Minutes of the Barrington Hills Village 
Communications Committee Meeting 
August 16, 2007
Final Draft
 
1. Call to Order
 
Chairman Nikki Panos called the meeting to order on August 16, 2007, at 5:35 p.m. in the Barrington Hills Village Hall Training Room.  
 
2. Roll Call of Members
 
Present:
Nikki Panos, Chairman
Vicki Kelly, Vice Chairman joined 
Barbara Kemp, Recording Secretary 
Dan Mjolsness, Member 
      Maureen Prettyman, Member
Linda Fox, Member
Pam Cools, Incoming Member
 
Beth Mallen, Village Trustee, Sponsor
      Neal Waltmire, Planning and Zoning Coordinator  
 
Absent: 
             Bob Kosin, Village Administrator, Sponsor
              Lt. Joe Colditz, Member of the Police Force
 
Visitors: 
Patty Meroni, Chairman of VBH 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Kevin Colosia, Chairman Technology Committee 
 
3. Approval of Minutes
 
The Commission Members did not have the June prior minutes. The July meeting was cancelled due to a lack of quorum.
 
4. Updates:  Mallen, Waltmire
 
Beth Mallen: 
 
The Barrington Hills Board of Health is reviewing a ban for smoking in the Village.  The Barrington Hills Country Club has asked for an exemption.
 
On July 3 Duda’s petition to the McHenry County Court to disconnect the remaining portion of his property, “Duda II” from the Village passed.  The Village Trustees are meeting to review the next steps.
 
McHenry County has proposed a burning ban regulation.  The Village is reviewing to see how the language affects the McHenry County Residents of Barrington Hills.  Barrington Hills has its own burning ordinance.  The fall is a good time for the Committee to issue reminders about the burning regulations.
 

Neal Waltmire

The new Emergency Notification System was tested and used for several events, recent storms and more.  Residents are responding positively to the system. Municipalities are exempt from the “Do Not Call” restrictions.

5. New Business

Communications Committee Membership – Beth Mallen and Nikki Panos

• The Committee discussed changes to the committee.  Pamela Cools was welcomed as the newest addition.  Pam has an interest in providing Communications Packages for new Village Residents and for Hosting meetings for area Realtors to get new residents familiar with the rules and regulations in the Village and the local amenities.  

• Communications Committee Schedule Changes – Committee Discussion
• The Committee discussed changes to the schedule because Beth Mallen and others are rushed to get to the Village Trustee meeting.  New dates were agreed upon.
• Neal Waltmire agreed to contact the Committee members before each meeting using the Village’s new reverse 911 system.  Committee members provided the best means of reaching them, phone and/or email ahead of the meeting for a reminder.

6. Old Business

· Technology - Cellular Coverage  - Kevin Colosia
o The petition for a Cellular Tower at the Countryside Park District was withdrawn for now due to ongoing challenges to the site by the a nearby landowner.
o The ZBA under George Schuppert’s guidance plans to prepare a resolution for the Board to address the Village’s interests in Village wide coverage for Cellular Technology.
o The Technology Committee has been expanded and Linda Fox is serving as the Communications Committee Liaison.  A new (emerging) technology is being explored, DAS.  
o American Tower was the initial candidate for the tower.  Crown Castle is waiting for newer information from the Technology Committee for consideration of other sites.
o  
· Website -   Village and Committee   Neal Waltmire
o The Protocols document for www.vbhcomm.info was reviewed.  Vicki Kelly and Barbara Kemp will be the new co chairs.  Vikki and Dan will call a meeting to do training and make further plans and recommendations for changes to the site.
o The Committee reviewed several sites for format changes and the suggestions were agreed upon in general.  More work on content and format will be done in the separate sub team meetings.
 
· Newsletter- Linda Fox

The next Newsletter will be mailed soon.  The final material is being assembled by the printer and will be subject to final Trustee review before it is mailed.  

Trustee assignments are as follows given the new committee structure:  Linda Fox will query each Trustee directly for their material and updates.  If assistance is required she will ask the committee member for further assistance.  Nikki will work with Bob Abboud for the President’s Newsletter which is imperative to get early for editing.

· Barrington Hills 50^th Anniversary Activities – Patty Meroni

o Patty Meroni provided an update on the events in the summer.

o The Horse Barn Tour was a big success.  The owners were very gracious and giving of their time and their spaces.

o The Barrington Country Club event was changed due to low interest.  A few people played golf and the remaining activities were cancelled.

o The Countryside Reunion is still scheduled.  Volunteer help is welcome.

o The theater and dinner event at the San Fillipo’s in November is not full.  Patty requested the committee to encourage participation.  Patty has found several sponsors since the event will cost more than tickets and the Village will not be covering the costs.  Former Trustees are all invited.  Dan Mjolsness provided a check from a donor.

 
 
6.6.  Adjournment:  
 
Nikki Panos entertained a motion for dismissal at 7: 57 p.m. The next meeting is on Monday, September 17 (revised date), 2007, at 5:30 p.m. Maureen motioned and Barbara seconded.  Motion Approved (7-0).
 
 
                                              Meeting Adjourned
 
Minutes Approved as Amended in October meeting.  BK