Community Relations Commission

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES January 26, 2012 Present: Anthony Cristiano Absent: Steven Gorski Jim Hynes – Ex Officio Bill Terpinas Bob Thomas Steve Tremaglio Cathy Spadoni – Secretary George Van Geem – Village Manager Commissioner Gorski, newly appointed by Mayor Callero as Chair of the CRC, called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. I. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Thomas made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 13, 2011 meeting; Commissioner Cristiano seconded the motion. The motion carried. II. Complaints from the Police Department Commissioner Terpinas reported that the Police Department has not received any complaints. III. Report from the Commissioners Since the last meeting, telephone and email hotlines have been set up and are posted on the Village of Niles website. (There is an icon on the front page of the website that links to a page with the contact information.) Commissioner Gorski stated that the Mayor has expressed concerns with the telephone hotline, fearing that complaints would be superfluous or not specific enough. The group decided that we should gather as much information as possible from a complainant, even when the complainant wishes to remain anonymous. Commissioner Tremaglio commented that it has been his experience that an organization has one complaint hotline through which all complaints are lodged. The complaints would then be forwarded to the proper committee or department. Commissioner Hynes explained that the Ethics hotline was set up specifically to receive complaints regarding violations of the Ethics Code (issues regarding employees or contractors of the Village.) The Community Relations Commission hotline is set up to handle housing or discrimination issues. Commissioner Tremaglio feels that it may be confusing to people to have two different hotlines, that they may not know which line to call with a complaint. Commissioner Hynes felt that the solution would be better publicity for the CRC that would explain what the commission is about, what types of problems we can address and how to bring them to our attention. Perhaps the Interfaith Housing Center can offer suggestions. Commissioner Hynes asked that we bring ideas to the next meeting. We will invite Kelly Mickle, Senior Center Director, and Seth Knobel, Family Services Director, to get their input and see how we can work together. Commissioner Tremaglio will work on a flyer containing our name, mission, contact information, etc. Commissioner Tremaglio suggested that we keep the process as simple as possible: receive the complaint, document the complaint, and handle the complaint. We need to investigate what we should do if we actually get a complaint. Commissioner Hynes stated that some complaints may be referred to a County or State agency. It was decided that the secretary, after receiving complaints via the hotlines, will document and forward them to the CRC chairperson, who will make a determination as to their validity and urgency. If necessary, a special meeting of the CRC will be called. Any complaints not related to the CRC will be referred to the appropriate departments. On Thursday, February 23, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, at the Niles Public Library, the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs will hold a discussion regarding “Fair Housing and what it means for your community.” The secretary will post flyers at Village Hall and ask the Senior Center, Fitness Center, and Police Department to post the flyers as well. Commissioner Terpinas will ask Park District Executive Director Joe LoVerde to post the flyers at Park District facilities. Commissioner Terpinas noted that the Village of Niles Community Relations Commission is not listed as a member organization on the Interfaith Housing Center’s website. The secretary will look into adding the CRC to the list. It was suggested that the CRC be advertised on the Village of Niles Comcast Channel 6. We will wait until a specific process to receive, document and handle calls is in place before moving forward with this action. IV. Comments from Citizens Village Manager George Van Geem reported that no complaints were received via the phone hotline, and CRC Secretary Cathy Spadoni reported that no complaints were received via the email hotline. There were no other reports of comments from citizens. Mr. Van Geem asked that from now on the secretary check the phone hotline for messages – two to three times each week. V. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. VI. Adjournment There being no official complaints or further business to come before the Community Relations Commission, Commissioner Terpinas made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Thomas. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. __________________________ Catherine Spadoni, Secretary Community Relations Commission