Human Resources Commission Minutes 2010 11-17-10
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UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
Human Resources Commission
Committee Meeting
City Hall Conference Room
Wednesday, November 17, 2010 6:30pm
Call to Order:
Chairman Scott Gengler called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.
Establish a Quorum:
Present:
Scott Gengler, Chairman
Amy Badouin
Judy Burks
No quorum established
City Officials Present:
Valerie Burd, Mayor
Glory Spies, Community Relations Director
Anna Schwein
Introduction of Guests:
Anna Schwein and Mayor Burd were recognized.
Citizen Comments:
None
Approval of Minutes
None
Mayor’s Report
:None
Staff Reports:
None
Committee Reports:
None
Old Business
(out of sequence)
1. Community Gardens Update
Anna Schwein said she hoped to start a community gardens project and that Yorkville
Congregational Church has also been talking about this topic. Mayor Burd said she and
the Oswego Mayor had spoken at one time to developers about allowing gardens on
vacant lots.
Ms. Schwein has discussed the idea with friends and some of the points made were:
parameters, organic gardening, no pesticides, funding opportunities for tools, seeds, etc.
Mayor Burd said she had received a call last year from someone willing to donate plants.
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Other points discussed were:
1.Including schools, small children
2.Possibly sell produce at Farmers’ Market
3.Possible location for gardens—behind Rush Copley building, property by
Elmwood Cemetery
4.Plot size needed approximately 20’ x 30” or possibly have varying sizes
5.Charge--Plano charges $25 with $5 for liability insurance and $20 is refunded
after the gardener clears the plot in the fall.
6.Water source-could use water barrels or gray water
7.Possible fence--it was decided this would be left to the gardener. Walkways
between plots also suggested.
8.Glory suggested having a joint meeting with other interested groups such as the
Green Group. A joint February meeting will be held prior to making
announcements about the garden idea.
9.Mayor Burd noted that some parks are not yet developed and if the plots were in a
park, the City insurance would cover the liability issue. The Parks Department
would also have equipment to till and prepare the soil.
10.Suggestion that any proceeds be donated to Senior Services or to Food
Bank/Pantry.
11.Educational component very important since many people do not know about
gardening. Yorkville Garden Club or the extension service were suggested as
educational tools.
12.Vegetable vs. flower gardens was discussed and it was suggested that if not all
plots were filled, they could be used for flowers. It was noted that marigolds are
natural barriers for some animals.
13.Also discussed were adequate parking and accessibility. Committee members
agreed they want this project to begin next Spring. Ms. Spies will put info in
Parks and Recreation catalog.
14.Plot marking was discussed.
After placing a phone call to a Parks Department employee, Mayor Burd determined that
an 80-acre park on the north side of the train tracks near Grande Reserve can be used.
Water would be available. A parks employee will draft a map of the area
Mayor Burd and Ms. Spies said Home Depot is very generous about donating broken
bags of materials to the City.
The Green Group, Congregational Church and the Green Committee will be invited to the
HRC meeting on December 15 to discuss ideas. Scott volunteered to chair this meeting.
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Anna will attend a Green Committee meeting on December 20 to share the gardening
idea.
Garden plot registration at the spring environmental event the Green Committee
sponsors, was also suggested.
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New Business:
1. 2011 Human Resources Commission Meeting Dates
The committee discussed the meeting dates for 2011 and also about canceling either the
June, July or August meeting. No firm decision was made.
Old Business:
2. Volunteer Community Appreciation Day
The Volunteer Appreciation Day will be held on February 16 at the Library at 6:30pm.
All nominees will be invited and given certificates. Child and teen volunteer nominees
are still needed. Music and refreshments will be provided.
4. Volunteer Networking Meeting
(out of sequence)
The committee discussed a draft of a flier inviting social service agencies to a meeting.
The meeting would address their challenges and needs in the current economy and how
the HRC could assist them. It was suggested to compile a list of potential volunteers for
various social service providers and send invitations to attend a meeting. Glory will
email a list of the volunteers and agencies to commission members. The invitations will
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be sent by December 13 and will ask the invitees to respond by January 12.
In another matter, Anna shared an idea she heard called ‘Local Business Saturday”
whereby citizens are encouraged to shop in their own communities on the Saturday after
Thanksgiving. This program is sponsored by American Express. Glory will send an
email blast.
3.Holiday Under the Stars Clothing Drive
(out of sequence)
Collection boxes will be placed in five locations for clothing donations. Commission
members will check the sites and all collected items will be given to the Food Pantry.
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The collections will end on December 13.
Additional Business:
Glory said the volunteer income tax assistance program is going well and a site
coordinator is secured, the Food Pantry and their computers will be used and there is an
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orientation meeting on December 2. Training will be given to the volunteers and 8
hours of work per week will be requested.
Adjournment:
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:57pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young