I have spent 32 years on the Batavia City Council. Most of that time as chairman of the Public Utilities Committee. I believe my experience and expertise will continue to benefit the citizens of our community.
I truly think that as an alderman intimately involved with Public Utilities, power economics, the complexities of the state and federal regulations and the fast changing nature of the field that I am best able to work with the rest of the City Council and City Staff to solve the short-term issue we now have. The Council, including myself, considers this a priority. I represent the City as a member of the Northern Illinois Municipal Power Agency. I am familiar with the studies that have been performed by our consultant over the last year, the work and thought behind the actions we are taking to reduce our power supply, and am best positioned to take advantage of opportunities we are working to create at this very moment. Unfortunately, as a commodity and subject to competition, some our actions can’t always be as open as we would like, but I will continue to do my job for the benefit of the community. Lastly, the Council is already losing three valuable members. This is not to say that the new ones will not get up to speed as soon as possible, but in this case, I think it is valuable to maintain some consistently.
Batavia’s electric rates are absolutely in line with other communities. Changes are always hard and the last resort, but in one sense, the extent to which we remain competitive with other communities even after modest increases is a measure of how reasonable we have been able to keep rates, which at the same time, increasing our reliability to far greater levels than investor-owned utilities. I can refer you to the recent NIMPA rate study so you can see how we compare.
My priorities are mostly the same as the present City Council.
The City Council has authorized a Waste Water Treatment Facility Engineering Study
with Trotter and Associates for Treatment Options and Master plan Updates .The Utility Committee and Staff are currently working with the engineers. I am familiar with the operation of the plant and have been a part of the last three improvements.
The proper use of TIF funds to encourage improvements to business and property within the TIF district. Funding have and will continue to be used to encourage new business, improve existing business and partner with building owners to bringing building codes up to date.
The term “streetscape” has become a popular term around the City of Batavia. The formation of a citizens group and the contracting of the Altamanu Group was the beginning of a long process. The Council was advised and adopted a recommendation to work toward a more pedestrian friendly downtown. River Street should be followed by Wilson Street this summer, Houston Street, creating a new sidewalk on the hill for our residents to access the downtown, Batavia Avenue, the street by which many people passing through get an idea of our town, and South Water Street our growing arts neighborhood.
No. The City of Batavia has a tax rate near the lowest of any area community and has increased approximately 10% over the last 10 years. While we did experience a larger than normal increase between 2010 and 2011, it was to absorb a large increase in ambulance service costs. This year our rate, which is always dependent upon the entire community’s eav is expected to increase by 2.2%, close to the rate of inflation. We have reduced spending in 4 of the last 6 years and total spending is still significantly lower than in 2007 and 2008. We are operating with approximately 10% fewer employees than in 2009, those who remained voluntarily took pay cuts, 2013 is the first year they have earned more than they did in 2009.
The Mayor Council and Staff take taxation very seriously.
The council removed the requirement for masonry dividers between multi family units. The new code requires only fire rated separation walls and floors between units. The building requires fire sprinklers throughout. This does meet the present state fire codes. The new code is expected to encourage new, more affordable housing.
Without a doubt RIVER STREET, our first “streetscape.”
I think our first major project, River Street has been successful, and that if summer ever gets here, will show how these kinds of projects can improve our quality of life.
I have and will continue to be totally involved. I make it a point to attend all meetings that involves decisions within the 5th Ward and/or the City Council. I have also regularly attended Plan Commission and Zoning Board meeting. Knowledge is the only way a council member can make an informed vote.
I regularly attend seminars presented by American Public Power Association, Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (of which I was a founding member) Illinois Municipal Utility Association and the Indiana Municipal Utility Agency. Since Batavia has found it necessary to limit seminars due to budget constraints, I have paid for the seminars personally. Education and networking is an important part of the chairing the utility committee.
I have served in public office forty two years, ten years on the first Batavia Park District board and the last thirty two years on the Batavia City Council. The Council is already losing three of valuable members. This is not to say that the new ones will not get up to speed as soon as possible, but in this case, I think it is valuable to maintain some consistently.
I feel the present administration is leading the ship in the right direction. Not a good time for change.
As an architect, I know what it takes to create exciting, attractive and economically viable projects. I am creative and have a vision for how to achieve a healthy, vibrant downtown Batavia. Having my own architectural practice for 22 years, I know the challenges of running a successful business. I know how to work cooperatively with owners, developers, contractors, consultants, community groups and code officials alike.
I have served on Batavia’s Historic Preservation Commission since its inception in 2003, serving as its chairman for five years. I chose to serve on this Commission because I believe it is important to preserve Batavia’s rich architectural history and also respect the rights of individual property owners. My goal has been to create win-win scenarios. We created and wrote all the guidelines, which are crafted to preserve our historic buildings, while also recognizing advancements in energy efficiency. We also administer the city’s façade grant program, annually allocating up to $50,000 in grant money to various applicants who wish to improve their buildings and our downtown.
CREATING A VIBRANT, HEALTHY DOWNTOWN
Batavia’s downtown is beautiful, with many amenities to attract restaurants, stores, and businesses. Yet, few come here because of our difficult approval process: it took seven years for McDonald’s to obtain permission to replace their existing downtown restaurant. Walgreens is nearly two years into an effort to replace their downtown location. Both have been good neighbors, contributing significantly to our downtown’s economic health.
SUPPORTING THE FINE ARTS COMMUNITY
Batavia is home to a growing fine arts community. Water Street Studio has quickly grown in popularity, becoming an attraction that draws visitors from throughout the Midwest. However, the area around the studio lacks adequate parking, safe sidewalks, and sufficient lighting.
TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT
The city of Batavia has committed ratepayers to a 30-year, $246 million obligation in a downstate coal mine, power plant and landfill. This represents the largest single obligation in the city’s history. Yet, most citizens know little of this agreement, nor anything about the terms, many of which are detrimental to the city. The city has not done enough to make this information public, to educate the citizens, and engage in a public discourse.
Most of us live on a budget and have been challenged to make ends meet during the last four or five years. Many have lost their jobs or been forced to take salary cuts during this period. We have had to make difficult decisions to balance our personal budgets. Likewise, so should our city officials. Freezing the levy would accomplish the following:
• It would help those on fixed incomes
• It would give the city less to spend, forcing them to budget like the rest of us
• It would encourage the city to review and assess which programs are essential and which can be curbed
I would support the freezing of our annual tax levy as long as we can continue to provide and maintain the quality of the basic services that our citizens require. Programs such as the annual spring trash pick-up and autumn leaf pickup, our outstanding response during snow storms and top-notch police and fire emergency response record, etc. are all contingent upon monies that the City collects on our tax levies. If I was convinced that this freeze would not reduce or eliminate these important programs I would wholeheartedly support such a cost-saving measure.
I disagree with the City Council’s decision to burden ratepayers with a $246 million obligation in Prairie State Energy Campus, coal mine, power plant & landfill.
• There has been little transparency in the decisions made concerning this 30-year obligation. Information about the project has generally only been obtainable through Freedom of Information requests.
• We deserve to see proper financial statements. PSEC, a $5 billion project, has yet to produce an audited financial statement compliant with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• We signed an agreement with no guaranteed amount of power and no maximum price. We gambled and lost and are now paying a premium for coal power.
• We purchased too much base load power. We have been unable to sell our excess.
• Our electrical costs are now higher, not lower than surrounding communities.
• This power agreement is generating a loss, not a profit. By the city’s own estimates, we may not see a profit until 2024 at the earliest. Changes in legislation, technology or implementation of a CO2 tax could easily skew this into a worse scenario.
• I believe that committing to coal as our sole energy source for the next 30 years is an unwise environmental decision.
• Last and most important is that the city does not have a proactive plan to manage or solve these problems. The public has not been served well. We can do better.
The City of Batavia understands the importance of providing “the basics” and excels at the delivery of these services:
• Our electrical crews maintain and restore electrical power faster than any surrounding community: When last summer’s severe thunderstorm and winds damaged many homes and downed numerous power poles, Batavia’s crews restored power to most areas very efficiently.
• Our plows and removal crews clear the streets very quickly after snowfalls.
• Our trash and brush removal process is smooth, and the dates are clearly advertised in a variety of publications.
• I understand our past: Having served on Batavia’s Historic Preservation Commission for nearly 10 years, I know our city and its downtown, its rich heritage and the beautiful natural amenities of its river and trails.
• I have a creative vision for our future: As an architect, I know how to create a healthy, stable, economically vibrant downtown.
• I am fiscally responsible: I am an experienced businessman, having owned my own architectural practice for 22 years, half of which was spent in downtown Batavia.
• I believe in investing in our community: I created a mentoring program to help high school students decide if a career in architecture is right for them. Over the last ten years dozens of students have completed my program and experienced first-hand the responsibilities and opportunities awaiting them in the architectural field.
• I believe we can do better: I have a vision of a city that is welcoming to new enterprise and receptive to creative ideas. I imagine a city that embraces its past and looks forward to its future. I am committed to a city that boasts an efficient, transparent government that works to create a better Batavia for all of us.
