City of Highland Park Human Relations Advisory Group met Oct. 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the group:
CALL TO ORDER: At 5:03 PM, Chair Krent called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present:
Chair Krent, Vice Chair Tiersky, Members Canchester, Fishman, Gussin, Harris, Pestine (left at 5:47 PM) Steinberg (arrived at 5:17 PM), Weisskopf
Members Absent: Members Basofin, Phillips, Small
Also Present: Council Liaison (CL) Lidawer, Park District Representative (PDR) Grossberg (arrived at 5:52 PM), North Shore School District 112 Representative (SDR) Hirsh (left at 5:55 PM), Assistant City of Highland Park Manager (ASM) Erin Jason, Alternate Staff Liaison (AL) Frey, and Staff Liaison (SL) Deputy Chief William Bonaguidi.
Chair Krent declared a quorum was present.
CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES
Chair Krent requested a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting held on March 10, 2022. A motion was made by Member Pestine and seconded by Member Tiersky. The motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote of the members present. Council Member Lidawer noted that there was a minor typo to correct before posting, but it did not change the content. SL Bonaguidi to correct the typo before posting.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
Chair Krent said it was lovely to see all in person for the first time in 2 plus years. The Group will discuss the upcoming year’s plan, part of which may include the July 4th tragedy. The Group will assist any way it can while thinking of all affected. October is Hispanic Heritage Month. The Library will be hosting a wonderful program on Saturday, October 8th; please attend. There are so many wonderful programs to attend in City.
COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED
AL Frey received communication from Township Representative (TR) Alvarez. She will discuss it under TR comments.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
ASM Jason reminded the Group that a great way to learn of and support local programming is by signing up for the City’s E-News and Weekender. She was there to assist the Group with programming plans.
OLD BUSINESS
New Initiatives
Discussion to be folded into 2023 work plan.
NEW BUSINESS
2023 Calendar Review, Discussion, and Approval
There is a long time between the regular March and October meetings so the Group moved the March meeting to May for 2023. Thursdays at 5 PM work best for most members. Member Pestine asked how the change affects the April Awards. AL Frey will communicate awards business at the January meeting and work with committees. Member Pestine asked why not move Award Ceremony to June? AL Frey explained the difficulty of obtaining dates. AL Lidawer pointed out the Group can always hold special meeting.
Member Gussin made a motion to approve the following regular 2023 meeting dates and times. Member Harris seconded.
Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 5 PM
Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 5 PM
Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 5 PM
Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 5 PM
Chair Krent read the proposed meeting resolution. Chair Krent answered Member Pestine’s question about subcommittees and numbers per the OMA.
The 2023 HRAG Meeting Schedule Resolution Passed unanimously by the members present. 2023 Work Plan Review, Discussion, and Approval
Chair Krent explained the proposed work plan as distributed to the members before the meeting.
Vice Chair Tiersky made a motion to approve the work plan. Member Steinberg seconded. Member Pestine asked how the budget amount was established. AL Frey explained that things like the Jesse White Tumblers, speakers, etc. previously included in the MLK Day of Service and award expenses were used to guide next year’s budgeting process.
The motion passed by unanimous vote of the members present.
Chair Krent noted that new ideas previously considered by sub-committees would be saved for future consideration. 2023 MLK Day of Service - Monday January 16, 2023
Chair Krent informed the Group that Member Steinberg, who has Chaired the MLK Day of Service, is stepping down from the HRAG. Member Steinberg was thanked for her outstanding work as the MLK chair. The HRAG’s plan is to work in sub-groups led by AL Frey. AL Frey explained that the goal of regular HRAG meetings will be briefings on the MLK Day of Service, but the majority of work will be done off line by sub-committees of no more than 3 voting members. AL Frey read a list of responsibilities we need chairs and volunteers for:
• Vendor coordinator – Need someone creative who can help with service project ideas for vendors. Member Fishman volunteered for Chair. Member Pestine volunteered to assist.
• Outdoor drive thru for donations. Member Weiskopf Volunteered for Chair and Member Canchester to assist.
• Keynote speaker – After tables close in the gym, the speaker will deliver a 20-30 minute speech. Member Harris volunteered to Chair, assisted by Member Gussin and HRAG Chair Krent.
• Food sales were questioned after the past 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Group discussed having food, no food, or pre-packaged, portion controlled servings as suggested by Member Canchester. Member Harris suggested moving the event time earlier so it’s done before lunch. Member Weiskopf asked if food selling was profitable. AL Frey advised there was minimal profit, if any. Vice Chair Tiersky recommended against food stating that people and kids can go 2.5 hours without it. ASM Jason said the City’s Business Representative could put together a list of restaurants for patrons to visit after the event. CL Lidawer shared that people feel good when they eat together. No one in the Group was in favor of organized food sales. The final consensus was to inform vendors they could have individually packaged handouts if they would like.
• Logistics – Shuttle to Wolter’s Field and use of Wolter’s Field permission from School District 113. Vice Chair Tiersky volunteered to Chair and SDL Hirsh to assist.
• Volunteer Coordinator – Marietta Stevens
• Thank you letters – Everyone will write their own for the respective volunteers, hosts, etc.
• MLK Table – Senior Student Representative, assisted by junior Student Representative.
• Event Coordinator – AL Frey: Table assignments, promotions, purpose and distribution of vests.
The HRAG will discuss final details at the December 8, 2022 regular meeting. All members and reps are expected to assist at the event.
2023 Highland Park Awards
The date for the 2023 awards is yet to be determined. We are planning for an in person ceremony. Chair Krent mentioned consideration of special award for a group that assisted with the 4th of July shooting. Several ideas were discussed and it was noted this is a sensitive topic with a need to be considerate of all who were affected by the atrocity. Chair Krent established a subcommittee to be chaired by her. Members Fishman and Weiskopf volunteered to serve on committee.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL LIAISON
CL Lidawer stated that Council Member (CM) Tapia might be joining as a CL in future HRAG meetings. Both have a special place in heart for the HRAG. Both are hoping the Group can discuss coordinating other groups of people like MLK Day of Service, maybe 5, to be more inclusive. CM Tapia has great experience in this area and might be able to give a presentation at a future meeting if there was an interest from the Group.
COMMENTS FROM TOWNSHIP REPRESENTATIVE
On behalf of TR Alvarez, AL Frey explained that the number of users at the Moraine Township pantry has increased significantly due to inflation. She asked for any possible food donations to be taken to the pantry.
COMMENTS FROM PARK DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE
None
COMMENTS FROM SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE
None
COMMENTS FROM STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES
None
COMMENTS FROM THE ALTERNATE STAFF LIAISON
AL Frey explained the Aging in Place Project taken on by the City. She asked everyone to complete a survey and solicit the same from others in the community.
COMMENTS FROM THE STAFF LIAISON
SL Bonaguidi invited everyone to the City’s Community meeting 10/17/22, 6:30 PM at City Hall. Police Beat Coordinators and other members of the Police Department will be there to discuss crime patterns and prevention along with answering any questions or concerns from the community.
OTHER COMMENTS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Krent entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. A motion was made by Member Gussin and seconded by Member Steinberg. The motion passed with a unanimous vote of members present. The meeting was adjourned at 6:39 PM.
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