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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/08/2004 CRC minutes MINUTES COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION 2ND Floor Conference Room, Public Safety Building Thursday, January 8, 2004 7:00 p.m. The meeting of the Community Relations Commission (CRC) of the Village of Mount Prospect was held Thursday, January 8, 2004 in the 2nd floor conference room of the Public Safety Building, 112 East Northwest Highway, Mount Prospect, Illinois. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brennan called the meeting to order at 7: 05 p.m. ROLL CALL Present Commissioner Muench Commissioner Tolbert Absent: Commissioner Parikh Staff Marisa Warneke Lisa Angell APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the December 4,2003 meeting minutes was moved and seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved as written. OLD BUSINESS . Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) The Community Relations Commission is the recommending body to the Mayor and Village Board of Trustees for CDBG program funding. Due to a recent change in the Village's 2004 CDBG program, the Village has submitted a request to HUD (Housing and Urban Development) for approval and will conduct a Public Hearing as required. As part of this process Ms. Warneke, Village Planner, requested to meet with the Commission so their recommendation could be included with her report.) Marisa Warneke, Community Development, informed the Commission of recent changes in the CpBG program. 1. Summer Adventure Program Due to staffing changes the Mount Prospect Human Services Department will no longer administer the Summer Adventure Program. Ms. Warneke has requested approval from HUD to transfer the funds to the Greater Wheeling Area Outreach. Mr. Phil Harmon, Director of the Greater Wheeling Area Outreach, has agreed to run the program. The goals/objectives of the program will remain the same as well as participation guidelines. The program site will be in Mount Prospect and only serve Mount Prospect residents. The Commission unanimously approved the program transfer to the Greater Wheeling Area Outreach. 2. New Funding Requests Additional HUD funding is available for qualified CDBG programs; money carried over from last year and loan repayment. The Village has received requests from CEDA (Community and Economic Development) Northwest and WINGS (Women In Need Growing Strong). CEDA's funding request is for Furnace Replacement; $55,000 - $78,000. WINGS's is requesting funds to assist with new construction costs; $98,562. Chairman Brennan asked what the recommendation of Community Development was for the new requests. He stated that the Commission looks at the recommendations from the Community Development Department when formalizing their recommendations. Ms. Warneke stated that because she was scheduled to meet with the Commission tonight she thought the process could be completed on a more timely basis if she got their recommendation first rather than having to push the meeting back. Although the Commission appreciated her intent they agreed the request for funding should be tabled until the Community Development provides a recommendation. (Ms. Warneke thanked the Commission for their time and excused herself from the meeting.) . Community Awareness The staff liaison reported that Commissioner Parikh had been unable to make contact with the Community Relations representative from Hoffman Estates. Chairman Brennan stated he would follow-up with Commissioner Parikh as he would like to make contact with Hoffmand Estates and other community representatives prior to the January 28th, presentation by Brian White as well as involving them with the Suburban Reading program. The Commission also asked the staff liaison to survey other communities through the Northwest Municipal Conference. The short survey would facilitate a networking system with member communities that have similar Commissions/ Committees. . Suburban Reading Program Chairman Brennan reported that as of this date he was unable to have a follow-up meeting with Marilyn Genther, Mount Prospect Public Library. However, he did have a very positive meeting with three (3) editors from the Daily Herald. The Daily Herald is very supportive and committed to the program. Chairman Brennan will coordinate a meeting with Ms. Genther, the Daily Herald and himself. Their expectation is to establish a Steering committee; the Daily Herald has offered to sponsor the first meeting. The Commission members had several questions regarding the Suburban Reading Program. Chairman Brennan responded that the answers to their questions will be determined by the Steering Committee. Chairman Brennan added he has discussed the Suburban Reading Program with Mr. Mike Stevens, District #214 Community Education. Mr. Stevens indicated there are several other individuals/groups interested in this type of program. . Letter to Mayor and Village Board The staff liaison reported that a letter to the Mayor and Village Board had not been drafted but Village Administration was aware of the December 4, 2003 discussion encouraging the use of interfaith prayer at public meetings. Knowing that Village officials were aware of the discussion the Commission questioned whether a letter was still needed. Following their discussion Chairman Brennan stated he would draft a letter to the Mayor and Board of Trustees for the Commission's review. . Community Action Chairman Brennan reminded the Commission members of the January 28th presentation/discussion with Brian White, Director of Community Relations, Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities. The meeting is a follow-up to the Commission's Diversity Forum, and will focus on what can be done in the suburbs to address the need for low-income housing. Cosponsored by the Community Relations Commission the meeting will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church. REPORTS (Commission/staff) . Family Issues Committee No report OTHER . Dr. Martin Luther King Dinner Commissioner Tolbert asked if there was any information available on this event. The staff liaison responded that she did not have any but would contact the Village Manager's office, and get back to all of the Commission members with the information. . Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Commissioner Muench asked if the date had been set for the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. The staff liaison stated she did not know the date but would also get back to each of the Commissioners with the information. . The Commission members also inquired about the appointment of a new Commissioner to fill the current vacancy. The staff liaison responded that she will forward their question to the Village Manager. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 5,2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the Public Safety Building. There being no further business a motion to adjourn was moved and seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /J ^.4 ,\p ()() "::'?~i~:;~ q ~al Staff Liaison X: \US ERS\LAN GE LL \communityrelationscommission2004 ~anm eetingm i n utes .doc