Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Britt Crum-Cano, Economic Development Coordinator
CC:	Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager
Date:	June 14, 2012
RE:	Creation of a Joint Economic Development Council (JEDC)

Please place the following item on the June 19, 2012 City Commission agenda:

Receive follow up information regarding the creation of a Joint Economic Development Council (JEDC) and direct staff to draft an ordinance to create the JEDC, if appropriate.

Background and Discussion:

At the City Commission meeting on May 8, 2012, the City Commission received a request from the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce to consider the establishment of a Joint Economic Development Council (JEDC).  The City Commission discussed the item and requested that staff answer various questions regarding the proposal. 

Since the May 8 meeting, staff of the partner organizations have met and developed a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to address various questions and concerns about the creation of the JEDC, and to provide general information about economic development activities.  Also, the proposed membership of the JEDC has been refined to include some modifications to the original proposal, such as the addition of two community representatives appointed by the City Commission and two community representatives appointed by the County Commission. 

The next steps, should the City Commission wish to proceed, is the consideration of an ordinance to formally establish the JEDC.  If direction to proceed is provided, staff will draft the ordinance for consideration at a future City Commission meeting.

Requested Action:

Receive follow up information regarding the creation of a Joint Economic Development Council (JEDC) and direct staff to draft an ordinance to create the JEDC, if appropriate.