Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Legal Services

TO:	David L. Corliss, Interim City Manager
FROM:	R. Scott Wagner
CC:	Fred DeVictor, Parks & Recreation
Date:	June 29, 2006
RE:	1205 Brook Street – Neighborhood Garden

In July of 2001, the City of Lawrence purchased the property at 1205 Brook Street as part of a stormwater buyout/mitigation project. The structures on the site were ultimately razed and the City has been mowing and maintaining the vacant tract since that time.

In the early part of this year, the Brook Creek Neighborhood Association began investigating the possibilities of using the lots as a neighborhood community garden. City staff worked with the association to install a water hydrant to service the garden (see attached pictures). The association applied for water service and will be responsible for payment of water usage at the garden site.

City legal staff is requesting authorization for the Interim City Manager to execute a license agreement with the Brook Creek Neighborhood Association for use of this tract at 1205 Brook as a neighborhood garden. The City will retain ownership of the property but will no longer have the on-going mowing and maintenance expenses of the lots.