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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/14/2020 COW MinutesCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Tuesday, July 14, 2020 7:00 pm 1 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Juracek at 7:03 pm in the Village Board Room of the Mount Prospect Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson Street. ROLL CALL: Mayor Arlene A. Juracek, Trustee Eleni Hatzis, Trustee Paul Hoefert, Trustee Richard Rogers, Trustee Colleen Saccotelli and Trustee Michael Zadel were present upon roll call by the Village Clerk. Trustee Grossi participated in the meeting via teleconference and was present at roll call. Absent: None 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2.1 Committee of the Whole Meeting - May 12, 2020 Trustee Saccotelli, seconded by Trustee Hoefert, moved to approve the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting of May 12, 2020. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote. 3 CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. 4 DISCUSSION ITEMS 4.1 Board of Fire and Police Commissioners - 2019 Annual Report Jim Powers, Chairman of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, presented the 2019 Annual Report. Mr. Powers provided a brief background regarding the role of the Commission. Mr. Powers highlighted the activities of the Commission for years 2018 and 2019. In response to a request from Mayor Juracek, Mr. Powers provided background information on each member of the Commission. Board Comments: The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is one of the hardest working commissions; responsible for very important set of tasks Village is fortunate to have this commission oversee the hiring of our Police and Fire department personnel Our Fire and Police personnel receive the highest level of training; we select only the best to serve Mr. Powers responded to questions from the Village Board: • The Fire Department's eligibility list expires in early 2021; testing will be conducted at the end of September or early October Due to COVID, the Police Academy has been closed but reopened three weeks ago; the department does not have any attendees in the current session • Fire Academy in Glenview completed its second session of the year; a third session will begin in the Fall and the Fire Department has one candidate scheduled to attend Implementing a good recruiting program that includes a focus on diversity will continue to be a key focus Public Comment: Ronak McFadden Resident • Asked what steps are being taken to ensure we are hiring and attracting a diverse set of candidates. Village Manager Michael Cassady, Police Chief John Koziol and Mr. Powers provided responses to Ms. McFadden's questions. Joann Smith Resident • Thanked the Board for having this conversation and offered suggestions on ways to increase job opportunities for people of color and means to make these professions more desirable to everyone. Chief Koziol responded to questions from the Board: • Community Service Officers and Police apprenticeship programs provide opportunities for those who want to become police officers 0 Teen Citizen Police Academy will begin soon; this provides youth an early introduction for careers in the Police Department The department's beat program has been positive for both the community and the off i ce rs 4.2 Community Engagement Committee Presentation Director of Human Services Julie Kane provided the brief history of the Community Engagement Committee. Ms. Kane stated that nurturing a diverse and active Cultural Climate has been identified as a key priority of the Village's Strategic Plan since 2016. The formation of a resident committee focused on community engagement was just one initiative staff was tasked with developing. The Community Engagement Committee was launched in early 2019, led by staff including members of Human Services department and diverse members of our community. Ms. Kane introduced two members of the committee, Trisha Chokshi and Vicki Chung who participated in the evening's presentation. Ms. Chokshi introduced members of the committee who were present. Ms. Chokshi stated the committee worked to establish a committee identity in 2019 that included the development of the committee logo, community webpage and mission statement. Ms. Chokshi invited Ms. Chung to review the committee's 2019 work plan. Ms. Chung stated the committee participated in many events last year including the Block Party, National Night Out, Boxwood Bash and the Celebration of Cultures event. The committee began developing the 2020 work plan in late 2019/early 2020 and highlighed events that were being developed for 2020. Due to COVID-19 and its' associated limitations, the committee adjusted the work plan to include virtual events and discussion. Vicki Chung presented the committee's adjusted work plan that includes virtual, on-going community conversations, a virtual cultural holiday traditions sharing event, lawn sign campaign and a COVID-19 Campaign of Hope that will showcase the resilience of our community during this crisis. Ms. Chokshi stated the committee is particularly sensitive to the current social climate and announced the committee will host a Community Conversation on July 28 via GoToWebinar. Board Comments: • This committee is important to our diverse community; will help bridge cultural gaps a Important to have ongoing discussions with all members of our community * Suggested the committee initiate another diversity survey * Supports the lawn sign campaign * Supports the mission statement and initiatives of this committee * Expressed interest in hosting future community conversation in person when safe to do so. Public Comment Terri Gens Resident • Commended the Board for being open to these discussions and thanked the committee for facilitating events that bring our community together. Joann Smith Resident • Expressed support for the committee and thanked the Board and the committee for taking steps to increase diversity in our community Ms. Kane thanked the members of the Community Engagement Committee for their patience and commitment to the community. Ms. Kane provided additional details regarding the Community Conversation and invited all members of the community to join the conversation. 5 VILLAGE MANAGERS REPORT No report. 6 ANY OTHER BUSINESS None. 7 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen M. Agoranos Village Clerk