Village of Homer Glen Ability Awareness Committee met Feb. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 6:31 PM.
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Christina led the Pledge.
3. Roll Call.
Members present: Angela McKenna, Christina Neitzke-Troike, Karen Adamczyk, Bob O'Connor, Jim Crones and Chairperson LaHa via phone
Also Present: Carmen Maurella, Village Manager, Kris Pasquini Event Coordinator and Gia Cassin, Assistant to the Village Manager
Members absent: Heather Bleck
4. Approval of Amendments to the Agenda
No changes made.
5. Approval of Minutes.
a. January 10, 2023.
Member Neitzke-Troike moved to approve the minutes from the January 10, 2023 meeting, which was seconded by Member Adamczyk. Some corrections were noted by a couple of members, and one also by secretary Cassin. A discussion about making the corrections and bringing them back for approval was had, but the committee agreed with making the corrections without a second review at the next committee meeting was not necessary. There wasn't a vote on the original motion. Instead, Christina made a second motion to approve the amended minutes, which was seconded by Member McKenna. A voice vote was taken, all in favor. The motion passed unanimously.
6. Public Comment
None.
7. Reports and Communications from Trustees and Staff.
a) (Chair) Nicole - thank you to Bob for the presentation, and added she would like the presentation sent out to the people that attended. There is a screen shot of the email distribution in circulation amongst committee members. Nicole would like to get ARC on the Ability Awareness Tab and include the power point.
Recently she learned that there wasn't a check out form for the medical equipment. Staff does now have it.
b) (Staff) Carmen introduced Kris to the committee. Kris provided some background on herself.
c) Committee:
Christina Neitzke-Troike said that she brought in a wheel chair, a walker and a cane and they are not here, or she could not locate them. She asked about insurance. Carmen said the release they sign when they pick up the equipment should release the Village from liability if something were to go wrong while equipment in their possession. Nicole said when we locate or get back the equipment, to make sure that the women up front will not getting the equipment from upstairs. Nicole would like to be notified of equipment being picked up to help track. Carmen said may institute an inventory list, Nicole said that we did have one at one time, but was not yet located.
Christina brought the Ability Awareness Committee binder to the meeting and will go through it.
Christina Neitzke-Troike discussed the Chesdan's gift card in conjunction with Nicole. We have a $500 gift card to Chesdan's and there is possibly a second one, but Nicole will investigate the status of it.
Nicole said she does not have any updates on the Special Need grants, she has not been made aware of anything on it. Karen said that she read someplace on FaceBook possibly, that they were going to ask the Ability Awareness Committee for help, but no one has yet been approached. Karen added she will need to abstain on this one as she was a social worker at a local school in the Village.
Committee member Angela McKenna didn't have a report but did state she sent some emails for updates about going forward and didn't hear back from everyone. She is aware that the Valentines event is not going to happen due to timing now and said that we need a plan and she is frustrated that getting things organized don't come to fruition and stated things are running out of steam unless we can nail things down. It's hard to show up and dedicate the time and not see a ton come to fruition. Nicole said she did reply to the email. Nicole stated that she thinks if it comes, she agrees with a suggestion, that the committee can take that as a move forward and get the plan moving forward. Nicole did not feel that the committee did not need to vote on everything. Nicole said she said let's go ahead with that craft friend of Angela's, for Valentines. Nicole said she didn't feel the event needed to be on Valentines day, it could be sometime in February and she wanted to move forward. Angela said she is not willing to take the lead on this, she can get her friend to come, but she isn't going to plan it. Karen said that she feels everyone needs to tighten up the process and allow a plan to go forward and plan a social event, not necessarily around a holiday. The consensus is to see the availability of the craft person first, and then plan around that - via email and stay in communication via email and pull the event off meaning make the event happen. The committee discussed dates for an open house type of event, offer a craft, and use the pizza money to have pizza's there. Christina Neitzke-Troike said that they don't necessarily have to do the social at Village Hall, could be at Chesdans, could be at the Megaplex, and also maybe see if Megaplex will donate food for the event and give away the Chesdan's gift card. Nicole asked about the Ordinance for Village Events off the property, Carmen stated that it would need to be Board Approved. Carmen suggested that after the first 2 weeks of the month, there is more availability to host a social at the Village Hall and suggested doing a pizza and ice cream social, ice cream bars so no one is scooping ice cream.
Christina stated that the consensus is to do a Spring event and March 14 appears to be a good date for all, to host a Pizza, Ice Cream and Plants Social.
Nicole said that after the ARC event, people said they were happy to find they were in a community with other families. They will also do RSVP's on the invites.
Christina found some additional errors in the minutes that she pointed out for correction, post approval. She will discuss them with Gia and the group agreed that it would be OK for Gia to make the changes as the minutes were approved with corrections to be made. There will not be a need for the minutes to come back to committee.
Christina asked about the scent jars, Carmen followed up with Ruben, and Ruben couldn't remember the details and said he needed to get back to Carmen about it.
Christina asked about the budget numbers that the committee has to work with. There is some confusion about what was in the budget for 2021 and then earned in 2022, and would like more clarification. Carmen said he would get the clarification.
Christina asked about the D92 basketball event that the committee had been discussing attending, which will be held on February 28 at 6 pm at Oak Prairie. Carmen explained what the event is about, how it works and said that fundraising events are conducted as well. Carmen thinks hosting an event like this would be a good way for this committee to do a big fund raiser. Christina asked if there is some way to reach out to see if they need any volunteers. Carmen said he would reach out to find out.
Nicole said that if there was some way to participate, could the committee set up a table to hand out information on this committee. Carmen said he would find out.
Christina briefly discussed the schedule of events in the minutes, and asked if anyone has been in contact with Committee member Heather Bleck. Nicole said that she was not wanting to pressure her since she just had a baby, not sure if she wants to stay on. Karen said that she would reach out.
Christina asked about the Ability Awareness Committee to participate in volunteering and fundraising at the Homer Fest. Kris will take the lead to get the committee. signed up.
Christina said that we need to have an idea of what to raise funds for. The committee agreed they will bring ideas for the next meeting to discuss and select a cause. Nicole said when it comes to spending money, that is something the committee will absolutely have to come from a vote.
Christina said that they will attend the first Wednesday in March Fest meeting. Jim, Bob, Christina and Karen will attend. Maybe Angela will come as well if she can. Carmen will make sure this is added to the Fest Committee agenda.
Bob said he reached out to Rubin Law to discuss a part two (2) to the round table series that they had. He stated the owner is willing to come. He has a special needs son that lives with him. He is very passionate about getting the info out to the families. This owner stated he will present for 45 min to an hour on March 7th, with a 30 min Q&A session immediately following. They will need the power point set up and the screen as well. This will be at 6:30 PM. They will do a Constant Contact blast to get the information out there. Bob asked if it could be possible to move the computer to the front of the and will run a long cord. Carmen stated he would talk to staff to make sure they could run a long ethernet line out.
The committee stated they would like to have a quick 30-minute meeting prior to the presentation, and finalize the details for the social which is the next week. Carmen suggested meeting at 5:30PM in the Board Room so not to disturb the Community Room.
Bob asked about doing a raffle of the gift card? Christina said that the gift card will not be used entirely for pizza and that $500 will be a lot more for than needed for the event and so she will go and have the $500 card broken down so they can offer gift cards as a raffle.
Bob asked posting and advertising for this and Kris said she would handle it.
Back to the social, Christina said she noticed that they have brochures, and there are sign language things to produce and display at the social, like the words ice cream in sign language. She asked about the business cards for Ability Awareness, some were found but we need to locate the rest if possible. Christina asked about seeing about getting ice cream for free, and she will reach out to the Creamery. Nicole said that it might be worth looking into a popsicle option for people that cannot do dairy. Christina asked if this event would be Homer Specific, and the committee agreed that they would not turn anyone away that showed up.
Angela asked about opening the Board Room for more space. Carmen said it would be opened up. Nicole said she is envisioning a set up like the tea for the seniors. Carmen will schedule it with Penny.
8. OLD BUSINESS
a) Bottle Cap discussion
Carmen reached out to Barb with the plastic bench company, and he is coordinating with staff to get the benches. No interest from the parks and Environment Committee for benches and so they will move forward with getting the benches and plaques. Christina said that she wanted to see the full cost with the bench, and there is concern over getting the costs for the benches installed. Carmen suggested the parks crews may be able to do the install. The bench would say Ability Awareness Committee 2022 on the plaque. Carmen said that they would move on those pretty quick.
9. NEW BUSINESS
Discussion on Homer Fest day. Karen said mentioned that the kids will wear the T-shirts, but there will be others trying to get in and on the rides. The special needs event will run on Friday from 2:30 4:30. Carmen went over the new layout for the fest to provide some explanation as to how there will be some controls in place to keep things limited to ONLY the special needs families as there was concern with the bands starting at 4:30 and people infringing on the special needs window. Carmen added that complimentary food from Joey's and Papa Joes would be provided, including ice cream. There will be additional signage to show people where to go. Kris said they will make it very prominent. Carmen said they are trying to make it very accommodating, and the Fest Committee is already on board. Carmen will get with Debbie Stevens to find out what rides and games are committed to the special needs event. Karen asked for assurance that the special needs event will happen and Carmen assured her it would. The bands start at 4:30. The carnival starts at 5. It is a local band. Christina asked if adult beverages are open for the adults during the special needs, Karen said that has never been the case. Christina stated that there are families that have asked for the bar to be open for the last 2 years.
10) Adjournment
Member Adamczyk made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Member O'Connor. A voice vote was taken, all in favor, zero (0) opposed. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 8:01 pm.
http://www.homerglenil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02072023-2494
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