Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Legal Services

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Toni Ramirez Wheeler, Director of Legal Services
Date:	July 15, 2009
RE:	Ordinance 8420 – Technical Revisions for Second Reading

Judge Randy McGrath recently contacted me regarding ordinance 8420, which passed on first reading last night.  He suggested that a few technical changes be made to the ordinance to clarify its relationship with the Standard Traffic Ordinance and Kansas Statute 12-4305 that obligates the judge to set a fine schedule for ordinance traffic infractions.

I have made the suggested changes to the ordinance.  They do not substantially change the ordinance.  None of the fine amounts that were set forth in the version of the ordinance that passed at first reading have changed.  The new language only clarifies that the amounts set in the ordinance control over any conflicting provisions in the Standard Traffic Ordinance and that the judge retains the ability to assess fines greater than the scheduled amounts for plea bargains and after trial when the facts and circumstances dictate.

I recommend that the ordinance be passed upon second reading with these technical modifications.