City Commission agenda for Jan. 3

Bottom line

Lawrence city commissioners will consider approving an agreement to provide public incentives for a new commercial, office and apartment building at the southwest corner Ninth and New Hampshire streets in downtown Lawrence.

The owners, a group known as 9th and New Hampshire LLC, want to tap into seeking tax-increment financing for their $10.85 million project.

Commissioners are scheduled to consider approving an agreement that would provide the partnership with $280,000 in property-tax rebates to help finance public improvements related to the project, such as sidewalks, sewers and streetlights.

Background

The incentives were endorsed back in June by the joint Public Incentives Review Committee, which recommended rebates amounting to $280,000. The rebates would be paid over 10 years, beginning in 2013.

The property is part of a Tax Increment Financing district formed in 2000. At that time, Lawrence city commissioners agreed that future private developments in the district could be eligible to receive tax rebates to cover expenses for public infrastructure.

The ownership group is led by Lawrence businessman Doug Compton.

Other business

Consent agenda

• Approve City Commission meeting minutes from Dec. 27.

• Approve claims.

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

• Approve appointments recommended by the mayor.

• Bid and purchase items:

  • Award the construction contract for Kaw water treatment plant large valve replacement to the low bidder, Nowak Construction, for $621,017 and authorize the city manager to execute the contract.
  • Authorize the city manager to execute supplemental agreement No. 8 for $6,808.50 to the engineering services agreement with BG Consultants for construction phase engineering services for Kaw water treatment plant large valve replacement.
  • Authorize the city manager to execute supplemental agreement No. 2 for $14,759 to the engineering services agreement with Professional Engineering Consultants for engineering services for 23rd Street bridge replacement utilities relocation.
  • Approve the final change order to the construction contract with RD Johnson Excavating for phase II of watermain replacement program; increasing the contract amount by $35,312.48.

• Accept dedication of easements and rights of way for preliminary plat for Dan and Trisha Simons Addition, about 2.36 acres, 1 lot, at 444 Country Club Terrace. Submitted by Treanor Architects, PA for Dan and Trisha Simons, property owners of record.

• Approve as signs of community interest, a request from the American Heart Association to place red ribbons on light posts on Massachusetts Street during February.

Regular agenda

• Consider approving text amendments to the joint city/county subdivision regulations in the city’s Land Development Code and the Douglas County Code to revise process requirements for division of property through certificates of survey, minor subdivisions and major subdivisions. Modifications include reformatting this article/chapter to eliminate duplicative text and to delete terminology not used.

• Receive Long Range Planning 2012 Work Program.

• Receive recommendation from the Public Incentives Review Committee concerning requested incentives associated with the 901 N.H. development and consider authorizing the mayor to execute a performance agreement with Ninth and New Hampshire, LLC.