Mark Mulliner, Elmhurst Ward 7 Candidate

ELMHURST, IL — Incumbent Mark Mulliner is one of two candidates for the Ward 7 seat on the Elmhurst City Council.

Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Mark Mulliner

Age:

65

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

Elmhurst School Districts (before District 205) and Northern Illinois University

Occupation:

Retired

Campaign website or social media page:

reelectmark.com

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

7th Ward Alderman
Chair - Elmhurst. Technology Task Force
Member - Elmhurst Public Library Board of Trustees
Vice-Chair - Elmhurst Public Library Board of Trustees
Member - Public Affairs and Safety Committee
Vice-Chair - Public Affairs and Safety Committee
Chair - Public Affairs and Safety Committee
Member - Finance, Council Affairs, & Administrative Services Committee
Member - Development, Planning, & Zoning Committee
Vice-Chair - Development, Planning, & Zoning Committee
Member - Veterans Commission
Member - Economic Development Commission
2020 & 2021 Memorial Day Convoy Committee
Member - EOA

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

The single most pressing issue facing our city is Public Safety, and this is what I intend to do about it. Public Safety is one of the most serious issues facing Elmhurst today. We need continue to find, hire, train and support the best police officers and firefighters available today. We need to continue to have the police and fire department personally reach out everyone in the City of Elmhurst, so that people can develop a personal connection to our police and fire staff. Additionally, we need to review and look to new technology and practices for both departments and other departments in the city.

What type of residential and commercial development would you like to see in Elmhurst?

I see a both types of development. We have some great opportunities for development in our industrial areas and we need to focus on those areas in the city. We have started redeveloping the industrial areas, and are in the process of reviewing what we as a city want in the industrial areas. As a council we are updating our code as to the what type of businesses are allowed and as to design standards of the structures in those areas.

How would you like to see downtown develop? Do you support more condos and apartments?

Downtown development is a balance between multi-family housing, office development and entertainment opportunities, eateries and meeting places. I still believe that there needs to be park in the “donut hole”, as a gathering place, a place to eat, a place for music, and during the winter a place to ice skate.

The city is facing a multimillion shortfall in stormwater debt for stormwater projects that have been completed. How should the city close it?

We will need to include those costs in the city’s capital funds and use taxes that we currently collect or possibly increase the taxes. Another option is to sell some of the land that the city owns and use that money to pay down the debt.

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

I use a common sense approach to the City Council. I look at issues that are brought to us: I look to see if the issue is truly a problem in the city? I also, look at the issue to see if it will it make the city better for all. Then by working with staff and other council members, we work to find a solution. I have understanding of the history of Elmhurst, as well as a vision to continue to move Elmhurst forward.

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

-City Finances
— Zero property tax increase over the past 5 years.
— Economic Development that helps to hold the line on taxes.
— Worked to maintain the City's AAA bond rating.
— Cut expenses during COVID to keep the city fiscally secure.

-Public Safety (Police)
— Elmhurst Police Officers now carry Narcan and EpiPens to provide quick response in the case of a drug overdose or allergic emergency.
— Elmhurst Police Department has hired Social Workers to help support community members who have non-police involved issues that that may have started with a call for help from our police, but can and should be handled by a social worker. The Police Department started working with this Social Worker and his team over 30 years ago.
— The Award Winning Community Roll Call program is a great way for our police to get to know the people in Elmhurst. As a part of community policing during the summer the Police Department holds Roll Calls at different locations throughout the 7th Ward and the rest of the city, so the public can better understand what the Police Department is working on at that time.
— Police vehicles are now black and white so that people could easily identify the police as they are patrolling the city.
— The Elmhurst Police has offered a number of community outreach programs for years, including the Citizen's Police Academy. This program was implemented during the time I was on the Public Affairs and Safety Committee. As a member of the Academy's first class I highly recommend that if you have the time you should attend the Citizen’s Police Academy.
— The Elmhurst Police has offered a program called SALT to connect with the seniors in Elmhurst.
— The Elmhurst Police has offered a program called DARE to connect with the children in Elmhurst schools.

-Public Safety (Fire)
— Elmhurst implemented an Award Winning Rapid Response Vehicle to respond faster and backup the city's Ambulance services.
— The Elmhurst Firefighters continually train on firefighting techniques and life saving skills.
— All fire vehicles carry Narcan and EpiPens to provide quick response in the case of a drug overdose or allergic emergency.
— Fire trucks have been changed back to red so that people could easily identify fire vehicles.
— The Elmhurst Fire Department offers programs to connect with the children in Elmhurst schools and the seniors throughout the city.
— The Elmhurst Fire Department offers program to install lock boxes, and smoke detectors in senior’s homes throughout the city.

-Public Safety (ComEd)
— Worked with ComEd to keep the lights on during the 2010’s when we were having significant power issues and the devastating flooding.
— Worked with ComEd to improve the Power Grid and install storm resistant wiring in Elmhurst.
— Worked with ComEd to move Elmhurst higher up on the list to get the Smart Grid installed.

-Public Safety (Water Systems)
- Water Main Replacement Plan
— A plan has been developed to replace all of the water mains in Elmhurst. This is a proactive approach to keep the city's drinking safe and reduce the number of emergency water main repairs.
— Water Main Monitoring System
— We installed a system to monitor the entire water system in Elmhurst. Now all water mains are now monitored 24/7 to find water leaks. This system helps the City Staff to be proactive in finding more leaks sooner they can be repaired during normal business hours, reducing overtime costs. Additionally, the City Staff can work with people in the area of a break and control the time the water is off to individual homes.
— During the time of the flooding in the 2010's, I found that the City of Elmhurst had a bypass system that needed to be removed. I was instrumental in the plan and implementation of the Southwest Elmhurst Stormwater Mitigation Project eliminating sanitary water from getting into your home and the Salt Creek.

- Waster Water Treatment Plant upgrades
— Maintenance and upgrades of the Elmhurst’s wastewater treatment plant to keep up with new and future EPA regulations.
— Maintenance and upgrades of the city’s of waste water by lining pipes.
— During the time of the flooding in the 2010's, I worked with the City Council, City Staff and the community to identify, plan and implement stormwater management throughout Elmhurst. In the 7th Ward, stormwater retention was added by Jackson School and by the Royal York Condos.
— These projects have been very successful. We have no more serious flooding

- Stormwater pipe improvements
— Cleaning of all stormwater pipes to increase stormwater flow and increase the amount of water that can flow to the creeks.
- Two improvements were made in the area of street sweeping. The number of cleanings was increased, and street sweeping is being done before most large rainfalls.

-Intra-governmental work
— Worked with the Schools and Parks to help keep tax increases as low as possible.
— TIF is a program to help with economic development. The newest TIF districts were set up with schools and parks in mind. With the newest TIF's the city can help both schools and parks with capital projects.
— Community Alert Program
— Elmhurst Connect App
— Water Sense Program
— Public Works Citizens Academy
— The city in the past used the collected gases at the waste water plant to generate electricity for years. Then the cost of electricity, from ComEd came down it didn’t make sense to keep the program going. Now that the cost of electricity going back up the city has returned to generating it own electricity again at the waste water plant.
— The city has been purchasing and using hybrid vehicles in departments.
— The city has changed most of the larger vehicles to use natural gas which is much cleaner.
- Downtown outdoor dining helped to bring people to Elmhurst.
— Version 1 - Fenced in outdoor dining
— Version 2 - COVID outdoor dining to keep small businesses operational
— Version 3 - allow outdoor dining throughout Elmhurst to help build businesses up
— Saved the Memorial Day Parade during COVID, by replacing it with a Memorial Day Convoy.
— Worked with the City and Elmhurst American Legion to keep the Legion in Elmhurst.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

Focus on public safety, financial responsibility, help seniors to stay in Elmhurst, economic development in the industrial parks, work closer with the Parks and Schools, and create a park in the donut hole.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Stay local and service, you have a bigger impact in your community than you will ever have at the State or National level.

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

Elmhurst is wonderful city that I love and I know you love it too. I have been honored to represent you and would be honored to continue to represent you. For these reasons I ask for your vote.