Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Legal Services

TO:	DAVID L. CORLISS, CITY MANAGER
FROM:	TONI R. WHEELER, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES
CC:	CHARLES SOULES, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
Date:	JANUARY 2, 2007
RE:	WILLIAMSBURG BENEFIT DISTRICT

The Williamsburg Homeowners’ Association (Association) has approached the City and requested that we establish a benefit district to assist the Association in getting financing for repairs to their private streets, Williamsburg Court and Williamsburg Place.  The work to be done includes replacing concrete curbs and gutters, and milling and overlaying the asphalt streets.  The City would include this work in the 2007 mill and overlay program to obtain improved pricing.  The City is not a participant in the district.  100% of all costs will be assessed to the property owners.

To establish a benefit district, the City must have a property interest in the private streets, and to this end, the Association and its members are willing to grant the City a an access easement to the City for public use. 

In establishing this benefit district, all responsibility for future street maintenance and repair costs would remain with the Association.  All costs for the repairs will be assessed to the individual homeowners in the benefit district, and all long-term maintenance, including snow removal, for the streets will continue to be performed by the Association.  The City will not incur any long-term liabilities, nor assume any long-term responsibilities.

Attached is a draft of Resolution No. 6694 setting a hearing date for the creation of the benefit district.  A hearing date will not be set until the City has secured the necessary access agreements from the homeowners. 

Action Requested:

Authorize staff to proceed with the creation of the Williamsburg Court and Place benefit district.