City of Wheaton Community Relations Commission Met June 2.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
I. Call to Order 7:03 pm.
II. Welcome everyone.
III. Roll Call – Present: Colleen Attwell, Katie Sivak, Erica Nelson, Larniecia Smith, Jennifer Sever, Rachel Bautista, Krista Selvey, Laura Peccarelli, and Tony Asta. Absent: Kay Frederick and Saleha Jawaid.
o Public Attendees: Bari Ericson and Meg Beasley
IV. Approval of Minutes – Tony made a motion to approve May 2021 minutes. Laura seconded the motion. All members approved the motion.
V. Old Business
o Committee Updates –
∙ Good Citizens Awards (Krista) – 47 nominations, 13 winners. Promotional support from City of Wheaton, Wheaton Chamber, Wheaton Public Library, D200, and Wheaton Park District. Promotion: 6 social media posts, City Newsletter (Weekly, Monthly), City website, Daily Herald, Patch, 100 flyers posted by Commission members, email blasts sent by Commission members. Winners received a yard sign and goodie box hand delivered by Commission members. Winners were recognized at the May 17 City Council Meeting.
Discussion of strengths and opportunities for next year.
∙ Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Rachel) – 4 social media posts. The main event was “Stereotypes of Harm the Asian American Community” in partnership with Wheaton Public Library – 60 people attended the event. Great feedback and commentary on the WPL page regarding the event. City receives data on how many attend WPL events and how many view the recordings.
∙ Festival of Cultures (Tony) – 101 days away. Park District is still considering a 4th of July parade and Festival is usually promoted at the parade. 2 groups and a sound person have committed to the event so far. Event is on Sept. 12 – 1pm 5pm. We are seeking a grant for a community art project. Erica and Tony are meeting to discuss what the event will look like. Fine and Cultural Arts Commission did a high school poster contest – the winner’s poster will be used at/for Festival.
∙ Make a Difference Day (Larniecia) – We are seeking some new partners. Past partners include: DuPage PADS, PRC, Wheaton Forestry Division. Larniecia met with residents and they requested more year round events, such as monthly volunteer opportunities. The plan is for the CRC to direct those that want to get involved on how to get involved by sharing ways to volunteer in Wheaton. We are working with the City to seek resident feedback (via promotion in the City Newsletter) to share about a not for profit they would like the CRC to partner with. National Night Out – 1st Tuesday in August – distribute info about Make a Difference Day/Wheaton 365 (and Festival).
∙ Veteran acknowledgement and support (Erica) – June 30 Field of Honor – facilitated through Wheaton Park District (WPD) – event will be at Seven Gables Park. This is on the WPD site with more information. This is not an initiative by the CRC, but we want to help promote it.
VI. New Business –
o Meeting structure – Once the governor’s order expires, the City will not offer virtual meetings.
o Wheaton Plaza del Zocalo (Rachel) – Chamber of Commerce/WPL is putting this on. The idea of the event stems from the Zocalo, which is the public square of a Mexican city or town. The event will be on West Plaza between WPL and Adams Park, with food trucks, musicians, orchestra, 30 tables (Frida Kahlo exhibit), Two Bostons (pet parade). Two Bostons wants Commission participation to judge the pet parade on June 26. Krista, Erica and Laura have offered to judge the pet parade. Krista will be point of contact. Krista moved to have the CRC partner/sponsor on the Plaza del Zocalo event, Katie seconded. All members approved the motion.
o Pride Month (Rachel) – City website has resources and events (similar to BHM, WHM, AAPI, etc.).
o New Member applicant – Meg Beasley. Meg introduced herself to the Commission. o Public Comment – N/A
VII. Adjournment – 8:29 pm. Tony motioned to adjourn, Katie seconded the motion. All members approved the motion.
VIII. Next meeting: Wednesday, July 7, 2021.
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06022021-1671
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