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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1993TUMMO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE City -Chamber Committee Meeting Minutes of the Thursday, September 23, 1993 Meeting Agenda Topics: Candidate Nominating Committee (CNC) Process Overview of School Board Races Evanston Chamber October Candidate Forums Present: Alan Alson, Phil Aronica, Eunice Collins, Paul Fischl, Jonathan Fiske, Lucile Kresnow, Ellen Schrodt, Alex Sproul, John Taylor, .John Wertymer Aldermen: Steven Engelman, Army Heydemann, John Holsman, Arthur Newman, Chamber Staff: Jonathan Perrtan, Adam Rod Special Guests: Helen Walker, Maryann Wexler The meeting was called to order at 7:45 a.m., Aid. John Holsrman, chairman, presiding. Ms. Wexler, a former school board member, opened ty saying it casts more to educate students in Evanston than other surrounding suburban communities because of its more urban character. The purpose of the School Board is to speak the voice of the general community and advocate its best interests. Elections are city-wide and terms are staggered. This year, there are ton candidates for four seats in District # 66 and sir candidates for four seats in District #202. Ms. Walker, president of tho CNC, said the organization grew out of a caucus system, when the community thought this process was not representative enough of the general public. Instead, a 'town rneeting' approach was advocated, which would represent the diverse views of the community. The CNC was subsequently developed on this philosophy, and its primary objective remains to accredit —not endorse —each candidate. Ms.Wexler said the CNC sends out questionnaires to all candidates to learn more about each candidate's background and views. These questionnaires are available to the public. Aid. Newman asked what circumstances would deem a candidate 'not qualified.` That is, is a candidate's 'qualifications' based on one's ability or one's views? Ms. Wexler explained this situation has occurred in the past. Incumbents may have a harder time being accredited because their past record may deem them *not qualified,' but there is no specific 'formula* for accreditation. Candidates are evaluated on their overall character and background. 607 DAVIS STREET / EVANSTON ILLINOIS 60201 V 70e-326d500 FAX 7700o3260510 .. Y Page Two Chamber Board Minutes September 23, 1993 Aid. Newman said the CNC process sounds more like an endorsement rather than the accreditation of a candidate. Ms. Walker acknowledged the decisions of the CNC are, in many respects, judgement calls because the process lacks specific criteria. Ms. Wexler emphasized the CNC does not endorse candidates because there Is no caucus and no state. All meetings are open to the public, and the CNC is the only forum for a candidate to respond to public concerns. Aid. Holsman asked if the CNC examines policy Issues. Ms. Walker said there are no specific set of questions for each candidate, so policy issues may or may not be included. Aid. Engelman asked how many candidates actually address important policy matters (such as budget concerns, taxes, and labor issues). Ms. Walker said she was not sure,. Mr. Taylor asked if CNC delegates ask candidates about policy issues, even if they are not on the official questionnaire. Ms. Wexler said policy issues may, indeed, be asked of the candidates, but, again, there are no specific set of questions. Akf. Heydemann asked Mr. Alson what the budget process was for District 0202. Mr. Aison said given ita limited resources, District #202 always strnres to best balance the needs of its facilities, personnel, and students. It also is very sensitive to the heavy property tax burden on Evanstonians and, in the future, would consider further service cuts to reduce this burden. In addition, Mr. Alson noted the most recent budget passed by the Districts school board was only 2% higher than last year's budget and, moreover, the Distrid's tax levy was held to less than a 5% increase. Mr. Penman asked what are the most significant issues for this year's election. Ms. Walker said one key issue is the possible reorganization of District #65 based on the need to close the gap on achievement levels between minority and non -minority students. Ms. Wexler said another major issue was the general lack of central leadership in District 96.5--- perhaps because the CNC is more interested in individual qualifications than general policy issues. Other major issues include safety, tracking, and tax caps. Mr. Taylor asked asked if any candidate has been found to be "not qualified" for this election. Ms. Walker said final evaluations for each candidate. according to CNC regulations, will be released all at once at a future date. Mr. Aronica asked if a representative from District #65 was present. ­,,.", , 11 1 1 1 111, nj Page Three Chamber Board Minutes September 23, 1993 Mr. Perman said no. The purpose of this meeting was only to discuss school board elections, but The Chamber still plans to hold candidate forums in October. Ms. Wexler asked how many Chamber members actually five in Evanston. Mr. Penman said the Chamber does not have figures at this point but is working to obtain them. Ms. Wexler said it is perhaps unfair to criticize school policy if one is not a taxpaying resident of the community because that person may lack a comprehensive understanding of the schools' operational requirements. Mr. Wertymer asked how many Evanston residents choose to go to schools outside District #65 and District #202. Mr. Alson said District #202 keeps records on this issue and could make them available. Ms. Krasnow asserted the importance of the school boards to work together with the community and The Chamber to address key issues affecting the schools, such as budget problems and taxes, in order to overcome common criticisms of both districts. Ms. Wexler believed this cooperation was a good idea. Mr. Sproul said the owners and managers of businesses are are also affected by the school system —even if they do not reside in Evanston --because they rely on a qualified and educated labor pool. He added that he has personally had bad experiences with job applicants who graduated from Evanston Township High School and were not qualified for basic entry-level positions. Mr. Wertymer said other Evanston businesses have this same problem. Ms. Schrodt said she was concerned with what she perceived to be a high drop -out rate at District #202. Mr. Alson asserted he was accountable for District #202's record, and he has no problem with a frank discussion of the problems facing ETHS, but he would like the business community and other civic organizations to do their fair share and commit themselves to overcoming these problems as well. Also, one should not be to quick to criticize the District without proper facts in hand. Mr. Alson then asked how much can the business ommun4 afford to train and advance their own young employees. Ms. Krasnow pointed out the performance of students is also greatly affected by general background, family stability, and socioeconomic circumstances. Thus, student shortfalls are a holistic problem affecting the entire community and not just a school problem. Mr. Wertymer said, no doubt, more should be done to train students better to be future employees. Mr. Aronica asked whether better communication between the schools and the business community on the problems of job applicants could help the current situation. Page Four Chamber Board Minutes September 23, 1993 Mr. Alson said yes, but this problem is, again, a holistic one. He added that he would like to see District 0202'9 four-year graduation rate, currently at 88%, improved. Approximately 65-75% of graduates go on to college, and approximately 65% of college freshman from ETHS go on to graduate from a four-year college or university. Student surveys of ETHS alumni prove these relatively good figures, but there is clearly room for Improvement. Ms. Collins said Commonwealth Edison has also seen problems with affirmative action job applicants not being prepared for jobs offered by the utility. Perhaps The Chamber should survey area businesses to determine their minimal job requirements. Mr. Wertymer said better job preparation in the schools seems to be what is needed. Mr. Alson agreed with Mr. Wertymer and said District #202 is currently working on addressing this strategy. Ms. Wexler said intervention at the ninth grade level is better than nothing, but in most cases, basic skills need to be instilled in students at an earlier age —before entering the job market. Alf. Holsman asked d the CNC makes its 'list' of specific candidate qualifications public. Ms. Walker said no; the public only leams d the candidate is judged to be 'qualified' or 'not qualified.' Ms. Schrodt said N a committee were formed to address the issue of student shortfalls, Oaldon Community College should be involved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Jonathan Penman Executive Director City -Chamber Committee Meeting Minutes of the Thursday, November 4, 1993 Meeting Agenda Topic: The City of Evanston's "Customer Service" Program Present: Phil Aronica, Eunice Collins, Jonathan Fske, Bruce Goodman, Joe Hagee, Lucile Krasnow, Barry Lundberg, Ellen Schrodt, Tom Stafford, John Taylor, John Wertymer Aldermen: John Holsman, Art Newman Chamber Staff: Jonathan Perman, Adam Rod Special Guest: Eric Anderson The meeting was called to order at 7:45 a.m., AM. John Holsman and Mr. Barry Lundberg, co- chairmen, presiding. Mr. Anderson, Evanston city manager, outlined the City s new 'customer service" program, which, with the help of a private consultant, was launched to improve the accessibility, service, and performance of all City departments and their employees. Under the direction of an appointed steering committee, the comprehensive program involves the implementation of better working conditions, training programs, and compensation scales. Mr. Goodman asked if longer business hours at the Civic Center were now in place. Mr. Anderson said, indeed, the new flexible hours system means City staff will be accessible from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m on weekdays Mr. Aronica asked if city fees will be examined under the program. Mr. Anderson said the City's entire fiscal structure will be reexamined, including city fees. Ms. Collins asked what the role of the City's consultant was. Mr. Anderson said the consultant outlined specific innovative plans already in use by both the public and private sectors. The consultant also helped develop the steering committee which will oversee the program. Mr_ Anderson said many new City officials, including Police Chief Gerald Cooper, are a result of the the new customer service policy and its emphasis on excellent public service. Mr. Taylor asked if the steering committee had any say on terminating employees. Mr. Anderson said no, as this matter still needs to be discussed further. 007 DAVIS STREET/ EVANSTON ILLINOIS 60201 V708.328.1SW FAX 708.328•1510 N��FIiAlierin v 'Pin r •, n m �1 Al �a��.'y'�aP'Fr"�a'w'1r� p ,� p Page Two City/Chamber Committee Minutes November 4, 1993 Mr. Aronlca asked rt the program included a feedback mechanism from the community. Mr. Anderson said there was no systematic feedback mechanism in place yet, but one will be Incorporated as the program ountinues to develop. Most likely, it will consist of a series of committees. Mr. Rske asked for some more information on the C&/s consultant. Mr. Anderson said the consultant helped provide irdommtion on how to improve customer service and was Instrumental In assessing the skills and characteristics needed by employees to achieve better customer service. Mr. Lundberg asked R the steering committee set specific goals for each city department. Mr. Anderson said the steering committee has worked closely with each city department to set standards and evaluate objectives. Mr. Aronica asked how the community can help support the City's efforts to improve customer service. Mr. Anderson said the community needs to routinely offer feedback to city officials on both strong and weak points of the program or on issues the program does not yet address. Mr. Anderson said the joint cooperation and effort of the City and the Main Street Merchants Association during the massive Main Street sewer project was a good example of the type of improved customer service the City would like to emulate. Ms. Collins asked what the role was of labor unions in the program. Mr. Anderson said the unions were involved in some city departments. Aid. Newman said perhaps the program still needs a better promotional effort as well as a better delineation of its expenditure requirements. Mr. Goodman disagreed, saying the program is already well -promoted and moving in the right direction. Mr. Hagee added Evanston needs to remain attractive in order to compete successfully with surrounding communities. To this end, this program works and is, thus, money well spent. Mr. Rod asked what the program is doing about Evanston's "hostile parking enforcement environment.' Mr. Anderson said the City needs to closely examine patterns of enforcement, correct mistakes, and then better train parking enforcement officers to prevent future problems. Mr. Newman said, in the future, he would like to see the minutes of the City/Chamber Committee distributed to all members of the City Council. Mr. Perman agreed to do so. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 a.m. Respectfully Submitted,—�~ � Jonathan Ferman Executive Director