Photos are courtesy of Orin Trademan and Trademan Photography located in St. Charles

The picturesque view from the west bank of the Fox River.

Attendees wait patiently for the ceremonial ribbon to be cut.

Attendees wait patiently for the ceremonial ribbon to be cut.

Attendees wait patiently for the ceremonial ribbon to be cut.

Members of Sammy’s Bicycle Club were out in force to support the event.

Forest Preserve District President John Hoscheit addresses the crowd.

Former Mayor Don DeWitte addresses the crowd.

Mayor Ray Rogina addresses the crowd.

Pictured (l-r) are Public Works Director Mark Koenen, Mayor Rogina, Marilin Solomon (Illinois Department of Transportation), Tom Rickert (Kane County Department of Transportation), Jim Bernahl (St. Charles Public Works), and Carl Schoedel (Kane County Department of Transportation)

Pictured (l-r) are Forest Preserve District President John Hoscheit, Kane County Board Member Mark Davoust, grandson of Mark Davoust, Former Mayor Don DeWitte, Mayor Rogina, Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen, and Kane County Board Member Phil Lewis.

Pictured (l-r) are St. Charles Public Works Director Mark Koenen, Forest Preserve District President John Hoscheit, Former Mayor Don DeWitte, City Administrator Brian Townsend, Mayor Ray Rogina, and the members of the St. Charles City Council.

A view of the bike-pedestrian bridge from the west side.

The view of the roadway and bicycle-pedestrian bridge over the Fox River.

2012 marks the first full year that the Fire Department no longer served areas outside the City limits.

The St. Charles Fire Department recently released its 2012 Annual Report. The report provides information regarding service to the community and highlights department activities.

The Fire Department responded to 4,217 calls for service in 2012, a decrease from 4,511 in 2011 and the 10-year high of 5,215 in 2006. The main reason for the decline is that the City’s fire department no longer provides service to the area of the St. Charles Countryside Fire Protection District (now called Fox River & Countryside Fire & Rescue District). That area typically generated about 20% of the total calls for service or approximately 1,000 calls annually. The service agreement terminated May 1, 2011 and 2012 marks the first full year that the City did not serve District residents.

During 2012, calls for emergency medical services represented 60% of all calls for the department. This is by far the largest category of need of St. Charles residents.

The Fire Department also handled 157 fires in 2012, representing approximately 4% of all calls for service. The majority of those fires were structure fires with the balance consisting of vehicle fire, brush fires, dumpster fires, grass/brush fires, and cooking/chimney fires.

St. Charles maintains 3 fire stations. Station #1 (located downtown on Riverside Avenue) was the busiest station, handling 1,591 calls. This station maintains sufficient daily staffing to operate 1 ladder truck and 1 command vehicle.

Station #2 (on Industrial Drive) handled 1,458 calls. This station maintains sufficient daily staffing to operate 1 engine and 1 ambulance.

Station #3 (on Campton Hills Road) handled 1,168 calls. This station maintains sufficient daily staffing to operate 1 engine and 1 ambulance.

Other highlights of the report include:

• July was the busiest month of the year during 2012 when 427 calls for service were received. February was the slowest month of the year with 290 calls for service.
• Sunday was the busiest day of the week with 632 incidents. Wednesday was the slowest day of the week with 584 incidents.
• The busiest hours of the day for the fire department in 2012 were from 10 am – 6 pm with the peak hour for calls being 10 am – 11 am.

In 2013, the St. Charles Fire Department is expected to be accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). CFAI provides for a comprehensive self-assessment and evaluation model that enables fire and emergency service organizations to examine past, current, and future service levels and performance and compare them to industry best practices. For more information on the accreditation process, you can click here.

The men and women of the Fire Department continue to provide exemplary service to the St. Charles community. For more information, or to review the fire department’s annual report in detail, please click here.

Former Fire Chief Patrick Mullen (left) and Acting Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet at the dedication of Fire Station #1.

Joe Schelstreet has been serving as Acting Fire Chief of the St. Charles Fire Department since November of 2012. Mr. Schelstreet has been recommended to be appointed to the permanent position of Fire Chief and the City Council will consider his appointment on Monday, June 17th.

The decision to appoint Mr. Schelstreet to the position of Fire Chief was made after careful consideration of many factors, including the qualifications and responsibilities of the position and his performance as Acting Chief for the past 6 months. Assistant Chief Schelstreet meets the qualifications, has provided exemplary service to the department and the community for many years, and has the skills and abilities to lead the department into the future.

Schelstreet began his service to the residents of St. Charles in 1988 as a Firefighter. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1992, Captain in 1997, and Assistant Chief in 2003. Schelstreet has a Bachelors Degree from Southern Illinois University, a Masters Degree in Management and Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University, and a Masters Degree in Fire and Emergency Management from Oklahoma State University.

Schelstreet takes the reins of the department after the retirement of Patrick Mullen in November, 2012.

In the coming months, Schelstreet will be expected to oversee several important initiatives for the City of St. Charles. Those include:

• Completion of the accreditation process for the Fire Department. Accreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) is a comprehensive self-assessment and evaluation model that enables fire and emergency service organizations to examine past, current, and future service levels and performance and compare them to industry best practices.
• Complete contract negotiations with the union that represents firefighters.
• Represent St. Charles on the Tri-Com 911 Board of Directors.
• Provide oversight and administration of the Tri-City Ambulance cooperative.
• Maintain the high quality of fire and emergency medical services for the community.
• Work collaboratively with neighboring fire departments and other emergency services agencies.

I hope that residents will join me at the June 17th City Council meeting to congratulate Joe Schelstreet on his promotion to Fire Chief and wish him well in his new position.

The City is investigating if it has any authority over this practice. In the meantime, residents who do not want the newspapers delivered are encouraged to:

A view of the newly opened pedestrian crossing of the Red Gate Bridge.

The Red Gate Bridge Pedestrian/Bicycle crossing opened May 24 for use by the general public and is getting great reviews from walkers, joggers, and bikers!

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the pedestrian/bicycle crossing of the Red Gate Bridge has been scheduled for Saturday, June 15, 8 a.m., at the west entrance near Illinois Route 31. All are welcome to attend to see Mayor Ray Rogina, former Mayor Don DeWitte, and Forest Preserve President John Hoscheit cut the ceremonial ribbon.

The pedestrian bridge forms the lower deck of the Red Gate Bridge and connects to the Fox River Trail on the east side of the river.  On the west, it joins a path that connects to the Great Western Trail. It also links the Kane County Fox River Bluff West Forest Preserve and Kane County Dog Park near Illinois Route 31.

You can view photos of the crossing here, including some great vistas.

If you have photos of your visit to the Red Gate Bridge, you can upload it to your Flickr account; then send the link to info@stcharlesil.gov. We’ll add it to the Red Gate Bridge Gallery.

Please remember that the crossing is for everyone to enjoy – cyclists, joggers, and walkers. Please be courteous of others. And, remember that pedestrians and cyclists are only allowed on the pedestrian crossing. No pedestrians are allowed on the Red Gate Bridge roadway.

Just a few short years ago, the City would sell most of its surplus items at an auction that was held at the Public Works facility. The City would gather all of the accumulated items, hire an auctioneer, and conduct a live auction on a Saturday morning. That process resulted in a limited audience, required an auctioneer to be hired, and was very time-consuming for staff.

Today, the City of St. Charles has joined the growing list of public agencies nationwide that is selling surplus items on-line. St. Charles uses PublicSurplus.com as the preferred site for disposal of a variety of items including vehicles, clothing, bicycles, office equipment, and electronics. PublicSurplus.com is unique in that it was created specifically for public agencies and the items that they need to sell. St. Charles is one of over 60 Illinois-based agencies that includes cities, counties, school districts, park district, and community colleges to use PublicSurplus.com

Anyone interested in bidding on items must register as a user. The process is easy to complete and you can do so here. Once registered, users can sign up to receive e-mail notifications regarding categories of items that they are interested in.

Nearly all surplus equipment, vehicles, unclaimed, lost, and stolen property is sold via on-line auctions to the highest bidder.  If you are interested in reviewing items that St. Charles currently has available for sale, please click here.

If you have any questions regarding the city’s on-line auction process or would like more information, please contact Mike Shortall in the city’s Purchasing & Inventory Control Division at (630) 377-4471. Mike can also be reached via e-mail at mshortall@stcharlesil.gov

Among the groups that donate their time, talent, and resources are City of St. Charles employees. Both individually and collectively, the 303 employees of the City make a tremendous impact within St. Charles’ borders and beyond. Last year, City employees donated more than $11,000 in contributions and gifts and worked countless volunteer hours to support more than 50 local and national non-profit organizations.

“We hear about City employees who go above and beyond in their jobs every day,” said Kathy Livernois, Director of Human Resources at the City. “But the success of the City-organized charity initiatives year after year shows how City staff members serve the community on a personal level too.  These employees reflect compassion, unselfish caring, and generosity in their giving of time and contributions.”

Throughout the year, the City conducts several philanthropic programs including:

• Giving Friday

Employees make charitable donations of $6 or more to dress casually at work two Fridays each month. Proceeds from each “Giving Friday” benefit a named charity.

• Combined Charities

Employees donate to various charities through payroll deductions.

• The Giving Tree

Holiday gifts are donated for families in need.

• Neighbors in Need

Contributions help St. Charles residents in need pay their utility bills.

• Christmas in July

Needed items are donated to local animal rescue organizations.

• Blood Drives, Bake Sales, Food Bank Collections

• Fire Department

Organizes and participates in Fill the Boot, Seniors Holiday Dinner, and the Holiday Toy Drive.

• Police Department

Organizes and participates in Cop on Top, Tip a Cop, Polar Plunge, and the Annual Golf Outing to Support Special Olympics Illinois.

Some of the local organizations and events that are impacted by the contributions or volunteerism of City employees:

• Bob Leonard Riverwalk 5K Run/Walk
• CASA Kane County
• Community Contacts, Inc.
• Community Crisis Center
• Fox Valley Hospice
• Holiday Homecoming Electric Parade
• Kane County Juvenile Drug Court
• Kiwanis
• Lazarus House
• Area Lions Clubs
• Moose Charities
• Mutual Ground
• Northern Illinois Food Bank
• Riverfest
• Rotary Club of St. Charles
• Rover Rescue
• Scarecrow Fest
• Special Olympics of Illinois
• St. Patrick’s Parade
• Tri-City Family Services

Many individuals and organizations work together to make St. Charles so special. As public servants, St. Charles employees help define how our community looks and feels—its safety, security, comfort, convenience, and vitality. As members of the greater St. Charles community, they demonstrate a commitment to consistently help where there is a need.

Municipal officials from Kane, Kendall, and DeKalb counties take time for a photo after a meeting with Governor Quinn.

On Wednesday, May 14th, representatives from area cities and villages traveled to Springfield to participate in the annual legislative day activities of the MetroWest Council of Governments. City officials went to Springfield to discuss a variety of issues with state legislators and other state government officials; however, there was one issue that dominated conversations – the plan put forth to reduce the revenue that the state shares with local governments.

At the present time, the State of Illinois collects and redistributes approximately $1 billion in income tax receipts to local governments (cities and villages), based on population. St. Charles receives approximately $3 million annually and uses the funds to support services provided to the community, including police, fire, and public works.

There have been proposals submitted to reduce the local government share of the income tax. Implementation of the proposal could lead to a reduction in City services or higher local taxes.

During the 2-day event, I was able to meet with area Senators Karen McConnaughay and Jim Oberweis as well as area Representatives Tim Schmitz and Mike Fortner. In addition, I met with Senate President John Cullerton and Elgin-area Senator Mike Noland. Many of those legislators understand that the income tax revenue is important to St. Charles and were supportive of the City’s position to maintain the local share. Some believe that the “transfer out” of state income tax revenue is something that needs to be reconsidered, given the state’s fiscal situation.

You can learn more about this critical issue by clicking here.

MetroWest representatives also met with representatives of the Illinois Municipal League, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The meetings with state agencies focused on programs that cities can participate in and rules or regulations being proposed by agency staff.

One of the highlights of the trip was a meeting with Governor Pat Quinn. MetroWest representatives were able to meet with the Governor to discuss the recent flooding and the state disaster declaration, state programs to assist cities with building or modernization of water system facilities, pension reform, and the local share of the state income tax. The Governor listened carefully to what City mayors, aldermen, and other officials had to say.

St. Charles residents are encouraged to contact the Governor and state legislators to express their opinion on legislation being considered in Springfield. Contact information is available on the City website here.

Over the past few years, technology has rapidly changed and new methods of communication have been implemented by forward-thinking organizations. St. Charles has changed the way that it communicates with stakeholders, including the deployment of Facebook, Twitter, e-mail list serves, blogs, and RSS feeds. All have been well-received by constituents who have also adopted new ways to communicate with their co-workers, family, and friends.

The City has been able to embrace more electronic communication efforts with efficiency. As part of the continued evolution of the City’s overall communication strategy, the City of St. Charles has launched a new mobile application. It is called St. Charles Connect and is currently available on iOS and Android platforms. It will be available on the other operating systems – Blackberry and Windows – very soon.

St. Charles Connect is a real-time, mobile tool that gives citizens direct access to the City of St. Charles right from their smartphones. Residents can download the free mobile app and the intuitive design makes it easy to report an issue, such as a broken streetlight, or to request services from the City. Users can also get important City news and other information through the application.

St. Charles Connect enables a user to select a Report Type from a pre-populated list developed by a team of City employees. Once a Report Type is selected, additional comments can be added and a photo or video attached to the report. The mobile device’s global positioning system (GPS) functionality will automatically append accurate location information to the report.

The City encourages civic engagement and recognizes the value of mobile technology in quickly resolving issues, while saving both time and money. With St. Charles Connect, everyone can contribute to continuing St. Charles’ reputation as the Pride of the Fox.

Get St. Charles Connect now at the Play Store or App Store! Look for it on the Windows Store and Blackberry World soon!

You can also visit the City’s website for more information.

Until 2011, 10% of all income tax collected was put into the state’s Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF). Starting on January 1, 2011, the state increased the income tax rate, but lowered the local portion to 6% in order to keep all the new revenue in the state budget. Revenue in the LGDF is periodically allocated to municipalities on a per capita basis.

House Bill 961 was proposed to ensure the timely distribution of LGDF funds to local governments. Commonly referred to as “LGDF Direct Deposit,” this statutory change would require that the municipal portion of tax revenue be deposited immediately and directly into the LGDF, and then promptly paid to municipalities, without the need for intervening transfer, removing the opportunity to force a loan from the local governments to the state.

I am pleased to report that the Illinois House of Representatives has approved House Bill 961, which requires the direct deposit of LGDF (income tax) revenue to cities and counties.

Special thanks to Representatives Mike Fortner and Kay Hatcher for serving as co-sponsors to HB 961.

House Bill 961 now goes to the Illinois Senate for its consideration. Please consider contacting your State Senator and asking for their support for HB 961. You can obtain contact information here.