Increase approved in cemetery fees

City commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved an increase in fees for services provided at the three cemeteries operated by the city.

The weekday fee for “opening and closing” grave sites at Oak Hill and Maple Grove Cemetery will increase from $450 to $550. The fee will remain unchanged from $550 at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Commissioners approved the fee increase on a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Boog Highberger was absent. He was representing the city as part of a trip to Eutin, Germany, one of Lawrence’s sister cities.

Notes, bonds sold to pay for projects

Commissioners unanimously approved the sale of $10.2 million in general obligation notes and $11.3 million in general obligation bonds.

The notes and bonds – two forms of city debt – were issued to pay for previously approved projects such as construction on Stone Ridge Drive, Overland Drive, George Williams Way, and O’Connell Road.

The low bidder on the notes – which have a term of one-year – was Janney, Montgomery, Scott. The interest rate was 3.65 percent.

The bonds – which have a term of 12 years – were awarded to LaSalle Financial Services. The rate was 3.769 percent.

Roundabout delayed at west-side intersection

A roundabout won’t immediately be built at the intersection of George Williams Way and Ken Ridge Drive.

Commissioners unanimously agreed to a benefit district plan that will allow the construction of the roundabout to be delayed until commercial development occurs on the southwest corner of Sixth Street and George Williams Way.

Commissioners previously had expressed concern about allowing the roundabout to be delayed because they were concerned that traffic from planned commercial development north of Sixth Street would be tempted to use George Williams Way as a shortcut if the roundabout were not built.

But after reviewing traffic models for the area, commissioners concluded that their fears about cut-through traffic in the neighborhood weren’t well-founded.

The roundabout project would be paid for entirely by developers in the area.