09/21/26 Connected City

The Lawrence, Kansas Connected City advisory board meeting on September 21, 2026, focused primarily on solid waste management and transportation infrastructure projects. Key procurement-related discussions included the solid waste master plan, highlighting operational efficiencies, waste characterization studies, and a compost feasibility study with a proposed $14 million to $20 million capital investment for a new composting facility. The board also discussed the deployment of smart truck technology to improve waste collection efficiency and reduce contamination fees. Additionally, the meeting covered the neighborhood traffic management program with a $200,000 budget for traffic calming devices and safety campaigns, and the Lawrence Loop downtown project, which received a $1.23 million Transportation Alternatives grant from KDOT. The board unanimously approved proceeding with the recommended alignment for the bike trail project. There were no contract awards or vendor selections explicitly mentioned, but several capital improvement projects and funding allocations were discussed. The meeting also included a presentation on the Kansas Open Records Act to inform board members about public records access.