Committee advances rewrite of Lawrence noise ordinance to give police a $200 citation and appeals process

The intergovernmental relations committee voted March 10 to send a proposed rewrite of the Lawrence noise ordinance to the full council with a favorable recommendation and to schedule a public hearing. Captain Ariel Montas of the Lawrence Police Department presented the proposal and said the primary goal is enforceability.

Montas told the committee, "the issue with the ordinance ... is that it's unenforceable," and said the draft creates a citation mechanism that would let officers issue a $200 fine that can be paid, appealed to the city clerk for a hearing, or ultimately moved to district court if not resolved. He described the proposal as "simply a mechanism for enforcement" and walked the committee through appeal options and court outcomes.

Councillors asked about practical exceptions (snow removal and early-morning work), the proposed hours (examples discussed included a 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekday window), and how common-party disputes would be handled. Montas said common-sense officer discretion and initial conversations would remain part of the response but that a citation option was necessary for repeat noncompliance. The committee approved forwarding the item to full council and indicated it would be set for a public hearing.