The City Commission and city staff will have a special meeting to discuss strategic planning on Saturday (April 13). 

The meeting will begin around 8 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. at 2033 Becker Drive in Lawrence.

A meeting like this has not happened in a number of years and will allow city staff and commissioners to discuss future planning, Assistant City Manager Zack Daniel said.  

With a new city manager and assistant city manager, and all the development planned for the area, it is coming at a good time, Daniel said. 

The meeting will be facilitated by JEO Consulting Group. 

The facilitators have asked commissioners to come ready to discuss perceived strengths, obstacles and threats to future growth. Discussion about limitations and being able to serve current and future residents as development unfolds will also be on agenda, he said. 

Overall, they’ll try to get to a consensus on the best way to prepare for the right kind of growth. The meeting will be more high-level conversations, he said.

While some of the needs brought up at the recent work session regarding growth might be brought up, it will serve more as a guiding light for staff as growth moves forward. It won’t be related to what projects need to move forward or specific projects, but how the city will get there, Daniel said. 

No official action will be taken at the meeting.

Reach reporter Sara Maloney at [email protected].

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