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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-25-VISION2025-min Town of Lexington Vision for Lexington Committee Meeting June 25,2021 Remote Meeting 7:45 a.m.—9:00 a.m. Members Present: Fernando Quezada, Dan Krupka, Margaret Coppe, Mark Manasas,Joe Pato, Bhumip Khasnabish, Samita Mandelia, Peter Lee,Weidong Wang, Kathleen Lenihan and Rina Kodendera Members Absent: Robert Peters, Daniel Joyner,Andrew Dixon and Alan Wrigley Guests:Jyotsna Kakullavarapu and Marian Cohen Professional Staff Present: Katharine Labrecque, Management Analyst The meeting was called to order: 7:47am The Remote Meeting Opening Script was read by the chair, Fernando Quezada. Minutes: • Minutes from the May 28, 2021 meeting were approved with minor edits. Handouts/Documents Shared on Zoom Screen: • Townwide survey project timeline. Action Items Summary: • Katharine and Joe will look at trimming the remote meeting script. • Samita and Weidong offered to work on developing a master list of all community groups in Town. • Peter and Andrew will continue to work on the logo and think about ways to get the youth involved. • Fernando will send around the list of the committee's past projects to the new members. Meeting Highlights: New Committee Members Orientation Margaret prepared an orientation for new members explaining the committee mechanics. Margaret also discussed some of the committee's past work and projects that led to many notable reports and recommendations. Dan mentioned that one of the issues we need to deal with is diversity. Dan Krupka mentioned that one of the issues we need to deal with is diversity. Dan noted that a task force was created by the former Town Manager and Superintendent of Schools to advise decision makers on diversity issues as recommended by the subcommittee on Asian Communities. However, it seems like the task force has been dismantled and replaced by a new body created by the new Town Manager and Superintendent without consulting members of the task force. 1 VFL sent a letter to both the Select Board and School Committee regarding this issue and haven't heard anything.Joe commented that he and Kathleen have met and have been in contact with the chairs of the two boards asking for a meeting. Margaret commented that we need to be responsible for following up with our recommendations to these boards. Mark provided a brief update on the town-wide survey and ECiL report. Mark suggested the new member review the committee page to learn more about these recent projects. Margaret asked the new members for some ideas. Rina commented that we might want to change the language we use referring to the purpose of these working groups/subcommittee to improving versus dealing with problems,which opens up new doors. Rina also commented on Mark's presentation, suggesting that they be smaller steps and something that members can work on. Weidong asked about subcommittees and how Open Meeting Laws effects it, and further if the charge has to be well-defined. Weidong also asked if working groups are impacted by the Open Meeting Law.Joe responded that a working group can't be directly tasked by the committee to deliver something; it's the work that an individual could do where less than a quorum of the members can participate.Joe continued that as soon as it becomes a direct deliverable project that this committee is setting the bounds for, it must be a subcommittee.There was conversation about the implementation of changes or recommendations by the committee.Joe reminded everyone that these are just recommendations and boards,for example,the Select Board don't have to accept them. Krupka commented that he finds it frustrating that the Select Board accepts the recommendations but doesn't provide any feedback or validation. Dan added that it would help this committee to get a better defined response from these boards.Joe responded that almost always the Select Boards accepts recommendations not adopts them, and will later work it into their goals certain elements that came from the reports. Margaret commented that we have an opportunity during goal setting to convey the committee's feedback.Joe responded that they no longer have an open meeting in which committee members can attend but solicit feedback in advance.Joe recommended more narrow and specific goals going forward. Consideration of Topics for New Scoping Groups Fernando spoke about some of the topics discussed recently and listed on the website, such as communication, e-government, social diversity, community public health, and housing. Fernando noted that we need a champion to further pursue these topics. Mark suggested developing some master directory of the organizations in Town and some easy way to get in touch with them. Fernando asked how we should proceed with this. Mark suggested that we first start with Sean Dugan and then create a charter. Margaret asked if this would be a working group. Mark responded that it could be a working group.There was consensus that this would be a valuable resource. Rina suggested to add to Mark's idea of the directory by including links to various social media accounts. Rina asked for the list of the committee's projects to be sent around. Samita and Weidong agreed to be the point person for this new project.Joe suggested that we look at other horizontal communications that make sense such as calendaring. Update on New Committee Logo Peter mentioned that not much progress has been made on the logo. Peter noted he and Andrew are going to need some graphic help. Mark commented that there is some synergy between this committee and the Comprehensive Plan, and we may want to piggyback on their branding. Bhumip asked if they reached out to LHS since they are the future. Fernando asked if the school year is over. Samita mentioned a free software called Canva that may be useful. Next Meeting Date 2 • 7:45am,July 30, 2021 • 7:45am,August 27, 2021 • 7:45am, September 25, 2021 Meeting ended at 9:00 a.m. Minutes submitted by Management Analyst, Katharine Labrecque 3