Homeless task force

Mayor Mike Rundle said Tuesday the city’s task force on homelessness issues should complete its work by the end of the year.

The task force is trying to come up with a coordinated city strategy to address the needs of Lawrence’s homeless population.

University zoning

Assistant City Manager Dave Corliss said Tuesday the city was moving closer to an agreement with Kansas University to give the city some authority over KU expansion.

“We’re not ready to lay out all the final details,” he told commissioners, “because we don’t have all the final details.”

Corliss said it appeared the university had agreed that some property on the campus boundaries would be required to completely comply with city land-use regulations, but that compliance would be minimal for decades-old buildings at the campus core.

“The issue is in the buffer area, how they’re going to comply with our standards,” Corliss said.

“We need to cooperate with the university and we need to formalize an agreement that protects the city’s interest,” Commissioner David Dunfield said. “It sounds like you’re heading in that direction.”

Historic preservation

A proposed historic preservation chapter for Horizon 2020, the city-county planning guide, took a first step toward approval Tuesday.

The Lawrence City Commission unanimously agreed to send the proposed plan to the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission for review.

The plan, among other details, would require officials to identify and nominate as many local properties as possible to the state and national registers of historic places.

But Commissioner David Dunfield said the city likely would not be able to achieve every element included in the proposed plan.

“This is a document of aspirations,” he said.

The Planning Commission should receive the plan for review by next month.

Amtrak support

The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday approved a letter asking the Kansas congressional delegation to approve Amtrak’s $1.8 billion budget request for 2005.

Commissioners gave approval after hearing from Lawrence resident James Dunn, an Amtrak fan.

“My wife and I have enjoyed being able to access Amtrak service,” Dunn said. “We can actually get on here one morning and the next morning be in Orange County, Calif.”

A congressional subcommittee has recommended Amtrak receive $900 million in 2005; a spokesman has said that level of funding would force the passenger railroad to shut down.

Meeting canceled

The Lawrence City Commission will not conduct its regular meeting next Tuesday, July 27, due to commissioner vacations.

Weekly meetings will resume Tuesday, Aug. 3.