HomeMy WebLinkAbout9. SCC Minutes 09/03/2015MOUNT PROSPECT SISTER CITIES COMMISSION
VILLAGE HALL EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE ROOM, 3RD FLOOR
Minutes: September 3, 2015
Attendees: Skip Farley, Janice Farley, Mayor Arlene Juracek, Judy McGinnis, Gary Randant, Paula
Randant, Rafi Sahakian, John Sibrava, Mary Ann Sibrava, Elizabeth Theiss, Patricia Usnik, Robert
Usnik, Barbara VanArsdale, Steve VanArsdale, Irvana Wilks
Not Attendine: Evelyn Dorman, Lorrie Huber, Trustee Colleen Saccotelli, Diana Sahakian, Paul Seils,
Marianthi Thanopoulos, Rachel Toeppen
Guests: None
L Meeting called to order: Chair Bob Usnik called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM.
IL Approval of the minutes: Motion to approve the minutes of the July 16, 2015 meeting was
made by Skip Farley and seconded by John Sibrava.
III. Citizens to be heard: None.
IV. Mayor's Comments: Mayor Juracek showed the new Sister Cities logo imprinted on a shopping
bag and suggested the logo could also be used on letterhead at the top and the International Sister
Cities logo at the bottom. She stated that the logo is currently in low definition format and a
graphic designer will charge between $300 and $450 to produce a high definition logo that can be
used on letterhead, online and other applications. Steve VanArsdale moved to approve the
expenditure of up to $450 for this purpose; Gary Randant seconded the motion. Mayor Juracek
announced that Tricia Fusilero officially resigned from the commission due to professional
obligations. Mayor Juracek also announced that Bob Usnik had contacted Denise Rano about
returning to the commission and that Denise has accepted. Mayor Juracek stated that Denise
Rano would be officially appointed in October.
V. Chair's Comments: Bob Usnik announced that Mary Ann Sibrava has agreed to take the lead in
the Student Exchange program and that Mayor Gregoire de la Ronciere is very much on board
with the student exchange program in conjunction with the Sister Cities format.
VI. Treasurer's Report: Skip Farley reviewed the treasurer's report and that we have a current
balance of 516,495.77. Paula Randant moved to approve and Irvana Wilks seconded.
VII. Committee Reports
a. September 13 French Market — Barbara VanArsdale showed samples of the new shopping bags
with the French Market logo. These will be sold at the market. Barbara VanArsdale and Judy
McGinnis reported that a lot excellent items had been donated for the flea market booth and that
all items have been sorted and priced. A sign-up sheet was passed around for volunteers to work
the flea market at different intervals throughout the day.
b. French Cooking Demo at Retro Bistro — Judy McGinnis reported that plans were finalized with
Chris Barth at Retro Bistro and that tickets would be ready in time to have them available for
purchase at the French Market. The event would also be announced in the Village Newsletter by
September 22. The event will be held October 25, 2015 from 1:00-3:30 PM.
c. Communications — All Sister Cities events have been posted on the Facebook page. As of
September 3, the page had received 95 Likes. 2,060 people have been reached through this
medium. Rafi Sahakian and Colleen Saccotelli will be working together on communications.
The Village Board has approved the new website contract.
d. German Sister Cities Subcommittee — Skip Farley announced that the most recent prospect has
decided to decline our invitation to sister with them. The committee will continue to pursue a
German Sister City.
Sevres Visit — Mayor Juracek presented the official gift that will be given to Sevres — a canvas
picture of the French Market. Everyone present was very pleased with the way it turned out. Our
delegation will also present them with two Mt. Prospect books. Mayor Juracek also ordered a
Perpetual Enrollment Mass Card for Frangois Kosciusko-Morizet, printed in French which will be
presented to Benedict, Frangois' wife. Mayor Juracek shared the itinerary with the attendees. Our
delegation will provide Ravi with photos from the visit which he will post on the Sister Cities
Facebook page.
f. Wine Tasting Event — Paula Randant. The Wine Tasting will be held on November 12 from
6:00-8:00 PM at The Wildbird Shack. The Wildbird Shack will supply appetizers and Paula has
found a wine distributor who may provide the wine at no cost; she is waiting to get confirmation
from the vendor.
VIII. Fall & Winter Events.
Bob Usnik presented a tentative 2016 Events Schedule.
i. Trivia Night — Friday, January 22 — 7:00-10:00 PM — Denise Rano has agreed to be in
charge.
ii. Pot Luck Dinner — Thursday, April 21 — 6:30-9:00 PM — Rafi and Diana Sahakian will
take the lead.
iii. Wine Tasting (tentative) — Thursday, May 19 — 6:00-9:00 PM — This event may be
replaced with another program TBD.
iv. July 4 Parade — Monday, July 4 —1:00 PM
v. Family French Festival — Wednesday, July 13 — 6:30-7:30 PM — The library wants to
continue this.
vi. 2016 Book Crossing — July 11-15 — Mary Ann Sibrava said that the format may be
revised after exchanging ideas with the people in Sevres.
vii. French Market — Sunday — September 18 — 8:00 AM —1:00 PM. This was originally
scheduled for September 11, and Steve VanArsdale suggested having it a week later to
avoid the September 11 date.
viii. Retro Bistro Event — Sunday, October 25 —1:00-3:30 PM — This may be revised —
perhaps another venue.
ix. Wine Tasting — Thursday, November 3 — 6:00-9:00 PM. The November wine tasting
events have been more favorable than the spring events — however the time may be
reduced to 2 hours instead of 3.
IX. Open Discussion - Skip Farley received a call from Benedict who plans to attend some of the
Sevres events. Mayor Gregoire de la Ronciere said that he would go to Francoise' funeral in our
behalf.
There was a discussion about the possibility of developing a student exchange program by which
the Sister Cities Commission could assist in funding for Prospect students who cannot afford the
trip to France —possible scholarships, grants, etc. Paula Randant described some models that
other Sister Cities were using for this type of funding. Interest was shown in researching this
possibility.
X. Adjournment - Gary Randant moved and Paula Randant seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:11
PM. All approved.
Submitted by Patricia Usnik, acting secretary