MINUTES
Moraine Township Board of Trustees
Thursday, October 11, 2007 5:00 PM
Township Office
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
October 11, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 5:04 PM by Supervisor Barnes and upon roll call the following members were present: Trustees Bryna Gamson, Margoth Moreno, and Jeff Zaluda. Trustee Cynthia Plouché arrived at 5:20 PM. Also present: Clerk Ellen Gussin and Director General Assistance Tracy Coleman.
Approval of Minutes
The Regular Meeting Minutes of September 27, 2007 stand approved as written.
Approval of Bills
Trustee Zaluda moved, seconded by Trustee Moreno, approval of the bills. Upon roll call, motion carried.
Public Comment
None
Assessor’s Report
Supervisor Barnes reported that the Assessor’s Office has been extremely busy with customer traffic and calls regarding tax assessments.
Supervisor’s Report
Supervisor Barnes referred to the folder in the Board members’ kits published by Evanston Northwestern Healthcare entitled 2006-7 Community Benefits Report, Connecting to Our Communities. Supervisor Barnes serves on the Highland Park Hospital Community Advisory Committee and is currently its Chairperson.
Discussion of Township Functions
Discussion by the Board focused on the broad range of services we provide, how to foster a better understanding of these functions among the greater community, and how best to proceed. All agreed that the Township staff should remain open and friendly to all visitors; this is a primary objective of customer service. Yet, we must be efficient and effective in following state and federal guidelines and be prepared to communicate our policies and procedures.
Development of a Q & A document was agreed upon as a vehicle to help explain what we do, who is eligible for services and at what frequency, how one applies for assistance, how we deliver those services, and options available to those who do not qualify. Pervasive throughout the document should be a positive attitude conveying: Yes, we can help; here are the circumstances and timeframes for assistance (maybe not today and maybe only through another referral); the Township is ready and dedicated to provide answers and assistance within the restrictions and limitations imposed by state and federal guidelines as well as tax-payer funds.
Supervisor Barnes will draft a Q & A for Board review with Tracy Coleman’s help in summarizing the GA regulations as appropriate. Board members are asked to submit questions to the office by Monday, October 15, and Clerk Gussin will send out a reminder. Objective will be to complete this document, translate to Spanish, disseminate within the community to schools, churches and synagogues, Senior Center, Park District, Health Center, Library, etc. Another suggestion was to set up meetings with key members of the community to further explore needs and how the Township might be of service.
Committee Reports
Food Pantry – stock is low. Tracy suggested Trustee Moreno look at the list of food we are ordering from the Northern Illinois Food Bank and advise on adjustments, although we don’t always get what we order.
Clothes Closet – need help in stocking the clothing that has been donated.
Moraine Township’s Phyllis Santullano Holiday Gifts drive is underway; letters have gone out to potential donors. Focus this year is on the individual children within families rather than the entire family. Aiming for distribution around Dec 20, and seeking a central distribution point as close to Highwood as possible.
Transportation – Moraine Township has been invited to again submit a request for funding to the Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park.
The next issue of Talk of the Township newsletter will be in progress during the next several weeks.
Old Business
None
New Business
None
Adjournment
With no further business to conduct, Trustee Zaluda moved, seconded by Trustee Plouché, the meeting be adjourned at 6:15 PM. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
Ellen S. Gussin
Moraine Township Clerk
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