HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/21/2019 SCC Minutes MOUNT PROSPECT SISTER CITIES COMMISSION
Community Room
Minutes: March 21,2019
Attendees: Christine Barr, Greg Bernert, Evelyn Dorman, Christina Haskell, Doreen Jarosz, Mayor
Arlene A.Juracek, Judy McGinnis, Mari Otto, Denise Rano, Trustee Colleen E. Saccotelli, Gabriel
Saintus,Paul Sells,Patricia Usnik, Robert Usnik, Barbara VanArsdale
Not Attending: Karen Agoranos, Gissele Drpich,Elizabeth Theiss, Steve VanArsdale
Guests: None
L Meeting called to order: Chair Robert Usnik called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM.
IL Citizens to be heard: None
III. Motion to approve minutes: Trustee Colleen E. Saccotelli moved to approve the minutes from the
January 17, 2019 meeting and Paul Sells seconded.
IV. Mayor's Comments:
a. Mayor Arlene A. Juracek reviewed the report on the Trivia Night event and was very
pleased with the large turnout.
b. Mayor Juracek is in favor of re-running the D-Day Movie since it was so well-received the
first time, and because 2019 is the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Chair Bob Usnik has the
contact information for the movie's producer and agents.
c. Bob Usnik has been in touch on a regular basis with Assunta Mesmin Adiceam in Sevres
regarding our delegates' September visit.
d. Mayor Juracek described several opportunities throughout the summer to showcase the
Sister Cities Commission.
e. Bob Usnik is working on the student exchange program from a legal aspect. He has been
working with the Village Legal staff to finalize the necessary documents.
V. Chair's Comments:
a. Student Exchange—The Village attorneys approved the revised questionnaire that we will
be using for students coming to Mt.Prospect and those going to Sevres. The document is
more comprehensive than the previous one and better protects both the Village and the
families involved in the exchange.
b. Library Display—Pat Usnik and Christine Barr will handle the Sister Cities display at the
library. The display will be up between April I and April 30.
c. Sevres Visit-All required bios have been turned in and will be mailed to Assunta. We are
still waiting for some flight numbers and arrival times.
d. 2019 Event Calendar—Events coming up are the July 4th parade, Family French Festival,
the French dinner on Bastille Day and the French Market. Other events under
consideration are wine tasting, and a movie on the lawn. The Student Exchange meeting
will be held in November. The idea of a Mardi Gras dinner was discussed.
e. New Sevres Banner—The banner must be replaced. Sizes and designs will be submitted
to Doreen Jarosz.
f. Commission Shirts—A selection from which we can choose will be assembled. This will
be re-addressed at the May meeting.
g. Commission Pamphlets. Commission members were asked to consider what should be
included in the pamphlet—events or defining the Sister Cities Commission or a
combination of both.
h. Elizabeth Theiss. Elizabeth Theiss has resigned from the Commission, effective May
2019.
VI. Treasurer's Report: Greg Bernert presented the Treasurer's Report as of February 28, 2019.
Judy McGinnis moved to approve, and Trustee Colleen E. Saccotelli seconded.
VII. Committee Reports
a. Trivia Night,Friday,March 8,2019—Denise Rano—Tickets were sold through Event
Brite and the process was much more seamless than in previous years. Sales of raffle
tickets were high. Overall expenses were lower this year than in previous years. Christine
Barr was very instrumental procuring raffle prizes.
b. French Dinner—Mari Otto, Gabriel Saintus. Several establishments were approached
that could accommodate 150 people or more. It was decided that the French Dinner will be
held at the Old Orchard Country Club located in Mt.Prospect. The venue has completed a
renovation and is an attractive location to hold this event. It also has good parking
accommodations. The event will be named Bleu-Blanc-Rouge (colors of the French flag)
and will be held on Bastille Day, July 14, 2019. There will be a sit-down dinner and a one-
hour open bar cocktail hour prior to dinner as well as musical entertainment during cocktail
hour and after dinner. Suitable centerpieces will be provided with blue,white and red
linens. The Special Events Commission has a stock of decorations from the Celestial
Celebration banquets that may be borrowed if needed to supplement the table decor. Menu
choices were reviewed and decided upon. The Commission's cost per person is $72.95
plus the Event Brite fee. The charge will be $65 per person. The venue requires a 100-
person minimum and has agreed to waive the 18% gratuity on the dinner. A start time and
sign-up deadline must be determined to accommodate the venue. Entrees must be pre-
ordered; this can be done on Event Brite when registering. Methods of advertising the
event were discussed. The Commission will subsidize the cost of the event,including
entertainment. A motion to spend up to $5,000 on this event was put forth by Greg Bernert;
Trustee Colleen E. Saccotelli seconded.
VIII. Open Discussion. None
IX. Adjournment. The next meeting will be on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 6:00 PM. Trustee Colleen
E. Saccotelli moved to adjourn, and Paul Sells seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:19 PM
Submitted by Patricia Usnik, Secretary