University Daily Kansan / Wednesday. September 24, 1986
7
City declares its intent on BID
By JOHN BENNER
Staff writer
Lawrence city commissioners last night unanimously declared their intent to establish a Business Improvement District in the downtown area.
This is the first step in a process that may lead to a city ordinance requiring downtown businesses to pay a fee for salaries, operating expenses and promotions coordinated by the BID.
The commission set aside time at its Oct.28 meeting for a public hearing on the proposed district, a move that must take place before the commission can consider passing a city ordinance to establish a BID.
"We think the BID will create an environment that businesses will want to move into," he said. "Businesses within the BID should be able to band together and choose their own destiny."
Bob Johnson, BID advisory council chairman, said that he didn't think the additional fee would cause businesses to leave the downtown area.
A BID would allow downtown merchants to share the costs of promotions. Saturday KU on Wheels bus service and free parking during the Christmas season.
Fifty-eight percent of the 346 businesses within the proposed district support establishing BID, while the other 42 percent oppose it or are undecided, said Jim Bateman, Downtown Lawrence Association president
The BID advisory board circulated petitions last spring to the businesses in the district.
Johnson said the proposed BID budget of more than $96,000 was not large considering the size of the district. He said mandatory fees would be necessary for the BID to be successful.
Eugene Riling, an attorney whose office would he within the BID, said he was opposed to mandatory fees. He said he thought the budget was unrealistic.
Riling said he was concerned that a business that missed its semi-annual payment to the BID could be fined up to $200 and could be prosecuted by the city.
"The budget allows $5,000 for a clerk typist." Riling said. "You're not going to get anybody for that money. I know, I've hired a few myself."
Commissioner Mike Amyx said, "The idea of prosecution scares the hell out of me."
allow for vacant buildings. He said he thought the budget should be reviewed semi-annually to consider how fees might change if vacant buildings were later occupied by businesses.
Amyx said that he was also concerned that the budget did not
John Ralston, 940 Rhode Island St., he thought that the BID area was too broad and would invite businesses to move into his block, which he said was mainly a residential neighborhood.
"If the BID could be this broad," Ralston said. "I think it could be gerrymandered to include the Alvamar neighborhood."
"At any time, a 51 percent vote by the merchants can abolish the BID." Johnson said.
Johnson said that the BID had safeguards to prevent it from hurting the downtown area.
Riling said this provision could not easily be met, and pointed out that Downtown Lawrence Association members said they had spent months gaining the needed majority of supporting votes on their petition to establish the BID.
Commissioner Howard Hill said he would vote to declare the intent to establish a BID because there were many steps remaining before the commission would have to decide whether the BID would become a city ordinance.
The University Affairs Committee of the Student Senate unanimously approved a bill last night that would give some direction to a proposed campus safety board.
Committee OKs safety board bill
Staff writer
By CRAIG HERRMANN
Kelly Milligan and Brady Stanton, Nunemaker senators, proposed earlier this month a bill for forming a campus safety board and a companion bill, which states the goals of the proposed board.
Milligan said yesterday that the companion bill approved last night would give guidance to the proposed board in its initial stages.
The safety board would be a University-wide board, responsible for evaluating all campus safety programs and suggesting new ones.
The Student Senate Rights Committee approved Monday the proposal for a safety board and sent the proposal to the full Senate.
"We found the current safety policy here at the University lacking." said Milligan.
The companion bill suggests that the board review safety and security programs that have been successful at the University of Kansas.
Milligan said that last night was the first time the committee had considered the companion bill. Now, the companion bill will accompany the main proposal on the agenda of tonight's Senate meeting, he said.
If the Senate approves the proposal, the board would meet for the first time no later than Nov. 1.
Milligan, Topeka junior, and Stanton, Prairie Village sophomore, suggested 11 programs for review, including the Campus Security Corps/Student Patrols program; a nighttime escort service, and a WhistleStop program, which in the past provided students with whistles to summon help in emergencies.
"Programs like WhistleStop fell apart after a few years because of the lack of proper organization and guidance." Milligan said.
The board would be responsible for recommending at least one of the proposed safety programs to the Student Senate.
The companion bill also states that the safety board must present a long-term plan to the Student Senate no later than March 15, 1987, outlining possible improvements in campus safety.
On campus
*Dale Rummer, professor of electrical engineering, will give a speech called "Electrical Safety: A Matter of Life and Death," at 11:40 a.m. today at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave.
The KU Pre-Med Club will meet at 7 p.m. today in the Art Gallery in the Kansas Union.
The KU Kempo Karate and Self Defense Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. today in room 130 in Robinson Hall
The Dr. Who Appreciation Society will meet at 7 p.m. today in the Walnut Room of the Kansas Union.
Campus Christians will meet at 6:30 p.m. today in Parlor C of the Kansas Union.
The KU Dungeons and Dragons Club will meet at 7 p.m. today in the Trail Room of the Kansas Union.
tions from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow in the Walnut Room of the Kansas Union.
Gay and Lesbian Services of Kansas will sponsor a conference of Kansas gay and lesbian organiza-
Le Cercle Francais will meet at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow in the French department lounge on the second floor of Wescos Hall.
The KU Soccer Club will practice at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at the University soccer fields at 23rd and Iowa streets.
GAMMONS Just Crossed The Border
- $1.00 CORONAS
• $1.00 SHOTS (That includes C)
Director: Howard Hawks
Cary Grant plays a city editor who talks a reporter (Rosalind Russell) into interviewing a man who is soon to be executed. A classic film based on the play "The Front Page."
Tonight
7:00 p.m.
--involvement and leadership in campus and community activities
Coming Tomorrow "Moonlighting"
Woodruff Aud.
$2.00
Navy Pilot
25¢ draws every Thursday
- Be sure to pick up your October calendar in tomorrow's paper.
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Apply now for aviation training with the Navy AVROC Program. If you are selected, you will be guaranteed flight training upon graduation. No obligation until you accept a commission.
Call Navy Officer Programs for more details toll free 1-800-821-5110 Mon - Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Minimum 2.5 GPA Maximum age 25 U.S. citizen Physically fit Full time student Completed at least 45 semester hours
TONIGHT
Reggae Party Featuring:
Grammy Award Nominated
BLUE RIDDIM BAND
SENIORS Announcing Hilltoppers
The Jayhawker Yearbook is happy to announce the Hilltopppers. The Hilltopper Awards were established in the 1930's as the Jayhawker's way of recognizing those seniors who have made high calibre contributions to the University and/or the Lawrence community and consistently displayed unselfish, responsible leadership in non-academic areas of campus life. The award was reestablished in 1984 in order that outstanding seniors may once again be recognized.
Criteria for selection includes:
—unselfish service to the campus and community
—respect of the nominee's peers as well as his or her professors
—references that can address the quality of the nominee's service
-a GPA of around 3.0, however grades will not play an extremely important part in the selection
The nominations will be screened by a committee that includes KU faculty, student representatives, and the Jayhawker staff. Anyone can nominate a senior for this award and seniors can nominate themselves by picking up an application. Nomination forms and applications will be available at the SUA Office, 4th Floor Kansas Union, and the Yearbook Office, Jayhawk Towers, 003A. Deadline for acceptance of nominations is Mon., Oct. 13, and the deadline for applications is Tues., Nov. 4, 1986.
nineteen hundred eighty-seven
JAYHAWKER