The Journal-World sent a 16-question survey to each candidate running for three at-large seats on the City Commission. Fourteen people filed for those seats. The March 3 primary election will whittle the field of candidates down to six for the April 7 general election. These answers are presented as they were received from the candidates.

Candidate profile: Bob Schumm

• 68 years old, a downtown landlord and retired restaurant owner who has served on the City Commission from 1979 to 1981, 1987 to 1993, and his current term, which began in 2011

Do you believe a new police headquarters facility is needed, and if so, are you open to considering a property tax or sales tax increase to fund the facility?

Yes, a new facility is necessary. The city can fund this need through changing around priorities on the Capital Improvement Plan and then using existing sales tax revenue that becomes available in a few years to completely fund the project, thereby eliminating the need to increase sales or property tax.

The city in 2014 approved a new registration and licensing program for apartments and other rental units in the city. It is set to begin inspections in July. Do you support the program as approved?

Yes.

As part of the Rock Chalk Park sports complex, the city entered into a public-private partnership with Kansas University Endowment and a private development group. As part of that agreement, the city is paying for about $12 million worth of infrastructure that was exempted from the city’s standard bidding process. Do you support public-private partnerships that involve the city paying for work that was not bid?

This project was unique in that KU wished to host their 2014 Relays at Rock Chalk Park. Doing so meant that the infrastructure and stadiums needed to be built at the same time. As a financial control, we compared invoices submitted for work completed to two recently bid city projects. Like quantities (such as 100 ft. of sidewalk, 100 ft. of waterline, 100 ft. of curb, etc.) were compared against the previously bid projects and were approved for payment if they corresponded favorably. Because of this comparison, the city reduced the payment for some invoices. In the future, however, I would only authorize a public bid on all public projects, because the other process lacked clarity for the public to feel comfortable with it.

In 2014 the city approved tax rebates for projects in East Lawrence, downtown and near the KU campus that were either wholly or largely for apartment development. Do you support providing tax incentives for apartment development?

The East Lawrence project was for affordable housing and helped to revitalize a blighted area, and I supported that project. The Downtown Lawrence project fulfills a long-term goal of establishing living units in the central business district in order to help the downtown sustain itself, and I supported that project. I did not vote in favor of the 11th & Indiana project that would build luxury apartments for the upper 2%. I decide tax rebate questions on a case by case situation.

The city last year opened Lawrence Venture Park, the new business park that was built on the former Farmland Industries fertilizer plant site in eastern Lawrence. Do you support the idea of providing tax abatements and other financial incentives to attract businesses to that park?

Yes.

In 2015, the city is budgeted to provide about $220,000 to the Lawrence chamber of commerce to lead the community’s economic development efforts. Do you support that arrangement with the chamber?

Yes, in the last year, there has been a huge change in the Chamber for the better. The Chamber is the economic sales force for the City and County that is marketing Lawrence to the outside world. I truly believe we are now getting our money’s worth.

In 2008 voters approved a three-tenths of a percent sales tax to fund city-street maintenance and other infrastructure projects. How would you rate the condition of city streets today?

Of the projects that have been completed so far, I rate the street improvement as excellent. More work still needs to be accomplished.

In 2014 the city built a new dual-lane roundabout on Wakarusa Drive, and is considering building more in the future. Do you support the use of roundabouts in the city?

Yes. They are safer and more economical than traffic signals and move vehicles in a more efficient manner.

Based on current city capital improvement plans, the city is scheduled to spend about $3 million in 2015 and 2016 on a project to rebuild a portion of Ninth Street as part of an effort to make the area into an “arts corridor.” As currently proposed, do you support the project?

Yes–absolutely. Ninth Street is “beat up” and is on the rebuild list. This “arts project”–with art integrated into the design phase of the street engineering–has the potential to become one of Lawrence’s greatest assets. We are fortunate to have received a $500,000 grant to produce this project.

The city has been asked to approve financial incentives designed to spur the installation of additional gigabit, super-fast broadband service in Lawrence. Do you support the idea of providing a financial incentive to private companies interested in providing enhanced broadband services to the community?

I support the establishment of gigabit, superfast broadband service. It is apparent to me that in order to reach this position, as demonstrated by our consulting firm, that the city will have to participate financially in some way. I would support an incentive by building out the middle mile of fiber and then opening that asset up to the provider that can deploy the fiber system.

What is the biggest issue facing Lawrence neighborhoods?

Low wage and salary growth prohibits money being reinvested in our older housing stock.

Given the other needs of the city, what is the likelihood that you would support additional funding for trails, bike lanes and other pedestrian-oriented projects in the community?

Non-motorized transportation projects need a renewable source of revenue each year. I support a line item in the CIP or general budget in order to improve the infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Given the other needs of the city, what is the likelihood that you would support the idea of city assistance for a new conference center in the community? (Full disclosure: Members of The World Company, which owns the Journal-World and LJWorld.com have put forward a proposal for a downtown project that includes a conference center.)

I would support a conference center that did not raise taxes as long as it was established in the downtown.

In 2014 there were six homicides in Lawrence, the highest number in at least a decade. Is there anything the Lawrence City Commission can do to improve public safety in the community?

We need to have sufficient police manpower and provide the proper facilities for our public safety personnel.

A proposal has been made by a development group to create a major new retail area just south of the South Lawrence Trafficway and Iowa Street interchange? Are you supportive of rezoning property for major new retail developments in the community?

Yes, as long as we don’t degrade other established commercial areas.

What’s your vision for the type of community Lawrence will become in the next decade?

I see a strong downtown that continues to be the pride of the community.

I see the Sports Pavilion as being recognized as the premier amateur sports facility in the region. It brings in lots of visitors who spend lots of money.

I see the 9th street Corridor Project as our community making a very positive statement that promotes the arts and brings regional notoriety to our city.

KU will continue to be the state flagship university in Kansas and will continue to perform prestigious research and enhance student development.

Venture Park will be fully developed, offering good-paying jobs to our citizens.

More election coverage

• Catch up on City Commission candidate profiles, chats, questionnaire responses and more before the April 7 election.