Dan Virgil, Elmhurst Ward 5 Candidate

ELMHURST, IL – Dan Virgil is one of two candidates for the Ward 5 seat on the Elmhurst City Council.

Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Dan Virgil

Town of residence:

Elmhurst

Age:

57

Campaign contact email:

danvirgilward5@gmail.com

Family:

Nicole is my wife of 28 years. We have two children ages 22 and 17.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

B.S. Computer Science from Purdue University

Occupation:

I retired three years ago. I was a Senior Technical Project Manager for a large consulting company where I worked for over 31 years.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

none

The single most pressing issue facing the city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe the most pressing issue is the cost of living. Elmhurst is a desirable place to be, but it’s also expensive. Taxes and housing affordability have become burdensome to many residents. This is not a simple problem to solve as there are national and regional factors at play too. I will discuss some actions the city can take to help address this in my other responses.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

This job requires dedication and responsiveness. In the course of the campaign so far, I have spoken to hundreds of ward 5 residents. I have heard their concerns, and hopefully they have learned a bit about me too. I believe the alderman should be a liaison with the residents of the ward, understanding their struggles and pushing for solutions, as well as keeping them informed. I’m retired so I have plenty of time to devote to this. While I love this city, I can say that it’s not perfect. There is still work to do. I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeve and dig into the issues to find the best solution.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I had a long professional career where I developed skills that will also be applicable in city government. I worked with many different groups of stakeholders to get things done for the benefit of a client. In this case, the client would be the people of the 5th ward. I also managed large budgets.

If you’ve been around Elmhurst for a while, you may remember my family from the hoop house drama in town a few years ago. During that six-year effort to change the city’s code, I learned a lot about how the city works and what it takes to successfully make change. Since then, I have been regularly attending city council and committee meetings to become familiar with issues and concerns of the community.

Are the city government's taxes too high, too low or just about right? Explain.

The taxes are too high. The city’s tax collections have been increasing faster than inflation for decades. In the past 30 years, the city’s tax revenues have doubled, even after taking out the impact of inflation, although the city’s population has only risen by about 10%. I would like to see the city look for opportunities for savings and spending cuts. I have a few ideas for these. I would also support efforts to grow the tax base to better leverage the infrastructure investments the city has already made. This would provide additional revenues to cover the city’s costs and provide savings for existing residents.

How do you feel about the downtown apartment and condo development in recent years?

I know some residents are not fond of the large apartment and condo developments downtown as they have significantly altered the streetscape and skyline. My view is a bit different. No place is immune from change. Municipalities and neighborhoods are either growing or declining. I prefer growth as it keeps our community vibrant. The downtown area is actually a powerhouse of financial productivity. It provides housing and jobs as well as a significant tax base for the city. In fact, many properties in the downtown area have ten times the taxable (assessed) value per acre compared to the median Elmhurst property. This does not even consider the various sales taxes the city collects from downtown businesses. The residents in these buildings also help support the downtown businesses. Even though I think taxes in the city are high, they would be worse were it not for these newer developments. We all benefit financially from these developments. That being said, I would like to explore ways to reduce the size of future developments. Part of the reason the developments have been so large is that they need to be otherwise they are not economically viable. Making smaller developments viable would have several benefits. The future changes to the city’s streetscape would not be as drastic. It could also allow for a faster feedback loop that would make the growth more nimble. Smaller projects may allow for a more variety to find the optimal improvements for Elmhurst. The results could be assessed, and future development could be adjusted. It would also allow for faster responses to unforeseen events (e.g. economic downturns). Finally, it could allow smaller local developers to participate and keep more of the proceeds in the regional economy, rather than only large national developers being involved, which drains profits out of our community.

What is your view of the city's maintenance of its infrastructure?

I believe the city’s infrastructure is generally well maintained. This includes things like streets, water, sewer, parkway trees, and streetlights. There are certainly instances of items that could use some attention, but mostly these are in good shape. There are, however, some concerns on the horizon. Most of the city’s water distribution system is near or at the end of its useful life. While the number of annual water main breaks have not yet increased significantly, it is just a matter of time. The current rate of 1% annual replacement/relining of the system will likely need to accelerate to maintain the integrity of the system.

Has the city done a good job in handling stormwater issues?

The city has made significant investments over the years in stormwater management projects such as storm sewers, levees, retention areas, and pumping stations. These have helped reduce the risks of flooding, but there is still more to do. On an ongoing basis, the city should continue to ensure that storm sewer inlets are clear. There are still some areas where localized flooding is a concern. The city should still continue its efforts to address these.

What is your assessment of the police department's performance?

The city’s police officers have a tough job, and I believe that they do it very well. The department’s procedures, training programs, and new technology have helped continue what’s been a long tradition of excellence. There are challenges, however. The police department has experienced a large amount of attrition in recent years. They operate out of a small and inefficient station (as I’ll explain in my response to the next question). As a city, we need to ensure the department continues to have the right resources to do their job.

Does the city need a new police station? Why or why not?

Like a lot of residents, I was surprised when I heard that the city wanted to replace the police station. The building isn’t that old, and it looked very nice from the outside. To better understand whether a replacement was warranted. I spoke with folks that worked in the building, and I took a tour. I have changed my mind about this. I now believe that the building does need to be replaced. It’s very cramped. It’s inefficiently designed. It has security issues, and it has structural and mechanical issues. Many of these defects actually cost the city money as part of the department’s operations. Just putting more money into a badly designed structure seems like a waste of money. It may fix some of the issues, but it won’t help much with the design or the bones of the structure. Replacing the building with a new station that is fit for purposes will help the department operate more efficiently and reduce its operating costs.

Do you support a property tax increase, in part, to pay for the new station?

I would like to get a better understanding of the $48M estimate. It’s a lot of money and I think there needs to be more transparency around this. As an example to illustrate what I mean by this, I could build 2 new houses of the same size side by side with different costs because they have different options and finishes. It’s not very clear what’s included in that $48M? I want to ensure that any new building will be fit for purpose, but at the lowest price point possible. I also want to ensure that the city has the right processes and reviews in place to avoid the issues that have happened with the current building, so we won’t be in the same situation in another few decades. I attended the Finance committee meetings where they deliberated on how to pay for the new station. I think the approach the Finance Committee came up with is probably the best possible option. It tries to minimize the impact on property taxes in a few ways - by deferring borrowing some of the money for construction until it’s actually needed, by selling a city-owned property (180 W Park), and increasing the hotel tax by 1%. However, I would also like to look at spending cuts and areas for savings to help offset the increase.

What is your view of the city's decision last year to raise water and sewer rates by 28 percent?

I know any decision to raise rates is concerning. However, it is critical that the city maintains its water and sewer system. This is necessary for the health of our community and maintaining property values. There are important maintenance considerations that do need to be addressed. A substantial portion of the city’s water mains are already past their life expectancy or will be in the next few years. The city needs to replace older equipment at the Water Reclamation Facility, as well as meet a state and federal EPA mandate to remove phosphorus from wastewater. Many folks have complained that Elmhurst’s bills are higher than surrounding communities, but I believe it’s because more of the city’s infrastructure is older. Given the criticality of the water supply and infrastructure, it’s unlikely that there will be any significant reduction in the near future. Ideally the city would have built up reserves over the decades to prepare for eventual replacement. Going forward it would probably make sense to do that. There is currently a tiered rate plan being reviewed in the Finance committee that may provide a small amount of relief for customers with lower usage. There may also be the option at some point for another water source other than the city of Chicago that may be cheaper.

Should the mayor and aldermen take political contributions from city contractors or those with zoning or other matters before the council? Why or why not?

Absolutely not. This would be a significant conflict of interest.

Should the city allow video gambling or recreational marijuana sales in town?

Regarding dispensaries, these are not something I would push for. I suspect that there won’t be the tax windfall that some proponents of this have mentioned. However, I generally believe that people should have the freedom to make their own decisions. Dispensaries are legal businesses in Illinois. As long as they are not becoming a nuisance, I think it’s something the city could consider. I’m not aware of issues in other nearby towns that have them. The main concern I have is in which zoning district this could be allowed. I don’t think it should be downtown or in some of the other commercial districts. The industrial zone seems like the best place.

Regarding video gambling, my thoughts are mostly similar. However, I think the location where this could be allowed is more challenging. I don’t have a finalized opinion on this and I think more discussion is needed.

Should the city do anything to make housing more affordable in town? Why or why not?

There is a housing affordability crisis in this country which has been building for a while. Elmhurst has not been immune from this. Furthermore, Elmhurst is a desirable place which has also increased demand for housing in the city. It’s also a bit of a double-edged sword. If you are an existing homeowner, your property values have gone up, but if you’re not, then it has been increasingly expensive to buy or rent. Also, for existing homeowners the increase in property values is usually not available until the property is sold. Seniors who have lived here for decades are feeling squeezed out. Kids that have grown up here can’t afford to stay. Folks that work in town as our police officers or teachers may not be able to afford to live here. It’s clear that more housing is needed, as well as different types of housing particularly at the lower end of the price range. In the city we have mainly two types of new residential construction – luxury homes and luxury condo and apartment buildings. We need to look at other options. An option that has been getting a lot of attention elsewhere is Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs, also known as granny flats). These can provide more affordable housing. They can provide income for house-rich, cash-poor residents. These have been around for a long time, but were mostly outlawed in the US in the middle of the 20th century. Now there is a trend underway to bring them back. Numerous municipalities across the country have allowed them. Fourteen states, twelve in just the last eight years, now allow them. AARP supports them as they provide a great opportunity for seniors. I think these are an option the city should look at and determine any rules and conditions needed to make these workable.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No. I plan to serve the full term. I am passionate about municipal issues. I want to do everything possible to ensure that Elmhurst continues to be a great place. I have no aspirations for other offices.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

This is an important election that will help set the direction of the city for many years.

My priorities in this election are:

· Fiscal Responsibility – I will always respect that the source of the revenues that the city receives is the taxpayers’ hard-earned money. I will push to ensure that the city uses this resource as efficiently and effectively as possible.

· Safer Streets – I have heard over and over from residents of ward 5 about the need to slow down cars on our residential streets. We need to ensure that our children, as well as pedestrians and cyclists, are safe. I will advocate for ways to do this.

· Responsive to Residents - The city government’s purpose is to serve the residents. Many residents feel that the city government is not responsive to their concerns. I understand. I pledge to be available to hear residents’ concerns and work to find solutions. If a resident reaches out to me, I will respond. I will also communicate regularly to residents about what’s going on in city government through ward town halls and social media.

I’ve been a resident of ward 5 for many years. I am dedicated to doing whatever I can to help make it and the city more livable, safer, and more financially resilient.