Mike Bruno: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: GenevaWebsite: www.mikebrunogeneva.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Geneva City Council Ward 1 Age: 57Family: Wife: Debbie married 28 yearsSon: Adam age 24. Raised in Geneva, now living in ChicagoOccupation: Information Technology Consultant 2000-presentEducation: Computer Engineer (BSCS) University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign 1987Civic involvement: City Council 2013-presentHistoric Preservation Commission ~2000-2013Elected offices held: Alderman - 1st Ward - City of GenevaQuestions Answers Do you support what the Downtown/Station Area Master Plan's suggests for redevelopment of several opportunity sites, including the Cetron factory site and the Mill Race Inn site, including calls for higher-density housing than currently allowed? Discuss in light of recent decisions against an apartment building at the Cetron site and townhouses/duplexes at the former Geneva Greenhouse site.I do support the Downtown/Station Area Master Plan [DSAMP]. It was developed with much public input and incorporated best municipal planning practices. The housing diversity represented in the DSAMP is important for long-term housing values and economic stability. Geneva is highly weighted toward single-family detached homes which, for the foreseeable future, is static or shrinking market. We have a significant shortage of in-town, single-floor living options for our large population of seniors. We also do not have housing that is broadly appealing to millennials (now the largest demographic group). If seniors must leave downtown and if millennials aren't attracted to downtown, we make our vibrant downtown vulnerable. We have always known that Geneva residents are very protective of the City's identity and character. I, having a long tenure on the Historic Preservation Commission, am as attuned to that identity and character as one might be. Proposals like Cetron and the greenhouse are a significant departure from what the community is familiar with. What we have learned from these sites is that we need coach potential developers on recruiting public input very early to gain support.We will certainly see other significant proposals and I look forward to vigorous and productive public discussion.Should a city employee (the administrator or her designee) negotiate city union contracts, given that they, like other employees, will receive the same benefits as union members?I do. The City Administrator (or designee) is not negotiating their own salary and they are not the sole negotiating authority. We have a clear and unambiguous legal ruling that says that there is no conflict of interest. While we have staff that is amply capable of such negotiations, we should use that resource. Using a third party would be an expensive option would needlessly cost the City many thousands of dollars. If there is a change of staff and we lose that expertise, then enlisting a third party may be the most sensible option.Mayoral candidate Tom Simonian has said he won't take the salary of mayor/liquor commissioner, or would donate it to charity. Is that a good idea? Why or why not?What the mayor does with their salary is their their personal decision. The public shouldn't *expect* a mayor to waive compensation as that would effectively limit participation to only wealthy residents. Compensation for any elected official is a conundrum. I believe that, at the very least, salaries should cover expenses of that position. I don't believe compensation should be so high that it undermines that motivation for seeking that office. At present, any engaged elected city official is making far below minimum wage.Should the city do something to increase the amount of affordable housing in Geneva, as the Chicago Metropolitan Agency on Planning study calls for? If so, what?We, first, need to understand that "affordable" housing is not the same thing as "low income" housing. "Affordable" is measured relative to Geneva's very high median household income. That being said; Yes, I do support incorporating more affordable housing. The state mandate is for 10% of our housing stock be deemed "affordable". If we simply provide housing options for our aging seniors, we will have satisfied that state mandate.This dovetails into one of my philosophies as we move forward and adapt and evolve. Our seniors have very few in-town options for one-story living. Many will be forced to leave their community as they age for want of that housing stock. One-story living options are also appealing to millennials and we have a notable shortage of those living options.What is one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We already have a good vision for many parts of Geneva. If there was one thing that I would like to have a broader public discussion on, it would be the development of the riverfront and abutting properties. We will be seeing plans for the Mill Race Inn site soon and the newly established TIF district should spur development elsewhere along the river. This, of course, is not uniquely my idea, but we need a broader discussion of how we treat the river and that important gateway view toward the east and the west.Geneva is, in a sense, fortunate that we don't have much built infrastructure that depends on the river being in any particular form. We have...for the most part...a blank slate. As someone that has an interest in the environment and our ecosystems; we need to think about river health and potential economics and decide whether the dam should stay or be removed. It is the goal of the State to remove all such dams. State fiscal problems put that on hold indefinitely. Removing a dam, while not technically difficult, does pose challenges. The resulting shoreline would require significant improvement. Once we determine the future form of the river, we then need to consider the form and mass of potential commercial, residential and public uses of that space. As THE gateway to our downtown; that discussion is vital.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?It can't be stated enough that the City Council think long term. Long term strategic planning is critical so we 1) have a vision of the Geneva our children and grandchildren inherit and 2) today's winds and expeditious decisions don't compromise that vision.Geneva is recognized widely by neighboring communities, the greater region and we are known even internationally as being a gem. We succeed with a vibrant downtown where most have withered and struggle. We need to protect and enhance those things that make use attractive, successful and delivering high value services. Part of that is not to succumb to the appeal of short term savings at the expense of long-term value. By example; a homeowner can save money in the short term by not repairing their roof, but the long-term costs of that decision far outweigh of those savings.Thinking long-term, understanding the evidence, and weighing the various options as we steer toward that vision is critically important.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Anyone that accepts science, trusts the scientific method, votes independently and in accordance with their conscience.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Don't be too sure of anything. Feeling you are right and making sure you are right are different things entirely.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Start volunteering earlierWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Physics. It gives great insight into how and why most everything works.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be fair and plan for the future (oops, that's two)