Consumer Affairs Commission

Consumer Affairs Commission Minutes October 12, 2022 In attendance: Trustee Khoeun, Joanne Haeberlin, Biju Krishnan, Anil Pillai, George Mathew, Jerry Kirkpatrick, Sam Pratap, Jeff Schvimer, Ted Lavine Davorka Kirincic, Justin Malone, Jennifer Engel Phone: Gary Merrill Excused: Howard Meyer Absent: Regina Kinyui Meeting called to order at 6:31. Intro topic: Do you believe life exists elsewhere in the universe. (11 yes 1 no) Minutes: Moved by Jeff and seconded by Biju to accept minutes. Accepted. Farmers Market: Jennifer reported she will not be at the market Oct 23rd and 30th. Reported that it has been decided to extend the market to November 20. Decision about whether it will be opened will be made on the previous Thursday depending on the whether. Question about if there will be vendor fees is still in discussion with Nick. Winter market on hold until next year due to personal health issues. Locations considered: Ignite, Westfield, Emily Oaks. No to them. Next year expect 28-40 vendors. Discussion about whether businesses furnish sales figures. No. Discussion about Six Generations not growing the produce they sell. Question came from a shopper. CAC asked if vendors signing up for some weeks furnish dates they wish to attend. Yes. Question still open about furnishing CAC with attendees and locations. Last Sunday was the 3rd loyalty card redemption. Final redemption November 6. “Grand prize” drawing of 3 gift cards will be Visa cards rather than specific businesses. Jason to purchase. Business of the Year: Selection committee reported Culver’s of Skokie as 2022 Business of the Year. Runners up are Buona Beef, Skokie Provisions, Healing Hands Wellness and Sketchbook Brewery. Sixteen honorable mentions. Joanne reported that letters were sent on Village letterhead to honorable mentions inviting them to the meeting. E-mails were sent to the nominators for winner and runners up inviting them to the meeting. Calls were made to the winner and runners up and Joanne has name of person who will attend. Presentation of awards will be at the Trustee Board meeting on Monday, Oct 17. Invited all CAC members. Trustee Khem corrected meeting start time change to 7:30. Consumer complaints: Davorka reported none had been received. Joanne brought Jewel ad and stated that often price charged is not what is advertised in the paper or in Just4U. Joanne to discuss with store manager. Miscellaneous: Followup to last week’s suggestion about a reminder to residents that any soliciting by ringing the door bell should be registered. Ann Tennes to post if we furnish information. Gary to write up. Joanne handed out copies of information about scams and media literacy education that is now posted on CAC website. Joanne brought information about Village charging stations re last meeting discussion. New member Regina Kinyui. Minutes should be forward to CAC members before the meeting. Next meeting: November 9 Meeting adjourned at 7:51 Joanne Haeberlin, Chair , It would also be helpful to know booth fees for year and per week. If they sign up for occasional Sundays, do they pay in advance and give you dates they will be there? Do you have any idea if the market is breaking even with fees and costs? Thank you, Joanne On 09/12/2022 8:03 PM Farmers Market <farmersmarket@skokie.org> wrote: Hi Joanne, Again, my apologies for not being able to attend this week's meeting. Here are a few updates. I am still working on a location for a possible Winter Market. Emily Oaks Nature Center will not work but I am looking into other area Skokie locations. The hopes is to do 2 markets before Christmas - 2 in January and 2 in February. All of our current vendors know this and most of them have asked for space. We have a very hearty lineup for fall entertainment including additional bands, more kids activities and more. I have been in contact with the director of the Niles Food Pantry. They have been blown away with the donations that have come out of our once a month donations - I might look into hosting these more frequently next season. I am not currently looking for additional vendors at this time for this years market but we do have a few guest crafters coming. This coming weekend, I will be doing a vendor appreciation day - buying hot dogs, chips and sides for all the vendors. These farmers are working so incredibly hard and have been so loyal to the market this year - this is the least we can do. Mark from M & D Farm is helping me with this. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Regards, Jennifer Engel Market Manager - Skokie Farmers Market C: 312-307-1812