Community Relations Commission

APPROVED MINUTES OF A COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS August 1, 2013 Commissioners Present (9) Ray Wehr, Chairperson Bruce Doughty Dale Duda Scott Gertz Linda Goldsher Wileen Hsing Sue Huang Christopher Kosla Dr. Rochelle Singer Northbrook Representatives Present Marian Cross, Our Lady of the Brook Kamyar Jabbari, Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is Alice Lonoff, Northbrook United Methodist Church Ron Mantegna, Village Presbyterian Church Nancy Stoddard, St. Giles Episcopal Church Susan Weil, St. Norbert Catholic Church Village Staff Present Kendal Maltas, Community Relations Commission Staff Liaison and Assistant to the Village Manager Stacy Seiden, Recorder Additional Attendees Safa Hamed Caroll Henning, The Northbrook Tower 1. Call to Order - Welcome Chairperson Wehr called the meeting to order in the Civic Room of the Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane, at 7:00 PM. A quorum was present. Commission members welcomed new Commissioner Wileen Hsing and Member Marian Cross, the latter of whom represented Our Lady of the Brook. 2. Hear from Audience There were no public comments. 3. Review of Minutes a. May 20, 2013 Asian Heritage Month Subcommittee meeting  Page 2 Minutes of the August 1, 2013 Community Relations Commission Meeting Commissioner Doughty moved, seconded by Commissioner Singer, to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2013 Asian Heritage Month Subcommittee meeting without corrections. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. b. June 6, 2013 Community Relations Commission meeting Commissioner Doughty moved, seconded by Commissioner Singer, to approve the minutes of the June 6, 2013 Community Relations Commission (CRC) meeting with the following correction.  On page three, the third sentence in the third paragraph should be amended to read “Former commission member Lozaro…” On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. c. June 19, 2013 Youth Summit Commissioner Doughty moved, seconded by Commissioner Singer, to approve the minutes of the June 19, 2013 Youth Summit with the following corrections.  On page three, the third bullet should be amended to read “Cringe when we hear ‘providers on site’…”  On page six, the first sub-bullet should be amended to read “Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration program.”  On page six, the sixth sub-bullet should be amended to read “Video one to two class programs” or the term “VideoL” should be clarified, as appropriate.  On page nine, the first sentence under “4. CRC Member Rochelle Singer” should be amended to read “…deter the kids from attending.” The second sentence also should be amended to read “The concept of…separate meetings for adults and kids was presented.” On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 4. Village Forum Chairperson Wehr thanked The Northbrook Tower for its positive coverage of the June 19 Youth Summit. The Village Youth Commission will spearhead the design of a “Northbrook Cares” logo. A website featuring relevant service organization information will be created as a community resource. Commissioners noted the positive feedback and energy surrounding this ongoing initiative and Commissioner Singer perceived the initiative as enhancing the CRC image. Chairperson Wehr explained that a relevant subcommittee would be formed and would include several commissioners, the Youth Commission Chairperson, and a limited number of service organization representatives. Member Lonoff requested that the Youth Director of the Northbrook United Methodist Church serve on the subcommittee. Chairperson Wehr requested that an e-mail be sent to Liaison Maltas to that effect. Member Mantegna underscored the importance of youth input to the success of the initiative and Commissioner Doughty clarified that the initiative targeted parents, as well as youth.  Page 3 Minutes of the August 1, 2013 Community Relations Commission Meeting 5. Sister City Project Ms. Hamed introduced herself as a Northbrook resident and mathematics professor at Oakton Community College. She described Sister City, explaining that President Eisenhower founded the international organization. Ms. Hamed proposed that Northbrook connect with her hometown of Anabta, which was located in the West Bank with a population of approximately 6,000. Ms. Hamed had explored the feasibility of the project, reaching out to Sister City in Chicago and Sister City International in Washington, DC. She also discussed the proposed project with Village Board of Trustees President, Sandra Frum, and Chairperson Wehr. Ms. Hamed emphasized the importance of youth, connecting through Facebook and student exchanges, to Sister City. She envisioned the project promoting Middle East peace through the participation of future leaders. Ms. Hamed suggested that the Sister City program begin with an initial reading project. Accordingly, commissioners discussed the role that the Northbrook Public Library might play in such a project. Commissioner Gertz applauded the Sister City concept. However, he observed that the commission had avoided such “hot button” topics in the past and anticipated that this project would “get people’s attention.” Commissioner Gertz suggested that the commission also consider an Israeli Sister City. Commissioner Singer inquired about the associated financial commitment. Ms. Hamed described an upfront application fee of approximately $500 with fundraising to cover subsequent expenses, such as books. She clarified that while the commission might serve as the public sponsor of Sister City, a colleague of hers would raise the necessary project funds. Member Mantegna underscored the importance of having appropriate levels of energy and resources to adequately sustain the project. While the program might begin with a youth-related reading project, Chairperson Wehr foresaw Sister City expanding to include other activities over time. Liaison Maltas clarified that President Frum expressed interest in moving the Sister City discussion forward. However, the topic had not appeared as a Village Board agenda item. Commissioner Gertz cautioned the commission to “tread carefully” and proposed that CRC approval be contingent upon securing the necessary financial commitment. Member Jabbari suggested connecting with a Korean and/or Eastern European city, as well. Commissioners discussed the possibility of a tri-city project. Commissioner Doughty stressed the importance of communicating the project in a positive way, emphasizing the Sister City vision of cultural understanding, enlightenment, and enrichment. Member Lonoff suggested that responses to frequently asked questions about Sister City be prepared. Commissioner Singer questioned whether the commission had the necessary resources and if now, with the resumption of Middle East peace talks, was the appropriate time to take on this additional project. Chairperson Wehr responded that a subcommittee, with broader community representation, would be formed to further explore the Sister City concept. Ms. Hamed suggested that “all religions” be represented on the subcommittee and Commissioner Gertz proposed that the subcommittee vet its ideas through the commission.  Page 4 Minutes of the August 1, 2013 Community Relations Commission Meeting Commissioner Singer observed the differing opinions about this topic among commission members and commented that these varying opinions would be multiplied in the larger community. Member Weil suggested that the commission sponsor a Northbrook-wide contest to vote for a Sister City. Chairperson Wehr acknowledged the passion that Ms. Hamed brought to the Sister City project and stated that commission members would continue their discussion of the project. 6. Community Resource Guide Chairperson Wehr will assign 10 organizations to each commission member for them to contact and confirm relevant information for purposes of updating the Community Resource Guide. Commission members should receive an e-mail message from Chairperson Wehr with their assigned organizations in the coming week. Commission members should forward their updated organization information to Liaison Maltas. 7. CRC Event Review Beginning with this meeting, commission members will review CRC events over the next several meetings, including identifying commissioners to lead these events. Accordingly, the following commissioners volunteered to serve as event leaders. Black History Month – Commissioner Lead: Dr. Rochelle Singer Asian Heritage Month – Commissioner Lead: Sue Huang Clergy Association Representative/Interfaith Sunday/Clergy Lunch – Commissioner Lead: Christopher Kosla CRC Award – Commissioner Lead: Dr. Rochelle Singer Flamingo Friday – Commissioner Lead: Dale Duda Welcome to Northbrook – Commissioner Lead: Scott Gertz Forum – Commissioner Lead: Ray Wehr Sister City Project – Commissioner Lead: Bruce Doughty CRC Resource Guide – Commissioner Lead: Ray Wehr Member Mantegna will continue to assist with organizing Black History Month activities and Commissioner Gertz with continue to assist with the CRC Award. Commission members will be made aware of which CRC events will be reviewed at which commission meeting to provide them with ample time to consider each event prior to CRC discussion. 8. Clergy Association and Houses of Worship News Commissioner Goldsher will inform the Clergy Association that Commissioner Kosla will serve as the new CRC representative to the association. She also will accompany him to his first association meeting on September 4, 2013. Member Lonoff reminded commission members that Northbrook United Methodist Church sponsored Martin Luther King (MLK) Day events. She requested that commission members send Liaison Maltas an e-mail message with information regarding current and suggested MLK Day activities. Member Jabbari described an upcoming joint choral concert, including three churches and a synagogue, to raise funds for youth programs. The concert was “picking up steam,” according to Member Jabbari. 9. School News  Page 5 Minutes of the August 1, 2013 Community Relations Commission Meeting Commissioner Doughty reported that, for the first time, Glenbrook North High School (GBN) and Glenbrook South High School (GBS) recently squared off in the national debate finals, with GBN prevailing over GBS. GBN also was installing a new turf field and all GBN students will receive Chromebooks for the upcoming school year. 10. Old Business Liaison Maltas reported that Northbrook Public Library construction had been postponed to February 2014. Accordingly, commission members would continue to meet in the Civic Room until then, with the exception of their November 7, 2013 meeting, when they will meet in the Pollak Room of the library. 11. New Business Commissioner Duda announced that Zucchini Day was scheduled for August 14, 2013 at the Northbrook Farmers Market. She encouraged commission members to attend the event, which will benefit local charities. Commission members noted the recent positive feedback regarding the Farmers Market and its new in-town location. 12. Eyes and Ears on the Street No information was reported. 13. Next Meeting – September 12, 2013 To avoid meeting during Rosh Hashanah, Commissioner Gertz moved, seconded by Commissioner Goldsher, to change the date of the next regularly scheduled CRC meeting to 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 12, 2013, location to be determined. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. 14. Adjournment There being no further business, Commissioner Gertz moved, seconded by Member Jabbari, to adjourn the meeting. On a voice vote, the motion unanimously carried. Chairperson Wehr adjourned the meeting at 8:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Stacy J. Seiden Recorder