Septemberfest Committee

SEPTEMBERFEST MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 COMMITTEE ROLL CALL Chair Rich Wiskirchen presiding. Committee members Jeannette Ackland, Laura Sue Awick, Arturo Barin, Mike Braheny, Melanie Brown, Marc Campbell, Eric Engelson, Bill Flesch, Jay R. Flynn, John Fraser, Liv Frullani, Brandy Hansen, Ken Johnson, Mary Jane Lange, Joe Lenoci, Maui Mendez, George Mussman, Jeff Mytych, Jeff Sanderson, and Eric Todd present. Committee members Victor D’Amelio, Dawn Hamilton, Natalie Hansen, Ken Johnson, Tracy Richter-Papaproko, Crystal Schuster, and Bruce Webber, were absent. STAFF ROLL CALL Roxane Benvenuti (Special Events Coordinator), Department of Cultural Services; Tiana Weiler (Director), Department of Cultural Services; Michael Rons, Fire Department; and Heather Anderson, Community Development Department present. Bob Mamrot, EPW Department; Sgt. Todd Bochenek, Police Department; and Lt. Adam Wis, Police Department, were absent. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES ROLL CALL None. GUEST ROLL CALL Mike Lange, Arts & Crafts Show Assistant; Carol Brey, Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club; Jack Brey, Schaumburg-Hoffman Lions Club; and Kymberli Saragoglin. CALL TO ORDER Chair Rich Wiskirchen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. January 5, 2026. Motion to approve made by Mr. John Fraser, seconded by Ms. Brandy Hansen. Voice vote taken, all ayes. Motion carries. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES 1. None. NEW BUSINESS 1. Septemberfest 2026 Planning Updates • The building power and generator will not be ready to supply and backup the fest this coming year. While all the electric equipment may be live to remote locations, there is little chance the generators will be installed, commissioned, and accepted by then. Thus, we still need to rent generators for the fest this year as expected. • We will not be installing light poles or vegetation in any of the islands or around the building until after the fest. SEPTEMBERFEST MINUTES Monday, February 2, 2026 Page 2 of 4 • We will have all curbs and at least binder in place for the fest, but only the south lot will be available. The west lot is going to be used for material and equipment storage. • We will likely hold off on finish course of asphalt until after the fest to prevent damage. • The site should be mostly available with fences along the drivee aisle south of the building and enclosing the north of the new entry drive. • Behind the curb may end up having to be mostly mulch as we don’t foresee enough progress to allow for grass seed and sod by June. That makes it topsoil beneath the mulch that we will have to spread. • We expect just as much space as last year. • A staff command meeting will be held on Thursday, February 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. None CHAIR REPORT 1. Chair Wiskirchen informed the group that the Septemberfest Drone Display replacing fireworks was approved and will be on the February FLAGG meeting agenda as an informational item along with a recommendation to approve the Septemberfest Main Stage Production Contract. Chair Wiskirchen also reported that Mrs. Roxane Benvenuti and Co-Chair Jay R. Flynn met onsite with AT&T on January 28 to confirm placement of their COW that will be joining Verizon’s LAAMA and T-Mobile’s Ballast Tower to boost connectivity. COORDINATOR REPORT 1. No report. COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Arts & Crafts Show: The application was posted online, and currently 90 applications have been submitted. 2. Craft Beer & Wine Garden: Ms. Brandy Hansen mentioned that all signage needs to be updated or remade due to the Craft Beer & Wine Area changing to the Craft Beer & Wine Garden. 3. Layout & Carnival: No report. 4. Local Entertainment: Mr. Bill Flesch stated he is working on this year’s line-up and confirmed he is booking entertainment for the local stage, craft beer & wine SEPTEMBERFEST MINUTES Monday, February 2, 2026 Page 3 of 4 stage, and strolling. Mr. Bill Flesch also stated that he and Mr. John Fraser would like to be a part of stage parking discussions with the Police Department. 5. Main Stage Entertainment: Mr. Eric Todd reported that offers are out for headline acts for all three days and would also like to be a part of stage parking discussions. 6. Maintenance & Drone Display: No report. 7. Parade: Mrs. Laura Sue Awick reported the parade team reviewed the item on the critique list regarding the consideration of shortening the parade route by doing partial staging on Summit Drive, north of Wise Road possibly stepping off at Hartford Drive or Kingsport Drive to minimize the disruption of traffic on Wise Road. They are concerned shortening the route will eliminate space for people to watch the parade. There are a lot of spectators who walk from the neighborhoods off Summit Drive and across Wise Road to get a spot that would be cut out. There's also a lot of people who park on Summit Drive south of Wise Road and walk over. We already shortened the parade last year by ending at Beech Drive and Wise Road. Changing the step off to Hartford Drive would largely impact operations by the large numbers of people who watch the parade right at Summit Drive and Wise Road. The group agreed to keep the parade route the same as last year. 8. Sponsorship & Marketing: Mr. Jay R. Flynn reported that the team is updating application guidelines, and sponsorship packages will be posted this week. 9. Student Representatives: One applicant from each of the three local high schools including Schaumburg, Conant, and Hoffman Estates High Schools, was selected again this year. Mrs. Benvenuti will process their applications with the Human Resources Department for approval when received. 10. Taste of Schaumburg: Mr. Marc Campbell and Mrs. Roxane Benvenuti reported that Taste booth fees will be increasing $100, and a Taste portion will be required on menus where applicable. 11. Taste of Schaumburg’s Not-for-Profit Day: No report. 12. Volunteers: Mr. Arturo Barin reported that he and Mrs. Dawn Hamilton are updating the timeslots in Eventeny to send registration to last year’s volunteers first as usual. STAFF REPORTS 1. Community Development Department (CDD): No report. 2. Engineering Public Works Department (EPW): No report. 3. Fire Department: No report. SEPTEMBERFEST MINUTES Monday, February 2, 2026 Page 4 of 4 4. Police Department: Sgt. Todd Bochenek forwarded the contract for the traffic crossing signals to Mrs. Roxane Benvenuti. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC 1. None. ADJOURNMENT Chair Rich Wiskirchen entertained a motion to adjourn. Motion made by Mr. Bill Flesch, seconded by Ms. Brandy Hansen. Voice vote taken, all ayes. Motion carries. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. The next meeting is on March 2, 2026.