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Human Resources Commission Minutes 2009 11-18-09 APPROVED 3/10/10 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE 800 Game Farm Road Yorkville, IL 60560 HUMAN RESOURCES COMMISSION MEETING City Hall, Conference Room Wednesday, November 18, 2009 – 6:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm. ESTABLISH A QUORUM: PRESENT: Chairperson Gengler, Commissioners Joan Knutson, Pat Slocum, Jill Harker, and Margene Westlund ABSENT: Commissioner Cross ALSO PRESENT: Sgt. Barry Groesch – Liaison, Glory Spies – Community Relations Director, Mayor Burd INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: None CITIZEN COMMENTS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of September 16, 2009 were approved. MAYOR’S REPORT None STAFF REPORTS Glory Spies stated that she would interject when needed. COMMITTEE REPORTS None NEW BUSINESS 1.Pennies from Heaven Fundraiser - Update Ms. Spies updated the committee on the collection from this event. The funds were turned over to the food pantry to assist in the Thanksgiving dinner costs. 1 2.Optimist Club Toy Drive - November 24, 2009 Chairperson Gengler informed the group that the Optimist Club was hosting a toy drive on November 24, 2009. The event will be held at the Kendall Pub and food will be provided. 3.Holiday Under The Stars Ms. Spies reported that she is not in need of anything at this time, however, she may need additional volunteers if someone doesn't show up or gets ill. Chairperson Gengler reported that the Optimist Club is in need of 1 volunteer. Ms. Spies also reported that she coordinate the horse and carriage rides and will provide information for that event. 2 volunteers are needed at that station at all times. It is hopeful that there will be a nice turnout. Radio advertisement has been done. Hopefully with the nice weather and the earlier date, this event will be a success. Chairperson Gengler will pick up the mitten drive boxes from the businesses the week after Thanksgiving. Committeeman Slocum delivered 10 boxes to locations where there are a lot of employees or places that people are likely to return regularly. OLD BUSINESS Historical Street Naming Program - Discussion 1. Chairperson Gengler stated that everyone received the paperwork regarding the names that have been submitted for approval. He has gone through 1/2 of the paperwork and found some that he is recommending for approval. Committeeman Slocum stated that she felt that Jennifer was looking for guidelines and structure, such as what criteria needs to be met, what impact did they make and what significance did it have on the community. Committeeman Harker stated that many entries came from Elmer Dixon and they date back to people in the 1830's. She doesn't feel they are significant, even to the older generation. It was determined that the group would go through the names and see which ones meet the established criteria. Commissioner Westlund asked how many names were on the list. She will receive a copy of the packet everyone is working on. She suggests that everyone rate the people on the list, then decide if they are in agreement. Commissioner Slocum feels that since there is such a wide variety of names on the list that the application needs to be more specific. Chairperson Gengler stated that the application can be changed in the future. Commissioner Westlund suggested numbering the list of criteria and see how many each submission meets. Minute Taker Hartigan suggested starting at the 3rd bullet through the next 4, the remaining are not criteria. Chairperson Gengler asked the group to keep going through the packet and see which criteria items apply, then return to the next meeting for additional discussion. Activities for Disabled Persons - Discussion 2. There was previous discussion regarding this matter in that a resident is wanting to get together a group for social interaction within the Yorkville area. Previously, the 2 Fox Valley Special Recreation Association was mentioned. We are looking to possibly form a group for disabled persons, are there any ideas? Mayor Burd explained that the person suggesting this is the parent of a disabled young adult. Her son misses social interaction. They have tried on their own to get together a group of people to meet in the park, etc. but their attempts have been unsuccessful. It was suggested that the group contact Rush Copley or local therapists to try to gather a list of people that a program would be beneficial to. It was suggested that the committee organize events. One suggestion was a wheelchair basketball game at the Rec Center. As such, Ms. Spies will invite Sue Swithin to the next meeting. Mayor Burd stated to explain to Ms. Swithin that there is a need for more programs for special needs children. It can be expensive, but we need to figure out how to offer these programs or how to expand on the FVSRA programs and bring them to the Yorkville area. Ms. Spies added that if a resident from Yorkville needs to attend a class through FVSRA, we try to find ways to subsidize the non-resident fees. Sgt. Groesch stated that most people socialize through their occupations. He is aware of an organization in Sandwich that helps to find jobs for disabled persons. Committeeman Knutson stated that the individual is on the library board. This item will move to next agenda for discussion. Additionally, Ms. Swithin will be invited to the discussion. 3.Government Day - Update / Discussion Chairperson Gengler reported that he has not spoken with Mr. Dunn recently, but it appears the event will be held here in May. Commissioner Slocum suggested returning this item for discussion in the spring. Chairperson Gengler stated that we would need to come up with a rough draft of what we would like to take place that day, including holding the event on a Tuesday and allowing the students to participate in the City Council Meeting. Previously it was suggested that the students hold a mock election prior to coming here. Chairperson Gengler suggested that include department head positions. Mayor Burd suggested that someone be a representative from the newspapers and other should be concerned or unhappy citizens. This item will return to the agenda in the spring. ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING AGENDA: Chairperson Gengler suggested not holding a December meeting and having the next meeting on January 20, 2010. Commissioner Slocum motioned to move the next meeting to January 20, 2010 at 6:30pm, Commissioner Knutson seconded the motion. 3 ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION With regards to the Volunteer Appreciation Day, Mayor Burd felt it went well. Chairperson Gengler stated that he is worried about not getting more nominations next year, however, he felt that the library was an ideal place. Ms. Spies stated that he feels that more nomination are needed. Commissioner Harker stated that she loved the high school boys choir. Chairperson Gengler added that he thought it was nice to have a caterer there. Ms. Spies stated that the cost was 75% less than the cost the past several years. Committeeman Harker felt that The Record could have done a little more coverage than they did. Mayor Burd stated that the school teachers would have like to have come. Ms. Spies stated that next year all the nominees names should be read. Chairperson Gengler recognized Ms. Spies for the work she did in organizing the event and congratulated Committeeman Harker for winning. Mayor Burd recognized the fact that the City won the Hometown Award. She suggests bringing the brochure to the next meeting so that people can see what ideas the other communities had. Mayor Burd stated that there is a good possibility that the City will be getting the old Kendall County jail to create a museum. In order to explain how the old jail operated, a committee will be set up. She feels that it would be fun for this committee to get involved in that. Additionally, museum ideas are needed. The jail had 6 cells. The county gave the stairs away so those need to be rebuilt and the roof needs repair. The garage will be removed and IDOT will build a parking lot adjacent to Van Emmon. The blue prints are still available. There is a lot of history there. In fact, the sheriff's wives used to cook for the prisoners. In 2003, the state designated the facility as one of 10 most endangered buildings. Commissioners Slocum and Westlund will be in attendance on Thursday for the Studs Turkel Award. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMISSION: The meeting adjourned at 7:53 pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Margaret M. Hartigan. 4