Community Relations Commission

1 APPROVED 2 Minutes of a Meeting of the 3 Community Relations Commission 4 Northbrook, IL 5 Thursday, November 6, 2014 6 7 Present: Acting Chair Bruce Doughty, Commissioners Elliot Bruckmann, Dale 8 Duda, Safa Hamed, Linda Goldsher, Chris Kosla, & Dr. Rochelle Singer 9 10 Representatives: Mary Hansen, Alice Lonoff, & Ron Mantegna 11 12 Guests: Wes Cleveland, Jung Han, Toby Klein, Jin Lee, Bob Lozaro, Penny 13 Randel, & Carol Wagner 14 15 Absent: Chairman Ray Wehr, Representatives Nafisa Choudhury, Lou Gross, 16 Nancy Stoddard, & Susan Weil 17 18 Others: Staff Liaison Mike Strong & Recording Secretary Gale Cerabona 19 20 Call to Order & Welcome 21 Acting Chair Doughty called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Board Room at Village Hall. 22 23 Approval of October 2, 2014, Meeting Minutes & Subcommittee Minutes 24 Revisions were identified as follows: 25  Line 61 replace fees with “services” 26  Line 68 add “raising” after if & before money 27  Line 92 replace will have with “anticipate it will be” 28  Line 92 add as second sentence “We have excellent committee members”. 29  Line 104 add “a” before very low 30  Line 106 add “an” before event 31  Line 107 add “monthly clergy” before lunch 32  Line 111 replace will with “may” 33  Line 121 replace book fees, etc. with “costs” 34  Line 163 replace most with “some” 35  Line 185 replace late with “later” 36  Line 195 replace GBN with “GBN’s Jr. Spartan football team” 37 38 A motion was made by Representative Lonoff, seconded by Commissioner Kosla, to approve 39 the October 2, 2014, minutes as amended. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 40 41 A motion was made by Commissioner Kosla, seconded by Commissioner Singer, to approve 42 the October 1, 2014, Sister Cities Subcommittee minutes. On a voice vote, the motion carried 43 unanimously. 44 45 Revisions were identified as follows: 46  Line 39 omit the words “that will” 47  Line 66 add “TBD” after + 48  Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Relations Commission November 6, 2014 49 A motion was made by Commissioner Singer, seconded by Member Mantegna, to approve the 50 October 21, 2014, BHM Subcommittee minutes as amended. On a voice vote, the motion 51 carried unanimously. 52 53 Hear From the Audience 54 A motion was made by Representative Lonoff, seconded by Commissioner Duda, to move 55 agenda item #13a to this section of the meeting. On a voice vote, the motion carried 56 unanimously. 57 58 Mr. Lozaro introduced Carol Wagner, her daughter Toby Klein, and Jung Han. Ms. Klein 59 thanked everyone for the invitation, and stated that she is a senior student. She explained that 60 the Northbrook Safe-Rides program, has one goal: to make sure Glenbrook North high school 61 students arrive home safely – no questions asked. This program began in March of 2014, is run 62 by the Boy Scouts of America & the NCDAA, and operates out of the YMCA. Ms. Klein stated 63 that one person is driven at a time. The program’s intent is to save lives and offer safe 64 alternatives for potential unsafe situations, etc. She noted that the program has been effective. 65 66 Ms. Klein entertained questions from the Commission: 67  Representative Mantegna asked/stated: 68 o If there are any insurance implications. Ms. Klein advised that students pay dues 69 of $35 for liability purposes. After curfew, students are responsible for 70 themselves. Drivers still abide by laws. 71 o He supports the program & asked if adverse situations are discussed. Ms. Klein 72 advised – yes, this may not only be for underage drinking etc. Students typically 73 do not contact their parents for a ride. Ms. Wagner interjected that guidelines 74 have been put in place (like the New Trier program) since the curfew law. She 75 reiterated students are not questioned. 76 o If there is a method of evaluating qualifications. Ms. Klein advised – yes, 77 volunteer students know that confidentiality & safety are of utmost concern. 78  Commissioner Goldsher asked/stated: 79 o If this program is offered to GBN alumni. Ms. Klein replied – it is not 80 o She supports the program as her son is a driver 81  Commissioner Duda thanked this group for being here to present to the CRC 82  Representative Lonoff asked if someone from the YMCA picks up the students. Ms. 83 Klein advised that a male & female (driver & advocate) are in the vehicle. 84  Acting Chair Doughty asked how many rides take place on the weekend. Ms. Klein 85 stated she is not at liberty to disclose this; though she stated there has been a 120% 86 increase in ridership. 87  Commissioner Singer asked if parents are part of the confidentiality rule. Ms. Klein 88 advised – yes, that’s why students trust us. Ms. Wagner advised she has received calls 89 from parents thanking her (as students have advised their parents). 90  Commissioner Bruckmann asked what type of medical training drivers have. Ms. Klein 91 advised they are trained in alcohol intoxication. If a driver cannot handle the situation, 92 the protocol is to call 911 (as they are not skirting the police). She added that drivers are 93 trained on what to look for. Parents volunteer nightly. 94 95 Acting Chair Doughty thanked tonight’s guests for their presentation, and stated that it is 96 impressive that students take on this important community issue. 97 2  Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Relations Commission November 6, 2014 98 Mr. Lozaro stated that he is very impressed with the maturity level of the students. He stated 99 that they are in need of adult supervisors so recruiting on their behalf is encouraged. Gym 100 equipment cannot be utilized on-site. He concluded that this is a student-led initiative. 101 102 Ms. Wagner stated that there is an electronic sign-up. She asked that this Commission network 103 for volunteers. Representative Mantegna asked if there is a web site. Ms. Klein stated that there 104 are Facebook & Twitter accounts. Ms. Wagner referred to the recruitment letter and asked that 105 interested parties contact her directly. Ms. Wagner reiterated that dues of $35 are charged for 106 the academic year. A soft background check is conducted on all volunteers. Youth-protection 107 training is mandatory and conducted on-line. Ms. Wagner complimented Mr. Lozaro on enlisting 108 pizza donors. 109 110 Commissioner Hamed asked what the Facebook page is. Ms. Klein replied – Northbrook Safe- 111 Ride. 112 113 Mr. Lozaro, Ms. Wagner, Ms. KIein, & Ms. Han departed the meeting at 7:36 p.m. 114 115 Mr. Jin Lee, Executive Pastor of Lakeview Covenant Church at 950 Northbrook Avenue, 116 introduced himself and his colleague, Wes Cleveland. He stated that they wish to get involved 117 as they are disconnected with the Northbrook community; they wish to feel more relevant and 118 serve. Mr. Lee asked what the proper way is to serve the community. He referred to the Ranger 119 Program in Lincolnwood that offers assistance to seniors. 120 121 Mr. Lee advised their church has 450 members. Commissioner Kosla stated that he would 122 check with other churches. Commissioner Hamed suggested they assist with the Safe-Rides 123 program. Commissioners Goldsher & Duda suggested being a representative on the CRC. 124 Representative Mantegna concurred, and stated that there are a lot of seniors who need help. 125 Commissioner Singer advised that there are Youth and Senior Services Commissions within the 126 Village of Northbrook. Acting Chair Doughty asked Staff Liaison Strong to provide more 127 information to Mr. Lee. Staff Liaison Strong stated that he would submit information to Mr. Lee. 128 Mr. Lee stated he appreciates the encouragement. 129 130 Village Staff Report 131 Staff Liaison Strong thanked everyone for attending last night’s dinner. 132 133 Northbrook Cares Update 134 There is nothing to report. 135 136 Sister Cities Update 137 Acting Chair Doughty advised there were two meetings. He met with Carol Wolf of Highland 138 Park who will come to speak to the CRC soon. 139 140 Acting Chair Doughty stated that a main issue is to have a youth representative join the CRC. 141 142 Acting Chair Doughty advised a list is being developed for Sister City matches. He read a 143 mission statement outlined by the Sister City Subcommittee. The Sister Cities International 144 Organization’s mission statement was also referenced. 145 146 Representative Mantegna asked if this effort ever involves domestic, city-to-city partnerships. 147 Acting Chair Doughty advised – yes. 3  Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Relations Commission November 6, 2014 148 149 Commissioner Singer asked if Sister City ideas are being collected. Acting Chair Doughty stated 150 that he would retain the October 2, 2014, Tower article (of a GBN student visiting Pakistan). 151 Acting Chair Doughty stated in some instances chefs from sister cities also visit the United 152 States. Commissioner Hamed suggested cities in Israel. 153 154 Clergy Lunch Planning 155 Commissioner Kosla reminded the group that the Clergy Luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. on 156 December 3, 2014, at the police station. He noted that the presentations will touch on crime, 157 drug use, domestic violence, Northbrook demographics, growth rate, etc. Commissioner Singer 158 advised the demographic statistics (through 2012) were noted in The Tower today and 159 reminded everyone that the census is public information. Representative Mantegna suggested 160 that realtors may be a potential source. Acting Chair Doughty will look into obtaining this data. 161 162 Commissioner Kosla stated the What is Northbrook Forum is seeking information about the new 163 Goodwill opening, etc. 164 165 Staff Liaison Strong noted that the December 3, 2014, luncheon is an invitation-based event. 166 167 Penny Randel advised that the person to contact for available meeting space is Amanda 168 Silvestri. 169 170 Staff Liaison Strong advised that he has no receipts from last year’s Clergy Luncheon. 171 172 Asian Heritage Planning 173 Staff Liaison Strong advised that he will be working with Chairman Wehr to discuss leadership 174 transition for this event in 2015. He stated that he will be meeting with former Commissioner 175 Sue Huang in the coming weeks to gather information for this event. 176 177 NCRC Award Planning 178 Commissioner Goldsher advised that she met with Commissioner Singer; updates are 179 forthcoming. An award winner will be selected by March, 2015. Recognition will be at the April 180 meeting (14th or 28th). 181 182 News from Clergy Association & Houses of Worship 183 Commissioner Kosla advised that the Clergy Association had a presenter, Kathleen Downs, 184 speak on domestic violence. 185 186 A Ministry Meeting on domestic violence will be held on November 17, 2014; a representative 187 from the CRC is requested to attend. Acting Chair Doughty encouraged participation. 188 189 Commissioner Kosla advised the Inter-Faith Walk will be held on April 19 or 26, 2015. 190 Commissioners suggested checking the baseball schedule, Earth Day, etc. The date of April 191 19th was selected. 192 193 News from Schools 194 Acting Chair Doughty reported on news from District 225: 195  A recent senior project was held to make quilts. A total of $2,000 was raised to help 196 children. 4  Minutes of a Meeting of the Community Relations Commission November 6, 2014 197  Glenbrook South recently broke a Guiness world record for the most hugs and selfies. A 198 video was placed on YouTube regarding domestic violence (advising that 1 in 3 women 199 & 1 in 4 men are abused). 200  Enrollment is slightly lower; a little under 3,000 students at Glenbrook South; ideas are 201 being developed to encourage enrollment. Glenbrook North is stable with around 2,000 202 students 203 204 Commissioner Duda noted yesterday’s article in The Tower that highlighted an exchange 205 student’s journey in Northbrook. 206 207 Old Business 208 Representative Mantegna inquired about the senior survey. Staff Liaison Strong advised that 209 nothing has been advised or recommended to the Village Board to date by the Senior Services 210 Commission. 211 212 Commissioner Singer advised that the next BHM Subcommittee Meeting is November 11, 2014. 213 214 New Business 215 There is nothing to report. 216 217 Eyes & Ears on the Street 218 Staff Liaison Strong stated that Representative Weil provided information that St. Norbert’s is 219 hosting a Craft & Gift Market on November 16, 2014, from 8:30 a.m.-3pm. All are invited to 220 attend and spend. 221 222 Next Meeting 223 The next meeting will be held on December 4, 2014, at the Village Hall. 224 225 Adjournment 226 A motion was made by Commissioner Singer, seconded by Representative Lonoff, to adjourn 227 the meeting at 8:22 p.m. On a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 228 229 Respectfully submitted, 230 231 Gale Cerabona 232 Recording Secretary 5