North Cook News

Village of Buffalo Grove Commission for Residents with Disabilities met April 26

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

II. Roll Call 

1. Commissioners Present: Chair Judy Samuels, Vice Chair Marty Sussman, Commissioners Donna Garfield, Lexi Robinson, Avi Samuels, Allie Zalay, Mark Weiner, Dean Klassman, Beth Shapiro, Jack Shaprio 
2. Commissioners Not Present: Commissioners Gowri Magati, David Morton, Leo Njongmeta, Matthew Dragon 
3. Commissioners Present via Zoom: Commissioner Debbie Verson 
4. Trustee Liaison Present: Trustee Liaison Dave Weidenfeld, Trustee Andy Stein E. Staff Liaison Present: Evan Michel 

III. Approval of Minutes with Changes: March 22, 2023 

1. Motion: Commissioner Lexi Robinson 
2. Second: Commissioner Donna Garfield 
3. In Favor: All present 
4. Oppose: None 
5. Abstain: None 
6. Motion carries 

IV. Chair report (Judy Samuels) 

A. Proposed meeting dates for 2023 & January 2024 

1. Following the 4th Wed of the month schedule: Jan. 25; Feb. 22; Mar. 22; Apr. 26; May 24; June 28; July 26; Sept 27; 
2. Aug. 23 (date change) or Aug.30 (Buddy Baseball- Sept 2? Labor Day is 9/4) 
3. Oct. 18 (date change) or Oct. 25 (Buddy Bowling Oct. 26) 
4. Nov.15 (date change) or Nov 22 (Thanksgiving - Nov. 23) 
5. No Dec. unless decided later there is a need 
6. Jan 24, 2024 

B. Motion to participate in Buddy Bowling with Rotary 

1. Motion: Commissioner Donna Garfield 
2. Second: Commissioner Beth Shapiro 
3. In Favor: All present 
4. Oppose: None
5. Abstain: None 
6. Motion carries 

C. Motion to participate in Buddy Baseball at BG Days 

1. Motion: Vice Chair Marty Sussman 
2. Second: Commissioner Lexi Robinson
3. In Favor: All present 
4. Oppose: None 
5. Abstain: None 
6. Motion carries 

D. Motion to participate in Fun & Food at BG Days 

1. Motion: Commissioner Mark Weiner 
2. Second: Commissioner Avi Samuels 
3. In Favor: All present 
4. Oppose: None 
5. Abstain: None 
6. Motion carries 

V. Trustee(s) report (Andy Stein / David Weidenfeld) 

A. The Village is looking to expand and create a broader approach to BG Days - use funds to include more cultural and diverse experiences and a larger array of participation - goal to be more inclusive of all community members and increase the sense of ownership in the community - embrace and showcase all the cultures within Buffalo Grove 

B. Fun & Food - same location, same date, same time, provision in the contract for the carnival rides for the event will continue 

C. May 15th is the reception at 6:30pm for President Sussman - located at Village Hall - at 7:00pm President Elect Smith will be addressing the public 

D. Farmers Market - once a month you can reserve a table at Farmers Market for non-for-profits to be able to set up a table and communicate to the community the RK-CRD and what we do 

1. Contact is Larry King, if interested contact Trustee Stein 

E. Merit Badge for Disability Awareness for Boy Scouts - age 11-17 - consider allowing Boy Scouts to earn the merit badge through attendance at one of the

RK-CRD meetings 

VI. Staff Liaison Report (Evan Michel) 

A. Remote participation due to state guidelines - if you are sick or away for business those are the only reasons for remote attendance and participation does not count towards a quorum 

1. Give Staff Liaison Michel and Chair Samuels 24 hours notice to get the Zoom link 
2. Remote attendees should not give a report to the commission - if a report is needed from a remote attendee, they should write down the report and share it with a commissioner who will be present to read and share that information/report 

VII. Sub-Committee report 

A. None 

VIII. Unfinished Business 

A. Strategic Planning Part 4

1. Shout-out to Commissioner Avi Samuels for his support and partnership with Staff Liaison Michel for preparing the Strategic Planning outline/template 

B. First Monday in June the RK-CRD will present the plan to the Village Board and get the support and buy-in of the Board so that we can hit the ground running with the strategic plan 

C. Mission Statement 

1. The Rick Kahen Commission for Residents with Disabilities strives to ensure that Buffalo Grove is a welcoming community that emphasizes integration, inclusion, and accessibility for community members with disabilities. 

D. Three major goals of the commission: 

1. Ensuring opportunities for hands-on fun 
2. Advocating for inclusion and access 
3. Trusted resource for accommodations and services 

E. Motion to approve the strategic plan with changes discussed 

1. Motion: Commissioner Lexi Robinson 
2. Second: Commissioner Jack Shapiro 
3. In Favor: All present 
4. Oppose: None 
5. Abstain: None 
6. Motion carries 

IX. New Business 

A. Center for Enriched Living sponsored a first responders disabilities training day where a lot of police and firemen included an overview of disabilities, de-escalation tactics, etc. - could we recommend this to the BGPD and BGFD 

1. Commissioner Donna Garfield to share information with Staff Liaison Michel to share with BGPD and BGFD 

X. Good and Welfare 

XI. Comments from the Audience 

XII. Adjournment 

1. Motion to adjourn at 8:42pm 
2. Motion: Commissioner Mark Weiner 
3. Second: Commissioner Dean Klassman 
4. In Favor: All present 
5. Oppose: None 
6. Abstain: None 
7. Motion carries

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