Traffic unit

Creation of a new traffic patrol unit of the Lawrence Police Department has led to increased ticketing of motorists.

A memorandum from Lawrence Police Sgt. Randy Roberts this week showed that the number of speeding violations had remained the same since the unit was started in 2003.

Compared with 2000, however, the number of drunken-driving citations increased threefold, seat-belt citations grew by more than five times and child-restraint violations increased 800 percent.

The seven-member unit was started using a three-year, $2.2 million federal grant.

Business retention task force appointed

As expected, Mayor David Dunfield on Tuesday named a task force to examine ways City Hall can present a friendlier face to businesses.

City Commissioner Sue Hack will lead the task force, joined by fellow commissioners Mike Rundle and David Schauner.

Other members of the task force are: Dave Loch of Progress Vanguard; Frank Male of Lawrence Landscape; Keith Folkmann of Sauer-Danfoss; Larry Kipp, “smart growth” advocate; Don Steeples, Kansas University assistant provost; Lance Johnson of the Peridian Group; Peggy Johnson of American Express; Jeff Shmalberg of Scotch Fabrics; former City Commissioner Erv Hodges; Dave Kingsley of GRI Research; and downtown property owner George Paley.

The group first meets at 4 p.m. Monday in City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.

Closed session

A planned Lawrence City Commission study session to discuss possible acquisition of real estate was deferred Tuesday night when debate over a resolution opposing the USA Patriot Act ran late.

The session was to have included officials from the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Officials declined to elaborate on the possible land acquisition.

The session was not rescheduled.

Schedule

• Lawrence City Commission study session on downtown drinking establishments, 9 a.m. today, City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.
• Lawrence City Commission evaluation of City Manager Mike Wildgen — meeting is in closed session, 10 a.m. today, City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.
• Judge Michael Malone hears arguments that city should pay $91,000 of plaintiff legal bills in one of the Wal-Mart lawsuits, 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Lawrence-Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St.
• Public Transit Advisory Committee, 4 p.m. Thursday, public transit office, 933 N.H.
• Historic Resources Commission, 7 p.m. Thursday, City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.
• Public Improvements Task Force, 8 a.m. Tuesday, City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.