City Council Roundup: Garbage Info, Deadlines for Sign-ups, Recycling Event, Early Voting

UPDATE: 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21

The City of Elmhurst released an announcement Thursday evening stating that City Hall will, in fact, be an early-voting location for the April Consolidated Election. Previous information shared at the Tuesday, Feb. 19, City Council meeting is no longer valid. Information below has been updated to reflect the correct information.

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Among other business, aldermen at the Feb. 19 City Council meeting:

• were reminded to check their mailboxes for information on the new garbage program. Third Ward Alderman Michael Bram clarified that the price listed on the card, $14.93 per month for the 65-gallon tote and $20.70 per month for the 95-gallon tote, is not in addition to what residents currently pay, but the total monthly fee, which is lower than what residents currently pay.
• learned the city is partnering with the Park District for disposal of residents' old blue recycling bins when the new 65-gallon recycling totes are delivered. Residents can either keep their old bins for recycling overflow, or drop them off at City Hall, 209 N. York; Berens Park, 493 Oaklawn Ave.; or York Commons Pool, 655 S. York. To dispose of an old garbage can, make a large X on the can with masking tape, write "Please dispose of this can" on the tape and set it on the curb on garbage day.
• learned the Elmhurst Police Department is still accepting sign-ups for its spring Citizens Police Academy. The free, 12-week program begins Wednesday, March 13. Applications are available online.
• learned Elmhurst City Hall will again be a site for early voting for the April Consolidated Election. DuPage County registered voters can vote early in the council chambers, 209 N. York St., from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, March 25-April 6. Based on previous information from the DuPage Election Commission, it was announced at the regular meeting of the Elmhurst City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 19, and in the upcoming edition of the Front Porch newsletter that City Hall would not be an early voting site, but that information is no longer valid.
• heard Mary Queen of Heaven Church, 426 N. West Ave., will host an electronics and recycling event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23. "It covers just about everything you can think of," Alderman Norman Leader said. Contact Matthew Williamson at (630) 215-8611 or ngvdesigns@yahoo.com.
• learned there will be a 4th Ward Town Hall meeting with aldermen Steve Hipskind and Kevin York at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Elmhurst Police Station, 125 E. First St.
• were reminded the last day to sign up to march in the Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day parade is Saturday, Feb. 23. For an application, click here.
• were questioned by resident Claude Pagacz about the city's marketing campaign without having measurable results. Chamber CEO John Quigley thanked the council for the money, said statistical data is at a minimum, but cited high click-through rates for the online "shop local" ad. He said the money is used for print, web and direct mail marketing, event sponsorships, promotions, product giveaways and more. He said since 2011, sales tax revenue has exceeded expectations by more than $1.5 million.
• learned from Quigley that the city and chamber will host a mayoral forum at Angelo's Restaurant Wednesday, March 20. More details to come.

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