August/September 2007

National Night Out Against Crime - August 7

The 24th annual National Night Out Against Crime and Community Picnic will be held on August 7, 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Pottawatomie Park. National Night Out Against Crime promotes better police-community partnerships. Better city-community relationships also result because volunteers from police, fire, and other city departments as well as volunteers from the business community all work together to make for a closer, more caring community that is more aware and less tolerant of crime.

A large portion of the National Night Out Community Picnic is funded and supported by the business community and service organizations. Our thanks to these businesses and organizations for their donations of food, snacks, raffle prizes, etc.

The evening will feature prize raffles, games, SWAT demonstration, K-9 demonstration, DUI field sobriety test using Fatal Vision goggles, a moonwalk, and face painting. Parents can get information on child seat installation, child ID kits, or any other law enforcement question at the Ask-A -Cop booth. An informative forensic evidence processing display will be present, along with a simple crime scene to test your investigative skills. Visit www.stcharlesil.gov/pd or call 630.377.4435 for more information.

Brush Pickup

Brush pickup (branches 3’ long and less than 12” in diameter) is available for residents who pay an additional monthly fee on their utility bill (please review your bill or call Utility Billing at 377-4426 to confirm eligibility; businesses are not eligible). Brush that does not conform with the following requirements, or with vehicles parked in front of them, will not be collected:

• Pile brush on the parkway (not in the street), cut end facing the street, before 7 a.m. on Mon. (see table for dates). Once the crew passes an area, they will not come back until the next scheduled pickup date.
• Do not bundle brush with twine.
• Pile brush no higher than 4’.
• Please do not place metal, lumber, grass, leaves, dirt, roots or poison ivy/oak in the pile.
• Branches larger than 12’ long and 12” in diameter will need to be split or cut prior to collection.
• Twigs, trimmings and leaves should be placed in paper yardwaste bags (purchase bags with the City logo on them or use generic bags and place one refuse sticker on each bag) and left for collection on the normal refuse pickup day.
• Free mulch is available at the City’s facility on Rte. 38/Lincoln Hwy., west of Peck Road. Hours are Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.- 3 p.m., Sat. 7-11 a.m. Please bring a shovel and containers. The City does not deliver or load.

Water Conservation

The City’s water conservation ordinance is in effect through August 31 and establishes automatic and sprinkler watering schedules. Hand held and soaker hoses can be used at any time.

Even-numbered addresses may sprinkle on even-numbered days, 12-9 a.m. and 6-10 p.m. Odd-numbered addresses sprinkle on odd-numbered days. There is a $50 fine for violations. Visit www.stcharlesil.gov/PW/WaterAndSewer/ or call Public Works at 630.377.4405 with questions.

RV Parking and Storage

The City’s Code on the storage and parking of recreational vehicles (RVs) was recently revised. The new provisions follow:

An RV parked/stored outdoors in the One- and Two-Family Residential Zoning Districts shall not be located within the required front yard or exterior side yard (corner yard facing the street) from Oct. 15 to Apr. 15. RVs may be parked in the front yard for loading/unloading Oct. 15 to Apr. 15 no longer than 48 hours.

RVs may be stored outside all year in Residential Districts per the following:

• There is not more than one RV.
• The RV is stored or parked on a hard surface.
• The RV is stored/parked inside, in the rear yard, or interior side yard.

Enforcement will start this fall. Please call the Building & Zoning Office at 630.377.4406 with questions.

Restoring Langum Woods

The City Tree Commission’s Langum Woods restoration project needs your help! Workdays are scheduled for the last Saturday of each month beginning in September. Volunteers cut, clear, and work toward restoration of the woods. Call Public Works at 630.377.4405 for details.

Helping Trees

The City’s tree program plants a number of trees around the city each spring and fall. We are asking for everyone’s help in caring for these new trees. Please consider helping us keep them watered throughout the summer to ensure the trees flourish and benefit your neighborhoods for years to come. Contact Ben Deutsch, (630) 377-4459/bdeutsch@stcharlesil.gov, with questions or for more information.

Refuse News

The following refuse pricing schedule for single family service became effective on July 1, 2007:

• Stickers - $2.19 ea.
• Bags - $2.26 ea.
• 1/2 size Bags - $1.12 ea.
• Yardwaste Bags - $2.03 ea.
• 60 Gallon Toter - $14.22/mo.
• 90 Gallon Toter - $18.46/mo.

Multi-family service now costs $5.29 per month for weekly collection.

Please call Veolia at 630.587.8282 with refuse and recycling service questions. Please call Cliff White, Environmental Services Superintendent, at 630.377.4405 with questions about the City’s contract with Veolia and the pricing schedule.

Give Your Appliances a Vacation

Your home uses too much electricity, even while you’re on vacation. VCRs, TVs, clock radios, computers, and microwaves, use energy if they’re plugged in—even if they’re turned off. Also:

• Turn up the temperature on your air conditioner thermostat before you leave.
• Switch your water heater to “low” or turn it off.
• Remove perishables from your refrigerator and turn it up a few degrees.
• Connect lights to timers to deter thieves and turn the rest off.

City Auction

The 2007 City Auction will be held October 20 at the Public Works garage (entrances off Rte. 25/Riverside Ave. and 7th Ave.). The auction will begin at 9 a.m.; viewing will begin at 8 a.m. A listing of auction items and photos will be posted online at www.stcharlesil.gov/fi closer to the event. Please call (630) 762-7070 or email cbenson@stcharlesil.gov for information.

2007 50/50 Parkway Tree Program

The City is again offering trees for planting in the parkways through its “50/50 Parkway Tree Planting Program.” The City’s tree consultant will plant the trees in late October/early November. Trees average 2” in diameter and are delivered bare root. Species may vary upon availability. Residents who order a tree will receive a letter informing them how to care for their new tree. Each tree is covered by a one-year warranty (call 630.762.6938 if the tree dies or looks unhealthy). Orders may be mailed or delivered using the order blank, along with a check or money order payable to the City of St. Charles, sent to the Utility Billing Office, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174. Orders will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Sept. 14. Please contact Ben Deutsch at 630.377.4459 or bdeutsch@stcharlesil.gov with questions.

Welcome New Businesses to St. Charles!

Remember to shop local and visit www.stcharlesill.gov/edd for a complete, searchable listing of local businesses.

Your advice, suggestions and questions are valued and encouraged by the Mayor and City Council. Click here to link to an online feedback form, visit our Customer Service Request system, or email the Mayor or City Administrator directly at cao@stcharlesil.gov/.