Community Relations Commission

APPROVED Community Relations Commission Meeting Minutes January 12, 2016 A meeting of the Community Relations Commission was held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 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 7:08 pm. Present were: Yulia Bazavluk Veronica Boyajian Chris Foltz, Chairman Bill Lundquist Matthew Miller Elizabeth Ury Absent were: Gil Antokal Kate Baddeley Martin Friedman Mark Woolums Lori Zwart Also Present: Detective Brad Schroeder, Deerfield Police Department Detective Brad Tokarz, Deerfield Police Department Kent Street, Village Manager Jeri Cotton, Secretary 1. Document Approval Mr. Lundquist moved to approve the minutes from the December 8, 2015 Community Relations Commission meeting. Ms. Ury seconded the motion. There were some minor corrections. 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 January 12, 2016 Page 2 of 4 3. Police Department Activities Report Detective Schroeder and Detective Tokarz provided the police department activities for December 2015. Detective Tokarz noted domestic troubles increased with 12 incidents. There were three thefts, two forgeries, four identity thefts and six arrests for possession of cannabis. During the holidays, students are off school and smoking in their vehicles. The commissioners discussed how charges are handled, which are typically a local ordinance violation. Detective Tokarz noted there was a large felony gang arrest. The gang members targeted day care centers and other parking lots and breaking vehicle windows and stealing purses. Detective Tokarz noted there was a credit card fraud case from Bed, Bath & Beyond where the suspect has been identified. There were two arrests; one was a DUI that ended up with several other charges. There was one salon burglary that seems to be a trend within the suburbs. There was on social hosting violation. Ch. Foltz believes the community needs to be educated about cannabis laws. The commissioners discussed drug abuse within the Village. They discussed what the Commission can do to educate the community. Mr. Miller suggested utilizing Text-A- Tip. Detective Tokarz asked if a Text-A-Tip card could be included in water bills. Ch. Foltz suggested inviting someone from Community. The Anti-Drug to speak to the Commission. 4. Consideration of Special Needs Adults Socialization Support Mr. Street and staff drafted a letter to come from Ch. Foltz and the Commission regarding addressing the gap for special needs adults. The Commission needs to do some research before a final recommendation is made. The draft letter is attached to the end of the minutes. Ch. Foltz suggested emailing Mr. Street with proposed changes to the draft letter. Ch. Foltz wants to appear before the Board of Trustees in a near- future Board meeting. 5. Government Service Internship Ch. Foltz questioned whether the Commissioners are interested in having government interns in some other Commissions. Mr. Street wants to ensure the selected students are interested in the specific commissions. Ch. Foltz suggested putting together an advisory memo stating the Commission wants to expand the government service internship program in an ex-officio manner. Each Commission could determine whether they want the intern to be a voting member in the future. Mr. Street believes the Community Relations Commission January 12, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Commission needs to approve a recommendation, based on their experiences with the government service interns. 6. Community Relations Commission Awards Ch. Foltz believes the awards need to be merged. He thinks there should just be a Community Service Award. People of any age and groups would be eligible to apply for the award. Ch. Foltz questioned how to make it easier. The award recipient(s) would not get a stipend; however, the government student interns would receive stipends. Ch. Foltz questioned when the award should be given. He suggested giving the award when it seems fit. Mr. Street noted a rolling award would be less structured. He noted there may be some years that an award is not given. Ms. Ury questioned whether not having a deadline would adversely affect nominations. Ch. Foltz suggested having two recognition periods throughout the year. Ms. Boyajian suggested having a set date, and if there is a nomination received throughout the year, the Commission would consider it. Mr. Lundquist noted the application would need to be publicized. The commissioners will need to determine a date. 7. Items from the Commission Ms. Ury asked if the Commission has sent out a survey asking what people want the Commission to accomplish. Mr. Street noted the Village has not done surveys in the past. The Commission will need to rationalize what the survey should accomplish. Ms. Ury suggested breaking down information by demographics, then determine interests. It would be similar to a Community needs survey. Ms. Ury will look into this. Mr. Miller updated the Commission on Community Chest. There were about 500 people at the 5k color run. There were 300 people attended the benefit dinner. The Community Chest raised a lot of awareness and money for the charity. The total raised was $162,539.17 in 30 days. 8. Adjournment There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm. The next regular Community Relations Commission meeting will be held on February 9, 2016 at 7:00 pm. Community Relations Commission January 12, 2016 Page 4 of 4 Respectfully submitted, Jeri Cotton Secretary Attachments: Special Needs Adults draft