MINUTES
Moraine Township Board of Trustees
Thursday, May 29, 2008 7:30 PM
Highwood City Council Chambers
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
May 29, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:37 PM by Supervisor Mari Barnes and upon roll call the following members were present: Trustees Bryna Gamson, Margoth Moreno, and Cynthia Plouché. Also present: Clerk Ellen Gussin, Director General Assistance Tracy Coleman, and community members David Bene, David Vicencio, Jairo Rodriguez, and Juan Alonso. Trustee Jeff Zaluda was absent as were Assessor Peter Koukos and Chief Deputy Assessor Trish Lenzini.
Approval of Minutes
The Regular Meeting Minutes of May 8, 2008 stand approved as written.
Approval of Bills
Trustee Gamson moved, seconded by Trustee Moreno, approval of the bills including approval of the grant to Family Service, deferred at the April meeting pending further review; all questions raised have been answered to the Board’s approval by Family Service. Upon roll call, motion carried.
Public Comment
Coach David Bene from the Highland Park High School varsity soccer team addressed the Township about the opportunity for the team to go to Madrid, Spain this summer from July 26 to August 3. This is the fourth time a trip abroad for the team over the past many years. As of now 17 players and 4 adults are planning to go, and the team is still fundraising to cover the costs—about $3,100 per person. The remaining fundraising goal is about $6,500 to cover scholarships for the program. Supervisor Barnes urged anyone watching and listening to call the Township if they want more information or wish to contribute to the effort to send the team abroad. Student and team member Juan Alonso, sophomore defensive player, spoke about how this trip is the team’s dream. He announced the family dance event on June 15 in Waukegan; tickets are $15 each. David Vicencio and Jairo Rodriguez also spoke about how the team is contacting restaurants around town to help raise funds, how soccer is their passion, and that Spain is the best place in the world to play the sport.
Assessor’s Report
None
Supervisor’s Report
Township has received a request from the West Deerfield Board of Trustees to jointly participate with them in the Lake Forest Day Parade the first week in August. Trustees can let Supervisor Barnes know if they are interested.
The Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association is seeking support in regard to the application for a vehicle grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
June 6 will be the first annual community luncheon sponsored by Josselyn Center for participating agencies to learn more about what partners in the community are doing and how they can better work together. Supervisor Barnes will be attending.
June 11 is Senior Day at Independence Grove and the Board is invited to participate. We will be taking two vans of seniors on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cheryl Levy of District 112 will be taking over the Service Learning program and would like to partner with the Township; Supervisor Barnes is looking forward to this project.
Committee Reports
Food Pantry – Township received many bags of food donated through the U.S. Postal Drive on May 10. Township is going forward in becoming a 501(c)(3) corporation in order to qualify for the Northern Illinois Food Bank allocations.
Transportation – The rising cost of gasoline is taking its toll on expenses but costs are alleviated somewhat by purchasing fuel through the City of Highland Park.
Old Business
Supervisor Barnes passed out a draft of the proposed Latino Advisory Committee, and asked the Board to review and send feedback through the Clerk, who will distribute to the entire Board.
New Business
The Township cemeteries were in excellent shape for the Memorial Day holiday.
Trustee Plouché announced a new program on Diversity being planned by the Human Relations Commission for the coming fall season. Interfaith Housing has just announced a new award, the Rayna and Marvin Miller Honorary Justice Award, and they are soliciting nominees; Trustee Plouché invited the Board to consider individuals worthy of recognition for outstanding achievements.
Director of General Assistance Tracy Coleman reported on a recent meeting at which she learned that the State of Illinois will be adding a community service component, effective June 1 for recipients of the Food Stamp program, based on the age of the recipient.
Supervisor Barnes reported receiving a very sweet thank-you from students at Bethany Early Childhood Learning Center for the Township grant awarded in April.
Adjournment
With no further business to conduct, Trustee Plouché moved, seconded by Trustee Moreno, the meeting be adjourned at 8:30 PM. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
Ellen S. Gussin
Moraine Township Clerk
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