Gateway January 2017 by Village of Bensenville

FEBRUARY 2017

FROM WHERE WE’VE BEEN TO WHERE WE’RE GOING

STATE OF THE VILLAGE

As I enter my second year serving you as Village Manager in Bensenville, I welcome the opportunity to step in and introduce this year’s State of the Village newsletter. There is a great deal of good news to share, both in retrospect of what we accomplished in 2016, and in anticipation of all that we have planned for 2017. Front and center in terms of issues facing our community is the on-going mission to reduce noise impact by flights arriving and departing from our next door neighbor, O’Hare airport. During the second half of 2016, Bensenville along with 55 other communities in the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission, participated in the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Test. The good news is that our community experienced substantial relief from overnight noise during the test; the bad news, of course, is that the test period has ended. Results from the test, including a summary of input from all of you who participated in the online surveys, will be presented in February. From there, we will continue to work every possible avenue to find a permanent solution.

Thanks to the outstanding work of our Village staff and the Mayor and Village Board, we once again passed a budget that includes no increase in property taxes. Our budgeting process received national recognition for

clarity, transparency and professionalism. Our financial position has been enhanced by a mix of more efficient spending, increased revenue from business growth, and smart utilization of state and federal funding sources for our major projects. This edition of our newsletter details aspects of each of those areas. In addition, our redesigned Wastewater Treatment Facility is now fully functional and in addition to improving our management of wastewater, will reduce our expenditures in that process by 20%. The fruits of our labor of the past several years will become very apparent in 2017 as transportation in, around, and through Bensenville improves dramatically. First and foremost, this year will bring an end to the York and Irving intersection project, a much needed restructuring, which, unfortunately, lasted for several years. Meanwhile, the new 390 Tollway will continue to expand to the east in a plan that promises to eventually lead to business growth for our community. At the local level, we will continue to upgrade and beautify our streets and parkways, and we will also improve pedestrian pathways to expand safe walking and biking opportunities in our community.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rosa Carmona Frank DeSimone Agnieszka “Annie” Jaworska David Majeski Martin O’Connell Henry Wesseler CLERK Ilsa Rivera-Trujillo VILLAGE MANAGER Evan K. Summers

I hope that as these various roadwork projects begin to ease traffic concerns, you will take advantage of the many great shops, services and restaurants in Bensenville. We have worked hard to bring a range of new businesses to our community to create jobs and grow tax revenue. Whether it is a massive industrial tenant such as Zurn Industries, a busy grocery store like our new Jewel-Osco, a conveniently located Speedway gas station, the soon to be open Holiday Inn Express and Suites, or a truly local operator like the planned Green Street Grille, it is incumbent on all of us to invest in our community by supporting these businesses and helping them succeed. I invite you to keep an eye on the Edge Ice Arena as we upgrade the refrigeration system for both ice rinks this year. This timely project has already led to several long-term commitments for tenants including Robert Morris University’s hockey team. Finally, let me acknowledge the true contributors to our success in 2016 – you, our residents and business owners. You have filled our Towne Centre for Music in the Park, walked together in our B-Well fitness event, shared with and clothed those less fortunate in our annual Toy and Coat Drive, joined together to Build a Park in a Day, and continuously made Bensenville a better place to live. It has been a pleasure getting to meet many of you over the past year and I look forward to working with you to continually improve the quality of life in Bensenville.

EVAN SUMMERS | VILLAGE MANAGER

Community While much of the content in these newsletters is about what Village personnel are doing to improve our community, it is just as important that we report on what you, the wonderful residents of Bensenville are doing in that same regard. Hundreds of families from Bensenville had gifts to put under their tree this holiday season after the Village of Bensenville’s 46th Annual Toy Drive and Rotary Coat Drive. Over 750 toys and 300 coats were distributed this holiday season making it a warmer season in many ways for special families throughout Bensenville. Many thanks to Chicago White Metal Casting President and CEO Eric Treiber for hosting 20 students from Fenton High School’s engineering program for Manufacturing Day in October. Manufacturing plays a vital role in our nation’s economy, and many highly successful manufacturers call Bensenville home. Fulfilling a key community goal, over 200 volunteers gathered in September to build a park in a day. Gathering at the site of the former Mohawk School, everyone rolled up their sleeves to brighten a neighborhood that has been significantly impacted by the O’Hare expansion program. KaBOOM!, a Washington D.C.-based non-profit organization that raises funds to build playgrounds around the country funded much of the effort along with Bensenville School District 2, the Village, the Bensenville Park District, and corporate sponsorship from Target.

Bensenville, a Business Expansion

The key to a strong economic base is having the right mix of businesses, and constantly adding new industries that are relevant in today’s economy to provide jobs that attract a young, skilled labor force. In Bensenville, we are well positioned to experience growth and stabiity well into the next generation.

Fly Quiet December 24, 2016 marked the conclusion of the Chicago Department of Aviation’s (CDA) 6 month Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Test. While we were encouraged by the positive benefits provided to Bensenville, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations prevented the test from being extended.

We will continue to advocate vigorously for permanent changes to flight patterns at O’Hare to reduce noise impact to our residents as part of the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission’s Ad-Hoc Fly Quiet Committee. Central to our objectives is the reduction of air traffic on runway 10C during nighttime hours. We thank all of you who participated in the Fly Quiet test. The next step will be the presentation of the test results at the Fly Quiet Ad Hoc Committee meeting on February 8th. To stay informed on our noise reduction efforts visit our O’Hare Noise website www.bensenvillenoise.com.

THE VILLAGE OF BENS PRESCRIPTION DRUG DROP-OFF A new public safety service has been introduced as Bensenville now offers a drop-off box for expired or unused prescription drugs. In conjunction with DuPage County, a secure drop-off box has been established at the Bensenville Police Station, 345 East Green Street. You may drop off prescription pills (liquids and needles cannot be accepted) for safe and environmentally responsible disposal.

a great place to Occupancy at the 184,170 square-foot

Residents are now able to top off

distribution facility at 340 County Line Road

their tanks at our new Speedway

reached 100% with the agreement by Zurn

gas station. In addition to the conve-

Industries to lease over 134,000

nience of having the station in town,

square feet of space in the Class A

Bensenville will enjoy increased tax

facility. Zurn Engineered Water

SolutionsÂŽ

a recognized leader in commercial, municipal, and industrial markets. Zurn manufactures the largest breadth of engineered water solutions in the industry, including a wide

revenue from this new business entry in our community. We hope residents are enjoying the presence of the Jewel Osco store which opened in early 2016 near

spectrum of sustainable plumbing products.

the corner of Grand Avenue and York Road. Featuring a Starbucks, fresh

sushi station, burrito bar, and extensive craft beer selection, the store is perfect for weekly shopping or grabbing a freshly made meal on the way home. The Jewel

SENVILLE...Hard

at work for you!

WASTEWATER TREATMENT After nearly two years of work, Bensenville completed the upgrade to our 70-year-old Wastewater Treatment Plant. Using funds from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Water Quality Revolving Loan Program, the program was not only completed without adding any additional financial burden to residents, it promises to reduce operating expenses at the facility by 20% annually. In addition to the IEPA grant, the Village was successful in obtaining nearly $500,000 in energy efficiency grants through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Illinois Clean Energy (ICE) Program.

STREET PROGRAM While winter months may not allow for full enjoyment, we made substantial progress on our streetscaping and beautification programs in 2016. Bensenville has never looked better and more improvements are on the way. The reconstruction of Church Road will enter a more active phase in 2017 as we expect approval of the project design as part of the process to utilize federal funding. Once approved, right-ofway acquisitions can begin in advance of what we anticipate will be a construction phase later this year. The project will improve the surface of Church Road from Jefferson Street (3rd Avenue) to Grove Avenue, provide additional pedestrian and bicycle access and improve drainage along the street Though it seemed a long way off in recent years, this year should bring the conclusion of the York and Irving Park intersection project. Traffic will be flowing in both directions so we encourage all of you to re-discover the many shops and businesses in the area that will now be much more accessible. Thank you all for your patience

over the past few years. 2017 is targeted to be a key year in the construction of the Illinois Route 390 project. The extension of 390 continued to Rt. 83 in the past year and this year the plan calls for the extension of the roadway from Rt. 83 to York Road. Included in the project are local interchange improvements, construction of new frontage roads, local roadway improvements and noise walls along the current Thorndale Avenue. During peak hours, engineers working on the project will keep as many lanes open in each direction as possible. Some closures and detours may be needed on surface streets during the construction.

do business! Osco also includes a mini-clinic to

While most often known for face-offs, this

provide easy access to a range of

year will bring a face-lift to the

health services to residents.

Edge Ice Arena. For many years a

cornerstone of our community, the extremely

The new Holiday Inn Express and

busy and successful ice rinks are due for

Suites will open its doors in 2017.

some refurbishment. A new completely

Located at 777 East Grand Avenue,

refrigerated ice floor for both the East and

this new hotel will boast 102 rooms

West rinks will alleviate some long-standing

and will feature first class amenities such

problems with the ice. By virtue of our

as a fitness center, indoor pool, a

commitment to the improvements, Robert

breakfast bar and a business center.

Morris University has signed a 10-year

We look forward to the arrival of the

agreement for facility rental, and we have

Green Street Grille this spring at

also received 7-year commitments from 3

120 West Green Street. The new

of the youth programs that call the Edge

restaurant will feature an outdoor

home.

patio for dining in the nice weather. GREEN STREET GRILLE

BUDGET AWARD Bensenville was among only 7% of all Illinois communities to receive the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for our 2015 Budget. More than a professional recognition, acknowledgements like this are of

reduced interest costs for the Village, saving our taxpayers’ money.

value to key bond rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. Because of the success and transparency in our budgeting process, Moody's Investors Service upgraded the Village of Bensenville's General Obligation debt rating to Aa3 from A1. That rating improvement generates

Our financial standing looks exceptionally good for 2017 as well as our approved budget calls for no increase in property taxes.

Wondering how the tax dollars are spent? 1

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS SENIOR CITIZEN MONTHLY LUNCHEON First Tuesday of the month for residents 55 and over. For more information call 630.766.8200.

B-WELL BENSENVILLE WALKATHON & FAMILY FUN FEST September 2017 Redmond Recreational Complex

MUSIC IN THE PARK, CLASSIC CAR SHOW & FRENCH MARKET Wednesday Nights, June thru August Downtown Bensenville

HOLIDAY MAGIC & TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY November 2017 Downtown Bensenville

LIBERTYFEST & 4TH OF JULY PARADE Redmond Recreational Complex

BENSENVILLE TOY & COAT DRIVE November/December

Don’t forget the BENSENVILLE THEATER and EDGE ICE ARENAS and WATER’S EDGE AQUATIC CENTER are open year round and offer specials and discounts for residents. Call 630.766.8888 to find out more.