City of Lawrence

Cultural District Task Force

June 25, 2013 minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Commissioner Bob Schumm, Grace Peterson, KT Walsh, Mike Logan, Susan Tate, Brenda Nunez
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Jacki Becker, Cindy Maude  Mandy Enfield
STAFF PRESENT:	Diane Stoddard, Tommy Bohler, Britt Crum-Cano
PUBLIC PRESENT:	Several citizens

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Commissioner Schumm called the meeting to order. 

Ms. Tate moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Ms. Walsh.  Motion unanimously approved. 

Ms. Stoddard provided an overview of various economic development tools and financing mechanisms that could possibly fund various projects in the cultural district.  There were a number of questions and discussion about these possible tools.  

Ms. Tate was most interested in the tools which generate operating funding for a cultural district.  The business improvement district (BID) tool and the general fund support would seem to be the best tools for those sorts of expenses. 

Commissioner Schumm added that in addition to general funds, there is also economic development support provided to the Chamber and the hotel/bed tax funds.  Ms. Tate stated that there are many communities proactively funding cultural programs and she believed that the begging model for these items was not appropriate. She believes that this is the time to get serious about this funding.

Ms. Walsh stated that the CDBG funds had funded a lot of sidewalk improvements in east Lawrence and there may not be interest in more funding. 

Regarding the next meeting, July 16 at 4 pm was set.  It was requested that members bring reports from stakeholders regarding what is desired to see in a cultural district. 

The meeting adjourned at 5:09 pm.