Minutes of the Barrington Hills Village

Communications Committee Meeting

January 12, 2009

5:30 p.m.
Training Room
VILLAGE HALL
112 Algonquin Road

 
Final

1. Call to Order

In the absence of Chairman Nikki Panos, Vice Chairman Barbara Kemp called the meeting to order January 12, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. in the Barrington Hills Village Hall. 

Roll Call

Present

Barbara Kemp, Vice Chair

Pamela Cools, Recording Secretary

Maureen Prettyman

Linda Fox

Laura Ekstrom

Steve Knoop, Trustee

Robert Kosin, Village Administrator

Sarah Kenney, Planning & Zoning Coordinator

Absent

Nikki Panos, Chairperson

Beth Mallen, Trustee

Lt. Joe Colditz, Police Department

2. Reports from the Village

Steve Knoop

· Trustee Knoop gave the Committee an overview of recent activities by the Village Board of Trustees and the Plan Commission with regard to the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) and the Dark Sky initiative in Barrington Hills (BH).

· At last month’s meeting, the Board passed a Proclamation of its intent to preserve the Dark Sky over our community. BH’s leadership on this issue has lead to a commendation from Illinois’ Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn.

· The Village is working on developing programs throughout the Village in conjunction with IYA 2009 and Dark Sky, including shared events with the Adler Planetarium, the Boy Scouts at Countryside School, and learning projects in D220 schools.

· The Plan Committee has developed a 23-page draft of a proposed lighting ordinance which is primarily aimed at reducing outdoor “vanity” lighting.  This exterior up-lighting serves no practical illumination purpose, is purely decorative in nature, and is in direct contrast with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan to preserve the semi-rural character of the Village.  Eventually a draft document will be presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for review.  Discussion took place on what sort of restrictions and enforcement would be likely once an ordinance is passed.  Laura Ekstrom suggested that there maybe more to be gained through a program of education rather than through legislation.

Robert Kosin

· Mr. Kosin continued the discussion of IYA2009 events, including a reading of a play about Galileo at the Barrington Area Library, and coordination of daily “star parties” with various astronomic organizations.  He also agreed to provide a copy of the JPG image of the Barrington Hills IYA2009 logo with Linda Fox for use in the newsletter and on the .info website.

· He also urged the Committee to continue to remind residents of snowstorm related issues.  If the school districts declare a snow day, residents should take this as a caution to stay off of the roads completely.  Residents should also be prepared in case of extended power outages due to ice storms, and need have fresh batteries available for flashlights and radios.  Cell phones should also be kept charged at all times.

· Election information on candidates in the upcoming village election can be posted on the website, as long as each candidate has a fair chance of participating.  Barbara will create a link to the candidate page; this link will be printed in the newsletter as well.

· The VBHComm.info banner will be displayed again in front of the Village Hall during the month of February.

Sarah Kenney

· Sarah distributed information to the members regarding the Bird Count and Citizens for Conservation.

3.  Approval of Minutes

Approved November minutes as amended.  Motion by Linda Fox, and seconded by Maureen Prettyman.

Approved 5-0-0

4.  Newsletter

· Linda Fox and Pamela Cools reported that newsletter is on schedule to be printed and mailed by the end of the month.

· Laura agreed to provide winter-themed photographs for the newsletter.

· Barbara Kemp agreed to send copies of the Holsteen’s Pug and other photos for use in the Newsletter to Linda Fox.

5.  Website

· Barbara relayed the intention of Trustee Mallen and Chairperson Panos to embark on a more formal effort to form a village welcoming program for new residents.  There is a need to educate new residents/property owners on various ordinances before they inadvertently do things in violation, i.e. heritage tree preservation, landscape burning, etc.  A new tab should be created on the VBHComm.info website for this purpose, and a name for this feature (something along the lines of  “Welcome Wagon”) needs to be developed. 

· Additionally, other content must be gathered on topics such as wells, septic systems, water softeners and other amenities which new homeowners within the Village are often faced with for the very first time. 

· Committee members agreed that a welcome packet should be put together, including some sort of item with the website address on it.  Pamela suggested that a refrigerator magnet might be an inexpensive option, and could be used for new and current residents alike.  Members also discussed contacting a local realtors’ association and the local Chamber of Commerce for help with distribution of the welcome packet.

· Maureen reported on her successful contact with numerous area groups with websites which agreed to include a link to our website. 

6.  Other potential matters of business

Barbara also relayed a message from Nikki that we need to review the Committee’s Mission Statement and see if it is still vital.  Barbara will get a copy of the Mission Statement to the members prior to next month’s meeting, when this will be an agenda item.

8.  Adjournment

Given there was no new business, Barbara Kemp entertained a motion for dismissal at 7:29 p.m. The next meeting is on Monday, February 9, 2009.  Motion to adjourn made by Maureen Prettyman and seconded by Pamela Cools.

Approved 5-0-0.         

Meeting Adjourned

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela A. Cools

Recording Secretary