Marian M. Allen
Jean A. Beckmann
Pamela Burgeson
Lewis Caliento
Susan L. Cherney
Cocoon, Sheri McGowan
Angelo Dangles, Her Art Shoppe
Dan and Roberta Edwards
Terry and Dorothy Flanagan
Denise Fauntleroy
Anne Fleming
Geneva Chamber of Commerce
G. Klemm Roofing, Gerry Klemm
Graham's Chocolates, Bob and Beckie Untiedt
Marvin and Linda Haseman
Samuel and Carolyn Hill
James & Peggy Ivers
Clyde Jones
Dean and Linda Kilburg
Lynn Landberg
Richard and Darlene Larson
Steven and Nancie Lillie
Craig and Karen Maladra
Richard and Cheryl Marks
Ken and Kathy McNeil
The Olive Mill
Nosh, Mike Dixon
Philip and Kathryn Page
Bernard and Kelly Pallardy
The Paper Merchant, Steve Burnham
Stephen and Sheila Persinger
Charles and Barbara Radovich
Robert and Emily Rogers
Carl F. Safanda, Attorney
Sav-Way Fine Wines & Spirits
Ronald and Marilyn Singer
Smith Family Foundation
Alfred and Maryann Snook
State Farm Insurance, Richard Lewis
Paul and Gayla Steel
Sharon Surrett
Sally Rae Upham
Jim and Sherri Weitl

For more information on the Beautification Committee, visit the City's website.

Mayor's Message

Dear Neighbors,

With little fanfare and even less notice, the Geneva City Council in December unanimously reaffirmed Resolution No. 2006-21, which spells out the City of Geneva Code of Conduct.

This resolution outlines the:

Mayor, City Council and professional City staff conduct with the public;
City Council conduct with the Mayor and among each other,
Mayor and City Council conduct with City staff; and
City staff conduct with the elected officials.

Notwithstanding the lack of attention this resolution received in the media, these "rules of engagement" are designed to govern your elected officials and professional City staff as we work together and alongside you to provide the services you value.

The City of Geneva Code of Conduct is displayed on the east wall of the City Council Chambers as a reminder to guests that we, as representatives of Geneva, are committed to carrying out the City's business in a professional manner.

Of course, merely displaying the code does not always ensure our fidelity to the tenants we adopted. There will likely be, as there has been in the past, times when we err. We need to be reminded, politely but pointedly, that our conduct is not in the spirit of the code we adopted. In those rare cases, we are all responsible for holding each other accountable.

Although not stipulated in the City of Geneva Code of Conduct, people and/or groups who appear before the City Council also are expected to comport themselves in a manner that acknowledges the respect for the meeting chairman, fosters productive discussion, reasoned debate and collaborative decision making.

As the New Year unfolds and the multitude of programs, projects and policies make their way through the City's review process, I invite you to "adopt" the City of Geneva Code of Conduct. Keep me and the City Council faithful to our resolution and help nurture an atmosphere of participation based on mutual respect and trust.

With warm wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2016,

Kevin Burns

Mayor

Live Christmas Tree Collection Taking Place The Next Two Weeks

Geneva residents will have two opportunities to dispose of their live Christmas trees for free the first two weeks of January.

Trees will be picked up on residents' normal garbage collection day the weeks of Jan. 4 and Jan. 11 by Advanced Disposal, the City's waste hauler. People must place their live tree at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on their scheduled collection day.

No refuse stickers will be required for this service.

Ornaments, hooks, nails, tinsel, garland, tree stands and other hard materials should be removed from the trees prior to disposal. Trees placed in bags at the curb will not be accepted.

All wreaths and roping must be discarded with the regular trash.

For more information, call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.

Mandated State Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades Prompt Utility Bill Increases

Water and sanitary sewer rates for Geneva's residential, business and industrial customers have increased starting with this current utility bill cycle.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is mandating all wastewater plants along the Fox River limit the amount of phosphorous being discharged into the water. To be in compliance with state regulations, Geneva had to increase its rates to help pay for an anticipated $12 million in improvements to its Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The additional revenue also will provide the City with a dedicated funding source for future water and sewer capital improvements such as water main replacement and sanitary sewer rehabilitation.

After assessing the needed improvements, the City is phasing in the rate increase across the board to all its customers during the next five years. The City Council approved the rate structure Nov. 16.

An average residential water user (700 cubic feet per month) will see an increase of $5 from $53 to $58 on their present combined water and sewer bill. The chart below outlines how the scheduled increases would impact the following customers going forward (FYI, the "current" column is 2015):

Full rate information is available on the City's website. Questions can be directed to the City's Public Works Water Division at 630-232-1551.

Geneva's Parking Deck Expansion Named 'Project Of The Year' By American Public Works Association

Geneva's third tier parking deck expansion has been selected as a "Project of the Year" by the American Public Works Association Fox Valley Branch (APWA).

The City won in the Structures Category for projects less than $5 million. The APWA branch award was based off safety performance, environmental impact, community relations, accomplishments under adverse conditions and quality control/construction innovations brought to the project.

The City oversaw construction on the $4.5 million project that began in August 2014 and was funded entirely by grants through Metra. Before the structure was shut down for six months, the City conducted an extensive communications outreach to inform commuters of the project and temporary parking plan.

Anticipating the inconvenience of the deck closure, the City secured two temporary parking locations through an intergovernmental agreement with the Geneva Park District and a lease deal with the First Baptist Church of Geneva. The City then worked with Pace Bus to provide a shuttle service running between those parking lots and the Geneva Metra Station during rush hours.

The deck's first two levels reopened in February. Even with the bulk of construction taking place during the winter, the expansion was completed ahead of schedule in May without any major safety incidents thanks to collaboration from the City, Metra, Union Pacific Railroad and the construction contractor. Additional improvements also were made to the existing garage levels to enhance lighting, signage and drainage.

The Third Street Commuter Parking Deck's capacity officially increased by 176 spaces, bringing the overall total to 498. The facility was expanded in order to accommodate parking that will be lost as part of Union Pacific's future plans to add a third rail line, which will remove some existing surface parking lots.

Recycle Your Old, Unwanted Electronics In St. Charles

Receive a new television for Christmas or need to recycle some other old electronics? Residents will now need to bring them to St. Charles.

State law prohibits disposing of computer monitors, printers and televisions in landfills, Geneva residents will now have to utilize the following free recycling locations:

St. Charles Public Works Department, 1405 S. Seventh Ave. The facility is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Kane County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, 540 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. The County's monthly collection is held from 8 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of each month April through November.

Changes to the Kane County electronics recycling program resulted in the closing of the collection site at the Geneva Public Works Department in December. Please do not drop off your electronics at our facility.

For more information, visit Kane County's Recycling website.

Public Hearing Continued For Proposed Development At Former Cetron Factory Site

The Geneva Plan Commission has continued the public hearing regarding the proposed development of the former Cetron factory site to January.

Community members are invited to give their feedback on the Seventh and State project at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28 at the Geneva Public Works Department, 1800 South St. After the initial meeting was held at City Hall Dec. 17, the location is being changed to Public Works to provide more audience seating.

The Seventh & State street proposal calls for a 219-unit apartment building, a 353-space parking structure, 106 surface parking spaces, a 5,940-square-foot retail building and the extension of Seventh Street from West State Street to Peyton Street. The project plans are posted on the City's website.

All documents and plans also are on file and available for public inspection during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday) in the Community Development Department at City Hall, 22 S. First St. A 3-dimensional model and additional renderings of the proposed project are available for review in Council Chambers during normal business hours. Please note, the model is intended to portray scale and does not represent all of the building or site details.

The project area includes property bounded by Peyton Street to the north, State Street to the south, Richards Street to the west and Seventh Street (extended north to Peyton) to the east. The area includes a land parcel located at the southeast corner of Seventh (extended) and Peyton streets.

People who have questions or concerns regarding the project can contact City Planner Paul Evans at 630-845-9654 or Community Development Director David DeGroot at 630-232-0814.

All Aboard: Third Railroad Line Project Coming To Geneva

Union Pacific is planning to add a third railroad line on its UP/Metra West Line from River Forest to Melrose Park and then from West Chicago to Geneva. In our community, the new rail is proposed to being set 20 feet south of the current tracks, and construction will include more retaining walls.

Construction on the third rail is not expected to begin until 2017 or 2018. The City met with Metra and Union Pacific officials this fall. Until this point, the City was told no property acquisitions would need to take place. However, railroad officials now say they will need to acquire unspecified small tracts of land that may impact residential neighborhoods.

The City also has requested Union Pacific and Metra officials attend a public meeting to provide a project update to the community. See our website for future updates.

According to the rail agencies, the improvements are designed to ensure smoother train traffic flow as well as reduce conflicts between commuter and freight trains that share the line.

To prepare for the loss of about 145 surface parking spaces to accommodate the railroad expansion, the City secured grant funding and built a third tier expansion for the Third Street Commuter parking deck expansion (story above). Construction is nearly finished on a new Fourth Street commuter permit parking lot (story below).

If you want more information about the Union Pacific/Metra West Line third rail project, contact City Administrator Mary McKittrick at 630-232-7494.

Mark Your Calendars For Fun This Winter In Geneva

Wine, Cheese, And Trees Fundraiser To Enhance City's Urban Forest
The Geneva Natural Resources Committee is hosting its fifth annual Wine, Cheese, and Trees fundraiser from 7 to 10 p.m. March 5 at the Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center. As in years past, the night will include six wines, appetizers, live music, silent auction, raffles and a live auction, the highlight being the instant wine cellar. Tickets will be $30 per person and can be purchased from Geneva Wine Cellars and Tasting Room, the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, or by emailing NRC Chairman Jay Womack. Tickets will be available starting Jan. 15. The goal for the evening is to raise $20,000, which will be used toward the Greening Geneva initiative - a reforestation program for our City to combat the damage done by the Emerald Ash Borer.

Celebrate the Art of Independent Film at the Geneva Film Festival
The ninth annual Geneva Film Festival will be held in downtown Geneva March 10 to 12. The Festival features bright, innovative movies that celebrate and promote the art of independent film. Learn more about this one of a kind event at genevafilmfestival.org or better yet - get involved! The Film Festival is always looking for dedicated film-lovers to help make this event a success. For information about volunteering, visit genevafilmfestival.org/volunteers. The Geneva Film Festival is a subcommittee of the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission.

Check out the Geneva Film Festival's Winter Sampler
Cannot wait until spring to see what the Geneva Film Festival is all about? Check out the family-friendly Film Festival Winter Sampler at Playhouse 38 with two showings at 1 and 4 p.m. Jan. 9. Tickets are just $5 each and can be purchased online.

Say 'I Do' to the Geneva Wedding Walk
Are you or someone you know planning a wedding? Did you know you have everything you need to plan the perfect wedding right here in Geneva? From the dress and the flowers to the music and the reception hall, Geneva's wedding businesses are some of the best in the industry. The Downtown Geneva Wedding Walk is the perfect time to see all Geneva has to offer to plan your special day. The Wedding Walk will be held at the Herrington Inn & Spa and throughout the downtown shops on March 6. Brides and grooms will have the chance to meet with venues, boutique shops, and visit some of the top wedding businesses in the Chicago area. Each bride that registers to attend the Geneva Wedding Walk will receive fabulous ideas, goodies and giveaways with one lucky couple winning a five-night/six-day all-inclusive stay at the Villa del Palmar Cancun Resort & Spa. For more information, visit www.genevabride.com.

Geneva Aims To Improve Safety With New Air Rifle Regulations

Geneva residents can still use air rifles in their backyards, but are encouraged to take note of new regulations to assure that they are used in a safe manner.

Highlights of the new ordinance amendments, which are now in full compliance of Geneva's City Code, approved this fall allows for:

Residents to possess an air rifle and paintball gun on private property with the property owner's consent.
The discharge of an air rifle on private property with the property owner's consent. The pellet, which must be less than 0.18 inches in diameter, should not be fired at people or personal property. Also, the muzzle velocity of any air rifle used within the City must be 700 fps or less to comply with the ordinance.

The carrying of air rifles in public as long as the air rifle is unloaded and is contained in a carrying case.

The transport of air rifles in a vehicle, as long as the air rifle is unloaded and broken down in a non-functioning state or enclosed in a case. When being transported in a vehicle, the air rifle should not be readily accessible.

Geneva is now in compliance with the State of Illinois statutes and is not prohibiting the use of air rifles within City limits. The changes were made because the section of the City Code (Title 6, Chapter 2, Section 5, Paragraph C), which had not been updated since the 1970s, did not address pellet guns.

If you have more questions about the air rifle rules, call the Geneva Police Department at 630-232-4736.

Cultural Arts Commission Showcases Creative Talent In Geneva

GHS Students Showcase Their Artistic Talents
This past fall, the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission worked with Geneva High School art students on two very unique and fun public art projects. On snowy days, you may notice streets being cleared by colorful snow plows with depictions of a Geneva Viking, a Chicago skyline, a giant mouth, an underwater scene and a salty pretzel. Commission Chairman Tim Vetang proposed the snow plow art to art teacher Al Ochsner, who encouraged his students to work in teams to come up with the designs and execute the project. The program has been so well received the commission plans to ask students to decorate even more plows next school year.

The second project was spearheaded by commissioner Jan Schmuckal, who envisioned student art gracing the bus stop shelters throughout Geneva. Schmuckal worked with art instructors Louise Grissinger and Ochsner to encourage students to create art work that would be appreciated by bus riders as well as motorists. Many students submitted designs, and two were chosen to have their artwork featured for years to come. Mark Anderson's project, titled "Senior Tree," and Julian Desens "Abstract Squares" has been installed on shelters in front of Geneva Commons. The artwork should last for five years without fading, and more shelters will be added to the program each year.

'Best Ever' Steeple Walk Received $2,500 Donation

On Dec. 6, the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission hosted the Steeple Walk featuring four different musical performances at four local churches. With seasonal bells from the Holy Cross Marimba Ensemble to the rebirth of holiday classics by the Unitarian women's choir, fUUsion, the event is being hailed as the finest concert series yet. The Commission and the Steeple Walk Committee are especially grateful to National Mutual Benefit Life Ins. Co. for donating $2,500 via the Bethlehem Brass ensemble. The Commission will use this donation to further their mission to create diverse cultural arts experiences that engage the community.

New Fourth Street Commuter Parking Opening This Winter

Ninety-one new commuter permit parking spaces will be coming to downtown Geneva this winter.

A portion of the new lot at Fourth Street and Crescent Place opened in late December. The entire parking area will be available for use after additional light poles are scheduled to be installed in late February. Check our website or weekly GenevaMail eblasts for future updates.

The parking lot is designated for commuter permit parking during the day but will be open for free public parking during the evenings and weekends.

The project has been a high priority in the City's Capital Improvement program. The parking lot and expansion of the Third Street Commuter Parking Deck were needed to accommodate parking that will be lost as part of Union Pacific's future plans to add a third rail line, which will remove 145 existing surface parking spaces (see story above).

For more information about the Fourth Street parking lot construction, call Assistant Public Works Director Brian Schiber at 630-232-1501 or send him an email.

Volunteer Team Ready To Clean Up Graffiti

Geneva does not have large instances of graffiti, but a new rapid response team has been established to mitigate vandalism in the community.

The City's Strategic Plan Advisory Committee (SPAC) recently added a new sub-committee, whose primary responsibility is to help clean up instances of graffiti around the City.

To report graffiti locations, please contact the Geneva Police Department non-emergency phone number at 630-232-4736. Once a report of graffiti is received by the City, committee members are called to action.

We are always seeking individuals who would be interested in serving on this team. All required supplies and equipment are provided by the City. Please see the City's website for more information and other volunteer opportunities.

Relive the Sights & Sounds Of The Geneva Christmas Walk

2015 Geneva Christmas Walk

The 2015 Geneva Christmas Walk held Dec. 4 ushered in the holiday season for families across the City. The night included the lighting of the Great Tree, the first candy cane of the season, a visit from Santa, caroling, holiday music, ice carving, shopping and much more.

Thank you to the Geneva Chamber of Commerce for organizing another fantastic community festival.

You can also check out our 2015 Geneva Christmas Walk photo gallery.

Share Your Thoughts About Our Customer Service Online

Have you had an experience with City of Geneva staff recently? We would love to hear your feedback on our performance.

Residents have had the option to fill out customer service cards available at all our City buildings, and now the survey is available on our website too.

So if there are kudos you want to pass along or a suggestion for improvement, please let us know.

Fire Department News: Residents Urged To Keep Fire Hydrants Clear Of Snow

With the arrival of winter, the Geneva Fire Department wants to remind residents to clear out the closest fire hydrant to their house.

A fast and adequate water supply for the Fire Department can make the difference between minor damage and major destruction during a fire. The City's Public Works Department is aware of the hydrants and tries very hard to avoid covering them with plowed snow. However, the situation can be unavoidable on some streets, such as cul-de-sacs, where there is not much space to pile the snow between the driveways, mailboxes and fire hydrants.

Residents fortunate enough to have a hydrant in front of their house can do the Fire Department and themselves a huge favor by clearing a 3-foot by 3-foot area all the way around the hydrant to make them visible and accessible from the street.

For more information, call the Geneva Fire Department at 630-232-2530.

Police Department News: When Snow Arrives, Make Sure To Move Your Parked Cars Off The Street

Our Geneva Public Works plow drivers have a challenging task to keep our streets plowed and safe during the winter. The best way you can help them out is by moving your parked cars off the street to keep our operations moving efficiently.

When road conditions become hazardous, streets that are posted with "Snow Route" signage are cleared of snow and ice first. Snow routes are typically streets that have a large volume of traffic and higher speed limits. Parking on all snow routes is prohibited when the snowfall exceeds 2 inches or more.

Once snow routes have been cleared of snow and ice, crews will then target residential streets, alleys, cul-de-sacs and dead-ends. Parking is not permitted on these secondary streets when there is a snowfall of 3 inches or more, according to the Geneva Police Department.

It is strongly recommended residents move their cars from the streets when a snow storm is forecasted to avoid being ticketed or having their vehicles towed. Parking is not permitted on secondary streets at any time within 12 hours following a snowfall of 3 inches or more or until a street has been plowed to the curb.

Public Works Department News: Meet New Streets Superintendent Nate Landers

December's mild weather likely brought a smile to the face of Nate Landers given the lack of snow. However, his plow teams at the Geneva Public Works Department are ready when more winter weather comes our way.

Landers was named Superintendent of the Streets and Fleet Division in October. Before being promoted, he spent the past two years as a Water and Sewer Maintenance Worker in the City's Water Division.

Geneva's Streets Division is responsible for the planning and delivery of maintenance services and programs including streets, sidewalks, alleys, public and commuter parking lots, signs, urban forestry and cemeteries. Some of the more noteworthy programs provided include brush and leaf collection, snow plowing, pothole filling, street cleaning and parkway tree management.

In addition, the Division oversees the service and maintenance of the City's vehicle fleet, which includes more than 175 cars and public works equipment.

Prior to arriving in Geneva, Landers worked more than 20 years in the excavating and paving industry. He served as a laborer, heavy equipment operator and site supervisor for his family business, Thom Gravel and Excavating. In 2008, he joined Geneva Construction as a heavy equipment operator on grinding and paving crews.

The Geneva Public Works Department, 1800 South St., is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. The Streets Division can be reached by calling 630-232-1502 or you can report concerns online.

Public Works Department News: Watch An Overview Of The City's Snow Plow Operations

Most of December's weather was very mild, but our snow plow teams are ready to tackle winter's next storm.

If you are curious to learn about Geneva's plowing operations, we encourage you to watch our "At Your Service" video above. We also have the same information posted on the City's website.

Public Works Department News: ComEd Tree Trimming Set To Begin In January

Starting in January, Commonwealth Edison will begin trimming trees in various sections of Geneva.

While the City operates its own electric utility, there are ComEd power lines that run through Geneva, including to our substations. ComEd has provided the City with maps where they will be trimming trees within the community. Those maps can be found on our website.

Residents will likely notice crews trimming trees that are near ComEd's distribution lines and transmission circuits within Geneva.

For more information, visit ComEd's website or call them at 800-334-7661 and ask to speak with a vegetation management representative.

Economic Development Department News: 25N Coworking Wins Mayor's Choice Award

During the 2015 Merchants Holiday Kick-off Breakfast held at the Herrington Inn & Spa, 25N Coworking was recognized with the fourth annual Mayor's Choice Award for significant contributions in business and real estate development. 25N Coworking went to great lengths to transform a former bank into a community office space for working professionals in downtown Geneva.

Mayor Kevin Burns presented the award to 25N Coworking founder and CEO Mara Hauser saying, "Mara's energy, creativity and love of community is reflected in every aspect of 25N CoWorking. What was once a tired corner of our central business district is now a hub of activity that benefits all of Geneva."

The Merchants Holiday Kick-off Breakfast is hosted by the City of Geneva Economic Development Department and held annually to review holiday programs, welcome new businesses, and network.

Our Geneva Broadcast Network team toured 25N Coworking last year for an episode of "Business Beat." You can watch the show on our YouTube channel.

Economic Development Department News: Now Trending - Opening A Second Business Location in Geneva

Business Is Growing In Geneva

A true testament to the strength of our business community has been the recent surge in local business owners who are choosing to open a second business in Geneva.

In this short video you'll hear from Tom Konopacki, owner of Anastazia Treasures for the Home and Liz & Kate Accessory Boutique; Nancy MceIvenny, owner of The Crystal Bride and Elegant Evenings; and Lawrence Colburn, owner of Preservation Bread & Wine and the soon to open Atlas Chicken Shack. Each business owner provides their unique perspective as to what makes Geneva such a dynamic community to operate a business.

There is more! Other recent additions include The Burger Local, which is owned and operated by the same team that runs Barrel & Rye; and Doughocracy, which is a partnership between Nancy's Pizzeria owner Gabe Tucker and Nosh owner Mike Dixon. Add to that the addition of Chef Alain Roby's new restaurant Primo next to the wildly popular All Chocolate Kitchen and you have some very exciting things happening in Geneva.

If you have always dreamed of opening your own business in this one-of-a-kind community, contact Business Development Specialist Jamie Heflin at 630-938-4555 to learn more about available locations and what it takes to open your venture in Geneva.

New in Town
Geneva welcomed more than 70 new businesses in 2015 with more on the way in early 2016. Check out our New Business Activity page for a complete list. You will discover new restaurants, shops, services and more.

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.