Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
CC:	Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager
Date:	April 19, 2011
RE:	Request from American Fallen Warrior Memorial Foundation

Please place the following item on the City Commission agenda for May 3, 2011:

Consider request from the American Fallen Warrior Memorial Foundation, and provide direction to staff, if appropriate.

Background:

The City of Lawrence received a letter from the American Fallen Warrior Memorial Foundation (AFWMF) in March 2011, seeking interest from the City regarding the possibility of being a site for a future war memorial in honor of those who have perished in conflicts including the Gulf War to the present and also seeking appropriate sites for the project.  The letter provides details regarding the site requirements.  The Foundation is generally seeking a site adjacent to I-70, served with utilities, and which is 14-20 acres in size. 

The Foundation has also provided some estimates related to the overall project cost to build the memorial and a sheet outlining site requirements.

Staff understands from a news release received from the Foundation that the memorial will be constructed in Kansas.  Also, the City received a follow up letter in mid-April indicating that several other Kansas cities have been approached by the Foundation regarding the memorial site. 

Staff has visited with the AFWMF and has informally indicated that the City itself does not currently own or control land parcels which would meet the requirements of I-70 access and the acreage required. 

Options and Suggested Action:

It appears that the City Commission has several options related to the inquiry/request.  The City Commission could authorize the Mayor to send a letter of general support for the project, yet indicate that the City does not currently have the land required to satisfy the request, or the City Commission could direct staff to provide a more aggressive response which aims to meet the site requested.  Staff recommends sending a letter of general support at this time, and has prepared a draft letter for the City Commission’s consideration.

Possible Motion:

Authorize the Mayor to submit a letter of response to the American Fallen Warrior Memorial Foundation indicating the City’s general support for the future war memorial and indicating that the City currently does not have the land under its ownership or control that would meet the site requirements.