Bottom line

City commissioners will hold a public hearing on and consider finalizing the city’s 2014 budget.

Background

Earlier this month, the commissioners gave preliminary approval to a roughly $185 million spending plan that relies on the economy improving at a quicker rate in 2014. They approved increasing expenditures by about 6 percent and raising the property tax mill levy by 0.5 mill. The plan also calls for dipping into the city’s cash reserves for about $1.5 million to balance the budget.

The commission has since elected to increase the proposed mill levy in the budget by an additional 0.052 mill, which, in addition to the city manager’s recommendation of a 0.409 mill increase, brings the levy up by 0.461 mill.

The Lawrence Public Library had also requested a funding increase of $150,000. To preserve the fund balance and not raise the mill levy, the city manager recommended increasing the budget by $100,000. On July 9, the city commission decided to increase funding to the library by an additional $40,000. Thus, the mill levy will be upped .048 mill for 2014, bringing the revised total increase to 0.509 mill.

That means local property owners will see a slight rise in their tax rate in 2014. The 0.509 mill increase will result in a roughly $12 per year increase in property taxes on a $200,000 home.

Consent agenda

• Receive minutes from various boards and commissions.

• Approve all claims.

• Approve licenses as recommended by the City Clerk’s Office.

• Bid and purchase items:

a) Award City Bid No. B1344, PW1334, Farmland, Fence Construction around Above Ground Storage Tanks, to AmeriFence Corporation, in the total amount of $29,242 provided the contractor can meet the terms established in the contract documents.

b) Award City Bid No. B1345, PW1227, Dillons store No. 98, Traffic Control, to Vintage Greenmark, Inc., in the total amount of $48,721 provided the contractor can meet the terms established in the contract documents.

c) Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Engineering Services Agreement, in the amount of $299,000 with Black & Veatch Corporation for Project UT1304 Wakarusa Wastewater Treatment Plant and Conveyance Corridor Facilities.

d) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Change Order No. 2 to the construction contract with Garney Companies, Inc. for project UT1206DS O’Connell Road Waterline Extension increasing the contract amount by $81,856 and contract time by 50 calendar days.

e) Authorize the renewal of the City’s annual agreement for Microsoft software maintenance for the period of July 1 to June 30 to Software House International for $89,264.

• Adopt on second and final reading, Ordinance No. 8882, for a Text Amendment (TA-12-00205) to the City of Lawrence Land Development Code, Chapter 20, Article 11, to modify the requirements for a Retail Market Study.

• Adopt the following resolutions:

a) Resolution No. 7034, authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds for certain Main Trafficway Improvements (Sixth Street and 23rd Street improvements in 2014) in the amount of $325,000.

b) Resolution No. 7035, authorizing $40,000 in general obligation bonds for the improvements at 9th and Kentucky streets.

c) Resolution No. 7036, authorizing $100,000 in general obligation bonds for the improvements on 9th Street from Emery to Michigan.

• Approve Site Plan, SP-13-00230, for a sidewalk hospitality area for The Roost, located at 920 Massachusetts St. Submitted by Mike Myers of Hernly & Associates for Terra Firma Ltd., property owners of record.

• Approve Special Event, SE-13-00269, for a Country Produce tent sale extension at the Discovery Furniture parking lot, 2525 Iowa St., from Aug. 10-23. Submitted by Julie Galemore, Country Produce, with permission of Discovery Furniture, property owner of record.

• Authorize the City Manager to execute development agreements for access management improvements at Myers Liquor and Jiffy Lube (located at the northwest corner of 23rd and Alabama streets) and the proposed redevelopment of 1420 W. 23rd St., which includes Chipotle and Car Toyz. Authorize the Mayor to sign Supplemental Agreement No. 3, adding the new projects to the original city/state agreement.

• Set a due date of Aug. 20 for the Request for Proposal (RFP) for engineering services for the design of stormwater and geometric improvements to the intersection of 23rd Street & Ousdahl Road, Project PW1134.

• Approve changing the Sister Cities Advisory Board bylaws to clarify the length of term for advisory board members; modify the definition of quorum and clarify the role of friends groups.

• Approve a Temporary Use of Public Right-of-Way Permit for the Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championship for the closure of Massachusetts Street between North Park Street and South Park Street on Aug. 25 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Receive city manager’s report

Regular agenda

• Conduct a public hearing regarding the issuance of a Drinking Establishment License for Basil Leaf Cafe at 616 W. Ninth St. and consider granting a distance limitation waiver. The hearing will determine whether the proximity of the sale of alcohol by Basil Leaf Cafe is not adverse to the public welfare or safety and grant a distance limitation waiver if appropriate.

• Receive update on Traffic Study on Lincoln Street, from North econd Street to North Seventh Street.

• Receive status report and letter from Hernly Associates regarding property at 1106 Rhode Island St.

• Conduct public hearing on the 2014 budget. Consider adopting on first reading, Ordinance No. 8886, approving and appropriating the 2013 City of Lawrence Operating and Capital Improvement Budget, if appropriate. Consider adopting on first reading, Ordinance No. 8887, attesting to the increase in property taxes levied for 2014, if appropriate. Consider adopting on first reading, Ordinance No. 8883, establishing water and sanitary sewer service rates, effective Nov. 15, if appropriate. Consider approving wholesale water rates, effective Nov. 15, if appropriate.