Community Relations Commission

Wednesday, August 6, 2025 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall (In-Person or Virtual Attendance) I. Call to Order - 7:05 PM II. Roll Call In Person: Kathy Bushong, Andrea Clayton, Yvette Diericx, Tim March, Andrew McGady, David Sohmer, and Shauna Thorson Absent: Mike Hodel, Scott Chedister Community member attendance: Erica Nelson; Matt Vlasman III. Approval of Minutes a) Approval of minutes from July 9, 2025 special commission meeting and July 23, 2025; Wheaton Block Party committee meeting. Andrew moved to approve, Tim seconded the motion to approve the July 9 minutes; July 23, 2025 committee minutes - motion to approve by Shauna seconded by Kathy. Both sets of minutes were approved unanimously. IV. Old Business a. Wheaton Block Party event i. Committee report (Dave, Kathy, Shauna, Yvette, and Andrew) ii. Review of current block party plan • Shauna found High Infidelity as a second band; • Andrew has an idea for a band - Mike Hayes; Jen Brown looking for a sound engineer. • Possible Sponsors: Amplify, First Trust, Performance Trust, T2 • Block Party budget reviewed • Ideas for face painters • Food vendors - 6 vendors (Dough, 302, Javis, Kimmers, Popcorn Shop, Chick Fil A) and Jen is getting their paperwork (certificate of insurance); water will be sold by Midwest Shelter for Veterans to benefit their cause. • Kid games: Bumble bee electric train, pop a shot, triple play deluxe, axe throw, duck pond, bean bag toss, 19ftslide (volunteers needed to run the games); some prizes needed (Yvette will get the prizes). Police booth. • Nothing Bundt Cakes will do a cake walk and sponsor the whole thing. (Julie Sohmer will run it). • Chad Thorson will emcee the event. The Wheaton Mayor will introduce the event. City Council Members will be invited. Color Guard will attend. • Good Citizen awardees (GCA) to be announced (between bands) and a plug will be given for GCA 2026. • Kids Activities: Cosley zoo exhibit, 4 face painters (maybe Shauna and 2 others), balloon artist (dave will look), • Button making (Kathy will follow up), photo booth idea/frame.  • Other activities: Bingo and Raffle canceled. • Marketing: Shanua needs to get info to Susan Bishell; City of Wheaton will send a press release and there will be • Social media posts; The City of Wheaton will send a photographer and videographer at the event; flyers and electronic advertisements will be investigated. Balloons (Andrea & Shauna). • T shirts with Block Party logo with sponsorship advertisement on the back (Andrew). • Volunteer lunches to be approximately $15 each at the Dough/ 302 trucks. • 11:00 AM Monday meeting with the park district • Motion to accept the Block Party plan - motion by Tim; second by Shauna. The motion passed unanimously. b. Wheaton Public Library event - request for cooperative participation and funding i. Black history month documentary screening - library no longer asking for funding partnership. ii. Reviewed principles for spending WCRC funds on: things that apply to all groups, may want to focus spending on: block party, Wheaton gives back, good citizen; as well as Special Needs, Seniors & Veterans. c. Partner programs funding commission principles - ideas from the Commissioners: STARS family services, Midwest Shelter fori. Veterans, programs at the Wheaton Public Library, Mary Lubko Center for Seniors, Wheaton Food Pantry. i. Motion by Dave to use commission funds on our focus areas of: Block Party, Wheaton Gives Back, Good Citizen Award; as well as special needs, seniors, and veterans (as the Mayor has asked us to do). Second for this motion by Kathy. Vote: All in favor 100% - motion carries. ii. 2025 Budget reviewed V. New Business a. Wheaton Gives Back i. Summary document distributed for commission review. ii. Need coordinator for Wheaton Gives Back – Commissioners to consider iii. Laura Bennett from Wheaton College would like to partner in Wheaton Gives Back (e-mail read by Kathy). VI. Public Comment a. Matt - Q- what is the history of the block party? A - Pivot from Festival of Cultures to a block party. b. Erica Nelson - Lots of effort put into the large block party event. Feedback idea - more restaurant diversity in the future; encourage to bring in historical relevance to the City of Wheaton. Encouragement to not just make this a replica of a Park District event. VII. Adjournment - 8:46 PM David Sohmer Chairman, Wheaton Community Relations Commission September 3, 2025