Human Resources Commission Minutes 2009 04-15-09
APPROVED 5/20/09
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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.
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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.
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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
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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