Title
An Ordinance authorizing execution of a Public Service Agreement by and between the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and the Junior College District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri for support of the MCC-Longview Literary Festival and authorizing the Mayor to execute the same by and on behalf of the city. (NOTE: First reading by City Council on November 6, 2018. Passed by unanimous vote.)
Body
Issue/Request:
An Ordinance authorizing execution of a Public Service Agreement by and between the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and the Junior College District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri for the support of the MCC-Literary Festival and authorizing the Mayor to execute the same by and on behalf of the city.
Key Issues:
The Lee's Summit Arts Council is a City board which exists for the purpose of supporting and collaborating with Lee's Summit arts and cultural organizations, artists, art creators and independent art programs to increase the public's awareness, opportunities, and participation in arts and cultural activities.
The City of Lee's Summit has determined that it is in the best interests of the City, and important to the promotion of cultural arts in the enhancement of quality of life in the City to allocate funds for use by the Lee's Summit Arts Council for the purpose of issuing grants to initiatives that support cultural arts in the community.
The Lee's Summit Arts Council wishes to provide a grant in the amount of $500 to the Junior College District of Kansas City, Missouri to support the MCC-Longview Literary Festival.
Proposed City Council Motion:
I move for adoption of an Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a Public Service Agreement by and between the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri and the Junior College District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri for support of the MCC-Longview Literary Festival.
Background:
Each year, the City of Lee's Summit allocates funds for use by the Lee's Summit Arts Council for the purpose of promoting cultural arts in the community to enhance the quality of life in the City of Lee's Summit. The Lee's Summit Arts Council uses a portion of these funds to issue grants to initiatives that support and further that intended purpose.
The Junior College District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri hosts an annual event called the MCC-Longview Literary Festival which features writing workshops, readings, panel discussions, and autograph sessions presented by prominent regional authors. The Junior College District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri has requested a grant from the Lee's Summit Arts Council to support this event.
The Lee's Summit Arts Council has determined that the MCC-Longview Literary Festival meets their requirements for the issuance of grants and will assist in the promotion of cultural arts in the community and wishes to provide the grant.
The Public Service Agreement, attached to the Ordinance as Exhibit A, provides for a grant of $500 to the Junior College District of Metropolitan Kansas City, MO to support its program, the MCC-Longview Literary Festival.
Impact/Analysis:
Cultural events like the MCC-Literary Festival bring literary enthusiasts from across the region to Lee’s Summit and showcase the City’s cultural and artistic vibrancy. The goal of the annual festival is to increase the awareness of and appreciation for the reading and writing of literature among audiences of all ages. The festival provides the community with direct access to professional writers, editors, and publishers as well as develops a creative and educational environment to promote and celebrate the many genres of literature.
Arts and cultural activities are a significant economic driver for local communities. It is estimated that the average cultural patron will contribute between $26.00 and $160.00 to the local economy above the cost to attend the event. Therefore, it is is the City’s best interest to invest in engaging and diverse arts and cultural activities that take place within Lee’s Summit.
The City has a positive history of supporting the MCC-Longview Literary Festival through grants from the Lee’s Summit Arts Council.
Timeline:
The Lee's Summit Arts Council approved the grant request at its August 2018 meeting.
Presenter
Glenda Masters, Cultural Arts Manager
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval.