Summer Jobs with long term opportunities

Potential to earn $100 a day    Monthly Car Allowance   Majority of work afternoon/early evenings

Must have Driver License and transportaion

For More information Call James Nelson at 630-288-1163

Target is scheduled to open July 25th
Dicks Sporting Goods in October
Harris Bank will be building a new branch near the new Wal-Mart

Yorkville has announced three general road maintenance projects this summer and has opened bids on road improvements for McHugh Road, the 2008 Joint and Crack Filling project and the 2008 Asphalt Surface Treatments project. General maintenance projects are based on the amount of traffic, condition of the roadway and the freezing and refreezing of roads during the winter season.

Maintenance work on McHugh Road between Walnut and Spring Streets will consist of replacing sections of missing, failed, or sunken curb and sidewalk, and removing and replacing the asphalt pavement. Handicap accessible tactile warning surfaces will be added to the sidewalks at intersections in addition to striping for crosswalks. Upon completion of the curb work, crews will begin to remove the pavement. During construction, the area will be open to local traffic only, with occasional re-routing as necessary. Street parking will not be allowed from the time pavement removal begins until after the asphalt is paved, but all driveways should remain open.

The project is scheduled to begin in late June and is expected to take one month to complete, weather permitting.

The city has also scheduled the 2008 Joint and Crack Filling project. This project will encompass the following areas: Fox Hill Unit 7 (Timber Glen), Countryside Parkway (Route 47 to Center Parkway; Longford Lakes (including Marketplace Drive), Prairie Gardens, Fox Industrial Park and Raintree Village Unit. During this process grooves in the roadway will be cut and may at times generate dust and noise. After the sealing work is completed, streets will be swept to remove the grindings from the routing process.

The third project includes application of a reclamite preservative seal, which extends the life of pavement by as much as 50 percent. This will be applied to the same streets as the Joint and Crack Filling Program.

According to city engineer Joe Wywrot, the product is environmentally safe, restores properties of asphalt and increases the ability of the pavement to repel water and maintain flexibility. During this process, the treatment is sprayed on the surface and is followed by an immediate application of sand or limestone screenings, taking approximately one month to work its way into the pavement. Both projects are anticipated to start in either late July or early August.

The city's Engineering Department is also requesting that residents avoid holding garage sales and other events which may result in a large number of cars parking and driving on these roadways during the construction project.

Please check with the city prior to scheduling your event so that potential conflicts can be avoided. Residents are encouraged to call the United City of Yorkville's Engineering Department for additional information at 630.553.8545.
 

Alderman Robyn Sutcliff is taking another step in the "green" direction. As alderman for Ward III, Sutcliff is working to create a beautification program not only in her ward but throughout the city.

As the community continues to grow green, Sutcliff said she is looking for individuals in various neighborhoods who are willing to spruce up previously unused grass corners in the community.

 
"In particular, I would like to create gardens in the 'knuckles' of parkways," Sutcliff says. By definition, "knuckles" are the small areas of grass that intersect between the crossroad and a sidewalk. Sutcliff is modeling and molding the idea from the city of Geneva's successful program.

So, if you have a green thumb, Sutcliff says, "grab a neighbor or two and create your very own city garden."

The first step is finding a "knuckle" and then letting the city know of the exact location. "The city will get the garden spots ready for planting," Sutcliff explained. "This includes removing the grass, poor soil and gravel then filling the area with new soil and compost."

Though Sutcliff's attempt to get sponsorship this year was unsuccessful, she is looking forward to the program blooming over the years. "This is the first year for the program. I'm hoping next year we will have increased both participation and sponsorship," she said excitedly.

Consequently, this year, individuals who want to plant a "knuckle garden" will have to purchase the plants themselves or may want to consider using those plants that didn't fit into their own garden scheme. Or, you can do what Sutcliff has decided to do—split her own perennial plants and use them.

Sutcliff and her family are planning to landscape two gardens at the end of her street.

Before planting, though, there are several things to consider when designing your corner, including plant height, not to exceed 18 inches, and easy accessibility to water during the dry summer months.
               

As the planting season gets under way, Sutcliff says she can't wait to see the results. "I'm very excited about this program and can't wait to see gardens popping up all around town."
               

 Anyone interested in creating a "knuckle garden" for the community can e-mail third ward alderman Robyn Sutcliff at robyn3rdward@sbcglobal.net. Once your e-mail is received and the location is approved, city crews will prepare the site. Additional information is available by calling 630.553.4350.

City crews will be picking up brush south of the Fox River the week of May 27 through May 30. Please place all brush out for pick up on Tuesday morning. For additional information or questions, please call the city's Public Works Department at 630.553.4370.

The United City of Yorkville will be conducting a special 2008 census of their population. Employment opportunities are available for local residents who would like temporary work for approximately 4 to 5 weeks. Start date is determined based on the number of applicants.

Numerous positions are available including office clerks ($10.25 per hour), enumerators ($13.50 per hour), and crew leaders ($15 per hour).

This is a great opportunity for college students seeking summer employment, individuals who are in-between jobs and for anyone who may be seeking extra income.

Prospective applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be able to walk long distances, climb stairs, write legibly and be able to take directions and understand instructions. Applicants will also be required to pass a skills test and work 20 to 40 hours per week which may include day, evening and weekend hours. Those selected are required to attend a three-day paid training session prior to the beginning of the census. The training session will consist of interviewing techniques, map reading and how to properly fill out the census form. All applicants must have a valid driver's license and access to a working vehicle.

Selected workers will perform face-to-face interviews with residents living within a designated census tract to gather demographic information such as names, household relationship, sex, date of birth and age, and ethnic origin.

Job requirements and applications are available at the United City of Yorkville, City Hall, 800 Game Farm Road or online at www.census.gov/specialcensus. Additional information is available by contacting City Hall at 630.553.8537.

If your sidewalk needs a replacement, leveling or a lift who do you want to call? The answer, according to Jennifer Fischer, the city's Engineering administrative assistant, is easy. You call the city.

And there is one primary reason why— 2008 Sidewalk Replacement program.
Implemented since 1998, this annual program reimburses residents who live in the city's limits for routine sidewalk maintenance such as replacement, leveling, root damage and detraction. Over the years the program has been tweaked and whereas previously the city only reimbursed residents for removal and replacement of their sidewalk, last year lifting and leveling was added as an approved reimbursable item.
               

The last few years the city has seen a balance at the end of the fiscal year. "We know there are more people who want to participate, we just need to let them know that the funds are available," she said.

Historically, the city's budget includes approximately $3,000 - $2,500 to help residents keep their sidewalks free of cracks and deterioration. Out of $2,500 last year, only $1,473 was actually spent.

To date, there are five residents in the program and Fischer says she can easily accommodate five to six new projects based on the average reimbursement of $400-500. It's first come first serve but Fischer is upfront with residents when she sees that her funds may be coming to an end. "If I think I'm going to overrun my budget, I'll tell people we may need to wait for next fiscal year for sufficient funds to make their reimbursement" she says.

Fischer's hoping the new competitive fee structure will encourage residents to take her up on her offer. According to the current reimbursement policy, the city will reimburse 60 percent of either the (increased) city-calculated cost or the contractor's fees and residents will be responsible for 40 percent of the project's cost. Previously, Fischer said that the rate wasn't very competitive.

"The city's calculated rate went up considerably," Fischer said.  "Now that we have increased the reimbursement rate it is a win-win. It really is the time for residents to get in the program."

Fischer explains that the reimbursement policy has also changed. Once the responsibility of the city's Engineering Department, it is now up to the homeowner to hire the contractor. Under the current program the residents pay the contractor and then submit a paid receipt to Fischer for reimbursement.

"This is our third year doing it this way and it works well," says Fischer. "What we want now are more people in the program."

And with the safeguards that have been added to the program, there's no reason why more residents can't participate.

 
One such safeguard, explains Fischer, is the letter of acknowledgement which requires a signature by the homeowner before the project moves forward. The document explains the terms, number of squares of the sidewalk that are approved for removal and replacement or lifting and leveling, installation specifications and inspections. Taking care of this process is one less headache for residents, especially for single moms. This is one area where Fischer feels she can really be of help.

 
"When you think about it there are probably single moms out there who are concerned about their children riding their big wheels on a cracked sidewalk but they might not feel comfortable talking and negotiating with a contractor. So, we're here to help them out," she said. 

And the process throughout the years has been streamlined.

Since all sidewalk replacements need to be coordinated by the city, Fischer says the first step is a call to her. After the initial phone call, Fischer puts the process in motion by sending out one of the city's engineering techs. Measurements, photos and a recommendation for the number of squares to be replaced are determined. Next, she says, is the letter of acknowledgement which is the city's written confirmation. Upon this confirmation the homeowner is able to hire a contractor and get estimates.

 
Step-by-step, Fischer is there to give a helping hand. "I really like to help along the way," Fischer says smiling. "I feel really good about it."

Fischer and the city's crew touch base with the contractor and perform a prepour inspection. After the work is completed, the homeowner pays the contractor and submits the paid receipt to Fischer for review and recommendation to the City Council for reimbursement.

 
The guarantee and warranty usually fall under the window of the original proposal. And in the seven years under Fischer's command, she says she has never had a problem with any of the contractors and sees the program growing.

"Both the city and its residents have a shared interest in how they want Yorkville to look," Fischer said.

"It really is a benefit to all to continue the program."
               

For additional information on the city's 2008 Sidewalk Replacement program, contact Jennifer Fischer at 630.553.8528.

Yorkville students and city residents will reap the benefits of a new seven acre park located in the Raintree subdivision adjacent to the city's new middle school thanks in part to a $400,000 grant awarded to the Parks and Recreation Department. 
               

 And location of the new park seems to be the key.

"The location of the park adjacent to the school is a great benefit to the city and to the school district's cooperative efforts," said Dave Mogle, the city's director of Parks and Recreation. According to Mogle, officials from both groups were able to review the park design plan together and found ways to complement each other.

Yorkville was one of 71 projects in the state of Illinois that applied for state funds through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program facilitated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This state-financed program provides funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and open space. Grants are awarded once a year based on the type of project. This year the city's Parks and Recreation Department met the requirements of new park development.
               

 "These grants provide open space and recreation opportunities in communities throughout the state," Gov. Blagojevich said. "The great thing about this program is how state and local governments work together. People in local communities envision the projects and we work together with them to make them a reality."

Yorkville's vision was realized when Mogle received confirmation last month.
"We have been anxiously waiting to hear whether we would be awarded the grant," Mogle said. "It would have been unlikely that the City could have committed to a park with a playground and a four-court lighted tennis complex without these grant funds."

As with most parks in Yorkville, each has its own distinct theme. Elements of Raintree Park's "castle" theme will be incorporated in the design of both the shelter and playground. Construction for the new park has been slated for early 2009. The park is scheduled to be completed in 2010 with a total cost of $550,000.

In addition to the lighted tennis courts and playground other features of Raintree Park include a parking lot, shelter, park trails, a multi-purpose playing field for baseball or soccer, and a challenge exercise hill.
Mogle feels the new tennis courts will be an asset to the community. "We are excited about adding new tennis courts to the community. Public tennis courts in Yorkville have been limited so we anticipate the new courts will be well received," explained Mogle.
               

 Raintree Park is not the only city park that has benefitted from an OSLAD grant. The city has received OSLAD grants for the development of three separate parks including Cannonball Ridge Park, Whispering Meadows Park and Riemenschneider Park (Prairie Meadows) in the last three years, saving the city thousands of dollars.
               

The city received $130,000 in state grants for Cannonball Ridge Park, $362,000 for Whispering Meadows Park and $400,000 for Riemenschneider Park. Cannonball Ridge was completed in 2006 with both Whispering Meadows and Riemenschneider Park currently under construction with completion by the end of the year.
               

"The state's OSLAD grant program has been a major contributor to the development of parks in Yorkville," Mogle concluded. "We have been extremely fortunate to be able to receive state grants for our projects which have helped us to continue our mission of having a city park within one-half mile of every residence in the city."

On Wednesday, May 21 a traffic signal upgrade will be performed at the intersection of Route 47 and Route 34, in the United City of Yorkville, weather permitting. Work will begin at 9 a.m. An estimated down town of approximately one hour is anticipated. The intersection will be controlled by stop signs during the one hour timeframe. Traffic congestion is anticipated. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes if possible when work is being performed. Work will be completed in one day. Questions can be directed to the United City of Yorkville's Engineering Department at 630.553.8545.

The United City of Yorkville is celebrating you!

Join us Sat., May 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Riverfront Bicentennial Park (E. Hydraulic and the Riverfront) for an afternoon in the park, in celebration of all you do for your community!

"Volunteers do so much for our community. This is our chance to say thank you and recognize you for your hard work, time spent, and resources donated," said Mayor Valerie Burd. "We appreciate all you do."
           

The annual Volunteer Community Appreciation Day is held in honor of all Yorkville area volunteers, in concurrence with National Volunteer Week, which takes place April 27 through May 3 this year.
           

"We usually delay the date of our event for nicer weather," said Burd. "We're hoping for a warm, sunny day to celebrate."

Mayor Burd will recognize volunteers for their service, dedication and commitment during the event. The Volunteer of the Year Award will also be presented. All individual volunteers, members of local organizations, service clubs, and committees of the city are welcome.

"I encourage all family members and friends to come, as well," said Burd.
           

 Join us for free lunch in the park, get up and dance with the D.J., and enjoy live entertainment. There will be childrens' games, family activities, and fun for everyone. And it's free!
           

 This event is not one to miss. "Come celebrate and show support for those who've helped out in your community, and be a part of their success," said Burd.
           

For more information, please contact Glory Spies at 630.553.8564.