[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6343146,"mediaKeyId","2252738-873ad9f8e29c1376f32b3d96ed09f20d","parentId",2252738,"title","Commission approves meeting agenda and consent agenda, 5-0","audioSeconds",286,"startMs",466000,"endMs",752000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252738-873ad9f8e29c1376f32b3d96ed09f20d&start=466&end=752","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252738-873ad9f8e29c1376f32b3d96ed09f20d/thumbnail_466000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6343146/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Commission-approves-meeting-agenda-and-consent-agenda-5-0","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343146-addd1b645379eafe209841ea22c413d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181753&Signature=T-TIVvL-4VRn6kv7sJ~Y6ghAtSVG0n-tVjtMcPJ2Gx0OlwsvMGAJI8QlLquwt8GG~p5U9J1gKSV7SntwtrSWH2O6LAXGWEYSRKaQaQgbjjPC7wUXHb1Ei2i9ynwwq~pXwGtmM6fHYWNHJTb1FBTIPxomrIRgyWHRWamoWFOqb8uXfu0MeQ6YAcCjN~PvKv~7bXpZbnQc1S1aEBhRWIy1rUU4KibANH7WoSPELOn-akLCWhfAp32fuOu90JZBx879nhInnOV202b-mJraA5gUtmBcYbc1ambuNKSpe0oDbxL3rXp6MFwoyjEMjDuKctrmRPdpP4w-xsH2Itd-QZYtRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lawrence , KS","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Lawrence City Commission on Feb. 4 approved the meeting agenda and then approved the consent agenda by unanimous votes.

A motion to approve the agenda was moved by Commissioner Finkelstein and seconded by Commissioner Littlejohn. The motion passed by voice vote, recorded as 5-0.

Later, the commission considered the consent agenda and approved it under one motion. The motion to approve the consent agenda was moved by Finkelstein and seconded by Littlejohn, and passed 5-0.

No items were removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence City Commission Meeting 02/04/25 ","oneSentenceSummary","The Lawrence City Commission unanimously approved the Feb. 4 meeting agenda and the consent agenda. Motions were moved and seconded; both passed 5-0.","taxTitle","Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas","taxId",3971,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6343151,"City seeks consultants for North Lawrence comprehensive corridor study to guide land use, stormwater and economic choices",1849,1630000,3479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252738-873ad9f8e29c1376f32b3d96ed09f20d&start=1630&end=3479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252738-873ad9f8e29c1376f32b3d96ed09f20d/thumbnail_1630000.jpg","/articles/6343151/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/City-seeks-consultants-for-North-Lawrence-comprehensive-corridor-study-to-guide-land-use-stormwater-and-economic-choices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343151-71a68004bb212832dcb88add0128b5b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181753&Signature=Qt2hXgeDPunjssZ3eeSXaDBiWtZqNPTHFR6JVLo534nADP2aU~xzvnnbdsN4o3nlAR-IicHB4pvT1C03OQXk3yQulAvxpFoJaxPH8ydRhxNqdealVhkApaYTNDeaKKA7CET92qBpqj5~7gSVZi17acGz8YN25ChXSYbAdfouzqc5U7uoPAmvQzdjJ40NaI43gVEVrb26W8wIB0AqTUw99sqFQLnqJMI7VGaZSxfcv1FjncTudUOPHdN1niVxxMSnBWdvvcTn6~AttemGNiEwBWCmVvdECgIk-aFOzZ3bxhwRZdEsHk~Wyma1tgPZPN1rlh1ZDGQW76zzE~TdK6VZnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence City Commission heard a detailed scope and timeline for a proposed North Lawrence comprehensive corridor study at its Feb. 4 meeting.

Melissa Seben, director of municipal services and operations, and Jeff Crick of Planning and Development Services presented the proposed scope and anticipated deliverables for a corridor study that staff said has not been conducted comprehensively since the late 1970s and early 1980s. \"The last time North Lawrence or the corridor was studied, as best as we can tell, was sometime in the late seventies and early eighties,\" Crick said, describing the study as a holistic look at land use, transportation, utilities, environmental considerations and economic feasibility.

Staff described the study as including an engagement component to bring city, county and other partner agencies into the process; a review of existing studies and data (stormwater, wastewater, airport master plan, transit and related analyses); a market analysis and economic feasibility assessment; and a refined plan with prioritized implementation steps. Seben said the study is intended to align with the city’s downtown plan, Plan 2040 and the city’s strategic plan, and to integrate sustainability and social-equity outcomes.

Staff said the project is budgeted in two phases: $400,000 in the current fiscal year and $275,000 in 2026, and that they expect an approximately 18-month timeline once a consultant is engaged. Seben said the RFP would be released after staff incorporates commissioner feedback and finalizes the scope. \"We would go ahead and get it out to bid and that would start the process,\" she said.

Commissioners and members of the public emphasized that the scope should include stormwater and drainage planning and should engage relevant outside stakeholders. Commissioner questions prompted staff to confirm that the study would incorporate stormwater modeling and the results of the city’s stormwater asset identification and modeling program so the consultant would not need to duplicate recent city work. One commissioner asked that the Kaw Valley Drainage District be included as a stakeholder; staff agreed to involve appropriate drainage and county partners.

Multiple public commenters and advisory boards voiced support and asked for specific inclusions. Nancy Thalman, a North Lawrence resident, requested inclusion of the Douglas County–City of Lawrence food-system plan and the county open-space plan because the mapped study area extends into Grant Township and rural lands. Hillary Carter, chair of the Connected City Advisory Board, said the advisory board had unanimously recommended approval and asked that the RFP reflect a clear commitment to equity and anti-displacement measures; Seben confirmed staff added that language. Chelsea Hayden, speaking for Grant Township, asked to be an active participant from the outset because much of the mapped area sits in the township and she flagged fire-coverage and budget constraints in the township as issues to consider.

Commissioners discussed how to evaluate proposals and balance the wide range of topics the study could include; staff said the RFP will ask consultants to propose their approach to striking that balance. Commissioners suggested prioritizing rail crossing safety and other near-term safety issues as possible elements to fast-track within the overall effort.

Seben summarized the expected deliverable as a diagnostic and a prioritized, sequenced implementation playbook: a list of recommended steps and prerequisites that translates vision-level ideas into actionable projects. No formal vote was taken; staff will revise the draft scope based on commissioner feedback and proceed toward issuing the RFP.","Staff presented a scope for a comprehensive corridor study for North Lawrence covering transportation, land use, stormwater, economic feasibility and implementation sequencing. The study is intended for RFP release in coming weeks and is budgeted across fiscal years with an estimated 18-month timeline.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6343156,"Commission reviews new economic development website; staff says site is live and editable",848,770000,1618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252738-873ad9f8e29c1376f32b3d96ed09f20d&start=770&end=1618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252738-873ad9f8e29c1376f32b3d96ed09f20d/thumbnail_770000.jpg","/articles/6343156/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Commission-reviews-new-economic-development-website-staff-says-site-is-live-and-editable","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343156-cd0f785a9158291e0af11b6b8d69eff8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181753&Signature=jtl94pBsOrzNazyjX2LsG9xdNLz2ZUCiEWwrrfURqsFodwz1KoEMKfjVxT15zoqmTjSq3jcOh6dFemFiEIt6eWm5ANZerU~XMMo42CBPLwNV9BNxuV9-L9HPHT09xW3pbNVdN8G3QYPwuF7MIZOiwbeXtUUILjCbdK-Qlr9SrGgMsiB-3xi~~sVsvRrTnIIZwybkKR1KUm3iDrjC-ex2cQ2bSrg0z8V612t0nYSbieS3QE3aOTIX5KQtcMaRTT05A94WHsC5FQ5G9YfpYYFM3ybnDVPCMOJ~QpxlCYIYCBbbQUvzmvkGMUwnexBfoL74~tD6scYCMNT4HdbC3RcDJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lawrence City Commission received a demonstration of the city’s new economic development website and marketing materials during its Feb. 4 work session.

Corey Wallace, the city’s director of communications and community relations, told commissioners the website is a launched, editable product that began under the city’s prior economic development director. \"This process began in August of 20 24 under the leadership and direction of Bridal Crum Kano\" and the vendor selected was \"Encore,\" Wallace said. He said the site was intended to be updated as the city's economic strategy evolves.

Wallace said the site groups content for site selectors and small businesses, including available properties, business parks, community data, taxes and infrastructure. He noted collaboration with local partners: \"We did include the Economic Development Corporation alongside the Chamber in kind of building the content of the site, so it reflects a collaborative effort.\" The site also links to local small-business resources such as the KU Small Business Development Center and CORE.

Commissioners tested the site and asked staff to add direct links from partner tiles to partners’ sites and to flag properties that fall inside incentive areas such as opportunity zones. One commissioner said a click-through to partner sites would be useful; Wallace replied it was \"an easy fix\" and within the site’s scope. Another asked that properties in opportunity zones be identified on the interactive map so site users could see which parcels are in incentive areas; Wallace said that marked designations would be a strategic decision but that the change was \"an easy fix from a communications perspective.\"

Wallace said a primary design goal was ease of updating by city staff: \"the vendors that are getting the most robust business are the ones that empower you to make as many changes as you can internally.\" He encouraged commissioners to preview the site and said the incoming economic development director would serve as the direct contact for businesses using the site.

There was no extended public comment on the item. During troubleshooting earlier in the meeting, public commenter Steve( n) Watts—after audio issues were resolved—said he noticed a \"gross improvement\" in Zoom participant experience.

City staff said the website is intended as the start of a conversation with prospective employers and local entrepreneurs; it provides property listings, community information and links to partner resources and can be refined to show incentive designations and other strategic markers.

The commission did not take formal action on the presentation; staff said the page will be updated per commissioners’ requests and remain editable in-house.

Less critical details: Wallace emphasized that the site is search-optimized and that additional edits will follow as the city’s economic strategy is refined. He credited former staff leadership for initiating the project.","City staff introduced a newly launched economic development website developed with vendor Encore and highlighted small-business resources, available-property listings and partner content. Commissioners asked staff to add direct links to partner organizations and to identify properties inside incentive areas.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission approves meeting agenda and consent agenda, 5-0

City seeks consultants for North Lawrence comprehensive corridor study to guide land use, stormwater and economic choices

Commission reviews new economic development website; staff says site is live and editable