Lawrence Board of Public Works and Safety approves $33,800 maintenance contract; discusses landscaping and state tax impacts

The Lawrence Board of Public Works and Safety voted June 11 to approve a professional services agreement with Open Control Systems totaling $33,800 for maintenance of fire-department equipment and building systems.

Renee Ruffalo, director of public works, described the contract as running through Dec. 31, 2026, and covering backflow testing, sprinkler-system checks, fire-extinguisher testing, filter changes and response for heating and cooling repairs. "This contract is for $33,800. Fire will be paying $25,000 of it and DPW will be paying the rest," Ruffalo said.

The agreement was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board also approved the May 28 meeting minutes and the claims list earlier in the meeting; both were adopted following motions that the chair recorded as carried by voice vote. Exact vote tallies and the names of the members who moved or seconded those motions were not specified in the transcript.

During discussion of claims, the chair reported follow-up conversations with the controller and the Parks Director about landscaping and grass-cutting at city facilities. The chair said Parks indicated it can perform landscaping for the Lawrence Police Department in-house and that the administration would discuss similar arrangements with the fire administration for fire stations. The chair also referenced SEA 1 and said state leaders are discussing property-tax relief in the 2027 legislative session, adding that municipal governments should look for small ways to save money and reduce costs.

There were no additional administration comments beyond Ruffalo's presentation, and no members of the public spoke during the citizen comment period. The board adjourned after a motion and second.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of May 28, 2026 minutes — motion carried, voice vote; exact tally not specified.
- Approval of claims — motion carried, voice vote; exact tally not specified.
- Professional services agreement with Open Control Systems ($33,800; Fire: $25,000; DPW: remainder) — motion carried, voice vote; exact tally not specified.
- Adjournment — motion carried, voice vote.

The board did not schedule further action on the Open Control contract beyond the approval; no citizen comments were recorded and no additional staff directives were entered into the meeting minutes in the transcript.