That Was the Year That Was!

The year 2005 has gone by "fast and furious." Here is a list of highlights accomplished by our village government in the past twelve months:

1. Awarded contracts to construct our trace radium removal facilities at Wells #3 and #4.
2. Received official notice of $475,100 EPA grant award.
3. B and B agreed to build 2 new ballfields in Blackberry Creek subdivision at no additional cost to village.
4. Mayor elected NIPC Commissioner representing Kane County municipalities.
5. Purchased Ing-Dodson commercial lot on E. North Street.
6. Signed 3-year contracts for future audits and mosquito control.
7. Signed 1-year contract with Tri-City Family Services for employee assistance programs.
8. Received tobacco enforcement grant to conduct underage cigarette checks.
9. Published local history book "Sidewalks of Elburn" by Marilyn Robinson.
10. Increased water rates to pay for mandated trace radium removal commitments.
11. Joined new Metro-West Council of Governments.
12. Fred Tichenor selected Kane County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
13. Police canine officer Brian Schopp and partner Akron retired from police department and recognized for years of service.
14. Held multi-day Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) planning workshop.
15. Officer Jeff Herra received award from the Alliance Against Intoicated Motorists.
16. Approved new GASB-34 Capital Assets Policy.
17. Fred Tichenor honored as Red Cross Hometown Hero finalist.
18. Village of Elburn nominated for a Red Cross Hometown Hero category.
19. John Krukoff and Cathleen Weiland appointed to Planning Commisssion.
20. Mayor's blog recognized by National League of Cities.
21. Made critical Metra temporary access decision with significant concerned citizen input.
22. Planted trees and held Arbor Day ceremony.
23. Modified itinerant merchants ordinance.
24. Repealed massage ordinance to comply with new state law.
25. Adopted water conservation ordinance with year-round, odd-even lawn watering enforcement.
26. Approved outdoor police shooting range agreements with neighboring departments.
27. Police department raised significant "loose change" contributions for Special Olympics.
28. Paved Johnson Street extension south to Keslinger Road.
29. Completed first $100,000 sidewalk replacement project focusing on bus stops, missing links, and southeast side.
30. Authorized purchase of two new Ford Crown Victoria squad cars.
31. Acquired future shallow well site within unincorporated Blackberry Ridge development.
32. Police Commander Steve Smith hired and sworn in.
33. Approved operations and maintainence agreement with Metra for commuter parking lot.
34. Agreed to contribute and approved Metra station upgrades to go to bid.
35. Solved shooting incident within 72 hours with help from major crimes task force.
36. Managed severe drought throughout summer sometimes operating on one village deep well at a time.
37. Celebrated opening of new American Bank and Trust building on Main Street.
38. Elburn Leos group selected for international recognition for service project.
39. Federal TEA-LU bill containing $7.6 million for future Elburn bridge signed by President Bush in Montgomery.
40. Compton and Polivka "greenbelt" farms purchased by Kane County for future forest preserves.
41. Changed utility billing from quarterly to monthly based on resident feedback.
42. Managed Elburn Days Parade as a village function for the first time.
43. Completed community pool feasibilty study.
44. Completed Well #4 installation with new higher capacity well pump and motor.
45. Approved contracts with US Census Bureau for special census in early 2006.
46. Offered and agreed to sponsor Lt. Governor Quinn's "Walk Across Illinois" program.
47. Awarded solid waste haulers 3-year contract to Waste Management holding the same price for next year with no stickers.
48. Mentored Philip Peterson's Eagle Scout "Victory Garden" project.
49. Replaced roof on Well House #3.
50. Replaced chemical scales at both Well #3 and #4.
51. Expressed displeasure with Campton Hills incorporation initiative that has the potential to seriously threaten our long-standing planning area.
52. Awarded Community Water System Vulnerablity Analysis study to Rempe-Sharpe.
53. Completed second $80,000 sidewalk replacement program because weather cooperated and funds were available.
54. Ordered 2 new snow plows for the public works department replacing "Old Green" for the third time.
55. Awarded SCADA design contract to Rempe-Sharpe.
56. Approved Jewel redesigned architectural upgrades as a minor PUD change with high hopes for store opening in late 2006.
57. Approved and began WWTP west ditch, clarifier and sludge holding tank diffuser repairs.
58. Mayors' blog included in Harvard's "Government Innovators" network.
59. Approved new Resident Parking Protection District on southeast side.
60. Urban Land magazine published article recognizing Elburn for using transit oriented and conservation oriented development to control growth.
61. Held joint Veterans Day parade and ceremony with our American Legion Post.
62. Conditionally approved Kirk Homes "Welch Fields" concept plan on northwest side.
63. CNN/Money magazine designated Elburn as "best residential bet" in "Great Lakes Horseshoe" megapolitan region.
64. Completed 10,510 lineal feet of street asphalt crack sealing.
65. Celebrated "Bucky Beaver" while he was with us, and told the truth of his demise.
66. Approved and awarded first village fascade grants to Express Evaluations for window and awning improvements.
67. Approved change in Meadows Phase 2 senior housing from apartments to condominiums.
68. Approved proposal to excavate Prairie Park pond that dried out during summer drought.
69. Approved 3-year lease with our American Legion Post to rent office space for special census and future office space needs.
70. Amended holiday schedule to provide 12 holidays for village employees.
71. Replaced 209 MXU batteries for radio remote water meter reading.
72. Completed conversion to GASB-34 audit standards requiring complete statement of assets in place, including 14.4 miles of water mains, 13.1 miles of streets, 17.3 miles of sanitary sewers, 13.8 miles of storm sewers, and 19.6 miles of sidewalks. These figures do not include any new infrastructure added in the Blackberry Creek subdivision.

I could go on, but let's just stop there. This list represents more than one significant accomplishment each week in 2005. All of this happens because many fine people work together to get things done in Elburn.

I am thankful for the efforts of all our department heads and employees. I am especially thankful for the dedication of our village trustees who represent and support the efforts of this wonderful organization and community.

The year 2006 will be filled with opportunity, challenge and promise. It will be a very interesting year in Elburn. Happy New Year, everyone!