Fall 2018 City Of Geneva Newsletter

In Memory of Julie Bricher-Schriner

Keith & Virginia Smith Family Foundation

Geneva Garden Club

In Honor of Ron & Marilyn Singer's 60th Wedding Anniversary

Donations are as of Sept. 12, 2018. For more information on the Beautification Committee, visit the City's website.

Mayor's Message

Dear Neighbors,

Unlike the technology that helps people navigate the complexities - and frustrations - of getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible, the direction a city like Geneva takes relies on sharing your opinions directly with your elected officials.

There is no smartphone app or website that we can visit, enter our data and receive the answers or recommended path to achieve our goals.

Steering the City of Geneva forward requires participation, conversation and collaboration by all stakeholders to ensure where we want to go will get us to where we want to be.

So, I encourage everyone to visit the City's updated draft strategic plan and provide your elected officials with comments on the broad goals and specific objectives that have been developed by the citizen volunteers who serve on the Strategic Plan Advisory Committee.

Designed to be a living and breathing document, the City's strategic plan is the north star the City Council and the City's professional staff will use to guide policy discussions as well as advance specific programs for years to come.

The City Council will be considering the strategic plan for adoption, first at the Committee of the Whole Monday, Oct. 8 and then again Monday, Oct. 15. I invite everyone to attend these meetings at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 109 James St. If you are unable to do so, please consider tuning in to Geneva Broadcast Network, which can be found on Comcast Channel 10, AT&T Channel 99 and the City's YouTube channel.

As always, we encourage comments and questions about the strategic plan via emails and phone calls.

Later this fall, the City Council will be hosting its annual strategic planning workshop to begin prioritizing all the goals and incorporating them into the budget planning process.

Thank you to all the residents and stakeholders who participated in the Sept. 20 community forum or plan to share their feedback in the coming weeks. This community effort will help the City Council build a vision for the future that we can both see and want to imagine.

My best,

Kevin Burns
Mayor

Fall Curbside Leaf Collection Starts In Late October

Geneva residents can plan their raking schedules accordingly after the City announced collection dates for its 2018 curbside leaf program.

The City's curbside leaf pickup is divided into three geographical zones, with each zone collected three times using vacuum truck equipment. Every street will be targeted one time during each of the three separate leaf pickups. Please note, each zone takes a few days to complete.

Residents are required to rake their leaves to the parkway no later than 7 a.m. on the Monday of their scheduled pickup week. Leaves placed on the parkway after the crews have passed will not be collected until the next scheduled date.

A larger version of the leaf collection map is posted on the City's website. Residents living on State Street, Kaneville Road or Keslinger Road are part of Zone B.

If crews finish a zone early, they may jump ahead to the next area to work ahead of schedule. However, they will return on the designated start date to make sure every street has been collected.

Leaves should be raked to the parkway parallel to the street and about 12 inches behind the curb or edge of the pavement. Raking leaves into the street or curb/gutter can clog storm sewers, which can later result in street flooding.

Leaf Bag Program
Residents who are still looking to dispose of leaves in December can participate in the City's leaf bag collection program. Leaves should be placed in brown yard waste bags. Refuse stickers are not required, but bags must only contain leaves. Yard waste, mulch or grass clippings mixed with leaves will not be accepted.

Bags can be left at the curb on residents' regular garbage day.

Full details about both the curbside and leaf bag programs can be found on the City's website.

Geneva Named Second Best Illinois City For Jobs

The City of Geneva was ranked the second best community for jobs in Illinois, according to a recent study from personal finance outlet WalletHub.

The company rated the job-seeker friendliness of more than 120 Illinois cities based on 16 key indicators of labor-market health, ranging from employment growth to median monthly starting salary to unemployment rate.

Geneva's combined "job market" and "socioeconomic environment" category scores placed the City just fractions outside of first place. Geneva rated well in the following areas of the study:

Median annual income	Percentage of workers with private health insurance	Annual transportation costs
Safety	Industry variety	Disability friendliness of employers
Time spent working and commuting	Unemployment rate for high school graduates	Social life

The top five rated communities in the study were St. Charles, Geneva, Grayslake, Libertyville and Schaumburg. The full rankings and description of the company's methodology can be found on WalletHub's website.

Third Street Road Patching Project Completed Ahead Of Schedule

Lane striping on Third Street was scheduled to take place this week, putting the finishing touches on the Third Street road patching project in downtown Geneva.

Third Street between Campbell and Fulton streets was reopened to traffic and parking Sept. 25 after the two-block stretch was closed for a little more than a week.

Construction crews removed and replaced two sections of concrete and a brick crosswalk that were damaged after the surface heaved last winter. The project required the new concrete to settle for at least seven days before cars could drive on the new roadway surface.

Work was originally anticipated to be completed by Friday, Oct. 5, but the City's contractor was able to substantially finish the project 10 days ahead of schedule.

Thank you to the Geneva business community, residents and visitors for your patience for this much needed road improvement.

Save Time And Purchase Garbage Stickers Online

Geneva residents who do not have time to buy garbage stickers at their local retailer can now purchase them conveniently from the "Shop the Geneva Store" on the City's website.

Garbage stickers are being sold online in sheets of five for $13. Customers can use PayPal to buy up to a maximum of 10 sheets per transaction, which also will carry a shipping charge.

The "Shop The Geneva Store" can be found by visiting www.geneva.il.us/store.

Residents can continue to purchase garbage stickers in person at City Hall, 22 S. First St. and the City's Finance Division Office, 15 S. First St. during normal business hours. A list of participating retail locations and additional garbage collection information also are available on the City's website.

Need more information about Lakeshore Recycling System's garbage and recycling services offered in Geneva? Comprehensive information can be found online or call the City's Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.

2019 Candidate Election Guides Now Available Online

Geneva residents interested in running for aldermen on the City Council in 2019 can find a candidate guide posted on the City's website.

The guide provides election information on how to file for candidacy and all required forms.

One aldermanic seat in Wards 1 through 5 are up for election next year. Each position carries a four-year term.

Candidates can file their petitions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays from Monday, Dec. 10 through Monday, Dec. 17 at Geneva City Hall, 109 James St.

The candidates will run in the April 2, 2019 Consolidated Election. For more election information, visit the Kane County Election Commission's website.

Moving To Geneva? Check Out Our 'New Residents' Web Page

Moving to a new home tends to be a busy time for many people. The City now provides a centralized list of key services and information to help make the transition a smooth one for Geneva's newest residents.

The "New Residents" web page helps people start water and electric utility service with the City for their new home via an online form. The web page also informs new residents about garbage collection services, parking, permits, City communications, events, their elected officials, maps and much more.

Please note, the Mill Creek subdivision is located in unincorporated Kane County and not within the City's corporate boundary limits. People living in Mill Creek should contact Kane County or Blackberry Township for service information.

Thank you to all the new residents who now call Geneva home. We hope you enjoy everything our community has to offer.

Third Bike Art Installation Added To Downtown

Bicyclists have a new spot to hitch their ride as Geneva's newest art sculpture combines a functional bike rack with the City's Swedish heritage.

Located at James and Third streets, the "Dala Hitching Post" is the third installation of the Geneva Cultural Art Commission's Bike + Rack = Art program, which was created to bring more sculptures throughout the downtown. City leaders, the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and the commission held a dedication ceremony Sept. 4.

The "Dala Hitching Post" consists of three, 5-foot high stainless steel Swedish Dala Horses. Each horse can accommodate two to three bicycles. The piece was the creation of Batavia resident Eric Fuertes, an artist specializing in metal fabrication and casting. A graduate of Northern Illinois University School of Art and Design, he currently teaches at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago.

The sculpture was dedicated in honor of Jean Gaines, the former chamber president from 1978 to 2018. During her tenure at the chamber, Geneva has received numerous honors as being a top shopping, dining and entertainment destination that also hosts award-winning festivals throughout the year.

The $20,500 sculpture was funded by the City's Cultural Arts Commission. The Chamber also contributed a $4,000 donation, which was made possible due to the generosity of many residents and businesses. WaterJet USA and Chicago Metal Supply provided a big assist to the effort by donating the use of a water jet machine to cut the sculpture out of stainless steel.

"Because of the community support, we have a work of art that is not only functional, but continues to add to Geneva's growing public art collection," Cultural Arts Commission Chairman Tim Vetang said. "I know this sculpture will serve as a source of civic pride that will generate plenty of smiles and photos for years to come."

The commission's previous bike rack sculptures were the "Welcome Rounds" in 2014 at the northeast corner of Third and Campbell streets and "A Unique Cycle" two years later at State and Fourth streets.

For more information about the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission, visit the City's website.

Mark Your Calendars For Fun This Fall

Save The Dates

French Market	Sundays through Nov. 11
Christmas Walk & House Tour	Dec. 7-8
Steeple Walk	Dec. 9

Coming Soon: A New Vision For Geneva's Future

Geneva has always been a great place to live and visit, but that does not happen by accident. Many of the reasons residents cite regarding hometown pride are the results from strategic planning that outlines visions and goals for the City's future.

And, a new plan is coming soon!

The City's Strategic Plan Advisory Committee and staff met with about 30 people who participated in a public forum Sept. 20 to help shape the future of our community. Residents and stakeholders alike had an opportunity to preview the latest draft of the City's new strategic plan and provide feedback that will be used to help finalize the vision before it is presented to the City Council this month.

The plan's core themes focus on excellent municipal services, quality of life, economic vitality, strong governance and environmental stewardship.

The new plan is a product of a yearlong process to gather community input and engage residents. Throughout the process, the Strategic Plan Advisory Committee has relied on the input obtained through one-on-one interviews, community meetings, workshops, focus groups, and an online survey to identify what matters most to Geneva.

The draft plan is the product of countless volunteer hours and a comprehensive community engagement process. With development of the plan nearly complete, the committee is eager to work with the City Council, staff, and you to help make our shared vision a reality.

Pewter Ornament Available For Purchase

The iconic Fabyan Windmill is being featured on the City's newest pewter ornament, which is now on sale for $12. The 2018 ornament depicts the windmill on the front and history of the structure on the back.

Residents can purchase ornaments in person during normal business hours at City Hall, 22 S. First St., or can buy them online from the " Shop The Geneva Store."

The 68-foot, five-story windmill was originally built by German craftsman Louis Blackhaus between 1850 and 1860. The windmill originally was constructed in Lombard but was relocated in 1914 to Geneva overlooking the Fox River after being bought by George Fabyan.

The Fabyan Windmill, which is now managed by the Kane County Forest Preserve District, was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and showcased on a "Windmills USA" postage stamp the following year.

After years of planning to restore the structure to its original grandeur, including trips to the Netherlands for authentic timber and gear work, the windmill was renovated between 2003-05. The windmill is open weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. May 15 to Oct. 15. More information can be found at on the Forest Preserve's website.

This is the ninth year Geneva has sold its traditional pewter ornament to the community. Previous editions have featured the City logo, City Hall, Pure Oil Building, Loveday House, Patten House, the Moore House (The Little Traveler) and the Peck Farm house.

The City also sells other Geneva-themed merchandise, including the recently restocked coffee mugs, "I love Geneva" silicone wristbands and more at City Hall and online.

Road Construction Coming To Kirk Road Bridge

The Kane County Division of Transportation is scheduled to perform bridge repair work starting the week of Oct. 8 on Kirk Road south of State Street (Route 38) in Geneva.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction between State Street and Cherry Lane in order to safely and efficiently patch portions of the concrete bridge deck over the Union Pacific railroad tracks. The anticipated duration for the deck repairs is about four weeks, weather permitting. The improvement, which includes concrete patching and bridge joint repairs, is intended to extend the life of the existing bridge structure.

Drivers in this project area should be prepared to reduce their speed, exercise caution, watch for construction workers and vehicles entering or leaving the site, and obey flaggers and other traffic control devices within the work zone.

Motorists should expect delays and should consider the use of alternate routes while this work is completed.

All bicyclists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area during construction.

Questions and concerns should be directed to Ken Mielke, Kane County Division of Transportation, at 630-406-7172.

Revisit the Fun Of Concours d'Elegance, Festival Of The Vine

Looking to hold onto the memories of late summer in Geneva? Check out our online photo galleries from the Concours d'Elegance car show and the Festival of the Vine.

Police Department News: Halloween Safety Tips

It is hard to believe that fall is already here. The summer season absolutely flew by quickly.

With the fall season comes cooler weather, football, and of course Halloween. The Geneva Police Department would like to take this opportunity to provide some safety reminders for those who plan on trick-or-treating this year. We recommend that Halloween trick-or-treating be conducted between 3 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31.

The Police Department also recommends following these safety guidelines:

Wear light colored clothing or some type of reflective material for better visibility;
Ensure costumes fit and are worn in a manner that prevents tripping;
If children wear masks, make sure they can see clearly and their visibility is not obstructed;
Small children should always be accompanied by an adult;
It is best to trick-or-treat in groups;
Go out in daylight when possible and carry a flashlight for use if out after dark;
Only give and accept wrapped candy;
Examine all candy before allowing children to eat it;
Carrying hard props such as swords and daggers should be avoided. Substitute hard props with foam rubber props;
Stay within familiar neighborhoods. Only visit homes where you know the residents; and
Watch for traffic

We hope that you have a fun fall season. You can find other great tips and information from the Police Department by subscribing to the City's Safety First blog. The Geneva Police Department hopes everyone has a fun and safe Halloween.

Eric Passarelli
Geneva Police Chief

Economic Development Department News: Check Out New Geneva Businesses

Find the latest businesses that now call Geneva home with our interactive New Business Map. Thank you for supporting our local merchants and commercial outlets.

Community Development Department News: 5-Minute Field Guides

Glass Shaping Architecture - Geneva Historic Preservation 5-Minute Field Guide

Glass Shaping Architecture - 5-Minute Field Guide

Looking to learn more about Geneva's historic architecture? The City is now putting together five-minute field guides on various preservation topics, such as glass and windows in the video above.

Future field guides are now incorporated at the beginning of Geneva Historic Preservation Commission meetings, which are available to watch on Geneva Broadcast Network or on YouTube.

Stay Connected To The Geneva Development Scene

Want to stay in the loop with the latest developments taking place in your neighborhood? There are several active applications undergoing City review, and you can find information about all of them via the City's online interactive map.

The enhanced map includes individual project pages that now provide even more transparency regarding development applications filed with the City. Notifications will be sent out regarding public hearings and throughout each step of the development review process.

So staying connected to development in Geneva has never been easier. All you have to do is subscribe.

Fire Department News: Annual Report Highlights

Geneva City Council - Fire Department Report

Geneva Fire Chief Mike Antenore provided a detailed overview of the department during his 2017-18 annual report to the City Council in August.

The discussion highlighted response times/challenges, accomplishments during the past year and future goals among other topics. Follow along in the video and with the Chief's presentation.

Public Works Department News: Fire Hydrant Flushing Completed

The City of Geneva has concluded flushing fire hydrants throughout the community as part of an ongoing maintenance program.

The City flushes its hydrants twice a year to improve the overall quality of the water by cleaning the water mains of rust and corrosion and to ensure that all fire hydrants are working properly. Work began Sept. 17 and wrapped up earlier this week.

For more information, contact James Childress, Geneva Public Works System Maintenance and Customer Service Supervisor, at 630-232-1551 or via email.

City's Brush Collection Wraps Up In November

The City's monthly brush collection program will end for the year in November. As a reminder, take note of the new collection zones implemented earlier this spring.

Brush collection rules will remain the same as in years past. The program is intended for the disposal of tree limbs and branches that are removed by the property owner for normal maintenance and upkeep, not for lot clearing. The City's vendor will not collect material produced by a private contractor.

For full program rules, visit the City's website.

ComEd To Trim Trees This Fall In Geneva

Commonwealth Edison has informed the City about tree trimming operations scheduled to take place this fall between East Side Drive and Western Avenue in Geneva.

While the City of Geneva owns and operates its own electric utility, ComEd does run power lines through the community to our substations as well as neighboring municipalities. The company states its vegetation management program helps ensure electrical reliability since tree branch contact with power lines is a leading cause of outages.

ComEd will be notifying affected residents about tree trimming taking place in their neighborhood. A map and more information also can be found on the City's website.

Residents who have questions or concerns with ComEd's program can call the company at 800-334-7661.

About Geneva

Located 40 miles west of Chicago along the Fox River, Geneva is home to 21,495 residents and serves as the seat of Kane County government. The City's character is found in its distinct architecture, historic buildings and picturesque natural areas. With festivals and events year-round, Geneva is a special destination for unique and award-winning shopping, restaurants, galleries and more. Home to excellent schools, library, parks and a vibrant cultural arts scene, Geneva continues to be one of the premier cities in the Chicago area to live, work, play and raise a family. For the latest news, visit the City's website.