Carolyn Waibel: 2025 candidate for St. Charles City Council Ward 3

Bio

Office sought: St. Charles City Council Ward 3

City: St. Charles

Age: 51

Occupation: Corporate Executive level sales and marketing

Previous offices held: Elected D303 Board of Education, Terms 2017 and 2021 Appointed to City of St. Charles Commissions: Mental Health 708 Board 2013-2022, Youth Commission 2013-2017, Housing Commission 2017-2019. Co-created and appointed to Kane County Opioid Board, Kane County Behavioral Health, Fox Valley Vape Task Force, advised for Iris MH referral system 2015-22. Appointed to IL Rep and IL Senator Education, Mental Health and Youth Advisory Committees 2017-22 when life permitted.

What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council respond to it?

Certainly, the most impending issue we will face as a council is the push from Illinois Electric Municipal Agency to renew their $800 million contract 10 years early in April 2025. It looks as if it will come to the new council in May. Currently 80% of the energy that IMEA supplies is from coal, while the national average is 16%.

There should be collaboration from IMEA to incorporate wind, water and other sustainable energy resources. IMEA does not have an Integrated Resource Plan, showing any incremental projections or revisions for the future.

For instance, we should be looking for an agency’s plan that reflects the upcoming new federal regulatory reforms. The council should be asking staff for a request for proposal from similar entities to which there are many. We do have options for similar energy companies, i.e. Next Era, Constellation and dozens more, that provide similar services including the regulatory reporting.

Whether we hire a consultant like Naperville, what we need is advisement, time, patience, information, and due diligence. These are all needed to make such an important fiduciary decision for our taxpayers, not only for their dollars, but for their electricity.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

In regards to what staff reports, the state of our finances are highly ranked in the state. However, I still would like to see a line-by-line audit and analysis of the budget to eliminate any areas of excess and get to the skeleton of the budget.

The main priority for the city is its infrastructure, specifically a concern for my ward, the 3rd Ward. St. Charles has an aging water and sewer infrastructure, some of the original pipes dating back 120-plus years.

The council and staff need to prioritize a strategic plan that covers a 3-5-10 and even 20-year projection of expenditures including infrastructure, pensions, roads, parking, etc.

The city can work within limited financial parameters with their development partners, for the aesthetic goals for the city, while council prioritizes the “guts.” It may not be glitzy, but it has to be taken care of, it's our city.

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

In a previous question, I spoke about an aging water and sewer infrastructure, some of the original pipes dating back 120-plus years.

Also, on the east side, the sewer trunk main line is not able to handle development on the mall site. In speaking with public works, they advised me that they had proposed a $20 million, 20-year improvement plan that was voted down, not just by the original council serving, but the prior two councils before it.

We as a community, and as a council, cannot continue to “kick the can” of this issue down the road. Unfortunately, we are saddling the current taxpayers with decades of improvements. We will soon have the water rate study back and that will help guide the long-term financial projection process with staff and council.

One project we can hit the brakes on, is the controversial dam project. With all the financial proposals out there, and no legitimate data on the benefits of dam removal, it makes sense to back burn discussion of the dam. If IDNR is anxious to remove themselves from the maintenance of said dam, I understand from council, the annual maintenance is nominal.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your city council.

I am fortunate to answer this with personal leadership governance experience. In addition to the 20 years in corporate executive level sales/marketing, budgeting/projections, executive level training/negotiating, public speaking and team management, I have 15 years of philanthropic, appointed and elected positions in STC, D303, and Kane County, when life has permitted me the time and energy to volunteer. I was elected to the D303 board of education, terms 2017/2021, where I served as president and created new policies by consensus for student advancement, community lead input committees, and our specialized high school.

I was appointed to city commissions: Mental Health 708 Board, Youth and Housing Commissions. When on the 708 board, I led a team that restructured the qualification of funds of 501(c)3 organizations via an interview, rubric and new application processes.

I collaborated with multiple entities across Kane County to enhance our substance abuse and mental health programs. When I was appointed to IL Senators/Rep advisory committees for Education, Mental Health and Youth, I gained the unique experience of not only influencing the betterment of local government, but being a part of creating actionable law.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Active listener. Collaborative. Leader. Action. Smart governance. Fair. Attentive. Financially responsible. Fiduciary. Negotiator. Analytical. Truthful. Kind. Caring. Resilient. These are all very important to lead in today's world of government. Trust me, I’ve been through some of the worst of it. I do not believe in an “us vs. them.”

I do not believe in the hatred and harshness that befalls politics and our world. I do and always will believe in my love for St. Charles, the Fox Valley, Kane County, Illinois, and most importantly America.

I do believe in protecting my family, my neighbors, my city and beyond. I do believe in creating a better tomorrow for those that come after me, sooner or later. I do believe in amendment rights, the constitution, law and policy, procedure and process.

I believe in respecting the past, valuing the present and planning for the future. I believe in the call to serve, help and reach that person in need. I bring a wealth of information in networking, business, education, mental health, substance education, special education, nonprofits, governance, law making. I bring heart. At the end of the day, heart is what you really need to get ‘er done.

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

Due to my business background, I have always believed we needed a commission/council for economic growth or development with support from a dedicated staff member, assigned council member and our existing business community members. We are blessed with successful businesses in STC whose owners have wonderful ideas on what kind of businesses we could draw, or how to help a new business that is struggling before they have to shutter their doors.

This would go above and beyond what our other business groups in St. Charles achieve, and instead be working in an advisory capacity, not only to the council but to our successful businesses that make up St. Charles.

These bright business owners, retired business brains, or new young entrepreneurs should make up the council, work collaboratively to shape our city, guide other small businesses and propose ideas of who to seek out to bring to our wonderful city.

By working collaboratively and in concert with the council’s objectives and goals set by their new strategic plan, economic growth would be a collective investment for all of St. Charles.