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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2. ADMINISTRATION, ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL, SEC. 2-1. OFFICIAL CITY SEAL, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF LEE’S SUMMIT BY REDEFINING THE OFFICIAL CORPORATE SEAL FOR THE CITY OF LEE’S SUMMIT, JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI.
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Key Issues:
• The existing city seal is defined as a bullock's head. While appropriate in 1911 when the seal was adopted, the agricultural-based design no longer defines the city of Lee's Summit.
• Logo with bust of William B. Howard, created by James Ware in 1976, is an iconic design associated with the City of Lee's Summit. The logo shows the city's history and acknowledges the city's promising future.
Proposed City Council Motion:
FIRST MOTION: I move for second reading.
SECOND MOTION: I move for approval.
Background:
Western communities in the 1800s were settled mainly by farmers and ranchers, stalwart pioneers who wrestled their living from the land in order to survive.
One such pioneer was William B. Howard, who settled in this area in 1851. From his vision, eleven blocks called the "Town of Strother" were platted in 1865.
The area was later incorporated in 1868 as the Town of Lee's Summit. As the population continued to grow, the town was incorporated in 1868 as a Fourth-Class City, becoming the City of Lee's Summit, and the agricultural foundation remained.
The City Clerk is the official “Keeper of the City Seal.” The City Seal is one standard of the City’s identity, and its use is governed by City Administrative Regulations. The seal is used on official City documents having long-term archival value such as City Council meeting ordinances, certified documents, attestation of signatures and other various documents. The City Clerk must approve all uses of the City Seal.
In 1911, the City's Board of Trustees passed an ordinance identifying a city seal that was to be a bullock's head, inscribed with the words "The City of Lee's Summit, Missouri"in Roman capital letters. This proud symbol exemplified the basic roots of area's economy. While the bullock's head seal has served the City of Lee's Summit well, the symbol no longer represents this modern city. A City's seal is maintained by the City Clerk and used to authenticate documents.
During the nation's Bicentennial in 1976, the City conducted a logo contest. Mr. James Ware submitted a winning design that exemplified the city's core,
which was selected to be the city's logo. For many years, this logo was displayed by the City on everything from letterhead to City equipment. This
design was used for the City flag. Most people were unaware that the official City seal and Mr. Ware's design were not the same.
Since the logo that once graced so many facets of the City's business is no longer a part of the City, the City Council is being asked to consider changing
the official City seal from the bullock's head to the design described by the artist as follows:
• The colors of red, white and blue tie in with the national flag.
• The bust of founder William B. Howard faces west, the direction of the country's growth.
• Wide, dark furrows represent the rich soil of the area that was famous for growing abundant crops of fruits and vegetables.
• These furrows culminate in a point which represents the highest point of land between St. Louis and Leavenworth.
• Traversing the furrows is a stylized railroad track, a major contributor to the growth of Lee's Summit.
• The tracks sit on land donated by William Howard, a man concerned for the growth and progress of this community.
• At the apex of the point is the sunrise, representing the promising future of Lee's Summit.
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