I have 23 years of government employment, including 8 years with DuPage County for the Circuit Court Clerk and the Building Department along with 15 years working in the St. Charles Community Development Department as Historic Preservation Coordinator. I have a full understanding of how our City Government works including City Ordinances/Codes, all of the City Departments and their functions. I facilitated many discussions between city officials/representatives and residents. I have a well-rounded knowledge of Planning, Zoning, the Comprehensive Plan and Historic Preservation. I have consulted for several other government bodies and volunteered for many various organizations so I understand the importance of having a good working relationship with other government bodies and community organizations to achieve important goals for our community. Worked with many local business owners too and created incentive programs, giving me knowledge for economic development. As a resident, I help other residents let their voices be heard and understand how we can do better communicating and working with the residents. I currently have a great and respectful working relationship with our current aldermen and staff and I know we can work well together to make great things happen for St. Charles. Visit www.kimmalay.com for more detailed information.
1) Economic Development and Business Retention - Economic development and business retention throughout the community is critical for St. Charles. We need to generate more revenue, help make those properties with TIFs including 1st Street and the Old St. Charles Mall property successful so they can pay for themselves, create more jobs and help keep property taxes lower. The City has failed to put this issue as a top priority and focus on it. That needs to change. We need to determine what needs to be done to create a more inviting environment for businesses and customers, then take action to make it happen.
2) Responsible and Appropriate Development/Redevelopment - Don’t develop just to develop. Look at impacts, make sure new developments are a benefit to the City not a negative impact, follow the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinances etc. Look at what we really need like commercial, industrial, 55+ and special needs housing and work to bring them into our community
3) Building a Better Relationship with Residents - We need to work to build a better relationship with residents. Communicate with them, make government open and transparent, get them involved in important issues immediately and approve an ethics ordinance.
For more information on my goals visit www.kimmalay.com
Although I would love to say yes to this, I could not in good conscious say absolutely yes because I won’t make a promise I know I may not be able to keep. If revenue continues to decrease the reality is we may need to raise the tax levy to insure that we are able to provide the services needed to protect our residents and their quality of life. With that being said I will however make sure we exhaust all other options before resorting to an increase. That includes bringing in new businesses, retaining existing businesses, marketing St. Charles better, cutting expenses and being smart about development and the use of potential incentives.
The approval of the Lexington Club Project and TIF. One issue was residents were disrespected through the process by some officials and the process was handled poorly especially at the end. Another issue is approving a TIF for residential use is cause for major concern and with this one the amount that was approved was double what the cost of clean-up for that site actually is. In the end the City and its residents are paying for improvements that would need to be made in any development by any developer. If we were going to approve a TIF it should have just been for the actual clean-up costs and nothing more. In addition, the plan was far from being the best it could be. This project was proposed in an older neighborhood of our downtown that consists of mostly single family homes. The project is much denser than the surrounding neighborhood and consists of mostly townhomes. It does not blend at all, adds a lot more traffic and does not benefit not compliment the neighborhood, nor does it add the type of housing stock we actually need like 55+ or special needs housing. We could have done better and should have since we are helping fund it.
Obtaining our AA1 bond rating. It has been hard to accomplish, but St. Charles is better off than some of our surrounding communities because of the City Council and staff\'s efforts. This rating has allowed the City to refinance the bonds that were used for the first 5 TIFs which does save the City and thus the Tax Payers money. We still have work to do fiscally, but I commend the City Council and staff for accomplishing this.
I have the experience of 23 years working in government, preparing the information for the City Council to help them make their decisions, knowing the history of decades of decisions they have made, working with other government bodies, community organizations, business owners and resident, creating incentive programs, participating in economic revitalization efforts including talking to business owners about locating in St. Charles.
I also have proven how I will represent the residents as I have spent the last 4 years, long before I even imagined running for office, reaching out and communicating with the residents, letting them know what is happening in our area, informing them of issues they should be aware of, helping them unite, educating them on the process, details and how to let their voices be heard most effectively. I have worked on their behalf to resolve issues and concerns they have. I have worked with members of the City Council to help accomplish all of this. I have attended hundreds of meetings to represent the residents and to stay informed. In many ways I have been performing the responsibilities of Alderman for a few years. Visit www.kimmalay.com for more detailed information.
There are four differences between myself and the other candidate. 1) My experience as a City Alderman, who has served Ward five since December 2010, gives me the knowledge as to what the issues and concerns are to the residents of St. Charles. I currently serve on the planning and development, government operations, and government services committees. This allows me to understand the issues facing the city of St. Charles. I have been a member of the 708 Mental Health Board since 2003 and am a member of the Development and Education Committee for The Downtown Partnership. 2) My deep roots and historical knowledge of being raised in St. Charles and having children plus grandchildren residing here, provides me better understanding and appreciation for the issues facing three generations of St. Charles citizens. 3) My knowledge of small business from owning and operating Art\'s Cool in downtown St. Charles for five years. 4) My positive vision for the City illustrated by my support of the Red Gate Bridge which is proving to be a welcome link for the city\'s northwest and northeast neighborhoods
First: The Residents of Ward Five. City government is closest to the people and has the biggest impact in their lives. Commitment, service, and responsiveness to the citizens are cornerstones for elected officials. It is important for me to be a connection between the residents and the city administration, to listen thoughtfully to their concerns, take action, and represent them on the city council. Constituents should be confident their elected official is a trustworthy person, with high integrity and a moral compass pointed in the right direction. My years of service to the city are a testament to these beliefs, as are my proactive efforts in receiving the International City Management Association (ICMA) certification credentials for \"Building an Ethical Culture\" and the State of Illinois Open Meetings Act certification credentials for an Illinois City Official
Second: Quality of life. I will continue to make sure we have high quality city services delivered in a timely and cost efficient manner. I will continue to make sure our streets and bridges and public buildings are in good repair, and our neighborhoods are safe and well maintained. I support a walkable and bikeable community.
Third: Making Progress Toward Our Vision. St. Charles prides itself as being an historical community which is balanced in commercial, industrial and residential growth. A community in which we can live, work and shop. Attracting new businesses that will provide quality jobs is a priority. St. Charles has several competitive advantages such as our quality of life, our financial stability, our commitment to the Arts, our parks, library, schools and the Fox River. We will need to continue marketing these advantages so as to attract and maintain businesses. The new comprehensive plan will be a guide to move forward with this vision. The residents of St. Charles are optimistic, successful, and are looking forward to a bright future. The City Council needs a person with my creative thinking, commitment, and resolve to move our city forward.
St. Charles has had a flat tax rate since 2009. This represents five consecutive years of zero increase in the tax levy. One could consider this a freeze. This has happened because St Charles initiated a cost savings program, \"to live within our means\" so taxes did not have to be raised. This has been and continues to be a very effective tool to save the taxpayer money. As a member of the city council I voted to achieve these results and I will continue to support maintaining a flat tax levy.
The most contentious decision the city council made that I disagree with is the residential TIF awarded to Lexington Club for the development of the old Allied Composite site. I believe this residential TIF allowed the developer to transfer expenses to the citizens of St. Charles with no assurances beyond a proposed plan. I did not vote in favor of this TIF
Building the Red Gate Bridge! After nearly 100 years, I am proud to be a member of the city council that voted yes to move forward and build the bridge. I have always supported the city\'s investment in the Red Gate Bridge, and I am confident our citizens will benefit from this decision for generations to come. This new river crossing which opened in December 2012 has unified the northwest and northeast communities of St. Charles and in turn has created a better and more connected city.
During my service as Fifth
Ward Alderman St. Charles has achieved very good results. We have financial stability: a flat tax rate, a very high bond rating from Moody\'s Investment Services, and a healthy reserve fund. The city has also been recognized as the #1 city in America to raise a Family by Family Circle Magazine. My service as Alderman has been effective because of my deep roots in St. Charles which allow me to understand the historical perspective of our city and convey a comprehensive knowledge to make the best decisions for our future. My commitment is solid. Citizens of Ward Five can continue to count on me to do the job and make them proud!
