Elgin City Council moved forward on amended animal control ordinance after residents expressed concern over animals –particularly dogs – that they have experienced to be dangerous or vicious. A final vote will be taken at the March 10, 2010 Council Meeting. The new rules will become effective July 1, 2010.

“An extensive review of the State Animal Control Act and dog regulations throughout the country also demonstrated that the City’s current ordinance could be improved with respect to the care and keeping of animals,” said Elgin’s Corporate Council William A. Cogley. “The ordinance was written to improve City animal regulations, while also addressing some community concerns over dangerous and vicious dogs.”

A dangerous dog is a dog that unprovoked, chases, bites or injures a person or another animal or otherwise behaves in a way that would suggest that a person or another animal is in imminent danger. A vicious dog is a dog that unprovoked, attacks a person or another animal and causes severe physical injury or death.

Under the new ordinance pit bulls are presumed to be dangerous dogs.

Only dogs that have been designated as dangerous or vicious are required to be registered and licensed in the City of Elgin. Additionally, dangerous dogs must be muzzled when walked, on a non-retractable leash no longer than six feet, altered and microchipped. The dog must also be confined to a home, inside or outside in a fully fenced yard.

“Pit bulls are considered dangerous dogs in the City of Elgin because they have been found to be predisposed to violent behavior,” said Cogley. “Given pit bulls’ physical strengths and abilities, they always pose the possibility of danger and possess behavioral characteristics including a relentless intensity to fight that may appear without warning or provocation.”

More than 500 U.S. cities in 38 states have enacted special regulations for pit pulls.

A vicious dog may only be allowed outdoors or outside of an enclosure if the release is necessary for veterinary care. During any transport of a vicious dog, the dog must be securely muzzled and on a non-retractable leash no longer than six feet or transported in a secure temporary enclosure.

To learn more, click here for the City’s Frequently Asked Questions. View the Ordinance

There were 22 nominees for Elgin’s Image Advisory Commission’s annual Image Awards which annually recognizes image-enhancing efforts from Elgin residents, businesses and civic organizations.

Nominees eligible for the 2009 awards were:

Individual/Professional
Ron O’Neal, Dr. Jose Torres, Pastor Nathaniel Edmond, Cherie Aschenbrenner, Arthur (Doc) Sheehan

Individual Volunteer
Steve Thoren, David Metzger, Sarah Evans, Hidayat Khan, Laurie Faith Gibson Aiello, Fran Cella

Organization or Business
Morning Wake Up Call (WRMN Radio), Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Elgin Community College Mock Trial Team, Celebrating Smiles Dentistry, In the Neighborhood Deli, Sherman Hospital

Project
United Way of Elgin’s/Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Frock Swap Committee, AAUW Garden Walk, Ecker Center Fund Raiser with Elgin High School Musicians

Citizenship
The Reverends Rock & Blues Band

The Image Awards ceremony is set for Thursday, March 11 at 6 p.m. at the Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way.

Budgetary considerations and Elgin’s movement to become a more environmentally friendly community were the factors that led to the City’s decision to end its annual spring clean up event this year.

“It was a costly initiative,” said Elgin’s General Services Group Director Dave Lawry. “Last year, the City paid more than $350,000 to provide that service. And while the budget was certainly a consideration, the deciding factor was the City’s interest in becoming a more environmentally friendly community. The spring cleanup event simply was not the right thing to do for the environment, but the City continues to work with Waste Management to address other resident cleanup options.”

Last year Waste Management collected nearly 2,900 tons of garbage during the spring clean up week alone – which all goes directly to a landfill. An average weekly trash haul is normally about 470 tons.

“That’s a more than 500% increase in trash just for that week,” said Lawry. “The trash goes to a landfill and essentially negates any benefit the Elgin’s recycling program provided.”

Typically, Elginites recycle about 30% of their trash and toss about 70% that goes to a landfill. During the annual spring cleanup, the ratio is 91% trash and 9% recycling. In any given week, Waste Management would pick up perhaps four tires. During spring cleanup week, the number goes up to more than 2,000.

The City will still provide free yard waste removal during the month of April. Additionally, there is unlimited recycling available for free. The City’s curbside household hazardous waste removal program provides residents with a convenient way to dispose of oil-based paint, pesticides, pool chemicals and sealants also at no cost. Residents can call 1-800-449-7587 to arrange for a pickup.

Residents seeking to dispose of used motor oil and automotive fluids can do so at special Elgin locations: 7N904 Rt. 25 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 noon, or residents can go to Auto Zone, 310 N. McLean Blvd.

Electronics can be dropped off at the Kane County Circuit Court Building, 540 S. Randall Road, St. Charles on the second Friday and Saturday of every month between 8 a.m. and 12 noon.

There’s also a re-use center for building materials. ReStore, 800 N. State Street, enables homeowners and contractors to done surplus items and reduce the amount of building materials that would otherwise go to landfills. Residents should call 847-742-9905 to determine what is acceptable. Residents can also visit www.freecycle.org for more reuse information or can learn more about recycling options by going to the City’s website at www.cityofelgin.org.