Bottomline

City commissioners will be asked to reverse a decision by historic preservation planners that prohibited a larger-than-normal exterior sign for the new Marriott hotel building at Ninth and New Hampshire streets.

Background

Developers for the hotel are seeking approval for a sign that would be about 15 feet tall, and four feet wide, and would be hung from the west side of the new building. The city’s Historic Resources Commission denied a permit for the sign, in part, because the sign would be about 60 square feet in size, while the city’s Downtown Design Guidelines call for such signs to be no more than 15 square feet in size, and no taller than five feet. City commissioners, however, have the authority to overrule the decision of the Historic Resources Commission.

Recognition

• Proclaim Friday, January 9, 2015 as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

Consent agenda

• Approve City Commission meeting minutes from 12/02/14.

• Approve all claims.  The list of approved claims will be posted to the agenda the day after the City Commission meeting.

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

• Bid and purchase items:

a) Authorize total payment of $4,064,080.00 to the KDOT for the following projects.  Staff Memo & Attachments

• $2 million for 31st Street (18P07S)

• $44,080 for wetland mitigation for 31st Street

• $1 million for Bob Billings Parkway/K-10 Interchange (PW1122)

• $1,020,000 for 23rd & Iowa Street (PW1208) 

• Accept dedication of drainage easement for Minor Subdivision, MS-14-00484, for Oak Tree Addition.  Submitted by Landplan Engineering for Monique and Blake Spencer, property owners of record.  

• Accept dedications of right-of-way and easements for Final Plat, PF-14-00442, for Schwegler Addition, 2201 Ousdahl Road.  Submitted by Grob Engineering fur USD 497, property owner of record.  Staff Memo & Attachments 

• Accept dedication of utility easements shown on Minor Subdivision, MS-14-00472, for Solid Waste Facility Addition, a Minor Subdivision Replat of Lots 1 and 2, Penske Addition.  The property is located at 2201 and 2300 Kresge Rd.  Application submitted by the City of Lawrence, property owner of record.  Staff Memo & Attachments

• Approve a Site Plan, SP-14-00470, for Solid Waste Facilities, located at 2201 Kresge Rd.  Application submitted by the City of Lawrence, property owner of record.   

• Authorize City Manager to sign a City/County Cooperation Agreement appointing Dr. Caleb Trent, M.D., as medical director for the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Department.   

• Receive city manager’s report.

Regular agenda

• Consider applicant appeal of Historic Resources Commission’s determination of denial for a proposed sign to be located at 900 New Hampshire Street (Marriott TownePlace Suites – DR-14-00506).  

• Authorize a right-of-way permit for the HERE project contingent upon staff approval of a traffic plan and truck route plan, Project Number PW1417.  

• Receive staff briefing on status of Utilities Department capital projects.  Receive briefing on planned Wakarusa Wastewater Treatment Plant project and related pump station and transmission corridor improvements.  Commission expected to set bid date for project on January 13, 2015.  C 

• Direct Staff concerning the 2015 Legislative Priority Statement.

• City Auditor update on status of construction audit review of Rock Chalk Park infrastructure.  Authorize payment to RCP, LLC for loan origination and loan interest costs per the Rock Chalk Park Development, if appropriate. (Final check claim would be paid on January 13, 2015 agenda).