Gutenkauf Wants to Make Elmhurst More Pedestrian Friendly, Resolve Parking and Traffic Issues

• 1st Ward candidate: Diane Gutenkauf (Incumbent)
• Web site: on Facebook as Alderman Diane Gutenkauf
• E-mail: dgutenkauf@comcast.net
• Family: husband, Michael; stepsons, Matthew, 20, Zak, 16, and Jordan, 15
• Education: bachelor's degree in anthropology, Grinnell College; master's in anthropology, Northern Illinois University; museum studies certification, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Occupation: Museum director
• Previous elected offices: Elmhurst 1st Ward Alderman since 2007; National Association for Museum Exhibition, membership chairman; Illinois Association of Museums, Region 5 director; Elmhurst Historical Society, president
• Applicable experience: I’ve been serving as alderman for the past four years, and I have been employed by and served on boards of nonprofits for more than 25 years. My work history as a director in a major Chicagoland nonprofit business brings a strong sense of fiscal responsibility to the table. Nonprofits are proficient at doing more with less, important skills Elmhurst needs as we focus on budgeting in our tough economy.

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

I am seeking reelection so I may continue the work I have focused on for the past four years. I’ve been dedicated to serving Elmhurst and am proud of the results I’ve delivered to residents. Some projects are still in the works and  I would like to stay and see are carried through—such as a sidewalk on Elm Park to make walking safer for York High School students. I enjoy working for the people of the 1st Ward and Elmhurst and, most importantly, I want to see the strong lines of open communication I created over the past 4 years continue.

What will be your priority if elected?

To complete projects currently underway, including a pedestrian-friendly crossing over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks at West Avenue, final resolution of the disclosure ordinance I first proposed in 2008, rebuilding the working cash fund and ensuring residents' interests are represented on all major city projects.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I pay attention to details and am a strong communicator. Since I was elected in 2007, the 1st Ward has unprecedented access to its elected officials in the form of annual town hall meetings, newsletters and regular e-mail updates, and monthly Coffee and Conversation meetings. I come prepared to council and committee meetings and know how to apply my research skills to the tasks facing the council.

How long have you lived in Elmhurst?

18 years

What's your favorite thing about Elmhurst?

I love that residents care deeply about this city and that they are vocal about issues and about our quality of life.  Residents are willing to get involved and make our community special.

What is the biggest problem in Elmhurst?

I could pick any of a handful of issues but I believe parking and traffic issues continue to challenge us.  I partner, and if reelected will continue to partner, with residents to identify hot spots. For example, residents have alerted me to issues including illegal truck traffic on side streets, excessive speeding in residential neighborhoods and parking challenges near schools and businesses. Parking solutions might include incorporating sustainable design into future parking facilities and rethinking street designs to create harmony between cars, bicycles and pedestrian needs. Creative parking strategies exist and are implemented in other communities. Studying these solutions will provide inspiration for our city as well.

Are there any challenges or problems in your ward? If so, what needs to be done?

I see two key areas where we could greatly improve pedestrian safety—along Elm Park Avenue, between Alma and West Avenues, and at the West Avenue railroad crossing.  Elm Park has no sidewalk on the south side and the West Avenue crossing has no pedestrian access at all. In both cases I’ve worked with all involved parties to get permission for Elmhurst to build sidewalks. Now we need construction season to begin so the projects can move forward.

With the retirement of Tom Borchert, what do you think are the most important attributes for a new city manager?

Elmhurst needs a city manager who can effectively juggle residents’ needs, budget constraints and planning priorities. The successful new manager will be someone with creative ideas and a proactive attitude.

Do you think the city is spending taxpayer money in the most efficient and effective way? What, if anything, would you change with regard to budgeting and spending?

Our fiscal year doesn’t line up with our tax levy decision making. The result is that we have to decide what our tax levy must be before we create our annual budget rather than letting the budget drive the levy. We must make a determined effort to shift our fiscal year.

We’ve heard residents of all ages, but especially seniors, say that it’s getting too expensive to live in Elmhurst. What can be done to make Elmhurst more affordable for all residents? Do you think the city will need to raise taxes again in the near future?

I believe a healthy community is one that attracts young families, keeps growing families and allows empty-nesters to remain. This requires a range of housing options and price points, good transportation and access to shopping and services.  To keep Elmhurst affordable we need to support processes that monitor spending but we also need to ensure we have adequate services available to assist residents. I have asked the Finance and Council Affairs Committee to expand the city policy that offers property tax rebates to low income residents. It also requires a City Council determined to scrutinize spending, and I advocate we bid every contract.

Do you agree with other aldermen who are proposing several new TIF districts in town? Why or why not?

We have to choose any next TIF district very carefully. To create a TIF, the city has to prove the area is blighted and without hope of attracting a private investment unless the city government intervenes. Blight cannot be created by the property owner through neglect or pricing it above market just to make it appear impossible to sell.  I want to be convinced that the benefits will outweigh the risks of creating such a district and that we have a firm project in hand first. 

What is working and not working in terms of economic development in Elmhurst? What, specifically, would you do to encourage businesses to come here?

Big box stores are closing everywhere but “mom and pop” retailers are poised as the next growth opportunity. Elmhurst has a great walk-able downtown and other compact business districts that are perfect for locating small businesses. Promoting these areas well makes them attractive. Our industrial park and other larger commercial areas benefit from our proximity to good regional transportation, and these make good selling points as well.

Spring rains are right around the corner, and a flooding mitigation plan could take years to implement. In the short term, do you think the city is doing everything it can to assists residents who experienced the bulk of the flooding problems last year? Will you be nervous when the rains start?

We have contracted with an engineering firm to begin our evaluation of storm water and sanitary sewer infrastructure. Once we understand the root issues we can craft solutions. I encourage every resident to explore their own onsite stormwater management options to help protect their property and that of their neighbors.

Nearly a dozen water mains broke within a one-week period this winter and, separately, failing infrastructure is listed as one of the reasons for flooding in Elmhurst. What needs to be done with infrastructure and how is the city going to pay for it?

A city’s infrastructure ages and needs replacing, just like the roofing and plumbing in a private house does. We budget an annual repair and replacement amount to address this. Ensuring our repair and replacement schedule is adequate to meet our needs should be part of the council’s oversight. We pay for this in several ways, including incorporating it in our annual city budget for capital projects, directing funds from special revenue sources and for extremely large projects by issuing bonds.

Do you think city officials and aldermen have a good relationship with citizens of Elmhurst with regard to trust and transparency? Is there anything you would do to improve that?

I have a great relationship with residents and I specifically try to encourage transparency by initiating more open debate and discussion on the dais among all Council Members. Unfortunately not all elected officials believe in discussion during meetings, they prefer to do it off the record, on the phone or behind the scenes. I believe taxpayers deserve to hear the discussion.