Bottom line

City commissioners will consider approving an ordinance that would allow people found in possession of small amounts of marijuana to be processed in Municipal Court.

Background

Currently, all marijuana cases in Lawrence must go through the state’s District Court system. The change to Municipal Court would allow students to be convicted of first-time marijuana possession without triggering a federal provision that could put their student aid in jeopardy. Commissioners will review two possible ordinances. One would impose a $300 minimum fine. The other would impose a $100 minimum fine, but also requires that the offender complete a drug evaluation program. Commissioners have considered establishing an ordinance several times within the past few months, but have not been able to agree on what the proper penalty should be. They have said if they can’t reach a consensus this time that they likely will drop the issue and continue to force all offenders to go through the District Court system.

Other business

Consent agenda

¢ approve City Commission meeting minutes.

¢ receive minutes from various boards.

¢ approve all claims.

¢ approve drinking establishment licenses for Chili’s Grill & Bar, 2319 Iowa, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, 3080 Iowa, and Royal Peking Restaurant, 711 W. 23rd St.; retail liquor license for Harper Corner Liquor Store, 2220 Harper St.; and cereal malt beverage license for Holiday Inn, 200 McDonald Drive.

¢ approve appointments as recommended by the mayor.

¢ adopt on first reading an ordinance amending the city code regarding cereal malt beverage licenses to comply with state law.

¢ adopt on second and final reading an ordinance establishing city policy on maintenance of sidewalk and retaining wall along Kasold Drive.

¢ approve the donation of a 1995 Ford ambulance to Lecompton Fire Department.

¢ receive Traffic Safety Commission plan to construct traffic-calming devices on 13th Street between Connecticut Street and Haskell Avenue.

¢ receive offer from Mike Elwell to purchase approximately 1.1 acres of city property adjacent to the First Serve Tennis complex, formerly Sport 2 Sport, 5200 Clinton Parkway, for $26,000.

¢ authorize city manager to execute a cooperation agreement with Kansas University to allow KU to purchase five buses for its park and ride system. The purchase will require no city funding.

¢ approve the bid from Athco Vendor #No. 69 for a Fair Play LED baseball scoreboard with wireless control system for $17,260. There’s no city funding required because the purchase price has been donated by the Gale Armbrister Memorial Committee, which has asked that the board be used at Ice Field at the Holcom Ball Complex.

Regular agenda

¢ consider approving site plan for Lake Pointe Villas, a 42-unit single family development at 2221 Lake Pointe Drive.

¢ receive request from Mayor Highberger to appoint an Affordable Housing Task Force.

¢ receive recommendation from the Recycling and Resource Conservation Board concerning the U.S. Mayor’s Climate protection agreement and Sierra’s Club’s Cool Cities program.

¢ receive staff report concerning possible city ordinance creating a city misdemeanor for possession of marijuana.

¢ receive draft Downtown Beautification plan.

¢ receive staff report concerning 2006 downtown water-line improvement projects.

¢ receive draft policy regarding take-home vehicles for city employees.

¢ commissioners will recess the meeting until 9 a.m. March 2, when the meeting will reconvene for an executive session to conduct the city manager evaluation.