Title
Discussion on Historical and Cultural Monuments and Artifacts
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
MEETING DATE: July 7, 2020
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning
CONTACT: Mark Doty - Assistant Director of Planning
Kimberly Flom - Assistant City Manager
ITEM SUMMARY:
* Staff is seeking guidance from City Council regarding creation of a Cultural Task Force to review and give recommendations about how to treat historic and cultural monuments and artifacts in McKinney related to the Confederacy or other sensitive historical topics and events.
* Current events have generated conversations about culture, race, and history and a national conversation is ongoing regarding Confederate monuments and how to address those in the public realm.
* Several surrounding cities and counties have either removed or are exploring options regarding Confederate statues, memorials, and other iconography.
* Recent local conversations have focused on the Throckmorton Statue in front of MPAC, including public comment at City Council, social media discussion and an online petition.
* Creation of a Cultural Task Force would compliment the "African-American History in McKinney" and "Juneteenth in McKinney" online storyboards launched earlier this year and would provide a public process for a thoughtful conversation about the James Throckmorton statue located next to MPAC as well as other McKinney historic and cultural monuments and artifacts.
* If Council supports the exploration of a Cultural Task Force, staff will outline a more detailed plan and bring back to Council for review.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
* The James Webb Throckmorton statue, located next to MPAC, was gifted to the City of McKinney in 1911.
* James W Throckmorton was a lawyer and Governor of Texas after Reconstruction from 1866-1867. He died in McKinney in 1894 and is buried at Pecan Grove cemetery.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
* N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATI...
Click here for full text