HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/14/2026 Special Events Commission Minutes Special MeetingVillage of Mount Prospect
Special Events Commission
Special Meeting Minutes — September 14, 2026
Mount Prospect Village Hall
Members in Attendance: Brian Lambel (Chair), Katie Cousino, Chris Gordon, Hazel Oreluk,
Jeannie Macatangay, Patti Quill, Denise Peterson, Laura Young, Bill Grimpe, Kylie Cerk (Staff
Liaison)
Absent: Daniel Okafor, Fred Steinmiller, Alan Cervenka, Christina Greco, Jenna Olsen, Vicki
Chung
1. Call to Order at 7:02 pm
2. Citizens to be Heard
a. None
3. Approval of Minutes
a. Motion to approve the August 3, 2026, meeting minutes by Commissioner
Grimpe; Second by Commissioner Oreluk
i. In Favor —All
ii. Opposed — None
4. Financial Report
a. The Commission discussed the 4th of July Parade account and discrepancies
caused by sharing the account with Public Works.
b. The Commission also discussed an overcharge for the parade float balloons.
Commissioner Quill reported that the vendor would prefer to credit the
Commission for a future event instead of issuing a refund.
c. Chairperson Lambel suggested approval of the report be tabled to a future
meeting, allowing time to meet with the Village's Finance Department to discuss
the two items.
5. Old Business
a. Family Bike Ride 2026
i. Commissioner Quill stated that the cancellation decision was made at the
right time in order to minimize a domino effect.
Commissioner Macatangay asked about the status of the coupons from
Time Mission that were included in the bike ride giveaway bags.
Chairperson Lambel will check.
b. Spooktacular Halloween Decorating Contest 2026
i. In Commissioner Chung's absence, Liaison Cerk shared a short update.
ii. Liaison Cerk stated that the contest will appear on the cover of the
October print newsletter.
iii. Liaison Cerk also mentioned that she and Commissioner Chung will be
working with the GIS Department to create the form and map for the
contest.
c. Kindness Week 2026
Commissioner Cousino reported that the Kindness Week kickoff event will
be at the Library on November 7, 10 am to 1 pm. She is also planning a
second event at the RecPlex on November 8. Commissioner Young
volunteered to assist.
ii. Commissioner Cousino passed around Kindness Bingo cards from last
year and asked Commissioners to provide suggestions on this year's
card, which she would like to be more accessible and less difficult to
complete. Commissioner Cousino would also like to find a method for
virtual bingo card submission.
iii. Commissioner Cousino is searching for a cost -friendly vendor to print
kindness bags. She is acquiring 300 bags and asked Commissioners to
assist with collecting items from local businesses.
d. Platinum & Gala Sponsors
i. Chairperson Lambel stated that now is a good time to start soliciting for
2027 Platinum Sponsors and sponsors for the Shining Stars Gala. An
earlier start time will give businesses more time to budget, and the
Commission will have more time to create print materials.
ii. Liaison Cerk will facilitate the creation of a 24x36 sign with the platinum
sponsor logos to display at the Kindness Week kickoffs.
iii. The Commission discussed ways to use sponsorship funds to enhance
events in addition to marketing sponsors.
iv. Chairperson Lambel would like to meet with the Village's Finance
Department to discuss moving platinum sponsor funds into its own
account. Currently it appears in the Gala account.
v. Commissioner Quill will update the sponsorship form.
vi. For gala sponsorships, the Commission agreed on reducing the price of
the gold -level sponsorship to $1,000.
vii. The group decided on a December 1 deadline for sponsorship
commitment and a January 1 deadline for sponsorship payment.
6. New Business
a. Shining Star Award Nominations & Gala
i. The Commission discussed keeping the categories the same this year but
suggested shortening the presentation videos at the event.
ii. Commissioner Grimpe volunteered to chair the subcommittee that
oversees and votes on the nominations. An email will be sent to the whole
commission asking two members to volunteer alongside Commissioner
Grimpe.
iii. The Commission agreed to open Shining Star nominations on September
28 and close them on November 16.
iv. Commissioner Quill suggested the Commission think about additional
activities to include and whether entertainment should be a band or a DJ.
v. Motion to approve Crystal Palace as the 2026-27 Shining Stars Gala
venue by Commissioner Quill; Second by Commissioner Oreluk
1. In Favor —All
2. Opposed — None
b. Christkindlmarket 2026
Commissioner Gordon reported that he sent the registration form to the
email list of past participants.
The group discussed enhancing the event with some entertainment,
which could be paid for with platinum sponsorship funds.
7. Any Other Business
a. None
8. Next Meeting — Monday, October 5, 2026, 7pm at Village Hall
9. Adjournment at 8:46 pm
a. Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Grimpe; Second by Commissioner Quill
b. I n favor — All
c. Opposed — None
Minutes recorded by Kylie Cerk