Community Relations Commission

VILLAGE OF NILES COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING UNAPPROVED MINUTES These minutes have not been approved and are for review only. Minutes from the Community Relations Commission meeting held on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Village Hall, 1000 Civic Center Drive in the 2nd Floor Conference room/EOC. I. Call to Order: Chair Jovan Marinac was absent. Tony Dati called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. Katie Schneider called the roll for attendance. II. Roll Call Members Present: Tony Dati, Lin Bartucca, Jeff Kash, Larry Mayer, Kathy Toy, Anela Hrnic Members Absent: Jovan Marinac, Joe Kuffel, Megan Roberts Esterling Village Representatives: Katie Schneider (Administration), Darren Brown (Family Services) III. Approval of Meeting Summary Larry Mayer made a motion to accept the May 3, 2023 minutes as presented. Jeff Kash second the motion. 6 were in favor, 0 abstained, 0 opposed. Minutes approved. Later in the meeting it was noticed that the attendance was incorrect. Anela Hrnic made a motion to correct the attendance and that all members of the commission were present at the May 3 meeting, Kathy Toy second. All in favor, none opposed. IV. Public Comment Peggy Reins (Niles, IL) – Ms. Reins wanted to commend Family Services for working with Open Communities on the program at the library. She hoped they would offer that again and, in the evenings, or weekends when more people may be able to attend. She mentioned her personal connections to fair housing and wanted to learn more about what Niles is doing to advance fair housing in our community. She thanked the Commission. David Sutherland (Niles Coalition, Niles, IL) – Mr. Sutherland commented that on February 2, 2023 the Niles Senior Center held a Murder Mystery luncheon where racist symbols and insensitive caricatures were on costumes and posted to the senior center social media page. The Niles Coalition sent a copy of the complaint to Darren Brown and Human Resources. He did not submit it through the portal, as requested by Darren Brown. He claims this is the third complaint that has gone with no response. He also referenced a former employee of the village that has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Village. He is frustrated that the issues he raises are not added to the Community Relations Commission agenda. Mr. Sutherland played a video of a public comment at a Village of Niles Board of Trustees meeting (May 23, 2023 meeting) that was made. Mr. Sutherland believes that the video shows a pattern of the leadership and people of Niles that don’t connect with the community as some disgracefully laughed at the commentor. Mr. Sutherland sent a complaint to the Mayor and Board of Trustees about their response and he claims it was blown off. Darren Brown was asked for his response, Darren Brown stated that he reached out to David Sutherland on the issues at the Senior Center, Mr. Sutherland did not respond to Darren and told Village HR that he did not want to talk to Darren Brown about it. He was asked repeatedly to use the complaint portal, to date no submission had been made. As commission members had more questions, Tony Dati reiterated that the reason for the portal is so that Commissioners can take time to learn about the incident/issue, ask questions and gather information to speak 1 of 3 Community Relations Commission Minutes 8-2-2023 to facts. Tony Dati asked David Sutherland to submit the issues that were brought up at the meeting to the CRC complaint portal. Jeff Kash made a statement disputing the public comment from David Sutherland that Niles is an unwelcoming place where neighbors don’t connect with each other. Anela Hrnic made a motion to add the Senior Center issue and Village Board Video issue to the agenda once David Sutherland adds them to the CRC portal. Kathy Toy second the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. V. Community Complaints There were no complaints through the portal. VI. Old Business: Block Parties, Village Event Participation and Marketing Materials were all addressed as one general discussion. At the May meeting, there was a lot of discussion to be present at block parties and community events, having brochures or promotional materials so the CRC members could connect with residents. At this point, no further action was taken. Katie Schneider did inform the group that prior to the pandemic the CRC had a sign-up sheet for block parties and events, members had a name badge and one or two people would go to each. They could resurrect these initiatives. One of the goals of the Community Relations Commission could be to increase block parties. It was agreed that the Commission should focus on developing their message. The Community Relations Commission could host a workshop or support an event for the public. A “To-Do” list/Next Steps were created: • Anela Hrnic volunteered to do some research, look at the website and see what kind of marketing brochure we could create. • Tony Dati volunteered to get some pricing for a promotional item. • Add the materials to social media. • Katie Schneider will send the member contact list again so members can communicate one-on-one. • Tony Dati volunteered to be a point person to coordinate a sign up sheet for events. VII. New Business As appointed members, and card was given to each person. Katie Schneider stated that an email from the Village Clerk Marlene Victorine will connect with everyone and make sure you everyone completes the necessary materials. VIII. Next Meeting Members of the Commission wanted to meet next month to address several issues brought up at this meeting. They agreed to meet September 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm. and then again in November. Katie will send out an email to coordinate the November date. The group confirmed that both the Senior Center Social Media issue and the Village Board meeting issue brought up by David Sutherland would be added to the agenda. David Sutherland confirmed he would submit both through the portal, so members had time to review. Each member of the Commission is responsible for asking their own questions or follow up with any staff. Both Katie Schneider and Darren Brown said they were available to assist. IX. Adjournment Kathy Toy motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Larry Mayer second the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. Meeting adjourned. 2 of 3 Community Relations Commission Minutes 8-2-2023 Minutes Submitted by: Katie Schneider, Staff Liaison 3 of 3 Community Relations Commission Minutes 8-2-2023