Community Relations Commission

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION Minutes from the Meeting held on Thursday, September 13, 2018 Persons in Attendance: Brian Sweeney (Chair) Joe Penze – Deputy Chief of Police Carolyn Drblik Katie Schneider – Secretary CRC Keith Sokolowski Vicky Duka John Jekot - Trustee Jigna Shah - Family Services Counselor Persons Absent: Steven Vinezeano – Village Manager Luis Tigera – Chief of Police Joe Kuffel Tony Hollenback – Director of Family Services Commission Chair Brian Sweeney called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday, September 13, 2018 in the 3rd Floor Family Services Group Room at the Human Services Building, 999 Civic Center Drive. Carolyn Drblik motioned to approve the July 16, 2018 meeting minutes, seconded by Vicky Duka, all were in favor, none opposed. Minutes approved. Reported Citizen Comments/Complaints a. Police and Other Village Departments Joe Penze gave the Police Department report. For the month of August, the Police Department has continued to be present in the community. They hosted three Coffee with a Cop events, they are usually at a local restaurant or Dunkin Donuts, Panera Bread or Starbucks. There were 11 block parties that police were present at and the NPD hosted National Night Out on August 7 at Our Lady of Ransom with 300 people; attendance was down due to terrible storms throughout the evening. Police held two Back to School events at St. John Brebeuf and Nelson school. The Police Department participated in the Downers Grove car show. Senior Center training sessions began for SCRAM and are now up and running at the senior center. Brian Sweeney asked if the Police Department ever hosts an Open House (similar to the Fire Department one coming up in October), Joe replied that they have in the past. They currently are making some changes and upgrades to the building so would not consider one until that is complete. b. Telephone/Email Hotlines No reports, complaints or inquiries were submitted or reported to the Commission. c. Commissioners No reports, complaints or inquiries were submitted or reported to any Commissioners. Old Business Carolyn and Keith attended block parties this summer and spoke with many residents. Carolyn had put a spreadsheet together with resident’s information and their complaint or question. She reviewed her list of resident input which included traffic issues, speeding issues (some wanted speed bumps, some wanted one way streets), street pavement and building inspection problems and problems with skunks. Other conversations included an increased number of rental properties since we have an older community, questions about TIF districts, questions about the senior development on Touhy and a recommendation that the Park District assist with kids games for block parties. Brian Sweeney asked if residents were willing to talk. Keith and Carolyn said that residents were very open and receptive to sharing ideas and talking to CRC members. Once word got out that CRC members were asking for feedback to take back to the Village, the residents were very forthcoming. Katie Schneider had stated that one block party had a group of residents that were very unhappy that the street was barricaded for the party. One resident demanded that the block party permit be revoked. However, the organizer had completed the paperwork accordingly and as a solution, the organizers held the party on only part of the street to try and accommodate all residents. The Village has since reviewed its policy, researched other communities and will make changes for next year. The most significant change will be clarification that the petition is not for permission to close the street, but notification. Brian asked for feedback from those that went to the Community Block Party on August 25 at the Senior Center. Carolyn Drblik commented that so many people were asking for services (from the Family Service table) and she was surprised by people that wanted the donated food. It spoke to the need in our community. Brian stated that it was well worth the time, giving out materials and having the CRC represented. People were excited to learn that Family Services and the CRC exist. Vicky Duka said that National Night Out went well and was a lot of fun. People were very interested in picking up the free promotional items. Carolyn created a shared google doc and listed each inquiry. She asked the CRC members what is the best way to answer these questions and concerns. Carolyn shared her copy with the group. Katie Schneider offered to filter inquires through her and she could connect them with the appropriate department. The group did not want Katie to have to handle each inquiry and also felt that the specific CRC member should be responsible for follow up with the resident they spoke with. The Commissioners agreed that we want to be proactive with each inquiry. Carolyn commented that the complaints have already been taken to the Village, and that they are issues that were unresolved for one reason or another. Katie could share the spread sheet with each department and keep the spreadsheet updated as issues are addressed. Then each CRC member would know the status and be able to follow up with the resident. Katie reiterated that the resident may not always like the answer or solution, but they could be assured that Village was responsive. Carolyn confirmed that each resident was willing to give their name, address and phone number. Moving forward CRC members agreed that block parties and community events are the best way to reach residents. They asked to be part of an event where Family Services is participating. We will ask Tony Hollenback to keep the commission informed. We will continue the events and block party sign up for next year. At the next meeting, we will continue to discuss the google doc that Carolyn created, finalize and be prepared to implement for next year. New Business Katie Schneider asked that each commissioner think about promotional items to distribute for next year. Open Discussion and Public Comment There was no public comment. Next Meeting The next meeting is on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Family Services Group Room at the Human Services Building, 999 Civic Center Drive. The CRC members agreed that we should keep our 4 quarterly meetings and plan to meet more during the spring and summer months. Adjournment Carolyn Drblik made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Vicky Duka second the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Minutes Submitted by: Katie Schneider, Secretary of the Community Relations Commission