March 14, 2011

1. Should the City continue to fund the partnership between the City, County and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce for economic development?

Yes. However, I believe that many of the economic planning activities should be performed by planners working for the City and answering to the City Commission rather than to the Lawrence Chamber. In other words, some of these monies and activities should be reallocated to occur under direct supervision of the Planning Department rather than the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. I would suggest that a Citizen Review Board study how these monies should be allocated.


2. Do you favor other tax incentives to attract new business/industry, and to retain existing business and industry in Lawrence?

Specifically:

  • Industrial Revenue Bonds: YES
  • Community Improvement Districts (CID’s) or additional taxing authority: NO
  • Property Tax Abatements: YES
  • Educational/Training Incentives: NO

The City should prohibit the use of CID revenue for private expenditures and instead should only be approved for the use of special obligation bonds that do not place any risk upon local taxpayers.

Notice of an additional sales tax should be required to be posted at all current TIF [Tax Increment Financing] districts, CID’s or TDD’s [Transportation Development Districts], and these should not be allowed where they would add an additional tax upon groceries.


3. Should the City consider privatization of trash collection services if it is shown to have a cost benefit to citizens and business?

NO. I firmly believe that this service should remain as a municipally owned service. The taxpayers have helped to pay for its organization and infrastructure over the decades that also provides employment managed locally in Lawrence.


4. What incentives would you propose the City consider utilizing to stimulate job creation?

The City and the Chamber could collect data about which local businesses are growing and which ones could receive a Chamber and City New Job Award on an annual basis – the TOP TEN Awards, if you will, in job creation. These firms would then receive a small monetary gift certificate to distribute to all of their NEW employees.


5. Describe the type of jobs Lawrence should be pursuing and how the City should acquire these jobs?

The City of Lawrence as a community needs jobs in all tiers of the economy. From agriculture to service-sector jobs we need not only more employers but new types of businesses as well to stem the flow of monies spent outside of the city and county by local residents.

I have suggested that the proposed Lowe’s store at Bauer Farms, which was denied planning permission, should instead relocate to North Lawrence. Such location may result in bringing people in from Tonganoxie as well as Jefferson, Leavenworth and other counties due to the proximity to I-70, the former location of a lumberyard and the distance to the next Lowe’s store.


6. What would you do to create a more positive image outside of our community in the areas of planning and economic development incentives?

Firstly, I disagree with the rhetoric that the City of Lawrence or its planning staff is unfriendly to business. We have granted many tax abatements recently, for example, to Berry Plastics.

I am opposed to additional sales tax districts of any kind since they could become a disincentive to shopping here. Lawrence is a small-scale community and we should not damage our Downtown Retail with the perception that Lawrence has added sales tax districts everywhere.

A level playing field is the positive image that we must project. Right now, out-of-town investors typically discuss a project, meet with City staff and then find out that local developers are usually given the edge with waivers of private parking and height requirements, unusual setback variations or even the omission of the cell phone tower permitting process from portions of the review process. Requirements must be applied consistently. Both applications and inspections must be supported by fair and consistent processes.


7. What are your top three priorities if you are elected to the Lawrence City Commission?

Firstly, to focus on existing businesses in Lawrence and Douglas County, support their growth and interconnect local companies in order to strengthen our existing assets as a community. I am a strong advocate for Downtown Lawrence. I am opposed to new sales tax districts or TIF districts in Lawrence.

Secondly, I have suggested that an alternate location for a Community Shelter could be near the downtown area but possibly with two building locations: one for homeless children and families and the other for an adult homeless shelter with a training facility. This would reduce the shelters’ impacts upon neighbors.

Thirdly, I support adoption of the Environmental Chapter of the Horizon 2020 Comprehensive Plan. Setting goals in the face of Climate Change is necessary so that we can prepare for the years ahead when we will encounter significant changes in Food, Transportation, and Energy conditions. I oppose privatization of the City’s trash pickup service.


8. Assuming continued cuts in state, federal and local tax resources, rank from 1 to 8 how you would make up the deficit.

  1. I would first favor an across-the-board equal percentage budget cut.
  2. Following that I would group the cuts in the administrative areas of City Manager, finance, HR, planning and community development.
  3. Cuts in Parks and Recreation could be treated somewhat separately with some increases in user fees for large group activities and events.
  4. Increases in property taxes should occur before any core services or social service budgets would be cut.
  5. Cuts in social services is not desirable at all.
  6. Cuts in core services of police, fire and sanitation are not acceptable.


9. Do you feel the City should expend additional resources in the direct reimbursement of retail development for Lawrence?

No. I have proposed in a conversation with Chad Lawhorn of the Lawrence Journal-World that some 10-year tax abatement policies could be used to foster ‘Start-Up Retail’ zones at specific locations. The general idea is that if a property owner has a building that does not fully build out his site on Massachusetts St., my Start-Up Retail proposal would allow the owner to convert up to 50% of the ground floor area for an alley-side tenant with alley access for a reduced rent in comparison to the Massachusetts side of the building. The converted portion of the property would pay no tax as an abatement for up to 10 years in the interest of generating new economic vitality and new spaces, not only in Downtown but elsewhere in Lawrence. This idea is really a retail conversion abatement policy.


10. Do you feel the city should use additional resources for promotion of retail
development in Lawrence?

No. I do not feel that this expense is fair to other types of business. Promotion via the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Lawrence or other groups is, of course, encouraged but I would not spend scarce dollars on retail promotional activities.


11. The City and County are now reviewing the Environmental Chapter of the Horizon 2020 Comprehensive Plan. Do you support or oppose the chapter as it is now written? What changes would you propose if elected to the City Commission?

I support adoption of the Environmental Chapter of the Horizon 2020 plan as now written. I do not propose any changes at this time to this planning document.


March 3, 2011

TRASH SERVICES

Do you support the city studying privatization of the city’s trash system?

NO, I firmly believe that this service should remain a municipally owned service. The taxpayers have helped pay for the organization and infrastructure over the decades that has also provided employment locally in Lawrence.


Would you favor the city creating a city-operated curbside recycling service or do you believe that the system should continue to be privately operated?

With current fluctuations in the market for recycled materials, I believe that curbside recycling should remain a private industry enterprise. No, I do not encourage a city-operated curbside recycling service at this time.

 

DOWNTOWN

Did you support the $18 million bond issue to expand, renovate and add parking to the Lawrence Public Library?

YES, I supported the Library bond issue.

Are you interested in receiving proposals to redevelop city-owned parking lots in Downtown Lawrence?

Available parking is a key ingredient of a successful downtown retail area. Redevelopment that provides all of the required parking in addition to the existing parking at each site should be considered. I would not encourage proposals that provide only the existing parking total for these lots. New buildings and dwelling units will need additional parking. which should be provided by the applicant. However, ground-level parking along Vermont and New Hampshire is much more attractive than parking garages.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Do you support the city’s decision to take over ownership of the former Farmland Industries fertilizer plant and its plans to convert the area into an industrial/business park?

The Farmland site along the K-10 corridor has needed redevelopment for a long time. While I am very pleased that efforts are being made to redevelop the property, I would have preferred that the City not be the main owner. In terms of economic opportunity we should have already seen some results here so my question is, when are we going to see new sitework and buildings appear and at what stage is the current masterplan for this redevelopment? Tax abatements would be considered for new investment here but my own policy is to discourage TIF [Tax Increment Financing] or other additional sales tax districts.


What’s your position on the use of tax abatements to attract new economic development projects for the city?

I support the use of tax abatements when needed to help sponsor new employment opportunities in Lawrence. Tax abatement requirements may also include important things like a minimum number of new jobs – 30which also must meet a living-wage threshold. There are also cost-benefit models for evaluation of whether a tax abatement should be granted. These policies should be reviewed periodically and could include requirements for helping to provide affordable housing in the community.

Recent Smart Growth studies, however, provide evidence that other factors in the community may attract new employment more than tax abatements. Focusing only on tax abatements or financial incentive policies is not the exclusive strategy to attract new businesses to Lawrence.

 

INFRASTRUCTURE

How would you rate the overall condition of city streets on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being poor and 10 being excellent?

I would rate our city streets a ‘6’ on a numerical scale. Well-maintained streets will help to increase the appeal of Lawrence to visitors. Truck traffic, drainage and our subsoils are all part of the problem in maintaining our streets.

 

RECREATION

Do you believe the city needs a new recreation center to serve the western portion of the city and would you work to move that project forward during your term?

Yes, I strongly support a new recreation center for the western portion of Lawrence. I would additionally support a branch library in the future in West Lawrence. If we can find a way through grants and budgeting to develop a new recreation center for West Lawrence, that would be a great accomplishment of the next City Commission.

 

RETAIL

Would you have supported a proposal to allow a Lowe’s to build a store near Sixth Street and Folks Road?

No, the most recent proposal is to replace currently approved residences with a big-box retail store. Bauer Farms started out with a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape of commercial buildings within walking distance of a residential neighborhood and a mix of housing types. This earlier proposal was modified to add more retail space and was at that point above the amount recommended by the Horizon 2020 plan. This degree of change begins to throw into question the work done by the School District in its original site selection for Free State High School in a residential area.


Do you support the use of incentives such as Community Improvement Districts [CID’s] and Transportation Development Districts [TDD’s] that allow businesses to charge an additional sales tax to help pay for improvements at their properties?

I support these type of incentives but only for exceptional projects, and with some additional caveats. I do not support the use of these incentives for the Hobby Lobby area improvements. If the CID tax is not limited to 1% it is possible that we could have some sales tax rates exceeding 10% at some locations in Lawrence.

The City should prohibit the use of CID revenue for private expenditures and should only be allowed by way of the use of special obligation bonds that do not place any risk upon local taxpayers. Overland Park has made additional restrictions upon CID usage.

Notice of any additional sales tax should be required to be posted at all current TIF, CID or TDD districts. CID’s, TDD’s or TIF’s should not be allowed where they would place an additional tax upon groceries. The City policy on the use of CID’s should be more restrictive than the range of options offered by state law; in other words, we should tailor the use of these for the benefit of Lawrence, not simply out of expediency for one project.

 

TRANSIT SYSTEM

How would you rate the quality and effectiveness of the city’s public transit system on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being poor and 10 being excellent?

I would rate our current system only a ‘4,’ mostly due to both the limited number of routes and the limited frequency on those routes. I fully support the merger of the City of Lawrence and KU bus systems.

February 22, 2011

(A)   Do you have previous experience in government? If so, explain.

No, I do not have experience as a government employee or elected official. However, I have served on several advisory boards and professional organization committees.

Past memberships:

  • AIA Kansas City Government Affairs Committee
  • AIA Colorado Government Affairs Committee
  • AIA Kansas City Historic Resources Committee
  • AIA Colorado Historic Resources Committee
  • City of Aspen Historic Preservation Commission member 1994 – 1997
  • City of Lawrence Historic Resources Commission member 2004 – 2007
  • City of Aspen Design Review Committee (DRAC) 1994 – 1997
  • Aspen/Pitkin County Light Rail Task Force 2000
  • Aspen Area Community Plan 2000 Commission member 1999
  • City of Aspen Downtown & Pedestrian Plan Committee member 1997 – 1998


(B)   As a commission member what are your top three priorities for the City?

Firstly, fostering an environment of cooperation between local government, business and our neighborhoods. I encourage all neighborhoods in Lawrence to think creatively about the long-term plans for their own schools, neighborhood-retail and business locations in or near their respective neighborhood. We need to improve communications with our local small businesses and keep those lines of communication always open to improve and grow our community with an eye toward reaching all northeastern Kansas markets and beyond from Lawrence.

Secondly, encouraging Downtown Lawrence to grow healthily but not by using artificial TIF-financed projects or by adding any additional sales tax districts. While TIF [Tax Increment Financing] and additional sales tax districts may help when developing retail areas around the Sprint Center in Kansas City I am opposed to any new TIF or tax districts in Lawrence, in part due to the scale of our community.

Thirdly, finding a solution to the Community Shelter problem and encouraging support of Just Food and its food pantry for Douglas County.


(C)   What are the core services that you believe the city should provide?

I believe that the City of Lawrence is providing excellent services in Fire and Police, Trash, Parks & Recreation, Water and Sewer, and other departments as well.

Historic Preservation should be strongly supported by the City Commission since both Downtown Lawrence and our historic neighborhoods are part of the heritage of Lawrence and the attraction that our community holds for visitors.


(D)   Do you have knowledge or have worked with labor unions? If so, explain?

As an architect,  I have  worked extensively with unions in the construction industry: electricians, plumbers, sheet metal workers, elevator equipment contractors, carpenter unions and so forth. Furthermore, as an architect licensed in Kansas and five other states, I can tell you that quality is an important attribute of union labor. Apprenticeship and training within the context of a labor union environment are very beneficial in the construction industry. This quality of training is even more important with regard to Firefighters and Police and I strongly support the heritage and culture of labor unions in education and quality assessment in their respective fields.


(E)   The International Association of Firefighters Local 1596 believes very strongly in the safety of the public, and also the safety of our firefighters. A national study was done by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which found that four-person crews were able to perform fire ground operations more effectively, and safer than crews that only used 3- or 2-person crews. We believe that staffing is an important part in keeping the public and firefighters safe. We would ask you to support this idea and to work to make staffing levels a priority.

I definitely support four-person crews for firefighters. This makes sense to  me and I do wholeheartedly support this crew-assignment approach.  I am certain that having two pairs of hands and eyes available makes much more sense than one pair with only a single backup. It is obvious that two pairs of firefighters can arrive, setup and be much more effective together in an emergency situation.


(F)   In Lawrence currently, there are only two employee groups that enter into contracts with the City. Do you feel that other employee groups should be given the opportunity to meet and confer with city management in regards to pay, benefits and a safe working environment? Also, please make further comments you have on this item below.

I believe that other employment groups should also have the right to be formed and to collectively bargain with the City. I strongly support collective bargaining for fire, police and all municipal employees. I believe that a responsible, self-regulating labor force produces a better quality work environment and makes cooperation between management and employment groups more productive.


(G)   Would you, if offered, accept an endorsement from the Lawrence Professional  Firefighters PAC?

I have known both volunteer and non-volunteer firefighters in both Kansas and Colorado and would be honored to have your endorsement.