Lawrence Board appoints reserve police sergeant, approves $65,000 inspection contract and adds lawn-care vendor

The Board of Public Works and Safety for the City of Lawrence on March 13, 2025 approved the appointment of Adam Hazelwood as a reserve police officer with the rank of sergeant, approved a $65,000 proposal for part‑time construction inspection services tied to a Community Crossing matching grant, and added Meta Lawn Care LLC to the city’s list of approved vendors for 2025 violation remediation work.

Lieutenant Scott Evans, Lawrence Police Department, told the board that Chief Curtis Bigsby requested Hazelwood’s appointment and summarized Hazelwood’s service history. Evans said Hazelwood grew up in Lawrence, served as a cadet in the early 2000s, worked as a dispatcher from 2007 until February 2014, served as a reserve officer from 2009 to February 2014, was hired full time in February 2014, served as a K‑9 officer and trainer, and rose to the rank of sergeant. Evans said Hazelwood left for another position earlier this year but asked to return as a reserve; "he just can't leave the city of Lawrence. He wants to be here so bad," Evans said. The board approved the appointment by voice vote.

Renee Raffala, operations manager for the Department of Public Works, presented a proposal related to the 2024‑2 Community Crossing matching grant and recommended the midrange option: 524 inspection hours at a total cost of $65,000. Raffala said the low bid of $50,100 "doesn't meet the requirements," and the high bid of $73,100 exceeded what the city should pay; she recommended the $65,000 middle option. The board voted to approve the Shrewsbury CCMG 2024‑2 proposal for part‑time construction inspection services as presented.

On code‑enforcement vendor management, staff said the city already maintains two contractors for 2025 violation remediation and requested adding a third to rotate projects and avoid overloading any single firm. Staff presented Meta Lawn Care LLC as an additional approved vendor; the board approved adding the company by voice vote.

All three approvals were made by motion, second and unanimous voice votes noted on the record as "aye"; no numeric roll call tallies were stated in the transcript. No members of the public addressed the board during the meeting; the meeting adjourned after the votes.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (02/27/2025): approved by voice vote. (Routine) - Appointment: Adam Hazelwood appointed as reserve police officer, rank of sergeant, effective 03/13/2025; motion approved by voice vote. (Requested by Chief Curtis Bigsby; presented by Lieutenant Scott Evans.) - Contract/proposal: Shrewsbury CCMG 2024‑2 — part‑time construction inspection services, 524 hours, $65,000 — approved by voice vote. (Presented by Renee Raffala, DPW.) - Vendor list: Meta Lawn Care LLC added to 2025 violation remediation vendor list — approved by voice vote.

No formal public comments were recorded. The board moved to adjourn after the administrative reports and votes.