Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:              David L. Corliss, City Manager

FROM:                   Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager

CC:              Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager

                   Toni Wheeler, Director of Legal Services

                   Ron Olin, Chief of Police

                   Scott McCullough, Planning and Development Services Director

DATE:                   February 22, 2008

RE:              Staff Report on Issues from Oread Neighborhood Association Study Session

The City Commission held a Study Session on November 7, 2007 with the Oread Neighborhood Association.  The Oread Neighborhood Association had a variety of issues to discuss with the City Commission, centering on the issues of housing, parties and blight.  Below is a summary of the issues and the information gathered related to these issues from City staff.  We would be happy to provide additional information if needed. 

Issue	Follow-up Action
Rental Registration Issues	The Commission requested the rental registration information and analysis provided as part of the 2008 budget process.  The information is attached.  Part of the information includes some estimates to expand the current rental registration program.  The cost estimates provided in this information would need to be adjusted upward approximately 2% to account for increases in personnel costs.
Demolition by Neglect	The City Commission requested additional research from staff.  Memo dated October 15, 2007 and memo dated January 25, 2008 is attached outlining what the City of Lawrence does and what other cities do related to neglect of structures.
Increased Law Enforcement presence in Oread related to noise/parties	The Lawrence Police Department was asked to prepare statistics related to calls for service in the Oread Neighborhood area.  Additionally, police were asked about the possibility of enhancing presence in the area.  The Police Department has prepared a report related to police activity and questions about the Neighborhood Resource Officers.  While there are a large number of calls for service within the Oread Neighborhood area, enhancing preventative service within the area will not be possible without additional resources.

Issue	Follow-up Action
NRO’s to neighborhood association meeting	See above referenced memo from the Chief of Police related to NROs.  NROs have attended a meeting of the Oread Neighborhood Association to discuss issues with the neighborhood since the study session was held.
Overlay Ordinance research	Staff was asked to research possibilities of an overlay district for the Oread Neighborhood area.  Attached is a memo from planning staff related to a possible overlay district.  Staff recommends that prior to the implementation of any overlay in the Oread area that the Oread Neighborhood plan, which was adopted in March 1979, be updated.
Status of homeless shelter/UPR	Loring Henderson, Director of the Lawrence Community Shelter, has provided an update, dated January 24, 2008 , related to the group’s work to find a permanent facility for the shelter.  This issue will be scheduled for further discussion at a future City Commission meeting.
Report on BZA variances	Staff was requested to provide a report examining the parking variances which have been granted over the last couple of years.  Attached is a memo regarding the variances granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Trash – accelerated pick up	Staff was asked to research alternatives to current trash ordinance.  A report related to this is attached that provides some recommendations to the City Commission regarding strengthening the City’s nuisance ordinance related to trash violations.  Additionally, the Department of Public Works provided information about the refuse services provided within the Oread Neighborhood at the current time.
Noise Ordinance enforcement- neighborhood litter pick up in place of fines	The neighborhood was interested in the court requiring offenders of noise ordinances being required to pick up neighborhood litter.  Attached is a memo from the City Prosecutor outlining the current program of community service work.  While establishing a program that required offenders to complete community service hours within the neighborhood is not impossible, there are some challenges.  There would need to be some agency or someone on city staff that would be willing to supervise the activity to ensure that service hours are completed.
KU involvement –educating students; responsibility	Staff has prepared a memo related to city-university-neighborhood partnerships to address concerns in neighborhoods surrounding campus.  These types of programs require the cooperation and involvement of the university and other stakeholders, including neighborhood leaders, landlords and tenants.  Also, staff researched how some universities are becoming more proactive in notifying parents of drinking violations.  Attached is information from examples of collaborative university-community partnerships from the City of Manhattan/K-State, UC Riverside/City of Riverside, City of Wilmington/University of North Carolina Wilmington, and the University of Santa Cruz.