[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6230449,"mediaKeyId","3442225-a862fbd4a9da88f23787b9493fb9aff1","parentId",3442225,"title","Council unanimously adopts Batavia community flag designed by local student","audioSeconds",722,"startMs",2734000,"endMs",3456000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442225-a862fbd4a9da88f23787b9493fb9aff1&start=2734&end=3456","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442225-a862fbd4a9da88f23787b9493fb9aff1/thumbnail_2734000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6230449/Batavia/Kane-County/Illinois/Council-unanimously-adopts-Batavia-community-flag-designed-by-local-student","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230449-944c6de5b2bb9934d40101dc6faf11e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195107&Signature=IGU--h00IKnhiOIgKRH1nkulOLD1NyxQv1FrROj~lGtugJiPd-wVHoK4Djyhq0D6ALubVMi9-j76HR7I-Xd6k29yfB2TGDiQMLmzi51X~mK-t1Pn1cGIHHgRatvUAXk6VTcdyDRQAO64O7Ov60xryztaX2yV4N0wCvh20Nc9a14chLkeghyWPHNaa9dq1X7THvxbzDm2URCt3sOjUQ83z177HFntcyklfMOPGYDCrpkWP1dCKDgq42A5plqzmsthUnqlXaITP6nCwWqEYT9eZ6UQNM6-vFMqMi~lwTcnZC~qLl3jVw~s~7thAtGURQ7t3ztjcmwvYFKHAxGOm-Yfaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Batavia, IL","date","2025-05-22T08:55:57.427Z","article","The Batavia City Council adopted a resolution on May 20 establishing the Batavia community flag as the city's official flag, and members applauded the design process that produced a student winner.

The flag initiative committee received more than 110 submissions (many from students) and presented a shortlist that included entries from high school designers. Marty Callahan, who chaired the committee, said the selection process included neighborhood and student entries and that the committee sought a design that represented the community. Kathleen Thierry Ton, an art and media teacher at Batavia High School, introduced the winning designer, Rachel Agro. \"I would just like to thank everyone who's been a part of this process,\" Agro told the council and said the project encouraged students to consider their impact on the community.

The committee said the flags are produced locally by Flag Source in Batavia and that 10% of flag sales will be donated to the flag day monument. The council discussion repeatedly highlighted student participation: the presenters said five of the top 10 blind‑judged designs came from Batavia High School students.

The council member who introduced the motion described the resolution as establishing the Batavia community flag as official and the motion carried unanimously on a roll call of 13 yes, 0 no, 1 absent.

Why it matters: council members framed the flag as a civic identity project that involved broad community participation, including many youth; leaders said the flag will be used to celebrate Batavia and support a local monument fund through portioned sales.

Ending: after the vote the council participated in a group photo with the winning designer and committee members.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Batavia City Council Meeting. May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council approved a resolution making the Batavia community flag official. The winning design was created by Batavia High School student Rachel Agro; the flag will be produced locally and 10% of sales proceeds will support a flag day monument.","taxTitle","Batavia, Kane County, Illinois","taxId",69049,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230454,"Water Street Studios reports expansion in programs, outreach and public art after one year of forgivable loan",695,1547000,2242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442225-a862fbd4a9da88f23787b9493fb9aff1&start=1547&end=2242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442225-a862fbd4a9da88f23787b9493fb9aff1/thumbnail_1547000.jpg","/articles/6230454/Batavia/Kane-County/Illinois/Water-Street-Studios-reports-expansion-in-programs-outreach-and-public-art-after-one-year-of-forgivable-loan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230454-13eea545498ec6fdaf4ec3b28d435d97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195107&Signature=dfR4hO4pL1tEK9HH9L34tCT~zvIET7eQoJQx3LoXTDimiWTmCf6IFyd5wOHVdrbSiJCSp6yYR2jGSG94D02~R35phRFzq0BF1QJhG3DTftYFkjlx2ayTreQCa81VCv~UJ6av8pqBNPUOBQoItVTbWo~KCWZ3hPEV70Vpyorl7NOPm-3N3bdGtC~VZMtC21waOF9a9lgXgKnkm-k0OnY7YPNEep14SrjlZv65Vy-nt-xCthsTxGj77zS3Kl7yQkwYXiuJPU3R5pj3jpek~i3G9BciGnrPlCAEjO1cnP9GmVGJIkyoAazcbZQjCu7B-Ik0K2N~rmTbLV6wqfk89XU7xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Water Street Studios told the City Council on May 20 that it has used a city forgivable loan approved last year to expand programming, community outreach and public art projects.

Jessica Jackman, president of Water Street Studios' board, said the organization sees itself as \"a welcoming home for self discovery, expression\" and gave a one‑year status report on operations and outreach. Jackman told council members the group hosts monthly gallery openings (second Fridays), maintains a membership show with more than 60 participating artists, operates a School of Art with dozens of classes, and runs a summer camp season with registrations totaling more than 800 and roughly 300 distinct art class offerings.

She said Water Street Studios operates 25 artist studios under license agreements and is expanding a clay lab that already has 35 potters and a wait list; the organization recently added a third kiln. The nonprofit also described outreach partnerships with local schools and community organizations, including Larkin High School, Geneva High School, Northern Illinois Food Depository, Mercy Housing and others, plus participation at the Batavia Farmers' Market.

Leaders highlighted a public‑art effort done in partnership with the Conservation Foundation that placed 10 new murals along the river and said they are discussing a \"gateway mural\" project with a property owner and the Chamber of Commerce. Jackman said 10% of flag sales proceeds (for a separate community flag project) will go to a flag day monument.

Council members and the mayor praised the nonprofit's volunteer leadership and its role in downtown activation. Mayor Jeffrey D. Schuelke noted the organization's evolving use of the building — once a windmill factory and later a wartime manufacturing site — and thanked the group for drawing visitors to Batavia.

What the council received: an informational update; no city action or additional funding was requested at the meeting.

Why it matters: the nonprofit said its classes, gallery openings and public art have increased downtown foot traffic and provided arts access for local students and adults.

Ending: volunteers and city staff were invited to continue coordination on outreach and arts district activities.

","The nonprofit reported expanded classes, studio occupancy, a growing clay lab, outreach partnerships and a public‑art program; leaders said the forgivable loan approved last year supported the organization’s progress.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230457,"Council backs TIF support for proposed multifamily project at 400 South River Street",177,4523000,4700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442225-a862fbd4a9da88f23787b9493fb9aff1&start=4523&end=4700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442225-a862fbd4a9da88f23787b9493fb9aff1/thumbnail_4523000.jpg","/articles/6230457/Batavia/Kane-County/Illinois/Council-backs-TIF-support-for-proposed-multifamily-project-at-400-South-River-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230457-c08bc412147857eef3f6e7185c7f756b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195107&Signature=EHp4fnbK-Rgu1cIA9Ng8~IS6d8OQ54oQG78hTjHvHt~MjXjyZUTYXD3P3W2KLjOfu8bhSF5FPNPVy720C-TR6Z4cwryOue9UW~oQsnMnpoGiHLarTPrlKNl0Oc6Vyqkv~zVrG4TSVnFnbUj34WFHQMh9jpfLUy1Ibb0WQvd5fblzwl-Rmqb39GWUHXBMGzp8ImO47bey8iO3EphgdPB~-l8T2o7maEkVoVMtBOYW-tIKeEeIMBjuHFe4JmWIMWTuAN3Ymys~XZMiGVtVaxTIvCC54EYmh6Hh5RuqSU4kHl1BnmOxVgVmgScrjBwHZFxhvPIgD8IqfZMZ9BQ2QDJ6lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Batavia City Council on May 20 voted to support a tax‑increment financing (TIF) request for a proposed multifamily development in the 400 block of South River Street.

Council members discussed the project's location and how new housing could help address local housing stock needs. A council member said the site \"is close enough to have easy connections to downtown\" and argued the project would provide housing types the city lacks. Another council member described the use of TIF to turn a previously undeveloped site into taxable property that would generate increased property tax revenue for the district.

Councilors emphasized a preference that the project be structured as a taxable property rather than a tax‑exempt development so it would produce TIF increment. One council member noted the TIF district in question expires in 2039. The council approved the motion to support the TIF request; the roll call recorded 13 yes votes and 1 absent.

What the council did not finalize: council members discussed terms and next steps but did not adopt a final development or incentive agreement at the meeting. Staff and developers will return with more detailed financials and the formal agreement language for future council consideration.

Why it matters: supporters said the site is an opportunity to add housing close to downtown and that a taxable development could replenish TIF revenue; opponents did not register a formal objection during the council discussion at this meeting.

Next steps: staff will continue negotiations with the developer and present formal TIF terms, compliance conditions, and any required agreements to the council for approval.

","The City Council voted to support a TIF request for a proposed multifamily development in the 400 block of South River Street, and members emphasized the project should be taxable (not tax‑exempt) so it can generate increment for the TIF district.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6230463,"City council hears progress report on wastewater plant rehab; approves $9.795 million bond sale",4838,562000,5400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442225-a862fbd4a9da88f23787b9493fb9aff1&start=562&end=5400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442225-a862fbd4a9da88f23787b9493fb9aff1/thumbnail_562000.jpg","/articles/6230463/Batavia/Kane-County/Illinois/City-council-hears-progress-report-on-wastewater-plant-rehab-approves-9795-million-bond-sale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230463-459c2d70eeb104f17c6eb5c383cd9cc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195107&Signature=k4fR8BzGR7QcaL6QMfHA4oOe9cUZoIKxJz2CUNHDYILfhCN0E1wFOvbny26od-C9CtEtijodRZOfWRFLaGD4XGzdGgtWuYptuVxZiIK86JIJcgw3YPkgAU3u4afeYCi5UYWPbY0-GULF2YGpU2LcilhgkWwnE9SMQa5XnicvCroErtCks4HkMdf7pgm19kfsERgdz3o-j0GpPxT2k6z9qMs7ZRy3uuD31SZsQ4ggcDF87eGQJz0YhVidoDKIkuMe6bhRO-OkyUIt1SI59E25ShPlteI48W3A4VPxnwNTfT1O9EmvowlwtUx7bgfAEW75t16z7XBEW-BbKjjgD7juuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Contractors gave the City of Batavia a May update on the multi‑phase wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation and the City Council approved a related bond sale to help pay for construction.

The presentation by project staff described completed work at the new headworks, primary clarifiers and sludge handling building, and said most equipment for the current phase is on site. \"All of the equipment for this phase of the treatment plant, it's all on‑site,\" the project presenter said. The presenter also told council members the contractor was keeping current schedule dates and that the project could finish earlier than originally planned.

The project team said site work has included exterior brick and door installation at the headworks, installation and hydrostatic testing of diversion gates between the four new primary clarifiers, interconnecting piping between clarifiers, and rehabilitation work on final clarifiers. The team reported unexpected repairs discovered during clarifier rehabilitation — including replacement of corroded anchor bolts at a clarifier center pier — and said that those repairs were part of the ongoing scope.

Project financials and schedule: the presenter stated a total project budget in the range of about $43 million and reported change orders as modest relative to the overall contract (the presenter cited roughly $13,000 in net change orders to date). The contractor reported about 60% completion by schedule, and the project manager said payments made to date reflected roughly 88% of the contract value. The team listed milestone targets they are tracking: final clarifiers expected to be completed the next month, the headworks substantially complete in August, primary clarifiers substantially complete in September, and the primary clarifier control building and sludge handling building substantially complete in October, with an anticipated final completion that could be about five months ahead of the original June 2026 date.

City officials and project staff emphasized reasons for the upgrades: replacement of aging equipment, evolving regulatory requirements tied to the plant's NPDES permit, and capacity needs. The presenters noted the plant was planned to expand from 4.2 to 4.9 million gallons per day in the facility plan adopted in February 2008 and said the current phases also prepare the site for later biological nutrient removal and tertiary treatment work.

Financing action: during the same meeting the City Council considered and approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance of approximately $9,795,000 in general obligation bonds to finance capital improvements \"including construction of a waste water treatment plant and rehabilitation of a lift station and a force main,\" as read into the record by a council member. The ordinance language as read in the meeting states the bonds will be issued \"providing for the levy and collection of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest of said bonds and authorize the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof.\" City staff later noted that each year the council will see an abatement resolution because wastewater revenues are expected to pay the bonds rather than ad valorem taxes.

What was not decided: the presentation was informational and there was no vote on scope changes during the update. The council approved the bond ordinance; no additional contract award or new budget appropriation was announced during the meeting.

Why it matters: the plant serves the city's wastewater service area, and the work aims to replace end‑of‑life equipment, meet tightening phosphorus and other permit limits, and provide additional capacity tied to community growth. The council and project team framed the work as phased to maintain continuous operations on a constrained site while positioning the plant for later biological and tertiary upgrades.

Ending note: project staff told council members they were available to answer follow‑up questions by phone or email.

","Contractors reported major construction milestones, a projected earlier finish and that most equipment for the current phase is on site; the City Council approved an ordinance issuing approximately $9,795,000 in general obligation bonds to help finance the work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council unanimously adopts Batavia community flag designed by local student

Water Street Studios reports expansion in programs, outreach and public art after one year of forgivable loan

Council backs TIF support for proposed multifamily project at 400 South River Street

City council hears progress report on wastewater plant rehab; approves $9.795 million bond sale