Community Relations Commission

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WHEATON CITY HALL, 303 W WESLEY STREET, WHEATON, ILLINOIS 60187 Wednesday, January 7, 2025 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall I. Call t0 Order: 7:05 PM II. Roll Call - In Person: Dave Sohmer, Andrea Clayton, Michael Hodel, Kathy Bushong, Tim March & Andrew McGady; Absent: Sharon Holtrop, Shauna Thorson. III. Approval of Minutes Approval of minutes from December 3, 2025 regular commission meeting. Motion to approve by Tim March, second by Mike Hodel - all in favor; none opposed. IV. Old Business a. Wheaton Block Party event 1. Discuss and decide date for 2026 - Idea for Sept 19th - moved to Saturday, September 26th; Dave reserved Memorial Park with the Wheaton Park District. b. Wheaton Gives Back (WGB) l. Report — Kathy Bushong - There was overlap with WGB and the Wheaton Block Party. Next year would be better to have earlier communication with Andrew Dameron (Downtown Wheaton Association) t0 get WGB started - possibly early September. c. Poinsettias for WCRC Partners recap - David - feedback from Mike Dugan (City Manager) to potentially not give first responders poinsettias next year. Dave will circle back with Mike to get more information. d. DWA Christmas Tree - Sharon — TO be discussed at the next meeting when Sharon is present t0 give feedback. e. “Autism Certified City or an Autism Friendly City” - Andrew researched the certifying body — IBCCES - the process begins with this organization taking a sampling oforganizations in the area to begin the process. Andrew can set up a meeting to begin the process with Shauna and Sharon. There would be training for businesses and organizations in the area. f. 250 Anniversary ofAmerica planning - Idea to string American flags across major streets in downtown Wheaton across buildings and possibly partner with another committee to share costs. Idea to add “Hometown Hero” flags to lampposts as well. Idea t0 partner with Cantigny to share costs. Idea for making a QR code to point people toward historical sites in Wheaton. Dave will reach out to the historical commission to see if they would like to partner with us on the flag display. Andrew to follow up with Andrea Rosedale to see ifthe city would get behind the flag ideas. V. New Business a. Good Citizen award planning (happens in May) 1. Choose subcommittee chair - no chair selected - tasks to be assigned in February, Andrew can help with emailing and putting together the selection process, Andrea can do the food, Shauna to do decorations. b. CRC Website - updates made to add current items and remove old items. VI. Public Comment a. No comments VII. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Mike Hodel; all in favor 7:49 PM Submitted by Andrea Clayton, Secretary David Sohmer Chairman, Wheaton Community Relations Commission Jan 7, 2025