RESOLUTION NO. 7021

A RESOLUTION REPEALING AND REPLACING RESOLUTION NO. 7017, OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCE, KANSAS ESTABLISHING A CULTURAL DISTRICT TASK FORCE FOR THE CITY OF LAWRENCE

Whereas, the City Commission established a cultural district in Lawrence bound by 15^th Street on the south, the Burroughs Creek Trail on the east, the Kansas River on the north and Kentucky Street on the west; and

Whereas, designating this cultural district will enhance local cultural entities in securing grant funding for projects and encourage cultural and arts economic development opportunities; and

Whereas, this cultural district, in order to maintain the value of the area, should have improved pedestrian access and safety, maintain the current unique cultural and social-economic mixture currently represented, and be a destination for visitors to Lawrence; and

Whereas, this cultural district and a community-wide cultural arts plan can enhance in Lawrence several important community goals, including economic development, the attractiveness of Lawrence and the community’s quality of life, and enhancing the vitality of various parts of the Lawrence community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCE, KANSAS:

Section 1.       There is hereby established the Cultural District Task Force, hereinafter referred to as the “Task Force.” The Task Force shall have the mission and role as hereinafter established.

Section 2.       The Task Force shall be composed of seven (7) eight (8) residents of the City of Lawrence, as recommended by the Mayor and appointed by the City Commission. The composition of the Task Force shall include a diverse representation of the Lawrence community, including two (2) members from the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission, two (2) members from the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association, one (1) from the Lawrence Arts Center, one (1) from Downtown Lawrence, Inc., one (1) individual appointed to represent the public at-large, and one (1) Lawrence City Commission representative.

Section 3.       The Task Force shall have a primary focus on identifying three (3) cultural arts district models that combine private, public and grant funding to support improvements to the district, as well as initiating a broader community-wide cultural arts plan. The Task Force shall organize its work in such a way to provide a report on findings and recommendations by October 31, 2013. The work of the Task Force shall include identification of three (3) cultural district models that combine private, public and grant funding to support improvements in cultural districts. Additionally, the following questions will be examined:  What are the best practices for making necessary improvements in cultural districts?  How can the cultural district maintain its unique cultural and socio-economic mix?  What existing cultural organizations play a role in the creative economy of Lawrence? What existing policies currently govern the creative economy? What recommendations for changes in policies and practices are appropriate to enhance the creative economy of Lawrence?

Section 4.       The Task Force shall conduct all meetings in public sessions. The Task Force may organize subcommittees to conduct specific reviews and inquiries, with such subcommittee work to also be conducted in public sessions. The Task Force shall provide a report on findings and recommendations by October 31, 2013.

Section 5.       This Resolution repeals and replaces Resolution No. 7017 establishing a Cultural District Task Force.

Adopted this 2^nd day of April, 2013.

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Robert J. Schumm, Mayor

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Jonathan M. Douglass, City Clerk