Community Relations Commission

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES January 8, 2015 Persons in attendance: Billy Haido Joe Kuffel (arrived at 5:22 p.m.) Mary Marusek Dan Ryan Trustee Rosemary Palicki Dennis McEnerney – Interim Chief of Police Cathy Spadoni – Secretary Call to Order Commissioner Marusek called the regular meeting of the Community Relations Commission to order at 5:03 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room, Village of Niles Municipal Building as a quorum was present. I. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Ryan made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haido, to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2014 regular meeting. On voice vote, all concurred. II. Reported Citizen Comments / Complaints a) Police Department Police Chief McEnerney reported that no complaints were received by the Police Department. b) Other Village of Niles Departments Secretary Spadoni reported that no complaints were received by other departments. c) Telephone Hotline Secretary Spadoni reported that, on August 21, 2014, a resident called to complain about what she considered to be “unfair discrimination due to her medical illness and disability” by her landlord. CRC Chair Steven Gorski called her to address her concerns and left a message. She never returned his call. d) Email Hotline Secretary Spadoni reported that no complaints were received via the email hotline. e) Commissioners The commissioners reported that no complaints were received.  Community Relations Commission January 8, 2015 III. Old Business a) CRC Fair Housing Guide Distribution Secretary Spadoni reported that she has been replenishing the supplies of Fair Housing Guides at the Administration Building, Family Services, Senior Center, the Police Station and the Teen Center as needed. Commissioner Marusek composed a letter introducing the CRC to Niles churches. Secretary Spadoni reported that on October 28, 2014, this letter was sent to 14 Niles churches with five copies of the Fair Housing Guide. There has been no reaction from any of the churches. Commissioner Marusek will gather the names and addresses of the private schools located in Niles. Secretary Spadoni will send an introductory letter to these schools and to Niles elementary schools (Culver, Jefferson, Mark Twain and Nelson) and middle schools (Emerson and Gemini.) Secretary Spadoni will check on the supply of guides at the Niles Public Library. IV. New Business a) Report on Open Communities Annual Meeting Commissioner Kuffel attended the annual meeting of Open Communities on November 2, 2014. The communities in attendance discussed changing demographics, integration, and the importance of cultural diversity. It was noted that Niles’ Fair Housing Guide is comparable to the flyers of other communities. b) Welcoming Visit to New Niles Homeowners Commissioner Ryan suggested that the CRC become involved in welcoming new residents to Niles, perhaps by bringing a loaf of bread to each new household. He has already been in touch with a Niles bakery who will supply the bread. After discussion, it was determined that the mission of the CRC is fair housing and that welcoming new residents is not part of the mission. Commissioner Ryan will pursue the idea further; Secretary Spadoni will talk to Village Manager Steve Vinezeano about it. c) Recruitment of New Commissioner Secretary Spadoni reported that, per Mayor Przybylo instructions, a letter was sent to the pastors of the 14 Niles churches asking if they know of anyone in their congregation who would be interested in serving as a commissioner of the CRC. *** Commissioner Ryan had previously suggested that the CRC become involved with people who need help with adjudication proceedings. After discussion, it was determined that the Family Services Department is the proper group to provide such assistance. 2  Community Relations Commission January 8, 2015 Commissioner Haido will look into finding a computer program that can translate the Fair Housing Guide into Polish, Spanish and Korean. Secretary Spadoni will email him a Word version of the guide. After the guide is translated, we will have it proofed by someone who is fluent in that language. It is difficult for some of the commissioners to arrive on time for meetings that convene at 5:00 p.m. Commissioner Kuffel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, to change the meeting time of the CRC meetings from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. On voice vote, all concurred. Traditionally, the CRC annual report has been given to the Village Board of Trustees at their May meeting. This year, the annual report will be given to the Board at the April meeting. Commissioner Marusek will write the report. Secretary Spadoni will send her last year’s report and will inform the Village Clerk of this change. *** V. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room, Village of Niles Municipal Building. VI. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Community Relations Commission, Commissioner Haido made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ryan, to adjourn the meeting. On voice vote, all concurred. The meeting adjourned at 5:33 p.m. __________________________ Catherine Spadoni, Secretary Community Relations Commission 2014-2015 Community Relations Commission Commissioners Ex-Officio Members Open – Chair Trustee Rosemary Palicki Billy Haido Village Manager Steven C. Vinezeano Joe Kuffel Human Services Director Tony Hollenback Mary Marusek Interim Police Chief Dennis McEnerney Daniel P. Ryan Sr. Secretary Cathy Spadoni 3