Man of Many Hats

As a parks commissioner, Kristl has kept alive the notion of using eminent domain to take private property along Chouteau Trafficway. The Parks Department wants to turn the road into a parkway. Earlier this year, Kristl and other city leaders talked about using the parkway alignment as a means of eliminating the tattoo parlor and used-car lots that line the trafficway. Kristl told The Kansas City Star that parkway construction presented an opportunity for "neighborhood revitalization."

Kristl says he wants to build parkways in the Northland to improve the quality of life, not enrich developers. "Am I in a conflict of interest because I'm trying to cause growth to occur in the Northland? How far do you go with that? I'll guarantee you I'm trying to cause growth. If that means that my law business gets better because I'm causing growth, maybe. Does that mean it's a conflict of interest? Boy, that's a pretty remote way to look at it. But I suppose you could look at it that far if you wanted to."

If boulevard and parkway construction is connected only remotely to Kristl's law practice, his appointments to TIF advisory committees provide a more substantial link.

Kristl sits on the advisory committee of the Shoal Creek TIF plan, which uses the taxes generated by new development to pay for $86 million in street work north of the river. Kristl also represents developer John Ferguson, who's building a retail project within the plan.

Kristl says Ferguson asked for his help in getting the city to pay for road improvements that would benefit Ferguson's project. "During that process, I didn't vote on anything related to him," Kristl says. "I did participate on the committee but not on anything related to him. He's now no longer directly involved in the TIF plan, and I'm still on the committee."

Kristl's defenders say knowledge he brings to civic boards outweighs concerns about conflicts of interest. "When Tim is involved in a deliberative body, the learning curve improves for everyone involved," Rice says.

Councilwoman Hermann says she calls Kristl when she has questions about TIF. "He knows where all of the holes are," she says. Parks Director Mark McHenry calls Kristl "a valuable member of our park board."

Even people who disagree with Kristl respect his abilities.

"He and I have been on different sides at times, but that doesn't mean that I don't think he does a good job," says community activist Anita Gorman, who opposed the North Oak Village plan. "I don't always agree with him, but that doesn't make him wrong and me right, either." Gorman says she sees no evidence that Kristl abuses his position as a parks commissioner.

Kristl is effective, but occasionally abrasive. At a parks meeting last December, City Auditor Mark Funkhouser presented a report critical of the lack of competitive bidding for the Starlight Theatre management contract. Kristl felt the need to remark on a 7 percent raise that Funkhouser had received. Kristl asked the auditor if he was wearing "a 7 percent tie."

Kristl serves on the parks board without pay. He says he gives away half his time. His knowledge and ability to get things done can be a curse, he says.

"I could probably make more money if I just sat and worked," he says. "My wife says to me all the time, 'Why don't you give up some of these damn jobs and make more money?' She's probably not wrong, either. But, you know, I get my high by making an impact. I really do."

Kristl leaves the second-guessing to others. He does not, for instance, see a problem with his wearing his parks badge when he's conducting private business at City Hall.

"It gives me an ease of getting in the door. That's really all it's for," he says.