Cultural & Social Awareness Commission

MINUTES CITY OF WOODSTOCK CULTURAL AND SOCIAL AWARENESS COMMISSION October 3, 2022 A regular meeting of the City of Woodstock Cultural and Social Awareness Commission was called to order by Chairperson Crystal Squires at 5:00 PM on Monday, October 3, 2022, in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. A roll call was taken. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: John Kendall, Jose Rivera, Kerry Smith, and Chairperson Crystal Squires. COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Abdul Akel, Joseph Starzynski, and Juanita Vega. STAFF PRESENT: Human Resources Director/Staff Liaison Deb Schober and City Clerk Cindy Smiley. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Motion by J. Rivera, second by J. Kendall, to accept the minutes of the July 11, 2022 meeting as presented. Ayes: Kendall, Rivera, Smith, and Chairperson Squires. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: Akel, Starzynski, and Vega. Motion carried. 4. DISCUSSION ITEMS A general discussion of the items on the agenda took place with all Commissioners & Ms. Schober participating. a. Survey Chairperson Squires noted the deadline for participation in the survey was extended to November 1 in the hope of receiving additional responses. Ms. Schober updated the Commission on participation to date. A brief discussion ensued of the responses received thus far. Chairperson Squires opined the more responses received, the more productive feedback the Commission will have to help set goals and develop programs. Chairperson Squires shared ways in which she has shared the survey to encourage participation, asking other Commissioners to try to do the same. She stated she will hand out the survey sheets at the Pride booth during the Witches and Wizards event and asked others to do so at the remaining Farmers Markets and at businesses if they are able. Discussion ensued of other possible avenues to contact for distribution including Starbucks, the Chamber, Hispanic Connections, professional groups, and other groups’ email lists and bulletin boards on which the survey sheet can be posted. Ms. Schober provided additional survey sheets to the Commission members present. Chairperson Squires stated the goal is to get as many responses as possible by November 1, opining the purpose is to get information to use to lay the foundation for the work of the Commission and to help the City. She stated after the survey date closes, the Commission will look at the results and comments and put together action items for a roadmap for the future of the Commission.  Cultural and Social Awareness Commission 10/03/22 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2 b. Meeting Dates for 2023 Following a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission to meet as follows in 2023: Monday, January 9 5:00 PM Monday, April 3 5:00 PM Monday, July 10 5:00 PM Monday October 2 5:00 PM 5. NEXT MEETING DATE Chairperson Squires stated she would like to have a Special Meeting after the survey has closed and Ms. Schober has had enough time to compile the results. She stated the purpose of the meeting, a working meeting, will be for the Commission to analyze the data and put together a basic outline of what they wish to work on together to develop a plan. Following a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission to meet on Monday, November 14 at 5:00 PM. At Chairperson Squires’ request, Ms. Schober will investigate the availability of the Conference Room in the basement of City Hall for that meeting. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Commissioner Rivera introduced a guest from Zacatecas, Woodstock’s Sister City, noting he is the Governor’s nephew. He was welcomed by the Commission. 7. OTHRE DISCUSSION ITEMS Commissioner Rivera stated he hopes to take a group from Woodstock to Zacatecas in May of 2023. ADJOURN Motion by J. Kendall, second by J. Rivera, to adjourn this regular meeting of the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission to a Special Meeting at 5:00 PM on Monday, November 14, 2022; location to be determined. Ayes: Kendall, Rivera, Smith, and Chairperson Squires. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: Akel, Starzynski, and Vega. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 5:33 PM. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Smiley, City Clerk