Commission on Aging

Regular Meeting Thursday, January 14, 2021 7:00 PM In accordance with Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order, the regular meeting was held via Zoom with the public allowed to attend the meeting virtually. I. Call to Order The regular meeting of the Wheaton Housing Commission was held via Zoom Meeting due to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order. Housing Commission Chair Kristine Eisenmann called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm on Thursday, January 14, 2021. Present: Kristine Eisemann Stu Johnson Jan Kay Bill Gilbertson Rochelle Favale Mike Rybinski Suzanne Mennecke David Horton Andrea Rosedale—City of Wheaton Absent Marcella Incarnati Guest Bill Nieman, City Council candidate for the South district was present, as a way of introducing himself to the work of the Housing Commission II. Public Comment None III. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Kay moved, and Commissioner Rybinski seconded, a motion to accept the minutes of the November 12, 2020 meeting. The motion was unanimously approved by a voice vote. There are no minutes for December 2020, since that meeting was cancelled because of lack of business. IV. Correspondence 2020 Housing Assistance Summary 2021 Application Summary - two have dropped in January (circumstances making them ineligible to continue), making the current total of 48 recipients (38 homeowners, 10 renters), with no one on the waiting list Interview Summary - Andrea Rosedale forwarded information on smoke detectors to the Wheaton Fire Department, who will contact homeowners in next two weeks - Commission Chair Eisenmann indicated she had expressed thanks to the Fire Chief via email - Some applicants were difficult to contact because of wariness over scam calls - On one hand, current recipients missed a personal visit but understood the need to conduct HOUSING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 12, 2020 interviews by phone because of the COVID pandemic, while new applicants expressed thanks that they were not required to do an in-person interview. - Even though the increase in the monthly subsidy is small, at least one person interviewed was very excited about getting the increase. V. Old Business None VI. New Business 2021 Meeting Schedule Commissioner Gilbertson moved and Commissioner Eisenmann seconded the approval of the schedule. The motion was unanimously approved by a voice vote. Other comments: - A question was raised about use of available funds when recipients drop (perhaps to assist with home repairs), but Andrea Rosedale indicated there is usually flux in the number of recipients through the year and we are still very close to average of 50 in recent years. - Regarding promotion of program: Andrea Rosedale indicated that a notice can be printed on a water bill prior to sending out applications (which would reach all homeowners in the city) and that she mails a copy of the City newsletter to each recipient every month (some have opted out, so she sends about 40). - Regarding goals and objectives, Commission Chair Eisenmann reported that in her meeting with former Commission Chair Barger, who moved to Florida, there was no specific new business that would have to be carried over. - Commission Chair Eisenmann announced that Tom Zullo is no longer on the Commission and that there is person interested in serving on the Housing Commission to fill that vacancy. VII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 pm The next regular meeting of this commission will be held on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Prepared and submitted by Stu Johnson 2