Winnetka Village Trustee Candidate Q&A: Richard Kates

On April 5, Winnetka voters will vote for three candidates for village trustee. The candidates on the ballot are Richard Kates, Linda Pedian, Jennifer Spinney and Arthur Braun. Below is a Q&A with Richard Kates. For information on the rest of the candidates, check Winnetka-Glencoe Patch this week.

Winnetka-Glencoe Patch: How would you assess the state of the village budget?

Richard Kates: The budget on its face appears good. Department heads appear to be operating lean. Read on for additional comments.

Patch: If expenses need to be reduced, exactly what would you cut?

Kates: In my view it is not normal expenses but hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on consultants the need for which is often not well thought out and the reports from which wind up not worth the effort or sitting on shelves unused. On the post office site I had told the Council to first make sure when the post office would move, it being a federal entity as to which a lease end does not mean it moves. They did not wait. As time has passed that report may have little relevance to current desires and it certainly did not give a result that made the Village sit up and think we were getting anything special. That cost $149,986.53 in consultant fees. This is just one example of many that can be made. There are consultant reports of value such on the flooding prevention plans. Another bad example was a consulting contract for $138,225 for voluntary residential design guidelines.

Patch: If more revenue needs to be raised, exactly what would you propose?

Kates: I think we first must look at our reserves which exceed 21 million dollars and as to which the normal protective level would be about 11 million dollars. For instance, our water plant needs some renovations. The needed money is to come from increases in our water rates which started 2 years ago and will continue yearly for an expected 5 years putting the costs on the residents. Using a bit of the reserves is an alternative. Similarly a drainage tax has been discussed for flood control. Do we need another tax or can some reserves be used.

Patch: What, if anything does the Village need to do to adequately fund police and fire pensions?

Kates: In 2001 fire was 92 percent funded, in 2010 it was 66 percent funded; in 2001 fire was 87 funded, in 2010 it was 63 percent funded. That downhill was only partially in the period of the stock market decline. It is antidotally stated our funding is actuarially the best around. First, that must really be confirmed. Second being best in the worst state cannot be looked as reasonable. We should start by bringing in an actuary from a state which has good pension funding to view our plan funding and make suggestions. That would be for a useful consultant.    

Patch: Does the village need to start or intensify economic development efforts? What specific ideas do you have for economic development?

Kates: First you need an assessment as to what a village of our size can handle in its commercial areas with the existing large shopping areas around. You view efforts in similar areas. Glen Ellyn I am told did a study. Other suburbs made efforts. Were these successful? You just do not throw down new sidewalks and lights for a village where the stores close at 5 PM. I have advocated for years doing exit surveys on stores closing to help gauge what may be needed or is wrong. We should not be afraid to get such information. 

Patch: Briefly tell us what in your background or education has prepared you to make a contribution on this board. Can you offer an expertise that would be a resource to other board members?

Kates: I am an attorney. For years I have had matters with other governmental entities. I have set up private entity pension plans and interfaced with the IRS on plan funding needs. For years all environmental variance requests in Chicago were forwarded to a group of which I was chairman. For 3 summers in college I worked with a county engineer on traffic matters. I was a federal trustee interacting with municipalities. I was special counsel to Highland Park on a large construction matter. I successfully litigated getting a 55 million dollar bonding issue through the Illinois Supreme Court. I have participated in legislative hearings in Springfield.

Patch: How would you assess the public services the village offers residents, including police, fire, trash pickup, snow removal, responsiveness of village hall, etc.? What needs to be improved? Are residents getting adequate value for their tax dollar?

Kates: Good, though the new village manager is being assessed. Needed improvement- No needed improvements except street surfaces do not seem to be as lasting as in the past and that may need examination as to why.. As to adequate value-Yes.

Patch: What else would you like voters to know about your positions on issues or point of view?

Kates: As to Streetscape, my opposition was because of expense coupled with lack of study as to what the Village commercial districts needed beyond or instead of the physical items addressed by that plan.
Numerous issues which impact on business viability. As to affordable housing I question the need and the criticism of what the village has become and after a 5 year study, since doing this is not free, who really will pay needs to be better brought out better as well does on whom and how enforced and additional impact matters. You cannot first adopt a plan and then back into such details. That is where one gets into trouble if the plan is desired,  As to the petition matter, limiting choice for voters was never  the issue since write-in was always an option. There were issues with which the neutral county clerk agreed and remain important, though will not impact on the election. Lastly, apathy is our enemy. People should vote.

Patch: How long have you been a Winnetka resident and what is your favorite part of living here?

Kates: I am a resident for over 35 years.  Favorite part-the people and our surroundings.