Posted5/4/2021 5:30 AM
A new era began Monday night in St. Charles with the swearing in of Mayor Lora Vitek, four new aldermen, a new city clerk and a new treasurer.
The first city council meeting for the group featured the approval of Finance Director Chris Minick as the interim city administrator to replace retiring Mark Koenen, who provided one of the many emotional farewell speeches of the night. Minick s appointment becomes effective May 15.
Vitek, who served one term as Ward 4 alderman, becomes the second female mayor in St. Charles history after Sue Klinkhamer served from 1997 to 2005. I m honored to be elected as the mayor of St. Charles for many reasons, she said. As only the second female mayor of the city, I m hoping I can set a good example for other women to develop confidence, drive and fearlessness to take a risk when it comes to seeking political, community or other leadership positions. I support you and welcome you to explore opportunities available throu
Posted4/20/2021 5:30 AM
After the St. Charles city council voted Monday to amend an ordinance to allow liquor license holders to serve as elected officials, Blue Goose Market owner Paul Lencioni will be sworn in as a 3rd Ward alderman next month.
Lencioni, a liquor license holder who repeatedly has tried to change the law, defeated Chuck Amenta in the April 6 election by garnering nearly 58% of the votes in the ward. But the long-standing law prevented Lencioni from being seated unless he surrendered his liquor license.
Monday s 6-4 vote allows Lencioni to serve as alderman and keep his license, but state statute dictates he must recuse himself from liquor issues put before the council.
Updated 2/24/2021 6:23 PM
Bolstered by the results of a community survey indicating support for the direction of the 1st Street Plaza project along the Fox River in St. Charles, city officials agreed to pay $165,000 to Serena Sturm Architects for a detailed design of the plan.
The city previously paid a similar amount to Serena Sturm for a basic design that included artist renderings of the pedestrian walkway, public gathering spot and other amenities. The new design will include an updated site survey and describe the site s architectural and structural dimensions in addition to HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems.
The design will be completed by mid-May with hopes of construction beginning just after Labor Day.
Updated 1/26/2021 5:34 PM
After decades of flooding that s plagued residents along the 7th Avenue Creek in St. Charles, the city s aldermen unanimously approved allocating $3.6 million for the first phase of a construction project in the area just south of Main Street.
The contract for Phase 1, which came in about $400,000 under budget, was awarded on Monday to Martam Construction. Because of three grants totaling $1.7 million, the cost to the city will end up being about $1.9 million.
Martam hopes to begin construction in February, weather permitting, and finish the bulk of the work by the end of October. I am so excited that this project is happening, Ward 5 Alderman Maureen Lewis said during Monday s Government Services Committee meeting. It s been in the making for several years here. I think this is really going to revitalize this area of St. Charles.