Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Safe Communities America, Motor Vehicle/ Traffic Safety Task Group met Nov. 12.Here are the minutes provided by the group:

CALL TO ORDER

Dan Martin called the ZOOM meeting to order at 10:32am. Dan Martin had emailed the task group members the Zoom meeting link, agenda and minutes from the previous meeting prior to this meeting.

IN ATTENDANCE

Dan Martin / Village of New Lenox, Jim Mihalovich / Top Driver, Carl Cicero / Metra, Margaret Pearson / Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, Magdalena Campos / Joliet Township Government, Michelle Larson / ThinkFirst Foundation, Kristine Kioltyka, / New Lenox Police Deparment, Joe Enzenberger / Dryer Vent Wizard of Will County, and Megan Lynch / Silver Cross Hospital.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Minutes from the September 10, 2024 Task Group Meeting, which had been disseminated via email to Task Group members, were discussed. Jim Mihalovich made a motion to approve the minutes, and Michelle Larson seconded the motion. After no further discussion, the motion carried and the minutes were approved.

OLD BUSINESS

New Lenox Safe Community Coalition NEW Logo

Dan Martin showed everyone the new logo and explained how the colors match the Village of New Lenox logo / branding. This new logo, available in “stacked,” horizontal and badge formats, will be used on Agendas, Minutes and social media. Anyone that would like to utilize the logo, in an effort to show membership and collaboration, should contact Dan Martin.

“Operation Lifesaver” (Rail Safety Presentation)

The presentation, which was held on Tuesday Oct. 15, 2024, had to be cut short because unknown individuals entered the room and caused havoc (coming in and out of the Zoom as different individuals, changing the slide deck and causing the program to be cancelled just a few minutes after it started. To ensure this never happens again, Dan said he will “lock” all Zoom presentations from now on. Only people registered can attend, not individuals who are capable of crashing or negatively disrupting the meeting.

2023 Senior Vehicle Inspections—In partnership with Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Automotive Technology Students

The event was held on both Wednesday, November 6th and Thursday, November 7th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. The supervised automotive students inspected 42 vehicles during the two-day period.

Dan reported the afternoon events ran very smoothly this time because the after-school buses were on the other side of the parking lot and didn’t interfere with the inspections. In addition, each of the three automobile bays had its own supervisor instead of just one or two supervisors. Unfortunately, many seniors were turned away again because the available appointments fill up quickly. But no one cancelled, and seniors appreciated the vehicle inspections because many are wary of fraud at vehicle repair shops. Dan Martin and Rocky Dellamano provided literature and snow brushes for all. Next year the inspections will be held in the mornings again.

NEW BUSINESS

2025 New Lenox Safe Community Coalition Meeting Schedule (Task Groups, Coalition and Steering Committee)

Dan Martin sent out the 2025 all-meeting schedule and asked that everyone add the 2025 Task Group and Coalition Meetings to their calendars. In May, 2025, the Motor Vehicle / Traffic Safety Task Group is responsible for the coalition meeting speaker. All task group members are encouraged to attend Coalition Meetings as well.

“Teen Driver? What Every Parent Should Know”

This presentation will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.

Presenters include:

• Brian Tamblin / Secretary of State’s Office

• John Karales / Lincoln-Way Comm. High School District 210

• Jason Helbling / Lincoln-Way Comm. High School District 210

• Jim Mihalovich / Top Driver

• Rocky Dellamano / COUNTRY Financial

• Margaret Pearson / Secretary of State’s Office—Organ/Tissue Donor Program

Currently 132 people are registered through Eventbrite. The program has been widely promoted by the coalition and the school district.

Driver Refresher Course / Rules of the Road Class for Seniors / Secretary of State’s Office The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office will offer a driver refresher course for seniors from 10:00 am-12:00 pm on Nov. 21, 2024 at New Lenox Village Hall. Nineteen people, most of which are seniors, are registered.

GOOD OF THE ORDER / ORGANIZATION UPDATES

Since this is the last Rules of the Road class offered by the Secretary of State’s Office, Jim Mihalovich from Top Driver offered to provide a similar class to seniors (and others who may want to attend) in the future.

COALITION MEETING

The next New Lenox Safe Community Coalition Meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 / 10:30am, via Zoom Videoconference.

NEXT TASK GROUP MEETING

The next meeting of the Motor Vehicle / Traffic Safety Task Group will be Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 10:30 am via Zoom videoconference.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 11:15am.

https://www.newlenox.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11122024-255