Bottom line

City commissioners will consider adopting a new policy that would allow riders of the Kansas University transit system to present their KU ID to board the city’s T buses. The policy also would allow city residents with a Lawrence Transit System Bus Pass to board a KU transit bus. If approved, the new policy would begin on Aug. 18, when students return for the fall semester. Commissioners also will consider authorizing staff to begin negotiations to renew the operating contract for MV Transportation. MV Transportation currently operates the bus systems for KU and the city.

Background

The new ridership policy has been recommended by both the city’s Public Transit Advisory Committee and KU leaders. The goal is to provide better coordination between the KU and city bus systems. The policy proposal comes just weeks after city commissioners and KU leaders began discussing a proposal to fully merge the two systems by 2009. City staff members said it was likely that the new policy would slightly reduce the amount of money the system takes in through fares, but they were unable to provide an estimate on how much the reduction may be.

Other business

Executive session, 5:30 p.m.

¢ Consider motion to recess into executive session for 40 minutes for the purpose of discussion of matters relating to employer-employee negotiations. The commission will conclude the executive session at approximately 6:10 p.m. and resume the open meeting at 6:35 p.m.

Consent agenda

¢ Approve City Commission meeting minutes from June 10.

¢ Receive minutes from various boards and commissions.

¢ Approve all claims.

¢ Approve licenses as recommended by the Department of Administrative Services.

¢ Bid and purchase items:

a.) Award bid for electric service at the storage building at the Wastewater Treatment Plant for the Utilities Department to Superior Electric for $39,000.

b.) Authorize the Administrative Services Department to renew coverage provided by Affiliated FM for the city’s building/property coverage for the period of July 1, 2008, to July 1, 2009, for an estimated annual premium of $114,018; and binding coverage provided by VFIS for emergency vehicles, general liability, management liability, and portable equipment for the Fire/Medical Department for the period July 1, 2008, to July 1, 2009, for an estimated premium of $74,075.

¢ Authorize the publication of the proposed amendment to the 2008 budget and set July 8 as the public hearing date, if appropriate. This amendment provides budget authority to spend reserve money for Transit expenditures.

¢ Adopt the following ordinances on first reading:

a.) Ordinance No. 8277, incorporating by reference TA-04-05-07 establishing a Mixed Use Zoning District in the Development Code. City Commission approved 5-0 on May 13.

b.) Ordinance No. 8290, concerning municipal court fees for the mailing of notices pursuant to K.S.A. 8-2110 and amendments thereto.

¢ Adopt on second and final reading Ordinance No. 8282, an ordinance providing for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the Southeast Area Plan, Recommendations section; Land Use, Land Use Descriptions, Commercial Zoning Districts to change CC400 District to CC200 District, and for Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA-2008-1) for the Southeast Area Plan.

¢ Adopt Resolution No. 6772, repealing resolutions establishing benefit districts for intersection improvements at Sixth Street and George Williams Way and improvements along George Williams Way from Sixth Street south to Ken Ridge Drive.

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

a.) Deny request to establish no parking along the south side of 17th Terrace between Barker Avenue and New Hampshire Street.

b.) Deny request to establish a stop sign at the intersection of Cambridge Road and Sunset Drive.

¢ Receive city manager’s report.

Regular agenda

¢ Consider approval of the requested annexation, A-02-02-08, of approximately 155 acres, located at the northwest corner of North 1800 Road and East 900 Road, and adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 8285, allowing for the annexation.

¢ Consider the following items related to the University Park development, generally located at 1301 Iowa:

a.) Consider approving, subject to conditions and use restrictions, PDP-02-02-08, a Preliminary Development Plan for University Park, located at 1301 Iowa. The plan proposes an infill development containing 42 single family homes on approximately 9.27 acres. Submitted by Allen Belot, on behalf of Mt. Oread Development LLC, for Calvin & Annaliese Engelman, Robert Green Trustee, Joan Huber and 7G’s LLC, property owners of record.

b.) Consider approval of Z-02-05-08, a request to rezone approximately 9.27 acres from RS7 (Single-Dwelling Residential) to RS7-PD (Single-Dwelling Residential Planned Development Overlay).

¢ Receive staff report on BNSF Depot and direct staff as appropriate.

¢ Receive report from city auditor.

¢ Consider the following transit related items:

a.) Consider staff and Public Transit Advisory Committee recommendation to accept passenger fare free transfer proposal submitted by Kansas University.

b.) Consider authorizing staff to begin negotiations with MV Transportation Inc. for options to provide transit services beginning Jan. 1.

¢ Discussion of potential infrastructure and equipment projects for sales tax initiative.