The pie charts show the voter turnout for the 2019 Consolidated Election. Let's see if we can improve this number for the April 6, 2021 election. Please talk to your Algonquin family members and friends about casting their vote for Laura Brehmer. Thank you.

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Early voting places are open. Election Day is Tuesday, April 6th! Please tell your Algonquin family members and friends. I would be honored to continue to represent Algonquin residents, cast your ballot for Laura Brehmer! Thank you!

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Old Town Construction Update

Old Town Construction Update (from Public Works): This week, crews completed installation of the odor control unit at the lift station. Crews will now begin testing the startup of the generator control building and lift station. Once testing is complete, these facilities will be put into service.

Over the next few weeks, the contractor will replace the remaining curb and sidewalk around La Fox River Drive and Center Street. The contractor will also be placing the concrete patch along La Fox River Drive and at the intersection with Route 31. When this work occurs, the contractor will need to close La Fox River Drive between Route 31 and Center Street. Residents should utilize the surrounding side streets to access Route 31. Any resident living in the impacted area will be notified of access restrictions prior to the closure.

The contractor will also begin restoration work in the next several weeks. This works will focus on the remaining turf areas that have been disturbed during construction as well as the field at the intersection of Algonquin Road and Harrison Street.

The contractor also plans to complete the remaining paving work once the asphalt plants reopen for the year, traditionally this occurs at the end of April.

http://oldtownalgonquin.org/stage-3-south-harrison-street...

Wonderful News!

Awesome job Village of Algonquin staff! An increase in transparency in the budget. Keep up the great work!

https://www.algonquin.org/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item;id=2668

According to the Village of Algonquin, “In an effort to provide a more inclusive and transparent budget, the Village of Algonquin recently launched a new financial transparency dashboard. The interactive reporting tool allows citizens to explore up to five years of #Algonquin’s budget and actual data online. Users can view data in interactive, visually attractive charts and graphs; drill down and filter data by department, expense type, fiscal year and more.”

Learn more at http://ow.ly/dzLl50EbIsV.

Downtown Streetscape Stage 3 Update

Downtown Streetscape, Stage 3 Construction Update (from Public Works): This week, crews worked with Nicor and ComEd to complete utility connections for the control building.

Over the next few weeks, crews will finalize the electrical and *SCADA* system for the lift station, as well as install an odor control unit at the lift station. The contractor anticipates being able to start operations at the lift station and generator building in just a couple of weeks.

http://oldtownalgonquin.org/stage-3-south-harrison-street...

*SCADA is a supervisory control and data acquisition system that will allow the Village to collect data, monitor and control the equipment remotely.

Questions & Answers

Hello. The Daily Herald submitted questions to the Village of Algonquin candidates. Here are their questions and my responses:

How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state and federal authorities?

A trustee’s role can be a combination of all three depending upon which aspect of the pandemic is discussed. Constituent’s concerns are relayed to the Village which can then be elevated to state representatives and the Governor’s office. The Village’s emergency declaration following the Governor’s disaster proclamation was needed to obtain COVID grant funding; modify operations temporarily for better coverage; and conduct remote meetings.

During the crisis, the Village has taken steps to assist residents and businesses. The Village with the cooperation from businesses, created shopping hours for vulnerable community members. The Village eliminated the scheduled 14% water/sewer rate increase and halted temporarily water shut-offs. The Village works with residents that are unable to pay their water/sewer bill. A joint effort between the Village and businesses helped implement outdoor dining, handwashing stations, holiday commerce program and shop local plan. The Village was awarded $350,000 through the IL Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s LC/ES Program to qualifying businesses. The Village created a program for businesses, whereby, their expenses to operate pursuant to the Restore Illinois plan can be deducted from their liquor license renewal fee. The Village continues to explore ways to assist residents and businesses impacted by the pandemic.

Did your town continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to providing services.

Yes, the Village of Algonquin continued to provide quality services to the community, despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic. The Village already offered many services online (water/sewer payment, permit application, schedule inspection, Fix-It app for reporting issues, etc.). The Village recognized a need for on-line virtual building inspections. The Community Development department, Innovation & Technology department and International Code Council collaborated to create and implement on-line inspections.  The on-line inspection appointment ensures safety & efficiency for residents, businesses and contractors.  

In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?

The Village has safeguards/guidelines in place to minimize exposure and protect employees that provide crucial services to our Community. Clean and safe drinking water; properly functioning waste/sewer system; robust information/communication systems; and public safety are essential every day, but critical in a health crisis.

What cuts can local government make to reduce the burden of the pandemic on taxpayers?

The Algonquin Village Board adopted a Financial Resiliency Plan on April 28, 2020 to address the economic impact of the pandemic. This plan gives the strategy and steps that should be implemented in making budget and operating decisions to adapt to negative financial conditions. Some of the first actions were to freeze open positions and hold capital expenditures. The actions are reassessed based on current conditions and factors. This plan allows the Village to be in a proactive approach rather than reactionary. It has been an invaluable tool to guide the Village during these challenging times.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what infrastructure project can be put on the back burner?

Water and sewer construction is the most important infrastructure project since it’s crucial to have safe drinking water and an environmentally-compliant sewer system. A low interest Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) loan will be utilized for improvements to the wastewater treatment plant. The revenue from water and sewer fees will be allocated towards improving the existing water and sewer distribution systems.

The adoption of the Financial Resiliency Plan by the Village Board in April 2020 has given us a strategy for making budget and operating decisions. Implementing this plan early on and routinely monitoring for potential negative economic variables has assisted the Village’s financial sustainability. Currently, the fiscal year 2021-2022 Village budget is being presented and discussed. The Village is being financially prudent in its infrastructure projects.

Do you plan to address businesses that don’t adhere to the governor’s order to close or restrict business?

The pandemic crisis is a fluid situation, at this time businesses that don’t adhere to the Governor’s order based on the current tier can be reported to the appropriate County Health Department and the Algonquin Police Department.

Do you agree or disagree with the stance your board/council has taken on permitting recreational marijuana sales in the community? What would you change about that stance, if you could?

The Village Board voted unanimously (correction: majority) to deny recreation marijuana sales in our community. I agree with this stance prohibiting recreational marijuana sales.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

We should protect our natural resources, especially drinking water. Algonquin and many neighboring communities rely on shallow aquifers and/or the Fox River for drinking water. In the past, there has been a sufficient amount of water in the aquifers to meet demand. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. The aquifers are not replenishing as quickly as water is being withdrawn from them. Both McHenry County’s Water Studies and Kane County’s 2030 Land Resource Management Plan indicates that regions could experience water shortages in the future based on population projections and aquifer replenishment data. We need to protect the critical groundwater recharge areas that replenish the aquifers and the surrounding land use. We also need to continue improving the watersheds and their tributaries. Some may comment to tap into Lake Michigan water. This water is allotted per a U.S. Supreme Court decree and is unavailable. We need to balance smart growth that also protects a long- term water supply so we’re self-sufficient.

Randall Road Improvements Construction Alert

Randall Road Improvements Construction Alert - The contractor will be replacing traffic signal controller cabinets at several intersections during the next few weeks. To complete this work, the signals will need to be turned off for a period of time between approximately 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, and the intersection will become a 4-way stop. Expect delays. Intersection work schedule:

3/22 – Randall Road/Miller Road

3/24 – Randall Road/Harnish Drive

3/29 – Algonquin Road/Hilltop Drive

Happy Friday! I’ve been honored to represent Algonquin residents for the last 4 years. I’m running for re-election on April 6th so I can continue to contribute to our community and be a strong voice for residents. I will vote against wasteful spending; protect our drinking water and other natural resources; expand transparency; and explore additional ways to assist residents and businesses impacted by the COVID pandemic.

I’m dedicated to ensuring residents have excellent services and quality of life in our community, while promoting fiscally responsible solutions for taxpayers. Early voting starts on March 22nd and Election Day is April 6th. To learn more about me and my goals, please visit www.laurabrehmer.com. As always, feel free to private message, call or email me if you want to express your concerns. Municipal elections have extremely low voter turnouts, please tell your Algonquin friends and family to vote on April 6th. Thank you!

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Early voting starts March 22nd and Election Day is April 6th. My campaign signs are going up. If you know of any Algonquin resident or business in high visibility areas that would like a campaign sign, please pm me. Thank you!!

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Early voting starts March 22nd and Election Day is April 6th. My campaign signs are going up. If you know of any Algonquin resident or business in high visibility areas that would like a campaign sign, please pm me. Thank you!!

large campaign sign.jpg

Committee of the Whole & Special Village Board Meetings - Tuesday, March 9, 2021

The Committee of the Whole (COW) remote/in-person meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 9th starting at 7:30 p.m. followed by a special Village Board meeting. COW agenda items include: amendment to Ch. 3, section 3.16 Rules for Meeting Attendance; agreement for accounting & payroll services; Motor Fuel Tax documentation review; proposed 2021-2022 General Fund and other funds budgets; discussion of outdoor dining & liquor service; agreement for concrete curb, sidewalk & driveway removal/replacement project; agreement for purchase of a skid steer loader; agreement for construction oversight of Harrison/Main St. bike path & roundabout project; and an agreement for purchase of 2 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD Hybrids. The special Village Board meeting will be to pass an ordinance rescinding Ordinance 2018-O-24 and authorizing the Village to borrow funds from the IL Environmental Protection Agency Water Pollution Control Loan Program. Please refer to links for meeting participation info and additional information.

https://www.algonquin.org/.../documents/1614970013_18507.pdf

https://www.algonquin.org/.../documents/1614969892_98649.pdf