Has the art of conversation been forever lost or temporarily misplaced? Have we forsaken the importance and meaningful benefits of catching up over a cup of coffee or casual meal? We are all so busy with everyday stuff that the art and science of free-flowing and impromptu conversations have become more rare.

Perhaps the real question to ask is, "does our community foment conversation or prevent conversation?" I am convinced that Geneva stimulates conversation if we just look for it. And, no better place to look than in the restaurants, pubs, coffee houses, ice cream parlors, shops, open spaces and the nooks and crannies that dot our beautiful community.

While we certainly like to boast about all Geneva has to offer, the attribute that is most enjoyable are the many places that encourage and inspire us to have a conversation with friends, family members, acquaintances and even strangers. Such interactions are the marrow of any community and one of the great strengths of Geneva.

I will hazard a guess that some of the most memorable moments you have had in Geneva are those that involved countless hours of simply connecting with your friends and family. Or maybe it involved making a new friend while idling away the time in conversation about life in general and the triumphs and struggles facing each other.

I have many favorite locations where I enjoy "getting lost in conversation" with people. Places where the atmosphere itself almost begs you to hang out, unwind, relax and just chat. It is those places, found in every corner of our community, that helps make Geneva more than a collection of homes and businesses. Those places make Geneva the perfect setting for finding what has been misplaced - the art of conversation.

My best,

Kevin Burns

Mayor

Geneva Garbage Collection Rates Increase In July

Geneva residents should take note that garbage collection rates have increased July 1 as part of the City's contract with Advanced Disposal.

A garbage sticker now costs $3.25. However, people who purchased stickers at the previous rate of $3.11 can use their remaining supply without paying the difference. Prices for the three available refuse carts also have increased by about a dollar per month, according to the contract.

Garbage collection the week of July 4 will be pushed back one day later than normal due to the Independence Day holiday. The normal Thursday-Friday schedule resumes the following week.

For more information about Geneva's refuse and recycling program, visit the City's website.

Downtown Garden Contest Returns To Help Support Geneva Beautification Committee

People who love our downtown flowers can now cast their vote for their favorite garden as part of the Geneva Beautification Committee's Tour des Fleurs contest.

Seven gardens are featured in the second annual contest/fundraiser that will run through Wednesday, Aug. 31. Garden photographs, a map and more information can be found on the City's website. Participating downtown gardens also are marked with signage.

People can vote for their favorite Tour des Fleurs garden in the form of a donation; each dollar donated counts as one vote. There are three options to submit your entry:

Visit the contest webpage and click the garden's PayPal "donate" button;
Drop off the donation ballot (available on the contest webpage) along with a check or cash at Geneva City Hall; or
Mail your donation check along with the ballot to the Geneva Beautification Committee, Attn: Sherri Weitl, Geneva City Hall, 22 S. First St., Geneva, IL 60134.

Voting for multiple gardens is encouraged, and the winning entry will receive a trophy.

The Geneva Beautification Committee consists of organizations, businesses, families and volunteers that adopt and maintain planting beds and flower boxes throughout the City's central business district.

Questions about the Tour des Fleurs contest can be directed to Beautification Committee co-Chair Sherri Weitl at 630-232-7494.

City Council Adopts New Parking Fine Structure

The Geneva Police Department has begun implementing a new parking fine structure that was approved by the City Council June 20.

In March, the City Council directed City staff to research Geneva parking fines with surrounding and comparable communities. The survey indicated Geneva's parking fines were substantially lower than its municipal neighbors. The new ordinance strikes a balance to maintain a business-friendly approach to shoppers and downtown visitors while also bringing Geneva more in line with the local area.

The following chart represents the old parking fine system and the recently approved changes:

Violation	Old Fines	New Fines
Overtime Parking (exceeding posted time limit)	1st offense Warning 2-3 offenses $2 4-9 offenses $10 10-14 offenses $15 15 or more $25	First 2 offenses Warning 3rd offense $5 4-5 offenses $10 6-10 offenses $20 11-15 offenses $25 16 or more $40
Improper Parking	$10	$25
Snow Emergency Parking	$35	$35
Snow Ban Secondary Streets	$30	$30
Special Parking Privilege	$250	$250
Prohibited Parking	$10	$25

Additionally, administrative fees for unpaid parking tickets throughout various timeframes have increased. Previously, unpaid parking tickets were assessed a flat $10 administrative fee for all parking violations that remained unpaid after 10 days. Now the administrative fee structure will be:

Overtime	Non-Overtime (see previous chart)
$5 after 15 days	$25 after 15 days
$10 after 30 days (2 late payments = $15 total)	$50 after 30 days (2 late payments = $75 total)
$25 after 45 days (3 late payments = $40)	$50 after 45 days (3 late payments = $125)

All parking tickets that remain unpaid after 90 days will be turned over to a collection agency or a warrant (summons) for arrest will be issued to the violator.

Lastly, quarterly downtown parking permit fees for Geneva residents will remain $100, but non-residents will now be charged $125.

For more information about the parking fines, call the Geneva Police Department at 630-232-4736. Parking maps and information can be found on the City's website.

Mark Your Calendars For Fun This Summer

Summertime in Geneva means festivals, events and a whole lot of fun. This July, the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission is delighted to present the RiverPark Summer Series and Shakespeare in the Park. Invite your friends and grab your blankets, chairs, boxed dinners and enjoy an evening of free top-notch entertainment right here in Geneva!

RiverPark Summer Series
The RiverPark Summer Series events are held at 6 p.m. on Sundays at RiverPark, located at North River Lane in downtown Geneva.

July 10 - Northside Brass
July 17 - Live Radio Theatre: "Need to be Seen Radio Troupe"
July 24 - Geneva Jazz Ensemble

Shakespeare in the Park
Shakespeare in the Park begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 16 at Geneva's idyllic Island Park. Seating begins at 5 p.m. This year's performance will be "Two Gentlemen of Verona."

Check out our website for more information about these great events and festivals taking place in the next few months.

Geneva Classic Car Shows: Thursday nights in July and August
RiverPark Summer Series: July 10, July 17, July 24
Shakespeare in the Park: July 16
Geneva Arts Fair: July 23-24
Geneva Concours d'Elegance: Aug. 28
Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival: Sept. 4-5
Festival of the Vine: Sept. 9-11

Stay On Top Of Road Construction Updates This Summer

Summer brings plenty of fun, festivals and the necessary evil of road construction.

However, the City of Geneva tries to lessen the burden by providing regular updates as road construction progresses in the coming months. Residents wanting road work updates can subscribe to receive either emails or text messages via our "Notify Me" website feature.

Want to know if road work is coming to your neighborhood this summer? You can find a list of scheduled streets slated for repairs along with other general 2016 Street Improvement Program information on our website.

Residents also can call the City's Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.

Kane County Suspends Electronics Recycling Program; Exploring Future Options

Kane County suspended its free electronics recycling program due to overwhelming attendance and number of televisions coming into the recycling collection events this spring in St. Charles.

The County is working on solutions to the electronics recycling problem, and hopes to reinstate the monthly electronics collection event once additional drop-off locations are available. The long-term sustainable solution lies in spreading the load and providing conveniently located drop-offs with weekday hours.

Kane County Recycles has posted a list of alternative electronics recycling locations for your convenience. According to the County, it is important to note that it is now standard for TVs and some computer monitors to have a cost to recycle. This is true for the locations on the list and will also apply to any new drop-offs that open, as well as the monthly County events when they are reinstated.

Please keep an eye on the Kane County Recycles website for updates to the electronics recycling program. For more information, contact Kane County Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Jarland at 630-208-3841 or via email.

Sidewalk, Curb Repair Work Expected To Start In July

Sidewalk and curb repairs are scheduled to take place throughout Geneva the week of July 11, weather permitting.

The City's contractor, Strada Construction, anticipates finishing the project in about a week.

A larger version of the map of scheduled sidewalk and curb repairs can be found on the City's website. Residents who have questions about the construction can call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.

Make Sure Your Yard Sign Complies With Our City Code

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

These lyrics were recorded by the "Five Man Electrical Band" in 1971. But they still hold true today. As you are getting ready to hold your garage/estate sale, sell your house or perhaps run for a political office, here are some things to keep in mind.

Signs that are allowed on private property:

Garage, yard, or rummage sale signs which do not exceed 6 square feet in area and are placed on private residential property. Such signs shall be limited to one per lot and shall only be permitted between the hours of 7 a.m. on Friday and 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Political campaign signs announcing candidates seeking public office and/or signs in support of or opposition to any person, cause, issue, or referendum. Such signs shall be located on private property.
Public interest signs publicizing a charitable or nonprofit event of general public interest are allowed. Such signs shall be located on private property and may be displayed up to 30 days prior to the event and for the duration of the event.
Real estate signs indicating the sale, rental or lease of residential property. Such signs shall be located on private property, shall be limited to one sign per lot, and shall not exceed 6 square feet in area. All such signs shall be removed within five days after the sale, rental, or lease of the property.

Signs that are not allowed:

Signs attached to trees, fences or public utility poles, other than warning signs issued by public utilities.

If you have any questions regarding the sign code, please feel free to contact the City's Building Division at 630-262-0280. Thanks for helping to keep Geneva looking great!

City Administrator's Office News: Meet New Administrator Stephanie Dawkins

New City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins was our featured guest during July's episode of "Geneva Works" on Geneva Broadcast. She replaced former administrator Mary McKittrick, who retired June 9.

Community Development Department News: Take A Virtual Trip Down Memory Lane In Geneva

In recognition of National Preservation Month, Geneva's Historic Preservation Commission has created a virtual tour celebrating our community's architectural heritage and the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The virtual tour, which can be found on the City's website at the link below, recognizes historically significant structures within Geneva under the theme "This Place Matters." The Commission is shining a spotlight on local buildings and events that - in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Act into law - were considered historic, becoming historic and modern-era architecture.

As people take a virtual trip down memory lane, they are invited to add feedback and personal recollections about Geneva's iconic architecture in the comments section on each page. The Commission wanted to create an opportunity for community dialogue about the changing face of preservation and what may be recognized as historic by different generations of Geneva residents.

Read The Full Virtual Tour Launch Announcement

Take The Historic Virtual Tour Of Geneva

Police Department News: Meet New Police Chief Eric Passarelli

New Geneva Police Chief Eric Passarelli was our featured guest during June's episode of "Geneva Works" on Geneva Broadcast Network. He replaced former Police Chief Steve Mexin, who retired from the City May 6.

Public Works Department News: Take Note Of The City's Lawn Watering Schedule

With summer weather upon us, the City of Geneva reminds residents about our lawn watering sprinkler regulations.

Water sprinklers are permitted between 6 and 9 a.m. and 6 and 9 p.m. on residents' designated days. Residents with an even-numbered street address can water their lawns on even-numbered days and vice-versa for odd-numbered street addresses.

Residents 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.

Public Works Department News: Subscribe To Peak Power Day Alerts This Summer

During summer's warmest days, Geneva residents can provide some relief to the City's electric operations - and their own utility bills - by reducing their power consumption for a few hours in the afternoon.
electric meter

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 email or text alerts via our 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 unused lights.

During an average summer, the City will issue about 20 alerts to customers.

For more information, call the Public Works Department Electric Division at 630-232-1503.

Public Works Department News: Make Your Property Unattractive To Summer's Pesky Visitors

The City of Geneva's mosquito abatement contractor will be spraying several times throughout the summer to help contain the bug population in our area.

Stay tuned to our website, Facebook and Twitter for notifications.

The Kane County Health Department has offered some good tips on how you can prevent mosquitoes in your area:

How To Prevent Mosquito Bites

Wear light-colored clothing that minimizes exposed skin and provides some protection from bites

Make sure door and window screens fit tightly and that all holes are repaired

Apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535 according to the label instructions; consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

How To Prevent Mosquito Breeding

Discard old tires, buckets, drums or any containers

Keep roof gutters and downspouts clear of debris

Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week

Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water

Change the water in bird baths once a week

Public Works Department News: Brush Collection Program Continues This Summer

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

Economic Development Department News: Check Out Geneva's New Businesses

Welcome! In the past few months, the City of Geneva has been pleased to welcome many wonderful new businesses to the community. Below is a list of businesses that are new or coming soon.

All Chocolate Kitchen's Primo	29 S. Third St.	Ameriprise Financial	427 E. State St.
Atlas Chicken Shack	511 S. Third St.	Aunt Sassy's Quilts	11 N. First St.
Classic Auto Haus	1000 Commerce Drive	Copper Fox	426 S. Third St.
Curds & Whey	609 W. State St.	Deanne's Market and Deli	500 S. Third St.
Fitness 360	507 S. Third St.	Gia Mia	13 N. Third St.
Green Envee	17 S. Third St.	Guaranteed Rate, Inc.	716 W. State St.
Hootenanny House	321 W. Hamilton St.	I-Post	310 Campbell St.
Jori & June	25 S. Third St.	Popcorn Haven	1090 Commons Drive
Rally House	1524 S. Randall Road	Serendipity Salons	8 Richards St.
Soccer Success	1064 Commons Drive	Tacatz Tacos	1479 E. State St.
Talbot's	310 Commons Drive	The Gathering	227 S. Third St.
The Grandstander	507 S. Third St.	The Royal Wren	11 S. Third St.
Vape 312	645 W. State St.	YM Boutique	202 Campbell St.

Economic Development Department News: City Supports Outdoor Music, Expands Grant Program

Over the past few years, the City's Economic Development Department has offered matching grants to local businesses who are interested in providing live outdoor music for the general public to enjoy. Many businesses have taken advantage of this opportunity and have filled Geneva's summer evenings with the sound of music.

This year the program has been expanded to include a matching grant for outdoor speakers for Geneva businesses. Applicants may qualify for a one-time matching grant for up to 50 percent of the cost to add outdoor speakers to an existing sound system.

More information about the Outdoor Music Geneva program can be found on the City's website.

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.