Bottomline

City commissioners will consider passing several updates related to the fire code, building code, plumbing code and other trade codes.

Background

Changes to the fire code could require fire sprinkler systems to be installed in some new townhomes. The recommended code would require new townhomes of three or more units to have fire sprinklers. The new code will not require duplexes or single family homes to have fire sprinkler systems. That has been a controversial issue across the country, but Kansas legislators recently passed a law prohibiting cities from requiring sprinkler systems in single family homes.

Recognition

• Proclaim Sunday, Oct. 31 as Halloween Beggars Night.

• Proclaim the month of October to be Community Planning Month.

• Proclaim recognition of the American Planning Association’s designation of Massachusetts Street as a “Great Street in America for 2010.”

Consent agenda

• Approve City Commission meeting minutes from July 13 and Sept. 28.

• 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.) Set bid opening date of Nov. 16 for Bid Number B1059, 2010 Electrical Preventive Maintenance.

b) Set the bid date of Nov. 16 for the Weatherization Program 2010 at 84 addresses within the city limits of Lawrence.

c) Set a bid opening date of Nov. 23 for Bid No. B1064; Kaw Water Treatment Plant Sludge Collector Drives Replacement.

d) Reject all bids received for Bid No. 1050 on Sept. 28, authorize staff to re-bid Project UT0905CS with alternates, and set a bid date of Nov. 16 for Bid No. B1058 Project UT0905CS, Sanitary Sewer Main Replacement for the 1100 block of Delaware Street, the 1500 block New Hampshire Street and the 700 block of Michigan Street.

e) Authorize the city manager to execute an engineering services agreement with Professional Engineering Consultants in the amount of $271,782 for Design Phase Engineering Services for project UT0919CS General Wastewater Pumping Station Improvements Priority Groups I and II.

f) Authorize payment of $30,000 to reimburse Orscheln Farm & Home for access management public improvements. KDOT will reimburse the city $25,000, for a final cost to the city of $5,000.

• Authorize the issuance of a request for qualifications for an off-site health and wellness center for city employees.

• Approve sign permit for mural installation on the north wall of the Lawrence Arts Center building, 940 N.H., as requested by the Lawrence Arts Center and as recommended by the Lawrence Cultural Arts Committee, pending approval of the Historic Resources Committee on Oct. 25.

• Authorize the city manager to sign a memorandum of understanding for the Safe Winter Walkways program.

• Authorize the city manager to enter into an agreement with Kissick Construction Company and/or Bowersock Mills and Power Company or an affiliated corporation, for the temporary use of city property on the north bank of the Kansas River for the storage of a construction crane.

Regular agenda

• Receive update on the status of City Code compliance efforts at 1313 Haskell Ave.

• Consider approving Resolution No. 6909, a resolution of intent to issue $7 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds for Plastikon Industries and schedule a meeting of the Public Incentives Review Committee (PIRC) for Nov. 3 to consider an employee training incentive for Plastikon.

• Consider adopting on first reading Ordinance No. 8572, adopting the International Fire Code, 2009 Edition; Ordinance No. 8583, adopting by reference an amended Chapter V, Article 1 of the City Code, the International Building Code, 2009 Edition, the International Fuel Gas Code, 2009 Edition, the International Energy Conservation Code, 2009 Edition, and the International Existing Building Code, 2009 Edition; Ordinance No. 8584, adopting the International Residential Code, 2009 Edition; Ordinance No. 8585, adopting the International Plumbing Code, 2009 Edition; and Ordinance No. 8586, adopting the International Mechanical Code, 2009 Edition.

• Receive the following items from the city auditor:

a.) Presentation on the Performance Audit: Police Administrative Bureau – Identifying Potential Audit Topics.

b) Receive city auditor staff memo on telephone billing practices.