Memorandum

City Attorney’s Office

City of Lawrence

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Toni R. Wheeler, City Attorney
C:	Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Managers
Date:	February 7, 2013
RE:	Letters to Douglas County Legislative Delegation on Local Elections, Local Budgeting Process,  the Regulation of the Carrying of Concealed Handguns in City Facilities, and Local Employee Groups

Please place the attached draft letters regarding legislation pending in the Kansas Legislature on the City Commission’s agenda for consideration.  The letters relate to bills that would 1) move local elections from the spring to the fall; 2) potentially restrict the city’s ability to raise its mill levy; 3) restrict a city’s ability to prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons in public buildings like City Hall and Lawrence Municipal Court; and 4) change or interfere with the manner in which the city negotiates agreements on wages, fringe benefits or working conditions with its employee groups.   The letters are consistent with the 2013 City of Lawrence Legislative Priority Statement, approved by the Lawrence City Commission on December 11, 2012. 

Action Requested:  Authorize the Mayor to send letters, in substantially the form of the attached letters, to the Douglas County legislative delegation concerning local elections, the city’s budget process, the regulation of the carrying concealed handguns in city buildings and facilities, and local employee groups.