Adopt new building codes with emphasis on energy efficiency looking to similar codes as adopted in California in 2005 and including a green point system similar to that in Boulder, CO.
No cost to the city*
Become the first city to adopt a PV solar roofing requirement on new construction
Positive nationwide publicity
Delay need for power plant expansions and construction
Increased resale value
Reduce or eliminate average electricity costs.
Income stream while buildings are vacant
Attract interest from environmental technology businesses
Electricity availability during outages
No cost to the city or existing homeowners*
Enter into a partnership with the Universities and Westar to institute an algae based carbon reclamation system at the power plant
Zero-carbon emission electricity
Algae overgrowth can be processed into bio-diesel, ethanol, and feed stock protein or dried for fuel producing revenue stream
Job creation
Could be partially funded by government grants
City owned recyclables drop sites
Encourage recycling
Slow down the need to purchase and prepare land for dumping
Low cost as compared to a curbside program
Enact program similar to adopt-a-highway with volunteer groups to maintain and collect from the drop site
Possibility of revenue stream
Can be implemented on a piecemeal basis as the budget allows
Investigate feasibility of wetland and/or living machine water treatment
Smaller conventional treatment facility needed
Increased permanent green space
Cost savings over full-conventional water treatment facilities
Citywide switch from painted to reflective road markings
Increased visibility at night, especially in the rain
Decreased accidents
Increased safety
Can be implemented on a piecemeal basis as the budget allows
Conservative use of tax abatements
Reserved for keystone businesses likely to attract additional businesses esp. those dealing with science & technology
No less than 2:1 ratio of new tax revenue paid to abatement amount
Only for businesses with a mode full time salary of at least $30,000/yr unless revenue to abatement ratio is exceeded by 3:1 or higher
Not if it can be determined that the business would likely locate in Lawrence without an abatement
Repeal of current Lawrence smoking ban
Rework with input from local business
Return rights of private businesses
Possible city wide vote with multiple resolutions to choose from
Increase patronage of Mass St.
Relax regulatory impediments to new businesses downtown
New tax revenue
Buildings no longer vacant and boarded
Tax incentives for film production
Increased revenue for local business
Increase in city recognition and tourism
Decrease in the city's land/building speculation
Limit risk
City support of large scale multi-venue music event similar to South by Southwest in Austin, TX and continued support for Wakarusa Festival.
Increased revenue for local business
Increase in city recognition and tourism
City fleet capable of alternative fuel use
Can be implemented on a piecemeal basis as the budget allows
City wide solar powered WiFi similar to program in St. Louis Park MN
Revenue stream
*no cost outside normal code update costs