Bulletin of the LWV of Lawrence-Douglas County, KS Volume 58, No.

. 8 The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government and inuencing public policy through education and advocacy.
President:
:
Membership:
Voter Editor:
Local League: State League: Brooke Goc



917-1291

brookegoc @ gmail.com lightwatcher @ gmail.com http://www.lwv.org

The VOTER
Ruth Lichtwardt

841-5419

http://www.lawrenceleague.com
National League:
http://www.lwvk.org
lwvks@sbcglobal.net

League Calendar
Saturday, February 19 Friday, March 4th Thursday, March 10th Saturday, March 12th Thursday, March 24th Sunday, April 10th 4:00 PM 9:00 PM 7:00 PM 11:30 AM 8:30 AM 11:30 AM Land Use Committee Meeting. Community Mercantile Meeting Room, 901 Iowa St. VOTER Article Submission Deadline. Please send submissions to lightwatcher@gmail.com. LWVL-DC Board Meeting. 9th St Christian Education Building, 833 Ohio St.. All League members are welcome to attend. Helen Fluker Award Luncheon. Smith Center, 4730 Brandon Woods Terrace. Please see article below for nominations and reservations information. Kansas League Day at the Capitol, Dillon House, 404 West 9th St.,Topeka. Please see article on page 2. LWVL-DC Annual Meeting. Macelis, 1031 New Hampshire St. $13.99 for lunch buffet or $12.99 for seniors and students.

Helen Fluker Open and Accessible Government Award Luncheon

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: Plans are underway for presenting the annual Helen Fluker Open and Accessible Government Award and the committee wants your nominations.To make a nomination please ll out and mail or email the Nomination Form on page 8. Deadline for nominations is March 2. For more informationor to make your reservation, contact committee members Marguerite Lohrenz (865-0195), Marjorie Cole (842-6085), Arline Seely-Bensch (331-4642). includes Spinach Salad, Garlic Shrimp, Pesto Chicken, Rotini Pasta, Green Beans, Roast Potatoes, and Fresh Fruit. Deadline for luncheon reservations is March 8. For more information or to make your reservation,contact committee members Marguerite Lohrenz (865-0195), Marjorie Cole (842-6085), Arline Seely-Bensch (331-4642) or email zlohren@sbcglobal.net.
Helen Fluker

THE AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED at a luncheon on March 12 at the Smith Center, 4730 Brandon Woods Terrace. Doors will open at 11:30. Lunch will be served at 12:00 with the formal presentation of the award at 12:30. Cost will be $14.00. The menu
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Previous Award Recipients: Mary Michener, 2000 Mary Davidson, 2005 Hilda Enoch, 2001 Forrest Swall, 2006 Larry Kipp, 2002 Jesse Branson, 2007 Betty Lichtwardt, 2003 Marci Francisco, 2008 Allan and Louise Jamie Shew, 2009 Hanson, 2004 Margaret Farley, 2010
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Kansas League Day at the Capitol

Location: Dillon House, 404 West 9th St. Topeka, Kansas Parking: Garage under the Capitol building Fee: $20 includes continental breakfast & lunch Note: Legislature is not in session this day Agenda 8:30 Registration and continental breakfast 9:00 Opening Remarks 9:05 Political Redistricting in Kansas Corey Carnahan, Research Analyst Kansas Legislative Research Dept 9:45 Break 10:00 Legislative Update by Paul Johnson 11:00 Luncheon 12:15 State Taxation: Who Pays? Panel Presentation 1:00 Registration for public attendees 1:30 Quest for a More Diverse Judiciary: Project Wrap-up and Celebration Introduced by Zaida Arguedas, Deputy Executive Director, LWVUS & Director of Global Democracy Programs 2:20 Guest Speakers 1)
Jeffery Jackson, Professor Washburn Univ. School of Law 2)
The Honorable Lawton R. Nuss Chief Justice, KS Supreme Court 3:30 Adjournment Registration due by March 20th. Send check to LWVK, P.O. Box 2366, Topeka, KS 66603

comes new citizens to our country. The Leagues major task will be to pass out a booklet to new citizens with information about voting in our country and to register new voters. We are very excited to be a part of this ceremony. We will need several volunteers for this event. You will receive more information as the next event draws closer.



- Lee Ann Duver

The Lawrence League will have the honor of representing the League Of Women Voters for the annual Naturalization Ceremony at the Dole Center which takes place every fall. This is a beautiful event that welFebruary 2011, page 2

Naturalization Ceremony at the Dole Center

Twelve LWV L-DC members, and a couple of visitors, came to our LWVK Program planning meeting at the Community Mercantile, on January 29 (Kansas Day!). We discussed a handful of issues of interest to members present, and decided which of these we would like to recommend the Kansas League adopt as a study at the State Convention this April. There were several ne runners-up, including a study of the judicial selection process in Kansas, a study of how our legal system deals with convicted sexual offenders, a statewide study of public transportation options, and a study of Kansas adoption law. However, at the conclusion of our discussion, we chose to recommend a study of Kansass tax policies, with an eye towards how well they line up with the Leagues present position on nance. Our recommendation to the State Board is printed in full below. In addition to recommending this study, we offered several suggestions for improvement to the LWVK Program as posted on the website. The most signicant of these suggestions included changing the position presently titled Privatization of Child Welfare Services by SRS to Child Welfare Services by SRS. Members felt the current title suggests that League in some way supports the on-going privatization of these services, when, in fact, the position itself suggests that we do not. This is especially true for the Program in Brief, where ndings of local League studies are not presented in full. Also, on considering the position in full, it became unclear to us whether this part of our
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Report from LWVK Program Planning Meeting

Program was ever formally adopted. We recommended that the LWVK Board add or revise language for adoption at State Convention, which would make it clear that this part of Program is formally included as a position. In a similar vein, we asked that the State Board review the background statement for our position on Mental Health Care, with an eye toward to identifying appropriate changes to the text, which would make it clear that the statement was current at the time of adoption of the position and allow the possibility that some changes may have occurred since.
Recommendation of Restudy of the LWVK Finance Position. LWV Lawrence-Douglas County recommends the State League undertake a two-year study of present tax policies, with a one year focus on tax exemptions, tax credits, and property tax to see if they meet the Leagues standards for tax equity, adequacy, ease of administration and consistency with economic goals.
In 2011, Kansas is facing budget decit of $550 million [1], with no improvement in the foreseeable future. It is critical that current and proposed tax policy meet the Leagues standards. However, as illustrated by the following two examples, concerns have been raised about both the fairness and effectiveness of our current system. In March, 2010, LWV L-DC sponsored a public forum on education in Kansas. The speaker, representing the Kansas Association of School Boards, expressed concern about fairness and equity of taxation in Kansas. His reports asks Who pays? for the demonstrated cost effectiveness of our education system [2]. He noted that Kansas has historically sought to apply the major sources of tax revenue property, income, and sales ver y broadly, with few exceptions and with relatively low rates. However, in recent years, this
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has changed as the Legislature has authorized with increasing regularity tax exemptions, abatements, credits, and other devices that allow certain taxpayers to avoid or reduce their tax payments.
In February and March, 2010, the Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit produced three reports that review our states 247 tax credits, sales tax exemptions, and property tax exemptions [3]. Their ndings raised questions about: whether the current system meets state standards for transparency regarding who benets from tax credits; the potential for unfair competition between entities; unequal treatment of similar types of taxpayers; and the lack of measures for public purpose and mechanisms for collecting necessary information, and sunset provisions that would trigger reviews.
While it seems likely that our states current mix of revenue sources may fail to meet at least our standards for equity, adequacy, and consistency with economic goals, we believe that a full study of this issue is necessary in order for League to understand the changes that have occurred to Kansas tax policy since our current position was last updated in 1993. A twoyear study of tax policies may result in a modication of our position; it will certainly enable League to advocate more effectively on this important issue. [ 1 ] K a n s a s C i t y S t a r, 1 0 J a n 2 0 1 1 http://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/10/2573984/brow nback-sworn-in-as-kansas-governor.html . [2] Student Achievement, School Funding and the Future of Kansas. Kansas Association of School Boards, July 2009, Mark Tallman, Asst. Executive Director, Advocacy. [3] Performance Audit Report, Kansas Tax Revenues, Parts I, II, and III: A report to the Legislative Post Audit Committee by the Legislative Division of Post Audit, State of Kansas. Feb-Mar 2010 [available at http://www.kansas.gov/postaudit/audits.shtml .
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Congratulations marci !

LWVL-DC member and State Sen. marci francisco D-Lawrence has been appointed to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Her insight and knowledge is vital to this committee. In addition, she will continue to serve on the Senate Utilities Committee, the Joint Arts and Cultural Resources Committee, the Joint Bioscience Committee, the Joint State Building Construction Committee, the Joint Higher Education Committee and the Joint Energy and Environment Policy Committee.

December meeting. In addition, the group will hold its annual romance novel book sale in February. Ongoing business
Library Expansion/Renovation Project . Deborah and Chris were appointed to the architectural contract negotiation committee and provided a report. Deborah said that currently the architectural fees currently stand at just over $1 million. The question of whether to use the American Institute of Architects template or the City of Lawrence contract template still is yet to be determined. Dave Corliss wants the city commission to consider the contract at its January 11th meeting.
Deborah said that Dave Corliss is interested in adding city money to the parking garage that would add 100 spaces to the structure. It is not clear whether these additional spaces would be built initially or whether the garage would be constructed with extra support so that the spaces could be added in the future. This decision needs to be made relatively soon because it will affect the design of the building. The city is exploring its options.
Deborah also said that the city is interested in putting a transit station at 8th and Kentucky and operating a trolley that runs down Massachusetts Street to other city parking lots. This would occur during construction and would be paid for out of transit funds. She also reported that the city is rethinking the buildings exterior. Aron Cromwell views the library building as a legacy and wants to make sure that the exterior is appealing. He is interested in exploring options for additional grant or private funding to enhance the exterior. Chris added that the interior also must be functional for what is needed now as well as in the future. He said that the library is a city building, but the city has made it clear that the librarys input is essential.
K a t e s u ggested getting future board meeting dates on the architects schedule now so that they can update the board on a regular basis.
Deborah said that currently the project cost
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Library Observer Report

Director Bruce Flanders reported that the Lawrence Sertoma Club, in conjunction with Blackwell Hearing Center, has paid for the installation of "hearing loop" technology in the library auditorium.
The installation of the centralized computer control system that controls sensors, thermostats unit and a thorough air/water balance testing process will be completed by February 18.
Director Flanders has contacted a number of community organizations to make presentations regarding the library expansion and renovation project. The new construction is scheduled to begin in December 2011.
The Foundation Report stated that two grant applications were approved: (1) the Smart Investing at Your Library grant from ALA and the FINRA Foundation for $52,800; and (2) the Kansas Health Foundation grant for summer reading for $22,500. Friends Report
No representative from the Friends attended the meeting, however Sherri said that the Friends Board approved $67,000 in grants to the library at its
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stands at $18.6 million, down from the original cost of $19 million. This estimate takes into account the $500,000 for the roof as well as funds for lighting upgrades. The city is looking for additional federal grant funds for the project. Currently the schedule is to put the project out to bid in mid-September and break ground in December 2011 or January 2012. There will be opportunities for p u b l i c i n p u t o n t h e d e s i g n .




- Elinor Tourtellot

Minutes of the Board Meeting

November 29, 2010
PRESENT: Brooke Goc, President and President-Elect; Milton Scott, VicePresident; Elinor Tourtellot, Secretary; Marjorie Cole, Treasurer; Directors: Lee Ann Duver, Bob Duver, Ruth Lichtwardt and Marguerite Lohrenz. ABSENT: James Dunn, Aline Hoey, Carrie Lindsey and Chris Lempa. The meeting was called to order by Brooke at 7:00 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of the Agenda - Ruth moved and Lee Ann seconded the agenda. The agenda was passed.
Approval of October meeting minutes - Ruth moved and Bob seconded the approval of minutes. The motion passed. Approval of Treasurer's October report - Marjorie reported that payments were made to both the state and national PMP in October reducing our checking account balance to $1657.16. We are behind in dues collection as about twenty members have not paid their dues. Marjorie will send a letter encouraging people to pay their dues with the option to pay in $10 increments. She will also encourage people to apply for scholarships from our Scholarship Fund. Marguerite moved and Bob seconded the approval of the Treasurer's Report. The motion passed. PRESIDENTS REPORT:
Brooke welcomed former LWVL/DC President Ruth Lichtwardt to the Board. Ruth is also editor of The Voter.
Brooke was asked to be a member of the board of the Sunower Coalition, which looks at open government in Kansas. The Coalition meets three or four times a year. Our
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Willow Springs Township

Regular Board Meeting January 5, 2011
Present: Charles Wintermantle, Trustee; Jerry Smith, Clerk; Suzanne Evinger, Treasurer; Lyle Bowlin, Volunteer Fire Department Chief; Brandon Masur, Fire Training Chief; Tim Kohler, Road maintenance; Matt Bowlin, re department.

The minutes of the December meeting and the treasurers report were approved as read.
Fire Department responded to two res last month. A barn burned on Pleasant Grove Hill, and there was a grass re started by men cutting wood. Their branch burn pile sparked in a wind.
One truck needs two replacement tires. The Board told the re department to use their funds. No American-made tires are made for that vehicle (a 1995 model.) Two applications have been received from potential re department volunteers.
Main topic of meeting was the accident with one of the re department trucks, which rolled over while returning from a grass re. Drive Lyle Bowlin was uninjured, but the truck is probably totaled. The townships insurance agent is doing the evaluation.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 and your observer kept to one new years resolution and passed on homemade cinnamon rolls baked by Paula Bowlin.


- Peggy Baker
February 2011, page 5

league will collaborate with them in putting on their annual event to be held in Lawrence this March. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Final plans for Afternoon with the Legislators is on December 4th at the home of Rita Spradlin were discussed. Issue Meetings - A public meeting to address post election issues was suggested. We plan to have three issue meetings, one in the early spring, one near the end of the legislative session and one in the summer. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Fluker Award Committee Chair, Marguerite Lorenz, reported that Arline Seeley-Bensch and Marjorie Cole will serve on this committee. A tentative date for the Fluker event was set for March 12, 2011. Membership Committee - A Membership Chair is needed. It was suggested that a new member might be interested in this job. The position would involve welcoming new members by sending out materials, phoning, contacting members without email addresses, and recruiting. Judiciary Grant: 3nd event - Gwen Elliot, President of the Topeka-Shawnee County LWV, and three members of the Kansas Bar Association are all interested in collaborating on our third event at the Dole Institute of Politics. Fundraising - Marjorie reminded the board that fundraising should begin in January. Ruth suggested that contributions to the league could be made at issue meetings. Voter Services - Brooke attended a Johnson County naturalization ceremony and received information that will be useful when we take over the Annual Naturalization Ceremony at the Dole Institute from Johnson County LWV next fall. Communications - Brooke talked with KANU about radio spots and learned that they are inexpensive and exible.
Milton Scott, Communications Chair, wants to add a new member to do graphic design. He requests that any additions or
February 2011, page 6

changes to our website be sent to him.

Brooke moved for adjournment and Ruth seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

- Elinor Tourtellot, secretary

Land Use Committee Report

December 2010 & January 2011
December Land Use Committee Meeting. The Land Use Committee (LUC) met at the Merc on Saturday, December 11 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss items on the Planning Commission (PC) December 13th Agenda. Most of the items were not controversial except two, on which we sent letters. The rst letter was on Item No. 3, the Text Amendment (TA) to the RM32 District to allow an increase in density above the 32 units an acre that the district allows. This was requested several months ago by developers who wanted to be able to convert apartments from four- bedroom units to studio (one room apartments accommodating both kitchen and bed) and one bedroom units (one kitchen and one bedroom) to meet changing demand. [Explanation: One dwelling unit is determined by the presence of one kitchen plus accompanying bedrooms. One unit in multiple family buildings may have up to four bedrooms with one kitchen. Maintaining the same number of bedrooms but increasing the number of kitchens has the effect of technically increasing the number of dwelling units in a building, but not the number of residents.] The argument was that this change is needed to respond to demand so that old outmoded apartments can be renovated. Both developers and staff suggested various remedies, but the simplest solution seemed the current recommendation by staff to change the denition of density in the RM32 District to half; that is, counting studio and one-and two-bedroom apartments as 0.5 dwelling units. Three- and four-bedroom apartments would be counted as one dwelling unit. Other regulations would remain the same, including the requirement of one parkMy Heart Belongs to the League Issue(s)

ing space per bedroom. We pointed out in our letter that there are possible unintended outcomes of making this density modication to the code unless further conditions are added along with the density adjustment. The supposed purpose of this proposed change is to encourage the renovation of older existing apartments rather than providing incentives to consolidate lots and tear down the historic houses for new apartments, which without limiting conditions could easily happen. We made two suggestions to avoid the latter outcome: (1) Rather than change the density calculation of the RM32 District as a whole, allow it as a Condition under the Land Development Code Article 5, Use Regulations, either for the district or for the building type, limiting the density change to existing multi-family structures in the RM32 district. (2) Make the density proportionate to the number of bedrooms so that two-bedroom units would count as 0.75 unit. We also suggested that these density changes be limited to those areas designated in the Oread Neighborhood Plan for high density. We suggested that these provisions added as a general Condition to Article 5 of the Land Development Code could apply to all apartments in need of renovation or replacement, so that it could be a city-wide Condition, applying only to existing apartments and not to new RM32 Districts. OUTCOME: the PC approved the staff recommendations without any additional conditions. However, the City Commission sent it back to the PC to be reconsidered, with multiple objections. It has not yet been scheduled for rehearing by the PC. Our second letter to the PC was on Item No. 4, the proposed text amendment for Boarding Houses. This has been under consideration since December 2009, and was sent back to the PC for reconsideration by the City Commission (CC) with three requested changes: (1) simplify the standard relating to building additions to 20% of the existing structure, (2) review parking standards, requiring one space per bedroom with
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variances possible for larger structures (to provide incentive to preserve historic structures), and (3) discuss approval process; i.e., whether conversion to boarding houses should be by right, or require a special use permit. The staff recommendation renames Boarding House to Congregate Living, allows it as a use by right (permitted use) but with a site plan, allows a 20% increase in the building footprint, and regulates trash on the site. We made two requests in our letter: (1) There should be a responsible person to contact in case of a complaint. (Lacking this has been a major problem with party houses.) (2) The use of the term footprint for limiting the 20% allowed expansion still does not prevent the addition of height in stories to existing structures because the footprint is a ground-level dimension. (A 10-story building can have the same footprint as a one-story building, for example.) What is needed is the addition of the term existing structure to the 20% allowed as a description of the permitted size increase, or, if not that, some better denition. OUTCOME: the PC approved the staff recommendation without any additions or changes. The City Commission also approved it and its Ordinance 8606 is on the City Commission Consent Agenda for Second and Final Reading for Tuesday, February 8. January Land Use Committee meeting. Please note: The one issue of concern to the LUC that was on the published agenda to be heard at the January, 2011 Planning Commission meeting was deferred. It was a proposed text amendment of the Subdivision Regulations. Because we also had no text or Staff Report to study on this issue, we canceled our Land Use Committee meeting for January. The February Land Use Committee meeting will be held on Saturday, February 19 in the Merc Community Meeting Room at 4:00 p.m.

My Heart Belongs to the League Issue(s)

League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County

Helen Fluker Open and Accessible Government Award Nomination Form Name of Nominee: _____________________________________________________________ Title/Organization (if applicable): ___________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________ Phone: _______________________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________ Criteria: The nominee must be a Douglas County resident over age 18, and their efforts (volunteer or as an extension of their work duties) must have promoted improvement in government. They could have accomplished this in a variety of ways, such as attempting to increase citizen participation in government; educating the public about an issue; working toward more open government; or otherwise being involved in ways which represent the principles that lead to better political decision-making.
Please indicate below or attach a statement explaining why you feel this nominee should be considered for the Helen Fluker Open and Accessible Government Award. Please feel free to attach up to three additional sheets to this form.

Your Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Title/Organization (if applicable): ___________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________ Phone: _____________________ Email: _______________________________________________________________________
This form may be copied if you wish to make more than one nomination. Please send completed forms by March 2, 2011 to: Helen Fluker Award Selection Committee League of Women Voters Lawrence-Douglas County, P.O. Box 1072, Lawrence KS 66044-1072
February 2011, page 8 My Heart Belongs to the League Issue(s)

You can tell if you owe dues by looking at the expiration date printed just above your name on your Voter address label. A few people are already paid for the next year and their date will be 3-31-12. Fiftyyear members do not need to pay dues and their date will read 01/01/2050. If you dont have a Voter label because you receive the Voter by email, you can email the treasurer at nobledog@aol.com and receive your expiration date.
Dues should be paid within six months, so on October 1, anyone who has not paid will be moved to an inactive list. All it takes is paying dues to become active again. How are my dues spent?
Most of the dues money is for the per member payment our local League pays to the state league, LWVK, and the national League, LWVUS.

When to pay your League dues...

When you join the local League, you are also a member of the State League and the National League. How do I pay dues?
You may pay your dues in installments if you wish. Just send in your rst payment along with a note about when you will pay the rest.
You may request a full or partial scholarship. Members have provided funds to so that no one who wants to join the League will be prevented because of the cost. If you write Scholarship requested on your form, you will be contacted.
Complete the form contained in every Voter and follow instructions for mailing. Dues can be paid at any time, but the best time to pay your LWV dues is April 10, at the Annual Meeting. That way you avoid

Joining at the local level automatically makes you a member of the State and National Leagues. Dues for LWV Lawrence-Douglas County are $50 for a single membership and $75 for a household membership (two members sharing one mailing address). Dues are used to cover our per-member-payments to LWV-Kansas and LWV-US. Money we raise ourselves covers all local expenses. The League year begins April 1 and ends March 31.. The date listed above your name on the address label on your VOTER is the date through which your dues have been paid. PLEASE FILL IN THE FORM BELOW AND RETURN TO: Membership Chair, LWV L-DC, P.O. Box 1072, Lawrence KS 66044

the

D i f f e r e n c e Y o u C a n M a ke - J o i n t h e L e ag u e !

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PLEASE PRINT Date _______________ _____ Joining _____ Renewing through March 31, 2012

____ Individual Membership ($50) _____ Household Membership ($75) ____ Student Membership ($20) University student enrolled full or part time in an accredited institution Student membership includes email-only newsletter, please give an email address.

I have enclosed a contribution of $ ______________ to help sponsor a League membership. Name(s) ___________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________ Telephone ________________________ Email ____________________________________________ Would you like to be added to the LWV l-DC email listserv? Would you prefer your VOTER printed and mailed, or emailed?
February 2011, page 9

Yes Printed

No Emailed

(Emailed VOTERS are delivered sooner and include live links to the League website and other interesting places!)
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using a stamp. Only current members are able to vote at the Annual Meeting.

February 2011, page 10

My Heart Belongs to the League Issue(s)