Spring 2017 City Of Geneva Newsletter

Jean A. Beckmann
Douglas and Jennifer Benjamin
Henriett Coletta
Geneva Women's Club
John and Joanne Gerlach
Lorraine Kautz
G. Klemm Roofing Co. - Gerry and Cathie Klemm
Richard and Darlene Larson
Richard and Cheryl Marks
The Paper Merchant - Pat Burnham
Thomas Simonian

Donations are as of March 6, 2017. For more information on the Beautification Committee, visit the City's website.

Mayor's Message

Dear Neighbors,

Is it coincidence or clever planning that the City of Geneva's new fiscal year begins when the weather turns more comfortable and more predictable?

Either way, Monday, May 1 is indeed a new beginning for the City of Geneva as we kick off the 2017-18 fiscal budget year and lay forth the City Council's and the community's goals. All of these objectives are contained in and associated with the allocation of resources designed to ensure Geneva remains the premier community we have worked together to build.

As we welcome - finally - more enjoyable weather on the horizon, we also embrace new opportunities to enhance Geneva's reputation, address new challenges in a responsible and respectful manner and, most of all, use the history of our community as a compass to guide us toward success.

I humbly accept the privilege of working with the City Council, professional staff, 22,000 residents and 1,000 businesses to ensure Geneva's hard-earned character among cities in Illinois and throughout the country remains strong, vibrant and envied.

My best,

Kevin Burns

Mayor

Geneva Residents Head To the Polls To Elect New City Council

Geneva residents went to the polls April 4 to cast their vote in the 2017 Consolidated Election, which included selecting new leadership on the City Council. Here are the unofficial vote totals from the Kane County Clerk's Office as of April 7.

Mayor	Votes	Third Ward	Votes
Kevin Burns	3,921	Becky Hruby	551
Thomas Simonian	2,418	Mary Seno	364
First Ward	Votes	Fourth Ward	Votes
Mike Bruno	659	Jeanne (Letizia) McGowan	826
Michael Olesen	612	Ron Singer	616
Second Ward	Votes	Fifth Ward	Votes
Richard Marks	658	Robert Swanson	690
Michael Clements	537	Douglas Warlick	400

City Treasurer Patrick McQueeny ran unopposed for another term. Nobody filed to run in the City Clerk's race. For more election information, visit the Kane County Elections website.

The winning candidates will officially start their new terms during the Monday, May 1 City Council meeting.

The Readers Have Spoken: Geneva Is The 'Best Of The West'

Readers of "West Suburban Living" Magazine once again ranked Geneva as the premier community for dining, shopping and festivals as part of its 2017 "Best of the West" contest.

Geneva was named the top city readers would most like to live (other than choosing their hometown). No other municipality has earned that distinction as many times as Geneva during the magazine's two decades of competition. Geneva also was selected as the area's third best "Weekend Getaway" behind Galena and Lake Geneva, Wis.

Festival of the Vine and Swedish Days won first place and honorable mention respectively for "Best Fair or Festival" while the Geneva Arts Fair finished second for "Best Craft or Art Fair" by readers. The Geneva French Market earned third place for "Best Farmers Market."

Numerous restaurants, stores (along with Geneva Commons), attractions and more were recognized as some of the best in the western suburbs. You can view the entire "West Suburban Living" Magazine voter survey online.

Thank you to the residents, merchants, Geneva Chamber of Commerce and countless stakeholders who all work hard to make Geneva a great place to live.

Business Growth In Geneva: City Supports Nosh Relocation, Aldi Store To Expand

MyNosh LLC, a collaboration between Nosh Restaurant and MySalon, is working to bring life to an empty downtown property at 22 N. Third St.

Built in 1942, the building has been vacant since 2008 and is in need of a variety of service and façade upgrades. The Geneva City Council approved a sales tax sharing agreement in March to assist with the costs of upgrading utilities and retrofitting the structure. The project entails a $1.8 million investment that will result in the retention and expansion of jobs, help anchor the North Third Street corridor and strengthen the City's commercial tax base.

Nosh has been bringing fresh, flavorful food to Geneva since 2007. The new location will offer expanded seating, both indoors and outdoors. "We're looking forward to the opportunity to bring the Nosh vibe that our customers love to the new, bigger location, along with a revamped menu and a fresh look," Owner Mike Dixon said. "We're calling it Nosh 2.0."

My Salon, currently located in St. Charles, will bring its contemporary atmosphere and modern approach to the west end of the building. Owner Tom Stuart remarked "20 years ago when I started doing hair, I started in Geneva. Now I'm coming back home."

Look for Nosh and My Salon at their new location this spring.

Also coming soon, Aldi will be adding more than 1,400 square feet to their existing location at 975 E. State St. in Geneva.

The expansion will allow Aldi to provide a larger selection of fresh foods and an enhanced shopping experience to their customers. The site plan was approved at the March 20 Geneva City Council meeting.

The Geneva Aldi store opened in 2007 and is located within the City's East State Tax Increment Financing District (TIF 2). TIF funds were used to assist Aldi with site acquisition and redevelopment costs associated with bringing the grocery store to this location. Aldi operates in 35 states and has about 150 stores in the Chicago area.

Geneva Named Tree City USA Once Again, More Plantings Scheduled For This Spring

Geneva has been going green 17 years and counting. The Arbor Day Foundation has once again named Geneva a "Tree City USA" community for our commitment to effective urban forest management.

The City's growing tree canopy earned the distinction by meeting four core standards, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and an Arbor Day observance.

This month, the City will begin its spring planting program that will include more than 100 new parkway trees throughout Geneva. Helping contribute to the cause, the City of Geneva's Natural Resources Committee raised more than $23,000 during another successful Wine, Cheese & Trees fundraiser held March 4.

The money has been pledged to pay for more parkway trees to be planted in downtown Geneva. Through 2016, the Committee has donated $40,000 to the City to purchase and plant almost 75 new trees. Thank you to all the Wine, Cheese & Trees participants' generous donations and contributing to make Geneva a greener community.

People interested in a new parkway tree should visit the City's website to learn more about our cost-sharing program.

Natural Resources Committee Invites You To Earth Day

Geneva Public Works Assists In Ottawa Tornado Cleanup Effort

As Ottawa continues to recover from tornado damage earlier this year, the community appreciated receiving a helping hand from the Geneva Public Works Department and other local entities.

The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes swept through north central Illinois Feb. 28. In Ottawa alone, one person was killed, 14 were injured and many homes and buildings were damaged.

Geneva is a member of the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network, which sent out a request to municipalities for dump trucks and drivers to help remove tree, brush and garbage March 15-17 in Ottawa. Geneva sent two trucks and two crew members, including:

March 15 - Kirk Nelson & Ed Regelbrugge
March 16 - Nick Alford & Jeff Wilger
March 17 - Joel McNally & Steve Jones

While tornado damage still was evident, the coordinated effort taking place the past several weeks was bringing the Ottawa community back to its feet. Debris already had been conveniently stacked at the curb for public works crews to take to the appropriate collection sites.

"Residents were very appreciative and thankful for the response," Nelson said. "People were waving to us while walking their dogs as we were hauling debris away."

Kudos to the Geneva Public Works Department on a job well done helping those in need.

City To Hold Public Hearing On 2017-18 Budget

City of Geneva leaders will be busy throughout the month of April finalizing details on a balanced 2017-18 fiscal year budget.

Residents and community stakeholders can weigh in at the City's budget public hearing, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, April 17. The City Council has held and will continue budget discussions focusing on individual funds leading up to the public hearing. All meetings are open to the public to provide comments.

Want to examine how the budget is coming along? You can find plenty of information on the City's website:

View Proposed 2017-18 Budget	Budget Presentation Overview Slides (March 20)
Compare To 2016-17 Approved Budget	Watch City Council Meetings On YouTube

The City's new budget year starts Monday, May 1.

Cultural Arts Commission Reveals Plan For Community Arts Center

Geneva Cultural Arts Commissioner Doug Holzrichter unveiled the Commission's Business Plan for a Community Arts Center at the Feb. 6 City Council meeting.

The plan was created over the course of many months with input from several of Geneva's community leaders and stakeholders. A Planning Committee was formed to define the vision, location, management, financial requirements, and programming for the proposed Arts Center.

A copy of the Business Plan can be viewed on the City's website.

Looking For A Volunteer Opportunity? Geneva Beautification Can Always Use More Help

One of the many reasons downtown Geneva shines throughout the year is the more than 40 planting areas in the central business district. The urban gardens are possible through dedicated volunteers serving on the Geneva Beautification Committee.

The group could always use more helping hands for their spring planting event, which takes place rain or shine Saturday, April 8. New volunteers can meet at 8 a.m. at the Geneva Post Office, 26 S. Third St. Those pre-assigned to gardens can go directly to their area. In case of a thunderstorm, the spring planting will take place at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 9.

If you cannot make the spring event, mark your calendars for future seasonal plantings Saturday, May 20, Aug. 26 and Nov. 4. For more info, visit the Committee's webpage or call City Hall at 630-232-7494.

Have Unwanted Electronics? Take Advantage Of Kane County's Recycling Program

Doing some spring cleaning but not sure what to do with your old electronics? Kane County is reminding residents to recycle their old devices at any of its three weekday sites or monthly collection events.

Most electronics remain free to recycle, but the program will now charge residents a fee to recycle televisions and monitors - $25 for screens 20" or smaller and $35 for screens 21" and larger.

Weekday drop-off locations are open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday in Batavia, 517 E. Fabyan Parkway (old Juvenile Justice Center) and the South Elgin Public Works Department, 735 Martin Drive. Hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday at the West Dundee Public Works Department, 900 Angle Tarn.

Kane County 2017 collection events will take place from 8 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of each month May through November at the Kane County Circuit Clerk's Office, 540 S. Randall Road, St. Charles.

Full program details, including a list of acceptable materials, can be found on the Kane County Recycles website.

Friendly Reminder: Geneva's Parking Fine Structure Changed Last Year

The Geneva Police Department would like to issue another reminder to all our residents and guests about the new parking fine structure, which was approved by the City Council last summer.

The new ordinance was created to strike a balance to maintain a business-friendly approach to shoppers and visitors while also bringing Geneva more in line with our municipal neighbors.

For full parking fine details, visit the City's website or feel free to call the Geneva Police Department at 630-232-4736.

Come Make Your Mark On Geneva During The 'Art On Fire' Hydrant Design Contest

Geneva will once again be offering local artists a unique canvas - our fire hydrants - to showcase their creative spirit this spring.

The City, in collaboration with the Cultural Arts Commission, is seeking artists to adopt and paint fire hydrants throughout the community. More than 70 hydrants have been painted the past four 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.

With more than 1,800 fire hydrants throughout Geneva, plenty of "blank canvas" remains for artists to submit new entries this spring. "Art on Fire" was established by Mayor Kevin Burns in 2013 as a way to showcase Geneva's artistic talent and bring art into the community.

The program is free and open to the public, but participants need to submit an application to the City by Friday, May 12. The application can be found on the City's website or picked up at Geneva City Hall, 22 S. First St.

"Art on Fire" does not mandate a specific theme, but the program encourages artists to incorporate the character of the hydrant's surrounding environment into their design. City staff reviews and approves all application designs to make sure they do not compromise the visibility of the hydrants for firefighters in an emergency. Artists will be allowed to paint their hydrants during May and June.

The City's Public Arts Advisory Committee and Cultural Arts Commission will again judge the hydrants and award prizes to the top three design winners this summer.

People can take a virtual tour of all the decorated hydrants on an interactive map posted on the City's website. The map will be updated this summer to include all the 2017 submissions.

City Mourns The Loss Of Longtime Public Works Employee Gary Paris

The City of Geneva is mourning the loss of Fleet Maintenance Supervisor Gary Paris, who died unexpectedly April 4 at his Maple Park home.

Paris, 60, had been employed with the City for 29 years in Geneva's Public Works Department. He spent the past 12 years overseeing and maintaining the municipality's entire 198-vehicle and equipment fleet spanning across all departments.

"Gary was one of the hidden assets of the City. He worked to ensure there was never a piece of equipment out of service that we needed to get the job done," Public Works Director Rich Babica said. "When 15 out of 15 snow plows are ready to do the job time in and time out, that meant the world to us. He added a great deal of stability to the City by keeping our vehicles running to meet the needs of the public, and his expertise will be greatly missed."

Hired in 1988, Paris began his employment with the City as a Maintenance Department Mechanic. He was promoted twice, first to Chief Mechanic in 1994 and later to Fleet Maintenance Supervisor in 2006. Paris also was ASE-certified as a Master Automobile Technician by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Besides vehicle maintenance, Paris also serviced the backup power generators at City Hall, the Police Department, Public Works and the City's water utility.

Prior to joining Geneva, Paris worked as an auto mechanic at the Batavia Citgo and Batavia Standard stations.

City leaders are reaching out to the Paris family to provide them with any assistance they may need. The City also arranged for grief counselors to be available for employees to help cope with this difficult news.

A wake is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 9 at Conley Funeral Home in Elburn. A short service will take place at 4 p.m. Interment will be private.

The City of Geneva flag will continue to fly at half-staff in remembrance of Paris. Our sincerest condolences are extended to his family, friends and co-workers.

City Hall Garden To Be Featured On Garden Walk

The Geneva Garden Walk, "A Garden Variety, Geneva Gardens in Bloom," will take place Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17.

Hosted by the Geneva Garden Club, this bi-annual walk features multiple garden stops throughout the community. This year, the Geneva City Hall garden will be a featured stop with a special appearance on June 17 by recognized perennial plant expert Roy Diblik. In 2012, Diblik generously donated his expertise to design the City Hall garden.

For more information visit the Geneva Garden Club's website.

Bring Geneva On The Go With City's New Mobile App

We understand your life is often on the go. That is why we have made it easier to connect with City information and services through the convenience of your smartphone.

First, download the "Go Geneva" mobile app. Now staying connected with Geneva news, community alerts and more will never be easier. With the app's "Notify Me" feature, users can choose what information appeals to them to receive updates via email, text messages or push notifications. Residents wanting to report a concern can use the app to fill out an electronic request and can attach a photo from their phone if needed.

Visitors to Geneva who use the app will be able to access the City's business directory, event/attraction details as well as parking maps. Other app highlights include utility bill payments, construction project updates, municipal job listings, garbage and recycling services, City Council and advisory board agendas, and social media accounts.

The free app is available in both the App and Google Play stores by searching "Go Geneva."

City Administrator's Office News & Notes: City Earns Trifecta Of Financial Reporting Achievements

Geneva's financial reporting and transparency efforts have culminated in its third national award in 2017, the latest for the City's first Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR).

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada presented the awards during the past several months. The honors signify the highest form of recognition in the field of governmental accounting and financial reporting. The Association is a non-profit organization serving about 17,500 government finance professionals.

The awards were given for:

Distinguished Budget Award: The City's budget practices have garnered recognition for the last seven consecutive years. In order to receive the award, Geneva had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines, including how well an entity's budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device. Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, as well as the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.
Certificate Of Achievement For Excellence In Financial Reporting: For the fourth straight year, the City was recognized for going above and beyond with its Comprehensive Annual Finance Report (CAFR). The City's 2015-16 audit report contains financial statements and records from the past decade, property tax and debt data, and general statistical information about Geneva.
Popular Annual Financial Report: Reading the 200-page CAFR, while thorough, can be a daunting task. The PAFR is a 14-page, visually-friendly audit summary filled with photos and graphs offering readers a better understanding of the complexities of government finances and other helpful information. The PAFR award is bestowed to less than 0.5 percent of governments across the country.

Geneva's budget and financial reports can be found on the City's website under the " Government Transparency" section.

Fire Department News: Risk Watch Registration To Be Open Later This Spring

Geneva children who will be entering first grade this fall can learn important safety-first lessons as part of the City's annual Risk Watch summer program this July.

Presented by the Geneva Fire and Police departments, Risk Watch is a weeklong educational session that provides children with fun activities designed to promote safe decision-making skills. Some of the topics covered in Risk Watch include bike and pedestrian safety, personal safety, fall prevention, water safety, electrical safety, and fire and burn prevention.

The cost of the class is $30. Registration forms will be sent home with current kindergarten students at all Geneva elementary schools. The forms, which also are available on the City's website, are due by Wednesday, May 31. Registration can be dropped off at Fire Station No. 1 or mailed to the Geneva Fire Department, 200 East Side Drive, Geneva, IL 60134.

Space is limited, and sessions fill up quickly. For more information about Risk Watch, please contact Lt. Rod Johnson.

Community Development Department News: Stay On Top Of New Developments With City's Interactive Online Map, Notification System

Residents have asked for more advanced notice about new subdivisions and businesses being proposed in Geneva. Now, the City has delivered.

The City has created an interactive online map of proposed development projects that require a public hearing before the Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and/or the Zoning Board of Appeals. Once a residential, commercial or industrial plan has been submitted to the City for review, people will find it pinned to the map with the following information:

Project name
Applicant name
Property address
Ward
Project description
Image of the proposed development
Project status

The map will be updated regularly as a particular project moves through the development process. For example, a project status would be modified from "Plan Commission public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 13 at City Hall" to "Plan Commission recommended approval on April 13, and the project is scheduled for consideration by the Committee of the Whole at 7 p.m. April 24 at City Hall."

The map is available on the City's website by selecting the " Development Projects" link on the left-hand side of the screen. Interested parties may sign up to receive email alerts via the City's " Notify Me" website feature when the map is updated. A valid email address is required to receive notifications. People also can subscribe for updates through our "Go Geneva" mobile app by selecting "Notify Me."

For those wanting more information, full project plans are posted in the City's website " Agenda Center" a few days prior to meetings.

The City is proud to offer another way for property owners to be informed of proposed developments in the community.

Police Department News: Sgt. Kott Wins Special Olympics Award

Special Olympics Illinois has presented Geneva Police Sgt. Dan Kott with the Flame of Hope Award for his 25 years of dedicated volunteer service to the organization.

The Flame of Hope Award is the highest honor of recognition given by Special Olympics Illinois and is presented annually to one individual and one police department in the state for their steadfast involvement in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The award is based on the nominee's ingenuity, drive, commitment and dedication to the Torch Run, which directly impacts the lives of nearly 43,000 athletes and children with and without intellectual disabilities.

Sgt. Kott received the award in February during a presentation in Bloomington, Ill.

"We are extremely proud of Sgt. Dan Kott for his contributions to Special Olympics," Geneva Police Chief Eric Passarelli said. "Sgt. Kott's selfless dedication to this important cause reflects very proudly on himself, the Geneva Police Department and the City of Geneva."

After being hired by the City in 1990, Sgt. Kott has spent countless hours of his own time championing the cause of Special Olympics by facilitating many community fundraisers.

Sgt. Kott has worked tirelessly to continue a Special Olympics fundraising pig roast that was the creation of Geneva Police Officer Keith Koza and his wife, Mary. Officer Koza passed away in 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. Due to the generous contributions of time and financial support from Mary Koza and Josef's Elegante Meats & Deli, the pig roast has continued to flourish today.

Police Department News: Learn The Signs Of Workplace Violence

Geneva Works - Workplace Violence

Everyone has seen incidents of workplace violence in the news. We sat down with Geneva Police Department Sgt. Eli Rivera, who shares important warning signs to be mindful of during the March episode of our "Geneva Works" television show.

Economic Development Department News: City Supports The Wedding Walk

The streets of downtown Geneva were abuzz with excitement during the 10th annual Geneva Wedding Walk March 5. From dancing and dining, to gowns, jewelry, florists, bakeries, favors and more - Geneva's businesses are able to meet every bride's needs. If you or someone you know is planning a wedding, be sure to check out the Geneva Bride website. The Wedding Walk is supported by the City of Geneva through a contribution from the hotel/motel tax fund.

Economic Development Department News: Business Is Blooming In Geneva

Geneva has started 2017 by welcoming 12 businesses with more on the way. Recently opening in the downtown are The Market at Gracious Hall, Third Street Station and The Ombu Store.

In the coming weeks they will be joined by Haven Interiors, Falmouth Road Jewelry and Bare Moxie. Visit the City's website for a complete list of new businesses to Geneva.

Public Works Department News: Spring Fire Hydrant Flushing Taking Place During Spring

The City of Geneva will be flushing fire hydrants throughout the community for a four-week period starting Monday, April 10 as part of an ongoing maintenance program.

Hydrants will be flushed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. The water is safe to drink, but residents are encouraged to let their faucets run for a few minutes if they notice any discoloration.

People are urged to limit their water use if possible and refrain from washing their clothes during this time period to avoid staining from rusty water. In the event rusty water discolors clothing, residents should keep their laundry wet and call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501 to request a rust-removing solution packet.

Signs will be placed in neighborhoods to remind residents that the program is underway in their area. Residents also can view the hydrant flushing progress on the City's website or on Twitter. Work is expected to be completed in early May, weather permitting.

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.

For more information, contact Bob Van Gyseghem, City Superintendent of Water and Wastewater, at 630-232-1551 or via email.

Public Works Department News: Yard Waste, Brush Collection Programs Start In April

We know many residents got a head start on their spring yard work with the mild winter. With the arrival of April, the City's yard waste and brush collection services are now underway.

People can place yard waste in brown landscaping bags, attach with a refuse sticker and set them at the curb on your normal garbage day. A list of acceptable items that can discarded in yard waste bags with stickers can be found on the City's website.

Here are details regarding the City's brush program:

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

Public Works Department News: Geneva Wins Snowfighting Award For Fourth Straight Year

Geneva was one of 90 communities in the United States and Canada to be named a 2016 Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award winner from the Salt Institute.

The City has received national recognition for the fourth consecutive year for excellence in environmental consciousness and effective management in the storage of winter road salt.

Geneva again earned high marks on the Salt Institute's checklist that graded safety and service, equipment, materials usage, snow plowing performance, tactical operations before and during a storm, storage and safety, and environmental measures.

The City put those procedures into practice in 2015-16 when the Public Works team plowed 20 inches of snow during 14 various winter weather events. Plow operators used 1,349 tons of salt to keep Geneva's 244 lane miles safe for motorists.

Having enough road salt on hand before storms hit requires advance planning and facilities that provide safe and efficient storage, according to the Salt Institute. The winning communities must also display proper maintenance and good housekeeping practices.

The Salt Institute is a non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the many benefits of salt, particularly to ensure winter roadway safety, quality water and healthy nutrition.

Public Works Department News: How To Effectively Report Power Outages To The City

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. 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.