City of Wheaton Community Relations Commission met July 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
I. Call to Order
Erica motioned that Rachel serve as pro tempore chair for the meeting
Laura seconded
Rachel called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
II. Welcome
III. Roll Call
In attendance were Rachel Bautista, Meg Beasley, Saleha Jawaid, Erica Nelson, Laura Peccarelli and Marco Scola as well as prospective member Mike Hodel.
IV. Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the 4/6/22 meeting were distributed.
Rachel suggested that the minutes, (E-2) be amended to clarify the criteria for future Women in Wheaton and Good Citizens awards by adding “currently in office, current government employees, retired (current, elected ,or running for office)”
Rachel motion for approval of minutes with changes
Laura seconded the motion; unanimously approved as amended
V. Old Business
a. Non-regulatory boards and commission provisions and WCRC purpose statements recap Still awaiting revised documents and templates; will revisit during August meeting
VI. New Business
a. Prospective commissioner introductions
Three candidates have been recommended to serve as commissioners by Mayor Phil Suess. Michael Hodel attended the meeting. Along with Michael, Angela Welker, and Ben Waterman will be appointed as commissioners during the July 18 City Council meeting.
b. Festival of Cultures Status
With the void of the former commissioner who organized the festival through his personal connections, the commission determined that there is not enough time or collective knowledge to plan and carry out the festival in 2022.
Erica motioned that the Festival of Cultures be postponed until 2023; Meg seconded The event will be postponed until 2023, with the likely date being September 24.
c. Good Citizen Awards
Will take place in May 2023
d. 2022 Budget Update
Commission is waiting to hear back about budget
Will readdress during August meeting
e. Latin X/Hispanic Heritage Month
Celebrates the 20-25 countries of LatinX/Hispanic heritage within the Wheaton community from September 15 through October 15. The commission is in discussions with the Wheaton Public Library, League of Women Voters of Wheaton, and Cantigny on 2 events:
• "LatinX, Hispanic, Latino, Latine: History of Terminology & How Each is Embraced Today" Presentation & Panel Discussion: The Wheaton Public Library, in partnership with the commission and League of Women Voters of Wheaton, will host a panel discussion on September 21. Panelists will include Dr. Limaris Pueyo, Director of Multilingual Learners & Equity at CUSD 200, Dr Catalina Maria Johnson, Ph.D., a Chicago-based journalist, and two Wheaton residents. As a partner in the program, the commission was asked to provide an honorarium for the speakers. Saleha motioned that the commission provide an honorarium of $200 for the panel participants; Laura seconded. The motion was unanimously approved for the $200 honorarium.
• “Roots of DuPage's LatinX Community” - Cantigny is offering this program on September 15th to kick-off LatinX/Hispanic Heritage Month as part of their monthly Lunch n' Learn series. The commission and the Wheaton Public Library are in discussions with Cantigny to see if this event can be repeated in the evening (same day). Erica suggested seeing if there can be greater emphasis on Wheaton in this discussion to make it more relevant to Wheaton residents.
f. Ida B. Wells program
This program, discussed earlier this year with the Wheaton Public Library and League of Women Voters of Wheaton, is being revisited. Author Michelle Duster would present a program about her great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells on October 24th at the Wheaton Public Library. There is a request for a speaking fee of $1300 for Michelle Duster.
Erica motioned to support a budget request of $1300; Laura seconded the motion. The request for the speaking fee was unanimously approved.
g. Rock the Vote
The Wheaton Public Library asked if the commission would be a partner along with other organizations (Wheaton Chamber of Commerice, Downtown Wheaton Association, and League of Women Voters of Wheaton) to host a "Rock the Vote" concert in Wheaton. The concert ties in with the library’s Beatle’s exhibit. If this happens, the library will share additional details. h. Make a Difference a Day
Because the Commission’s flagship programs are postponed, the Make a Difference Day program will be expanded to include multiple weekends in October 2022.
• Ideas include a Student Excellence Foundation event; continuing to partner with the People’s Resource Center for its Stuff-a-Truck event, and a new effort to collect hats, gloves, and mittens for Wheaton residents; working with the Environmental Commission to organize a fall Prairie Path clean up.
• Another idea is to gather stories from residents about how they have made a difference and share those stories via a link on the city website.
• Will research ideas including a link to Giving DuPage on WCRC page.
VII. Public Comment
VIII. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Rachel; Marco seconded
The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 pm.
https://www.wheaton.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07062022-2028
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