[Electronic-lan] Draft March minutes

[Gary Webber]

Dear LAN listserve recipients,

I have attached the draft minutes for the March 21 meeting and included them
in the body of this message.  They will be considered for approval at the
April 18 meeting.  

Next meeting:

7:00 pm

Wednesday, April 18

Meeting Room C, Lawrence Public Library

Best,

Gary Webber

LAN Secretary

  _____  

Draft Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods Minutes

Lawrence Public Library, Meeting Room C

March 21st, 2018 7:00 p.m.

Announcements: Introductions. 

Becky Pepper, City of Lawrence Planning and Development Services; Bob
Tryanski, Douglas County Administration; Bonnie Uffman, Barker neighborhood
resident; Candice Davis, Oread Residents Association representative; Cindy
Suenram, East Lawrence Neighborhood Association representative; Courtney
Shipley, Dad Perry Park/Kasold; Dustin Stumblingbear, Pinckney Neighborhood
Association representative; Eric Kirkendall, Old West Lawrence Association;
Gary Webber, Sunset Hill Neighborhood Association co-representative; Jane
Gibson, Barker Neighborhood Association representative; Jim Carpenter,
Planning Commission Member; Joanna Harader, Jail No; Ken McGovern, Dg.
County Sheriff; Kyle Thompson, Oread Neighborhood Association; Lisa Larsen,
Lawrence City Commission / West Hills neighborhood resident; Melinda
Henderson, Brook Creek Neighborhood Association representative; Patrick
Schmitz, Bert Nash; Patrick Wilbur, Jail No; Phil Collison, East Lawrence
Neighborhood Association; Steve Lopes, Citizens for a Better Douglas County;
Suzanne Mills, Hills West Homes Neighborhood Association representative;
Travis Harrod, Springwood Heights representative; We Houk, Douglas County

*	The cities affordable housing study is online, please complete it.
<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LawrenceHsg2018>
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LawrenceHsg2018 
*	Jail tours are available on Saturdays, possible to register online,
<http://www.dgso.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=165:safe-d
isposal-of-medication-program&catid=1:latest>
http://www.dgso.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=165:safe-di
sposal-of-medication-program&catid=1:latest .  

Approve: February, October LAN minutes - February minutes changes; four
neighborhoods involved in 19th street coalition, as listed. Courtney
seconded to adjourn in February. Gary misattributed a request for
information in neighborhood reports, deleted the reference. No changes to
October minutes.  Dustin moved to approve both monthly minutes, Cindy
seconded, passed unanimously.

Treasurer's Report: Cindy Suenram - Four new neighborhood members and one
individual.  $2645.11 balance in LAN account.

Update from City Planning Department: Becky Pepper, city planner - See
neighborhood updates at  <https://lawrenceks.org/pds/lan17/>
https://lawrenceks.org/pds/lan17/.

Updates:

Sidewalks - Gary reported that after good commission discussion and numerous
public comments, each commissioner provided feedback to the Sidewalk Hazard
Repair Policy.  The City Manager promised to clarify questions posed by
commission and return the policy at a later date.  Courtney asked about
questions she believed the commissioners had expressed, and whether there
would be changes.  Lisa understood that changes would require a vote, and
since no vote was taken, no changes were forthcoming.  Bonnie stated that
many problems were discussed that were not addressed.  Melinda suggested
that citizens could initiate a referendum to increase sales tax to pay for
sidewalk repair.

19th street - A 19th street study session is scheduled for a special session
of the Transportation Commission, 6:00 pm, March 29, 2018. Lisa clarified
that the MPO board voted to include the 19th street project in 2018 street
redo projects.  The design will be determined later.  The project must still
be discussed by the transportation commission and by the commission.

Speakers: will be addressing the Douglas County sales tax ballot initiative.
10 minutes for each group.

Bob Tryanski, Douglas County Director of Behavioral Health Projects (
<https://www.douglascountyks.org/> https://www.douglascountyks.org/) - some
years ago, discussion began on improving and expanding jail facilities.  At
about the same time, discussion began on mental health services in the jail
and diversion possibilities.  Bob suggests that the initiatives required are
much larger than just a crisis intervention center, including but not
limited to more data about who is in jail and why, support at all phases of
arrest and incarceration, support for diverted individuals, intervention,
recovery, prevention, extension of WRAP program into county, and a detox
facility.  Also, the county needs to make supportive housing a priority.
The suggested plan now includes crisis center and three tiers of supportive
housing. 

Wes Houk, Captain, Douglas County Sheriff's Office ( <http://www.dgso.org/>
http://www.dgso.org/) - County inmate population has increased due to an
increase in violent crime.  Judges have large caseloads; speedy trial has
gone from 30 to 120 days.  The recidivism rate has increased.  The county
has tried a number of strategies to reduce the population, including
pretrial release, house arrest, behavioral health court, diversions, AID
program screening.  The rate of incarceration is well below the average in
the state and nation.  The sheriff's office started including Bert Nash
personnel in jail in 2001.  A reentry program began in 2007 to reduce
recidivism.  The jail is experiencing staffing and space challenges.

Patrick Wilbur, Joanna Harader, Jail No ( <https://jailno.org/>
https://jailno.org/) - JN believes we have done much, but can do more to
reduce jail population.  The county is incarcerating minorities at a higher
rate than demographics.  We should make every effort to reduce our jail
population before determining the nature and scope of any facility
renovations needed at the jail.  We should address racial disparity and
problems in incarceration before we expand the jail.  Property tax mill levy
has been rising since 2009; the county should have been more cognizant of
the mill levy increases before proposing a sales tax increase. JN believes
the budget should be reduced before sales taxes are increased.  They believe
that the jail and crisis center should be voted on separately. $164 M
estimated cost for the jail over the next 20 years. Sales tax is regressive,
not the best funding mechanism.

Steve Lopes, Citizens for a Better Douglas County (
<http://www.betterdouglascounty.com/> http://www.betterdouglascounty.com/) -
Steve works with people at Headquarters who need mental health services and
face a long waiting list.  Steve is working to develop a company to provide
woodworking jobs for convicted persons.  CFBDC are advocating for passage of
the sales tax.  This discussion is about our neighbors and how we treat
them.  The lack of empathy in those opposed to the sales tax is appalling.
CFBDC prefers that LAN not take a vote for or against.   

Discussion:  

*	Candice stated that information was helpful, and that health
services and county jail have worked well together.  Prevention comes from
resources, which the sales tax provides. 
*	Travis commented that he has a long history in prosecution.  One
major choke point has not been addressed; those accused of high level
felonies and other offences spend far too long in jail prior to trial.
However, there seems to be no planned increase in prosecutorial or defense
staff, or in judicial positions.  Also, chemical dependency and mental
health issues are endemic in this population.
*	Melinda asked speakers about a process to decouple the two sales tax
questions.  She believes it is not possible at this late date.  Also, 0.25
percent tax would not be enough to cover the cost of either the jail
expansion or the crisis center. 
*	Erik asked this question of the county.  Why is the explanation for
African Americans jailed at 18% compared to 4% of population?  Sherriff
McGovern stated that out-of-town detainees are affecting this.  They are
currently studying this disparity and trying to find ways to correct it.  
*	Dustin stated that this is a national problem, not just a county
problem.  The city has implemented programs on non-biased policing, and
other initiatives to address this.  
*	Steve L. stated that racial bias has nothing to do with the sales
tax referendum.  Expansion of the jail has nothing to do with this issue.
Erik disagreed.  Dustin asked what efforts JN has made at city and state
levels to correct the racial disparity.  Joanna responded that she has made
no such contacts. Dustin asked if we do not have the responsibility to care
for those accused of crimes and to help them return to the community.
Joanna replied that she would like as few people as possible to be
incarcerated, and that incarcerating them is not compassionate.  Dustin
stated that a majority of the funds will go towards mental health services,
and that if we do not fund them, we are not able to provide the support we
should.  
*	Bob stated that there are no beds in jail for mental health
patients.  The planned crisis center and jail have facilities that are much
more conducive to recovering from mental health issues.  The current
facilities to not meet the needs of 50-70 detainees per day who must be
relocated outside of the county.  These are the best behaved.  We can do
better for those incarcerated, and we owe it to them to do so.
*	Rob asked questions about our current facility.  The current
facility opened in 1999 with the expectancy that facility would be maxed by
2010.  New facility may have expectancy of 10 years.  Rob asked about
improvements to current facility.  A number of improvements will be made.
It is really an expansion and remodel.  

Neighborhood reports: 

Deferred until April meeting

Cindy moved to adjourn, Gary seconded, motion passed.

 

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