Community Relations Commission

CITY OF WHEATON COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 I. Call to Order by Chairman Gail Forrest at 7:05 pm II. Roll Call: Commissioners Present: Guests Present: Tony Asta Alex Mayster Gail Forrest Larniecia Smith Leslie Day Ronnie Gillis Shayne Moore Erik Miller Vickie Miller Colleen Attwell Erica Nelson Julie Kulovits III. Citizens to be heard: Alex Mayster and Larniecia Smith attended the meeting and are both interested in joining the Commission. Introductions of Commission members were made and Gail gave an overview of our mission and events. ACTION: Gail to follow-up on submitting names/applications to City for approval. IV. Approval of Minutes: Tony moved to approve the May minutes and Erica seconded. The motion passed. V. Continuing Business: A. Finance: Erik reported on the balance which included the new fiscal year’s funds as well as the carryover. We were slightly over budget for Good Citizens Awards, but most was investment in signs that can be used for future events and we also now have a better handle on food needs for the future. Erik asked that when turning in receipts for reimbursement, it’s easiest for processing to include all receipts with a cover page with overview of the expenses. ACTION: Gail to share expense reimbursement overview template with all members. B. Communication: Shayne asked that everyone remember to include communications activities in the project plans. Alex will help Shayne with Communications in the future as he has expertise in this area. ACTION: Shayne to follow-up with City on Good Citizens post-event press release. C. Festival of Cultures: Event will be held September 16th from 1-5pm in Memorial Park. Tony and Erica have been lining up professional performances and have  compiled a list of communities/groups for outreach to secure participation. We will also be reaching out to local restaurants for participation. Regular meetings for Festival of Cultures will be held every other Thursday until the event, starting on June 21st at 7pm. ACTION: Tony and Erica to send invites and scripts to commission members for outreach. ACTION: All members are asked to sign up for outreach to groups on list as well as restaurants. ACTION: Tony and Erica to set-up regular meetings starting June 21st. D. Good Citizens: Good Citizens Awards was a big success. The City Council and all our members were very happy with the results. Colleen will Chair Good Citizens Awards next year along with Vickie. E. Make a Difference Day: No update. This project still does not have a Chair. Larniecia is interested in working on this event. F. Military Project: No update. Alex has offered to help work on this initiative. G. Business Sponsorship: Leslie is working with City to determine sponsorship packages. Colleen offered to help if needed. ACTION: Leslie to finalize details for packages. VI. New Business: A. Approval of 2018-19 Officers: The slate of officers for the next year was discussed and presented (see attached). Colleen moved to approve the motion for these officers and Erik seconded the motion. Motion passed. B. Gail has drafted the Commission’s annual report and will submit to City by June 15. C. The group was reminded that we will not have a July meeting and the next meeting will be August 1st. VII. Adjournment: Erik moved and Vickie seconded a motion to adjourn at 8:17 p.m. The motion passed.