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| Thank You for Your Donation! |
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The City would like to thank the following donors to the Geneva Beautification Committee:
Geneva Ace Hardware
Mike Bruno
A.T.Cord & Company
Stockholms
Neri Landscape
B.E.B. Wilson LLC
Metro West Council
In Memory of Terry DesCoteaux
Stephen and Jeannine Hecht
Edward Letendre
Donations are as of July 16, 2019. For more information on the Beautification Committee, visit the
City's website.
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| Mayor's Message |
Dear Neighbors,
Four score, one year and 55 days.
That's how long my father, John Burns, lived.
Just over a week ago my dad passed away unexpectedly. His sudden departure, to say the least, resulted in a deep and seemingly bottomless well of sadness and shock for me, my mom, Ann; my brothers and sister; and as well as my dad's 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
We became consumed with comforting each other as best we could by using humor and storytelling.
We were consumed with informing relatives, his friends and anyone we thought "should know" as well as planning for the celebration of his life.
Now, a week after his passing, we sputter toward a "new normal" absent of little things we sometimes took for granted (and even teased Grampa John about on more than one occasion) - the unannounced visits to our homes just to say hi, or frequent phone calls announcing, "nothing important, just checking in."
Among the most comforting memories I have now and will cherish for the rest of my life, is the embrace given to my mom, my siblings, myself and our families by a community my dad loved for 46 years.
Thank you, Geneva, for your kindness and compassion.
My best,
Kevin Burns
Mayor
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Geneva's Garbage Collection Rates Increased In July
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Geneva residents should take notice that garbage collection rates were adjusted July 1 as part of the City's contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems.
A garbage sticker now costs $2.72. However, people who purchased stickers at the previous rate of $2.60 can use their remaining supply without paying the difference. Prices for optional refuse cart subscriptions also have increased less than a dollar per billing cycle, according to the contract.
Even with the rate adjustments, Geneva residents will continue to pay less for stickers and cart service at the conclusion of the Lakeshore contract in 2023 than they did in spring 2018.
For more information about Geneva's refuse and recycling program, including a list of participating retailers selling stickers, visit the City's website or call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.
Residents also can purchase stickers online on the City's website.
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Geneva Police, Safety Agencies To Conduct Active Shooter Response Training
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Geneva Police and surrounding area first responders will be conducting active shooter response training from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at St. Peter Catholic Church, 1891 Kaneville Road.
The training will focus on a potential response to an active shooting incident with an emphasis on a unified approach. The exercise will feature emergency vehicles from multiple departments, and sirens and fire alarms may be activated as part of the training.
The church and surrounding area will be closed to the public during this time to ensure the safety of emergency responders and neighbors.
Signs will be posted around the church property to alert residents of the exercise and training boundaries. The public should avoid the church grounds until the training exercise is complete and all emergency vehicles have left the area.
In recent years, this type of training has become more necessary. According to the FBI, 77 active shooter incidents took place from 2016-18 in 21 states across the country. This data shows an increase from 2014-15 when there were 40 active shooter incidents.
The training is intended to help emergency personnel respond appropriately and anticipate the ever-changing circumstances of an active-shooter situation. The Geneva Police and Fire departments work very closely following the standardized Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) national model.
Geneva's public safety agencies appreciate the public's understanding and patience as officers participate in this important training exercise.
People interested in having a workplace violence/active shooter preparedness presentation at their school or business can call Geneva Police Administrative Sgt. Eli Rivera at 630-232-4736.
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City Proceeding With Mill Race Redevelopment Process
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The Mill Race Redevelopment process has been front-and-center the past several months in Geneva. Let's take a look back on what has happened to date and what lies ahead:
April
The Geneva City Council passed a resolution approving a tax increment financing agreement between the City and the Shodeen Family Foundation for a planning charrette and entitlement project related to the redevelopment of former Mill Race Inn property. The resolution also authorized the City Administrator to execute a contract with Hitchcock Design Group to facilitate the planning charrette and manage the entitlement process.
June
The planning charrette, held during the final week of June, was intended to create community consensus on an acceptable course of action to design for the future retail, lodging, residential, and/or mixed-use redevelopment of the property. At the conclusion, the local charrette team recommended a redevelopment strategy that included:
* 116 rental apartments,
* 8 townhomes,
* 2,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space,
* 155 covered parking spaces,
* Public riverfront improvements including seasonal commercial space, and
* Deconstruction and reinterpretation of the historic landmark structure.
July
Concerns were raised regarding the recommended redevelopment strategy by residents and the City Council. On July 15, the City Council passed a resolution establishing basic development parameters that allow the project to advance to the entitlement phase to work through the community concerns.
What's Ahead
The entitlement phase will allow for further detailed review by the Historic Preservation Commission, Plan Commission, and City Council sometime this fall.
Subscribe to the
City's Development Map for updates on future meeting dates.
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Speed Control Policy Task Force Submits Report To City Council
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The Task
To review the City of Geneva's Speed Control policy, and, if necessary make recommendations to the City Council to help enhance safety in the community.
Up For The Challenge
A dedicated group of resident volunteers.
After Mayor Kevin Burns announced the creation of the Speed Control Policy Task Force in February, 11 residents representing all wards throughout the City were appointed and got to work in March. During the next 10 weeks, the task force sought to ensure the broadest possible input through a variety of channels: ward review, email feedback solicitation and a community survey.
The task force presented its
final report along with recommendations to the City Council on June 3. The resident-panel recognized that some of the recommendations are more long-term in nature and will require financial commitment. However, it was the task force's desire to ensure its recommendations were known so that they can be considered during the annual budget process and implemented when feasible and appropriate.
The City Council adopted the updated Speed Control Policy on June 17.
The City would like to thank the members of the Speed Control Policy Task Force: Paula Krapf, Tim Moran, Lorraine Ochsner, Randal Newkirk, Aimee Spring, Betty Collins, Timothy Keske, Mary Beth Guzzo, Joseph Heger, Samantha Malusky, and Rory McCann for their commitment to the process and helping to improve pedestrian and traffic safety within the community.
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New Options Available For Mosquito Reporting & Alerts This Summer
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Geneva residents can report standing water issues or high mosquito population levels to the City's abatement contractor from the convenience of their laptop or phone. Visit
Clarke's website and fill in the details.
Do you want to be notified of nighttime adult mosquito applications?
People
can sign up to receive text or email notifications from Clarke or the City of Geneva. When a spraying has been scheduled, subscribers will be the first to know.
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Third Main Line Construction Scheduled To Begin In 2020
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Construction on the Union Pacific's Third Main Line from Kress Road in West Chicago to Peck Road in Geneva is now scheduled to start in spring 2020.
Railroad officials provided an update to the Geneva City Council at the City's May 13 Committee of the Whole meeting, which can be watched on the
City's YouTube channel.
Union Pacific is wrapping up land acquisition needed to build a third railroad track through Geneva, primarily on the south side of the existing tracks. The agency hopes to put the project out to bid this summer.
The Third Main Line expansion will take 18 to 24 months to complete. The project will require the closures of the Third Street and Western Avenue crossings for eight weeks apiece and the Route 31 underpass for about four months. The closures will be staggered so only one crossing will be closed at a given time.
Union Pacific is funding the expansion of the Third Main Line and will be reimbursing the City to relocate water and electric utility infrastructure adjacent to the tracks prior to the start of construction.
More information about the Third Main Line can be found on the
City's website.
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Mark Your Calendars For Fun In Geneva This Summer
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Summer in Geneva brings plenty of community events ready to delight both residents and visitors alike. Do not miss out on the:
But wait, there is more! Visit the City's website for more events and details.
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City Seeking Applications For Cultural Arts Commission
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The City of Geneva is looking for a dedicated resident to fill a vacancy on the Cultural Arts Commission. People who are passionate about the arts and would like to work with other volunteers to enhance the Geneva arts scene are encouraged to apply.
The Cultural Arts Commission, a nine-member committee, promotes the arts in Geneva by sponsoring performing art events, bringing public art to the community and supporting local artists. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.
Residents interested in serving on this Commission should submit
an application along with a letter of interest by Thursday, Aug. 15 to Mayor Kevin Burns, Geneva City Hall, 22 S. First St., Geneva, IL 60134. The envelope should include a reference to the Cultural Arts Commission.
* Be a legal U.S. citizen;
* Live in Geneva for a minimum of one year;
* Be a registered voter;
* Have no felony convictions; and
* Be current on taxes and payments to the City.
Mayor Burns will review all the applications and bring forward a nomination to the City Council.
An application and more information about the
Cultural Arts Commission can be found on the City's website. For more information, contact Cate Tracy at 630-938-4555 or
via email.
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Committee Of The Whole Meeting Dates Changed
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If you have not noticed already, Geneva's Committee of the Whole meetings moved to a new night starting in June.
Committee of the Whole meetings are being held on the first and third Mondays following the conclusion of the regularly scheduled 7 p.m. City Council meetings. The Committee of the Whole is comprised of City Council members who use the meeting to discuss City business appearing on the agenda. The action items then move to the City Council meeting for official approval. Meetings previously alternated each week between City Council and Committee of the Whole.
For example under the new format, items appearing on the Aug. 5 Committee of the Whole agenda will now have two weeks before being voted on by the City Council on Monday, Aug. 19. The basis for the schedule change is in keeping with the City's strategic plan to seek opportunities to increase transparency, solicit feedback and to educate community members.
The move also provides schedule flexibility for:
- Elected officials who regularly engage with community members outside of meetings; and
- The City to hold informal policy discussions or special Committee of the Whole meetings to focus on larger topics during the second and fourth Mondays of the month if needed.
The Committee of The Whole change is being done on a trial basis for the remainder of 2019.
A full listing of City Council and advisory board meetings can be found posted on the
City's website calendar. Residents interested in receiving notifications about meeting dates or agendas can subscribe for alerts via
Notify Me.
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ComEd Tree Trimming Scheduled For August
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Commonwealth Edison has informed the City about tree trimming scheduled to take place this summer in various sections throughout Geneva.
During August, ComEd crews will be trimming trees on Kirk Road north of State Street (Route 38) as well as Kaneville Road and Fabyan Parkway west of Viking Drive.
While the City of Geneva owns and operates its own electric utility, ComEd runs 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. Maps 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.
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Fox River Trail Parking Lot To Be Closed As Entrance Repaved
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The entrance to the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant off Route 25 will be closed for repaving Monday and Tuesday, July 29-30. One of the impacts is the Geneva Park District's parking area at the bottom of the hill near the Fox River Trail will be closed during construction.
The City has notified the Park District of the upcoming project, which is weather dependent. The pedestrian path will remain open throughout construction.
For more information about the repaving, call the Geneva Public Works Department Water Division at 630-232-1551.
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Here Is The Latest With MetroNet's Fiber Installation
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Curious to see where MetroNet's ongoing construction project for installing its fiber-optic network in Geneva is progressing. Here is the latest update as of mid-July.
Ongoing
Zone GE027
General Boundary Area: Route 31, State Street (Route 38), Seventh Street (winding its way to South Street and then Western Avenue), and the Union Pacific Railway tracks.
Zone GE006
General Boundary Area: Allendale subdivision, including Fabyan Parkway, Allen Drive and Western Avenue.
Finished Zones
To view MetroNet's list of completed areas, visit the
City's website.
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Swedish Days Was A Blast, Relive The Memories
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Geneva's Swedish Days brought thousands of residents and visitors to downtown June 18-23 to enjoy everything our City has to offer. From the carnival, food, music, shopping, Kids Day, the parade and more, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Relive the memory of Swedish Days by viewing our photo gallery either on Facebook or the City's website.
Thank you to the Geneva Chamber of Commerce for putting on another superb festival for our community.
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City Wins Trifecta Of Financial Reporting Accolades
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City of Geneva Budget, CAFR, and PAFR Awards
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Geneva's financial reporting and transparency efforts have culminated with the City's third national award in the last several months.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada honored the City's accomplishments, which represent the highest form of achievement in the field of governmental accounting and financial reporting. The Association is a non-profit organization serving about 19,000 government finance professionals The association's Executive Director Chris Morrill also sent his congratulations to Geneva in a short video (above).
The City has received the following accolades:
Distinguished Budget Award
The City's budget practices have earned national acclaim for nine consecutive years. In order to receive the award, Geneva had to satisfy best practice standards, 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 sixth straight year, the City was recognized for going above and beyond with its Comprehensive Annual Finance Report (CAFR). The City's 2017-18 audit report contains financial statements and records from the past decade, property tax and debt data, and general statistical information about Geneva. The award demonstrates the City's "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial picture to the public.
Popular Annual Financial Report
For those not inclined to read the nearly 200-page CAFR, the City's Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) provides a nice alternative. This 16-page, visually-friendly audit summary filled with photos and graphs offers readers a better understanding of the complexities of government finances and other helpful information. The Association bestowed the PAFR award to Geneva for the third consecutive year.
Geneva's budget and financial reports can be found on the
City's website.
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Economic Development News: Check Out First Fridays In Geneva
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Great news! Downtown Geneva shops have decided to stay open late on First Fridays of each month with plenty of extra fun to make it worth your trip.
Participating merchants (see the Friday, Aug. 2 list above) will be open late with specials, events and demonstrations. The downtown shops plan to continue the program through the end of the year. Now, patrons can shop, dine out, and shop some more at some of Geneva's best businesses.
The shops with the moon flags posted outside of their doors will be open late on First Fridays. Participating businesses also will have an event posted on their Facebook pages, so people can be sure to check that out before heading to downtown Geneva.
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Shop, Dine, Experience Geneva Blog: A Visitor's Perspective
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It is always fun to hear what Geneva visitors have to say about their experience visiting our community. Lately, we have come across some fantastic blogs and articles about the most beloved spots in our City. Young couples, parents, journalists have shared wonderfully descriptive stories on Geneva, and you can check them out on our
Shop, Dine, Experience Geneva Blog.
Don't forget to
subscribe to our blog to receive future entries about all things fun in Geneva.
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Check Out New Geneva Businesses
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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.
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Police Department News: Summer Draws Quite A Crowd, So Think Safety First
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The City of Geneva is a very popular destination spot, but the summer months certainly are the busiest time of year with countless activities and special events to keep residents and visitors entertained.
Swedish Days, the Fine Arts Festival, Concours d' Elegance car show, 5K runs, cultural arts events are just a few of Geneva's summer highlights. There is much more going on our community every day, including:
Runners and bicyclists enjoying a nice day out on Geneva's area trails.
The shopping districts in our community seeing a significant increase in foot traffic, and the neighborhoods are full of families walking and biking.
With all of this activity, it is extremely important to be aware of your surroundings and to practice defensive driving. The roadways can regularly be congested due to normal traffic flow and special events.
Be cautious as you are approaching crosswalks and assure that you yield to pedestrians. Maintain a safe traveling distance between you and vehicles in front of you. Obey the speed limits and make sure that you wear your seatbelt.
Last but not least, put your phone down when driving. Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic crashes. It takes only a moment of lost concentration to be involved in an accident.
Best wishes to all on a fun and safe summer in Geneva.
Eric Passarelli
Geneva Police Chief
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Community Development News: City Council To Consider Downtown Zoning Update
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After a series of meetings and public input, the recommended changes to the City's Downtown Zoning Update is scheduled to head to Geneva City Council for consideration Monday, Aug. 5.
The proposed Downtown Zoning Update was developed after the adoption of the Downtown Station-Area Master Plan in 2012 to review zoning regulations and adopt zoning amendments per the plan's recommendations.
Related documents, including the proposed amendments and zoning designations, are available on the City's
Development Projects Map. City staff held community workshops with affected property owners, business owners and residents earlier this year to address questions and concerns. The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the proposed amendments in March. The Plan Commission's public hearing ran over several meetings before concluding in May.
For updates on these projects, as well as future developments in Geneva,
subscribe to receive alerts via the City's website.
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Fire Department News: Firefighter Application Process Now Open
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Do you know someone who has dreamed of being a firefighter? Well there is no better place to make that dream a reality than at the Geneva Fire Department.
The City's competitive testing process, which occurs every two years, opened in July. Find job requirements, position details and more on the City's website.
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Public Works Department News: Road Construction Updates
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Summer means no school, vacations, warm weather and yes, road construction.
Residents can keep on top of the latest road work taking place in Geneva by visiting the City's website and subscribing via Notify Me.
The City posts regular updates regarding the annual residential street improvement program and other City-related projects. When the Illinois Department of Transportation or Kane County share information about road work on Geneva's main thoroughfares, subscribers will be the first to know.
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You Can Help The City's Electric Utility On Summer's Warmest Days
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Geneva residents can provide some relief to the City's electric operations - and their own utility bills - during the summer by reducing their power consumption for a few hours in the afternoon.
The City offers a voluntary electric load reduction program to all customers by alerting them via Twitter and our website to cut down power usage during peak hours of the day.
The program is strictly voluntary, has no penalties and requires no reporting or tracking of usage. The benefits of reducing energy are making Geneva a greener community and keeping future electric costs down. The Geneva electric system has plenty of capacity and reserve to serve all its customers.
People wanting timely updates of when to reduce electricity consumption in a home or business during peak power days can:
* Follow the City on Twitter
* Subscribe for "Peak Power Day Alerts" on the City's website
After an alert has been issued, the easiest ways customers can reduce electric use is by adjusting their thermostats a few degrees, running major appliances later in the evening and turning off lights in empty rooms.
During an average summer, the City will issue about 20 alerts to customers.
For more information, visit the City's website or call the Public Works Department Electric Division at 630-232-1503.
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Be Mindful Of City's Water Sprinkler Regulations
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As Geneva residents plan their summer watering schedules, please take note of the City's sprinkler regulations.
Water sprinklers are permitted between 6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. on designated days. Residents with an even-numbered street address can water their lawns on even-numbered days and vice-versa for odd-numbered addresses.
People are allowed to use a hand-held hose at any time to water flowers, gardens, trees, shrubs, cars, lawns and wading pools that are 50 gallons or less.
For those placing down sod or watering seed, a $25 permit is required through the Public Works Department, 1800 South St. Sod and seed lawns can be watered for the first day for a maximum of eight hours.
During the next nine consecutive days, the lawn can be watered from 6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Afterward, the property owner must abide by the City's regular lawn watering schedule.
For more information, including water conservation tips, visit the City's website or call the Geneva Public Works Department Water Division at 630-232-1551.
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Brush Collection Continues This Summer
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Brush pickup 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. Kramer Tree Specialists, the City's vendor, will not collect material produced by a private contractor.
The brush program divides the City into two zones, with each zone taking several days to complete. Crews will be picking up brush the weeks of:
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Zone 1
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Zone 2
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Aug. 5
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Aug. 12
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Sept. 2
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Sept. 9
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Oct. 7
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Oct. 14
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Nov. 4
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Nov. 11
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Residents living on any of the border streets listed above are included in Zone 1.
Since collection days can vary, residents should place brush and limbs on the parkway by 7 a.m. Monday on their scheduled week. Crews will not return to a neighborhood until the next scheduled pickup.
Tree branches must be stacked with the cut ends facing in one direction toward the curb or edge of the pavement - not in the street. Branches and stumps cannot exceed 12 inches in diameter, and tree limbs should be less than 12 feet in length.
Residents should not tie bundles of branches with rope or wire. No foreign materials, such as construction debris, fencing, lumber, wire, grass, flowers, and garden waste will be collected.
For more information about Geneva's refuse and recycling services, visit the
City's website or call the Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.
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| About Geneva |
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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.
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