Chambana Sun

City of Woodstock Cultural and Social Awareness Commission met July 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:

A Regular Meeting of the City of Woodstock Cultural and Social Awareness Commission was called to order at 4:00 pm by Chairman William Donato on Monday, July 10, 2017 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

A roll call was taken.

Commission Members Present: John Hudson, John Kendall, Jose Rivera, Ivy Sagrado, Joseph Starzynski, Juanita Vega, and Chairman William Donato.

Commission Members Absent: None

Staff Present: Human Resources Director/Staff Liaison Deb Schober

Others Present: City Clerk Cindy Smiley

Public Comment:

There was no public comment forthcoming.

Approval of Minutes:

Motion by J. Starzynski, second by I. Sagrado, to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2017 meeting of the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission as presented.

Ayes: J. Hudson, J. Kendall, J. Rivera, I. Sagrado, J. Starzynski, and Chairman W. Donato. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried.

Discussion Items:

A. 2017 Meeting Times

Following brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission that the date and time for the final meeting of 2017 remain as Monday, October 2, 2017 at 4:00PM, with the dates and times for 2018 to be determined at that meeting.

B. Summer in the Park

Chairman Donato stated he has reserved a booth and will be present to provide information to the public and gather input from the public at Summer in the Park on Sunday, July 16th. He noted he also will be selling bags and T-shirts. Commissioner Vega stated she has spoken with a group of Hispanic business owners about being present on Sunday also, but has not yet gotten a commitment from them. Commissioner Rivera stated he will assist Mr. Donato with the booth.

Following a brief discussion of the event, Chairman Donato stated he will provide a banner for the booth and Ms. Schober stated she will check with the Mayor about purchasing a banner for the Commission to use at future events should a sponsor be found.

C. Sister City

Commissioner Rivera stated it had been planned to bring a baseball team from Mexico to play in the youth tournament, but this had to be cancelled when the cost for visas was raised making it cost-prohibitive. He noted the team was very disappointed and stated he will work on this for next year.

Mr. Rivera noted he and Mrs. Rivera will be taking another trip to Mexico and will attempt to find additional sponsors. In response to a question from Chairman Donato, Mr. Rivera stated he hopes to have some tentative dates for Woodstock representatives to visit Mexico soon.

D. Update on Old Firehouse Initiative

Commissioner Hudson stated a site manager has been secured for the Wednesday overnight site at Redeemer Lutheran Church beginning in October. He stated Redeemer will provide the overnight site on Wednesdays, as well as a daytime drop-in on Thursdays beginning in November so that people can be sent Wednesday night and stay all day Thursday. He noted the United Methodist Church will provide the overnight site on Saturday nights, with the Old Firehouse Center providing daytime hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

In response to an inquiry, Mr. Hudson stated the homeless population at the Old Firehouse is approximately 15, with the overnight population being between 30 and 50 and the daytime drop-in population approximately 20.

Ms. Schober provided information concerning one homeless person who does not wish to use the Old Firehouse facility, instead opting for setting up in public lots near the Square. She noted he has been swearing at and intimidating people as they pass by. This particular individual has been addressed by Police Officers and his reaction to them is equally belligerent.

E. Homeless Coalition Meeting in Rockford

Ms. Schober noted, in Mayor Sager’s absence, she was asked to represent Woodstock at a Homeless Coalition Meeting in Rockford. She explained that a similar Coalition is being organized in Oak Park and those members requested meeting in Rockford to learn about that community’s model as it has been successful in reducing the number of homeless to “functional 0.”

Ms. Schober detailed what she learned from this meeting, including how it is financed. She noted there are two paid individuals working on this project, one compiling and keeping all records and one who works out on the streets working with the homeless to get them housed. She stated there are certain landlords who have agreed to participate in this program to provide housing to the homeless and described some of the success stories of this program.

Ms. Schober noted the Rockford program is really a county-level program and is a partnership among many organizations and opined this could be successful in Woodstock if such a partnership could be started with the county level agencies.

Commissioner Starzynski opined the communities on the Metra line may have similar issues. Commissioner Hudson provided information on which communities provide the overnight shelters, stating a bus is provided to transport the individuals between the shelters. Mr. Starzynski suggested trying to get the communities that provide services together to go to the County Board to discuss such a partnership. Commissioner Hudson stated the Old Firehouse Center has been putting people in housing with the Housing Authority working through that.

In response to question from Commissioner Starzynski, Ms. Schober stated it was her understanding that after formation of the program, two Rockford employees began formalizing the number and identities of homeless individuals and then working through the list, noting they built trust within that community. She noted the difference between the OFAC and the Rockford program is that the homeless come to the Old Firehouse, while the Rockford program goes to the people on the streets.

Discussion followed on how Woodstock can tap into Rockford’s knowledge. In response to a question from Chairman Donato, Commissioner Vega volunteered to contact the County to gather information on their plan for the homeless, what County resources are dedicated to the homeless, and whether a list of homeless individuals exists. It was also suggested that a member of the Commission attend a meeting of the OFAC and that Ms. Schober obtain contact information for the Rockford Program.

F. QPR Training for Community

Ms. Schober stated that QPR is a method for suicide prevention, explaining how the program works. She stated she is one of 18 trainers in the County, noting she has trained CASA advocates, staff and administrators at Crystal Lake Central High School, and plans to train the Woodstock Police Department, and members of the Woodstock Fire Rescue District, among other groups. She described how people are notified of the available training stating the Mental Health Board has started a new advertising campaign. She noted that organization is responsible for setting up the training.

G. Other Areas of Focus Within the Community

Chairman Donato noted in the minutes there was mention of Christmas Around the World. Ms. Schober noted this was tried last year but planning was started too late. Mr. Donato stated this event could be held during the Lighting of the Square. Discussion followed of this event with Ms. Schober noting the idea was to have the retailers on the Square each adopt a country and create a window display depicting the traditions of that country. In response to a question from Chairman Donato, Commissioner Starzynski volunteered to go to the retailers to gauge their interest in this event and let them know what countries are available for adoption. Chairman Donato requested that Commissioner Starzynski work with Ms. Schober on this project. Ms. Schober suggested he contact John Scharres for information specific to the Lighting.

H. Future Agenda Items

Commissioner Rivera noted Commissioners Vega, Starzynski, and he delivered 130 bags to the Prairie View Apartments. Commissioner Vega noted they have been unable to gain access to the other apartment complex that was previously mentioned. Chairman Donato and Ms. Schober suggested this update be included in the next joint meeting for the initiative.

Chairman Donato noted the United States has decided to exit the Paris Agreement, noting this is a matter of social awareness. He stated many other mayors have committed that their communities will continue with the agreement, noting these are not just big cities but smaller communities such as Woodstock. He asked if this is an area the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission should take up.

Commissioner Vega noted Mayor Sager has spoken about how everyone is equal in Woodstock. Discussion ensued of the idea of a sanctuary city. Ms. Vega stated the Chief of Police has stated if someone commits a crime, they will be treated the same as anyone else in the same circumstances, noting they will be processed through the system at the County. Discussion followed. It was noted the Woodstock Police Department does not check the immigration status of anyone it stops or arrests. Rather, when an arrested individual enters the system at the Court House, it is at that point the immigration status is checked with any subsequent action being taken by the County.

Chairman Donato explained the Paris Agreement, noting it is an environmental agreement. He stated this is a way the mayors of communities can have an impact even if the Country has decided to withdraw.

Commissioner Kendall asked if Woodstock is a sanctuary city. Ms. Schober indicated that we are not as it must be noted that there could be serious federal consequences to a city taking such action. Commissioner Kendall requested this issue be placed on a future agenda. Commissioner Vega opined people should be aware that individuals of all different races that commit crimes and if an individual commits a crime, they will be dealt with, again stating Mayor Sager has stated all individuals will be treated the same in Woodstock. Commissioner Kendall stated he will research this issue further.

Chairman Donato stated he will gather ideas and information from citizens on these issues.

Adjourn:

Motion by J. Starzynski, second by I. Sagrado, to adjourn this meeting of the Cultural and Social Awareness Commission to the next regular meeting on Monday, October 2, 2017, at 4:00PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Ayes: J. Hudson, I. Sagrado, J. Rivera, J. Kendall, J. Vega, J. Starzynski, and Chairman Donato. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:58 pm.

http://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/cultural_amp_social_awareness_commission/meeting/5311/07-10-17_csa_minutes.pdf