Memorandum                    

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

 

TO:

City Commission

 

FROM:

Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager

 

Date:

 

CC:

 

June 14, 2015

 

Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager

Tarik Khatib, Police Chief

Toni Wheeler, City Attorney

Chuck Soules, Director of Public Works

Scott McCullough, Director of Planning and Development Services

Bryan Kidney, Finance Director

 

RE:

Police Facility Proposed Discussion Framework

 

The police facility has been identified as an important priority for the City.  Commissioners recently discussed having more in-depth review of the program needs, location and funding for a new facility. Additionally, Commissioners have stated that continued public input on the issue is important.  City staff met on June 11, 2015 to discuss presenting the City Commission with a plan for proceeding with these discussions.  Present at the meeting were Chief Khatib, Captain Paul Fellers, Captain Adam Heffley, Captain Stephen Zarnowiec, Captain Anthony Brixius, Sergeant Casey Cooper, Assistant to the Chief Chris Mulvenon, City Attorney Toni Wheeler, Municipal Court Administrator Vicki Stanwix, Assistant City Manager Casey Toomay, Finance Director Bryan Kidney, Public Works Director Chuck Soules, and Director of Planning and Development Services Scott McCullough.  Following is a recommended plan to serve as a framework for discussion and action on this important issue.

 

1.   Police Facility Web Page:  First, we suggest the development of a specific web page for the police facility issue, resources, and public feedback.  On the web page, we will place links to prior materials that have been developed over the course of recent discussions from the past few years.  These items include things such as the needs assessment, preliminary design drawings, preliminary site plans, analysis of locations, memos about the inclusion of municipal court, and possible financing options, etc.  Placing these items in one location will make it easier for everyone to view and refer to prior materials and analysis.  The web page will also include a link for public comments and a Lawrence Listens question.

 

2.   Evening Study Session:  We propose an evening study session that would commence at 6 p.m. so that the public can attend and participate. The study session would be televised and recorded.  The intent of this meeting is to present the entirety of issues to the Commission. Public comment and Commission decisions on the issues would occur at later meetings.  We propose 3-4 hours be allotted for this meeting. The Study Session agenda would include the following items with the presenters noted:

 

a.    Needs/Use Assessment (Chief Khatib)

b.    Building/Lot Size (Architects)

c.    New building or remodel existing building (Architects)

d.    Location (Architects)

e.    Funding (Bryan Kidney, Finance Director)

f.     Public Comment

g.    Commission Comment

 

3.   Public Discussion Meeting:  We propose a public discussion meeting that would be scheduled on a date after the evening study session.  We propose 1-2 hours be allocated for this meeting. Purpose of the meeting would be an opportunity for public dialogue on the police facility issue.  The meeting could include questions and answers, etc. in the facilitated style of the budget dialogue meetings held in May.

 

4.   City Commission Meeting Regular Agenda item:  The police facility issue would be placed on a regular City Commission meeting agenda for further discussion, follow up, and direction.

 

 

Below is a graphical representation of the proposed discussion framework:

 

Public Comment and Dialogue Throughout 

 

 


Recommended Action:  City staff recommends this plan as a framework for future discussions on the police facility issue.  Staff would like to get feedback from the City Commission regarding the proposed framework and the timing for the discussion process.  The City Commission may wish to change the proposed framework- direction on this would be appropriate.