Community Relations Commission

1 APPROVED 2 Minutes of a Meeting of the 3 Community Relations Commission 4 Northbrook, IL 5 Thursday, December 4, 2014 6 7 Present: Chairman Ray Wehr, Commissioners Elliot Bruckmann, Bruce Doughty, 8 Dale Duda, Safa Hamed, Chris Kosla, & Dr. Rochelle Singer 9 10 Representatives: Mary Hansen, Alice Lonoff, Ron Mantegna, Bob Lozaro (Substitute 11 Representative) & Nancy Stoddard 12 13 Guests: None. 14 15 Absent: Commissioner Linda Goldsher 16 17 Others: Staff Liaison Mike Strong & Recording Secretary Gale Cerabona 18 19 Call to Order & Welcome 20 Chairman Wehr called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Board Room at Village Hall. 21 22 Approval of November 6, 2014, Regular Meeting Minutes & Subcommittee Minutes 23 Revisions were identified as follows: 24  Line 15-16 delete Sue Huang’s name 25  Line 28 to complete sentence, add “at the Senior Services Commission” at end 26  Line 68 replace applications with “implications” 27  Line 76 delete with and add an “s” to qualification 28  Line 116 replace brother with “colleague” 29  Line 147-148 delete sentence “Representative Mantegna……” 30  Line 151 replace visiting with “from” 31  Line 152 add “in some instances” after the word stated and before the word chefs 32  Line 159 replace 2021 with “2012” 33  Line 168 replace Representative Lonoff with “Ms. Randel” 34  Line 176 add the word “for” before this event 35  Line 179 replace Chelle with “Commissioner Singer” 36  Line 186 reword to say “A domestic violence meeting will be held…..” 37  Line 189 replace 2014 with “2015” 38  Line 195 replace has with “was” 39  Line 200-201 omit ideas are being raised to encourage enrollment. 40  Line 201 replace stable with and insert “a little under around” 41 42 Commissioner Chris Kosla arrived to the meeting at 7:10 p.m. 43 44 A motion was made by Commissioner Singer, seconded by Commissioner Doughty, to approve 45 the November 6, 2014, minutes as amended. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 46 47 A motion was made by Commissioner Doughty, seconded by Commissioner Singer, to approve 48 the November 11, 2014, Black History Month Subcommittee minutes. On a voice vote, the 49 motion carried unanimously. 50  Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Relations Commission December 4, 2014 51 A motion was made by Commissioner Doughty, seconded by Commissioner Singer, to approve 52 the November 20, 2014, Flamingo Friday and Welcome to Northbrook Subcommittee minutes. 53 On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 54 55 Hear From the Audience 56 None. 57 58 Village Staff Report 59 Staff Liaison Strong distributed copies of a Media Toolkit PowerPoint presentation and 60 explained same. 61 62 Commissioner Duda asked about public access channels. Staff Liaison Strong stated that a 63 video, etc. interviewing individuals may be placed on the Northbrook Community Television 64 Channel. 65 66 Staff Liaison Strong noted the newsletter deadlines via a template and explained same. He 67 advised that this tool can help promote events; Staff Liaison Strong will email the newsletter 68 article explaining the Go Request (customer service request system) to everyone. He indicated 69 that articles should be sent to Cheryl along with a copy to Staff Liaison Strong. 70 71 Staff Liaison Strong advised that Cheryl will present at a future Commission meeting. He noted 72 that she provided him with a media bible entitled Guide to Chicago Area Media which is an 73 excellent resource available to all. 74 75 Northbrook Cares Update 76 Chairman Wehr advised that he will have information at the January meeting. Mr. Lozaro asked 77 if a site has been created. Chairman Wehr advised that a developer is being sought. Discussion 78 took place about the delay. 79 80 Sister Cities Update 81 Commissioner Doughty noted that, following the subcommittee meeting, it was decided GBN 82 students would be recruited. He stated that ideas to provide information are open. Requests will 83 be submitted in 2015. 84 85 Commissioner Doughty stated that if there is a January 8th meeting, Carol Wolf with the City of 86 Highland Park could present on Sister Cities at that meeting. 87 88 Asian Heritage Planning Discussion 89 Chairman Wehr reminded everyone that Sue Huang is no longer on the CRC and asked that a 90 possible appointment replacement be shared with him or Staff Liaison Strong. 91 92 Regarding the event, Chairman Wehr asked the Commission if the event should be canceled 93 (though he stated he is not in favor of that). He asked what the format would be, should it be at 94 the same venue, should things be changed, etc. He continued that if the event takes place, he 95 suggests a date in May 2015, at the YMCA. 96 97 Commissioner Duda stated that this event is now so large that it may have outgrown this 98 Commission (since assistance was outsourced last year). 99 2  Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Relations Commission December 4, 2014 100 Mr. Lozaro stated that delegation is important, and there are other committee members who are 101 able to assist. Representative Mantegna concurs as the same thing happened with BHM. He 102 stated the process can be managed and suggested perhaps the event can be shortened. 103 104 General discussion took place regarding the subcommittee, event date, and format. 105 106 Chairman Wehr stated that he received feedback the event is long. He suggested a two-hour 107 event with six acts, and two restaurants as another option. Staff Liaison Strong added that a 108 date and location are important and stated working with and around the YMCA’s schedule is 109 another factor. Chairman Wehr reiterated Ms. Huang will reach out however she needs a date. 110 111 Commissioner Duda advised that Flamingo Fridays should not overlap with this event, and 112 May 15, 2015, would be its traditionally-held week (before Memorial Day). Discussion ensued 113 about May weekends. Chairman Wehr concluded that May 3 or May 31, 2015, are options. Mr. 114 Lozaro asked why Flamingo Fridays/Welcome to Northbrook conflict with this event. 115 Commissioner Duda stated that for publicity, promotional, invitation purposes (the President, 116 etc.), it would be a lot to ask; there is no reason to have both events the same weekend. 117 118 A motion was made by Representative Lonoff, seconded by Commissioner Bruckmann, to host 119 the Asian Heritage event on May 3, 2015. Commissioner Singer reminded to check that date 120 with the venue staff (at YMCA). Chairman Wehr reiterated the two dates would be May 3 or 121 May 31, 2015. Commissioner Duda amended that if the venue is not available on May 3, 2015, 122 the date of May 31, 2015, will be second choice. Commissioner Singer seconded the 123 amendment, and Representative Lonoff and Commissioner Bruckmann both accepted the 124 amendment. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 125 126 Black History Month Update 127 Commissioner Singer confirmed that the event will occur and confirmation from the team is in 128 process. She advised that the deadline for a response from the Jackie Robinson West (JRW) 129 team was November 30, 2014. There wasn’t a reply so the date has been extended. 130 Commissioner Singer stated the baseball theme is a good one. She advised that other teams 131 within JRW could perform in replacement of the winning team. She asked for input from the 132 Commission about a potential alternate team. Commissioner Duda replied that everyone loves a 133 winner. Commissioner Doughty agreed there would be a draw with the actual winning team. 134 Consensus is the event wouldn’t work as well with a different team from the JRW. 135 136 News from Clergy Association & Houses of Worship 137 Commissioner Kosla advised that the Clergy Luncheon went well and provided a brief recap. He 138 reported that the Police Department shared a lot of good information regarding crime activity 139 and how members of the public can protect themselves from theft, robbery, and others. 140 141 Staff Liaison Strong reported that Nancy Vaccaro (social worker in the Police Department) 142 offered a presentation at the Clergy Luncheon and stated/asked: 143  domestic violence, elder, and child abuse are still occurring 144  an Angel Fund is still available (for people facing hard times) 145  that people please utilize Village resources 146 147 Staff Liaison Strong also stated that Director Tom Poupard presented and shared that hoarding 148 is still an issue in Northbrook. 149 3  Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Relations Commission December 4, 2014 150 Commissioner Kosla advised that all pothole repair requests could be forwarded to the Village 151 via a form on the web site. 152 153 Commissioner Kosla also shared that the Fire Department is prepared for an Ebola breakout. 154 155 Staff Liaison Strong complimented Commissioner Kosla on a nice job with the Clergy Luncheon. 156 He advised that hoarding has become an emerging trend in code enforcement and stated that 157 the Village is looking into developing a Task Force (of Village staff and agencies) to assist with 158 developing a plan for addressing the issue. He stated that the Village may present a plan to the 159 CRC and seek their input. More information will be provided in the months to come. Staff 160 Liaison Strong will forward demographic information to the CRC. Mr. Lozaro suggested that the 161 Senior Services Commission be a liaison. Staff Liaison Strong agreed that this group and the 162 CRC would be among many Commissions who may liaise; strategic planning has begun. 163 164 Representative Lonoff advised that Nancy Vaccaro wishes to be more proactive in addressing 165 hoarding issues; and stated that she is proud of the resources available in Northbrook. 166 167 Staff Liaison Strong stated that the Municipal Code has become a hurdle for addressing this 168 trend, stating that it limits the Village’s ability to respond to these complaints. He reminded the 169 group that Police and Fire staff are first responders and have greater jurisdiction than code 170 enforcement officers. He advised that individualized plans & counseling are successful and that 171 they look forward to working with a Task Force to develop a good action plan moving forward. 172 173 News from Schools 174 Commissioner Doughty advised that the boundaries will remain in District 225. Enrollment at 175 GBS is anticipated to be around 3,100 students. 176 177 Mr. Lozaro inquired about the NSSED. Commissioner Doughty responded that this special 178 education district’s structure may change. A vote on a new structure will take place on 179 December 10, 2014. He stated that all districts cannot provide all services. 180 181 Chairman Wehr advised that student, Daniel Gessner, received a perfect score on his ACT test. 182 183 Old Business 184 Commissioner Duda asked about a Resource Guide and distributed an example/sheet from 185 CEDA (to be considered rather than a booklet). Chairman Wehr reminded that the resource 186 guide book would not reproduced in abundance. 187 188 New Business 189 A motion was made by Commissioner Singer, seconded by Commissioner Doughty, to move 190 the January 1, 2015, meeting to January 8, 2015. On a voice vote, the motion carried 191 unanimously. 192 193 Commissioner Duda distributed a card (to be signed) for former CRC Recording Secretary in 194 reference to the untimely death of her daughter. 195 196 Commissioner Singer asked about a Proclamation for Ms. Huang. Staff Liaison Strong stated 197 that he will prepare something to be presented at a future meeting. 198 4  Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Relations Commission December 4, 2014 199 Representative Mantegna asked if there are any problems in the Village with Comcast (and 200 shared such issues). Staff Liaison Strong advised that he will follow up with the Village’s 201 Comcast contact. 202 203 Mr. Lozaro advised that Home Depot is having a Build your own Menorah event. 204 205 Eyes & Ears on the Street 206 There is nothing to report. 207 208 Next Meeting 209 The next meeting will be held on January 8, 2015, at the Village Hall. 210 211 Adjournment 212 A motion was made by Commissioner Singer, seconded by Commissioner Bruckmann, to 213 adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 214 215 Respectfully submitted, 216 217 Gale Cerabona 218 Recording Secretary 5