Community Relations Commission

APPROVED MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS MARCH 1, 2012 The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m., in the Civic Room, at the Northbrook Public Library, by Chair Ray Wehr. Members Present: Sheila Bass, Nafisa Choudhury, Bruce Doughty, Scott Gertz, Linda Goldsher, Jim Hyun, Kamyar Jabbari, Bob Lozaro, Ron Mantegna, Rochelle Singer, Nancy Stoddard, and Chair Wehr. Also Present: Liaison Jason Batalden, and Recording Secretary LeeAnn Artstein. Excused Members: Dale Duda, Sue Huang, and Chris Kosla. Welcome Chair Wehr welcomed everyone to the meeting. Approval of the January 23, 2012 Asian Heritage Celebration Subcommittee Meeting Minutes As there were no changes, additions or modifications to the January 23, 2012 Asian Heritage Meeting minutes, Member Lozaro made a motion to approve the minutes. It was seconded by Member Singer. On voice vote, the motion passed. Approval of the February 2, 2012 CRC Meeting Minutes Page 2, Senior Services/CRC Subcommittee Update: Pg. 2, 6th line, change “May newsletters ” to “surveys.” Page 2, Asian Heritage Celebration, 8th bullet, change to”NSYMCA will assist with promoting and decorating the gym.” 10th bullet, change “extra” to “after” school. Member Doughty made a motion to approve the minutes with the changes, and it was seconded by Member Lozaro. On voice vote, the motion passed. Black History Month Recap Member Bass recapped the Black History event, “Tall, Dark & Handsome: The Evolution of the Black Leading Man” held on February 18, 2012, with Professor Vaun Monroe at the Library. The presentation went very well. The presentation was informative and truthful. The topic touched on some edgy things about Black actors, such as what they can and cannot do in the movies. There were approximately 90 people in attendance. Of those in attendance, there were approximately 12 – 15 African-Americans, and they actively participated and added to the dialog. Member Bass collected the surveys from the audience. Overall, it appeared the survey respondents gave a “good” to “excellent” in terms of the information and context. Some of the audience felt that technical difficulties with the computer reloading took away from the presentation. The computer had been used in the presentation to show everyone how they could google the information. Member Mantegna will take the surveys and compile the results. In conclusion, Member Bass stated that this event makes the Village of Northbrook look good. The yearly event has been going on for over ten years. She thanked everyone for their team effort and looks forward to continued support and new ideas for next year. Asian Heritage Celebration Planning Update (Theme: Taste of Asia—A Celebration of Asian American Heritage) (Panel Discussion—The Role of Korean Women, Past and Future in America) Member Huang was not present at tonight’s meeting. The May 6 event is free and will be open to the public, 1 – 4 pm, at the NSYMCA, 2705 Techny Rd. Participating ethnic groups include Bangladeshi, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean and Russian. Member Lozaro asked the commission to approve a budget of $1,800 for the event. He provided a list of some of the expenses that will be incurred:  Stage Rental needed for the NSYMCA gym $500 Contributions for expenses for performers (gas & transportation) $300 Reimbursement for supplies for 2 Ladies who do the Henna $50 Misc. – Water, cups (probably will purchase from Costco) $200 Anne, the Storyteller, includes performing at St. Norbert for a few hrs. $200 The subcommittee has found two food vendors and is working on finding at least three more. Refreshments will include small portions of food. The food vendors are faced with expenses. We are trying to waive or reduce the $25 Village food vendor permit fee. The event will have art exhibitions, demonstrations, music and dance performances. Most of the performers and organizations for the event are donating their time as they realize this is a community service event. The Costco order for miscellaneous items does not apply to the panel discussion on April 30, at the Library. Sunset Foods will provide refreshments on April 30. Liaison Batalden sent out donations requests to the Park District, the Police and Fire Departments. Two Chinese establishments in Northbrook have each donated $50 gift certificates. All of the five school superintendents in Northbrook were given the opportunity to participate in the event. Only two schools, Maple School and St. Norbert, responded. St. Norbert decided to go with the storyteller. Member Lozaro is working with Cheryl Fayne on publicity. The Y is also doing publicity. There will be handouts. The publicity should state that the event is sponsored by the CRC and have its logo on it. At the conclusion of the discussion on the budget, Member Gertz made a motion for the 2012 Asian Heritage Celebration to have a budget not to exceed $1800, and it was seconded by Member Mantegna. On voice vote, the motion passed. Senior Services/CRC Subcommittee Update Member Lozaro reported that we have a survey that will ask Northbrook senior citizens what services they may need to continue to live independently. Village Communications Mgr. Cheryl Fayne de-Persio is getting the survey ready for the May Village newsletter. It will be a self mailer. A subcommittee meeting will be scheduled to discuss the distribution and collection of the data. Member Lozaro will report back to us at the next meeting. The Village will cover any survey expenses. Northbrook Trivia Planning Member Lozaro reported that the key things are already in place for the event. The NSYMCA location has been secured. The subcommittee will meet this month. Members Lozaro and Singer attended St. Norbert’s Trivia event to get ideas and said it was a lot of fun. The intent is not to mimic what St. Norbert does. The Northbrook Trivia event is going to be different because it will be a family event, and no alcohol will be served. A decision has not been made yet if it should include costumes. WTN/Flamingo Friday Planning Update Member Duda was not present at tonight’s meeting. Member Gertz reported that the big pieces are in place for planning the combined WTN and Flamingo Friday event on May 18 at the Village Hall. There will be a subcommittee meeting in March with Members Duda, Gertz, Goldsher and Stoddard to go over the details. Member Stoddard has been reaching out to various institutions in Northbrook that might be 2 interested in participating in the event. So far, only Nancy Vaccaro, from the Police Department, has responded. Participants need to be lined up ahead of time so the information can be included in the press releases, the post card mailings, and the Village newsletter. News from Clergy Association and Houses of Worship a. Lent, Passover plans? Member Goldsher had no clergy meeting report, as the March meeting will not be held until next week. News from Schools There were no reports from the schools. Old Business There was no old business to report. New Business Chair Wehr reported that the CRC has three fine Commissioners up for reappointment. He asked the three members to ponder if they would like to consider serving again. It would be an honor to have them serve another term on the Commission. Chair Wehr indicated there might be another commissioner position becoming available. If anyone knows of any residents who might be interested in joining the commission, please let him know. With the referendum issue in Northbrook School District 31 coming up for vote this month, Member Mantegna asked whether the CRC should consider a forum topic of how education should be handled in the Village? If so, would school consolidation be a suitable subject to consider? A discussion followed, and it came to the conclusion that it would be a challenge to frame such an issue. The CRC is only an advisory commission, and the Village cannot legally take a position on it. Chair Wehr reported on the Village’s first Commission Chair meeting that was held on February 13. The meeting focused on details regarding such things as Northbrook’s infrastructure, infrastructure renewal, and planning for what the look of Northbrook is going to be like. Each Chair gave a report on his/her commission. This gave everyone an opportunity to learn about the commissions and discuss what they do. The Art Commission is interested in partnering with the CRC at the Asian Heritage Celebration. Village President Frum referenced various projects, including how the CRC and the Senior Service Commissions came together and formed a subcommittee to work on the senior survey project that will be in the May newsletter. Eyes & Ears on the Street a. February Commission Chair meeting review Village Presbyterian Church’ annual Pancake Festival on March 3, is open to the community St. Norbert’s St. Patrick’s Party on March 9, is open to the community St. Norbert’s Trivia Challenge had approx. 290 people. Everyone had a great time. Member Nancy Stoddard was welcomed back and is doing well with her rehab after her surgery Member Jim Hyun is trying to organize his busy schedule so it will not interfere with his participation in the Asian Heritage panel discussion on April 30 and the Taste of Asia on May 6. He has invitations to teach law in Korea, and then travel to Hong Kong to judge an international law school arbitration competition. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle asked Member Hyun to set up an Asian Advisory Council for the government of Cook County. He accepted, and Members Choudhury and Huang have agreed to work with him. 3  Member Singer spoke about her recent mission trip to Cuba. She gave some details of her travel experiences in the communist country. Next Meeting – April 5, 2012 The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 5, 2012. Adjournment At 8:29 pm, Member Gertz made a motion to adjourn, and it was seconded by Member Singer. On voice vote, the motion passed. Respectfully Submitted, /s/LeeAnn Artstein Recording Secretary 4