Community Engagement Committee

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE AGENDA FEYEN ZYLSTRA HEADQUARTERS 2396 HILLSIDE DR NW. TUESDAY, AUGUST 3 AT 6:00PM Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance 1. Present: Jessica Babcock, Elaina Huizenga, Mary Kuk-Wieber, Julie Wilson, Nicole DiDonato, Jena Wilmers, Greg Gaastra, Carla Hendon, Andrew Rienstra-Ehlers Discussion Items 1. Approval of Previous Minutes 2. Solidify dates for Scarecrow Contest 3. Discuss Park Parties Adjournment Page 1 of 4  COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 5:30 PM Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance 1. Committee members: Mary Wieber, Jessica Babcock, Julie Wilson, Greg Gaastra, Andrew Reinstra, Nicole DiDonato, Jena Wilmers, Carla Hendon, Elaina Huizenga-Chase Discussion Items - Approval of Previous Minutes: Motion by J. Wilmers, seconded by E. Huizenga-Chase to Approve May 2021 and June 2021 Meeting Minutes. Motion carried. N. DiDonato is taking care of sending thank you cards to businesses and individuals who supported the Committee's community garden. In regards to starting a walking group for the City of Walker, J. Babcock reached out to the American Heart Association for a possible partnership but has yet to hear back as of meeting time. The hope is to create a walking group in each of the City's three wards, but the committee decided to wait to move forward until we hear back from the AHA. The Committee has tabled the park parties as of right now. The City is working to create an ad hoc event committees to help plan the remaining 2021 community events and the 2022 events. J. Wilmers has agreed to join the ad hoc committee on behalf of the Community Engagement Committee. The Committee is also interested in helping add art to the Meijer Standale Tunnel under Lake Michigan Drive. The plan is to hold off on making any decisions until September when kids are back in school. The hope is to include Community Engagement Committee Minutes 6-28-21 Page 1 2 of 3 4  art classes for the project. If and when the art is up, Commissioner Huizenga- Chase suggested adding gates to the tunnel to protect the artwork from vandals at night. The Committee is still passionate on holding park parties for the Apple Tree and Leonard Gardens neighborhoods. The hope is to hold a cookout and invite kids and their families to play yard games. The Committee also wants to educate the public on food insecurity and safety for families in these neighborhoods. The group suggested reaching out to Brooke Davis, the Director of Diversity, Equity and Mental Health Services at Kenowa Hills Public Schools for guidance. Meantime, J. Babcock plans to reach out to the park managers in mid-August. The conversation led to what other organizations do for kids and families in need of assistance. J. Wilson said 3 Mile Project does a yearly backpack drive. J. Wilmers mentioned the American Legion Post 1111 raised money in 2020 to buy books for backpacks for the Mayor's 2 to 3 Reading Program. That has yet to get off the ground due to Covid-19, but the plan is to start it up this new school year. The Standale Scarecrow contest dates have been set. The Committee plans to run the contest from October 17-31, 2021 along Lake Michigan Drive in Standale. The Committee will start giving a heads up to interested businesses in Walker beginning around Labor Day. The Committee will expand the reach to businesses along Remembrance Road. The only caveat is that the scarecrows must be set up along Lake Michigan Drive in Standale. The Pumpkin Bash will be back this year on Saturday, October 2. The American Legion will plan to be there this year to invite kids to make Christmas cards for veterans and military serving overseas. Commissioner Huizenga-Chase had to leave just short of 6:30pm to attend the City Commission meeting. J. Wilmers brought up the flag burning fire pit and a ceremony that is tentatively planned for late August/ early September. J. Wilmers and N. DiDonato will help prep for that. Commissioner Huizenga-Chase's brother, who recently graduated from bootcamp, will plan to be here for the dedication ceremony as he helped build the fire pit. The Committee also began discussing a Veteran's Day ceremony. It will possibly include a parade. The date will be Thursday, November 11, 2021 and begin around 11:00am. The next meeting is planned for Monday, August 2 at 5:30pm at 3 Mile Project. Approval of Previous Minutes Activities for Kids this Summer Community Engagement Committee Minutes 6-28-21 Page 2 3 of 3 4  Solidify Dates for Scarecrow Contest Other Business Next Meeting Date, Time, and Location Adjournment Community Engagement Committee Minutes 6-28-21 Page 3 4 of 3 4