Community Relations Commission

UNAPPROVED DRAFT Community Relations Commission Meeting Minutes December 8, 2015 A meeting of the Community Relations Commission was held on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hall Community Conference Room, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois. Ch. Foltz called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Present were: Gil Antokal Kate Baddeley Veronica Boyajian Chris Foltz, Chairman Martin Friedman Bill Lundquist Elizabeth Ury Absent were: Yulia Bazavluk Matthew Miller Mark Woolums Lori Zwart Also Present: Brad Schroeder, Deerfield Police Department Brad Tokarz, Deerfield Police Department Kent Street, Village Manager Jeri Cotton, Secretary 1. Document Approval Mr. Antokal moved to approve the minutes from the November 10, 2015 Community Relations Commission meeting. Mr. Lundquist seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. 2. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items There were no public comments on non-agenda items. Community Relations Commission December 8, 2015 Page 2 of 4 3. Report of Police Department Activities Detective Brad Schroeder and Detective Brad Tokarz discussed the police activities from November 2015. Detective Schroeder noted there was one battery, two residential burglaries, one sexual abuse that resulted in an arrest, a bank robbery that resulted in an arrest, and an aggravated resisting arrest that resulted in an arrest. There were also a few DUI arrests, which is fairly typical. Detective Schroeder noted the department is participating in Toys for Tots on Saturday, as well as the toys giveaway with Lutheran General Hospital on December 19, 2015. There is a list of toys for the toy giveaway, if anyone is interested in donating. Mr. Street noted the medical marijuana dispensary will hold an open house from 10 – 3 on Saturday at 151 S. Pfingsten, which is the only time it will be open to the public. Ch. Foltz discussed the financial issues regarding the dispensary. 4. Glencoe Adult Special Services Program Brian Brandt with the Glencoe Adult Special Services Program was present. Mr. Brandt explained they meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 9:30; however, some Tuesday evenings they are offsite. He provided a history on the program, which has recreational, educational and support for adults with disabilities. The group was previously hosted in Lincolnshire, but has been located in Glencoe for the past nine years. The park district makes the building available free of charge. Mr. Brandt noted the program is a social club, not therapy. The participants range from 20 to 40s and live throughout the area. There are a series of videos available on YouTube. Ch. Foltz discussed their budget. New Trier Township budgeted $17,000 to the program and their expenses were $12,000. They do a lot for the money, and the participants are not charged. Ch. Foltz questioned whether the program could be scaled in Deerfield. He indicated the program has evolved into what it is. Mr. Brandt noted the participants have become friends and enjoy the program. Ms. Baddeley discussed the DHS Warrior Buddies program. Mr. Brandt noted the participants have a lot of resources while in high school, but when they leave, do not have as many. Ch. Foltz believes there is a lot of opportunity with the high school. Ms. Baddeley noted there are a number of extracurricular activities as well. One program is a rotating lunch, which fosters conversation. Mr. Brandt indicated they do not have a very positive relationship with the high school. He believes that is a good opportunity. Community Relations Commission December 8, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Brandt noted many of the participants are higher functioning. Mr. Boyajian explained her daughter found that a challenge. Ms. Ury noted the niche is socialization. Ch. Foltz asked about the next steps. Mr. Street explained they would first speak with the park district and find how this would differ from NSSRA. He would also look into the interest. Mr. Antokal explained the program would need staff and a location. Ch. Foltz suggested working with a couple townships, to reduce the cost. He suggested starting with a pilot program or a pilot event. The commissioners noted one challenge would be determining who and how many people would want to participate. Ms. Boyajian noted the socialization needs to be facilitated; it does not happen naturally. Mr. Brandt noted the facility has a specific type of environment. It needs to be a hangout with computers, entertainment and snacks. The facility will also have to be accessible. The facility in Glencoe is also a youth center when not used by the Snap program. Ms. Boyajian asked about the staffing. Mr. Brandt explained they advertise for staff as well as have an executive director that also handles grants. Ch. Foltz suggested working with Trinity College to staff the program. Mr. Brandt will provide assistance, should the Commission choose to start a program. Ch. Foltz would like to make an attempt. Mr. Antokal indicated the first step would determine interest. Ch. Foltz suggested making an online form and distributing it to the school to the Warrior Buddies and through Ms. Boyajian. If there is interest, the Commission needs to do something. Mr. Street indicated the Commission needs to go on a fact finding mission and make a recommendation to the Mayor and Board of Trustees. Mr. Antokal believes the Commission needs to find a corporate sponsor who would fund the program. Ch. Foltz would like a form to be created for the next Community Relations Commission meeting. Mr. Street believes the Commission needs to define the scope of what they will do. The Commission will also work on determining the potential number of participants. 5. Commission Award Nomination and Award Sequences Ch. Foltz suggested having only one award without an age limit. The award does not have a financial stipend. He believes most Village Commissions should have a student intern as well. Ch. Foltz suggested combining the government internship with the student service award and providing a larger stipend. Community Relations Commission December 8, 2015 Page 4 of 4 Ch. Foltz suggested turning on the form for the application deadline date for the government service internship. Selections would be made before Spring break and the new intern’s first meeting will be in April. 6. Community Relations Commission On-Line System This item will be held to the next meeting. 7. Items from the Commission Ch. Foltz noted his term as chairman has expired. He will stay as long as needed, but will need to be replaced. The Board and Commission holiday party is Sunday from 3 – 6 pm. Mr. Antokal indicated the blood drive was this past weekend. They drew 48 units. Mr. Street distributed a brochure from Community. The Anti-Drug. 8. Adjournment There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm. The next regular Community Relations Commission meeting will be held on January 12, 2016 at 7:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jeri Cotton Secretary