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Human Resources Commission Minutes 2010 11-17-10 Page 1 of 3 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. Page 2 of 3 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. th 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. Page 3 of 3 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 thth 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. th 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 nd 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