Community Relations Commission

Wednesday, April 6, 2022 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall I. Call to Order 7:05 pm Erica, pro-tempore chair, mo oned; Marco seconded; unanimously approved. II. Welcome III. Roll Call a. Present: Erica Nelson, Rachel Bau sta, Laura Peccarelli, Stephanie Henry, Marco Scola, Meg Beasley. Calling in: Rachel Bau sta and Saleha Jawaid. b. Councilwoman Erica Bray-Parker, outgoing commissioner Colleen Atwell, and community member Ken Busse. IV. Approval of Minutes Laura mo oned; Marco seconded; unanimously approved as presented V. Old Business a. Women’s History Month i. Eleanor Roosevelt program in partnership with the Wheaton Public Library and League of Women Voters drew 101 virtual and in-person par cipants. ii. We are Women featured the artwork of female ar sts that was displayed at women-owned businesses in downtown Wheaton. Program grew from 9 businesses and ar sts to 25. iii. Overall, commission has received posi ve feedback from ar sts and businesses and will con nue to gauge the program’s impact. iv. Women of Wheaton was paused for 2022, but the DuPage County Historical Museum and the League of Women Voters promoted some of the pro les across their respec ve social media pages. VI. New Business a. Rachel mo oned spending $200 to purchase and mail thank you gi s (DWA mugs) for ar sts who par cipated in the We are Women ar st and business program. Erica seconded; approved unanimously. b. Good Ci zen’s Awards i. All three of the commissioners involved in planning and execu ng this program have resigned. ii. Remaining volunteer commissioners discussed the idea of postponing Good Ci zens Award program for this spring as none of the remaining volunteer commissioners have experience with the details of the program. fi ft ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti ti  COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Month Date, Year iii. Meg mo oned that we pause Good Ci zens Awards for spring of 2022; Stephanie seconded; unanimously approved. iv. There will be further discussion in future mee ngs to con nue the program in the fall with awards possibly being presented in October. c. Recogni on of outgoing commissioners i. We recognized Tony Asta, Colleen Atwell, Krista Selvey, and Jen Sever for their years of service to the commission. ii. Mayor Suess sent thank you le ers to commissioners d. Elec ons for new chair and secretary posi ons: i. Chair and secretary posi ons will be lled at a future mee ng as me was running short. e. Recap of mee ng with Mayor Suess and Councilwoman Suzanne Fitch i. City is assessing the structure and budgets of all boards and commissions. ii. Clari ca ons regarding what ci zens may be recognized were outlined: 1. Government employees including city, re department, police, and others should not be included so that one person isn’t elevated over another for carrying out a designated job; 2. Current poli cal o cials or candidates should not be included. iii. Commissioners s ll seek clarity 1. Want to ensure that all ci zens are seen and celebrated and that commission is empowered to develop and carry out programs that engender a sense of belonging and connectedness among the diverse ci zens of Wheaton. iv. Non-regulatory commissions will be discussed at April 11, 2022 mee ng and WCR commissioners were encouraged to a end. VII. Public Comment a. Colleen Atwell thanked the commission for the opportunity to serve for the past 5 years. b. Councilwoman Erica Bray-Parker expressed her apprecia on of and support for the commission. c. Ken Busse from the Brigade Youth Group a ended to learn more about the Good Ci zens Award so that he can nominate long- me coordinator Sco Brady for a Good Ci zens Award. He was an cipa ng a public call for nomina ons; when he did not see them, decided to a end the mee ng to learn more. The commission will contact Mr. Busse when the program is reins tuted. VIII. Adjournment 8:50 Erica mo oned; Laura seconded; unanimously approved. 2 ti tt ti ti ti ti ti ti ti tt tt ti fi ti fi ti ti ti ti tt ti ti ti ti tt ffi ti ti ti ti ti ti fi ti ti ti ti