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CITY NEWS
Happy Fathers Day
"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." ~ Sigmund Freud 

The City of Darien wishes all Fathers a very happy Fathers Day.  Thank you for all you do for your families, and for your community.
Branch Pickup Next Week!
2016 BRANCH PICK-UP SCHEDULE
 
June       20th through 24th
August   22nd through 26th
October 24th through 28th
 
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 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 by 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 who are unable to put their branches out prior to the scheduled week can take them to the Municipal Services Facility, located at 1041 S. Frontage Road, and place them in the designated branch location. Branches will be accepted Monday through Friday 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.
2016 Concrete Replacement Program
Deadline to participate in this year's program is July 1.

In conjunction with the street replacement program, the City of Darien will again offer unit pricing to residents interested in replacing their sidewalks, driveways and aprons.  Mondi Construction Inc was awarded the bid for 2016. Pricing for driveways and sealers has increased significantly compared to prior years. The prices are as follows:
 
Driveways                    $10.00 per square foot
Sidewalks                     $4.15 per square foot
Apron w/fiber mesh       $4.50 per square foot
Curb & gutter                $14.65 per lineal foot
Sealer                          $3.50 per square foot
(Please note reduced price on sealer)
 
Resident wishing to replace their driveways should call Mondi Concrete directly at (630) 562-2245, or via e-mail at  mondiconst@gmail.com and inform them you are a Darien resident.  Mondi Construction 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.
Tornado Siren Information  
The City of Darien tornado sirens are sounded for testing the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. for one minute.  If there is severe weather in the area, the test is cancelled to avoid the siren being mistaken for actual activation. 

In the event of a severe weather emergency, the sirens will sound for 3 to 5 minutes, which indicates:
  • A confirmed sighting of a tornado, tracking towards the community, has been reported by a trained weather spotter within Darien or the surrounding communities, or
  • The National Weather Service has issued a warning for the Community indicating that it is the path of an oncoming tornado, or
  • A confirmed sighting by a trained weather spotter of severe winds causing structural damage within the city or surrounding communities.
There will not be an all clear sounded.  If you hear a subsequent siren, that means that more severe weather has been spotted in the area.   
 
Residents should understand that outdoor warning sirens are not designed to provide effective warning inside homes or buildings. It is recommended that each residence have a N.O.A.A. weather radio to monitor severe weather conditions, and that all family members are informed of what to do in a severe weather emergency.  For users of smart phones, there are many free apps that will issue severe weather alerts. 
 
The difference between a tornado watch, and a tornado warning:   
  • A tornado watch means that hazardous weather is possible in the area
  • A tornado warning is issued when hazardous weather is occurring, imminent, or likely.  A warning means weather poses a threat to life or property.  People in the path of the storm need to take protective action.
For more information on tornadoes and emergency weather safety procedures visit http://dupageco.org/protectdupage/
Fire Pit Regulations 
The City of Darien regulates the use of fire pits to the hours of 8:00 am to Midnight, Monday thru Friday and 8:00 am to 1:00am on Friday and Saturday. The city allows the burning of logs, non-treated wood or wood products. Yardwaste and treated wood may not be burned. Treated wood releases harmful chemicals into the air.

Please practice fire safety and keep all fires at a safe distance from trees and all structures, including decks and fences. It is also a good idea to refrain from having fires on high ozone days.
 City Administrator
(630) 353-8114
(630) 852-5000
(630) 971-3999
(630) 852-5000
Mayor
City Clerk
Treasurer
Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 3
Ward 4
Thomas Chlystek
Ward 5
Joseph Marchese
Ward 6
Ward 7

City Council Meetings
 
Monday, June 20
7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 5
7:30 p.m.

Official Social Media Links

FACEBOOK: There are several Facebook pages that come up when doing a search for our City page.  Please use this link to "Like" us for city contact information and current city news on the City of Darien Official Facebook Page

TWITTER: The City of Darien Now "Tweets"!  Please follow us on twitter  at  Cityofdarien. 
 
NIXLE: 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.

SMART PHONE APP: The City of Darien smart phone app is now available!  The app will allow easy, mobile access to city information, services and request.  There is also a direct link on this app to Commonwealth Edison website, which is a great source of information during power outages. This FREE app is called Darien Connect, and is available in the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.

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 Meeting info / Minutes on website 
As a reminder to residents, the City's website includes City Council, and various other city committee, meeting agendas, background materials, staff memos/reports, city expenses, monthly financial and meeting minutes. This allows residents to closely follow all of the business conducted by the City.

If you wish to review the Council and committee meeting information simply use the following link:

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 Incident Report
You may view the Darien Police Department weekly incident report by  clicking here

View Police Chief   

Monthly Police Report 

You may view the Police Chief's monthly press release by  
 clicking here 

Submit an article for Direct Connect 

You may submit an article for Direct Connect by emailing  mwintermute@darienil.gov
Mosquito abatement  
The City of Darien has a comprehensive mosquito abatement program run through Clarke Mosquito Control that includes ongoing monitoring of standing bodies of water and catch basin treatments. The program focus is on larviciding activities to kill larvae before they become adults, including applications in standing bodies of water and stocking retention ponds with mosquito eating fish. However, as temperatures rise and with heavy rainfall, you may see an increase in the mosquito population.  We ask that you assist the City of Darien and your neighbors to reduce the mosquito population by:
  • Reporting standing water areas on public property, especially backyard catchbasins, to Clarke Mosquito at 800-942-2555.  The City of Darien treats storm inlets on streets, ditches, retention and detention basins, and areas that generally hold stormwater areas, but if you identify a new spot we would like to get it included on our lists.
  • Getting rid of old tires, buckets, bottles or any items in your yard that may hold water
  • Changing the water in birdbaths, watering cans, plant pots and drip trays no less frequently than once per week
  • Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house so adult mosquitoes will not hide there
Even with all these steps, there still may be mosquitoes in the area, as they have the ability to fly many miles.  When you are out in your yard, we would recommend wearing long sleeves and pants to cover skin when possible or using a mosquito repellent.Running a fan in your outdoor area is also know to help, as mosquitoes cannot fly in strong wind.

DuPage County has Reports of two mosquito batches testing positive for the presence of West Nile virus.  For more information on this visit the County's website at http://www.dupagehealth.org/EnvironmentalHealth/news/WNVjune2016 
Spread the Word About Direct Connect! 
Providing important city information to Darien residents has been a priority of the Elected Officials and city staff for many years. Our most important resource to distribute information is Darien's weekly E-newsletter, Direct Connect. This provides residents with important community information that is emailed on Fridays. Direct Connect is also sent out periodically when there is important information to provide to residents.

There are approximately 2500 subscribers to Direct Connect. The City's goal is to have 5000 subscribers by the end of 2016. We ask that you please spread the word about Direct Connect and encourage your friends, neighbors, and local groups to sign up. Signing up is simple, just provide any Elected Official or staff member with your email address and we will have you registered. If you prefer to register yourself, you may use the following link: http://www.darien.il.us/Reference-Desk/DirectConnect.aspx.

Please help the City reach our goal!  
Pamphlets Available at City Hall 
Did you know that many informational pamphlets are available at Darien City Hall?  We have bus schedules, Darien street maps, ComEd info, Nicor info, Township brochures, Park District catalogs, etc..  Please come and browse the selection.  If there is anything you don't see please ask at our front desk. 
COUNTY/STATE/FEDERAL NEWS
DuPage County Stormwater Management - Residential Flood-Proofing Guidebook    
DuPage County Stormwater Management recently released a Flood-Proofing Guidebook intended to help homeowners resolve common localized flooding issues from both underground and overland sources. Developed in partnership with Bluestem Communications, the guidebook helps homeowners identify the source of their flooding, as well as various ways to combat this flooding.

Depending on the type of flooding incurred, solutions range from installing overhead sewer systems to nature-based solutions. The guidebook also includes resources for during and after a flood. Please visit here for a copy of the guidebook.
Latex Paint Recycling   
DuPage County Public Works is offering a latex paint recycling program this summer. This program will allow for residents to drop off their usable, unwanted latex paint, free of charge.

The hours of this program are from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, thru July 29 and specific Saturdays: June 18th and 25th, and July 9th, 16th, and 23rd. If you're interested in receiving free paint, the Public Works Department is offering free paint in 5-gallon containers during the above dates and times. The drop-off / pick-up location is 7900 S. Route 53 in Woodridge.

Additional information can be found here
I-55 Expansion "Managed Lane" Project   
The "Managed Lane" project would cover the Stevenson between the Veterans Tollway (I-355) and the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94), a 25-mile stretch that handles 170,000 vehicles daily and is prone to long delays, especially during peak travel times. Under a 2011 state law, IDOT can pursue projects using public-private partnerships, as long as the General Assembly approves a resolution supporting the project.

The Illinois Tollway Authority manages a vast network of toll roads in greater Chicago, but the concept of "managed lanes" -- in which motorists have a choice of free or paid lanes -- is new to Illinois. Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn described it as "an expressway within an expressway."

For more information please visit the IDOT Managed Lane Website.
DuPage County encourages residents to sign up for Smart911
As the new year draws near, DuPage County officials are asking residents to "resolve to be safe" and sign up for Smart911. Smart911 is a free, confidential service that allows users to create a profile that is activated in participating dispatch centers when a person dials 911. The electronic safety profile provides essential household information about family members, your home, pets and vehicles. This information will display automatically on the 911 call taker's screen when users make an emergency call. It's private and secure, and users control what information is in their profile.
 
Smart 911 is a valuable tool when searching for missing children, assisting unresponsive callers who are unable to speak due to a medical condition, or in a house fire when first responders need to locate and account for family members, pets and essential documents.

Learn more on the DuPage ETSB webpage at www.dupageco.org/smart911 and register at www.smart911.com.
Electronic Recycling Information 
The State of Illinois has banned computers, monitors, printers, televisions, and other electronics from landfills. If any of these items are left curbside, they will not be picked up.  There are many options to responsibly recycle your electronics throughout DuPage County. Residents are encouraged to visit the DuPage County  website or SCARCE for information on how to recycle electronics.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
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! 
Sunny Patch Project  
Get In and Grow Here This Summer
 
Good Worx is working  to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity in our community with their Sunny Patch Garden Project.  They've tripled the number of families they're assisting this summer! Volunteers are needed to help make this worthwhile community project succeed.
 
If you're able to donate any time to help us maintain our gardens around the community, please follow our VolunteerSpot link:  http://vols.pt/UHL7YX and get in and grow with us this summer.
 
To learn more about how you can help, visit: www.sunnypatchproject.org
DYC Soccer  
Instructional Soccer - Grades K-2  8 games and practices 
The season begins late August and will run through late October. The season consists of 8 games plus practices.  All games will take place on Saturday mornings at Mark DeLay school. Coaches will schedule one weekday practice each week of the season. Kindergarten/1st graders play 3x3 allowing for more contact with the ball! 2nd graders play 4x4 plus goalie.

Divisional Soccer- Grades 3-8  13 Games + Practice
The season begins late August and will run through late October. The season consists of ten games plus three playoff games.

Games take place on one weekday and one Saturday per week. All playoff games with be held on Saturdays. Two practices will be held before the season starts. Coaches may schedule additional practices during the season. Coaches will notify their teams in mid-August.
Visit our website: www.darienyouthclub.org 

DYC is a not for profit community organization that is run by parent volunteers, and has been serving the community since 1960.
July 4th Bike Parade      
The Darien Lions Club is sponsoring a best decorated bike contest before the 4th of July Parade in the Jewel Parking lot at 8:30 AM.

Please come out with your decorated bike to walk ride in the 4th of July Parade Monday July 4. Top Boy and Girl winners will be awarded Trophies and Cash Prizes ages 2-5 and Ages 6-1
Hinsdale South Athletic Club Golf Outing   
Hinsdale South High School, District 86, Athletic Club will be hosting their annual Golf Outing and Dinner on Friday, June 24  at Village Greens of Woodridge.  Registration/Lunch starts 1:00 p.m. with a 2:00 p.m. Shotgun Start.  Don't golf?  Come for dinner!  All fundraising will go towards the Hornet Scoreboard Trifecta Project.

For additional information please contact HinsdaleSouthAthleticClub.org or John Yurchak at 630- 674-1969 .
School Distict #61 Board of Education Meeting  
Darien Public Schools, District #61 Board of Education Meeting will be on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - 7:00P.M at Lace School, 7414 S. Cass Avenue Darien, IL 60561

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