Community Relations Commission

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall In-Person or Virtual Attendance I. Call to Order David called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm II. Welcome III. Roll Call In Person: Meg Beasley, Andrea Clayton, Sam Hardy, Mike Hodel, Laura Peccarelli,, David Sohmer, and Ben Waterman Via Zoom*: Scott Chedister, Saleha Jawaid, Erica Nelson, Absent: Angela Welker *approved work-related commitments or illness IV. Approval of Minutes Motion from Laura to approve minutes as amended with two minor changes, seconded by Ben. Minutes approved. V. Old Business a. Wheaton Gives Back Recap - WCRC program with partners i. Final Numbers for winter gear drive. Local community donated more than 2,000 articles of clothing a huge increase over the 2022 program. ii. Shared email from Jeni Fabian of the PRC thanking the commission. iii. Next year look into getting boxes from Home Depot or purchasing bins b. “Reintroduction of Native Americans into Illinois” partner program on November 2 i. 55 people attended the program in person, 51 virtually and as of late November, 218 people have watched the event online. ii. Presentation included history of Starved Rock lodge, which hosts Pow Wow events. Commissioners who attended or watched found the program informative. c. Schedule of speakers for upcoming CRC meetings - beginning January 2024 i. Midwest Soarring Foundation targeted for January. Awaiting confirmation ii. February will be Stars Family Services 1. Noted that Zoom is an option for both presenters and council members iii. Mary Lubke Center - Andrea has been in touch with Meghan Panek and she is happy to attend a meeting. d. Poinsettia recap - deliveries were appreciated; several recipients sent thank you notes. e. Refuge Simulation at COD recap i. Participants were engaged in a hands-on mock simulation of what a refugee may endure - from being forced to flee, to the dangers of travel, to long stays with in refugee camps, and to coming into Illinois. It was a worthwhile program. COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES December 6, 2023 VI. New Business a. Budget/Annual Report update i. Budget meeting has been moved to Monday, December 11 council meeting. Erica will attend the workshop meeting 1. Erica is hopeful that the budget will pass with little change as budgets were due 2. WCRC members were good stewards of the 2022 budget; with a remainder of $2,000 3. $15,940 is requested for 2024, about $1,000 less than in 2023 b. Good Citizens Awards - Angela will continue as lead on this program i. Call for nominations begins in February ii. Nominations due in March iii. Blind selections will take place at an April WCRC meeting iv. Awards are presented during a May City Council meeting in May c. Black History Month i. Laura will connect with the library ii. Wheaton College Gospel Choir is also doing a program at the library in February 1. Director is Tonya Egler who has written a book about Gospel Music 2. Check with CUSD200 and private schools about BHM programs 3. Erica encouraged commissioners to attend programs 4. Glennette Tilley Turner is another resource to consider a. A longtime local educator, she has written a book on Wheaton’s role in the underground railroad. b. She recently was celebrated at the DuPage County Historical Museum when she turned 90 5. There are recordings of her past presentations at the library and museum d. WCRC commissioner resignations and openings i. Both Ines Valdez and Marco Scola have resigned as members of the commission 1. Erica encouraged commissioners to reach out to potential members 2. Talk with applicants to fill them in on expectations ii. Reminder to complete City of Wheaton Disclosure Statement by December 31 e. Sam brought up the date for January and discussed availability of members for that date. We opted to keep the meeting on January 3. Quorum currently requires that 6 members attend the meetings in person. VII. Public Comment VIII. Adjournment Laura moved to adjourn and Ben seconded. Adjourned at 7:55 pm. Signed, Wheaton Date: February 15, 2024 Community Relations Chair 2