Bottomline

City commissioners will consider authorizing end-of-year longevity payments to city employees.

Background

If approved, the city’s longevity payment program provides a special end-of-year check to full-time employees who have worked at least five consecutive years for the city. City staff are recommending eligible employees be paid at a rate of $48 per each year of service. The total program is expected to cost the city about $400,000. The city has been providing the payments for more than 20 years, but city commissioners reserve the right to not fund the program if budgets become tight.

Proclamation

• Proclaim Nov. 25 as Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Kick-Off Day.

Consent agenda

• Approve City Commission meeting minutes from Nov. 1 and 8.

• Receive minutes from various boards and commissions.

• Approve claims.

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

• Bid and purchase items:

a. Set a Dec. 6 bid date for Kaw Water Treatment Plant large valve replacement.

b. Award the contract for purchase of submersible wastewater pumps required for Priority Group I pump stations included in Project UT0919CS General Wastewater Pumping Station Improvements, to Environmental & Process Systems Inc., for $58,950 and authorize the city manager to execute the purchase contract.

c. Award a bid for the Utilities Department TV Inspection Van and CCTV System Replacement to Baker Equipment Company for $203,396.

d. Award purchase of three paratransit vehicles (T-Lift) as replacements for three existing paratransit vehicles that have surpassed both the manufacturer and Federal Transit Administration useful life requirements. These vehicles would be purchased off the existing Kansas Department of Transportation state bid vehicle contract. The cost per vehicle is $55,000 and a total cost of $165,000 from Kansas Truck Equipment, Co. Funding for the purchase of these vehicles will come from the State of Kansas Comprehensive Transportation Program and there is no local match required.

e. Approve sale of surplus equipment on Gov Deals.

f. Waive bidding requirements and use the Houston-Galveston Area Council contract to purchase one Velocity PUC Engine from Pierce Manufacturing for $847,967 and adopt a resolution that provides for the acquisition of fire equipment and for the issuance of General Obligation Bonds for $347,967.

• Adopt ordinances on second and final reading that:

a. Annex about 45 acres of city-owned park property.

b. Install yield signs on Overland Drive at Sierra Drive.

c. Establish no parking along both sides of Sunnyside Avenue between Indiana and Louisiana streets.

d. Establish the maximum assessments for improvements to Fairfield East Addition No. 1, street, storm sewer, waterline improvements, sanitary sewer improvements, and pump station.

• Approve these items related to 1043 Ind.:

a. Adopt on first reading an ordinance rezoning (Z-7-18-11) about 0.80 acre from U-KU (University-Kansas University) to RM32-PD (Multi-Dwelling Residential-Planned Development), at 1043 Ind. Submitted by Paul Werner Architects, for Triple T LLC, property owner of record.

b. Approve Preliminary Development Plan, PDP-7-1-11, to relocate the Varsity House and development of a Multi-Dwelling Structure, at 1043 Ind. Submitted by Paul Werner Architects, for Triple T LLC, property owner of record.

• Authorize staff to submit applications to the 2012 CDBG Program for: Ridge Court Storm Sewer Improvements for $50,000 and Hazardous Sidewalk Repair for $50,000.

• Authorize the city manager to execute a purchase agreement with the World Company for $32,000 for property interests needed for the reconstruction of sanitary sewer pump station 37.

• Adopt the recommended purchasing policy.

• Receive request from Paul Werner Architects for the possible land lease for the owners of the former Don’s Steakhouse; refer to staff for a report.

• Approve the recommendation of the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission to fund operational assistance for Final Fridays for a one-year period and authorize the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission to engage the STArt Alliance to conduct an economic impact analysis of Final Fridays. Funding for this item will be within existing carryover funds and budget resources.

• Approve a request by Paul Werner Architects, on behalf of the developer, Highland Construction LC, for a variance from city code to allow installation of master water meters for buildings of less than 13 units located at 204 Eisenhower Drive.

Regular agenda

• Consider these items related to 4100 W. 24th St.:

a. Rezoning about 15 acres from RM15 (Multi-Dwelling Residential) to RM24 (Multi-Dwelling Residential), at 4100 W 24th Place. Submitted by BG Consultants Inc. for Remington Square LC, property owner of record. Because a valid protest petition has been received, a super-majority vote (at least four votes) is required for approval.

b. Consider a site plan for Remington Square Apartments at 4100 West 24th Place.

• Receive status update on a transfer agreement with the Santa Fe Station/BNSF Depot.

• Consider adopting the Airport Master Plan, Airport Layout Plan, and Capital Improvement Plan for Lawrence Municipal Airport.

• Consider authorizing 2011 funding for longevity payments.