News Releases
More news from the City of Lawrence for Thursday, June 5
(Sent: 2008-06-05 14:23:20)Thursday, June 5, 2008 News from the City of Lawrence
NEWS RELEASES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from the City of Lawrence for Thursday, June 5
1) CONTACT: Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager, (785) 832-3413,
Mike McMillen, IAFF President (785) 840-5394
City and International Association of Firefighters Local 1596 Release Opening Statement on Negotiations
City of Lawrence, Kansas, and
International Association of Firefighters - Local 1596
2008 Opening Statement
June 4, 2008
City staff members from the City Manager’s Office and Administrative Services Department, Fire Department managers, and firefighters representing the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1596 have recently participated in a training session on Modified Interest Based Bargaining (MIBB). This session, facilitated by staff from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, emphasized a problem solving process designed to allow participants to collectively reach consensus on a new work agreement. The current “Memorandum of Understanding” between the City of Lawrence and the IAFF expires December 31, 2008.
The City and IAFF have many mutual objectives, including working together to promote quality services to the community. We approach these negotiations using the cooperative, collaborative principles we have learned together. We believe our relationship will be enhanced, that our common goals will be realized, and that the citizens of Lawrence and Douglas County will benefit. It is our intent that our discussions will include city/county fiscal attentiveness.
The discussions between the parties will be held in closed session per city resolution #6690 governing employee organizations. We will release joint statements to the media at various appropriate times during the negotiations.
Negotiating for the City are Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager, Frank Reeb, Administrative Services Director, Fire Chief Mark Bradford, and Division Chief Bill Stark. Pam Madl Assistant County Administrator for Douglas County will normally be in attendance.
Negotiating for the IAFF Local 1596 are Mike McMillen, President, Brandon Holloman, Vice-President, Justin Temple, Secretary, Nathan Coffman, Trustee and Russell Brickell, Member.
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2) Contact: Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager, (785) 832-3413,
Mike McAtee, Chairman for the LPOA at (785) 830-7428
City of Lawrence Management and
Lawrence Police Officers’ Association
Opening Statement
June 4, 2008
City staff members from the City Manager’s Office and Administrative Services Department, Police Department managers, and officers representing the Lawrence Police Officer’s Association (LPOA) have recently participated in a training session on Modified Interest Based Bargaining (MIBB). This session, facilitated by staff from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, emphasized a problem solving process designed to allow participants to collectively reach consensus on a new work agreement. The current “Memorandum of Understanding” between the City of Lawrence and the LPOA expires December 31, 2008.
The City and LPOA have many mutual objectives, including working together to promote quality services to the community. We approach these negotiations using the cooperative, collaborative principles we have learned together. We believe our relationship will be enhanced, that our common goals will be realized, and that the citizens of Lawrence will benefit.
The discussions between the parties will be held in closed sessions, per the City’s Resolution #6690 governing employee organizations. We may release joint statements to the media at various appropriate times during the negotiations.
Negotiating for the City are Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager, Frank Reeb, Administrative Services Director, Staff Attorney Scott Miller, Police Chief Ron Olin, Captain Mike Pattrick, and Captain Steve Zarnowiec. LPOA officers Mike McAtee, Chairman, Justin Rhoads, Vice-Chairman, Mike Verbanic, Treasurer, and Tyson Randall, Secretary, are representing the police officers and detectives.
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3) CITY CONTACT: City Manager David Corliss (785) 832-3400
KU CONTACT: Jack Martin, Deputy Director of University Communications (785) 864-7100
The Lawrence City Commission will soon begin public discussion of the possible integration of the City’s and the University of Kansas’ transit systems.
At the commission’s regularly scheduled June 10 meeting, a draft letter of intent outlining possible steps to create a merged transit system will be reviewed.
The goal of such a merger would be to enhance the usability and efficiency of transit in Lawrence, which would benefit current and potential users of both the T and KU on Wheels. The ability of riders to switch seamlessly between buses from either system is one potential benefit, along with possible efficiencies in fuel and other costs from route coordination.
“This is step one in a process that will include much public input about the shape and future of public transit in our community,” said Lawrence Mayor Mike Dever. “I am pleased that so much ground has been covered during staff discussions and that the possibility of a merged system is advancing. I appreciate the willingness of the university’s administration and students to work with us and consider solutions that will meet both the needs of the students and the community.”
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Richard Lariviere said it made sense to explore integration of the two transit systems. “Mass transit has to play an increasing role in Lawrence’s transportation discussions. An integrated transit system that is better able to efficiently serve students and residents alike would be a great benefit to Lawrence. If we can create a merged system that benefits KU students and better serves the community, then it only makes sense to work toward that goal. KU’s students and administration look forward to working with the city to explore ways that this could be achieved,” said Lariviere.
The letter of intent sets out various conditions that would have to be met before any merger could take place. It also specifies that the city commission, as well as the university ‘s Transit Commission, appropriate student representatives and other required authorities, would have to approve any merger before it took place.
In 2006, the University of Kansas and the City of Lawrence undertook a comprehensive study that looked at the desirability of integrating the university’s transit system with the city’s transit system. That study determined that such an arrangement would be beneficial, assuming certain conditions were met.
Over the last year and a half, informal discussions have continued regarding increased cooperation and coordination between KU on Wheels and the T. Additionally, the two systems put out a joint RFP for transit services. Responses to this joint RFP will be reviewed in coming months, as the existing contract expires in December.
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4) CONTACT: Duane Peterson, Special Events Supervisor (785) 832-7940
Downtown Movies: Film Noir Outdoor Film Festival’s next feature will be the 1946 feature Notorious held at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 19, in the grassy area at New Hampshire St. and 9th Sts. by the parking garage.
PREPARED BY: Roger Steinbrock, 785-832-3458
5) CONTACT: Tim Laurent, Facilities Operations Supervisor (785) 832-7920
Batting cages at the Clinton Lake Softball Complex, 5101 Speicher Rd., will be temporarily unavailable for public use until maintenance is completed.
Batting cages will be accessible once repairs are made, which is anticipated to be tomorrow afternoon.
Clinton Lake Softball Complex batting cages are normally open Monday through Friday and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays it is open 8 to 5 p.m. through Oct. 1.
The complex’s batting cages offer several stations for various skill levels, including slow-pitch, fast-pitch, major league, minor league and rookie stations.
PREPARED BY: Roger Steinbrock, 785-832-3458
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