City of Highland Park Human Relations Advisory Group met Dec. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the group:
CALL TO ORDER: At 4:36 p.m., Chair Gussin called the meeting to order. Roll Call:
Members Present:
Chair Gussin, Vice Chair Krent, Members, Harris, Pestine, Small, Steinberg, Tiersky, and Weisskopf
Also Present: Council Liaison (CL) Lidawer, Moraine Township Representative (MTR) Alvarez, Park District Representative (PDR) Grossberg, Northshore School
District 112 Representative (NSSDR) Hirsh, Student Representative (SR)
Drake, Alternate Staff Liaison (AL) Frey, and Staff Liaison (SL) Deputy Chief Bonaguidi.
Volunteer Pool Coordinator (VPC) Marietta Stevens.
Chair Gussin declared a quorum was present.
CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES
Chair Gussin requested a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting held on October 5, 2021. A motion was made by Member Steinberg and seconded by Member Pestine. The motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote of the members present.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
Chair Gussin welcomed everyone. Special thanks was given to SR Drake for her dedication to the group and consistent meeting attendance. VPC Stevens was thanked for her great annual work with the MLK Day of Service.
COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED
None.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
None.
OLD BUSINESS
MLK Day of Service
About one week after the 10.5.21 meeting, direction was given by the City to change the MLK Day of Service from in person to virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
PDL Grossberg informed the group that approximately 20 -23 vendors committed to the event. They are serving by one of three means; Zoom, Donation Drop Offs, or Remote Service Projects. A spreadsheet will be shared with those responsible for coordinating each area.
Discussion ensued about the duration of donation drops offs at the Recreation Center. Last year was two hours, but it was quite cold. Two suggestions were offered; 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM with all volunteers or 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM with 1 hour shifts of half the volunteers. Since vendors need to be there the entire time, PDL Grossberg will ask their preferences. Members Tiersky, Pestine, and Small will coordinate drop offs on site during the event. SL Bonaguidi will be on site to assist.
The keynote speaker will be Patrick John. He will speak about carrying on Dr. King’s work in the future. Last year’s presenters will be available on the website via link, but separate from this year’s.
SR Drake will reach out to board members of the Girl Up Club for assistance with the event. PDL Grossberg will contact the High School to solicit band performances to be recorded in advance.
Vice-Chair Krent suggested new/current student involvement to draw more viewers and keep the event fresh. NSSDL Hirsh will speak with District 112 asking their students to record the Pledge of Allegiance. Member Harris suggested including dual language students speaking other languages. AL Frey and Member Weisskopf suggested a coordinated video, if possible, where multiple students said the pledge from their individual location. This would make the event more interesting than a standard Zoom.
To date, no additional volunteers are needed at the Rec Center for drop offs. If the need arises, VPC Stevens can be contacted.
New speeches will be provided by the Mayor and Event Chair Steinberg. Chair Gussin will narrate the Q & A session. AL Frey will provide topics for each to avoid duplication.
Member Steinberg will coordinate any un-assigned volunteer assignments.
The event will be promoted in the next issue of the Highlander and after the first of the year. NEW BUSINESS
2022 HP Awards
We are currently planning for in person event at Highland Park High School, but may need to pivot to virtual depending on pandemic conditions. Dates are pending, but early April is anticipated.
Nominations will open in early 2022 to provide more opportunity for nominations and reduce missed ones. The ceremony includes awards for Character Counts Pillar, Humanitarian, Arts, and Environmental. Volunteers will be needed to assist with things such as direction, seating, photography, etc.
As the HRAG goes through the award process, City Manager Neukirch asks that the awards be reviewed for consideration of elimination, modification, or addition. The City desires to keep the awards current and relevant.
A list of current awards will be shared with the Group as part of future consideration and discussion. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISON
CL Lidawer commended the Group for their work on their main projects. She asked that the Group begin thinking about future work expansion such as social justice. Ideas would then be presented to the Mayor and City Council for consideration.
COMMENTS FROM TOWNSHIP REPRESENTATIVE
MTR Alvarez advised that the Township was meeting next Thursday to discuss how they could support the MLK Day of Service.
COMMENTS FROM PARK DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE
None
COMMENTS FROM SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE
None
COMMENTS FROM STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES
None
COMMENTS FROM THE ALTERNATE STAFF LIAISON
None
COMMENTS FROM THE STAFF LIAISON
SL Bonaguidi informed that the Police Department was currently interviewing lateral police officer applicants and encouraged the Group to refer prospective police officers, both new and current, to apply. He thanked the Group for their tremendous amount of work on the MLK event.
OTHER COMMENTS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Gussin entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. A motion was made by Vice Chair Krent and seconded by Member Tiersky. The motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote. The meeting was adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
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