Bottom line

Lawrence city commissioners will discuss planning for a new $15 million recreation center in west Lawrence, one that would be built with financial assistance from the Assists Foundation, which is led by Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self.

Commissioners intended to decide whether to move ahead with planning for such a project, and along what time line. Self’s foundation, which has offered to contribute $1 million for the project, is seeking a commitment from the city about how serious it would be about such a project, one that could be big enough to help attract regional or national youth basketball tournaments.

Background

Commissioners discussed the prospects for such a project during a study session Oct. 25. At that time, they wanted more information so that they could determine whether such a project — and the money that would need to be borrowed — could fit into the city’s near-term debt plans. If commissioners decide that the finances would work, they then could focus in the future on developing specific plans for the center and opening up possibilities for private fundraising.

Commissioners have agreed to discuss financial issues. Whether a majority of the five-member commission supports moving ahead with plans for a center remains unclear.

Proclamations

• Proclaim Thursday, Nov. 10, as Celebrate Marine Corps Birthday.

• Proclaim the week of Nov. 14-18 as International Education Week.

Consent agenda

• Receive minutes from various boards and commissions:

• Approve all claims.

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

• Bid and purchase items:

a. Award bid for the Master Street Tree Program for the Parks and Recreation Department to Rosehill Gardens for $28,490.

b. Award the construction contract for Bid No. B1143; Project UT1003CS, 23rd Street Bridge Replacement Utilities Relocation to the second low bidder Redford Construction in the amount of $1,216,000 and authorize the city manager to execute the contract.

c. Award the Bid for Bid No. B1150 Materials Purchases for Project UT1003CS, 23rd Street Bridge Replacement Utilities Relocation to the low bidders Ferguson Enterprise for items 1-21 and 23-40 in the amount of $212,627.21 and Oldcastle Precast for item 22 in the amount of $4,880.

d. Authorize the city manager to Execute Supplemental Agreement No. 1 in the amount of $31,894.00 to the Engineering Services Agreement with Professional Engineering Consultants for Construction Phase Engineering Services for Project UT1003CS, 23rd Street Bridge Replacement Utilities Relocation.

e. Authorize city manager to execute an agreement with Bartlett & West Engineering in an amount of $55,000 for engineering design services for Delaware Street, Eighth Street to Ninth Street, Street, Storm Sewer and Waterline Improvements (PW1126).

f. Waive bidding requirements and authorize city manager to execute purchase order with Broyles, Inc. in an amount of $35,435.68 for replacement of the fuel canopy at 11th Street and Haskell Avenue.

g. Waive bidding requirements and approve sole-source purchase of additional LED lighting from Stanion Wholesale Electric Company Inc. in the $153,705 to complete the Massachusetts LED lighting upgrade. This money is from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program (EECBG) funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

• Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 8681, annexing about 45 acres of city-owned park property.

• Approve these unanimous recommendations from the Traffic Safety Commission:

a. Approve recommendation from the Traffic Safety Commission to install Yield Signs on Overland Drive at Sierra Drive and adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 8686 to install Yield Signs on Overland Drive at Sierra Drive.

b. Approve recommendation from the Traffic Safety Commission to establish No Parking along both sides of Sunnyside Avenue between Indiana and Louisiana streets and adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 8685 to establish No Parking along both sides of Sunnyside Avenue between Indiana Street and Louisiana Street.

• Approve request to extend the purchase agreement feasibility period to Oct. 28, 2012, for North Mass Redevelopment L.L.C. to purchase city parcels near N. 2nd & Lyons.

• Authorize the Mayor to sign a release of mortgage for Joe and Mercy Jaimez, 1218 N.Y.

Regular agenda

• Conduct public hearing to consider Ordinances 8679 and 8680, establishing the maximum assessments for improvements to Fairfield East Addition No. 1, Street, Storm Sewer, Waterline Improvements (PW0915), Sanitary Sewer Improvements (09S003), and Pump Station (09S004).

• Receive public comments and consider direction to staff concerning parks and recreation facility needs and proposed westside recreation center, as follow-up to the study session on Oct. 25.

• Receive request from Cornerstone Construction Company of Lawrence and Sure Point Medical regarding city-owned property north of 2004 E. 23rd St., the southwest corner of the former Farmland tract.

• Consider approving the following for Project PW1012 — Iowa Street (U.S. Highway 59), 15th Street (Bob Billings Parkway) to Yale Road — Street, Reconstruction and Geometric Improvements: move the bid date to November/December 2012, phasing plan and closure of 15th Street (Bob Billings Parkway), liquidated damages of $5,000/day for late completion and an incentive of $5,000/day for early completion of the intersection (up to a maximum of $50,000).