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Human Resources Commission Minutes 2009 04-15-09 APPROVED 5/20/09 Page 1 of 4 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE Human Resources Commission Committee Meeting City Hall Conference Room Wednesday, April 15, 2009 6:30pm Call to Order: Chairman Scott Gengler called the meeting to order at 6:31pm. Establish a Quorum: Quorum Established Present: Scott Gengler, Chairman Joan Knutson Cecelia Sanders Deanna Cross Edmont Iljazi Pat Slocum Sgt. Barry Groesch City Officials Present: Mayor Valerie Burd Glory Spies, Community Relations Director Introduction of Guests: Scott introduced the new Commission member Pat Slocum and he asked her to share her background. Ms. Slocum said that she is a recently retired psychologist practicing part time and also teaching part time. She has lived in Yorkville just over four years. She wants to be involved in the community and thought this committee would be a good fit. Citizen Comments: None Approval of Minutes: March 18, 2009 Mr. Iljazi noted a correction to his comment about studying a certain country and his trip to the U.N. He said the minutes should reflect that Yorkville students could study the local government and model it on a Government Day. The minutes were then approved as amended, on a motion by Joan and second by Edmont. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Burd noted that Commission member Barb McClish has resigned due to personal reasons, leaving a vacancy on the commission. She also said the terms for Joan and Scott were up for reappointment and she expects to reappoint them in May. th The Foreclosure Seminar will be held Saturday, April 18. The Mayor said various speakers would be present to talk about related topics. Glory will also have handouts for those unable to attend. Page 2 of 4 Mayor Burd also said she had been contacted about organizing a fundraiser for displaced Caterpillar employees. She will be meeting with area Mayors to discuss this fundraiser. A rain barrel will be placed in surrounding communities to collect “Pennies from Heaven” to help these employees. At the end of the year, the money will be presented to the Food Pantry and the rain barrels will be auctioned. Maria Spaeth of the Food Pantry said some of the money would be used to purchase gift certificates to pay utility bills or to purchase tokens for laundromats. nd On May 2 a Yorkville resident who constructs labyrinths, will construct a labyrinth and place the rain barrel in the middle of Town Square Park. The rain barrels will come from the Conservation Foundation. Ms. Cross said that the Dunham Fund will match any money collected and would have to be used for emergency assistance (which includes the Food Pantry). She will obtain more information for this match and said that no applications are necessary. Staff Reports: None Committee Reports: None New Business: 1.Rush Copley Community Services – Presentation by Nancy Wilson Glory said that Nancy Wilson referred this presentation to another employee, but that person was off work this particular week. 2. Historical Street Naming Application – Clyde and Yvonne Howell Ms. Knutson noted that these nominees were very deserving. Sgt. Groesch explained that Mr. Howell had a shooting range outside of town and has helped with gun safety. A motion was made by Cele and seconded by Joan to approve the application for a street to be named in their honor. This was approved unanimously on a voice vote. This will be moved to a City Council agenda. 3. Senior Center Funding -Discussion Cele said the Golden Diners will possibly borrow money and talk to the townships about funds, noting that $3,000 a month is needed. A $4.00 donation is asked for the meals, however the average donation is $2.50. The funding for the Oswego program was also discussed. The Mayor said the program providers had been put in touch with the townships. Conflicting reports of the actual needs were received by the Board members. Ms. Cross said she was told $3,000 a month was needed until the end of September, then a new fiscal year would begin with new money available. She also said the United Way funding varies from year to year and a grant awarded a couple years ago was now gone. Cele said the Area Agency on Aging reimburses $2-3 per meal served and the donation is $5.00, however, the donations often do not cover the rest of the cost. These funds just cover Oswego at this time. Page 3 of 4 Chairman Gengler asked where the food comes from that is served for the Senior meals. Some of the ingredients/bulk foods are purchased at Gordon Foods and Fox River Foods. Jewel and Panera also donate food. Only 2 persons are paid and the rest are volunteers for this program. Mr. Gengler asked the Board members to keep this topic in mind and bring back any possible solutions. Ms. Sanders will contact the Golden Diners again to check their progress. Pat suggested putting an article in the paper after Cele makes her call. This discussion will be continued at the next meeting. Old Business: 1. Volunteer of the Year Award – Update/Discussion Some highlights of the discussion follow: 1.Obtain list of Yorkville organizations and ask committee members to solicit nominations. Glory will evaluate Volunteer Opportunity Brochure and send to committee members, bring back to next meeting and form sub-groups 2.Publicity is needed for event 3.Recognize volunteers from various age groups 4.Serve appetizers or punch & cookies 5.In Aurora, nominee and their organization attend 6.Present certificate to volunteer and organization they represent 7.Present lapel pin 8.Having D.J. is too costly 9.Change event to October and make it organization-based 10.Edmont said the Honor Society comes to his restaurant once a month for breakfast—he will give them information, Caterpillar retirees come once a month—perhaps they can provide info on displaced workers 11.Keep event more formal 12.Churches & schools have many volunteers who could be possible nominees 13.Some volunteers don’t want to be nominated 14.Difficult to pick one nominee if several volunteers from a specific group 15.May have to limit attendees due to space constraints, need to allow space for nominee & family 16.Think about location first to determine number of people invited/capacity 17.Possible location is the Library meeting room—it was determined it was available st on October 21 This will be brought back next month for further discussion.. 2. Government Day – Update/Discussion Pat suggested the committee speak with schools and determine what fits with their curriculum and when they are studying government. The Mayor said some school officials expressed interest in having students “run” the City for a day. Scott will contact history teachers at the junior and senior high levels to begin the process. The Mayor thought perhaps high school level students would be appropriate since they are closer to Page 4 of 4 voting age. Ms. Burd also suggested having “elections” among the students. This will be discussed again next month. 3. Food Pantry - Update Chairman Gengler said he had visited the Food Pantry recently and said that abundant clothing had been donated. Also, Jim Heinz from Bristol Township had taken a truck to Springfield and brought clothing back. Scott also detailed the items that are still needed, including plastic bags. Items for Next Meeting Agenda. See above discussions. Additional Business: Mayor Burd asked for possible nominations for this committee. Glory Spies asked for ideas of community projects/needs for which the committee could volunteer or assist. Edmont said his family will be organizing a Thanksgiving Dinner again this year and that transportation is needed for seniors. Cele said the Senior Services has a van, though she didn’t know if a driver would be available. He said they tried to get a bus, but that did not materialize. Septran was suggested as a possible source of transportation. Edmont also said a food drive had been organized in conjunction with the dinner and some of the food was donated to the Food Pantry. He hoped that by starting early, more food would be donated for the Pantry. Glory said a flier could be done and it could be discussed next month. Cele said the transportation program for the County should begin soon. Pat asked how to obtain information on the 2.5 cent tax in regards to funding Senior Programs. The Mayor will ask staff to research this. There was no further business and a motion was made by Cele and seconded by Joan to adjourn the meeting. Adjourned at 7:48pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young