Agenda Item Report City Commission - Jan 19 2021 Department Staff Contact City Attorney's Office Toni R. Wheeler, City Attorney Recommendations Discussion of the letter received by Lynn Williams, Chairwoman of the Kaw Nation requesting return of the Big Red Rock currently situated in Robinson Park, and direct staff as appropriate. Executive Summary Attached please find the letter Chairwoman Lynn Williams of the Kaw Nation wrote to the Mayor regarding the red rock located in Robinson Park. In the letter, Chairwoman Williams explained that the Big Red Rock, as it is commonly known, is sacred to the Kaw people. Chairwoman Williams also relayed in her letter that the Kaw Nation citizens voted at a quarterly General Council meeting of the Kaw Nation in October 2020, in favor of having the Big Red Rock returned to the Kaw people. Chairwoman Williams, on behalf of the Kaw Nation, requested the rock’s return to the Kaw Nation. At its meeting on December 9, 2020, the City Commission discussed the letter. The City Commissioners were receptive to Chairwoman Williams’ request and directed staff to schedule a discussion of it at a future City Commission meeting. Research performed by the City Attorney’s Office identified no legal barriers to the City’s ability to return the rock to the Kaw Nation. Staff recommends confirming the agreement of the Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County because the rock is located on land set forth and designated in historical records of the City and County. Preliminary discussions with County Administrator Sarah Plinsky have been positive. A new County Commission was seated on January 11th and at the time of writing this report, the Board of County Commissioners had not discussed this matter but Ms. Plinsky indicated they would be willing to do so in the future. Community members have expressed support for the Kaw Nation’s request. The Commission has received correspondence from the community offering to assist the City, with time and funds, to support the return of the Big Red Rock. There may be grant funds or community donations that may cover a portion of or all of the costs of relocating the rock. The City could assist in the Kaw Nation’s application for a grant by writing a letter of support, or if appropriate, by joining in a grant application. Staff can work with partners to explore such grant opportunities, if it is the Commission’s desire. The City Commission could move forward with the request. Next steps could include the following: 1. Authorize the Mayor to send a formal written response to the Kaw Nation acknowledging Page 1 of 18 receipt of Chairwoman Williams’ request and expressing an intention to work with the Kaw Nation and other community partners to relocate the rock; 2. Direct staff to prepare a joint resolution of the City Commission and Board of County Commissioners for approval by both governing bodies stating the intention to relinquish the rock to the Kaw Nation and to work collaboratively on the Project; 3. Direct staff to continue to work with representatives of the Kaw Nation and other community partners on the project, including exploring grant opportunities to cover costs associated with its relocation and related costs, developing preliminary plans for moving the rock, including any community events associated with the move; and 4. Direct staff to report back to the Commission regarding progress on the project periodically. Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor Effective Governance/Professional Administration Collaborative Solutions Fiscal Impact The fiscal impact to the City is unknown at this time. This item was not in the 2021 City budget and CIP. 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Si: 8 Son» oo=m_uoSn<o_<SE. <0: mam<05. aoE.omo=.B:<nmE :3 want; 3:35 nomco?aa ooouonwmo:8 ammo:msuzzomia oo=o_=m.o::5" _.mmm:9emo8Q8 m:Eziam.Cue: 3:33 £30503. <<0 <<o_ooBa Ea E:.mo€m:o=cw2:2 2.52 _.=::mvuooomm. O: _...a_§_w omEa oENo=momEa Wmé Zmaou.HEmsw<0: 3. 22:. 38:20: .8 :5 5.833 Eamon. E38 noson:am:m8 8 noimo? Ba 3 V55. 03:8» oo=<oEo=oo. mmsoonoaw .rMV,:\X\.«(Wm m\&.\.x} CB: €_._:E=m. O:B2<cBm= W32 235: O9 ._m3om $36.. Eon? Page 4 of 18 Harrison Hall From: Roger Holden <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, January 18, 2021 6:43 PM To: City Commission Agendas Subject: Big Red Rock issue External Email. Be careful with links and attachments. - City of Lawrence IT Helpdesk As a resident of Lawrence since 1972, I am wanting to express my support for returning the sacred Big Red Rock to the Kaw Nation. It belongs to them, not to Lawrence. I encourage the City Commision to find and support avenues of financial resource that will lead to the moving of the Big Red Rock to the Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park in Council Grove, Kansas. Sincerely, Roger Holden 1 Page 5 of 18 Harrison Hall From: Emily Lysen <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, January 18, 2021 9:04 AM To: City Commission Agendas Subject: Big Red Rock to Council Grove External Email. Be careful with links and attachments. - City of Lawrence IT Helpdesk I wanted to write my support of moving this rock back to the Kanza people. If funding is needed, I, and many other community members, will help fund this! Thank you, Emily Lysen 1 Page 6 of 18 Harrison Hall From: Susan Brosseau <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2021 8:33 PM To: City Commission Agendas Subject: Big Red Rock External Email. Be careful with links and attachments. - City of Lawrence IT Helpdesk We are in favor of returning the big red rock to the Kaw Nation. We see no reason that the City should keep it. Susan Brosseau Bill Kalinich 2133 Terrace Rd. Lawrence 66049 785-760-2346 1 Page 7 of 18 Harrison Hall From: Suzan Hampton <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, January 18, 2021 1:19 AM To: City Commission Agendas Cc: Suzan Hampton Subject: In favor of supporting the return of the Big Red Rock External Email. Be careful with links and attachments. - City of Lawrence IT Helpdesk Dear Mayor and Commissioners, I'm in favor of the City of Lawrence helping facilitate and raise grant funding to return the Kaw Nation's cultural legacy to them.