Village Voice Winter 2013

the

Village VoiceThe Community’s Public Information Source

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

- Mayor’s Message- Lake Michigan Water- 2012-2013 Goals- Department Updates- Cost Savings Efforts- Contact Us

WINTER 2013 VILLAGE OF WAUCONDA NEWS

Mayor’s MessageThe Village Board, staff and I would like to wish all a happy, healthy, and safe New Year. This is an excellent time to pause and take a moment to look back and reflect on all the amazing activities and accomplishments that we have witnessed in our wonderful Village during the past year. (Although, quite honestly, I find it difficult to adequately summarize all that has gone on in this small space!)

The Village Board and staff have focused on forming a true partnership with our residents, and together we have been working through the most devastating economic downturn of the past eighty years. I am proud to say that the result is a developing, vibrant, and growing community, which is the talk of the entire region! As the President of the Lake County Municipal League for the last three years I have witnessed Wauconda’s reputation and image continue to grow as a leader in the development of Western Lake County.

Your Village Board and staff have kept our promise to you by reducing costs wherever possible while maintaining all the core services you expect and implementing innovative new ideas and projects that make

Wauconda the unique ‘go to’ community that it is today! As always, communication is a key component in your Village’s operations. I hope you will join me in reading our weekly e-news which contains the latest up-to-date information on how your Village works. If you do not already receive this valuable electronic newsletter, sign up on the Village website to have it delivered to your inbox each week. We have added a new regular section on ways we are working to save taxpayer dollars entitled ‘Watching Your Dollars With Sense’!

Just one example of recent cost savings is that of newly appointed Village Administrator Zaida Torres. Ms. Torres has added the responsibilities of the Village’s highest appointed position while still functioning as the Village’s Director of Finance and Treasurer. We are fortunate to have employees that are willing to give 110% and take on added responsibilities to help save the Village the burden of additional salaries. The Board will continue its efforts to be mindful of each line item in the Village budget, preparing a balanced budget for next year and focusing on savings measures wherever they can be found.

The significance of the passage of the Lake Michigan Water referendum question alone cannot be overstated. Not only have the residents’ vote secured a sustainable clean water supply for the community into the future, but as the only community that asked its residents to vote on the issue, it is just another example of Wauconda leading the way among our neighboring communities.

Again, I want to thank all the residents that voted in the November election and made their voices heard on this critical issue. We feel it is vitally important to keep residents and business leaders informed on the progress being made in bringing Lake Michigan water to the Village. To that end, we have added a special section to the Village website and...

(Continued on next page)

Mayor’s Message, Con’t .a second edition of our e-news that highlights every aspect and each step on this major construction project. All of our courageous voters and tax payers can now watch the next steps which will include critical negotiations that will help reduce the total cost of the project!

I would like to thank the Wauconda Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for agreeing to create the position of Village Liaison, which will be staffed by Economic Development Coordinator Debra Ogorzaly. This position will give the Village and Chamber an additional communications conduit to work as a cohesive unit to continue the amazing growth of our community.

This strengthened tie to the Business Community, along with our Economic Advisory Group, Industrial Park Alliance, Business Summits, and all our tremendous Volunteer and Community Service Organizations help strengthen our community each and every day. As Mayor, I could not be more proud of what the Village has become.

Please take the time to read this edition of the Village Voice to find a summary of some of the exciting events and happenings of the past year and a glimpse of what is to come. We would love to hear your feedback. Please visit the Village website and click on the ‘Contact Us’ link in the top right corner to share your thoughts and ideas – and remember…

As a result of the passage of the Lake Michigan Water referendum question on the November 6th ballot, the Village of Wauconda continues to work towards bringing Lake Michigan water to the community as the main source of potable water.

Internal Village committee meetings have been held to create an overarching strategic plan to prepare for all future phases of this immense project. Initial engineering (and cost estimates) for the project were completed when the Village was considering many different water supply options. Some of the options required that the water be delivered to the Village boundaries at two different delivery points in order to maintain adequate pressure in the water system, while other source options would have required only one delivery point.

All of the options were still viable alternatives when the issue was presented to the voters, so, in order to present the most accurate portrayal of what the project could ultimately entail, the most expensive practical alternative was presented for approval. Village officials presented the ‘worst case scenario’ to voters so that unanticipated cost add-ons would not result in the project going over budget.

Recently the Village narrowed its focus to two source options: the Northwest Water Commission (NWC)

and the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (CLCJAWA). The NWC was formed in 1957 to provide water to its municipal members of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine and Wheeling. CLCJAWA was formed in 1986 and is composed of nine members representing 12 communities in Lake County (Grayslake, Lake Bluff, Libertyville, Knollwood, Mundelein, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights, Round Lake Park, Roundout, Vernon Hills, and Wildwood).

The Village has been conferring with both groups to determine which will be most advantageous for the Village and its customers but it appears as though either source will require only one delivery point to receive the water, and therefore over a mile and a half of water transmission main and a complex ground reservoir and pumping system can be eliminated from the initial project plan. Preliminary estimates indicate that this reduction could eliminate approximately six million dollars from the total cost of the project.

Final selection of the water source option will be dependent on cost of the project and other elements such as ownership in the system, relationships with the host agency, conditions for water acquisition, benefit of the residents of the Village, and final product.

To follow the progress of this important project, check the Village website or sign up to receive the Village e-newsletter delivered right to your inbox! PAGE 2

”Together ,we can make a difference!”

Lake Michigan Water UpdateWater Source Selection May Help the Project Come in Under Budget

PAGE 3

Department ofAdministration/Finance

In the spring of 2012, the Mayor, Village Board members, staff, and members of the Economic Advisory Committee worked with Dr. Lew Bender to formulate the Village’s Strategic Plan for 2012-13. The plan includes four major goals, ten strategies and fifty-four specific tasks to complete by the end of the fiscal year.

Many articles in this edition of the Village Voice reflect the projects associated with this important planning tool, which consists of the following components:

Developing ‘user friendly’ approaches for improving customer service and attracting/retaining businesses, which includes the possible development of an Economic Development Steering Committee.

Developing extensive external and internal marketing and community communications by creating and implementing new marketing and promotional plans which include identifying the Village’s role in community events, business promotion, and relationships with other local organizations.

Developing a comprehensive land integration and usage plan that supports our community and economic infrastructure which includes an update of Village building and development ordinances.

Maintaining efficient and effective Village Operations by continue efforts to maintain and improve Village financial stability, reengineering staffing levels to meet the current and foreseeable future needs of the Village and enhancing environmental initiatives. To read more about the current Village Strategic Plan and a November report detailing progress toward completion of the specific tasks, visit the Village Communications section of our website at www.wauconda-il.gov.

Wauconda’s 2012-2013 Strategic Plan

On November 27th, the Village Board appointed Village Treasurer and Finance Director, Zaida Torres, to the role of Village Administrator. Zaida had been acting in the Village’s lead role on an interim basis since early October. Ms. Torres graduated with distinction from the University of DeVry, Keller Graduate School of Management, with a Master’s degree in Financial and Accounting Management. She has over fifteen years of senior management experience in the fields of public administration, finance and human resources and has been employed by the Village since 2004. During her tenure in Wauconda, Zaida has earned increasingly responsible roles and responsibilities reaching her position as the Village of Wauconda’s Treasurer and Director of Finance, Human Resources, Risk Management and Information Technology. Ms. Torres will continue to serve in her financial capacities while serving as Village Administrator.

Zaida Torres Named as Village Administrator

GOALS

PAGE 4

The Village Administrative and Finance Departments work closely together on all matters to enact the decisions and policies directed by the Mayor and Village Board. During 2012, one major accomplishment was the conversion to a monthly water and sewer billing schedule. The monthly schedule had been frequently requested by residents, and will allow our customers to better plan and budget for this ongoing expense, identify leaks within their systems more quickly, and more accurately track water usage on a monthly basis. The new cycle also allows the Village to have more consistent cash flow and improve financial accountability with invoicing and receipts being handled in the same calendar month. The Department is now investigating the feasibility of adding a direct debit option, for customers that request the service. More information will be shared with our customers on this enhancement in the coming months.

Over the past year, the Board has been focused on significantly improving communication with our residents and business owners. To that end, Board agendas have been re-formatted to allow meeting attendees to better understand the municipal operations process, and at the end of the fiscal year (April 30th) the first “State of the Village” Town Hall Meeting was held, which featured a Village-wide Annual Report summarizing the condition of the Village; major projects and achievements; and future

Administration/Finance, Con’t .

An Overview...

For the fourth consecutive year, the Village of Wauconda received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Award for Excellence in Government Finance, recognizing Wauconda’s contributions “to the practice of government finance and promotion of public awareness of municipal policies and practices that enhance sound financial management of public resources.” The Certificate of Achievement was established to encourage and assist

state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that support the spirit of transparency and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal. “We are extremely proud to have the GFOA recognize our efforts four years in a row,” said Mayor Mark F. Knigge. “Under the leadership of Finance Director Zaida Torres we share this recognition for an excellent budget presentation that is meaningful, organized, and of such high standards.”

Wauconda Receives GFOA Award

GOALS

goals. Staff has also expanded the use of the Village website, electronic newsletter, and social media outlets such as Facebook. One of the goals included in this year’s strategic plan for the Village is to launch a new automated timekeeping/payroll system for Village employees. The first component of the project has been completed with the installation of new state-of-the-art time clocks. The new payroll system will promote efficiency and accountability, offer better internal controls, reduce cost for payroll processing by dramatically reducing time consuming manual entry and allow better management of employee overtime.

As preparation of the 2013/2014 budget continues, Finance Department staff reviews expenditures on a daily basis to assure that the Village remains in compliance with the Board policy of retaining a reserve that will cover at least one month of regular expenses. Staff anticipates being able to deliver another balanced budget for 2013/2014, and has been able to put funds aside in a Capital Reserve account for unanticipated emergency expenses such as major infrastructure repair or replacement. Administration will continue to plan to address the future operational needs of the Village including major necessary water reclamation facility enhancements, and a projected budget deficit. With the passage of the Lake Michigan water referendum, staff also plans to provide strict oversight during construction, and carefully monitor all financial aspects of this large and complex project.

PAGE 5

Department ofEnvironmental Quality

Protect Our Watershed During the Winter Months As snow and ice melt, they naturally drain into area wetlands and Bangs Lake. Even water that enters the storm sewers eventually drains directly to these environmentally sensitive areas. As such, please use salt and other de-icers sparingly and follow these tips to help protect our watershed:

Shovel or use a snow blower before you use any de-icing product. Use just enough de-icing product to keep areas clear; do not over-apply. Sweep up un-dissolved de-icer and use during the next snowfall.

Over the last several years, weather conditions were ideal in Bangs Lake for the rapid growth and spread of the aquatic plants Eurasian Water Milfoil and Curly Leaf Pondweed. These two plant species are classified as non-native, invasive, exotic aquatic plants. They have the ability to take over the lake, not only crowding out high quality native plant species, but also inhibiting recreational activities. The Environmental Committee, the Bangs Lake Advisory Committee, and Village staff have been working hard to determine the future of aquatic plant control in Bangs Lake.

For many years, the Village has controlled the aquatic plants through mechanical harvesting (weed cutting). In order for a different method to be used, the Village is required to formally enter into consultation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for the purposes of obtaining the appropriate recommendations and authorizations. In order to engage in the consultation process, the Village hired an environmental consultant to develop a lake management/conservation plan which will be submitted to IDNR along with other required documentation.

This plan will evaluate the conditions in the lake and channels, identify problems, and offer prioritized solutions. The plan will span multiple years and will address aquatic plant control options, including potential use of herbicides. It will allow the Village flexibility in choosing the appropriate control method from year-to-year.

The goal of the plan is to properly and thoroughly evaluate Bangs Lake and determine the best courses of action necessary to establish and maintain the delicate balance between aquatic plants, animals, and other elements so that Bangs Lake remains a healthy and viable body of water for year round active and passive recreation.

The IDNR has stated that the average turnaround time for review is seven months. As a result, mechanical harvesting will continue during the 2013 season. The harvesting plan currently in use was developed in partnership with Lake County Lakes Management unit several years ago. Based upon the results of a completed IDNR consultation, the earliest the Village may be able to implement other aquatic plant control options would be 2014, but this is heavily dependent upon funding availability.

With no funds available in the operating budget to hire a consultant, the Village Board decided that costs associated with the IDNR review would be funded through the recycling rebates the Village receives for its curbside and electronics recycling efforts. In addition, the Environmental Committee and staff will be working with the Bangs Lake Advisory Committee to determine if additional sources of funding may be available through community donations and public-private partnerships.

Bangs Lake Management Plan

BEFORE HARVESTING

AFTER HARVESTING

Environmental Quality, Con’t

PAGE 6

Strategic Plan Goal UpdateEach year, the Mayor, Board of Trustees, staff, and community stakeholders gather to update the Village’s Strategic Plan and identify new goal areas. This five-year plan defines a vision and direction for the Village and guides the Board’s decisions regarding the allocation of available resources to pursue the strategies and goals that were identified by the group. Here is an update on several key Environmental Quality Department goals to be completed by May 2013.

Formulate a Bangs Lake Management Plan - An environmental consultant has been charged with the development of a lake management plan. This plan will evaluate the conditions in the lake, identify problems, and offer prioritized solutions.

Initiate a communication platform for lakefront homeowner’s associations (HOAs) to share concerns, information, and best practices – The Board and staff have worked to complete the list of contacts for lakefront HOAs. An introductory letter was sent to evaluate interest in the formation of such a group. Staff will continue to attend the Bangs Lake Citizens Advisory Committee meetings to open the lines of communication. Additional steps will be taken in the spring.

Formulate a plan to implement the SWALCO 60% recycling initiative – The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) conducted a study and has developed a plan to increase recycling rates. Staff continues to educate the public through SWALCO’s ‘Recycle First.Trash Last.’ campaign. Staff is currently researching programs that may be of interest to the Village. These include food scrap recycling, back-to-basics recycling program, backyard composting, carpet recycling, and a recognition program for “green” businesses.

Complete local limits study – A local limits study evaluates the Village’s wastewater treatment plant and determines the level of pollutants that the plant can effectively treat. The plant receives domestic, commercial, and industrial wastewater. The results of the study will be used to revise the wastewater discharge limits that apply to industries. Setting limits protects the treatment plant and ensures that the Village can accommodate new business and growth of existing businesses. This study is in its final stages.

Reevaluate the Environmental Quality Department operations - The Director of Environmental Quality has also been serving as the Superintendent of Administration for the Public Works Department. Over the last several months, she has been relieved of a majority of her Public Works responsibilities so that she may focus her time and attention on Environmental Quality. Key Environmental Quality responsibilities are 1) lake management, 2) industrial pretreatment, 3) Superfund site oversight, and 4) sustainability/recycling initiatives.

Analyze and review current lake weed control program for possible program revision – This is being addressed in the lake management plan currently under development.

Bangs Lake Citizens Advisory CommitteeTo learn more about caring for the lake, environment, and the benefits of native plantings come join the Bangs Lake Advisory Committee at their quarterly meetings. Meetings are scheduled for Monday January 25th, May 20th, August 26th and November 25th at 7:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the Village Hall. For more information, please visit the Village’s website and click on “Community Links.”

GOALS

Recycle First. Trash Last.The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO) has launched a new county-wide recycling education campaign, “Recycle First. Trash Last.” The campaign aims to encourage residents to put the priority on recycling first, and defining what’s left as trash. By transitioning the mindset from one of pulling recyclables out of the trash to, ideally, pulling trash out of the recycling, we can make recycling a proactive part of people’s everyday habits.

The goal of this campaign is to encourage residents to view recyclable materials as valuable resources and reclaim them through recycling. While many residents in Lake County already do a good job of recycling, we can always do better. Visit www.RecycleFirstTrashLast.org to learn everything that can be recycled via the curbside program and to recycle from all rooms of the house, not just the kitchen. Recycling everything you can makes a real impact and is one of the easiest ways to help preserve the environment.

Residents in Lake County have access to single-stream recycling, which means no sorting of recyclables is required. Everything can be placed in the same container. For further details about recycling, the campaign and what you can and cannot recycle visit www.RecycleFirstTrashLast.org. You can also access a room-by-room recycling guideline at http://www.swalco.org/Recycling/Guidelines.

Recycling News

In addition to September’s Business Summit, the Mayor has hosted Industrial Alliance Breakfast meetings to help the Village better understand the needs of its industrial leaders. Meeting on the fourth Tuesday morning of every other month, special guests have included ComEd’s External Affairs Manager Diane Emerson who offered an overview of the company’s focus on minimizing outages that adversely affect our industrial partners, and IT specialist and consultant Mike Rice from Partner Tek, Inc., a firm that specializes in Information Technology solutions for small and mid-sized companies.

This month’s Industrial Alliance Breakfast Discussion was held on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. at the Wauconda Village Hall, 101 N. Main Street.

Join Us for the Next Industrial Alliance

Breakfast Discussion on March 26, 2013!

At the meeting, we were joined by Mark Denzler, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA). The IMA is the oldest and largest state manufacturing trade association in the United States. They currently represent nearly 4,000 companies and facilities that range from the Fortune 50 to small, family-owned shops. Also attending was Julie Riddel, Principal of the High School Tech Campus Program located next to the College of Lake County.

If your service, manufacturing, or commercial business is located in any of Wauconda’s industrial areas, please join us for the March 26th informative roundtable discussion!

PAGE 7

Department of Public Works

PAGE 8

It is an ongoing goal of the Mayor and Village Board to continue to find ways to save money, while still maintaining the same level of service to our residents in respect to our winter operations. The Village Board approved the decision to change the way Public Works maintains our streets by anti-icing and pre-wetting with brine.

Anti-icing is the practice of preventing the formation or development of bonded snow and ice by timely applications of a salt brine. This practice provides two major capabilities: the capability for maintaining roads in the best conditions possible during a winter storm, and the capability to do so in an efficient manner. Anti-icing has the potential to provide the benefit of increased traffic safety at the lowest cost.

This change has seen significant results. Historically the Village used approximately 3,000 tons of salt to maintain our roads, parking lots and sidewalks. At today’s prices, this would be a cost of $162,300. By converting our trucks and having the ability to make our own salt brine, we are now able to maintain our streets, parking areas and sidewalks with approximately 1,000 tons of salt at a cost of $54,100 - resulting in a savings of $108,200 annually.

Other advantages of using less salt are:

Storm inlets become less clogged due to the impurities in the salt. (This ensures our storm sewer system stays open to allow for proper drainage and less flooding and minimizes the need to continue to clean out the inlet and piping, enabling crews to concentrate on other issues.)

Salt stays on the street, so less salt used means less chlorides, minimizing the potential contamination of our streams, wetlands and lake.

Water, Sewer, Streets, and Water Reclamation Services

GOALS

Winter Operations and Cost Savings

The Village is also exploring the option of utilizing molasses as a means to further reduce the amount of salt needed to keep our roadways clear and safe for travel. Village Staff believes that the use of molasses will decrease the amount of salt currently used by approximately 10 percent. Additionally, this method saves on fuel and vehicle wear because it remains on the pavement longer, limiting the amount of time it takes to anti-ice our roads.

The Public Works Department would like to thank the Mayor and Board for their support in authorizing improvements to the Village’s snow removal operations, ultimately resulting in significant cost savings while protecting the environment.

Please visit http://wauconda-il.gov/about/village-of-wauconda-departments/public-works-department/streets-division/ to learn more about the Village’s Streets Division.

New Technology and Improvements

PAGE 9

Department of Public Works, Con’t .

Recently the Village has gone from quarterly billing to a monthly billing cycle. One of the benefits of this change is the ability for our water/sewer customers to detect a leak before it becomes a costly expense. For example, many people don’t realize that a slow leak in their toilet over a three month period can cost as much as an additional thousand dollars. By reading the water meters monthly the Village is able to identify leaks sooner and therefore minimize the possibility of homeowners receiving large bills.

What can you do to check for leaks?Ninety-five percent of all leaks happen because the flapper in the toilet tank is not sealing correctly. By putting a food grade dye into the toilet tank, a leak would be identified if the toilet bowl water changes to the same color as the dye. It is recommended that you change these flappers out approximately every 6-months. To see if your flapper is working correctly, the Village offers free dye tablets packets at the following locations; Public Works, Village Hall and at the Building and Zoning Department. Instructions on how to check for leaks using these tablets are available at those locations.

Finding Leaks Maximizes Cost Savings

Emerald Ash Borer Action Plan

On January 28th, 2011, the Village of Wauconda discovered the presence of the highly destructive insect known as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). The Emerald Ash Borer is a small, metallic green, non-native invasive pest whose larvae feast on the trunks of ash trees, ultimately

disrupting their ability to transport nutrients and causing the tree’s eventual decline and death. The EAB

infestation in Wauconda was discovered near Route 176 and Route 12 when ash trees displayed symptoms of the infestation.

While the EAB does not pose any health risk, it does threaten our ash tree population. The Illinois Department of Agriculture is the lead agency in creating policy related to the EAB.

Watching Your Dollars With Sense

The Public Works Department’s primary efforts are targeted at slowing the spread of the disease throughout the state. The only effective method of stopping the spread of the pest is to remove and destroy all infested ash trees in an area. In cooperation with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Village of Wauconda adopted an aggressive proactive plan in preventing the spread of EAB.

Working as weather permits, the Village has already removed 420 of the 620 confirmed infested Ash trees in Village right-of-ways. The removals were performed in-house for approximately $15,000. Using competitive bid contract pricing, the removals would have cost approximately $56,000. By performing this work in-house the Village saved roughly $41,000 to date.

This is just one more way your Village Board is “Watching Your Dollars With Sense”!

Department ofEconomic Development

Watch Wauconda Grow! The Village of Wauconda has experienced steady business growth during these difficult financial times – and the Village Board is dedicated to finding ways to support that growth! Some of the new businesses that have joined our community this past year include: Jimmy John’s, Beyond the Garden, Aspire Boutique, T.J.’s Bar & Grill, Tops Restaurant, Middleton’s on Main, Elite Scapes & Design, Rustic Touch and Noodle House – just to name a few. Congratulations to our Wauconda businesses that have expanded or are planning to expand their businesses: Synergy Flavors, Academy of Ballet, and Intrepid Molding.

As part of the Board’s 2012-2013 Strategic Plan to enhance and improve communications with new and existing businesses, elected officials held the Village’s first Business Summit in

September 2012, which was facilitated by Dr. Lew Bender. Over forty Wauconda business owners attended the summit to offer ideas and input on a number of topics such as current challenges, opportunities, and their vision for the future. Dr. Bender led the discussions in a manner that allowed for the sharing of information to better understand our business owners’ needs. One item that could be implemented as early as this month is the placement of wayfinding signs along Main Street and other high traffic corridors. If you are a local business owner who did not receive the September announcement, please feel free to contact us at 847-526-9698 to get on the e-mail list for the 2013 Business Summit meetings.

PAGE 10

Rebranding Initiative Begins

A key component of the Village’s 2012-2013 Strategic Plan was to determine a new identity for the Village. The goal is to develop high-quality marketing materials that will differentiate the Village from our neighbors.

After receiving professional, independent research and feedback from the Wauconda community stakeholders group, logo/tagline ideas were tested and input was sought and received from individuals representing three potential audiences: business owners, families, and empty nesters. These efforts resulted in a “brand promise” that encompasses the essence and energy that makes Wauconda a great place to locate a business and raise a family.

Wauconda has historically been a destination for visitors centered around recreational activities, popular community events, and the ever-popular use of beautiful Bangs Lake. The Village has also enjoyed a more recent upswing in dining and shopping establishments, each attracting their own clientele.

The new logo reflects Wauconda’s dedication to maintaining its natural beauty while reflecting an active community spirit that is fresh, inspiring and creatively progressive.

GOALS

2012 Holiday Walk on Main UpdateThe Mayor and Board would like to thank the Holiday Walk Committee, the Main Street Attraction group, participating vendors, and all the wonderful volunteers for helping to make the 2012 Annual Holiday Walk on Main a success.

Santa and Mrs. Claus were a popular attraction at the event, as were the horse-drawn sleigh ride, letters to Santa, and the gingerbread house contest. The tree-decorating contest produced beautifully decorated trees that were donated to local families. And, with the addition of more holiday lights, Main Street has never looked more festive! We already look forward to the next Holiday Walk event and the surprises it will bring!

2012 Gingerbread Contest Winners:First Place – Lindy’s LandingSecond Place – The Mumma FamilyThird Place – The Vogler Family

Additional Contest Winners:Best Decorated Tree – Girl Scout Troop 491Best Letter to Santa – Bill Patience Business with the Most Holiday Spirit – Middleton’s on Main

SAVE THE DATE!Saturday, December 7th 2013 Holiday Walk Event

Department ofEconomic Development, Con’t .

You may have noticed that some new decorations were added along Main Street during the past fall and holiday seasons. These decorations were placed by a local, non-profit group called the Main Street Attraction. This grass-roots volunteer group, formed approximately three years ago, has worked tirelessly to raise funds and to add seasonal decorations to one of the area’s most heavily traveled streets. Several years ago, when the economic climate forced the Village to eliminate new seasonal decorations from the annual budget, volunteers rallied and took it upon themselves to help purchase lights to continue to add charm and welcoming touches to the town’s central corridor.

The community has embraced the group and their fundraisers have been a hit. Each year since its inception, the group has also been able to fund the festive flower baskets that brighten the street in the spring and summer and has also been able to add three new bike racks to the street to provide a safe spot for residents to park their bicycles when they visit the shops, restaurants and special events, such as the Farmer’s Market. To learn more about this group, or to make a contribution, please contact Katy at 847-487-2550.

Main Street Attraction Group Works for the Betterment of Wauconda’s Main Street

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Police Department

GOALS

The Wauconda Police Department is staffed by 26 full-time police officers and provides services to residents normally only found in larger agencies. Taking care of and protecting the community means always being vigilant to implement the right programs and procedures that can be done in a cost effective and economical manner. Since the budget for the Police Department is the same in 2013 as it was in 2009, the Department asked for and received permission to use funds that are derived from drug and DUI enforcement to purchase equipment and supplies. Here are some examples:

Purchasing Police Patrol VehiclesThe Department bought and paid for its police cars by using DUI and drug seizure funds, thereby relieving pressure on the general fund budget. What that means to the taxpayer is the cars and equipment (such as radars, cameras, etc.) are paid for by those convicted and fined by the court - a savings of over $170,000.00 from the general budget.

Breathalyzer and Automated Fingerprint Systems As with squad cars, the Department replaced or is replacing computers, breath alcohol detection, and fingerprint systems by using drug forfeiture and DUI conviction fees.

Increased 911 Center capacity from two dispatch points to four and the center was moved to a weather-proof, hardened location in the Police Department building;

The facility lobby was renovated to provide a friendlier, more business like setting complete with large service window and a private report room to afford a confidential setting when needed;

Reconstruction of the Investigations Unit, which provides workspace for detectives, the undercover drug agent and the school resource officer. This work was funded in part by the 911 client base as well as restricted funds; Recapturing space previously used for file storage and providing expanded armory and evidence processing;

Also in 2012, the Village used Motor Fuel Tax revenues rather than general fund (property tax dollars) to resurface some of the Police Department Parking lot.

At the same time, the Department began looking at ways to offset costs to operate its 911 dispatch center by offering 911 dispatch services to other public safety agencies. The 911 Center is able to increase its service level to as many as four additional larger public safety agencies or any number of small agencies with no additional burden to our taxpayers. The fees collected by the Village from its clients are paying for a recently completed full renovation and expansion of the 911 Center and Police Facility. Completed projects are:

Finally, cutting costs and expanding services means involving the community of Wauconda. The Police Department is currently investigating way to integrate volunteers into its operations to help with some of the support work provided to the on duty police officers who deliver the critical and routine services. Traffic control and crowd monitoring at events has already been expanded in this way and clerical and reception-area support will be increasing by using trained volunteers.

PAGE 13

Police Department, Con’t .

Cost Savings MeasuresWith the arrival of 2013, the Police Department will be implementing additional cost-savings measures while keeping services at high levels. The police fleet will be reduced by an additional car, (saving maintenance and fuel expenses) and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Volunteers will be provided with the use of a police vehicle as they continue to their volunteer service to the Village with events and other needs for manpower. An interactive website for on-line reporting will be unveiled by midyear, which will allow residents and business owners to make police reports from a computer. Business license registration administered by the Police Department is expected to provide useful information as to commercial activity planned in the Village. Involvement in the schools by the Police Department will continue as will basic patrols 24 hours per day.

In a recent analysis of drug related deaths in Lake County, it was determined that Wauconda has experienced four deaths from heroin overdose in 2012. In response to a concern for its youth, the Mayor has commissioned a panel consisting of the school community, hospital, police, faith community, and service clubs to create an awareness initiative of this very real danger. This initiative will focus on both parents and youth to acquaint each with the dangers associated with experimental or first-time use.

This is the first in a series of articles intended to alert parents to the very real potential for a child to use, become addicted to, or die from heroin use.

The first step in keeping your kids safe from drugs is to begin talking to them about the risks of drugs and alcohol. In order to be prepared, we recommend visiting help sites such as the Partnership for a Drug Free America’s TimeToTalk™ website at www.TimeToTalk.org. The tips below are adapted, in part, from that site. Educating yourself and maintaining open communication with your children is the best way to keep them safe.

Some Basics:Make sure your child knows that you are there for them and they can talk to you about anything.

Emphasize the importance of staying healthy in all they do.

Talk about ways they can slow down, relieve stress and blow off steam in healthy ways.

Be very clear about the consequences of drinking, drunk driving and drug use. Explain how addiction can wreak havoc on a person’s life.

Discuss and role play how to turn down drugs from friends. Practicing is crucial to standing up to peer pressure.

Be prepared to answer the question “Did you do drugs?” Visit the website for various ways to handle this question.

As a parent, continue to educate yourself about the drug scene in order to know what to look for and continue to keep your kids safe.

By working together – elected officials, law enforcement personnel, school and community leaders, and parents – we can reduce and even eliminate the tide of heroin abuse in our county.

Drug Awareness Initiative

Departments ofBuilding, Zoning & Planning

PAGE 14

GOALS

Strategic Goal CompletionsWorking together, the combined Building, Zoning, and Planning Department staff had a busy 2012 completing numerous strategic goals and tasks. Continued inspector staffing through the Fire District has proven to be an excellent partnership for both knowledgeable building code enforcement and Village payroll savings. Department staff also obtained certification through the Illinois Attorney General Office for FOIA and Open Meetings Act compliance.

Detailed written procedures for processing permits and associated departmental duties and a comprehensive review of adopted Village building codes were completed. The code review yielded a Departmental recommendation to adopt the 2012 International Building Code series and the 2008 National Electrical Code. This recommendation goes before the Village Board for review and adoption in the near future.

In response to requests from residents renting or selling their homes, an online application, and credit card payment option for obtaining the required Residential Dwelling Inspection is now in place on the Village website. Based on the popularity and success of this feature, additional permit applications that do not require a plan review may be added.

The Mayor named a Building Department staff member as the Chamber of Commerce Liaison to ensure open communication with our business community in an ongoing effort to support economic development. The creation of a new Retail Business (RB) zoning district and updates to the Development Ordinance were also completed in line with our most recent Comprehensive Plan.

Planning and Development Review: Policy & Procedure

One of the Strategic Goals for the Village Board

during FY2012-13 is to “Conduct a review of the step by step entitlement process related to the development of a property”. In response to this goal, Village Planning & Zoning Staff along with the Building & Zoning Committee of the Village Board, have prepared a “Quick Reference Guide to Planning & Development Review Policy & Procedure”. Handouts of the document are available at the Building, Planning & Zoning Department office and are anticipated to be available on the Village website in January. The reference guide provides easy access to relevant ordinances of the Village including flow charts and narratives explaining the process for property owners and developers.

Downtown Parking Study

In October, the Village Board reviewed a downtown parking study prepared by the Village Planning & Zoning Staff. The study examined parking needs associated with properties along Main Street between Hubbard Court and the Police Department; along Liberty Street from Maple Avenue to Hammond Street; and Mill Street and Bangs Street north of Maple Avenue along with Murphy Street and Park Street. The study assessed existing parking conditions serving today’s businesses and residential units.

The study also included a more limited parking study area of businesses fronting on Main Street between Slocum Lake Road and Route 176 and parking potential along streets located near the downtown including Maple Avenue, Church Street, Bangs Street, Mill Street and Main Street. The results of the study are currently being compiled.

Departments ofBuilding, Zoning, & Planning , Con’t .

PAGE 15

Douglas Glen Senior Development

In November 2012, the Village Board approved zoning, amendments to an existing annexation agreement and a Preliminary Development Plan for Douglas Glen, a planned development for seniors. The site is located on the north side of the Village off Gilmer Road just west of the Village’s north water tower. The campus style site will include Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care Living units for individuals 62 years and older. The first phase of the 208-unit development is intended to be built this spring with 132 units in one large building. The Village congratulates Mr. John Cargill, a Village resident, who has brought the project forth in honor of his father Douglas Cargill.

Wauconda Health Care & Rehabilitation Centre ExpansionIn December 2012, the Village Board approved zoning for the Wauconda Health Care & Rehabilitation Centre to expand. The expansion is anticipated to add 40 beds to the existing, almost doubling the size of the current facility.

The expansion will occur on vacant property located south of Boehmer Auto and to the east of the existing facility. The facility will include a new covered entrance along with lifestyle improvements to the existing facility and increased parking to accommodate both the existing and proposed expansion. The owners anticipate breaking ground in the Spring of 2013 and having the new facility open in 2014.

Development News and Updates

Design GuidelinesThe Village Board and Staff have been developing “Design Guidelines” to assist building owners, developers and design consultants with façade and building ideas. Presently, design guidelines for Retail, Commercial and Multiple Family Residential development and redevelopment have been prepared and are being applied by the Village as development and zoning activity occurs.

The draft document primarily consists of example photographs from various built projects along with examples of how the Village is envisioned to improve its quality. The Village anticipates expanding the guidelines to include single-family developments in the future.

A furnace that is not running at peak performance can be deadly. Carbon monoxide is a natural product of incomplete combustion. Virtually every gas furnace produces some carbon monoxide, which is usually carried away from your home through the furnace’s venting. A clean, efficiently burning gas furnace produces very small amounts of carbon monoxide, while a dirty, inefficiently burning one can produce deadly amounts.

Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless. Build up of the gas causes flu-like symptoms, disorientation, confusion, and even death. It is highly recommended that you have the furnace in your home cleaned and checked every year. It is also important to change the furnace filter regularly. If you or any of your family members are experiencing flu-like symptoms that seem to disappear when you leave your home, have your furnace checked immediately. If you suspect a carbon monoxide problem, open the windows, leave the home at once, and call the Fire Department (District) by dialing 911.

Important Winter Home Heating Safety

The Village Voice is published by the Village of Wauconda, Illinois, as a public information service for its residents. No reproduction is allowed without Village authorization and credit line.

WINTER 2013 VILLAGE OF WAUCONDA NEWSthe

Village VoiceThe Community’s Public Information Source

Our Elected Officials

MAYORMark F. Knigge

VILLAGE CLERKGinger Irwin

VILLAGE TRUSTEESLincoln F. KnightJohn F. Barbini, Ed.DDoug BusterLinda StarkeyKen ArnswaldChuck Black

Important Contact Information

Police/Fire Emergency (Voice & TTY) 911Police Non-Emergency (Voice & TTY) 847.526.2421Fire Non-Emergency 847.526.2821Village Hall 847.526.9600Building and Zoning 847.526.9609Environmental Quality 847.526.9610Finance Department 847.526.9600Public Works 847.526.9610Water Billing 847.526.9604J.U.L.I.E. (call before you dig) 800.892.0123Village of Wauconda website www.wauconda-il.govPolice Department website www.waucondapolice.comFire District website www.waucondafire.org

Wauconda Village Hall101 N. Main Street, Wauconda, IL 60084 Phone: 847-526-9600 Fax: 847-526-8809