Community Relations Commission

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall (In-Person or Virtual Attendance) I. Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm. II. Roll Call In Person: Meg Beasley, Kathy Bushong, Scott Chedister, Andrea Clayton, Yvette Diericx, Mike Hodel, Tim March, Andrew McGady, Laura Peccarelli, David Sohmer, and Shauna Thorson Absent: Shelly Keating Zoom: Guest (see below) III. Approval of Minutes a. Approval of minutes from May 7, 2025 general commission meeting and June 16, 2025 Wheaton Block Party committee meeting. Laura motioned to approve May 7 minutes; Tim seconded. Laura motioned to approve the June 16 committee minutes; Kathy seconded. IV. Old Business a. Good Citizens Awards (commission program) i. Recap 1. Set up went well with all sharing in responsibilities 2. Good turn out from attendees and guests 3. Selection process and distributing awards went well ii. Expenses - $900 for food right at budget 1. Had plenty of food 2. Nearly 80 had RSVPed (it felt like more) 3. Two awards are credited for the account for 2026 4. Awaiting receipts for water and plates (around $200) 5. Received good feedback from those in attendance iii. Suggestions for 2026 1. Cut back on skewers 2. Make it more evident with who winners were, perhaps include a recipient ribbon with the name tags 3. Focus on a more collective effort to curate the contacts we reach out to for nominations a. Ensure that those lists are updated b. For WNHS, Shauna suggested relying on Evan James, teacher and coach who was enthusiastic about the awards c. Also include those organizations that have done presentations at WCRC meetings. 4. Rent high tops for people to gather - around 8 a. Potential vendor: Villa Park - U-Haul (on St. Charles) COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES July 9, 2025 V. New Business a. Wheaton Block Party event Saturday, September 2025 i. Committee report (Laura) 1. Laura shared a spreadsheet of food vendors we have asked to attend. a. Committed: 302 Wheaton, Popcorn Shop, and Kimmers 2. Contacting Dough, Chick-Fil-A, Javi’s Burritos a. Vendors provide their own set up for food b. Must have a certificate of insurance c. Andrea Rosedale is clarifying requirements 3. Storyteller, re-enactors being contacted 4. Good Citizens introduced between bands 5. Emcee - potentially Todd Busteed 6. Mayor to kick off the event 7. Public Safety and Civic Engagement a. Police department can participate b. Fire department cannot attend (at another event) 8. Entertainment possibilities- a. Matt and Jen Marron ($700) - 45 minutes - 12:15 pm b. Jerry Evan’s and Musical Notes showcase students through a have a battle of bands competitions (Andrea) c. Sound system needs to be arranged 9. Historical commission (Laura) 10. Children’s games and activities a. Cosley Zoo can bring animals (not an interactive experience) b. Animal Shelters c. Balloon artist d. Games vendor (Bags, Face Painting, Dunk Tank, Bozo Bucket inflatables, quarterback throw, cardinal games, pop-a-shot - Dave) e. Wheaton Bingo, potentially a sponsor opportunity 11. Button or key-chain making (library has this capability) 12. Water - sales to benefit a yet-to-be determined organization ii. Communications 1. City will design a logo for the event 2. Communications Plan shared at meeting b. Community interest - Sue Huang (Fuji Ramen & Sushi) came to June meeting asking about the Festival of Cultures. c. Wheaton Public Library event - request for cooperative participation and funding i. Black history month documentary screening 1. ($175 - Alice’s Ordinary People documentary) ii. Discussion about how best to spend commission dollars to present programming that is for all Wheaton residents iii. Vote is tabled until a future meeting iv. Meg will clarify the dollar amount requested with library (is it $175 total or is WCRC total $175/) d. Introduction of new commission members COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES July 9, 2025 i. Tim March e. Officers for 2025-2026 commission i. Dave Sohmer and Meg Beasley ran for chair of the commission. A blind vote was taken and Dave Sohmer will serve as chair. The vote was 8-3. ii. Kathy Bushong will serve as vice chair iii. Meg Beasley will serve as secretary iv. Shauna will take on the communications role f. External drives - Dave Sohmer i. Sharepoint Drive will replace Google Docs Drive, ii. Access to the drive will be provided to all members VI. Public Comment Jeff Gahris, DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner Jeff joined the call as a representative of Midwest SOARRING Foundation. He wanted to learn more about the Wheaton Block Party. The foundation was a multi-year participant in the Festival of Cultures. VII. Adjournment Laura motioned to adjourn the meeting, and Kathy seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm. David Sohmer, Chair WCRC August 6, 2025