Consumer Affairs Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2022-10-12

CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMISSION AGENDA
 October 12, 2022
 Meeting Room A


1. Intro topic

2. Approval of minutes

3. Farmers Market
 Manager update

4. Business of the Year
 Winner, runners up, honorable mentions
 Presentation October 17

5. Consumer complaints

6. Miscellaneous




 Sec 2-812 Duties

 It shall be the duty of the Consumer Affairs Commission to coordinate consumer affairs activities, carry
 on educational activities on consumer matters, supervise the preparation of consumer affairs reports
 and recommend to the Mayor and the Board of Trustees ordinances, rules and regulations and
 methods of enforcement in relation to consumer affairs activities.

Consumer Affairs Commission
 Minutes
 October 12, 2022

In attendance: Trustee Khoeun, Joanne Haeberlin, Biju Krishnan, Anil Pillai, George Mathew, Jerry
Kirkpatrick, Sam Pratap, Jeff Schvimer, Ted Lavine Davorka Kirincic, Justin Malone, Jennifer Engel
Phone: Gary Merrill
Excused: Howard Meyer
Absent: Regina Kinyui

Meeting called to order at 6:31.

Intro topic: Do you believe life exists elsewhere in the universe. (11 yes 1 no)

Minutes: Moved by Jeff and seconded by Biju to accept minutes. Accepted.

Farmers Market: Jennifer reported she will not be at the market Oct 23rd and 30th. Reported that it has been
decided to extend the market to November 20. Decision about whether it will be opened will be made on the
previous Thursday depending on the whether. Question about if there will be vendor fees is still in discussion
with Nick. Winter market on hold until next year due to personal health issues. Locations considered:
Ignite, Westfield, Emily Oaks. No to them. Next year expect 28-40 vendors. Discussion about whether
businesses furnish sales figures. No. Discussion about Six Generations not growing the produce they sell.
Question came from a shopper. CAC asked if vendors signing up for some weeks furnish dates they wish to
attend. Yes. Question still open about furnishing CAC with attendees and locations. Last Sunday was the 3rd
loyalty card redemption. Final redemption November 6. “Grand prize” drawing of 3 gift cards will be Visa
cards rather than specific businesses. Jason to purchase.

Business of the Year: Selection committee reported Culver’s of Skokie as 2022 Business of the Year. Runners
up are Buona Beef, Skokie Provisions, Healing Hands Wellness and Sketchbook Brewery. Sixteen honorable
mentions. Joanne reported that letters were sent on Village letterhead to honorable mentions inviting them
to the meeting. E-mails were sent to the nominators for winner and runners up inviting them to the meeting.
Calls were made to the winner and runners up and Joanne has name of person who will attend. Presentation
of awards will be at the Trustee Board meeting on Monday, Oct 17. Invited all CAC members. Trustee Khem
corrected meeting start time change to 7:30.

Consumer complaints: Davorka reported none had been received. Joanne brought Jewel ad and stated that
often price charged is not what is advertised in the paper or in Just4U. Joanne to discuss with store manager.

Miscellaneous: Followup to last week’s suggestion about a reminder to residents that any soliciting by ringing
the door bell should be registered. Ann Tennes to post if we furnish information. Gary to write up. Joanne
handed out copies of information about scams and media literacy education that is now posted on CAC
website. Joanne brought information about Village charging stations re last meeting discussion. New member
Regina Kinyui. Minutes should be forward to CAC members before the meeting.

Next meeting: November 9
Meeting adjourned at 7:51

Joanne Haeberlin, Chair
,
It would also be helpful to know booth fees for year and per week. If they sign up for occasional Sundays, do they pay in
advance and give you dates they will be there?

Do you have any idea if the market is breaking even with fees and costs?

Thank you,

Joanne
On 09/12/2022 8:03 PM Farmers Market <farmersmarket@skokie.org> wrote:



Hi Joanne,

Again, my apologies for not being able to attend this week's meeting.

Here are a few updates.

I am still working on a location for a possible Winter Market. Emily Oaks Nature Center will not work but I am
looking into other area Skokie locations. The hopes is to do 2 markets before Christmas - 2 in January and 2 in
February. All of our current vendors know this and most of them have asked for space.

We have a very hearty lineup for fall entertainment including additional bands, more kids activities and more.

I have been in contact with the director of the Niles Food Pantry. They have been blown away with the
donations that have come out of our once a month donations - I might look into hosting these more
frequently next season.

I am not currently looking for additional vendors at this time for this years market but we do have a few guest
crafters coming.

This coming weekend, I will be doing a vendor appreciation day - buying hot dogs, chips and sides for all the
vendors. These farmers are working so incredibly hard and have been so loyal to the market this year - this is
the least we can do. Mark from M & D Farm is helping me with this.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Regards,

Jennifer Engel
Market Manager - Skokie Farmers Market
C: 312-307-1812