Mayor addresses City Hall fatal shooting incident

Consultant selected to lead city manager search

Commission approves temporary short-term rental rules for 2026 World Cup

Sunset clause and stiffer penalties added to World Cup rental ordinance

Commission reviews proposed affordable housing incentive policy

Commission discusses infrastructure impact of new development plat

Commissioners approve supportive housing contract on split vote

Eudora presents plans for two major housing developments

County staff raises concerns over administrative burden of RHIDs

Advisory board established for Blackjack Battlefield

Mayor addresses City Hall fatal shooting incident

Lawrence, KS — Opening the regular meeting on Tuesday, Mayor Brad Finkeldei addressed the fatal shooting that occurred at Lawrence City Hall the previous morning, emphasizing that the safety and well-being of city staff remain the governing body's top priority.

The incident began around 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, when an intruder—identified as 28-year-old Omar Dominguez Gavilan of Buffalo, Minnesota—forced entry through a back door and accessed a secure area on the building’s fourth floor. According to the Lawrence Police Department, Gavilan broke a window to enter the restricted office space near the City Manager's office. When confronted by staff, a physical altercation ensued, during which an armed city employee, identified as a court security officer, shot Gavilan. The intruder, who was later confirmed to be unarmed, was pronounced dead at the scene.

While specific details of the confrontation were not fully disclosed pending an ongoing investigation, the mayor reassured the community that City Hall remains safe and operational. He thanked the police department and first responders for their rapid response. The City Commission held a 15-minute executive session prior to the regular meeting to discuss security measures pursuant to state law.

Consultant selected to lead city manager search

Lawrence, KS — The mayor announced that Doug Thomas of Strategic Government Resources has been selected as the consultant to lead the search for the new city manager. Thomas, a former city manager with experience in university communities, will visit the city soon to build a position profile by meeting with commissioners, senior staff, and community stakeholders. Commissioners were asked to identify key community members for the consultant to interview to ensure a broad range of input on the desired attributes for the next city manager.

Commission approves temporary short-term rental rules for 2026 World Cup

Lawrence, KS — To accommodate an expected influx of visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the City Commission unanimously voted to temporarily relax short-term rental regulations. The amendments allow property owners and apartment complexes to bypass the current three-unit cap and offer non-owner-occupied rentals from late May through July 2026. Staff noted that existing inspections for long-term rentals would be honored through reciprocity to streamline the licensing process during the event window.

Sunset clause and stiffer penalties added to World Cup rental ordinance

Lawrence, KS — While approving the temporary World Cup rental expansion, commissioners directed staff to initiate a text amendment ensuring the program strictly sunsets on July 26, 2026. The commission also requested that staff develop enhanced penalties and fines for operators who continue renting units illegally after the expiration date or fail to properly license their units.

Commission reviews proposed affordable housing incentive policy

Lawrence, KS — During a work session, commissioners provided direction on a new affordable housing incentive policy designed to prioritize deep affordability and long-term community benefits. The proposed policy suggests tiered incentives, including tax breaks and fee waivers, for projects that commit to 99-year affordability periods and provide units for households at 30 percent of the area median income. Commissioners expressed broad support for prioritizing perpetual affordability and "missing middle" housing while requesting flexibility to ensure viable projects are not disqualified by rigid requirements.

Commission discusses infrastructure impact of new development plat

Lawrence, KS — In a 5–0 vote, the commission accepted utility easements and rights-of-way for a final plat located at East 23rd Street and O’Connell Road, a key growth corridor in the eastern part of the city. The approval sparked a discussion regarding the city's infrastructure capacity, specifically whether sewer and stormwater systems can support continued growth in the southeast Lawrence area.

Commissioner Amber Sellers raised concerns about the aggregate impact of density on the existing lift stations, asking for assurance that the downstream infrastructure could handle the additional load. City management and Municipal Services & Operations staff assured the commission that the city's wastewater master plans and capital improvement projects are designed to project loads decades in advance to accommodate such developments, confirming that the current system has adequate capacity for the new subdivision.

Commissioners approve supportive housing contract on split vote

LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve a 2026 service agreement addendum with Mental Health America of the Heartland for $519,552. The agreement consolidates the county's flexible housing pool and permanent supportive housing programs under one provider, following a transition away from Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. The scope includes managing master leases for 12 households. Commissioner Erica Anderson voted against the motion, expressing concern over the significant increase from a previously discussed figure of approximately $164,000 and questioning the new provider's capacity. To address these concerns, the approved motion requires Mental Health America of the Heartland to present a status update at a work session prior to the 2027 budget hearings.

Eudora presents plans for two major housing developments

EUDORA, Kan. - Eudora City Manager Zack Daniel presented plans for two proposed Reinvestment Housing Incentive Districts designed to spur residential development. The projects, Holladay Woods and Shadow Ridge North, would collectively add nearly 265 single-family homes and duplex units to the area. Under the proposal, property taxes would be capped at current rates for taxing entities, while the incremental increase in tax revenue generated by the new homes would reimburse developers for infrastructure costs over a 20-year period. The commission took no action, as the presentation was for informational purposes ahead of a 30-day review period for the county and school district.

County staff raises concerns over administrative burden of RHIDs

LAWRENCE, Kan. - During the discussion on Eudora's proposed housing districts, County Administrator Sarah Plinsky noted that Reinvestment Housing Incentive Districts create a significant administrative burden for county staff. Plinsky explained that the county's software cannot systematically process these districts, requiring staff to manually handle tax bills for each property involved. While acknowledging the need for housing development, Plinsky indicated the county is researching whether to implement administration fees for future RHID projects to offset the staff time required to manage the complex tax structures.

Advisory board established for Blackjack Battlefield

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. - Commissioners unanimously approved a charter to create a seven-member advisory board for the Blackjack Battlefield and Nature Park. The property, now jointly owned by Douglas County and Baldwin City, requires a strategic vision for stabilization and future programming. The temporary board will consist of three appointees from the county, three from Baldwin City and the executive director of the Douglas County Historical Society. The board is tasked with developing short-term and long-term recommendations for the historic site within approximately one year.

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