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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/03/2004 CRC minutes MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION 2ND Floor Conference Room, Public Safety Building Thursday, June 3, 2004 7:00 p.m. The meeting of the Community Relations Commission (CRG) of the Village of Mount Prospect was held Thursday, June 3,2004 in the 2nd floor conference room of Village Hall, 100 South Emerson, Mount Prospect, Illinois. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brennan called the meeting to order at 7: 10 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Muench Commissioner Parikh Commissioner Schultz Commissioner Tolbert Absent: Commissioner Tolbert Also in attendance: Matt Dominis Mount Prospect Journal Mike Jacobs Community Development Deputy Director Marisa Warneke Community Development Planner Lisa Angell staff liaison APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the May 13, 2004 meeting minutes was moved and seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved as written. OLD BUSINESS FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN In the June 3, 2004 meeting packet the Commission received a copy of the Village's Five Year Consolidated Plan (2205-2009). As the Commission is the recommending body for the priorities and goals of the Five Year Plan, Marisa Warneke and Mike Jacobs presented the 2005-2009 plan to the members for discussion and recommendation. [The Village is required to submit the plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the application process for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.] Ms. Warneke provided an overview of the 2000-2004 Five-Year Consolidated Plan priorities as well as 2005-2009 priorities noting that Affordable Housing remained the number one (1) priority. Ms. Warneke also noted that the results of a survey sent to local public service agencies, school districts and other local resources serving the needs of the community helped shape the 2005-2009 Consolidated Plan. The Commission members voiced their support for prioritizing affordable housing, and made comments/suggestions on the direction the Village should be taking in this area. I! Increase availability/ownership of affordable housing. Mr. Jacobs stated the Village has been approached by apartment property owners interested in converting the units to condominiums; this type of conversion would considerably increase the affordable housing stOCK. To assist applicants qualify for the First Time Homebuyers program the Village works with banks offering flexible loan programs, and that help applicants build credit. [First Time Homebuyers participants must also go to housing counseling at CEDA N. W.] 11 Out Reach to Hispanic Community The Commission recommended the Village enhance its public awareness efforts with the Hispanic population; print informational brochures in Spanish and publicize program in Hispanic Newspaper, Relejos. Ms. Warneke stated she would follow through with both recommendations. 11 Housing Standards Commission members expressed a concern regarding the quality of affordable rental properties. Mr. Jacobs stated the routine inspection of rental properties by the Village's Health Inspectors and consistent enforcement of the property maintenance codes have had a positive impact on the quality of rental properties. Ms. Warneke added the Village's long term goal is to include apartments in the CDBG program; staff need to establish whether apartments meet program guidelines. Discussion of Non-Housing Priorities prompted a question regarding the use of CDBG funds for purchasing a building to establish a Police Resource Center. Ms. Warneke and Mr. Jacobs responded the VlUage could research this, however, if pursued an additional funding source would need to be found; CDBG funds alone would not be adequate. The question of a Police Resource Center was followed with a brief discussion on services/programs for adolescents. A concern was also raised on the resources/training available to police personnel that respond to sexual assault cases. Chairman Brennan suggested Commissioner Muench contact Police Chief Eddington to discuss training Mount Prospect Police Personnel receive in this area. Commissioner Muench indicated she would do so. Before closing the discussion on the CDBG program Commissioner Schultz asked if the Commission should be working on housing issues beyond their role as a recommending body for the CDBG program. Although their was not full support among the Commissioners to broaden their scope on housing issues Chairman Brennan felt there was enough support to seek the Mayor and Village Board's approval to do so. Chairman Brennan stated he would write Mayor Farley requesting approval to broaden the Commission's scope of activity in the area of affordable housing. Commissioner Parikh asked Chairman Brennan if broadened would the Commission's focus be availability of affordable housing in Mount Prospect. If so, he suggested a more appropriate role and one that may serve a greater good would be to involve the Commission in efforts that will assist individuals in need of affordable housing gain the education, and jobs that will he1p them purchase a home. The final item to be addressed under the CDBG program was assigning the site visits to the 2004 recipients; the visits are to be conducted prior to the 2005 applicant presentations in August. The Commissioners will coordinate the site visits with Ms. Warneke. Chairman Brennan Commissioner Muench Commissioner Parikh Commissioner Schultz Access to Care and Club Rec Plex Children's Advocacy Center and WINGS CEDA and Resources for Community Living PADS and Clayground GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - Continuation of May 13, 2004 Discussion [At the June 3, 2004 meeting Commissioner Parikh suggested the Commission review the participant comments from the Racism Forum and focus on the key issues on the list. He thought many of the comments were linked to community education programs/activities that would broaden awareness of cultural/ethnic diversity. One of the activities he mentioned was development of an event calendar to celebrate and/or recognize Mount Prospect's diverse population. Chairman Brennan asked Commissioner Parikh to bring a calendar with the various dates to the June meeting for further discussion.] ~~,~~,".~......"..mm.m."._"...."...m.....~....."....~".m«.' . "..............""" Referring to the Forum on Racism Commissioner Parikh noted several comments regarding the need to increase community education to facilitate awareness and understanding of cultural/ethnic/religious diversity. He would like to see the Commission take a leadership role in developing cultural education. Commissioner Parikh identified several resources for the Commission to connect with to coordinate community activities. The ViHage could recognize our diverse population through proclamations, the Commission could be proactive in support of school programs on diversity, and partner with the library on cultural awarenesslrecognition. Commissioner Parikh distributed a comprehensive list of cultural/religious dates that could be used if an event calendar was established. Commissioner Muench volunteered to work with Commissioner Parikh in developing an action plan focusing on community education. FOURTH OF JULY PARADE The Commission was invited to participate in the Village's 4th of July Parade. However, as not enough members were available to participate, the Commission decided not to have a truck/float. [Commissioner Muench will be walking with the Baha'i fJoat and offered to partner with the Commission; Commissiioner Schultz indicated she may find individuals wanting to participate in the parade.] NEW BUSINESS No new business was brought forth for discussion. REPORTS Family Issues ~ No report Suburban Mosaic Book of the Year Chairman Brennan announced, the Illinois House of Representatives proclaimed June 2004 as Northwest Suburban Cook County Mosaic Book of the Year month; HRO960. (see attached) OTHER Chairman Brennan informed the Commission, the Mount Prospect Council of Churches had recently changed its name to the Inter Faith Council. NEXT MEETING Due to conflicts the July and August meeting dates were rescheduled. The July meeting wi!! be held on the 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor conference room of Village Hall. The August meeting was scheduled for the 1i" at 7:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business a motion to adjourn was moved and seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, M. Lisa Angell Staff Liaison 847.870.5640 .""""'N.....'..........,.~N.".....,..,..,.,.,.,..,.,.,.=",""""""""""""O-="""'.'.'.'.".'.'mm.'...'.W.'.'.'',',',.,..,='w.'.w.w."'.~.'.'.'m.'m.".'m"""".'..'.~.w.w.'...~......,..~~~.m..........~........ '--'~mm....... ...................... .................................... ................... 11~IJI~BII!I'3IJIJI 1Iil~! 11 II! 1'lp~I'I~ ~I pi I II! HRO960 LRBO93 22~:7 KEF 50385 r 1 HOUSE RESOLUTION 2 WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has a strong commitment to 3 cultural diversity racial harmo:1Y among its and promote 4 residents; and 5 WHEREAS, Almost every resident of Illinois today belongs to 6 7 a family that at one time immigrated to this wonderful country; and 8 9 WHEREAS, Our churches, schools, and public libraries have been i!1 the forefront of promoting an appreciation for the 10 diverse ethnic backgrounds of our residents; and 11 WHEREAS, number of churches, and libraries A schools, 12 within are jointly the northwest suburbs of Cook County 13 14 participating in community reading program known as the a Northwest Suburban Cook County Mosaic Book of the Year Program 15 confront issues the of racial and social injustice to by 16 breaki!1g down barriers between people by fostering a cultural 17 understanding through literature; all citizens in the program 18 19 are encouraged to read this year's Book of the Year: The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros; therefore, be it 20 21 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we ". 22 23 proclaim June 2004 as Northwest Suburban Cook County Mosaic Book o£ the Year month to raise awareness of and help reduce 24 prejudice, racism, systematic marginalization and the of 25 populations; and be it further 26 27 suitable copies this RESOLVED, That of resolution be presented to the participating organizations of the Northwest 28 Suburban Cook County Mosaic Book of the Year program as a token 29 of our respect.