Lawrence Sesquicentennial Commission
Minutes of Meeting
22 October 2003
Lawrence Public Library Auditorium
Clenece Hills, president of the commission, opened the meeting at 4:04 p.m.by leading all in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the meeting of 27 August 2003 were approved as distributed, with a correction to be made by adding information from the Treasurer's report made at the meeting.
Treasurer Hurst reported a balance, as of 24 September 2003, of $46,015.86. There had been two expenditures since the last report: $197.50 to Duke of URL's for work on the Commission web site and $54.68 to reimburse Clenece Hills for the purchase of cookies distributed at a meeting of the City Commission to mark the 149th anniversary of the founding of the city. He reported that no income had been received. The balance, as of 22 October 2003, was $45,763.68. Armitage asked about how to obtain access to the necessary tax exemption information for purchases to be made on behalf of the Commission. The chair and treasurer advised that they gladly will make that information available as needed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the report was accepted as presented.
Bob Schumm, on behalf of the Sister Cities Committee, was invited to address the Commission. He spoke to the coming 15th anniversary of Lawrence's sister city arrangements with cities in Germany and Japan, which the Sister Cities Committee proposes to recognize in coordination with the sesquicentennial celebrations. The Committee will seek funding under the Commission's provision to review requests from the community for special support. He sought informal readings from all present about the concepts he had described and possible interest by the Commission in designating a dinner dance as the "gala" event of the sesquicentennial weekend and thanked all for their attention.
Stuewe reported for the Heritage Committee that they have made progress in preparing a proposal that the Commission to sponsor medallions for public sale, at a modest retail price. He noted the very good work still being done by David Carttar to produce a map of historic Lawrence, still expecting to go to press (estimated 5,000 copies) in December. The Commission intends to present copies to area schools. Armitage and others are well advanced in planning for a heritage garden, expected to be used as the inaugural event of the sesquicentennial season, late in May 2004. Karl Gridley is encouraging the Spencer Museum of Art to consider mounting art of the mid-19th c. founding period. Glenn Kappelman and Madge and Dick Fraley are being encouraged to work on a special postal cancellation offering. Plans are well advanced to remount and prepare new background information about the special 1850s bell held at Lawrence High School.
marci francisco took this opportunity to pass about a copy of the newly published 2004 calendar, by the Lawrence Preservation Alliance.
Mary Burchill reported for the Horizons Committee, and circulated a copy of the proposal from the firm being recommended to undertake the next stage of work for the site northeast of Clinton Dam to commemorate this anniversary. She offered special thanks to Fred DeVictor and Judy Billings for the active engagement throughout, especially during her time away from Lawrence this past summer. A representative of Landplan Engineering, the firm being recommended by the Committee, was on hand to answer questions. It was emphasized that during the next stages of work there would be several opportunities for public comments and suggestions. Armitage suggested that the planners confer closely, among others, with Lawrence Historic Resources, as a representative public body whose members have wide experience and knowledge of relevant issues.
Upon motion of Mary Burchill, seconded by Brower Burchill, the Commission members present voted unanimously to endorse the recommendation of the Horizons Committee that Landplan Engineering be awarded a contract by the City of Lawrence, with funds from the Sesquicentennial Commission's budget, to proceed with design development and prepare construction documents for the site, which is yet to be named by the City Commission. Hills noted that the Sesquicentennial Commission is seeking suggestions for a name for the site, which it will take to the City Commission for action.
Hills reported for the Festivals Committee, and announced that Roger Steinbrock (marketing director for Lawrence Parks and Recreation) has agreed to serve a chair for the group. He was welcomed with applause. She noted that plans for events in the coming year are developing well. She introduced Bob Foster, who described the very promising plans for a parade to be held on September 18th, 2004, with several potential organizations and groups already showing interest in or committing to participate. Kendall Simmons, who is leading a committee to recommend a post-parade set of "birthday party" events, based in South Park, also reported and solicited advice and suggestions. There were questions and suggestions about issues under active review, such as designation of use of tee shirts to promote the celebrations planned.
Hills noted that the next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for 28 January 2004, at 4 p.m., Lawrence Public Library, the eve of Kansas Day.
The meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
WJ Crowe, Secretary
Lawrence Sesquicentennial Commission
Board of Directors
Minutes of Meeting of 21 January 2004
The Board of Directors of the Lawrence Sesquicentennial Commission met on 21 January 2004, at the home of Chair Clenece Hills, 1302 N. 1082 Road, Lawrence, at 3:35 pm.
Present for all or part of the meeting: Carttar, Crowe, Hills (chair), Hurst, Niebaum, Paddock.
The agenda for this meeting included only two items of business: review of applications for funding from individuals and groups in the community and consideration of the initial plans for disseminating information about the sesquicentennial map created by David Carttar and subsequent sales options.
On the first item, the board members discussed at length all applications, considering each in the context of the criteria described in the call for applications.
The board voted to make awards of funds for full or partial support of 12 applications totaling $15,525. The secretary will prepare a letter for the chair to send to each of the successful applicants to notify them of the proposed award and the terms under which funds would be granted. The chair also will send letters of thanks to all whose proposals were not funded.
The board then discussed the sesquicentennial map, early copies of which should be available at the January 28th Commission meeting. It was agreed that, barring an unexpectedly large number of attendees, that those present would receive a copy, gratis. The Commission will pursue rapidly a plan to allow wider dissemination of the map, at not for profit organizations and in retail outlets, as well as arrange for formal presentations to key leaders in the city, state, and nation. (The Commission also will offer copies to Douglas County schools.)
The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted:
WJ Crowe
Secretary