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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/2005 CRC minutes MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION Community Center, Village Hall Thursday, June 2,2005 7:00 p.m. The Community Relations Commission (CRC) of the Village of Mount Prospect met Thursday, June 2, 2005 in the Village Hall of Mount Prospect, Illinois, 50 South Emerson Street. CALL TO ORDER [At the completion of his term, May 2005, Chairman John Brennan resigned from the Commission and therefore was not present at the meeting. Commissioner Tolbert was asked by Mayor Wilks and agreed to serve as acting Chairman.] Acting Chairman Tolbert called the meeting to order at 7: 00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Muench Commissioner Schultz Absent: Commissioner Parikh Also in attendance: Mayor Irvana Wilks Chief of Police Rich Eddington Clare Sloan, Community Development Neighborhood Planner Maria Hernandez, Principal John Jay School Cindy Herman, Baird & Warner Terry Just, Baird & Warner Lisa Angell, Staff Liaison APPROVAL OF MINUTES The February 10, 2005 meeting minutes were unanimously approved as written. INTRODUCTION Acting Chairman Tolbert welcomed Mayor Wilks and the other attendees to the meeting, and asked for "a round the table" introductions. NEW BUSINESS . Make A Difference Day Project As an integral member of the Village's Family Issues Committee, Ms. Hernandez provides insight and direction for the community in addressing the needs of at-risk children/families. At a recent Family Issues meeting, Ms. Hernandez shared information regarding the benefits of engaging grade school students in organized music programs such as band, orchestra, chorus, etc. Ms. Hernandez stated that students involved in music programs tend to make better choices when going through junior high and high school. Unfortunately, many of the students that would benefit from the music program and would like to participate are unable to do so because they cannot afford to purchase or r~nt instruments; there is no fee for lessons. Although John Jay tries to secure instruments for these students there are never enough. At the invitation of the Community Relations Commission, Ms. Hernandez was in attendance to relate the same positive long-term benefits for at-risk children and to discuss how the Commission might partner with John Jay in a Make a Difference Day Project to collect unwanted but usable instruments. In support of her request, Ms. Hernandez also showed a video of student performances at John Jay and Holmes Junior High and related a few success stories of at-risk students involved with band and/or orchestra. She also praised and credited the music education teachers at both schools for the children's success. Following Ms. Hernandez's presentation, Acting Chairman Tolbert opened the request for the Make a Difference Day project for comments and discussion. While the Commission members expressed their support for the project, the members had a variety of questions including: Instruments Needed Organization and Publication of the Project Expansion of the project to include all Mount Prospect Public Schools Tax Deduction - Charitable Donation Instruments Needed Ms. Hernandez responded that string instruments, violin and cello, as well as wind instruments, clarinet, flute and trumpet would be welcome. Orqanization/Publication of the Proiect Recognizing one of the major tasks for a successful project is public awareness the Commission suggested the Village's communication network be utilized; Civic Event Sign, Government Access Channel and the Village Website. Ms. Terry Just of Baird and Warner encouraged that community events such as the 4th of July Parade, the Downtown Block Party also be considered. Acknowledging the vast opportunities to promote the proposed project, it was suggested that should the Commission agree to take on the project the next step would be to set-up a special meeting to discuss project organization. Proiect Expansion Although Ms. Hernandez's presentation focused on John Jay School, the Commission questioned whether there was a similar need in other schools. After a brief discussion the Commission agreed that if they decided to sponsor the project the collection should be open to all the local school districts. Tax Deduction - Charitable Donation Acting Chairman Tolbert asked if a mechanism would be in place to allow those individuals donating instruments to receive a tax deduction. Ms. Hernandez stated she would discuss this with School District #59 Administration. Mayor Wilks stated the Village already had an ordinance in place allowing the Village to receive tax deductible donations without establishing a foundation. Mayor Wilks asked the staff liaison to obtain additional information from the Village's Finance Director regarding application of the Village's policy and practice. [At the conclusion of these items of discussion, Ms. Hernandez thanked the Commission and Baird and Warner for their interest and indicated she would be still be working at the school for the next few weeks if they had additional questions.] After Ms. Hernandez's departure, Ms. Just and Ms. Herman from Baird and Warner shared very positive comments about the benefits of such a project and indicated a strong interest in working with the Community Relations Commission if both the Commission and their organization decided to take on the proposed Make a Difference Day'Project. Before leaving the meeting Ms. Just and Ms. Herman also thanked the Commission members; Ms. Just stated she would notify the staff liaison if her office decided work on this project. Without further discussion a motion to accept the proposed Make A Difference Day Project, to collect unwanted but usable musical instruments for the benefit of at-risk or other students in need of an instrument within in the Mount Prospect school districts was moved, seconded and unanimously approved. Acting Chairman Tolbert stated he would invite the superintendents from the local school districts to participate. [The staff liaison will fax him a school district list with names, addresses, and phone numbers.) A special meeting for the Make a Difference Day Project was set for June 15, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Hall. The staff liaison will invite Ms. Hernandez, Ms. Just and Ms. Herman to the June 15th meeting. Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) The staff liaison introduced Clare Sloan, Community Development Neighborhood Planner. As the Neighborhood Planner Ms. Sloan is responsible for the CDBG program and will be working with the Commission during the public hearing and funding recommendation process. Ms. Sloan provided an overview of her May 23, 2005 memo to the Commission including the proposed meeting dates for the 2006 CDBG funding process; August 4th, August 18th and September 1 st. Ms. Sloan also stated she would be happy to coordinate dates for Commissioners wanting to conduct site visits. Mayor Wilks expressed her support of the site visits by the Commission members; she believes it is important for the funding recipients to see Village representatives at their sites, and for the Commission members to observe the organization's activities. The staff liaison asked the Commission to check their calendars and confirm their availability for the meeting dates proposed by Ms. Sloan. She noted that having a quorum available during the CDBG hearing process was critical; three (3) Commission members would need to be present at each meeting. The staff liaison asked the Commissioner's to confirm their availability by June 10th, as that date would allow Ms. Sloan adequate time to comply with CDBG public notification requirements. OLD BUSINESS · Cultural Events Calendar In his absence Commissioner Parikh asked that the staff liaison inform the Commissioner that he is still pursuing communication with the Lions Club. However, it appears the Commission will not have the opportunity to participate in the 2005 Lions Club 4th of July event at Melas Park. There is no funding available to support an event at this year's event. REPORTS rCommission/Staffl Suburban Mosaic Book of the Year Acting Chairman Tolbert reported the book selections for this year had been made but he did not know the names. Family Issues Committee Father Sonny, Mount Prospect Hispanic Community, will be leaving the area and will no longer serve on the Committee. Reverend Kirk Reed, Trinity United Methodist Church has been reassigned and will no longer serve on the Committee. Summer programs provided by various agencies in the community are in place and will begin at the close of the school year. OTHER Commissioner Muench had several questions regarding community safety including, gun control and police recruitment. Having been a member of the Village Board when local policies on gun control were enacted, Mayor Wilks was shared the background information that helped shaped Village policy. Mayor Wilks also cited local ordinances that address gun control and community safety. Police Chief Eddington also commented on the gun issue, and responded to questions regarding the recent shooting in the Boxwood area. Chief Eddiington then provided an overview of the Department's recruitment efforts to increase the number of minority officers in the department; the most recent recruitment report will be mailed to the Commission members. He noted, the Police Department currently has four (4) officers that speak Spanish. Chief Eddington suggested efforts be coordinated so the Commission could a make an on-site visit and meet various members of the Police Department. In closing, Mayor Wilks praised the Commission for their commitment and support of activities that bring the community together. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting was scheduled for Thursday, July 7 2005 at 7:00 p.m., Village Hall, 50 South Emerson. The staff liaison was asked to send a meeting notice for the June 15, 2005 special meeting. There being no further business a motion to adjourn was moved, seconded and unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. . ;::2. ~ AU:7:ed~ (; '; 'f:~~ ~?CI;a Angell Staff Liaison 847.870.5640 langell@mountprospect.org I :\communityrelationscommission2002\J une2005 meetingminutes.doc