Community Relations Commission

APPROVED MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS October 4, 2012 The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m., in the Civic Room, at the Northbrook Public Library, by Chair Ray Wehr. Members Present: Elliot Bruckman, Nafisa Choudhury, Bruce Doughty, Dale Duda, Scott Gertz, Linda Goldsher, Sue Huang, Jim Hyun, Chris Kosla, Bob Lozaro, Ron Mantegna, Rochelle Singer, Nancy Stoddard, and Chair Wehr. Also Present: Liaison Jason Batalden, Liaison Kendal Maltas, and Recording Secretary LeeAnn Artstein. Welcome Chair Wehr welcomed everyone to the meeting. Approval of the September 6, 2012 CRC Meeting Minutes Member Lozaro moved, seconded by Member Doughty to approve the minutes of the Sept. 6, 2012 meeting, with the following revisions: Page 2 – Senior Services/CRC Sub-Committee Update, top of page should read: “Member Lozaro reported that the subcommittee will meet next week with the SSC to go over the draft white paper before it is finalized. The CRC and SSC will need to determine if anything else should be done.” Page 2 Trivia – 4th bullet—Ramsay Wehr” Page 2 Trivia – Add bullet: Member Singer has invited the Village Board Members and all Village Commissions. Page 2- Trivia-7th bullet-end of 1st sentence, change to “Member Mantegna.” Page 2 Trivia – Add bullet: “The subcommittee met with the Y to discuss publicity, food vendors, decorations and setup.” Page 2- Black History Month—3d sentence, strike everything after “committee.” Page 3- NCRC Award- 4th, 5th & 6th sentences, change “Publicity will begin in December. The award application will go on line in January, with a deadline date in February. The committee will make its choice in March.” On voice vote, the revised minutes were approved. Approval of the Sept. 11 , 2012 Trivia Night Subcommittee Meeting Minutes Member Lozaro made a motion to approve the minutes. It was seconded by Member Singer. On voice vote, the motion passed. Approval of the Sept. 14, 2012 Trivia Night Subcommittee Meeting Minutes Member Lozaro made a motion to approve the minutes. It was seconded by Member Doughty. On voice vote, the motion passed. Hear from the Audience Kendal Maltas introduced herself as the CRC’s new liaison, who will be replacing Jason Batalden. She was not able to stay at tonight’s meeting as she was still acting as liaison for the Arts Commission that was also meeting tonight. She will be at the next CRC meeting on November 1. Senior Services/CRC Sub-Committee Update Member Lozaro reported that the subcommittee met with the SSC to discuss the recommendations and suggestions that were made to the draft white paper. On October 25, the SSC and CRC will have a special meeting to finalize the report so it can be presented to the Village Board. Chair Wehr remarked that the SSC was extremely impressed with the subcommittee’s work. Trivia Night Planning Update Member Lozaro reported that currently there are 50 people signed up for Trivia Night on October 13, 7 pm., at the NSYMCA. The event is competing with a few other family oriented events in town. A discussion followed. It was decided to change the publicity to state that the registration deadline date has been extended and walk ins are welcome. It was felt that the Y’s open house will bring in some additional people. Instead of using the gym as originally planned, the event will be moved to the ABC Room to make it easier for the guests and CRC members to mingle and talk to one another. Members Kosla and Singer have put together an agenda. Member Doughty is working on technology, and Member Bruckman is working on the judging. Member Lozaro will not need to rent tables and chairs, which had been budgeted for $650. Member Lozaro brought to the CRC’s attention that as a result of the rental cancellation, the Y had asked if it would be possible to use part of that $650 to cover some of the Y’s expenses. A discussion followed regarding the unexpected change of plans and monetary request. The CRC will need to find out what those expenses are and the total amount requested. The Y’s request will be presented and reviewed at the next CRC meeting on November 1. Member Lozaro stated he will not be able to attend that meeting. NCRC Award Member Singer reported that they have a committee of five. She hopes they receive many applications. News from Clergy Association and Houses of Worship Member Goldsher reported that the Clergy had their meeting yesterday. They discussed the summer tragedies that occurred in Northbrook. They are working with GBN to find ways to help the community deal with the deaths of the three GBN students. Supt. Riggle suggested the clergy meet with the school to coordinate events on this topic to avoid duplication. It was noted that Northbrook is very well resourced. There needs to be a way to find all the resources that are available in the community. GBN is having an all school workshop on October 8 called “Rachael’s Challenge.” GBS has initiated a hot line phone number which is connected with the organization called “Erica’s Lighthouse.” GBN student Adam Goldsher wrote an article for the GBN Torch “One Team, One Heartbeat” about how this summer’s tragedies affected him and others at GBN. Domestic violence was discussed. It occurs everywhere, including Northbrook. Every house of worship here is dealing with it. Since this is Domestic Violence Month, one of the clergy suggested that all the houses of worship focus on domestic violence in their last sermon of the month. The Interfaith Walk is planned for April 28, 2013, and it will be getting a new name. The annual Thanksgiving Service will be Wed., Nov., 21, at 7 pm. Congregation Beth Shalom is very excited to be hosting it for the first time. The Clergy Luncheon will be on Wed., Dec. 5, 11:30 am – 1 pm. Liaison Maltas will make the necessary arrangements for a formal presentation to be held in the Board Room at the Village Hall. The food will be ordered from Marcello’s Restaurant. More details will be made available at the November meeting. News from Schools  Member Hyun is co-chairing a District 31 PTC fundraising basketball clinic on November 3.  GBN Spartans won their homecoming football game.  Spartans Grant Rushing was named Chicago Bears All-Star Player of the Week. He will receive recognition at Soldiers Field on December 2. 2 Old Business There was no old business to report. New Business An agenda is being put together for the October 27 Village commissioners training session for the new Illinois Open Meetings Act (OMA). Member Gertz asked if that training is in lieu of the required on line training with the Ill. Attorney General’s office. Chair Wehr requested that Liaison Maltas find out the status of the October 27 Ill. OMA training. Eyes & Ears on the Street a. Recognition of Jason Batalden Chair Wehr led the roast for departing CRC Liaison Jason Batalden. Everyone thanked Jason for helping with the success of the events and with all aspects of the liaison position. The commission will miss him. Jason thanked everyone and replied that he found the commission members to be as good as their mission.  Member Doughty was recently appointed a member to the Board of Education for District 225.  Arif Choudhury’s Bard & Fool Theatre Group presents “All in the Timing” at Apollo Theater, Sept 13-Oct. 21.  Farmers Market has Pumpkin Day on Oct. 10, its last day for this season.  On Oct. 6, Boy Scout Nicholas Oliva, Troop 64, a Sr. at GBN, will receive Wm. Hornaday Bronze Medal, which was last given out about 100 years ago.  Learn About Heroin, a public awareness forum, at Northbrook Public Library, Nov. 12, 7 pm.  Greenbriar School has a new gym. It also has a new brick permeable parking lot thanks to a grant it received.  Congratulations to the Jr. Spartan Football team – third overall in the North Shore conference.  Members Huang and Hyun are volunteers on the Northbrook Caucus. Email them any questions you would like them to ask the candidates for the upcoming election.  Village Sustainable Forum was held Oct. 3. Trustee Israel is Chair of Community/Sustainability Committee. Forum included suggestions and goals for Village for next five years. Next Meeting – November 1, 2012 The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 1, 2012. Adjournment At 8:48 p.m., Member Gertz made a motion to adjourn, and it was seconded by Member Lozaro. On voice vote, the motion passed. Respectfully Submitted, /s/LeeAnn Artstein Recording Secretary 3