Members of the City of Lawrence’s Housing Initiatives Division requested the city spend $8.29 million left from federal COVID-19 relief funds on housing solutions, but city commissioners stopped short of adopting that recommendation Tuesday.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lisa Larsen, the longest-serving current city commissioner, is mayor again, and Bart Littlejohn was selected as vice mayor Tuesday evening.
Tricia Masenthin/Lawrence Times
When Chris Sanders and Amanda Unruh bought their Lawrence home, they knew the historic property would need myriad renovations and repairs. They never imagined the long odyssey that would unfold in their quest to protect their family and home.
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday deferred an amendment to city code that would have allowed John Brown’s Underground to keep operating — but they want to look at ways to expand the opportunity to other businesses, too.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Business owners, housing advocates, and housed and unhoused community members filled Lawrence City Hall on Tuesday to speak out about the city’s handling of homelessness and management of the camp behind Johnny’s.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Winter is coming fast, and many Lawrence community members are unhoused. Downtown stakeholders have come together to push the city to find solutions, but city staff members say right now they’re limited in what they can do.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Megan Stuke said she’s usually frustrated, exhausted and probably a little angry when Lawrence city commissioners hear from her — but on Tuesday night, she was “simply hopeful and really happy about the progress that we’ve made.”
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider water, sewer, solid waste and stormwater rate increases, and assess possible ways to expand a program to help financially stressed residents pay their bills.
A revised draft of a city ordinance would limit general public comment during Lawrence City Commission meetings to 30 minutes total and require advance signup, and it suggests that comments won’t be livestreamed. It also adds more specific language regarding decorum and restricts the public’s ability to request that items be removed from the consent agenda.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Jennifer Adams is anxious. She soon has to relocate the tent where she currently lives nestled near a shade tree. In the year and a half Adams has been homeless, the city has swept her camps six times, she said.
