David Schauner, who is general counsel for the Kansas National Education Association, began serving on the commission in 2003. Schauner last won re-election in 2005, when he finished third in the race and received a two-year term. The top two finishers get four-year terms. In his four years on the commission, Schauner said he was pleased that commissioners had been able to lower the city’s property tax mill levy. Schauner, 61, also said he would make completing a backlog of street, sidewalk, sewer and other infrastructure projects his top spending priority during a new term. He said he only would be comfortable moving forward on large-dollar projects, such as a new library or new recreational complex, if voters specifically approved the project.

Marion

When I treid to get totals for the amounts of money spent by the city of Lawrence, Kansas for “consultants”, “task forces” and “studies” over the last two years, I was told by the City Finance Office that I would have to submit a Freedom Of Information Act Request and would be billed at the rate of $30.00 per hour for the research.

Can you please explain to me how this policy is in line with the theory of open government?

Thanks.

Marion.

l3roy

Why should Lawrence Firefighters vote for you, instead of other candidates?

Thank you.

commuter

Why did you attack some of the other candidates about who donated money to their campaigns? What are the people who donated to your campaign hoping to obtain or retain?

scary_manilow

Mr. Schauner:
You’ve gone on record as saying you’d like to “squeeze” the music venues out of downtown Lawrence… And plans yet to implement this course of action?

flyin_squirrel

I think you mis-read my question. Looking at your past voting history, what growth issue have YOU supported? You seem to be answering for what the commission has approved, not what you have voted for.

concrete

Dear david, of all the approved projects how many did you vote no on.

Marion

How much money has the City of Lawrnec, Kansas spent on studies, task forces and consultants in the last two years?

commonsense

In reference to a new public library, you stated, “Ultimately, the city must put this item on a ballot for public vote.” What constitutes a public vote? The “smoking ban” is still an issue in Lawrence and with downtown businesses, so why wasn’t this issue brought to a public vote?

scary_manilow

Except for mine, David. Thanks for answering all questions but mine. Shoulda known we couldn’t pitch you anything but softballs…

justthefacts

Where did the $250,000 for the consultants fees come from and how much money was spent by the city (in legal fees etc) for advice, representation etc on the Walmart project?

justthefacts

Because you are a lawyer, what does Kansas law say with regard to a governmental entity giving permission to go ahead with a building project, and then revoking that permission based mainly upon a change in membership in the public body? Isn’t a building permit a vested property right at some point?

lawrencian

David, what are your views about transit in Lawrence? Do you support the “T”? On the “T” website there are reports from a study about possible coordination of services with KU on Wheels — what do you think about this idea?

zimmerman

How would you feel about bringing more direct democracy to local government by having public votes concerning contraversial issues such as Wal-Mart, or the new public library proposals?

zimmerman

Do you think we need a new public library? If so, do you believe we can afford it? If so, which of the proposed plans do you support?

Raider

David, what do you feel you have done during your time as commissioner for affordable housing and job growth? What should we expect from you along these lines if re-elected?

cool

recently i visited with you and stated that i felt one of your best attributes was consistency in decision-making could you elaborate on this for those voters out there that may not understand how important your experience on the commission has been to date ?

TruthSeeker

The developers and realtors of Lawrence are out to unseat you and Boog and get Dever, Chesnut and possibly Bush in the commission. What can we expect the face of Lawrence to be like if these three are in the commission?

Akbar

David,
Thank you for your service to the people of Lawrence. Sometimes it seems a great deal is made about the differences between East and West Lawrence. From your perspective, how much do you think the two parts of town have in common?

ModerateOne

Mr. Schauner, this week the Public Incentives Review Committee (PERC) reviewed a proposal from API Foils which the Journal World reported would add 31 industrial jobs each paying $14.42 per hour or greater. The Journal World also indicated that, under this proposal, the community would enjoy $6.41 in new benefits for every $1.00 in tax abated.

However, the LJW also attributed the following comment to PERC Member Kirk McClure, the only PERC member to vote against the API Foils Proposal: “the fiscal challenges the community faced make this the wrong time to grant tax abatements.”

My questions for you are as follows:

1. Do you think there is ever a time when the fiscal challenges of a community make it a bad time to add good-paying production jobs and expand the tax base?

2. Have you accepted any campaign contributions from Mr. McClure, and will his economic views unduly influence your votes if you are elected?

chocolateplease

I’ve noticed that you are pretty attentive to neighborhood issues, while some other candidates have never contacted neighbors or neighborhood groups, even when they’re in the candidates own backyard. Why is that?

Moderator

This is 6 News Reporter Laura McHugh. I’ll be moderating our chat with current city commissioner and candidate David Schauner. David’s partner and campaign volunteer Cheryl Hewitt is here to help with the typing. Thanks for joining us this morning.

cowboy

Why is the Wakarusa Water treatment facility estimated to run 33% over budget .Why can’t the city estimate project costs accurately ?

David Schauner

DearCowboy, Thanks for your question, the estimates for the water treatment plan were first made in 2003. A number of costs have gone up in that 3-year period including steel and other materials needed to operate the plant. The city has made as reliable estimate as possible under the circumstances.

Souki

What is your view of the proposed domestic partnership registry?

David Schauner

Dear Souki, Thanks for your inquiry about this important issue. I voted to support creation of the registry and believe that it will offer a valuable benefit to all unmarried couples without regard to sexual orientation if their employers choose to make those benefits available.

komorgan

Do you support a new library for Lawrence? What is your view on the current proposal before the city commission?

David Schauner

Dear Komorgan, This issue seems to be one of the most consistent and important issues facing the city in the next few years. I support building a modern library. I strongly support building that facility downtown. I also believe that the library should be a city-only project. Ultimately, the city must put this item on a ballot for public vote, both as to whether such a project is built and how it is financed.

justthefacts

What do you think, in general, of the property market in Lawrence? Do you think that Lawrence home prices are higher then surrounding areas, and if so, to what do you attribute their higher prices? Is there something you think the city can or should do to help first home buyers who make $35,000 a year (or less) afford to purchase a home of their own?

David Schauner

Dear Justthefacts, Lawrence housing prices are higher than our surrounding communities which makes it difficult for first-time home buyers to qualify to buy a house. There are a number of factors that influence the cost of housing and based on conversations I have had with local realtors, the cost of raw ground in Lawrence seems to be a significant factor in this price differential. The city continues to make efforts through our housing programs to provide additional housing available at affordable prices. However, the city has limited tools with which to provide large amounts of affordable housing that would meet the needs of this sector of the home buyer market. The city is committed to working towards increasing our stock of this housing through our Housing Trust Program.

abby

How do you propose to solve the escalating property taxes while maintaining our current infrastructure needs and enhancing our city with better amenities such as an expanded library and the annual costs that are associated with it?

David Schauner

Dear abby, What a great name for an online chat! The city funds most of its general fund operations with either sales or property taxes. The State of Kansas does not give the city any other revenue tools. In 2004, I worked to maintain or reduce the city mill levy and our mill levy has remained constant since that time. However, the county appraiser has increased assessed valuations an average of 5-7% each year during that same period of time. The simple truth is all new projects and amenities must be paid for with revenue from either sales or property taxes. The city must prioritize which projects it can afford and make the difficult decisions about which projects not to fund. In short, no matter how worthwhile any project may be, it will require sales tax or property tax support. There is no ‘magic bullet’ or revenue stream that will solve these problems or pay for these projects.

cowboy

Can you name three areas of city operation costs where you feel there are efficiencies to be realized ?

David Schauner

Dear cowboy, I suspect there are efficiencies to be realized in every department of city government. I believe we should change our reliance on consultants for public projects. Much of this work can and should be done by city staff. I also believe that our take-home car policy needs to be reviewed and reduce the number of vehicles taken home by our employees. These vehicles should be on an emergency call basis. Lastly, I believe that our transit system, although it is showing increased ridership, must constantly review its operation procedures and routes to make the ‘T’ an even more attractive option. One last thing would be to look at increasing our reliance on alternative fuels for our city fleet and reducing the size of our vehicles whenever possible.

concrete

what have you done for this town since elected

David Schauner

Dear concrete, The things I am proudest of in my four years on the commission include lowering the mill levy, adopting a modernized development and sub-division code, making strides toward developing a one-stop shop for dealing with our neighborhood resources and planning departments, making plans for building a waste-water treatment plant that will serve the city’s future growth needs, updating our waste-water transportation network to serve our newest sub-division requests on the west edge of town and finally, being part of a top-to-bottom review of city services and approving the hiring of an internal city auditor. In addition, the city is moving forward on its biosciences support including working with The Kansas Biosciences Authority to attract good jobs at the East Hills Business Park. Further, we have begun a serious effort to acquire the Farmland Industry property to be used as an employment center.

flyin_squirrel

Many people have labeled you “anti-growth”, but you say you are for “Smart growth”. Looking at your past voting history, what growth issue have you supported?

David Schauner

Dear flyi_squirrel, I believe that smart growth should mean quality and sustainable growth. I have supported a number of projects, both in-fill and green field that meet that definition. In truth, if you examine the number of housing projects and others that have been approved in the past 4 years, you will find that nearly every proposal submitted has been approved.

chic

Will you vote YES or NO on Walmart?

David Schauner

Dear chic, The Walmart question is currently in the Douglas County District Court and trial of this matter is scheduled for April 16, 2007. The original Walmart proposal was for a land use that was not permitted at that location. Walmart is a department store and department stores are not a permitted land use at 6th and Wakarusa. Further, K-DOT’s traffic studies suggest that the density of development proposed at this location would cause that intersection to provide an unacceptable level of service for the travelling public. At this point, there is no opportunity for the city commission to vote yes or no on the Walmart proposal. I have not supported the proposals from Walmart that I have seen during my tenure on the commission.

commonsense

What would you rank as the most important issue facing the City of Lawrence and why is more important than other issues being discussed?

flyin_squirrel

How do you feel about tax abatements after seeing the economic benifits Eagle Outfitters has created in Ottawa?

David Schauner

Dear commonsense, Lawrence must find a balance between being a bedroom community and a city where we offer good jobs, cultural activities and the other amenities that Lawrencians have come to expect. The latest cost-of-growth study found that residential growth does not pay all costs related to its development (police, fire, streets, water, sewer, schools and general city services.) That does not mean we will or should stop growing, but it means we must find a balance of residential and business growth that will enable the city to offer services at a price that our taxpayers can afford. Unless we find that balance, we are at risk of losing the charm and character for which Lawrence is known.

David Schauner

Dear flyin_squirrel, Unfortunately, the wages paid by Eagle Outfitters coupled with the fact that many of those jobs do not the employees for health benefits would make it difficult for these employees to live in Lawrence. I was not on the commission that dealt with Eagle Outfitters, however, the city continues to use tax abatements as one tool to attract new businesses. In fact, while I have been on the commission, we approved and I supported, a substantial abatement to Packer Plastics for a $90,000,000 expansion of their existing plant. This enabled a long-time Lawrence employer to not only remain in Lawrence, but add additional jobs. Economic development is driven by adding new jobs that pay good wages which enable employees to live in Lawrence and participate in our economy. Simply adding additional retail opportunities does not equal economic development.

Moderator

Thank you for joining us today and to David for answering our readers’ questions.

David Schauner

Laura, thanks to you and those who participated in discussing issues that will affect all of us in Lawrence for the future. I encourage all of us to work for projects and decisions that provide the greatest good for the greatest number. I look forward to continuing this debate and discussion of issues in the next few weeks. Remember to vote Feb. 27. Thanks for your support.