Village of Streamwood Newsletter
Transcription
Village of Streamwood Newsletter
September 2012 www.streamwood.org Streambank Restoration: Improving and Protecting Our Natural Resources The Village is proud of its commitment to protecting and preserving our natural resources. Streamwood takes its name from the large stands of trees throughout the community and, of course, Poplar Creek. The south branch of Poplar Creek runs from Park and Woodland Heights Boulevards westward, flowing into Poplar Creek in the Forest Preserve, and then into the Fox River. the Creek. Large sections of the Creek have steep slopes and run along backyards, or are piped under roads. In the 1980s, the Creek was seen as a potential amenity. Developers didn’t hide or bury the Creek, but they preferred typical lawn or turf grasses, as opposed to wetland plantings. Since the mid1990s, the Village has prohibited burying the Creek, and required only wetland-style and native plantings. The quality of the water in the Creek has been affected by development over the years. In the 19601970s, developers tended to ignore or simply bury Early design decisions had a negative effect on the water quality and wildlife habitat along the Creek. Turf grasses tend to attract geese, (cont. on page 3) School’s Open – Be Safe! A new school year has started. Please The south branch of Poplar Creek, by Hoosier Grove Park, before the restoration shows deterioration of the shoreline. be sure to keep an eye out for children on their way to and from school. Restoration began with the removal of turf grass and garbage. (left) Coir logs, gabions and seed were installed along the banks. Children on their way to school are often too excited to remember safety (right) Deterioration of the shoreline and excess sedimentation was evident along the Creek. rules. Please use extra caution when school children are present. Remember to follow the lower speed limits and no cell phone use regulations in school zones. The Police Department will be actively enforcing these regulations. Be sure to obey school crossing guards and stop for school buses. Let’s work together to ensure a safe school year! Board News 2 Coneflowers and Black-eyed Susan and asters grow along the This same stretch of the Creek, by Hoosier Grove Park, after restoration provides a dramatic contrast. shoreline. Village Information 4 Community Information 5 Parks and Libraries 6 Schools 7 Village Board News Welcome U.S. Renal Care Recent Board Actions Village Board Refinances Bonds The Village Board recently approved the refinancing of its outstanding bonds. These 15-year bonds were originally issued in 2005 for construction of the Police Department. Refinancing the bonds allows the Village to take advantage of lower interest rates, while adhering to the original payout schedule. The refinancing will save the Village over $700,000. Budget Award The Village of Streamwood has, once again, been awarded the Distinguished Budget Award by the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association (IGFOA). The award recognizes municipal budgets that are of the highest quality, and reflect the best management and ethical practices. Less than 5% of Illinois municipalities receive this prestigious award. This is the 23rd consecutive year that the Village has been recognized for its outstanding efforts. Intergovernmental Cooperation The Villages of Streamwood and Bartlett have entered into an agreement to improve detention and water management opportunities. Streamwood will de-annex a parcel of land it owns, to allow Bartlett the opportunity to apply for federal storm water management assistance. The property is a detention facility, which both communities may use to alleviate flooding and improve water quality. Patients from the Streamwood area in need of dialysis treatment now have access to quality care close to home, thanks to a new 13-station U.S. Renal Care facility at 149 Irving Park Road. Village officials, area hospital leaders, patients and physicians gathered to mark the opening of the state-of-the-art facility, The U.S. Renal Care team, Village President Roth, Trustees Cecille and which is the first dialysis center in Patterson, Village staff, and area patients celebrate the opening of Streamwood’s first and only dialysis facility. Streamwood. U.S. Renal Care, Inc. works to develop, acquire, and operate outpatient treatment centers for persons suffering from chronic kidney failure. U.S. Renal Care serves more than 6,500 patients, from 133 clinics and outpatients programs in 12 states. Community Health Center Opens Village officials were on hand for the opening of the new Streamwood Community Health Center located in the Woodland Heights Shopping Center. The Health Center, a program of the Greater Elgin Family Care Center, will be open 6 days a week and offer family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, an on-site full service laboratory, and many more quality health services. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (630) 313-5300. ELECTION INFORMATION Voter Registration – In-person registration is available at Village Hall – please bring proper identification and proof of your current address. For additional registration information, or to check your current registration, please visit the Cook County Election website at www.cookcountyclerk.com or call (312) 603-0906. The last day to register at Village Hall for the November 6, 2012 General Election will be Tuesday, October 9, 2012. Early Voting – All registered voters in Cook County are eligible to cast their ballot during the Early Voting period from Monday, October 22, 2012 through Saturday, November 3, 2012. Streamwood Village Hall is an early voting location. Hours for early voting are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Vote by Mail – Visit www.cookcountyclerk.com to download a mail ballot application. Complete the application, sign it and mail it in to Cook County; ballots will be mailed in late September. Board News Nominating Petitions for the April 9, 2013 Consolidated Election will be available during regular business hours in the Village Clerk’s office after September 25, 2012. Village President, Village Clerk and three (3) Village Trustee positions will be on the ballot. Petitions must be filed with the Village Clerk between December 17, 2012 and December 24, 2012. Billie Roth 2 Michael Baumer William Carlson James Cecille William Harper Guy Patterson Mary Thon Your Village President, Board of Trustees, and Village Clerk Kittie Kopitke Streambank Restoration (continued from page 1) Message From The Village President rather than more diverse animal populations. Geese droppings are a major stream pollutant. Turf grasses also provide no support to the streambank resulting in deterioration of the water course, and increased sedimentation. Over the years, run-off from streets, sidewalks, and roofs have added to increased sedimentation and pollution in the Creek. As the water travels downstream, these pollutants drain into the Fox River polluting a major source of drinking water in our region. The weather was picture perfect for our 18th Annual Summer Celebration. It was truly a sun-filled weekend of fun! It was wonderful to see so many people, of all ages, come out and enjoy a weekend of family entertainment. Our festival offered something for everyone . . . fantastic carnival rides, games and activities, great food, lively music, fab- Village President Billie Roth waves to the crowd at ulous parade, and our the 18th Annual Summer Celebration Parade. truly spectacular Saturday night fireworks! In the fall of 2010, the Village completed a streambank restoration project with funding from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) aimed at resolving these concerns. A 2,036 foot stretch of the Creek was improved by establishing a buffer of native plants, which stabilizes the soil, filters runoff and discourages geese. One year after restoration efforts, native grasses began to grow. This buffer was accomplished in a number of ways. Woody debris, excess sediment, cans, bottles, and other garbage were removed from the stream bottom. Nonnative grasses were then removed from the shoreline. In areas where the bank design was very steep, wire baskets filled with large stones called gabions were installed to prevent channel erosion. Unstable slopes Gabions were used to stabilize steep had a vegetated geogrid, or plants integrat- shoreline. ed within a mesh erosion blanket, installed to help the plants grow. Coir logs, which are biodegradable fibrous rolls made of coconut husks, were used at the water’s edge of moderately sloped areas. Native plant seed, native plugs, and other native vegetation were installed in and among all of these bank stabilization areas. These plant materials increase long-term bank stabilization, act as a natural filtration system, create habitat diversity, and improve the overall aesthetics of the site. Finally, split-rail fences were put up to delineate restoration areas. The Village is delighted by the results. While it generally takes 3-5 years for native plants to establish a healthy presence, Black-eyed Susan, coneflowers, asters, bluestems and bottlebrushes are already thriving along the banks. The coir logs are being absorbed into the shoreline, helping to redefine the channel. Geese populations along the restoration area have been reduced. More ducks, egrets and herons are populating the Creek. Estimates show that roughly 600 pounds of sediment and pollutants per year are being eliminated from the Creek as a result of these improvements. The Village of Streamwood remains committed to improving our water quality. Our rivers and lakes provide the water we drink. We encourage our residents to be good environmental stewards as well. You are our partners in preNative plants and grasses provide a more attractive vista, serving our water supply! offering a more diverse habitat and improved water quality. On behalf of the Streamwood Chamber of Commerce, Park District and Village, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to our many sponsors, food vendors, and expo vendors, as well as the hard work and effort of our numerous volunteers and staff. Congratulations to the lucky winners of our raffle and contests, as well as to all the parade winners (see list of winners on page 5). We look forward to working with each and every one of you again at next year’s event. The Village Board and staff are busy working on our annual goals and objectives in order to guide us through the upcoming budgetary process. The economy continues to place a strain on our resources, although some signs of an improved economy are showing. The new Fresh Express plant has begun construction, with hopes to be operational in the New Year. A new retail and storage facility is under construction on Irving Park Road. The Village Board also attended ribbon cuttings for two new medical health facilities, which opened recently. Rest assured we are doing all we can to keep costs down. We continue to work smarter to maintain the services our residents deserve and expect. We are committed to keeping Streamwood a great place to live, work and play. As the Village Board begins its budget discussions, we encourage you to contact us with any concerns or suggestions you may have. School is back in session. Please be especially careful driving in our school zones. Be aware of the change in speed limits when children are present. Be mindful of the state law prohibiting talking on cell phones within school zones. The Police Department will be actively enforcing these new regulations to ensure that our streets, and our children, are safe. Although summer is at its end, there are still many opportunities to enjoy the weather and the great outdoors. Participate in the Worldwide Day of Play event at Sunny Hill Park, explore the Community Health and Wellness Expo at the Township, learn about fire safety at our Fire Open House, and take a hayride at Pumpkinfest. We look forward to seeing you around town! Sincerely, Billie D. Roth, Village President 3 Shop Streamwood! Coupons Want great deals from local businesses? Click on the Shop Streamwood! logo on the Village’s website and get monthly coupons, sales alerts, and job announcements. Keep your sales tax dollars in town. It’s good business for all of us. Shop Smart! Shop Local! Shop Streamwood! Fire Department Open House Join us in observing Fire Prevention Month on Saturday, October 6, from 12:00-3:00 pm, at Fire Station 2 (900 W Irving Park Road). There will be displays and activities for both adults and children. Bring the whole family to learn about fire safety, spray a fire hose, or watch a puppet show. CPR for Healthcare Providers Our CPR for Healthcare Providers course is designed for professionals such as nurses, doctors, paramedics, and nursing students. If you need a CPR card for employment, this is the class for you. Our next class dates are September 8 and October 13. The cost of this class is $50.00 for residents and $65.00 for non-residents. For more information on these or other classes, please call (630) 736-3650. Cultures of Our Community Event The Community Relations Commission is preparing for its annual “Cultures of Our Community” celebration to be held on Saturday, November 3, at Poplar Creek Library, from 1:00-4:00 pm. This popular event features entertainment, educational displays, food and cultural artifacts from some of the various countries of origin of Streamwood’s residents. Residents who would like to participate in “Cultures of Our Community” should contact Mary at (630) 736-3817. Village Information 4 K i t t i e ’s BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR. Fall weather pulls us outside, allowing us to enjoy the weather o before great outdoors – but, please be a good neighbor. Keep music and r other noisewinter.levelsEnjoylow.theRemember that no loud music can be amplified after 10:00 pm. n RAKING LEAVES IN THE STREET: Please note that Public Works does not collect leaves raked into the street. Leaves raked e into the street can clog storm sewers causing water to back up on r the street. All yardwaste should be composted or properly bagged for collection. BLOOD DRIVE – OCTOBER 24: The Streamwood Blood Commission and VFW Post 5151 will host a blood drive at Village Hall between 2:00 – 8:00 pm. Give the gift of life! BARTLETT ROAD CONSTRUCTION: The Cook County Highway Department hopes to complete their renovation of Bartlett Road by the beginning of October. HALLOWEEN HOURS – OCTOBER 31: Halloween Trick-or-Treat hours are 3:00-7:00 pm. Please watch out for little ghosts and goblins. Have a fun, but safe, Halloween! Village Clerk Kittie Kopitke • Email: clerk@streamwood.org Hanover Park Annual Recycling Event The Village of Hanover Park is hosting its Annual Recycling Event on Saturday, September 15, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm at their Municipal Complex (2121 W Lake Street, Hanover Park). Items that may be recycled include clean, usable clothing, household office equipment and electronics, car or boat batteries, household batteries, eyeglasses, prescription drugs, and more! No hazardous waste, paints, or similar materials. Non-residents are welcome! For more information, visit www.hpil.org or call (630) 823-5706. Just for the Health of It! Hanover Township will host its 5th Annual Community Health and Wellness Expo on Thursday, September 20 between 2:00-6:00 pm at the campuses of Hanover Township and Victory Centre (Route 59 and West Bartlett Road). Take advantage of free vision and health screenings, fitness tips, and information from over 100 healthcare providers at this indoor event. Life Source will also be hosting a blood drive at the event. Besides the free screenings, residents will also be able to participate in raffles, free chair massages and receive adjustments to their glasses. A bounce castle and games for kids will also be provided. The 2012 Expo is sponsored by Hanover Township, The Victory Centre of Bartlett and Cook County Commissioner Timothy O. Schneider. Go Green – Energy Saving Tips With fall upon us, we know that winter isn’t far away. Now is the perfect time to get your house ready for winter. The Village’s Natural Resource Conservancy Commission offers these energy savings tips: • Take advantage of natural heat by opening blinds or drapes on sun-exposed windows. • Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans to push warmer air down. • Close fireplace dampers when not in use. • Plug leaks around windows and doors with caulking and weather-stripping. • Make sure air ducts are insulated and sealed. • Invest in a programmable thermostat to turn the heat down when you’re away. • Replace leaky, single pane windows, doors and skylights. A professional tune-up of your furnace is another way to help you save energy – and money! Summer Celebration 2012 Perfect weather and lots of great activities combined for a weekend of fun as we showed off our “Hometown Pride.” On Friday, the Children’s Stage rocked with homegrown talent. Over 100 parade units dazzled and delighted the crowds on Saturday morning, including our Grand Marshal Streamwood High School graduate and ABC-7 news reporter John Garcia. Saturday night featured a spectacular fireworks display. The Fire Department helped the crowds beat the heat on Sunday with its Fire Hose Spray. Great music, delicious food, and all-around family fun made Summer Celebration 2012 our best fest yet! 2012 Parade Winners Band – Limited Edition Big Band Club – Grupo Folklorico Quetzal Float (Commercial) – Safari Childcare Float (Non-Profit) – Streamwood Choral Society Marchers (Junior) – Falcon Cheerleaders Marchers (Senior) – New Generation Most Patriotic – Streamwood Examiner Most Unusual – Hanover Township Senior Services Theme – Poplar Creek Library Community News 5 Park News New Fall Brochure The new fall program guides, full of fun and exciting classes and special events, are available for pickup at any of the SPD facilities and throughout the Village. Stop by today and pick up your copy at Village Hall, the Police Department, or check out spdcares.com for a location near you. Freedom Run Dog Park Park amenities include a 4-acre fully-fenced off leash area, dog and owner water service, and more! Dedication ceremony on September 8 at 10:00 am (6150 Russell Drive, Hoffman Estates). Register your dog today at our Registration office. Worldwide Day of Play Join the ‘Let’s Just Play and Go Healthy Challenge’ out at Sunny Hill Park (1400 W Irving Park Road) on September 22 from 12:00-3:00 pm. FREE for all ages! Outdoor activities, games and healthy snacks! Learn how to stay fit and fight childhood obesity. Annual Pumpkin Sale Pick up all your fall decorating needs at the Hoosier Grove Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, Indian corn, taffy apples, and cider will be available! The Farm Stand opens September 28. Pumpkinfest Circle October 6 on the calendar for a day of fall family fun. Join us at Hoosier Grove Park (700 W Irving Park Road) from 11:00am-4:00 pm for the Family Pet Show, Pumpkin Derby, Tractor Wagon, Story Time, Schoolhouse Spelling Bee, Kiddie Run, and more! Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Safely Trick-or-Treating Children 8 years and younger can start off their Halloween fun at Safety Town (700 W Irving Park Road) from 3:00-4:30 pm on Wednesday, October 31. Treats will be passed out by local community agencies and business owners. Gail Borden News Poplar Creek Library News Library Foundation Book Sale Thank You! Thousands of adult, teen and children’s books as well as audiobooks, movies and more will be on sale to fund exciting exhibits for the library and community. Browse through mysteries, historical fiction, romance, westerns and graphic novels as well as cookbooks, sports, gardening and coffee table books. The book sale will be held at the Main Library on September 21 and 22 from 9:00 am-6:00 pm, and September 23 from noon to 5:00 pm. Harvest Festival Families can celebrate the autumn season with gardening, games, crafts, refreshments and music by singer and guitarist Rob Scallon on September 29 from 1:00-3:00 pm. Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration: Roots and Wings This community-organized celebration on October 13 from 2:005:00 pm will have something for everyone including music and dance, live art, artists, storytelling, food tastings and more. ZombieFest Get your Zombie look on and enjoy zombie crafts and activities, learn the Thriller dance from Dixon Dance Academy instructors and participate in a zombie walk through the library at this family event on October 25 from 6:00-8:15 pm. Library Hours to Change Library hours will be changing slightly to serve customers better. Starting September 4, the Main Library will be open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am-6:00 pm, and Sunday from noon to 5:00 pm. Also starting Tuesday, September 4, the Rakow Branch will be open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am-8:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am-5:00 pm, and Sunday from noon to 5:00 pm. Parks & Libraries 6 The Library extends its thanks to all of the organizations and business that provided us with coupons and giveaways for our Adult and Children’s Summer Reading Programs. Both programs had their greatest number of participants, with over 250 readers taking out over 1,000 books and items. Many thanks go to Dunkin Donuts, Jewel Osco, Burger King, Steak and Shake, Buffalo Wild Wings, TGIF’s, Danny’s Pizza of Streamwood, and the Streamwood Chamber of Commerce, Park District, and Village. Join a Book Club! The Library has three different groups in order to match peoples’ busy schedules and reading interest. It’s a great way to meet people, learn about authors, and consider books you might not pick up on their own. Prior registration is not necessary. Books are available a month prior to the meeting at the Reader’s Advisory/Fiction Desk. Dogs are Coming! On September 6 and September 20, a certified therapy dog will be available from 6:00-8:00 pm to listen to kids practice reading aloud. Registration is limited and will fill quickly. Call the Children’s Department at (630) 483-4923 for more information or to register. Genealogy Club The Genealogy Club will meet September 17 in Meeting Room One from 7:309:00 pm at Poplar Creek Public Library. The topic for this session will cover “Researching Military Records.” To sign up, call Janice at (630) 483-4944. Job Seeker Workshops WorkNet of Northern Cook County will present Power Employment workshops on job searching, networking, resume writing, and interviewing. Workshop dates are September 15 and October 20 from 9:30 am-1:30 pm. To register, call Reception at (630) 483-4910. District U-46 News Back to School for Streamwood Students and Teachers A new school year brings a new contract for our excellent local teachers. This past summer, the Elgin Teachers Association and the Board of Education of School District U-46 worked collaboratively to develop an agreement that best serves the 41,000 students of our district. The new agreement, which runs through 2014, addresses a number of key components including: • • • • Providing additional resources to support students in grades kindergarten through 2nd when class sizes exceed 32 students. Implementing several key components of Senate Bill 7, a new state law that places the emphasis on teacher performance rather than seniority when making decisions regarding a reduction in a district’s teaching force. Establishing a Transformation Task Force to review and make recommendations regarding the design of the student day to maximize learning, provide differentiated structures, and promote teacher collaboration. Creating additional opportunities for teacher collaboration. The new contract is an important component of Destination 2015. Destination 2015 is a plan for continuous improvements that focuses on closing the achievement gap, and aims to ensure that all students are college or career ready. View Destination 2015, and the new teacher’s contract, on the District’s website at www.u-46.org. Recognize Excellence at Streamwood High School During the 2012-2013 school year, the Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching will be accepting nominations to honor outstanding high school teachers. The award winners are given a sabbatical at Northwestern University, a cash award of $3,000 and induction into the Golden Apple Academy of Educators. To learn how to nominate an excellent teacher at Streamwood High School, please visit www.goldenapplefoundation.org. Streamwood High School Grad Helps Giants Get in Shape The Daily Herald recently reported that Carl Kochan, a 1994 Streamwood High School graduate, is spending his first year as the strength and conditioning coordinator for the San Francisco Giants. Way to go Carl! Safety First: Police Enforce School Zone Safety The Streamwood Police Department wants to remind drivers of key safety regulations in and around our schools, especially: • Cell phone use is prohibited while driving in a school zone, unless for emergency purposes. • The speed limit is 20 miles per hour in a school zone when children are present. • Anyone under 19 years of age, who holds an instruction permit or graduate license, may not drive a vehicle on any street while using a cell phone. Please pay attention and reduce distractions in school zones. Together we can ensure a safe new school year! Schools 7 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID STREAMWOOD, IL 60107 PERMIT NO.24 Village of Streamwood 301 E. Irving Park Road • Streamwood, IL 60107 (630) 736-3800 • (630) 736-3798 (TDD - hearing impaired only) Billie D. Roth ……………………………Village President Kittie L. Kopitke ………………………………Village Clerk Trustees Michael Baumer ………………………………………………………………Finance William Carlson ……………………………………………………………Legislative James Cecille ……………………………………………………………Public Safety William Harper …………………………….........................................Public Works Guy Patterson ………………………………………………………Community Affairs Mary Thon ……………………………………………………Community Development Staff Gary O’Rourke ………………………………………………………Village Manager John Peterson …………………………………………Community Development Director Mary Johnson …………………………………………………………Finance Director Chris Clark …………………………………………………………………Fire Chief Sharon Caddigan ………………………………………Planning/Human Resources Director James Keegan ……………………………………………………………Police Chief Matt Mann ………………………………………………………Public Works Director VILLAGE HALL HOURS Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm Thursday 8:00 am-7:00 pm Community Development Department is open Thursday evenings until 7:00 pm during daylight savings hours ECRWSS Postal Customer Streamwood, IL 60107 Newsletter Design/Production/Kaye Lowman Boorom MEETINGS/ACTIVITIES CALENDAR Branch Pickup Schedule SEPTEMBER The 2012 Curbside Branch Pick-up program will be ending soon! Please check the map to determine your area. Each area is picked up only once per month. There are only two more pick-ups per area left! 3 5 6 8 10 15 18 20 20 22 25 LABOR DAY - VILLAGE OFFICES CLOSED Zoning Board of Appeals Village Board Meeting CPR for Healthcare Providers (see page 4) Community Relations Commission Hanover Park Recycling Event (see page 4) Plan Commission Just for the Health of It! (see page 4) Village Board Meeting World Day of Play (see page 6) Veterans Memorial Commission OCTOBER 3 Zoning Board of Appeals 4 Village Board Meeting 6 Pumpkinfest (see page 6) 6 Fire Department Open House (see page 4) 8 Community Relations Commission 13 CPR for Healthcare Providers (see page 4) 13 Hispanic Heritage Celebration (see page 6) 16 Plan Commission 18 Village Board Meeting 23 Veterans Memorial Commission 24 Blood Drive at Village Hall (see page 4) 31 Safely Trick-or-Treat (see page 6) 31 HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREAT HOURS 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 9:00 am 7:00 pm 2:00 pm 7:00 pm 12:00 pm 7:00 pm Place your branches on the parkway with the cut ends facing the street, by 6:00 am on the designated date for your area. Branches should be no greater than six inches (6”) in diameter, though they may be any length. Please remember – It is important to have your branches out Monday morning. Please be patient if your branches are still at the curb Monday afternoon. They will be picked up during your pick-up week. 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 11:00 am 12:00 pm 7:00 pm 2:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 3:00 pm 3:00 pm 3:00-7:00 pm Area 1 (North of Schaumburg Rd) September 4 October 1 Area 2 (West of Oltendorf Rd) September 10 October 8 visit us on the web at www.streamwood.org Area 3 (East of Oltendorf Rd) September 17 October 15 Area 4 (South of Irving Park Rd) September 24 October 22