Affordable Housing Advocacy Group Meeting Minutes ~ June 6, 2022

Date: June 6, 2022

Location of meeting:  Via Zoom

Time meeting was called to order: 7:04pm

Attendees:  Kristin Berg, Nan Parson, Kathy Rolsing, Karen Banks-Lubicz, Kate Kerin, Jeanne Wells, Melani Kaplan, Marilyn Novak

Agenda Items:

1. City moving slowly on Comp Plan and Housing Plan
   1. There is no new information on when the city will begin work on the Comprehensive Plan or a Housing Plan to be filed with the state.  The City Manager stated that work on the Housing Plan will begin with the Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus, but no dates were given.  It will start with City Council, who will then decide what role PZC will take.
   1. The city is reviewing the requirement that comments on city agenda items be submitted 72 hours prior to the meeting.  With agendas coming out less than 1 business day prior to meetings at times, this does not allow enough time for citizens to submit timely comments.
   1. There is a new Community Survey posted on the city’s website.  “The 2022 Community Survey will be used to help the City Council make decisions that affect our community. The results will be used as a baseline to help clearly define the City's vision and mission.”  The survey has not been well-advertised and there is no indication of who wrote it and why it is coming out now.  The survey is open until 7/20 and residents should fill it out.  There are only a couple of questions that mention Housing (7 and 8), but a couple of other questions allow limited opportunities to write something in.  Kristin will try to find out more about it.
   1. Wilmette is working on an update to their Comprehensive Plan.  One of HODC’s board members lives in Wilmette.  Kristin will ask him if they are using the Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus or another group as a consultant.

• Infographics, social media posts and timeline for release; strategy for messaging
  • There was a discussion of 2 draft social media posts, and it was decided that:
    • The QR code should link to a page on the AR website that has contact information for people to email City Council and PZC, since that is what we are asking in the post.
    • The QR code or another type of link should also allow viewers of the post to get to the Petition created in support of AH in Park Ridge.  We will need to explore the technology necessary to accomplish this.
    • The white lettering in the red box should be in a bolder font.
    • The image should use “alt text” so that it is described in text for those who cannot see it.

• Upcoming Events:
  • AR Meeting June 8 at 7:00pm at the Community Church and virtual on zoom. Maine South HS Principal Dr. Ben Collins will talk about how MS is working to make sure all feel comfortable at school.
  • Gun Violence Prevention – Wear orange on June 3,4, and 5 in support of sensible gun laws.
  • AR Diversity Discussion Group.  Next meeting is June 22^nd at 7:00pm on zoom.  The group will be reading “See No Stranger”.  
  • Support the Jefferson Park Affordable Housing Project at 5150 N Northwest Highway, Chicago, with donations.  For more info go to 
    Contact Us – Friendship Community Place 
  • Policing and Criminal Justice.  Meet with Chief Kaminski and social worker Geri Silic as they discuss how police respond to situations involving those with mental health challenges.  June 14^th at Off the Wall, 2-3pm.

Time Meeting Adjourned:  7:42pm                                                         

Next Meeting Date:  Monday, July 7th at 7:00pm via Zoom