Consumer Affairs Commission

Village of Skokie Consumer Affairs Commission Wednesday, March 6, 2024 6:30 P.M. Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie IL, Conference Room A I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER I DECLARATION OF QUOURM TI. INTRODUCTIONS a. Members of the Consumer Affairs Commission b. Carol White, Economic Vitality Coordinator III. OLD BUSINESS IV. NEW BUSINESS a. Business of the Year -Implementation of recognition of 2023 winners. b. Shop Local Campaign – Creation and promotion of 2024 theme. c. Supporting Village of Skokie Sustainability Initiatives - Focus on cardboard recycling options for Downtown businesses. d. 2024 Business of the Year -Planning timeline, recognition and celebration. e. Commission's visibility at local events V. COMMUNICATIONS a. Village Staff b. CAC Members VI. PUBLIC COMMENT VII. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Consumer Affairs Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 6:30 P.M. in Conference Room A. Please join us at the commissioner’s reception on March 13th, 2024 #617708  Consumer Affairs Commission Minutes October 11, 2023 – 6:30pm | Meeting called to order by Biju Krishnan Attendance In Attendance:  Biju Krishnan, Chair  Ted Lavine  Anil Pillai  Jennifer Engel  Jerry Kirkpatrick  George Mathew  Howard Meyer  Natalie Lopatkiewicz Village Staff:  Johanna Nyden  Carol White Excused:  Regina Kinyui  Gary Merrill  Pratap Sampat  Nancy Steinfink  Khem Khoeun, Trustee Minutes I. Meeting called to order at 6:37. II. Old Business None. III. New Business Introductions were made amongst Board Members and new Economic Vitality Coordinator, Carol White. Farmers Market: Jennifer Engle gave an update to the success of the Farmer’s Market this year and shared ideas for improvement next year. She shared there are 4 markets left and 42 vendors attend each week. She is looking for more food vendors and bigger bands next year. She did receive a $20,000.00 Grant for Link reporting and $5000.00 from the Northshore. The market handed out 5000 reusable bags this year. Biggest issue is no bathrooms which should be resolved next year with restaurants opening across the street. Business of the Year: Discussion took place regarding Business of the Year. A motion to nominate Soul Good Coffee as the winner was made by Biju Krishnan and seconded by Jerry Kirkpatrick. All present voted in favor, and Soul Good Coffee was confirmed as Business of the Year with honorable mention to Take Flight, Charcoal #616319 Oven and Qahwah House. All are invited to be recognized at the November 20 Village Board Meeting at 7:30pm at Village Hall. She was recognized for her outstanding work in managing the weekly event. Johanna Nyden was going to reach to get the trophy back from Culver’s. IV. Communications Village Staff, Carol White shared her progress in her first 45 days as Economic Vitality Coordinator and express her excitement to work with this board and the Village. Howard Meyer reviewed the plans for the shredding event to be held the following Sunday. He recruited volunteers. V. Public Comment: None. Motion to adjourn was made at 8:12pm and was passed unanimously. Respectively submitted, Carol White, Economic Vitality Coordinator, Village of Skokie Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 8, 2023 6:30pm Page 2 Memorandum Community Development Department, Economic Vitality Division TO: Consumer Affairs Commission FROM: Carol White, Economic Vitality Coordinator DATE: January 4, 2024 SUBJECT: 2024 Consumer Affairs Commission Initiatives Discussion Topics at 2024 Kickoff Meeting -Tuesday, February 13, 2024 7:30pm 2023 Business of the Year - 2023's Business of the Year announcement was a great success. Can the commission discuss quarterly initiatives that share and collect feedback throughout 2024 in preparation for the November 2024 event? Can we celebrate our 2023 winner and three (3) honorable mentions with quarterly Village social media exposure of one (1) per quarter ending in fourth quarter celebration of the passing on of the honor? Shop Local Campaign - Promoting a consistent theme of the importance of spending locally in Skokie is very important. Can the commission discuss the proposed ideas and make the 2024 plan to support these initiatives? This could be an initiative where we assign commission members for a pop in visit to show Village support. Supporting Village of Skokie Sustainability Initiatives - collection of cardboard from Downtown Skokie businesses could be a helpful program. Can the commission discuss exploring options that other towns do to help in the cardboard recycling efforts? 2024 Business of the Year - Can the commission discuss the timeline of events in marketing this honor, collecting the votes and celebrating the accomplishment? Commission's Visibility at Local Events -The Farmer's Market and Cultural Fest are events that welcome the presence of booths. Commission visits to a targeted list of business to reinforce the shop local campaign could be well received as well. Drop-ins at our 2023 business of the year and honorable mentions could serve as a year-long recognition of that honor. Can the commission discuss hosting a booth a two (2) events this year where they can answer questions and obtain feedback? Can a schedule be discussed assigning volunteers to visit our recognized four (4) 2023 business of the year winners? #617708 Consume_ Affairs_ 2024_Kickoff_ Meeting  WEDNESDAY at 6:30pm TOPIC ACTION February 28 Planning for 2024 2024 Planning Discussion March 13 Commission's Reception - Attend at Holiday Inn. Invitation to go out in mail April 10 Shop Local Campaign Review Staff suggestions, decide on theme. Assign commission members to volunteer visits. Sustainability Support Guest Speaker - Lisa Sanzenbacher, Village Sustainability Coordinator Charcoal Grill drop in and social 2023 Business of the Year Nominee media/Village News exposure Drop In/Social Media Approval of Shop Local exposure Shop Local Design Campaign (artwork) - recruitment of member drop-in supporting Review campaign May 8 Farmer's market I Cultural Fest Discussion of Dates and planning of Booth Plan Discussion booth details and goals Shop Local Campaign Follow up on drop ins and feedback collected Cardboard recycling programs Review staff s research on cardboard recycling programs. June 12 Shop Local Campaign Follow up on drop ins and feedback collected Cardboard recycling programs Staff sharing follow up to research completed - discussion of attainable action items July IO 2023 Business of the Year Take Flight drop in and social Nominee Drop In/Social Media media/Village News exposure exposure Shop Local/Sustainability Support Check in - are we on target according to plan we set forth in January? August 14 Visibility to the community Host Farmer's Market Booth Host Cultural Fest Booth September 11 Visibility to the community Discussion -share the experience of interacting on site at above events October 9 2023 Business ofthe Year Qahwah House drop in and social Nominee Drop In/Social Media media/Village News exposure exposure November 13 2024 Business of the Year Village Commission Chair recognizes (in place of November 20" meeting) Board Meeting Celebration winners and celebration follows in lobby December 11 Summary of 2024 Progress Review commission's initiatives and chart success