City Briefs: Post-Prom Donation, Eagle Scout, Building Safety

Here's at look at some more news that came out of the May 2 Batavia City Council meeting:

City Donates to Post Prom

Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke on May 2 revealed the city’s donation of $3,000 for this year's safe Post Prom Night event on May 21 at . The event has been held every year for the past 21 years. The funds came from the fines paid by those who violated the liquor license ordinance, Schielke said.

“We think this is a great function of the Batavia community and it allows for many memorable times and some very fun-filled and safe experiences for many attending the Batavia annual prom,” Mayor Schielke said.

Post Prom will go from 11:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Funway, 1335 S. River St. The event is free of charge for those attending prom. Those who do not attend prom can still go to Post Prom at a cost of $15. Tickets are available during lunch hours at through Wednesday, May 11.

During Post Prom students can play dodge ball, bowling, arcade games, new bumper cars, mini golf and ride all the rides, including the ones outdoors.

At the end there will be a raffle with prizes such as an iPad, gas cards and tickets to music festivals such as Dave Matthews Band Caravan and Lollapalooza.

The Next Batavia Eagle Scout

Mayor Schielke recognized James Spencer Norris for obtaining his Eagle Scout rank. This Saturday, May 14 will be known as James Spencer Norris Day, which is the day of Norris’s Eagle Scout ceremony, according to the city’s proclamation honoring Norris.  

“I think by your attainment of this rank, we in Batavia are looking to you in the days ahead for some great and good things in your life and the services you already provided and will provide,” Mayor Schielke said when speaking to Norris. “Batavia is honored to have you as one of our own.”

City Identifies May as Building Safety Month

Building Commissioner Jeff Albertson proclaimed May 2011 Building Safety Month in the city. Unlike the one-week event in years past, each week in May will focus on a specific safety issue.

The first week’s spotlight includes, “Energy and Green Building," and the second week will delve into “Disaster Safety Mitigation.” The third week focuses on “Fire Safety and Awareness" and the fourth week concentrates on “Backyard Safety,” Albertson said.  

Reappointment of Police Pension Board Trustee

The City Council approved reappointing Ralph Beck to the Batavia Police Pension Board. Beck will continue as a trustee for the next two years, according to a memo by Cheryl Shimp, recording secretary for the city’s Police Pension Board.

Architects of the Future

Each year high-school students in the Student Architecture Mentoring Program design a potential development to find out what architecture is really all about, Steve Vasilion said. The students work with the city, owner and surveyor to come up with two- and three-dimensional designs for the development.

This year four students designed a residential building and a banquet hall on the site of , which is owned by the Knights of Columbus. Those students are:

• Allison Myers of Batavia High School
• Nick Jackson of
• Ben Richardson of Illinois Math and Science Academy
• Jeff Montanari of Batavia High School

Myers explained that one of the main design concepts included stacking all the rooms back so everyone has a view of the river. Overall, the students learned it takes a large amount of research to complete a project, the importance of communication between the architect and owner and the benefits of working together.