===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] . WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET Approved on____ DRAFT CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, October 2, 2025 West Chicago City Hall – 475 Main Street 7:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order, Roll Call, Establishment of a Quorum Chairman Kuharich called the meeting to order at 7:05p.m.. Roll call indicated that Chairman Kuharich and Commissioners Garcia, Gsedl, Hernandez (7:09 p.m.), Plumlee, Renwick (7:10 p.m.), Treudt, and Walsh were present. Also in attendance were Alderwoman Alcantar-Garcia Commission Liaison, Business & Community Relations Director Kelley Chrisse, Special Events Coordinator Nicolette Stefan, and West Chicago resident Tom Tawney. 2. Public Participation a. Mr. Tawney provided a brief history of his involvement in the community, including his work with the Mexican Independence Day Festival and the theater. 3. Approval of Cultural Arts Commission Meeting Minutes: September 4, 2025 Cultural Arts Commission Meeting: September 4, 2025: Commissioner Walsh made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Garcia, to approve the September 4, 2025 meeting minutes. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote (Commissioners Hernandez and Renwick had not yet arrived). 4. Items for Discussion and Possible Action a. Review of Open Meetings Act Ms. Chrisse explained how the Illinois Open Meetings Act (OMA) applies with ten seats on the commission and currently with the commissions two current vacancies. Currently, a quorum is five members, and a majority of a quorum is three. When the Commission is fully seated, a quorum is six members and a majority of a quorum is four. Any time a majority of a quorum gathers and discusses City business, notice of the meeting must be posted at least 48 hours in advance along with an agenda. Staff will handle the posting at City Hall to ensure meetings are open and accessible to the public. Emails between commissioners are considered a form of gathering under OMA. Commissioners may share information about events through email, but discussion of business is not permitted without notice and posting an agenda. Meetings must take place in public spaces. For example, if the library is used, the notice must also be posted at that 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, F 630.293.3028 Illinois westchicago.org TiaINTERIMMessinoCITY 60185 ADMINISTRATOR ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] location. Any official meeting requires minutes and a record of proceedings. b. Community Liaison Confirmation The group discussed which organizations they would like to be liaisons to. A letter will be drafted by Chairman Kuharich to be served as an introduction to these organizations and members being a liaison to the group. Ms Chrisse can also send an introductory email with contacts that she has. Ms. Stefan will work on compiling the liaison assignment list before the next meeting. The commission will confirm at its next meeting. The commission agreed to identify primary organizations to prioritize, with other groups added as secondary contacts. The goal is to serve as a bridge by sharing updates, checking in occasionally, and monitoring meeting minutes from these organizations for relevant information. c. Establishment of Commission Work Plan The commission discussed the work plan breakout and what it will look like moving forward. The work plan is still a work in progress but will become an annual document that can be updated regularly. Once the initial plan is established, it will be easier to maintain. The banner project was noted as having the best documentation so far and can serve as a model. 5. Other Business a. 2025 Art Banner Exhibit Close-Out The artists that designed the selected art banners and People’s Choice will be honored by the City Council at the October 20 meeting. Commissioner Renwick will share the details of the opening reception at Gallery 200 when confirmed (earmarked for early 2026). The mayor will present the “People’s Choice” recipient. Mayor to sign certificates prior to Council on October 20. b. 2026 Art Banner Exhibit Status (Red White Blue/Rojo Blanco Azul Theme) The commission discussed the February 2 deadline for art submissions. Ms. Stefan will update the website with the deadline as well as coordinate press releases. Chairman Kuharich will provide a list of previous participants and draft an email invitation for this year’s participants that Ms. Stefan will send out. Commission members will also be asked to push out the information to their liaison contacts. c. 2025 Hokusai Close-Out Exhibit is completed and there are no further updates. d. 2025 Loteria Status Chairman Kuharich and Commissioner Garcia will create promotional videos to be used for the program. Chairman Kuharich will contact participating businesses to ask them to promote the program. It was noted that participation has increased compared to last year at this time. e. Murals/Long-term Projects 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, F 630.293.3028 Illinois westchicago.org TiaINTERIMMessinoCITY 60185 ADMINISTRATOR ===== PDF PAGE 4 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] i. The commission discussed the proposed art feature in the fountain planned for 2026 and the steps needed to coordinate the project. Members also discussed possible themes for the artwork. Ms. Stefan will contact Public Works to confirm the project timeline and specifications. ii. Chairman Kuharich and Commissioner Walsh to look at existing art in the fall and note any maintenance concerns and share updates with the commission. iii. The commission discussed the second mural on Tampico, noting that it was commissioned by a different organization. Mr. Tawney will speak with that organization, since he is on the board, regarding adding signage to the mural and maintenance concerns for the future. iv. Mr. Tawney noted that the stand for the bell was commissioned and paid for by the City and should be included on the list of city-commissioned art. He explained that it is housed in the museum and was crafted from wood from the storm that knocked down trees at Reed-Keppler, created in a craftsman style. 6. Adjournment Commissioner Hernandez made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Commissioner Renwick. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m. Submitted by Nicolette Stefan 475 Main Street T 630.293.2200 Daniel Bovey MAYOR West Chicago, F 630.293.3028 Illinois westchicago.org TiaINTERIMMessinoCITY 60185 ADMINISTRATOR