[Electronic-lan] Info on Lawrence Opportunity Zones + Crisis of democracy in Lawrence

Wed Jan 16 15:30:12 CST 2019

Thanks, Eric, for expressing your thoughtful concerns about decision-making
in City Hall. The city staff didn't waste any time signing up two+
neighborhoods as an "opportunity zone" for developers, yet there wasn't
enough time to inform Commissioners about Westar's wind energy proposal?
Doesn't the city manager know what the staff are working on? Why didn't he
inform the City Commission at the beginning? There would have been plenty
of time for our elected representatives to consider this opportunity, as
they should, just as I'm sure KU and KState did before they said yes.
There's no excuse for manager and staff to have sat on this, especially
given the urgency with which we must reduce our contributions to GHGs.
Jane Gibson

On Wed, Jan 16, 2019 at 12:57 PM Paradigm Design via Electronic-lan <
electronic-lan at lists.ku.edu> wrote:

> Thank you, Eric, for requesting a L.A.N. discussion on City staff lack of
> transparency, and their usurping major policy decisions away from the
> Commission.  The public seems to be with us on this, judging by the comment
> section in the J-W article you cited: *City officials explain why
> Lawrence didn’t take Westar’s offer of wind energy
> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.ljworld.com%2Fnews%2Fcity-government%2F2019%2Fjan%2F15%2Fcity-officials-explain-why-lawrence-didnt-take-westars-offer-of-wind-energy%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710426987487&sdata=KkXggksxwHKnn6WIqybot1JqlDVWbqZLSRZ%2BZYyA1vU%3D&reserved=0>*.
> Read Travis Robinett's comments.  He's the person who brought it to my
> attention.
>
> Michael
>
> On 1/16/19 11:08 AM, Eric Kirkendall via Electronic-lan wrote:
>
> Hi, I would like to share a few thoughts re our agenda item, "Identify
> Issues we expect to address this year", and background for the "Opportunity
> Zone" agenda item.  Thanks, Eric
>
> *A crisis of democracy*
>
> Regarding our agenda item, "Identify Issues we expect to address this
> year", I think we are facing a *crisis of democracy* in Lawrence, and
> should address it.
>
> In spite of having a great City Commission which should be making key
> decisions with neighborhood and resident input, city employees have taken
> over decisionmaking on many key issues, with no public notice until the
> decision is a fait accompli.
>
> Three examples:
>
> 1, The city started dumping nitrates into the Kansas River without a vote
> by the City Commission. The City Commission did not know it was underway
> until a citizen asked about it at a City Commission meeting
>
> 2, City employees decided not to accept an opportunity for the city to use
> all-renewable wind energy and save huge amounts of money, apparently
> without even notifying the City Commission of the option. *City officials
> explain why Lawrence didn’t take Westar’s offer of wind energy,
> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.ljworld.com%2Fnews%2Fcity-government%2F2019%2Fjan%2F15%2Fcity-officials-explain-why-lawrence-didnt-take-westars-offer-of-wind-energy%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710426987487&sdata=KkXggksxwHKnn6WIqybot1JqlDVWbqZLSRZ%2BZYyA1vU%3D&reserved=0>*
> LJW
>
> 3, Without notice to or a vote of the City Commission, or any involvement
> with landowners and residents, but in coordination with non-resident
> "economic development partners", city employees caused all of East
> Lawrence, all of Brook Creek, and part of the Barker neighborhood to become
> part of an Opportunity Zone.
>
> To me, there are *at least *two key issues here, *sharing information
> with residents,* and *providing opportunities for input.*  In many cases,
> we are getting neither.  I think the LAN should consider taking the lead on
> addressing this issue, and demanding that the City Commission make key
> decisions, with input by residents and neighborhood organizations.
>
> *Opportunity Zone references and resources*
>
> As background for our Opportunity Zone agenda item, I pasted a few
> references below.
>
> The Lawrence Opportunity Zones
> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flawrenceks.org%2Fed%2Fopportunity-zones%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710426987487&sdata=vUmmZvQodsxeJ4Y2pE7V4DMJpKdhwrE9CqxzHSh4kc0%3D&reserved=0>,
> as designated by the Governor
>
> *Discussion of the East Lawrence, Brook Creek, & Barker "Opportunity Zone"
> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2F321045395173629%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710426987487&sdata=DciChmiRee4N6kE%2BUDDBNCL2RweOnXLu6%2BdrlLAwp4M%3D&reserved=0>*(Public
> Facebook Group)
>
> *Will Opportunity Zones help distressed residents or be a tax cut for
> gentrification?
> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brookings.edu%2Fblog%2Fup-front%2F2018%2F02%2F26%2Fwill-opportunity-zones-help-distressed-residents-or-be-a-tax-cut-for-gentrification%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710426997585&sdata=hJ6D6PrdYSqfOz09VXgFcZq%2Fph3uXKQtXrC1xLhwFWc%3D&reserved=0>*,
> Brookings Institute
> "Supporters say this will help revitalize distressed communities, but
> there is a risk that instead of helping residents of poor neighborhoods,
> the tax break will end up displacing them or simply provide benefits to
> developers investing in already-gentrifying areas."
>
> *How Opportunity Zones Benefit Investors and Promote Displacement,
> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitep.org%2Fhow-opportunity-zones-benefit-investors-and-promote-displacement%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710426997585&sdata=qj7PK%2FlBIOkj0Iqv2CqYzMMscYu7ujEvH1VW%2F4jxvzI%3D&reserved=0>* Institute
> on Taxation and Economic Policy
> “... additional investment driven by opportunity zones could have the
> unintended effect of fueling higher real estate prices that serve to
> displace low-income citizens and businesses rather than benefit them."
>
> * Opportunity zones: vital community development tool or tax windfall for
> the rich?
> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.curbed.com%2F2018%2F10%2F3%2F17898370%2Fopportunity-zones-tax-bill-community-development-capital-gains&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710426997585&sdata=xLUFCtApLUcRzSUzyTttkJVhZlL%2BGGj20eHNNnDm%2BdA%3D&reserved=0>*
> , Curbed
> "...some policy analysts call it a loophole-riddled windfall for the
> ultra-rich that won’t lead to additional development but just make
> developments already in progress that much more profitable for investors."
>
> *Opportunity Zones: What We Know and What We Don’t,
> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftaxfoundation.org%2Fopportunity-zones-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710426997585&sdata=cei4U6k1Tjqmjsg%2FTiBYs%2BGxSN2nmSgCZ4VoxlDLoV8%3D&reserved=0>*
> Tax Foundation
> 'Research suggests place-based incentive programs redistribute rather than
> generate new economic activity, subsidize investments that would have
> occurred anyway, and displace low-income residents by increasing property
> values and encouraging higher skilled workers to relocate to the area.'
>
> 'While opportunity zones present certain budgetary and economic costs, it
> is unclear whether opportunity zone tax preferences used to attract
> investment will actually benefit distressed communities.'
>
> *An Unlikely Group Of Billionaires And Politicians Has Created The Most
> Unbelievable Tax Break Ever,
> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbesdigitalcovers%2F2018%2F07%2F17%2Fan-unlikely-group-of-billionaires-and-politicians-has-created-the-most-unbelievable-tax-break-ever%2F%237b1774f41485&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710426997585&sdata=60eML8g7Tgkj69Ye2P4gzHPWkAXh8DtOh7l7bkWytdQ%3D&reserved=0>*
> Forbes
> “If everything goes right, a big slice of the estimated $6.1 trillion of
> paper profits currently resting on American balance sheets is about to go
> to work to revitalize America’s depressed communities. If all goes wrong,
> however, it will prove to be one of the biggest tax giveaways in American
> history, all in service of gentrifying neighborhoods and expelling local
> residents.”
>
> *New tax breaks could lift distressed areas — or become a big, gentrifying
> tax giveaway
> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twincities.com%2F2018%2F12%2F15%2Ffrom-15-story-buildings-to-tiny-apartments-opportunity-zones-mean-promise-and-risk%2F%27&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710426997585&sdata=2vwkE5fsyhwMge04RIgYa9NDOAcA%2FEkP%2Fz4ZazxW%2Bgs%3D&reserved=0>*,
> Twincities.com
> "Cities such as Minneapolis have signaled to the investment community that
> they’re seeking O-Zone projects that deliver a social good, such as
> affordable housing, rather than upscale housing."
>
> Regards,
>
> Eric Kirkendall
> 785-550-3408
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>>
>> > On Jan 14, 2019, at 1:50 PM, Courtney Shipley via Electronic-lan <
>> electronic-lan at lists.ku.edu> wrote:
>> >
>> > Hello, Everyone!
>> >
>> > Join us Wednesday evening for the first LAN meeting of 2019. REMEMBER
>> TO PAY YOUR DUES FOR THE YEAR. It is $25 for neighborhoods and $5 for
>> individuals.
>> >
>> > Please take a moment to tell us if you'd like the regular meeting time
>> to change by taking this Doodle poll. Several people have had conflicts
>> with the third Wednesday of the month. Click the link below and tick the
>> days of the month that work for you.
>> >
>> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoodle.com%2Fpoll%2F2wxrbx95ddzyqfe9&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710426997585&sdata=sXHuZR9OdD08cU1JhIUkeFBwT74zKhGD0rGNv9xe4ec%3D&reserved=0
>> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoodle.com%2Fpoll%2F2wxrbx95ddzyqfe9&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710427007506&sdata=m%2FFzEHo3r5r9fPNy8Qoxscxd%2FRm2TGEzX7Qi7q84RG8%3D&reserved=0>
>> >
>> > Please also take a moment to review the LAN Mission Statement.
>> >
>> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flawrenceneighborhoods.wordpress.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710427007506&sdata=2ChaEpC4neyxyD6fxTgjSBIG2el1pz7VTh8qAJcnjVA%3D&reserved=0
>> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flawrenceneighborhoods.wordpress.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710427007506&sdata=2ChaEpC4neyxyD6fxTgjSBIG2el1pz7VTh8qAJcnjVA%3D&reserved=0>
>> >
>> > Also review the Policy Document.
>> >
>> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flawrenceneighborhoods.wordpress.com%2Flan-policy-document%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710427007506&sdata=Czx%2FcOFnZJ9Oj23%2BOaRYJpNBtJUfjd3h7mw2aBZ6KpA%3D&reserved=0
>> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flawrenceneighborhoods.wordpress.com%2Flan-policy-document%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710427007506&sdata=Czx%2FcOFnZJ9Oj23%2BOaRYJpNBtJUfjd3h7mw2aBZ6KpA%3D&reserved=0>
>> ?
>> >
>> > As well as The Constitution and By-Laws for discussion.
>> >
>> https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flawrenceneighborhoods.wordpress.com%2Flan-constitution-by-laws%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710427007506&sdata=d4OeDS%2BktyXqp2gRiT0lVd6ClUfwUi%2FkQER%2BdjoMoxI%3D&reserved=0
>> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flawrenceneighborhoods.wordpress.com%2Flan-constitution-by-laws%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C32c488599bf9416e2ae408d67bf9dd10%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832710427007506&sdata=d4OeDS%2BktyXqp2gRiT0lVd6ClUfwUi%2FkQER%2BdjoMoxI%3D&reserved=0>
>> >
>> > See you all soon!
>> > Courtney Shipley, Chair
>> >
>> >
>> >   Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods Agenda
>> > Lawrence Public Library
>> > January 16th, 2019 7:00 p.m.
>> >
>> >  Introductions
>> >
>> > Accept minutes from December
>> >
>> > Treasurer?s Report: Cindy Suenram/Edna Mosher
>> > Don?t forget to pay your dues for 2019
>> >
>> > Update from City Planning Department: Becky Pepper, city planner
>> >
>> > Neighborhood reports
>> >
>> > Discussion of possible Opportunity Zones in Brook Creek, East Lawrence,
>> and Barker neighborhoods.
>> >
>> > Identify Issues we expect to address this year
>> >
>> > Review the LAN Mission Statement, Policy Document, and Bylaws.
>> >      Discuss whether updates are needed.
>> >
>> > <Jan 2019 LAN Agenda.pdf>
>> >
>> ***************************************
>>
>
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