These are the responses from George Grieb, city commission candidate, to the Journal-World’s candidate survey.

1. Name: George F. Grieb

2. Occupation: Electrician

3. Date of Birth: April 2, 1967

4. Years in Lawrence: 20

5. Family: Wife Teresa, Stepdaughter Deena, Son Georgie

6. Religious Affiliation: Catholic

7. Previous Political experience: No prior political experience.

8. In July, a ban on smoking in most indoor public places was implemented by the city. Do you support the ban, and why or why not? In July a ban on smoking was passed by 5 city commissioners. I believe the people of Lawrence should have voted on the smoking ban. I believe in an agenda set by all the people after careful consideration of all facts. This is an issue that deserves a public vote.

9. What’s your opinion on how the city has managed growth during the last 5 years? I think the city has done poorly in managing growth.. Horizon 2020 is a broken document. Horizon 2020 was completed at a much different time in Lawrence. The city has had a difficult time in determining if Horizon 2020 is a dynamic plan, one that changes with time, or if it is a document that is set in stone. It seems the rules of the game change often. The development process itself is bogged down in red tape and bureaucracy adding to the cost. Our current city commissioners (at least 4 of them) were elected on a Smart Growth agenda. I believe that Smart Growth principles are good when actually used and implemented. Our Commission, however, does not truly implement Smart Growth principles. Far too often, it is a roadblock to projects-most of which have met with local planning guidelines. We need to do a better job of designing, planning and implementing standards by which our city can grow. We need to be consistent in the application of our regulations and policies. With these ideas in mind, we can have a city that controls its growth in a way that benefits all citizens and works to make workforce housing a reality, not a dream. Horizon 2020 and development plans like it (Transportation 2025, Urban Growth Area, Area Plans, etc) need to be reviewed and updated on a continual basis. We should generally follow the plans once they are made but be open to change when it is appropriate.

10. The city has begun a study to determine the fiscal impacts of growth on the city’s taxpayers? Do you believe residential growth pays for itself or cost the existing taxpayers additional dollars? If you believe it does not pay for itself, how would you address that issue? The city commission has hired Tischler & Associates to perform a study to address the issue of whether or not growth pays for itself. I am anxious to see the results of this study. If I were a commissioner when the study was completed I would make sure the study is objective and addresses the benefits of growth as well as the costs. I think we could look at growth in a different way than costs vs. benefits. Currently to build a house a home builder is required to pay $525.00 for a water meter and a tap to the water

line, $3,130.00 for water system development charges, and $770.00 for wastewater system development charges. That is a total of $4,425.00 per home in impact fees. All of the costs of infrastructure improvements are paid for by the developer. Sewers, Water lines, utilities, streets, storm water impact studies, and land for storm water retainage are all paid for by developers. Those costs are ultimately passed on to home buyers. These type of costs make having workforce housing more difficult.

11. City Officials have begun using roundabouts and traffic circles as traffic calming devices on some Lawrence streets. Do you believe the devices are effective and a good use of city funds? The devices are certainly effective! They definitely slow down traffic. I think the better question is should we install roundabouts in existing neighborhoods? Installing roundabouts in existing traffic applications is too expensive. Roundabouts installed on existing streets, for example, Monterrey Way & Harvard, and 19th & Louisiana also makes it very difficult for fire trucks and school buses to safely maneuver. Perhaps speed cushions and gateway treatments are a safer alternative to roundabouts.

12. City Commissioners have authorized officials with the Lawrence Public Library to explore the possible construction of a new multi-million dollar library in downtown, or the expansion of the current facility at 707 Vermont. Do you support moving forward with this project? I completely support moving forward on this project with a budget of $12-15 million, not $25 million. If I were on the city commission I would ask an official from Tischler& Associates if they could do a library impact study to see if library expansion pays for itself.

13. The city’s Task Force on Homeless Services is currently drafting a report for a community wide strategy of providing services to the homeless. What’s your philosophy on whether or how the city should provide services to homeless individuals? There is certainly some level of moral and social obligation to help homeless people. Determining the level for which the city or the community at large is responsible is very difficult. First, since this issue is so difficult to answer, even for the homeless service providers, I would like to see the report from the Homeless Taskforce. I would be very disappointed if I were a downtown merchant or a neighbor and the report came back without a real enforcement policy for the inappropriate public behavior. Secondly, Lawrence, Kansas, is not the best place to get someone back on their feet whether or not they are homeless. The cost of living in Lawrence is very high. Perhaps this is a reason we have a homeless issue? We should be looking at the possibility of consolidating services among agencies.

14. Specifically on the issue of homelessness, do you support an idea that has been introduced by a task force of Downtown Lawrence, Inc that would require homeless individuals to show a city issued I.D./service card before receiving certain services, such as food and shelter? The I.D./service card issue would have to be addressed by each individual service provider. If the city is going to provide homeless services then this may be a question for the new city commission to answer. It would be useful to know if this system has been successful in other communities and how the homeless population responded to it.

15. Do you think Lawrence has an affordable housing problem, and if so how would you address? I hesitate to use the term “affordable housing” because “affordable housing” is hard to define. What may not be affordable to one person may be affordable to another. Lawrence has a workforce housing problem. Workforce housing is housing that is affordable to low to moderate income workers such as school teachers, retail workers, plumbers, electricians, policemen, and firemen. Many workers in Lawrence can only find affordable housing by living outside of Lawrence creating the need for long commutes to work. Besides denying these valuable workers the American Dream of owning their own home, lack of workforce housing has other economic effects on a community. Since workers are living in other communities Lawrence is losing out on a great deal of consumer spending. Secondly, it is very difficult for small businesses to recruit employees because of the high cost of housing in Lawrence. Many times businesses have to turn away opportunities because of a lack of workforce. One way to provide for workplace housing is for the city to set aside specific parcels of land designated for workplace housing. A perfect example in Lawrence is the land east of O’Connell Road that is being considered under the Southeast Area Plan. The planning Commission has designated 680 acres of land for industrial uses in the Southeast Area Plan. The city of Lawrence could not develop 680 acres of industrial land in the next 20 years. This parcel of land would be perfect for workforce housing. In fact, there were 2 private citizens that were willing to develop this land for moderately priced homes and pay for the public improvements. We need to eliminate exclusionary zoning. Eliminating exclusionary zoning should not be mistaken for uncontrolled growth or lack of oversight by the city. Because the city has designated an area for workforce housing does not mean the area will be developed without smart growth principles. Work force housing and smart growth development can co-exist. Infill development is an excellent way to create workforce housing. The new project on the southwest corner of 15th & Haskell is a good example of infill development that creates workforce housing. Infill development is always hampered by the Not in my Backyard issue. Creative partnerships between the city, county, neighborhood associations, homebuilders, and developers will help facilitate workforce housing.

16. Please comment on your fiscal policy and whether you would envision the need to raise taxes during your term on the Commission. I believe in a tight fiscal policy. Managing from the bottom line. As a small business operator I understand that costs for goods and services and payroll generally increase. The increase in our property value should cover those types of increases in cost. No new taxes. However, I would support a tax to help out our school district.

17. The city currently offers a fixed route public transportation system. Do you believe the system, the T, has been successful and is an effective use of city funds? I think it is very important for us as citizens of Lawrence to look forward and not back. Lets find ways to decrease our maintenance costs for the buses. Lets find ways to increase the number of riders and increase revenue. Lets find ways to save on fuel costs for the buses. Lets find other places in the budget to cut or eliminate expenses.

18. The city currently operates a municipal golf course, Eagle Bend, which has been operating at a loss during the last several years. Do you believe the golf course is an effective use of city funds? Same theme as the T. Lets look forward. 5% of the operating budget for the T comes from bus fares. 95% of the operating budget for the golf course comes from green fees. So on a percentage and real dollar basis the golf course carries much more of it own weight. Also considering the declining golf market over the past 3 or 4 years the golf course is performing well.

19. The city currently is involved in litigation to stop Wal-Mart from building a new store at the corner of 6th St. and Wakarusa Drive. Do you believe the corner is appropriate for a big box retail development, such as Wal-Mart has proposed? I don’t think the citizens of Lawrence want a Wal-Mart at 6th& Wakarusa and neither do I. The real issue is not whether or not I think it is appropriate for big box development The issue is did the zoning and development codes say it was appropriate for big box development? Perhaps our planning document is not clear or the city is trying to hard to please special interest groups.

20. The city currently has a ban that prohibits the use of most fireworks within the city limits during the Fourth of July Holiday. Do you support the fireworks ban? “Listening to Lawrence” That is my theme. Who voted on the ban for fireworks? Not the people of Lawrence. The agenda came from City Staff and isolated individuals. I believe that representative government is essential in our democracy; however, issues like this deserve broader public input and, perhaps, even, a vote.

21. What’s your position on whether or where the South Lawrence Trafficway project should be completed? I think the completion of the SLT is important to relieve traffic congestion in Lawrence. I believe the Baker Wetlands was used as farm ground by Haskell University until the late 1960s. If the latest proposal included expanding the wetlands after the completion of the SLT and included some planning for the concerns of particular interest groups, we could complete this long needed project.

22. If elected, what would be the top three issues you would seek to address during you term?

• Create opportunities for workplace housing for low and moderate income workers so they can live in the community in which they work.
• Bring those players to the table from opposing sides that truly wish to solve problems, not just create rhetoric.
• Support those policies and procedures that will create opportunities for local small businesses.