MINUTES
Moraine Township Board of Trustees
Thursday, September 27, 2007 7:30 PM
Highwood City Hall, Council Chambers
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
September 27, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM by Supervisor Barnes and upon roll call the following members were present: Trustees Bryna Gamson, Margoth Moreno, Cynthia Plouché, and Jeff Zaluda.
Supervisor Barnes requested that a motion be made to go into Executive Session which was so moved by Trustee Zaluda and seconded by Trustee Plouché. At 7:02 PM the Board went into Executive Session. Regular meeting reconvened at 7:40 after a brief delay while trying to find video equipment for the public taping of the meeting. Also present at the regular meeting were Director of General Assistance Tracy Coleman, Assessor Peter Koukos, Chief Deputy Assessor Trish Lenzini, Jordan Friedman of Family Network, Jack Creagh of Anixter Center, and community members Mary Pike and Janet Freed.
Approval of Minutes
The Regular Meeting Minutes of August 23, 2007 stand approved as written.
Approval of Bills
Trustee Zaluda moved, seconded by Trustee Plouché, approval of the bills. Upon roll call, motion carried.
Public Comment
Mary Pike introduced herself as an employee of the high school and a member of the community interested in understanding what the Moraine Township role is within the community. She expressed concern about members of the community receiving a “cool reception by the Township office and needing to look elsewhere for assistance.” Supervisor Barnes responded with an explanation of Township services, General Assistance policy, and the availability of the Pantry and Clothes Closet. Trustee Zaluda suggested that Mary Pike speak directly to Tracy Coleman or Mari Barnes in the office; Mary Pike urged a more compassionate approach to residents by the Township office. Supervisor Barnes assured everyone that Ms. Pike’s comments would be taken seriously, and that staff policy would be carefully reviewed.
Agency Presentations
Jordan Friedman of Family Network passed out Program Information which highlights the agency’s three programs – Parent/Child Center, Right from the Start, and After School Activity Program. The Center operates in the basement of the Presbyterian Church and is celebrating 25 years of operation. A great deal of health information and intervention is disseminated with the help of partners within the community to educate on important issues including diabetes and obesity. Jordan thanked the Board for their past and current support. Family Network now owns a van and offers transportation for client participants in need. He announced how excited Family Network is about its goal to move to the new Community Family Center (CFC) when completed. CFC is currently beginning a capital campaign to raise funds to build on a site being donated by District 112.
Jack Creagh of Anixter Center expressed thanks for being asked to speak to the Board to explain the wonderful work of the Adult Community Transition (ACT) program. The $1500 grant from Moraine Township is to be used for a "Therapy Through the Arts" initiative, a proposed newly-created class providing sensory integration experiences in music and art. Most clients at ACT communicate in very non-traditional ways, and Jack suggested that perhaps those of us who are “normal” should bear a greater burden in trying to better understand the communications of those more challenged. He cited examples of contact between a Down Syndrome client and a certified therapy dog and an autistic client who found peace and contentment with a trained dog in ways that were formerly not possible. ACT clients volunteer and work within the communities in a variety of ways which restores their dignity and hope. Mr. Creagh concluded with a plea that beyond the funding, ACT needs us, including the extended community, to change our perceptions of people with special needs, viewing them as people who are different but who possess special talents, rather than as burdens or disabilities. They can be a gift to the community, serving as an untapped resource of workers who perform the rote jobs in large and small companies alike.
Assessor’s Report
Assessor Koukos advised that residents have received the blue cards today; tax assessment figures were also published in today’s Highland Park News. Assessor’s office was busy answering phone inquiries. Lake County Assessor (CCAO) has made access to each homeowner’s property available on the web along with comparable listings. The office is available to help with appeals, which must be filed by October 29; interested residents are asked to call by October 15 so there is time to work on the details. All Deputy Assessors are capable of making authorized changes; the office acts as an advocate of the home owner as well as for a fair and equitable process. Chief Deputy Assessor Lenzini announced that reminders went out regarding the Senior Freeze applications.
Supervisor’s Report
Governor’s forms for flood and damage victims are available at the Township office.
October 17 Meeting for Township Officials will be held at Vernon Township and the Board is invited to attend. The agenda includes a discussion of “Greener Townships,” and Trustee Zaluda suggested we learn from others that have been involved in environmental efforts rather than reinvent the wheel.
Proposal to charge $5 to non-Township residents for processing RTA passes. Trustee Zaluda questioned whether MT residents get services elsewhere and whether they are charged. Supervisor Barnes cited that she is aware of Townships that charge a fee to everyone for a variety of services including passport photos. Frequency of non-Township residents requesting RTA passes is approximately one every few weeks. Trustee Gamson moved that the proposal be instituted and Trustee Plouché
seconded. Three to two, motion carried.
Yellow pages approached the Township for an advertisement at a cost of $500 to be included in the government pages. Consensus of Board was not to place such an ad.
Citizen Advocacy Advisory Committee
Trustees Moreno and Plouché reported that they are having a difficult time coming up with specific guidelines for the Citizen Advocacy Advisory Committee, as asked to prepare at last month’s meeting, because of liability concerns. They seem to have more questions than answers and suggest we might try to position the township as a referral resource rather than a problem solver. Trustee Zaluda questioned how what was being discussed is different from what the Township is already doing on an everyday basis. Trustee Moreno sees the need to disseminate better information about what the Township does, perhaps requiring more outreach than advocacy. Trustee Plouché suggested that the formation of the committee as originally conceived be indefinitely tabled but that continued marketing and PR efforts be aimed at getting the word our about what the Township does and how they can help in specific instances. Trustee Zaluda simplified by suggesting we answer the following questions: What do we do? How do we communicate it? How do we deliver? Discussion will continue at future meetings.
2008 Meeting Dates
Trustee Zaluda, seconded by Trustee Moreno, moved to accept the 2008 meeting dates.
Committee Reports
Food Pantry stock is less plentiful than after the most recent drive.
Small Emergencies Task Force – Next Meeting will take place in the Township office on October 5.
Township’s paratransit van program is very busy.
Transportation initiatives in Lake County are moving along, but the RTA funding crisis will impede progress.
Human Relations Commission is planning an outreach event concerning what city government can do for the Latino community, and a traveling Holocaust exhibit is being provided by the Library during the 4th quarter.
Old Business
New and improved Grant Applications are now available on the Township website; February 1, 2008 is the deadline.
New Business
Trustee Zaluda announced that funds are available from the Highland Park Housing Commission via the Lake County Affordable Housing for rehab work in the homes of families at a low level of income. Also, the Executive Director position is open for the Highland Park Community Land Trust.
Adjournment
With no further business to conduct, Trustee Gamson moved, seconded by Trustee Moreno, the meeting be adjourned at 9:22 PM. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
Ellen S. Gussin
Moraine Township Clerk
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