Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Attorney’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Maria Kaminska
DATE: CC:	April 15, 2014 Toni Wheeler, City Attorney
RE:	Ordinance No. 8983 allowing temporary ridesharing services

Background

In December 2013, Lawrence OnBoard director Jenny O’Brien appeared before the City Commission to request an amendment to Standard Traffic Ordinance (STO) 69(a), which prohibits ridesharing services like Lawrence OnBoard by forbidding people from standing along a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride. Staff was directed to work with Ms. O’Brien to explore ways of amending the Code to allow her ridesharing program in Lawrence. Staff has met with Ms. O’Brien and spoken to her several times since December.

Project Description

At this time, Ms. O’Brien requests a temporary permit to allow her and approximately 30 volunteer participants to conduct a 6-month research project in Lawrence between May and November 2014. The goals of the research, according to Ms. O’Brien, are to identify and test locations for ridesharing, use the data to develop future guidelines, and survey participants on how safe they felt at a particular location and how to improve future ridesharing experiences. Staff has determined that the best method of granting the requested permit is to adopt an Ordinance temporarily exempting Lawrence OnBoard from STO 69(a)’s provisions.

Staff Recommendation

Staff has no objection to granting Lawrence OnBoard a temporary exemption from STO 69(a). The Lawrence Police Department cautions that safety should be a priority in conducting any such ridesharing program.

Action Requested

Adopt on first reading Ordinance No. 8983, exempting the Lawrence OnBoard ridesharing program for a period of 6 months from the provisions of STO 69(a).