Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:              David L. Corliss, City Manager        

CC:               Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager

                   Cliff Galante, Public Transit Administrator

FROM:          Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

DATE:           November 27, 2007

RE:               FreeNet Proposal

Background: 

The City is in receipt of a proposal from Lawrence FreeNet requesting the City’s support for a “BusQuest” project, which would utilize wireless technology to track bus arrival/departure times through real time tracking of buses, a web-based application for riders to plan the most advantageous bus routes through the City to get them to their destination, and a free wireless internet service for bus patrons.  In exchange for these services, Lawrence FreeNet is requesting that the City enable them to exclusively advertise on bus stops and buses, using the revenue to offset the expenses of the project.  Once expenses are met, the proposal suggests that FreeNet and the City split advertising revenues.  According to the proposal, there would not be any upfront or ongoing expense to the City.

There are a number of issues associated with consideration of the proposal.  Presently, City regulations do not allow for off-site advertising and therefore there is no advertising permitted at bus stops or on buses.  There would need to be a policy decision to allow such advertising in exchange for the benefits associated with the services the project would deliver. 

Requested action:

At this point, City staff is suggesting that the City Commission refer this issue to staff for further study and a report back to the City Commission at a later date.