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CITY NEWS

City of Darien Completes Budget Discussions

The City Council discussed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins May 1, 2014. The budget includes many community services including the repair of our streets, sidewalks, and stormwater infrastructure, as well as a responsive police department. The meetings were broadcast on Darien Channel 6 and can be seen on demand here:

http://www.darien.il.us/Departments/CableTV/CityCouncilVideo.html

Darien Resident Water Rate

On January 1st, the City of Chicago and DuPage Water Commission increased the price of water that is pumped from Lake Michigan to the City of Darien and all other surrounding suburbs. This is the third of four large annual increases. As the City pays more for water, it needs to charge more to the end user to recoup these expenses. This year, the proposed cost for residents per each thousand gallons of water will increase from $6.40 to $7.75. Unincorporated residents are charged 20% more than Darien residents in our system. The fixed fee, which pays for infrastructure items such as water towers and billings, is going from $5 to $10 (unincorporated homes will pay $12). The goal is to minimize the impact of any rate increase by finding efficiencies in our system and keeping the rate as low as feasible. If you have any questions, please call Assistant City Administrator Scott Coren at (630) 353-8104.

Telephone Scam - IRS

Additionally, there is another scam where the caller claims to be a representative of the Internal Revenue Service. Over 20,000 complaints have been received nationwide in the last few days. A person calls saying they are from the Internal Revenue Service and attempts to gain your personal information or tells you that you owe money to the IRS and to pay immediately. Caller ID on your phone may show the caller is the IRS or another official government agency. These calls are NOT legitimate. The IRS does not contact you by phone to demand payments. If you receive this type of call, please hang up immediately and contact your local police agency immediately to report the incident.

Help the Police Department with Video Surveillance

As part of our on-going effort to engage and partner with the community, we are rolling out a new initiative next week. The new initiative will involve a registry for private and commercial surveillance video. The purpose of the registry is to allow the Darien Police Department to share personal video surveillance that a resident or commercial business may have captured of a crime or other activity requiring police attention. The way the program will work is that once registered, if an incident occurs near the location that has been registered, the Darien Police Department will contact the registered owner and request to view and copy any captured data relative to the incident. This practice is currently underway in other departments and will enhance our community partnership and also increase our chances to apprehend offenders. Please contact Stacy Sherman at ssherman@darienil.gov if you are interested in participating.

City of Darien Hiring Seasonal Workers

Looking for a summer job? The City of Darien is currently hiring seasonal workers for the Municipal Services Department. The positions assist with jobs such as grass cutting, branch pickup and chipping, and light construction work. If you are interested please fill out an application here and fax it to (630) 852-4709 or drop it off at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road, Darien

Bryon Vana, City Administrator	(630) 353-8114
City Hall	(630) 852-5000
Police Department	(630) 971-3999
Public Works	(630) 852-5000

Mayor	Kathy Weaver
City Clerk	JoAnne Ragona
Treasurer	Michael J. Coren
Ward 1	Ted Schauer
Ward 2	Tina Beilke
Ward 3	Joseph A Kenny
Ward 4	Joerg Seifert
Ward 5	Joseph A. Marchese
Ward 6	Sylvia McIvor
Ward 7	Thomas J. Belczak

City Council Meetings

Monday, April 7

7:30 p.m.

Monday, April 21

7:30 p.m.

Agendas for City and Committee Meetings

The following links will direct you to the City Meeting and Committee agendas and packet information on our website. Stay informed on City issues and upcoming projects!

All Agendas

City Council Meeting Agenda

View Darien Meetings on YouTube!

You may now view city meetings on YouTube by clickng here.

Our user name is DarienCableChannel. You may still access meetings from the links on our website.

Meet & Greet Mayor Weaver!

The third Monday of every month at Darien City Hall from 6 - 7pm

Find out the latest city updates - Share your thoughts and suggestions - Get involved - Meet other residents!

View Darien Police Department Weekly Press Release

You may view the Darien Police Department weekly press release by clicking here

Submit an article for Direct Connect

You may submit an article for inclusion in Direct Connect by emailing mwintermute@darienil.gov

Nixle Text Alert Program

The Nixle text alert system provides for the City to send out urgent and emergency alerts via text messages. This a FREE service. To sign up for Nixle, visit our website and click on the nixle icon or visit the nixle website here.

2014 Concrete Replacement Program

In conjunction with the street replacement program, the City of Darien will again offer reduced pricing to residents interested in replacing their sidewalks, driveways and aprons. Suburban Concrete was awarded the bid for 2014. The prices are as follows:

Driveways $5.90 per square foot

Sidewalks $3.93 per square foot

Apron $3.93 per square foot

Apron w/fiber mesh $4.23 per square foot

Curb & gutter $12.70 per square foot

Sealer $1.00 per square foot

Resident wishing to replace their driveways should call Suburban Concrete directly at 847-837-8805, and inform them you are a Darien resident. Suburban Concrete will invoice you for the work.

Residents wishing to replace the sidewalk, apron or depress their driveway curb should call City Hall at 630-353-8102. The City will invoice you for this work.

The deadline to participate in this year's program is July 3.

Refuse Sticker Rate Hike

The City of Darien is entering into it's fourth year with Advanced Disposal as its refuse hauler. Each year on April 1st the rates go up according to the contract. The new rate for refuse stickers will be $3.31 each. Although the rates have changed, the pickup procedure remains the same. Any stickers you currently have are still valid, and may still be used after April 1st.

Yard Waste Pickup Begins April 1

Advanced Disposal will begin yard waste pickup on April 1. Yard waste must be bagged in Kraft paper yard waste bags and must have 1 refuse sticker attached. 32 gallon trash cans may be used and must a have a yard waste identification label adhered to the front of the can, with a refuse sticker wrapped around the handle. Identification labels are available at city hall for free. For more information please contact Advanced Disposal at 708-409-9700.

2014 Free Branch Pickup Schedule

2014 BRANCH PICK-UP SCHEDULE

April 21 through 25

June 23 through 27

August 25 through 29

October 27 through 31

The City of Darien is pleased to be able to offer FREE BRANCH PICKUP for all residents within our boundaries. To help keep the streets clean and our crews on schedule, please stack the branches neatly by the curb on the Sunday before the pickup week. The chipper can accept branches up to 6" in diameter. Please do not tie the branches or put them in garbage cans. All other yard waste such as grass clippings and flowers should be disposed of through our yard waste program with Advanced Disposal.

All branches need to be out no later than the Sunday night prior to the designated pick up week. The chipping crew can make only one pass and may complete your street as soon as Monday morning.

Residents can also take their branches to the Municipal Services Facility, located at 1041 S. Frontage Road, and place at the designated location, labeled as "Branch". Branches will be accepted seven days a week from 5:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Landscape companies hired to help with your branches may also take them to Municipal Services.

If you have any questions regarding branch pick up, please contact Municipal Services at 630-353-8105.

DuPage County Treasurer Tax Bill Information

We often get questions from residents about the total cost of the property tax in the City of Darien. The DuPage County Treasurer has put out a helpful new tool that demonstrates the different tax requests from different taxing districts such as schools, fire districts, and libraries. The City of Darien accounts for less than 5% of your property tax bill, with the exact amount varying on the school districts and fire district that serve you.

Just visit their website and enter your address.

ComEd Tree Trimming in Darien

ComEd is committed to providing safe, reliable electric service. Vegetation Management plays a large part in that commitment. ComEd has scheduled maintenance tree trimming in the Marion Hills area in December. This work is necessary because trees interfering with electric wires can damage equipment and cause service outages and safety hazards.

We will be trimming any tree or brush that interferes with electric wires running from pole to pole. Trimming may or may not be required on your property, but all trees that do require trimming will be maintained during this project. Trimming is scheduled to start in the near future, and will be performed by a qualified line clearance contractor using qualified utility arborists. There is no charge for this professional service. Homes scheduled to have the trees trimmed will receive a postcard notification.

If you have any questions regarding this process, call 1-800-Edison-1 (1-800-334-7661) and ask to speak with a Vegetation Management Representative, or visit our website.

Be Wary of Telephone Solicitations

The City of Darien has received complaints from some residents regarding telephone solicitations of money where the caller implies some affiliation with the City, the Police Department or the Fire Department.

The City of Darien and Darien Police Department are not affiliated in any way with these organizations. The City does not endorse them, nor do we receive funds for assistance from them. There are many organizations that may claim some sort of affiliation with a City Department when soliciting citizens for contributions. These groups may be legitimate but they are all private organizations or associations. Citizens should be aware that most telephone solicitations are not made by the actual organization itself, but are contracted out to a telemarketing company. As their compensation, most of these companies retain over 50% of every dollar donated.

Never allow a solicitor to falsely convince you to donate to any cause by implying or stating that your contribution will somehow benefit the City of Darien or one of its Departments. If you decide to donate money to any organization make sure you understand which organization wants your money. Police and fire departments do not solicit money over the telephone, but some unions do.

Nixle Emergency Text Alerts

The Nixle text alert system provides for the City to send out urgent and emergency alerts via text messages. This a FREE service. To sign up for Nixle, visit www.darien.il.us and click on the nixle icon or visit the nixle website at www.nixle.com

OTHER GOVERNMENT NEWS AND EVENTS

DuPage County 75th Street Improvements - Schedule

DuPage County construction on the 75^th Street improvements has begun. From March 31 to April 12 the construction schedule will be as follows:

Temporary signals will be placed at 75^th & Plainfield / Adams
Street lights will be removed from the median
Erosion control temporary fencing will be placed on the south side of 75^th Street
Excavation in the median for temporary pavement placement

For more information please visit our website

DuPage County Senior Services "Age Well DuPage"

All are invited to a free community event presented by DuPage County Senior Services and College of DuPage Continuing Education. The keynote presentation is Making Your Money Last in Retirement - Key Ways to Meet the Challenge, by Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance for Morningstar and a senior columnist for Morningstar.com. The presentation will take place on Sunday, April 6th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn in Homeland Security Education Center (HEC), Room 1022. Exciting breakout sessions will inform and entertain. For more information or to register for this event, contact College of DuPage Continuing Education at (630) 942-2208 or email ce@cod.edu. Registration is welcome, but not required. Receive additional details by calling DuPage County Senior Services at (630) 407-6500.

COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS

Argonne OutLoud FREE Public Lecture Series: "Energy Slam"

Four Argonne researchers will each present for 10 minutes on a different energy source - solar, wind, nuclear and biofuels. At the end of the presentations, the audience will vote via applause on which of the four made the best case for his/her energy source and earned the title of Energy Slam Champion.

The lineup:

Solar: Seth Darling, nanoscientist who focuses on solar energy conversion
Wind: Guenter Conzelmann, head of Argonne's Wind Power Technologies and Analysis Program
Nuclear: J'Tia Taylor, nuclear engineer
Biofuels: Jennifer Dunn, head of Argonne's Biofuel Life Cycle Analysis Team

The event will take place on Thursday, April 03, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) Conference Center, Building 402 at Argonne, National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Lemont, Illinois 60439 and will include light refreshments and a reception preceding the lecture.

For further information pleae call 630-252-1789.

Darien Chamber "Shop Local Shop Darien"

The Darien Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce their Shop Local Shop Darien Campaign. We encourage residents to support Darien Chamber businesses that display the Shop Local Shop Darien decal posted in their window. Shop Darien Shop Local Preferred Cards are now on sale for $5 at the Darien Chamber of Commerce office in City Hall or at local Darien Chamber member businesses. Visit the Chamber at www.darienchamber.com for all the Shop Local Shop Darien Preferred Offers and Discounts!

New District #61 Open Computer Lab

Do you need to access your email? Are you trying to access the Internet?

District #61 is opening their computer labs to the community for computer use in the

evenings from 6 - 8 PM at the following locations:

Tuesdays: DeLay (Enter at the Gym Doors (north parking lot)
Wednesdays: Lace (Enter through front door)
Thursdays: Eisenhower Junior High (Enter through front door)

Adults looking to have computer and Internet access can attend at any of the District Schools. While children or students are welcome they must be accompanied and monitored by a parent or guardian.

Darien Swarm Football & Cheerleading Registration

The Darien Area's Pop Warner Organization invites boys & girls aged 5 - 14 to join the Darien Swarm. In person registration date for football is April 16 at the Darien Police Department, 1710 Plainfield Rd., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. On-line registration runs until April 30. Registration for cheerleading is open until May. For more information please visit the Swarm website.

St. John Lutheran Church "Eggstravaganza"

St. John Lutheran Church & Early Learning Center located at 7214 South Cass Avenue in Darien, IL will continue the tradition of hosting an Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with an Egg Hunt at 10:00 a.m. The event is open to the public free of charge as a community outreach.

In addition to looking for treat-filled plastic eggs, children and their families will have the opportunity to participate in games and to make crafts throughout the event. There will be a puppet show at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The congregation's K-9 Comfort Dog, Shami, will greet all who attend. It promises to be a joy-filled morning.

Indian Prairie Library "Tech Talk Discussion Group"

Technology users of all skill levels are invited to join the Indian Prairie Public Library's new monthly Tech Talk discussion group. Led by a library staff member, each month's discussion will highlight a new technology trend and useful tips will be shared.

Discussion topics will include Streaming on Tuesday, April 8, at 7 p.m., and Tablet Maintenance and Tips on Tuesday, May 13, at 7 p.m.

The discussions are free for IPPL cardholders. Register online, by phone at (630) 877-8760 x239, or in-person at the library's Adult Ask Us Desk.

Darien Park District Adult Softball League Registration

Registration for this summer's adult recreational softball leagues is open at the Darien Park District Community Center (7301 Fairview Avenue). Leagues include a 16" Co-Rec, 16" Men's, and two different 12" Men's leagues. For more information please contact Tim O'Brien at 630-968-6400 x126 or at tobrien@darienparks.com

Nominate Someone for the First Annual Humanitarian Awards

Announcing the First Annual Humanitarian of the Year Award to honor an outstanding local individual who gives of her/himself in service to others. Nominations open to all people in Darien and surrounding communities. Nominate a friend or neighbor today! Deadline for nominations: April 21, 2014

Sponsored by the Darien Lions Club. For award criteria and a nominating form visit their website

Darien Dash Registration Now Open!

The Darien Dash will be held on Sunday, May 18 at Darien Community Park. The 10k and 5k start time is 8:30 and 1 Mile Fun Run 8:40. Once again the Chamber will award $2000 to local schools and $500 to local youth organization, school foundation or booster with the most registered participants. Register online at the Dash Website

St. John Lutheran Church Preschoolers Summer Day Camp

The St. John Lutheran Early Learning Center located 7214 South Cass Avenue in Darien will be offering three two-week Summer Day Camp sessions this year. They will help extend children's learning over the summer months. Each camp will feature a themed and play-based curriculum to provide the preschool child with fun-filled, hands-on, sensory experiences that encourage exploration, discovery, and creativity.

The schedule for each session will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as follows: Under the Sea Adventures, June 3-5, 10-12; Blast Off to Outer Space, June 17-19, 24-26; Summer Fun, July 1-3, 15-17.

The cost for each session is $150. A deposit of $25 is required for each session. The deposit will be deducted from the cost of the session. Full payment must be made on or before the first day of the session. Each child is responsible for bringing his/her own snack and juice each day.

If you would like more information or wish to enroll your child, email elc@sjlcdarien.org or call 630-324-6582.

Woodridge Rotary Recycling Extravaganza

On Saturday, May 17, from 8:00 a.m. to noon, the Woodridge Rotary Club, its partner groups and various recycling organizations will hold its 5th Recycling Extravaganza at Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park, 8301 Janes Ave. in Woodridge. Paper shredding will take place and a variety of items will be collected for recycling as in the past. Specific information coming soon on the Woodridge Rotary Website.