Bottom Line

After deferring the issue last week, city commissioners are scheduled to consider the first step necessary in allowing a Lowe’s to build near the corner of Sixth Street and Folks Road.

Background

Commissioners are being asked to change a provision in Horizon 2020 that sets forth how the area near Sixth and Folks is planned to develop. The change would allow for greater retail square footage to be built on the property, which is along Sixth Street and in front of Free State High School. Planning commissioners and planning staff members both have recommended denial of the change. The development group, though, has argued the greater retail square footage would help existing retailers that have developed around the Sixth and Wakarusa area. If the change does win approval, the Lowe’s project still will also need to win rezoning and development plan approvals.

Other business

Recognition

• Receive plaque from U.S. Census for participation in the 2010 Census campaign.

• Proclaim the month of October as Meet the Blind Month and Oct. 15 as White Cane Safety Day.

• Proclaim the month of October as Disability Employment Awareness Month.

• Proclaim the month of October as Arts and Humanities Month.

Consent agenda

• Approve City Commission meeting minutes from Aug. 24, Sept. 7, and Sept. 14.

• Receive minutes from various boards and commissions:

• Approve all claims.

• Approve licenses as recommended by the city clerk’s office.

• Approve appointments as recommended by the mayor.

• Bid and purchase items:

a.) Establish Oct. 26 as the bid date to receive bids for selected Carnegie Building window rehabilitation/replacement.

b.) Set bid opening date of Oct. 26 for the 2010 Master Street Tree Project.

c.) Authorize the city manager to enter into a contract with EnergyCAP for energy efficiency reporting software in the amount of $22,315.

d.) Authorize city manager to enter into an Engineering Services Agreement with URS Corp. for transitional engineering services for Project No. PW1015, Farmland Transitional Services, in an amount of $29,827.

e.) Authorize the extension of the existing contract with Marsh McBirney-Hach, for the period of October to December 2010, for data delivery services associated with the wastewater collection system’s long-term flow and rainfall monitoring program, for $53,700.

• Adopt the following ordinances on second and final reading:

a) Ordinance No. 8569, for the Rezoning (Z-5-7-10) of approximately 3.113 acres from UR (Urban Reserve) to CO (Office Commercial), located at the northeast corner of West Sixth Street and Stoneridge Drive.

b) Ordinance No. 8570, for the Rezoning (Z-5-9-10) approximately 34.527 acres from UR (Urban Reserve) to RM24 (Multi-Dwelling Residential), located north of West Sixth Street between Stoneridge Drive and Queens Road.

c) Ordinance No. 8575, consenting to the transfer of the telecommunication franchise from WorldNet LLC to The World Company.

d) Ordinance No. 8576, consenting to the transfer of the telecommunication franchise from The World Company to Knology.

e) Ordinance No. 8577, consenting to the transfer of the cable franchise from The World Company to Knology.

• Authorize the city manager to enter into an agreement appointing Dr. Kye Evans as medical director for the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Department.

• Receive city manager’s report.

Regular agenda

• Receive status report on activities of the Community Commission on Homelessness.

• Consider Comprehensive Plan Amendment, CPA-5-6-10, to Horizon 2020, including the Sixth and Wakarusa Area Plan, to change the designated land use from residential/office to commercial for a portion of the Bauer Farm Development located along Sixth Street between Folks Road and Champion Lane.