Fall 2017  

In This Issue
Check Out Our New Website
Leaf Collection Begins In November
MetroNet Construction Starts Soon
Make Your Voice Heard About Geneva's Future
Trick-Or Treat Hours & Safety Tips
New Hazardous Waste Program
Geneva Named Top Baseball Town
Prairie Green Nets City $1 Million
Mark Your Calendars For Fall Fun
Check Out Our New Blogs
Garden Contest Winners Announced
Festival Photo Galleries
Geneva NRC Making A Difference
City's Pewter Ornament Now On Sale
'Art On Fire' Hydrant Winners Named
Batavia Reviewing Campana Project
Phone Book Delivery Coming Soon
City Administrator's Office News: Government Exchange
Administrative Services Department News: City Auditing Utility Bills
Police Department News: Pedestrian Safety & Neighborhood Speeding
Police Department News: Crisis Intervention Team
Economic Development Department News: Shop Local For The Holidays
Community Development Department News: New Proposal For Cetron Site
Community Development Department News: Address Number Rules
Fire Department News: Chief Provides Annual Report
Public Works Department News: Route 31 To Be Closed Oct. 21-22
Public Works Department News: Hydrant Flushing Almost Done
Public Works Department News: Last Call For Brush Collection
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Thank You for Your Donation!
The City would like to thank the following donors to the Geneva Beautification Committee:
 
Douglas and Jennifer Benjamin
Raymond and Shirley Bonczyk
Charles and Mary Kay Brown
Constance Bumgarner
Tara Burghart
Clare Byrne
Jeanne Byrne
Terry Carpenter
Nancy Dantino
Elizabeth Davila
Lynne Devaney
Terry and Dorothy Flanagan
Geneva Chamber of Commerce
Geneva Garden Club
Carol Greenfield
James Hepp
Paula Hill-Emery
W. Clyde and Sharon Jones
Richard and Nola Keslinke
Dean Kilburg
Mary Klein
Steve Martin
Jeanne McGowan
Michelle McManus
Ken and Kathy McNeil
Egon and Laina Molbak
David Monaco
Cookie Olson
John Pinkley
Patti Rambo
Mike and Debbie Reitz
Dan Ross
Adrienne Sandman
Ronald and Marilyn Singer
STC Capital Bank
Deborah Vensel
Jennie Wagner
Paula Weisserth
Jim and Sherri Weitl
Kevin and Alisa York
Fred and Carolyn Zinke

Donations are as of Sept. 15, 2017. For more information on the Beautification Committee, visit the City's website.
Mayor's Message
Dear Neighbors,

Communities are, for all practical purposes and at the most granular level, people living next to each other.

Singles, couples, families with children, retirees, people with varying degrees of wealth, people of varying cultures, races and religions all blend together to give a community its flavor, its texture and its character.

Geneva is like most cities in that we have a similar population to the litany described above. We have thousands of children who call Geneva home, young adults just "starting out," new parents enjoying the milestones of their first child, empty-nesters adjusting to the suddenly quiet homestead, many seniors who are enjoying their golden years, people who succeed financially, those who work hard to make ends meet monthly, people who practice different faiths and people who represent different cultures and races. The City of Geneva is indeed a "blended family."  

Depending on who you ask, the word "blended" means many things to many people. Pharmacists use it to describe the compounding of medications. Chefs use it to describe the delicate balance of flavors.  Architects use it to describe the mix of component parts of a building or home. City planners use the term as offering opportunities to address the variety of expectations of residents.
 
But when we talk about "blended families," the most common definition is where the parents have children from previous relationships but all the members come together as one unit. Simple enough.

Therefore, a blended community, is merely an expansion of this definition right? I think so. And, if you agree, then Geneva is the quintessential "blended family" because we are home to the experiences that make us all different and bound together by calling our City home. 

We all acknowledge, in some form or fashion, that where we are now in life is not the same as where we once were. We agree our station in life is often different from our parents, siblings, friends and neighbors. A community of uniformity is not a community at all. For uniformity demands sameness, where a community embraces differences. 

I believe that a community with energy, opportunity and possibilities, at its very core, celebrates the "blended" nature of its people. Anything shy of this defrauds each and every one of us the opportunities to learn from one another, better understand one another, support one another and, together, build a community strengthened by our collective life experiences and shared aspirations.

My best,  

Kevin Burns
Mayor

Check Out Our New Look Website

The City of Geneva continues its commitment to be mobile-friendly with the rollout of a new look website this week.

The new site has a sleek mobile-responsive design, which provides visitors using a computer, phone or tablet the same customer service experience no matter the screen size. Previously, the City's mobile-lite website was void of photos and videos and limited other features for mobile users.

Geneva revamped its website after tracking about 50 percent of the City's total online traffic stems from mobile devices, a number that is expected to grow in the future. In January, the City launched the "Go Geneva" mobile app to provide people with instant access to key community information.

"The City of Geneva's website is the hub of all our communication efforts," Communications Coordinator Kevin Stahr said. "With many people dialed in to their smartphones, it was imperative the City offer an enhanced mobile-responsive website that will be a resource for residents, merchants and stakeholders to stay connected with their community."

The most notable change visitors will see is the City's homepage, which brings a more visually compelling layout. Visitors can utilize quick access buttons to find meeting agendas, subscribe for website notifications, report concerns online, pay utility bills and discover the many businesses and restaurants that define Geneva. The City's news section, calendar and spotlight sections have all been expanded to keep people in the loop about the latest happenings in Geneva.

The new website also provides an enhanced customer service experience for residents wanting to submit online requests for City services. Previously, people using the City's Request Tracker system on their mobile device filled out a generic form that had to be reassigned by City staff to the correct department. Now, mobile users will see a menu of different City departments with specific categories - similar to the desktop version - that they can select to file a request directly to the appropriate staff members to address.

Residents are reminded that Request Tracker is not monitored 24 hours a day. Emergency calls should be made to 911. Power outages and other City service requests taking place after-hours, weekends or holidays should be reported to the Police Department's non-emergency number at 630-232-4736. Police will then dispatch the proper department personnel.

With the City's global navigation at the top of the page remaining the same, visitors familiar with our website will find news, information and City services without difficulty.

The City's last website upgrade took place in 2013.

City's Curbside Leaf Collection Program Begins In November

Geneva residents can map out their fall yard work schedule after the City announced the collection dates for its 2017 curbside leaf program.

The City's curbside leaf pickup is divided into three geographical zones, with each zone collected three times using vacuum equipment. Every street will be targeted one time during each of the three separate leaf pickups.

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.

The curbside collection zones and start dates (each zone takes a few days to complete) are:
  • Zone A: East side of the Fox River
    • First pickup: Monday, Nov. 6
    • Second pickup: Thursday, Nov. 16
    • Final pickup: Tuesday, Nov. 28
       
  • Zone B: West side of the Fox River, north of Route 38 or north of Kaneville Road and north of Keslinger Road
    • First pickup: Wednesday, Nov. 8
    • Second pickup: Monday, Nov. 20
    • Final pickup: Wednesday, Nov. 29
       
  • Zone C: West side of the Fox River, south of Route 38 or south of Kaneville Road and south of Keslinger Road
    • First pickup: Wednesday, Nov. 1
    • Second pickup: Monday, Nov. 13
    • Final pickup: Monday, Nov. 27

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.

The City has an additional leaf bag collection program that runs from Dec. 1 to Dec. 30. 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 placed at the curb on residents' regular garbage day.

Full details about both programs can be found on the City's website.

MetroNet Construction Scheduled To Start This Fall

Geneva residents will have a new option for their cable television, Internet and phone service coming in the future.

MetroNet will begin installing fiber optic cable and infrastructure in utility easements throughout the City during the next two years after the Geneva City Council approved a cable television franchise agreement with the company in September.

MetroNet will start constructing its fiber network in late October or early November in the Pepper Valley and the northern half of the Fisher Farms subdivisions on the Geneva's west side, pending permit approval from the City.

MetroNet will notify residents three times prior to construction commencing in their neighborhood. The company will send a letter several weeks beforehand and then a postcard as the project start date draws closer. Yard markers posted on property serve as the final reminder to alert people that crews will begin installing underground and aerial equipment in the next few days. Each neighborhood will take about six to eight weeks to complete.

Once construction is finished, MetroNet will restore lawns where digging has occurred. Residents are then encouraged to water the impacted areas following the grass repairs.

MetroNet has created a construction website, where residents will find a project overview, construction map, FAQs and an avenue to submit questions online. Residents also can make inquiries by calling MetroNet at 877-386-3876.

MetroNet will announce future construction locations in the coming months. After the fiber network has been installed, people will have the option to sign up for MetroNet's television, Internet and phone plans or maintain their existing services with their current provider.

City Seeking Community Input On Geneva's Future
Residents, merchants and community stakeholders are invited to two community meetings to provide feedback that could help shape the future vision for Geneva.

The strategic plan community meetings will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 at the Geneva Fire Department, 200 East Side Drive and 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 at City Hall Council Chambers, 109 James St. Each meeting is expected to last two hours.

Topics to be discussed at the meetings will include:
  •    Community and social needs;
  •    Underutilized community assets;
  •    Opportunities to grow and support local businesses; and
  •    Economic development priorities.

The City's Strategic Plan Advisory Committee (SPAC) is seeking input from the public on the current state of Geneva and what initiatives are needed to enhance quality of life for residents. The purpose of collecting the community feedback is to identify common themes and ideas for the City Council to assess when planning for Geneva's future.

A strategic plan is a valuable tool for City leaders to acknowledge areas of improvement within a community, ascertain resources to utilize and prioritize goals.

For more information about the community meetings, call the City's Strategic Plan Advisory Committee at 630-232-7494.


Online Survey
If you can't make either of the community meetings listed above, you can still make your voice heard in Geneva's strategic planning process.   
 
Click the poster below to participate in our online survey by Friday, Oct. 27. Thank you for your feedback!


Geneva Announces Halloween Trick-Or-Treat Hours, Safety Tips
 
Geneva children and parents are encouraged to trick-or-treat in their neighborhoods between the City's recommended Halloween hours of 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Families can get a jump start on their candy collection as downtown merchants offer free Halloween treats from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. Look for trick-or-treat signs in store windows for participating businesses. Geneva Commons also will host a Fall Fest from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29 that will include free children's activities, candy treat bags and hayrides.

The Geneva Police Department wants all little superheroes, princesses and scary monsters to have a fun and safe Halloween experience this year. Parents should take an active role in this process by making sure their families follow these safety tips:

* 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 their vision is not compromised.
* Small children should always be accompanied by an adult.
* Older children should stick to familiar neighborhoods and travel in groups.

* Remind children to never go inside someone's home when trick-or-treating.
* Go out in the 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 substituted with soft foam rubber materials.
* Make sure your child watches for traffic and understands basic traffic/pedestrian rules such as using crosswalks.

The Geneva Police Department hopes everyone has an enjoyable Halloween.
   
Geneva Providing Front Door Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program
Geneva residents will once again be able to safely dispose of household hazardous waste materials from the convenience of their front door after the City has joined forces with Kane County. 

With the closest household hazardous waste collection site being in Naperville, the home collection program proved quite popular when Geneva worked with an independent contractor from 2013-16. In January, the company notified the City it would no longer be able to offer those services due to business restructuring.

The City began researching alternatives and became aware Kane County was submitting a bid to conduct its own household hazardous waste program. Through a collaborative effort, the City was able to reach an intergovernmental agreement with the County to expand the program into Geneva effective immediately.

Residents can schedule a collection by calling U.S. Ecology at 866-373-8357 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday to Friday or by emailing curbside@usecology.com. Once an appointment has been finalized, a 30-gallon bag and kit with labels and instructions will be mailed to the resident. The company will call the resident the day before collection with a reminder to place the full bag on the porch or driveway for pickup.

Residents can schedule one home collection per year to dispose of paint, pesticides, fertilizers, household chemicals, cleaners, auto fluids, batteries, fluorescent lights and more. Kane County, who will be administering the program, has a full list of accepted items on its website.

The program is for residential customers only, and no business materials will be collected.

For more information, call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.  
 
Geneva Named Fifth Best Minor League Baseball Town

The Kane County Cougars and the City of Geneva make a great team, which has resulted in the City being named the fifth best minor league baseball town in the country according to a recent SmartAsset survey.

The 2017 survey stated, "In the past year, the Kane County Cougars and their fans were pretty competitive on the field. They won around 53 percent of their games in front of an average of 5,800 fans. But off the field is where Geneva shines. This is the safest city in this study, with the third-lowest violent crime rate and the lowest property crime rate."

The survey ranked 159 communities who have minor league baseball teams based on "game day experience" and "quality of life" factors. In the latter category, Geneva scored the third highest metric in the survey based on a low crime rate, income after housing levels, low unemployment as well as dining and entertainment establishments.

Geneva jumped up nine spots after being ranked No. 14 in 2016. This is the fourth annual ranking conducted by SmartAsset, and the full survey results can be found on their website.

Great job Cougars, and thank you for being one of the many attractions that make Geneva shine.

Prairie Green Nets $1 Million In Credits, Positive Impact For Tax Bills
 
The City of Geneva generated $1 million in revenue from the Prairie Green Wetland mitigation bank this summer, which will reduce the tax burden for residents next year.

Prairie Green is 580 acres of publically-owned prairie and wetlands located at the corner of Peck and Keslinger roads. After the community approved $10 million in bonds to purchase the land, the City acquired 360 acres between 1999 to 2002. The City later obtained an additional 220 acres from the Kane County Forest Preserve District and the Illinois Department of Corrections during 2002-03.

The goals of the site were to establish a large public space on the City's west side, restore native vegetation, create passive recreation opportunities and provide additional stormwater management.

The preserve contains a wetland bank designed to mitigate wetland impacts primarily in the Fox River watershed. Agencies and builders can purchase credits from the preserve's wetland bank to offset development or construction that impacts wetlands in the watershed area. The City's Prairie Green Preserve contractor announced the sale of more than $1 million in wetland credits this summer, which will be used to help retire the bond debt purchase and reduce the tax burden on residents.

With 37.5 acres available for purchase, the City is anticipating additional wetland credits will be sold in the future.      
 
Plenty Of Fun In Store This Fall In Geneva

Tickets are on sale for the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission fundraiser "Art Affair" to be held at Geneva Golf Club on Friday, Nov. 10.

A highly curated silent auction will include a performance painting by Jan Schmuckal, a private performance by Dennis O'Brien Music and a commissioned portrait of a favorite person or pet by Karen Bordenave.

The highlight of the auction will be "Ode to Cello" by renowned local artist Lorraine Ochsner. Lorraine has taken a retired cello, which was generously gifted to the Commission by Geneva-based StringWorks, and given it new life as a canvas featuring the beautifully executed portraits of Yo-Yo Ma, Vivaldi, Bach, Beethoven and Casals.

Tickets are $50 per person and are available for purchase online at www.genevarts.org.

Steeple Walk Returns for Ninth Season
Steeple Walk returns for its ninth season from 2 to 4:40 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3

Presented by the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission, Steeple Walk features a variety of seasonal music concerts at four of Geneva's historic churches, all within easy walking distance. The event will feature performances by Scott Stevenson, the Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale, the Batavia High School Madrigal Singers and the EnsAmble Ad-Hoc.

Tickets are $12 per person and will be available for purchase starting Wednesday, Nov. 1. Visit www.genevarts.org for more information.

Save the Date
Downtown Trick-or-Treating - Oct. 26
Art Affair - Nov. 10
Christmas Walk - Dec. 1
Christmas House Tour - Dec. 1-2
Steeple Walk - Dec. 3
Geneva Film Festival - March 8-10, 2018.  

Check Out Our New Blogs

Besides rolling out a new website, the City continues to step up its communication outreach with the Geneva community with the creation of several new blogs.The City's new blogs include:

Just The Facts
Establishing facts versus rumors to eliminate misperceptions in the community.
Kudos To City Employees
Sharing your feedback for a job well done by our City employees.
Lost Pets
Posting lost animals found by the Geneva Police in hopes of reuniting these pets with their owners.
Pardon Our Progress
Providing people with a road map and updates regarding major construction projects in Geneva.
Powering Up
Find out what caused that recent power outage in your neighborhood.
Safety First
Enhancing community safety is always the No. 1 goal of the Police & Fire departments.

People can subscribe to receive alerts to any of the blogs via our website's " Notify Me" feature. Additional blog topics are being considered for the future.

For more information about the City's communications efforts, visit the City's website.

Beautification Committee Announces Tour Des Fleurs Winners

The Geneva Beautification Committee recognized the winners of the 2017 Tour des Fleurs garden contest during Festival of the Vine Sept. 10.

Six gardens were featured in the third annual contest/fundraiser this summer. People voted for their favorite Tour des Fleurs garden in the form of a donation, with each dollar donated counting as one vote.

The winners included (from left to right):

    First Place: Lovin Geneva - STC Capital Bank
    Second Place: Miss Ella - Miscella Real Estate
    Third Place: Eastside Beau Jardin - Eastside Gardners

The Geneva Beautification Committee consists of organizations, businesses, families and volunteers that adopt and maintain planting beds and flower boxes throughout the City's central business district.

Garden photographs, a video and more information about the Beautification Committee can be found online on the City's website.

Geneva Is The Place For Festivals & Fun






Geneva offered plenty of festival fun this summer and early fall with the Geneva Arts Fair and Festival of the Vine. Relive the memories through our photo galleries posted on both Facebook and our website.
 
Geneva Natural Resources Committee Making A Difference In The Community


The Geneva Natural Resources Committee's dedicated volunteers have made the City shine bright in more ways than one the past few months.

Geneva's downtown tree inventory received another boost this year thanks to a $10,000 donation from the City's Natural Resources Committee (NRC).

The money reimburses the City for the purchase of 20 new trees, which were planted in June by Wasco Nursery. During the past four years, the committee has contributed $30,000 to plant 75 parkway trees primarily in the downtown. NRC Chairman Jay Womack and other committee members presented the most recent donation to the City Council July 17. Read more on the City's website or watch the City Council presentation video.

The NRC also held its Fox River Cleanup Day Sept. 24. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped spruce up the river. (Photo courtesy of Steve Matravers' Facebook page). Learn more about the NRC's efforts or join them this fall for their Fabyan workdays.

Peck Farm House Depicted On City's Pewter Ornament
Peck Farm is the crossroads where history, nature and recreation collide in Geneva, and the home that helped start it all is featured on the City's newest pewter ornament now available for purchase.

The 2017 ornament depicts the Peck Farm House on the front and history of the building on the back. The ornament, which is being sold for $12, can be purchased from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday at City Hall, 22 S. First St. People also can " Shop The Geneva Store" online via the City's website.

After arriving in Geneva in the 1840s, Eli and Jerusha Peck built the Italianate house in 1869 befitting their stature attained by raising renowned Merino sheep. Nearly symmetrical with a hipped roof, central cupola and carved lintels, the structure served as home to four generations of the Peck family.

The family sold the home and more than 100 acres to the Geneva Park District in 1991 to preserve the land as open space for future generations to enjoy. Today, Geneva's crown jewel of parks stands at 385 acres along Kaneville Road and Fabyan Parkway and offers a wide range of recreational amenities to the public. More information about Peck Farm can be found on the Park District's website.

This is the eighth 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 and the Moore House (The Little Traveler).

The City also sells other Geneva-themed merchandise, including bracelets, picture frames, golf balls with tees, tote bags and more. Quantities are limited. For more information, call Sherri Weitl at 630-232-7494.

City Honors 'Art On Fire' Hydrant Design Contest Winners

The Geneva City Council recently recognized the talented artists who showcased their creativity in the City's "Art on Fire" hydrant design competition this year.

Natalia Bork and Tatiana Hamilton won first place for their "Doodle" hydrant located on Lincoln Avenue and Union Street (pictured above). Andrew & Gigi Kimball's "Cubby Bear" hydrant at 558 Westfield Course, and Anne Cate Douglass' "A Day on the Fox" at State Street and River Lane earned second and third place honors respectively.

The City of Geneva, in collaboration with the Cultural Arts Commission, has sought artists to adopt and paint fire hydrants throughout the community. More than 80 hydrants have been painted the past five years as part of "Art on Fire," and the program has been well received by residents and visitors who have taken notice of the artwork in the downtown and surrounding areas.

You can watch the "Art on Fire" recognition ceremony during the Oct. 2 City Council meeting or take a virtual tour of all our painted hydrants.

Thank you to all the artists who participated in this year's program. 

Batavia City Council Sets Date For Campana Apartment Project Vote
Batavia leaders will hold one more Committee of the Whole meeting Monday, Oct. 30 regarding the Campana apartment project located on Route 31 and Fabyan Parkway. The Batavia City Council is scheduled to take a final vote on the proposal Monday, Nov. 6. 
 
Geneva officials monitored the proposal during the past several months, but the decision ultimately is in the hands of the Batavia City Council members since the property is located within their corporate boundary limits.

After a development application was submitted to Batavia in June, the project went through a review process that included many meetings before Batavia's Plan Commission, Committee of the Whole and City Council. More information about the Campana project is available on Batavia's website.   

Yellowbook To Start Phone Book Delivery This Month
Yellowbook announced it will begin delivering phone books to homes in the Fox Valley area, including Geneva, starting the week of Oct. 23 through the end of November.

The books are 100 percent recyclable. Residents also have the option to opt-out of receiving a phone book by visiting www.yellowpagesoptout.com.

For more information, people also can call Yellowbook's customer service phone number at 877-607-0775. 

To New Zealand & Back: City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins Shares Her Government Exchange Experience
We really are not all that different.  

The best part of traveling is discovering new places and people. Recently I had the opportunity to participate in a local government exchange with the Waipa District of New Zealand through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM). So although not your typical vacation, I jumped at the chance to find out how a local government 8,200 miles away and 18 time zones ahead operates. What I discovered is that we are really not all that different.

The Waipa District lies in the heart of New Zealand's Waikato region on the North Island and has a resident population of about 46,000 people. The District is represented by 12 Councillors and His Worship the Mayor. The Councillors are elected from various wards and the Mayor is elected at-large, each for a term of three years.

The two-week exchange consisted of meeting with professional staff from Waipa, attending a Council meeting, convening with professional staff from other regions in New Zealand (Hamilton City, Waikato Regional Council and the Waitomo District Council), and attending the annual SOLGM conference. All of these events showcased local government in New Zealand.

Through these various interactions, I learned the District (and New Zealand) is facing many of the same issues as we are in Geneva - the need for wastewater treatment plant improvements, seeking to improve stormwater drainage, managing unfunded mandates, and trying to find ways to provide affordable housing options. In addition, the District is in the process of updating its 10-year Long Term Plan (LTP), while Geneva is getting ready to embark upon the public engagement process of creating a new strategic plan for the city (see story above).

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, this was an exchange. As such, my hosts from New Zealand, Waipa District Council Business Support Group Manager Ken Morris (right) and his lovely wife, will be coming to Geneva in a couple of weeks to see first-hand how we do things. I hope while they are here you will help make them feel welcome and show them the Geneva sense of community.

Administrative Department News: What Does The City's Utility Bill Audit Mean For You?
 


As part of the City's fiscal year 2017-18 budget goals, the Finance Division is undergoing an audit of the City's utility billing accounts. This involves a detailed review to ensure the rate, services and customer information for each account are correct. 

With more than 10,300 utility accounts, this is a large undertaking that will be ongoing through the middle of 2018. If there are changes to an account, the City will send a letter informing the customer on file of the adjustment and the effect it will have on the monthly utility bill.

As part of the audit process, landlord information will be added to the utility accounts. This will provide notification to landlords if a tenant is past due on their utility bill. Per the Geneva City Code, if the renter fails to pay a utility bill, the City is able to seek payment from the owner of the property.
   
Any questions about changes to utility accounts or landlord notifications, please contact the Finance Division at 630-232-0854 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by email.

Police Department News: Police Promoting Pedestrian & Driving Safety
 
Safety is always the top priority for the Geneva Police Department. This year, Police have taken a proactive approach to pedestrian safety and targeting speeding in residential neighborhoods.
 
As you saw earlier in this newsletter, we have launched several new blogs on our website. Police Chief Eric Passarelli has been busy sharing his thoughts on our Safety First blog regarding pedestrian safety, school zones and his most recent entry about neighborhood speeding. In September, he appeared in the above video on "GenevaWorks" talking about the importance of pedestrian safety.
 
We encourage you to take a moment to read these key community safety issues (you can subscribe to receive future entries), and to make sure you do your part to help enhance safety in Geneva. 

Geneva Police Department News: Taking Proactive Approach With Crisis Intervention Team
CIT Presentation - July 10 Committee Of The Whole Meeting 
CIT Presentation - July 10 Committee Of The Whole Meeting
 
The Geneva Police Department has a growing number of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officers who have received specialized training on dealing with individuals in the community with mental illness or other behavioral disabilities.  
 
In order to be CIT-certified, Geneva Police officers complete a 40-hour training course, which includes learning verbal de-escalation techniques to help reduce the amount of force necessary to resolve a potentially violent crisis situation.
 
CIT officers provide an immediate response to calls involving a mental health crisis situation. Also, CIT officers are focused on interacting with mentally ill individuals to help reduce the stigma of mental illness.  
 
Geneva Police officers who have been trained can be easily identified by the blue CIT pin worn on their uniform. There are eight officers who are CIT-certified, which provides at least one officer for every shift. The department plans to train additional officers in the future.   
 
If anyone should have any questions about the Geneva Police Department CIT program or need assistance, please contact Officer Mark Russo at 630-232-4736 or via email. Officer Russo also provided the City Council with a presentation on the program during the summer in the video above. 

Economic Development Department News: Shop & Dine In Geneva This Holiday Season

Even with the rise of ecommerce, this holiday shopping season is predicted to be busy for brick-and-mortar retailers.

According to a consumer survey commissioned by the International Council of Shopping Centers, more than nine out of 10 holiday shoppers surveyed plan to use physical stores for gift buying. Four out of five of those shoppers will partake in non-shopping activities, including dining at a restaurant or other food-service establishment.   

Whenever possible, please make your purchases within the City of Geneva. Spending money at a Geneva store or restaurant not only supports our local business community but also helps fund important municipal services. Sales tax revenue is the largest source of revenue for the City's General Fund.      

Whether shopping for a gift at an independent business or a national retailer, or dining at a full or quick-service restaurant, a purchase in Geneva will help maintain the community as a wonderful place to live, work and visit. View a complete list of Geneva stores and restaurants on the City's online business directory.  

Community Development Department News: New Proposal Being Planned For Former Cetron Site
 
A new mixed-use residential/retail development is being proposed for the former Cetron factory site located at Seventh and State streets.
 
The Geneva Plan Commission will be conducting a concept - or preliminary - review of the plan at its next meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 at City Hall Council Chambers, 109 James St. The conceptual site plan calls for:
 
  • Demolition of the existing structures on Richards Street,
  • Construction of 16 single-family homes with a shared courtyard,
  • Building eight townhomes with a shared courtyard,
  • Construction of a three-story mixed-use building with retail space on the first floor and 12, one-bedroom apartments above, and
  • Creating a bike path along the eastern boundary of the property connecting West State Street to Peyton Street.
 
The Plan Commission is not expected to give a formal recommendation during this preliminary review. The process will only move forward to a public hearing in front of the  commission if the developer submits an official application with the City. A previous concept review earlier this year calling for townhomes on this site never materialized in the developer filing an application to proceed. 

People also can stay on top of the development scene by visiting our online " Development Projects" map. Interested parties may sign up to receive email alerts via the City's " Notify Me" website feature when the map is updated.
 
Community Development Department News: Make Sure We Can Clearly See Your Address
 
During the past several years, the City of Geneva has been working with residents to make sure that all homes have clearly displayed address numbers. 
 
The reasoning behind this City ordinance is an important one. Having a clearly marked address helps our police officers and firefighters quickly identify homes when responding to an emergency. Every second counts for our first-responders. 
 
Our City Code requires homeowners to post address numbers that are:
 
  •     A minimum 5 inches in height;
  •     Arabic in style;
  •     A contrasting color to the mounting surface; and
  •     Displayed within 10 feet of the front door.
 
The size, style and location requirements are intended to provide address uniformity in neighborhoods. 
 
We appreciate everyone's cooperation in complying with the ordinance. Residents with questions or concerns can call the City's Building Division at 630-262-0284.

Fire Department News: Chief Antenore Presents Department Overview With Annual Report

Want to learn what's happening at the Geneva Fire Department? Fire Chief Michael Antenore presented an annual report to the City Council this summer that provided an overview of the department as well as information on response times, upcoming goals and more. You can view his presentation and watch the video above (start at the 33-minute mark).
 
There is one simple way to help our firefighters. If you see a fire truck or ambulance responding to an emergency with its lights and sirens, please pull over to the right if possible. Your assistance can help improve our emergency response times for those needing immediate help. 
 
Public Works Department News: Scheduled Road Work To Close Route 31 This Weekend

Motorists heading to downtown Geneva should take note Route 31 will be closed near State Street (Route 38) this weekend.

A fire suppression system is being installed for the Sergio's Cantina expansion that will require crews to cut through all lanes of the pavement on Route 31 to install the water lines. Route 31 will be closed from State to Campbell streets starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 through 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22. Additional patching work Monday, Oct. 23 may cause some temporary lane closures.

Signage has been posted this week establishing the official Illinois Department of Transportation detour routes traveling south on Route 31 to head east on State Street, south on Route 25, east on Fabyan Parkway and back to Route 31. The detour would be reverse for those heading north on Route 31 to Geneva.

The rain date for construction has been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28 to 29. Residents can subscribe to receive alerts via the City's website regarding road construction in the community.

Public Works Department News: Fall Fire Hydrant Flushing Completed

The City of Geneva is finished flushing hydrants throughout the community as part of  our fall 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.

Thank you for your patience the past several weeks.

Public Works Department News: Brush Collection Concludes In November



For full brush program details, visit the City's website or call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.

About Geneva

 

courthouse
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. Geneva's character is found in its historic architecture, adaptive re-use of historic buildings, mature landscapes and open space with more than 700 acres of park land. With festivals and events year-round, Geneva is a place to connect with others for shopping, dining or browsing art galleries. Home to excellent schools, library and parks, 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.