Berkeley

Village of

FROM THE MAYOR'S DESK

Village President Michael A. Esposito

Happy Holidays! This year has gone by so fast it is hard to believe that it is already over. Over the past year, the Village has worked diligently to continue to maintain a high level of service while introducing changes that will improve the quality of life for our residents. One of these changes, handicapped accessibility and safety improvements at the Village Hall and Police Station, is described in further detail in the “Construction Update” article in the most recent issue of the Berkeley Matters. The Village is also pleased that after years of working with the State of Illinois, Taft Avenue and St. Charles Road (east of Wolf Road) were recently repaved. As Taft Avenue and St. Charles Road are State roads, these grind and pave projects were completed at no cost to the Village.

Please take some time to read through all the important information in the current issue of the Berkeley Matters. Most importantly, I would like to draw you attention to the article describing substantial water rate increases approved by the City of Chicago. These increases, which will occur over a four year period, represent a 90% increase in the water rate charged to the Hillside-Berkeley Water Commission. As a result, the Village will have no choice but to increase the water rate charged to its residents to offset the increases coming from Chicago. An increase to your monthly bill could occur as soon as January 1st. As the Village can do little to prevent the water rate increases approved by the City of Chicago, I would like to take a moment to remind you that water conservation is the best method for keeping the cost of you water bill down. Please be mindful when using water and purchasing appliances and fixtures that use water (e.g. toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.). Also, begin thinking about purchasing a rain barrel to water your plants and grass next year. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is offering rain barrels at a discounted rate of $51/barrel. Visit the MWRD website at http://www.mwrd.org/irj/portal/anonymous/rainbarrel for more information.

Also included in the most recent issue of the Berkeley Matters is a Communications Survey for you to complete. The purpose of the survey is to determine how the Village can improve its outreach efforts. I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to complete and return the survey.

Last but not least, I am happy to announce that the Village will once again be hosting the annual Holiday Festival featuring a tree lighting ceremony, refreshments, ornament-making for the kids, and a fun trolley ride for the house decorating contest. The Holiday Festival will be Friday, December 2nd at 6:00 PM at the Berkeley Fire Station. I hope to see you and your family there. If you would like to be entered in the holiday house decorating contest, please call the Village at (708) 449-8840 or drop your information in the silver box outside of the Village Hall.

On behalf of the Village Board and staff, I wish you a happy and safe holiday season!

On behalf of the Village of Berkeley, I would like to thank all of the residents and supporters who attended the Village Hall & Police Station Renovation Project Groundbreaking Ceremony on Friday, September 9th. The event was well attended and was an excellent venue to kick off the project and describe the upcoming renovations to interested residents. Below, please find my thoughts shared at the Groundbreaking Ceremony.

As many of you know, I have had the pleasure of serving as Mayor of the Village of Berkeley for the last 18 years. Above all, during this time, my mission as Mayor has always been to provide the best services for the residents of Berkeley for the least cost possible. As a full service community on a tight budget, this has been a difficult but rewarding task. The challenges with running a Village never cease. Managing and prioritizing roads, water, storm-sewer, sanitary sewer, and facility improvements is never easy but must be done.

It did not take long after I was first elected to observe that the combined Village Hall and Police Station were in desperate need of renovation as the 1938 building lacked basic handicapped accessibility components such as access to the second floor. It also did not take long to see that many of the Police Department operations were being conducted out of a crowded basement without proper climate control or ventilation. In addition, as still exists today, security at the Police Station was limited and prisoners are transported through the public lobby and 911 office which presents a public safety risk for both residents and staff. Most noticeable of all was the limited space for Public Works operations that, until recently, required that the majority of the Village’s vehicles, equipment, and supplies be stored outside in an unsecured location.

A few years ago, the Village Board made it a priority to address the Public Works problem in order to better protect valuable Village property that was being stored outside. At that time, the Village Board decided that once the Public Works Department had been relocated to a new facility, the space vacated by the Public Works Department would be used to build a safe and secure Police Station within the Village Hall. It was determined that at that time, handicapped accessibility improvements would also be incorporated into the building to allow the disabled public to make use of the facility.

Although the Village Board has been planning the renovation for many years, the project was jump-started by a Community Development Block Grant received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered through Cook County. This grant is funding a portion of the handicapped accessibility improvements including an elevator that will go to the second floor.

The remaining costs of the project, will be funded through the Village’s Capital Project Reserve Fund. The Village Board has been diligently saving over the years and will not be borrowing nor raising tax to fund the project. Once completed, this will be one of the largest projects the Village Board has completed in the last two decades.

The groundbreaking for the Village Hall and Police Station Renovation Project would not have been possible without the efforts of the Village Board’s Capital Improvements Sub-Committee. Comprised of Trustee Diane Salemi as Chair and Trustees Bob Lee and Bill Daugherty as members, this Committee worked over the last two years to make the project a reality.

During the renovation, I thank you for your patience and support.

Summer once again brought fun and entertainment to the Village of Berkeley. The Annual Village Picnic and Car Show held on Sunday, July 10^th was a success again this year due to the donations and participation of many area businesses and organizations. Residents enjoyed food, rides, and music from Flashback 45, featuring our own Berkeley resident Keith Miller. Music in the Park concerts were also held on Wednesdays in July, with music from Breeze, the Homewreckers, and the Juke Box. This year, Music in the Park also featured Cops vs. Kids activities that matched kids against cops in competitions such as a beanbag toss tournament. Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy these Village events this year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the many sponsors, participating businesses, organizations, volunteers, staff, and Village Board members that helped to make these events possible.

The Village is also excited to offer online bill pay to residents. Beginning August 1^st, residents will be able to pay their water/sewer/garbage bill online with this new service. The service is convenient and easy to use and I encourage you to register for online bill pay to see everything that it can offer. For more information on this new service and instructions on registering, please see the article contained on the homepage.

I would also like to recognize the hard work of the Village employees this summer. Employees within the Public Works, Fire Department, Police Department, and Village Hall all worked together to respond to severe storms in June and July that caused profound damage to the Village’s tree population and power outages throughout the Village. I would especially like to thank Berkeley residents for your understanding and patience during the restoration of the severe storm that took place on June 23^rd. The lengthy brush clean-up as well as the prolonged power outages affected nearly every home within the Village. Please know that the Village worked diligently to respond to resident concerns, alert ComEd of dangerous power-related issues, and clear brush from our community. Faced with so many weather-related disasters over the last several years, we cannot thank the residents enough for pulling together to restore the community after each major event.

Summer is here again, and along with the warm weather comes many fun and exciting events in the Village. This summer, please join us for the Annual Village Picnic and Car Show, as well as free "Music in the Park" events on Wednesday nights, which will feature local musical talent this year. There are also numerous Park District and Library events and activities, as well as block parties and garage sales throughout the summer. Don’t forget to also take advantage of the Prairie Path for walking, jogging, and bicycle riding throughout the year.

I would also like to take this opportunity to announce that the Village has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Union Pacific Foundation to purchase new equipment for the Berkeley Metra Train Station. The current slot box parking payment station will be replaced with a new digital payment station that will be able to provide change and will also accept pre-paid cards that residents can deposit funds onto, which will make parking payment at the station much more convenient.

Please also take note of the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Village Budget and Water/Sewer Rate Increase articles contained on the Government News page of this site. We understand that rate increases are difficult, but the Village Board and staff are committed to finding ways to reduce costs and improve service, which is reflected in the current budget. We appreciate your patience and support during these difficult economic times.

Take time to enjoy the nice weather this summer with friends, family, and the Village!

During April, the Village will be considering the Fiscal Year 2011 – 2012 Budget set to begin May 1st. In March, the Village held a Budget Workshop to review the draft budget and prioritize necessary capital improvements. The challenge of maintaining essential services during this trying economy continues. As you may be aware, the Village Board recently approved the lowest property tax increase in ten years. As a result, the Village has had to find creative ways to decrease expenditures and encourage other types of non-tax revenues. I am pleased to report that the proposed Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget does successfully maintain essential services levels and seeks to improve services where possible.

One way of encouraging revenues that do not affect the resident’s pocket is through the use of the tax increment financing (TIF) district. The TIF district, located along St. Charles Road, includes the Village’s major commercial corridor which provides the Village with both sales tax and property tax. Through set-aside TIF district funds, the Village is able to provide financial incentives to property owners and businesses within the TIF district. You have probably noticed the sign on 5544 St. Charles Road encouraging potential business owners/developers to invest in the property. The Village purchased the property in 2010 and recently completed the demolition in order to prepare the site for future redevelopment. If you are interested in opening a business at this site or along St. Charles Road, please contact Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen at (708) 449-8840 for details on how the Village may be able to financially assist you.

One service enhancement included in the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget is an online bill payment option for utility bills. In the near future, residents will be able to pay their utility bill online through the use of a credit card or electronic check without any convenience fee! More importantly, residents will be able to view the history of their water usage and the details of their statement through the click of a mouse. Lastly, residents that wish to sign up to receive electronic statements through the online bill pay system will have the option to continue receiving paper statements or opt out of receiving statements in the mail. As the Village is continuously trying to find ways to protect our environment while keeping costs down, the Village encourages all residents to opt out of the monthly mailing if possible. Please watch your utility bill for information about online bill pay.

Although times are still tough for all of us, the economy is providing the Village with signs of progress. In December 2010, the Illinois Department of Employment Security reported that local unemployment fell to 8.6% from 11.2% in March 2010. Moreover, sales tax revenues received by the Village are up 7% from the same time last year. Although gasoline prices will still be challenging all of us for years to come, I am happy to report that there is a silver lining on the horizon. Until the economy fully recovers, which could take several more years, I thank you for your patience and support.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you Happy Holidays! As this winter season is upon us, I have taken the time to look back over the past year in Berkeley. This year has been full of ups and downs in the Village, but we have constantly been working to provide the best possible service to our residents. The Village Board and staff have also been working to reduce the Village's overall operating budget, and as a result, we are currently securing sponsorships for the Family Skate Nights at the YMCA. The dates and times of the Skate Nights will be available in the near future and will be posted on the Village's website and electronic message boards.

This year we are continuing our Berkeley Holiday Festival tradition with a tree lighting ceremony, ornament making for the kids, refreshments, and a free trolley ride for the Holiday decoration house-judging contest. The Holiday Festival will be Friday, December 3rd at 6:00 PM at the Village Hall. I hope you will come out to enjoy the holiday festivities with your friends and neighbors.

While enjoying your winter holidays, please take time to support our troops who are currently serving and unable to be home for the holidays. The Village, in conjunction with American Legion Post 1016, DataMart Direct, Inc., and Boy Scout Troop 73, is supporting a “basic needs” drive for the troops. Please help support the troops with donations of basic need items or cash.

While enjoying the events and your own holiday traditions, please take the time to think about the blessings you have: family, friends, health, and good will. Now is the time to celebrate and appreciate the good things in life that we so often push aside. Happy Holidays!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the residents of Berkeley, for your patience and understanding during and after the July 23-24 flood event. I would also like to thank our Public Works, Police, and Fire Departments as well as our office staff for all their hard work in helping residents during and after the flood. This was a very trying time for Berkeley and I am very glad that we were able to come together as a community to face the situation head on.

During the weeks immediately following the flood, the Village dedicated its efforts to cleaning up the Village and seeking assistance for those affected by the flood. We used every means possible for keeping you informed during this time including our website, electronic entry signs, emails, phone calls, mailings, and posting information at the Village Hall. The distribution of information via phone calls and emails was made possible by the Village’s Connect-CTY system. If you did not receive calls or emails from the Village regarding the flood, I strongly encourage you to register your phone number and email address with the Village so that you can be kept informed of important Village information.

During this time, Village officials also met with our neighboring communities, Congressman Davis, Governor Quinn, Cook County, IEMA, FEMA, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to find solutions to problems caused by the flooding and to petition for aid for the residents of Berkeley. Our persistence paid off, and Cook County was awarded federal disaster assistance for residents affected by the flood.

With more than eight inches of rain over a nine-hour period, it is difficult to say whether the July 23-24 weather was a 100, 200, or 500-year food. Whatever the designation, we all know that similar rains were experienced in the fall of 2008 and that these rains can come at anytime. Based on resident concerns and Village observations, the Village is thoroughly reviewing the storm sewer and drainage system to determine where potential improvements can be made to decrease the impact to residents during a typical rainfall. It is not possible for the Village to make improvements that would satisfy rains such as those that occurred July 23-24. As we review Village-wide improvements, I encourage each resident to look for ways to improve their individual residence.

Thank you again for working together to make Berkeley a wonderful place to live and call home

FROM THE MAYOR'S DESK

	Berkeley 5819 Electric Avenue - Berkeley, Illinois - 60163

	Village of FROM THE MAYOR'S DESK Village President Michael A. Esposito Happy Holidays! This year has gone by so fast it is hard to believe that it is already over. Over the past year, the Village has worked diligently to continue to maintain a high level of service while introducing changes that will improve the quality of life for our residents. One of these changes, handicapped accessibility and safety improvements at the Village Hall and Police Station, is described in further detail in the “Construction Update” article in the most recent issue of the Berkeley Matters. The Village is also pleased that after years of working with the State of Illinois, Taft Avenue and St. Charles Road (east of Wolf Road) were recently repaved. As Taft Avenue and St. Charles Road are State roads, these grind and pave projects were completed at no cost to the Village. Please take some time to read through all the important information in the current issue of the Berkeley Matters. Most importantly, I would like to draw you attention to the article describing substantial water rate increases approved by the City of Chicago. These increases, which will occur over a four year period, represent a 90% increase in the water rate charged to the Hillside-Berkeley Water Commission. As a result, the Village will have no choice but to increase the water rate charged to its residents to offset the increases coming from Chicago. An increase to your monthly bill could occur as soon as January 1st. As the Village can do little to prevent the water rate increases approved by the City of Chicago, I would like to take a moment to remind you that water conservation is the best method for keeping the cost of you water bill down. Please be mindful when using water and purchasing appliances and fixtures that use water (e.g. toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.). Also, begin thinking about purchasing a rain barrel to water your plants and grass next year. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is offering rain barrels at a discounted rate of $51/barrel. Visit the MWRD website at http://www.mwrd.org/irj/portal/anonymous/rainbarrel for more information. Also included in the most recent issue of the Berkeley Matters is a Communications Survey for you to complete. The purpose of the survey is to determine how the Village can improve its outreach efforts. I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to complete and return the survey. Last but not least, I am happy to announce that the Village will once again be hosting the annual Holiday Festival featuring a tree lighting ceremony, refreshments, ornament-making for the kids, and a fun trolley ride for the house decorating contest. The Holiday Festival will be Friday, December 2nd at 6:00 PM at the Berkeley Fire Station. I hope to see you and your family there. If you would like to be entered in the holiday house decorating contest, please call the Village at (708) 449-8840 or drop your information in the silver box outside of the Village Hall. On behalf of the Village Board and staff, I wish you a happy and safe holiday season! On behalf of the Village of Berkeley, I would like to thank all of the residents and supporters who attended the Village Hall & Police Station Renovation Project Groundbreaking Ceremony on Friday, September 9th. The event was well attended and was an excellent venue to kick off the project and describe the upcoming renovations to interested residents. Below, please find my thoughts shared at the Groundbreaking Ceremony. As many of you know, I have had the pleasure of serving as Mayor of the Village of Berkeley for the last 18 years. Above all, during this time, my mission as Mayor has always been to provide the best services for the residents of Berkeley for the least cost possible. As a full service community on a tight budget, this has been a difficult but rewarding task. The challenges with running a Village never cease. Managing and prioritizing roads, water, storm-sewer, sanitary sewer, and facility improvements is never easy but must be done. It did not take long after I was first elected to observe that the combined Village Hall and Police Station were in desperate need of renovation as the 1938 building lacked basic handicapped accessibility components such as access to the second floor. It also did not take long to see that many of the Police Department operations were being conducted out of a crowded basement without proper climate control or ventilation. In addition, as still exists today, security at the Police Station was limited and prisoners are transported through the public lobby and 911 office which presents a public safety risk for both residents and staff. Most noticeable of all was the limited space for Public Works operations that, until recently, required that the majority of the Village’s vehicles, equipment, and supplies be stored outside in an unsecured location. A few years ago, the Village Board made it a priority to address the Public Works problem in order to better protect valuable Village property that was being stored outside. At that time, the Village Board decided that once the Public Works Department had been relocated to a new facility, the space vacated by the Public Works Department would be used to build a safe and secure Police Station within the Village Hall. It was determined that at that time, handicapped accessibility improvements would also be incorporated into the building to allow the disabled public to make use of the facility. Although the Village Board has been planning the renovation for many years, the project was jump-started by a Community Development Block Grant received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered through Cook County. This grant is funding a portion of the handicapped accessibility improvements including an elevator that will go to the second floor. The remaining costs of the project, will be funded through the Village’s Capital Project Reserve Fund. The Village Board has been diligently saving over the years and will not be borrowing nor raising tax to fund the project. Once completed, this will be one of the largest projects the Village Board has completed in the last two decades. The groundbreaking for the Village Hall and Police Station Renovation Project would not have been possible without the efforts of the Village Board’s Capital Improvements Sub-Committee. Comprised of Trustee Diane Salemi as Chair and Trustees Bob Lee and Bill Daugherty as members, this Committee worked over the last two years to make the project a reality. During the renovation, I thank you for your patience and support. Summer once again brought fun and entertainment to the Village of Berkeley. The Annual Village Picnic and Car Show held on Sunday, July 10^th was a success again this year due to the donations and participation of many area businesses and organizations. Residents enjoyed food, rides, and music from Flashback 45, featuring our own Berkeley resident Keith Miller. Music in the Park concerts were also held on Wednesdays in July, with music from Breeze, the Homewreckers, and the Juke Box. This year, Music in the Park also featured Cops vs. Kids activities that matched kids against cops in competitions such as a beanbag toss tournament. Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy these Village events this year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the many sponsors, participating businesses, organizations, volunteers, staff, and Village Board members that helped to make these events possible. The Village is also excited to offer online bill pay to residents. Beginning August 1^st, residents will be able to pay their water/sewer/garbage bill online with this new service. The service is convenient and easy to use and I encourage you to register for online bill pay to see everything that it can offer. For more information on this new service and instructions on registering, please see the article contained on the homepage. I would also like to recognize the hard work of the Village employees this summer. Employees within the Public Works, Fire Department, Police Department, and Village Hall all worked together to respond to severe storms in June and July that caused profound damage to the Village’s tree population and power outages throughout the Village. I would especially like to thank Berkeley residents for your understanding and patience during the restoration of the severe storm that took place on June 23^rd. The lengthy brush clean-up as well as the prolonged power outages affected nearly every home within the Village. Please know that the Village worked diligently to respond to resident concerns, alert ComEd of dangerous power-related issues, and clear brush from our community. Faced with so many weather-related disasters over the last several years, we cannot thank the residents enough for pulling together to restore the community after each major event. Summer is here again, and along with the warm weather comes many fun and exciting events in the Village. This summer, please join us for the Annual Village Picnic and Car Show, as well as free "Music in the Park" events on Wednesday nights, which will feature local musical talent this year. There are also numerous Park District and Library events and activities, as well as block parties and garage sales throughout the summer. Don’t forget to also take advantage of the Prairie Path for walking, jogging, and bicycle riding throughout the year. I would also like to take this opportunity to announce that the Village has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Union Pacific Foundation to purchase new equipment for the Berkeley Metra Train Station. The current slot box parking payment station will be replaced with a new digital payment station that will be able to provide change and will also accept pre-paid cards that residents can deposit funds onto, which will make parking payment at the station much more convenient. Please also take note of the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Village Budget and Water/Sewer Rate Increase articles contained on the Government News page of this site. We understand that rate increases are difficult, but the Village Board and staff are committed to finding ways to reduce costs and improve service, which is reflected in the current budget. We appreciate your patience and support during these difficult economic times. Take time to enjoy the nice weather this summer with friends, family, and the Village! During April, the Village will be considering the Fiscal Year 2011 – 2012 Budget set to begin May 1st. In March, the Village held a Budget Workshop to review the draft budget and prioritize necessary capital improvements. The challenge of maintaining essential services during this trying economy continues. As you may be aware, the Village Board recently approved the lowest property tax increase in ten years. As a result, the Village has had to find creative ways to decrease expenditures and encourage other types of non-tax revenues. I am pleased to report that the proposed Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget does successfully maintain essential services levels and seeks to improve services where possible. One way of encouraging revenues that do not affect the resident’s pocket is through the use of the tax increment financing (TIF) district. The TIF district, located along St. Charles Road, includes the Village’s major commercial corridor which provides the Village with both sales tax and property tax. Through set-aside TIF district funds, the Village is able to provide financial incentives to property owners and businesses within the TIF district. You have probably noticed the sign on 5544 St. Charles Road encouraging potential business owners/developers to invest in the property. The Village purchased the property in 2010 and recently completed the demolition in order to prepare the site for future redevelopment. If you are interested in opening a business at this site or along St. Charles Road, please contact Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen at (708) 449-8840 for details on how the Village may be able to financially assist you. One service enhancement included in the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget is an online bill payment option for utility bills. In the near future, residents will be able to pay their utility bill online through the use of a credit card or electronic check without any convenience fee! More importantly, residents will be able to view the history of their water usage and the details of their statement through the click of a mouse. Lastly, residents that wish to sign up to receive electronic statements through the online bill pay system will have the option to continue receiving paper statements or opt out of receiving statements in the mail. As the Village is continuously trying to find ways to protect our environment while keeping costs down, the Village encourages all residents to opt out of the monthly mailing if possible. Please watch your utility bill for information about online bill pay. Although times are still tough for all of us, the economy is providing the Village with signs of progress. In December 2010, the Illinois Department of Employment Security reported that local unemployment fell to 8.6% from 11.2% in March 2010. Moreover, sales tax revenues received by the Village are up 7% from the same time last year. Although gasoline prices will still be challenging all of us for years to come, I am happy to report that there is a silver lining on the horizon. Until the economy fully recovers, which could take several more years, I thank you for your patience and support. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you Happy Holidays! As this winter season is upon us, I have taken the time to look back over the past year in Berkeley. This year has been full of ups and downs in the Village, but we have constantly been working to provide the best possible service to our residents. The Village Board and staff have also been working to reduce the Village's overall operating budget, and as a result, we are currently securing sponsorships for the Family Skate Nights at the YMCA. The dates and times of the Skate Nights will be available in the near future and will be posted on the Village's website and electronic message boards. This year we are continuing our Berkeley Holiday Festival tradition with a tree lighting ceremony, ornament making for the kids, refreshments, and a free trolley ride for the Holiday decoration house-judging contest. The Holiday Festival will be Friday, December 3rd at 6:00 PM at the Village Hall. I hope you will come out to enjoy the holiday festivities with your friends and neighbors. While enjoying your winter holidays, please take time to support our troops who are currently serving and unable to be home for the holidays. The Village, in conjunction with American Legion Post 1016, DataMart Direct, Inc., and Boy Scout Troop 73, is supporting a “basic needs” drive for the troops. Please help support the troops with donations of basic need items or cash. While enjoying the events and your own holiday traditions, please take the time to think about the blessings you have: family, friends, health, and good will. Now is the time to celebrate and appreciate the good things in life that we so often push aside. Happy Holidays! I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the residents of Berkeley, for your patience and understanding during and after the July 23-24 flood event. I would also like to thank our Public Works, Police, and Fire Departments as well as our office staff for all their hard work in helping residents during and after the flood. This was a very trying time for Berkeley and I am very glad that we were able to come together as a community to face the situation head on. During the weeks immediately following the flood, the Village dedicated its efforts to cleaning up the Village and seeking assistance for those affected by the flood. We used every means possible for keeping you informed during this time including our website, electronic entry signs, emails, phone calls, mailings, and posting information at the Village Hall. The distribution of information via phone calls and emails was made possible by the Village’s Connect-CTY system. If you did not receive calls or emails from the Village regarding the flood, I strongly encourage you to register your phone number and email address with the Village so that you can be kept informed of important Village information. During this time, Village officials also met with our neighboring communities, Congressman Davis, Governor Quinn, Cook County, IEMA, FEMA, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to find solutions to problems caused by the flooding and to petition for aid for the residents of Berkeley. Our persistence paid off, and Cook County was awarded federal disaster assistance for residents affected by the flood. With more than eight inches of rain over a nine-hour period, it is difficult to say whether the July 23-24 weather was a 100, 200, or 500-year food. Whatever the designation, we all know that similar rains were experienced in the fall of 2008 and that these rains can come at anytime. Based on resident concerns and Village observations, the Village is thoroughly reviewing the storm sewer and drainage system to determine where potential improvements can be made to decrease the impact to residents during a typical rainfall. It is not possible for the Village to make improvements that would satisfy rains such as those that occurred July 23-24. As we review Village-wide improvements, I encourage each resident to look for ways to improve their individual residence. Thank you again for working together to make Berkeley a wonderful place to live and call home FROM THE MAYOR'S DESK