I am one of the 581 residents who signed the citizens' petition to place the stormwater financing, of which the proposed 8-foot diameter tunnel under Willow Road is the primary cost, to an advisory vote. Why? Because 1) I favor all 9000 voters having a say, rather than having a handful of people deciding extraordinary capital projects at extraordinary costs, and 2) this Council should NOT be afraid to seek voter support, especially as it claims to have a mandate and consensus. Interestingly, the "Big Dig" to lower the train tracks in Winnetka went to referendum in the late 1930s before expending $1 million of the $3.45 million cost of the track project. The remaining cost was divided between the railroad and the federal government.
Due to earlier storms, and then the historic rain event in 2011 that saw flooded communities from the North Shore to the western suburbs, there was wide-spread support for additional stormwater improvements and development of a comprehensive, long-term flood mitigation plan. However, no final decisions were made. As recently as the Spring 2013 Winnetka Report, Stormwater Update, we stated that "...no final decisions have been made regarding the Willow Road Tunnel project, sanitary sewer improvements, or long-term funding mechanisms. Over the coming months, the Council will undertake an extensive community engagement and discussion effort, before any final decisions are made on the extent and cost of stormwater improvements to be constructed, and the means by which they are financed." This did not happen. This Council decided to make those decisions, addressing flooding primarily with a tunnel draining to Lake Michigan, and financing with bonds supported by a stormwater utility fee, approximating $362.00 (FY2018) per Equivalent Runoff Unit - every property will have its own calculation of number of ERUs and total assessed fee. While the Council has made up its mind, the community has not regarding the scope and financing.
This Council is out of step with Trustees who served at the time of the Home Rule debate. I advocated for Home Rule status based upon a 144-year history of fiscal prudence, public engagement, and a 'pay-as-you-go' practice for large capital expenditures. Since becoming a Home Rule unit in 2005, we have honored the pledge to keep our property tax levies at or below the tax cap, and have listened to our community, such as in halting a $5.5 million streetscape project following an unfavorable citizen advisory referendum and public outcry of fiscal overreach. Had I foreseen that a future Council would decide a capital expenditure of $60 million over 30 years without voter approval, I probably would have viewed the Home Rule decision differently.
It is also unfortunate to see "push back" by this Council against our volunteer civic body of residents and neighbors - the Caucus Council - which even the current Village President was recently quoted as saying is "grassroots democracy at its finest." Jessica Tucker, Village President 2009 - 2013, Village Trustee 2004 - 2008
Questions? Comments? Let me hear from you at: myhometowncomments@gmail.com
