LLC, doing business as T-Mobile. Knights of Columbus Council 1372 is the property owner of record.

d.) Ordinance No. 8084, authorizing a special use permit (SUP-07-02-06) for a 150-foot T-Mobile monopole cellular tower and equipment shelter. The property is located at 3420 Bob Billings Parkway. Submitted by Selective Site Consultants for T-Mobile Central LLC, doing business as T-Mobile. Lawrence Hidden Valley Committee Inc. is the property owner of record.

¢ Adopt Resolution No. 6694, setting a public hearing date of March 27 for the creation of a special assessment benefit district for the improvement of Williamsburg Court and Williamsburg Place.

¢ Authorize the mayor to sign a release of mortgage for Neby Smart, 509 Lincoln.

¢ Authorize the city manager to enter into negotiations with Parsons Brinkerhoff, transportation planning consultant, for the completion of the Long Range Transportation Plan (T2030).

¢ Receive 2006 system development charge report.

¢ Authorize mayor to execute addendum to contract for city manager employment agreement.

¢ Receive draft final report from TischlerBise on the cost of growth study. Refer to staff for analysis and report. This item will be scheduled for a future study session item.

¢ Receive city manager’s report.

Regular agenda

¢ Conduct public hearing on the request for a 55 percent property tax abatement from API Foils to expand its existing facility in East Hills Business Park.

¢ Consider the following items related to the re-establishment of a benefit district for the construction of Stoneridge Drive south and north of West Sixth Street.

a.) Consider adopting Resolution No. 6701, ordering the construction of public improvements on Stoneridge Drive, south of West Sixth Street, and Resolution No. 6702, ordering the construction of public improvements on Stoneridge Drive, north of West Sixth Street.

b.) Authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with Landplan Engineering to for design services for the signalization of Sixth Street and Stoneridge Drive for $17,500.

¢ Conduct public hearing on the proposed Neighborhood Revitalization Area Plan for the 800 block of Pennsylvania and receive draft developer agreement.

¢ Consider setting a bid date of March 27 for Phase III of the Downtown Waterline Improvement Project.