New Voice Joins Burning Issue—Fire Pits on Geneva COW Agenda 7 PM Monday, Oct. 24

in Geneva are a burning issue, and if anything, they're getting hotter.

In an open letter to Geneva aldermen, Mayor Kevin Burns and other city officials, Mark Krueger and Cheryl Kubilis argue strongly against allowing fire pits.

"Tonight, you are about to embark on an extremely important decision, as whether to allow for unnecessary wood smoke pollution in the city of Geneva or NOT," the letter says.

"It has been obvious from the onset of this issue that most aldermen (Ron Singer and Craig Maladra excluded) and other city officials are simply aligned with what would be considered the popular vote and not what is truly in the best interest of the community in terms of the health, safety and welfare of its residents."

The letter notes the city's opinion survery and suggests that it is not an appropriate measure of public opinion.

"There was absolutely no educational information as to the significant 'Adverse Health Effects of Wood Smoke Inhalation' that accompanied this survey. Your lack of due diligence is simply beyond words. Why would a Wood Smoke Review Committee not have been formed to explore the real impact that this change could have on your community? This panel should have included doctors, lawyers, and residents for and against this serious choice," the letter says.

City Administrator Mary McKittrick responded to the e-mail, saying that it misrepresented the city's interpretation of the poll results.

"As you all know, we include a survey poll question in our electronic e-mail (GenevaMail) every other week; a 'current' topic, if you will. This is information that we regularly pass along to our Council," she said. "In this instance, the question had to do with recreational fires. It was never presented as a statistically valid or representative survey of the entire community.  It was presented as a GenevaMail survey question which was sent to our distribution list of more than 3,000 people as we do every other week."

Krueger is director of environmental services for LM Consultants, Inc. of Vernon Hills, IL

"Clearly, it is apparant that you want to take a step in the wrong direction," his letter says. "When cities all across the nation are recognizing this new trend as not only a threat to public health, but also the environment, they are instead becoming more diligent in their commitment to protect residents against the very significant known health hazards, as well as the safety issues that exist by creating new and/or more stringent wood smoke pollution ordinances and bans.

"But, to the contrary, the city of Geneva seems to wants to cause unreasonable interferance with the enjoyment of ones property and the freedom to breathe clean air and maintain a healthy lifestyle."  

Here is the City Council Committee of the Whole agenda:

Monday, October 24, 2011
7 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
109 James Street
Geneva, IL 60134

1. Call to Order

2. Consider Consent Agenda

*3. Approve Committee of the Whole Minutes from October 10, 2011.

4. Items of Business

a. Clerk Administers Oath of Office to Police Officer Ryan M. Ericksen

b. Introduction & Recognition of Mrs. Mary Brittany Schmitz, Author

c. Recommend Approval of Chamber of Commerce Requests for 2011 Christmas Walk

d. Recommend Draft Ordinance Amending Title 10, Chap. 4 (Fire Prevention & Safety) Related to Opening Burning in the City of Geneva.

e. Recommend Draft Ordinance Amending Title 1, Chap. 5 (City Council), Sec. 1-5-1 (Election, Term and General Duties) Related to Number of Aldermen.

f. Recommend Acceptance of 2nd Quarter FY2011-12 Goals Status Report

5. New Business

6. Upcoming Meetings: Special Committee of the Whole October 31, 2011.

7. Adjournment