HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/06/2005 CRC minutes
MINUTES
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION
Community Center, Village Hall
Thursday, January 6, 2005
7:00 p.m.
The Community Relations Commission (CRG) of the Village of Mount Prospect met Thursday, January 6, 2005 in the
Village Hall of Mount Prospect, Illinois, 50 South Emerson Street.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Brennan called the meeting to order at 7: 15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Commissioner Parikh
Commissioner Tolbert
Commissioner Muench (arrived 7:45 p.m.)
Absent:
Commissioner Schultz
Also in attendance:
Lisa Angell, Staff Liaison
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The December 2, 2004 meeting minutes were unanimously approved with the following correction:
. The Community Relations Commission (CRG) of the Village of Mount Prospect met
Thursday, October ih.... was corrected to read, The Community Relations
Commission (CRC) of the Village of Mount Prospect met Thursday, December 2, 2004 ...
NEW BUSINESS
. 2005 Proposed Meeting Dates
Due to scheduling conflicts the Commission agreed to change the meeting dates for February and March to
the second Thursday of the month, February 10th and March 10th. The revised meeting schedule will be
included with the Commission's February meeting packet.
Before moving onto Old Business the staff liaison informed the Commission that she had provided minutes from the
Commission's last twelve meetings to the Police Department. The Police Department was going to share the
information with the Justice Department.
Following a brief discussion of the extensive proactive efforts the Village has made to comply with the requirements
of the Justice Department, Chairman Brennan asked that the minutes reflect the Commission's support of the Village
and their recommendation the Village be granted early dismissal from the Consent Agreement.
OLD BUSINESS
.
Hearing Procedural Manual - Role Playing
To allow all the Commission members to participate in the role playing, the role playing was put on the February
agenda.
Cultural Events Guide
Commissioner Parikh shared the positive feedback he received at the December 11th Coffee with Council.
There seems to be strong support from the Mayor and Board to develop a cultural events calendar and activities
to heighten community awareness. Although Commissioner Parikh suggested the Commission focus on three or
four major cultural event he stated there were other public awareness opportunities to recognize the Village's
diversity; Proclamations, Cultural Awareness column in the Village Newsletter, etc.
The Commission then discussed existing community events they could partner with to celebrate the Village's
diverse population. Several suggestions including the Lion's 4th of July Festival and the Downtown Block Party
were considered. Although there seemed to be interest in expanding the 4th of July, Taste of Mount Prospect,
it was noted it may be difficult to get restaurants to participate. However, the Commission did agree that a
booth promoting the Suburban Mosaic Book Program should be at the Downtown Block Party.
.
As a third event Commissioner Parikl.1 suggested the Commission consider hosting a one (1) day Diversity
Forum to let the participants of the first Forum learn what goals/objectives the Commission had focused on and
their status.
In addition to sharing the Commission's objectives with other public officials at their February meeting,
Commission Parikh will be contacting Mr. Jim Uszler, Mount Prospect Chamber Executive Director and Mr. Fred
Steinmiller, Mount Prospect Lion's Club.
.
Commissioner Muench suggested the Commission work on strengthening and expanding the Thanksgiving
Service organized by Reverend Kirk. Commissioner Muench believes it could be a powerful event, she
suggested more children's groups be involved as well as other religious/ethnic groups. Commissioner Muench
stated she would do what she could in reaching out to other groups and promoting the event.
OTHER
Chairman Brennan gave a brief update on the Suburban Mosiac Book of the Year. He will attend the January
19,2005 meeting with the other program organizers to evaluate the program's first year.
. Chairman Brennan reported St. Raymond Church is supporting the Access to Care Program.
. Chairman Brennan expressed his concern that there may be insufficient support to the soldiers returning from
Iraq. He described the lack of adequate mental health support available to these war veterans, and there needs
may differ from other war veterans. He asked the Commission's support to proceed with his efforts to develop a
counseling program to assist the returning soldiers.
The Commission expressed support of Chairman Brennan's effort. [Commissioner Tolbert asked how many
Mount Prospect residents are currently in or served in Iraq; no data was available.]
ADJOURNMENT
The next regular meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 10, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the community room of the
new Village Hall, 50 South Emerson. There being no further business a motion to adjourn was moved and
seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
M. Lisa Angell
Staff Liaison
847.870.5640
langell@mountprospect.org
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