This assignment for my Media Writing for Audiences class had the purpose of seeing if students can take a live event, and turn it into a newsworthy story.
This past Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Lawrence City Commission Meeting took place at 5:45pm at Lawrence City Hall. The meeting was held to address the agenda that the committee had put together, and go over potential revisions of said agenda by hearing from the public and members of the committee.
The commission overheard the proclamation for Small Business Saturday. The executive director of Downtown Lawrence Inc. Sally Zogry attended to receive the proclamation for Small Business Saturday, which is proclaimed to take place on Nov. 26, 2022. Small Business Saturday will serve as a day where the small businesses that encompass downtown Lawrence will be celebrated and appreciated for what they bring to the community.
Mayor Courtney Shipley addressed agenda item D.8 B, the consent to “consider the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) membership and the AHAB bylaws in the appropriate city code and consider making changes or alterations to those documents.” On Oct. 27, the board voted 10-0 to consider the membership of the board. Members of the board continued the conversation about the membership at this meeting.
During public comment, a Lawrence citizen and the committee had a disagreement regarding the revision of the boards. The citizen, Michael, interrupted commissioner Amber Sellers during the meeting multiple times, resulting in Mayor Courtney Shipley ordering for him to be removed from the meeting. Michael accused the committee of being a “dictatorship” before being removed from the room.
Lawrence city commissioner Amber Sellers advocated for a more direct onboarding process for future commissioners. A change to the onboarding process would allow new commissioners to understand what authority they have and the confidence to take action. Sellers mentioned that there is already work being put into streamlining this issue, and she took personal responsibility and effort into reviewing the “relationship between the governing body, community… and the different boards.”
During the public comment, Lawrence resident Chris Flowers advocated for opening up public comment during the election of a mayor and vice mayor in future elections. Lawrence resident Michael addressed certain feelings of inequality he has faced being a business owner in Lawrence. Other residents of Lawrence brought up concerns regarding local businesses, homelessness and concerns regarding the members of the committee.
The Lawrence City Commission Meeting holds meetings the first, second and third Tuesdays of the month and are held in the City Commission Room, First Floor of City Hall, 6 E. 6th Street. Recordings of the meetings can be accessed here.