Community Relations Commission

Wednesday, February 1, 2023 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall In-Person or Virtual Attendance I. Call to Order Rachel called the meeting to order at 7:21; Erica seconded . II. Welcome III. Roll Call In Person: Rachel Bautista, Erica Nelson, Laura Peccarelli, and Scott Chedister Calling in (Zoom not working): Meg Beasley, Mike Hodel, and Saleha Jawaid Absent: Marco Scola, David Sohmer, Ben Waterman, and Angie Welker IV. Approval of Minutes Erica motioned that the minutes be approved; Laura seconded by; minutes approved as presented. V. Old Business a. January Programs i. Recap of MLK’s Chicago Freedom Movement program featuring Bernie Klenia, long time Wheaton resident. Photography display at the WPL. Between 50 and 55 people attended, including Congressman Sean Casten. b. February Programs i. Black History Month update 1. Update for African American Heroes & Sheroes program featuring Linda Gorham on February 21; virtual program. 2. On webpage, we are cross-promoting programs as well as program on February 21 c. March Programs i. We Are Women Art exhibit with DuPage Art League and DWA Art will be displayed from March 1 - 31 1. Connecting artists through DuPage Art League (10 artists) and the schools in an effort to broaden and expand types of artists. 2. Artists to date from Wheaton North, St. Francis, and St. Michaels and Inklude Studio, a program of Little Friends, which is a not-for-profit organization based in Warrenville that puts on programs for individuals COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 1, 2023 with autism and other developmental disabilities. We reached out to St.Francis and Clare Woods Academy, but have not heard back. 3. Goal is to include 25 businesses this year. ii. Bob Goldsborough program on March 21 1. Women of Wheaton an overview about notable women in Wheaton. 2. About 12 women will be featured - current and past. a. Women will be from a range of professional disciplines – actresses, musicians, singers, sports, and educators. We will feature 2 from city government, but these individuals are deceased. We are intentionally not featuring anyone still working or active in government or politics, per the prior feedback received from the Mayor and Councilwoman Fitch regarding the previous Women of Wheaton program and Good Citizens criteria d. Applicants for open commission positions update i. Two applicants will be forwarded to the City Council for review ii. February 6 the council will decide if they will move forward for appointment; and if approved, they would be appointed on the 21st VI. New Business a. Good Citizens Award Planning i. Subcommittee will set dates this week ii. Comms plan update 1. City needs a two-week leeway for flyers and social media b. Festival of Cultures Planning i. Subcommittees 1. Performer outreach - Erica 2. Comms - Meg and Laura 3. City Council - Meg 4. Cultural Outreach - Will be divvied up 5. Archiving - Rachel 6. Stage Management - Ben, Marco, and Mike 7. Info Booth - Scott and Saleha 8. Food Truck - Rachel 9. Volunteer management - Angie 10. Sponsorships - David 11. Facility Management - Erica and Rachel a. Tables were donated from former member church; need to look into where to get tables - park district? rental? Erica will research. ii. Ideas for including other community members - World Relief citizens, school music groups, and storytelling between performers c. Veteran’s Programming - no update d. Downtown Wheaton Association reached out asking the commission to help with a June through August program - similar to We Are Women - featuring artwork inspired by Andy Warhol. Members who were present aligned that we should not participate given the commission’s focus on Festival of Cultures and Good Citizens. Rachel will suggest that the DWA work with the Fine Arts Commission. 2 COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES February 1, 2023 VII. Public Comment VIII. Adjournment Motion was made to end the meeting at 8:09 by Laura; seconded by Scott. 3/1/23 3