Beautification Committee

AGENDA BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING February 18, 2026 - 5:30 PM Village Hall - Room 101 300 Plaza Circle, Mundelein, IL 60060 I. CALL TO ORDER II. ATTENDANCE III. PUBLIC COMMENTARY IV. MINUTES APPROVAL A. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the Beautification Committee Meeting Minutes from January 21, 2026. V. MUNDELEIN ARTS COMMISSION REPORT VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS VII. PROJECTS A. Gardens B. Bird City C. Community Events 1. June 20, 2026 Farmer's Market - the theme is Gardens and Birds 2. Farmer's Market butterfly release - late July / early August Page |1 Page 1 of 9  3. Bike Race 4. District 75 Tiger Truck Fest 5. Santa's Cottage and Tree Lighting 6. Lure of the Local D. Clean up events / Adopt a Road E. Spring into Summer - May 30, 2026 VIII. OLD BUSINESS A. Budget B. Committee Vacancy C. Brochure IX. NEW BUSINESS X. OTHER BUSINESS XI. ADJOURNMENT A. Adjourn Beautification Committee Meeting Motion to adjourn the Beautification Committee Meeting. XII. NEXT MEETING - MARCH 18, 2026 The Village of Mundelein, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests that persons with disabilities who require certain accommodations to allow them to observe and/or participate in Beautification Committee Agenda 2/18/2026 Page |2 Page 2 of 9  this meeting, or who have questions about the accessibility of the meeting or facilities, to contact the ADA Coordinator at 847-949-3200 to allow the Village to arrange accommodations for those persons. Beautification Committee Agenda 2/18/2026 Page |3 Page 3 of 9 Beautification Committee Meeting Minutes January 21, 2026 CALL TO ORDER ATTENDANCE Lynne Monroe took the roll call. It indicated as follows: Committee Attendance PRESENT: Committee Member Nunez, Vice Chair Tancredi, Committee Member Tierney, Committee Member Mitchell, Committee Member Jankowski Jr., Committee Chair Ross ABSENT: Other Attendance: PRESENT: Chris Woodard, Mundelein Arts Commission Liason and Lynne Monroe, Assistant Village Administrator PUBLIC COMMENTARY No Public Commentary MINUTES APPROVAL Approval of the November 5, 2025 Minutes. RESULT: Passed [Yes 6, No 0, Abstained 0] MOVER: Committee Member Kim Nunez SECONDER: Vice Chair Colleen Tancredi AYES: Jill Mitchell, Colleen Tancredi, Margaret (Peg) Tierney, Jill Mitchell, Chester Jankowski Jr., Jenny Ross NAYS: None ABSTAIN: None MUNDELEIN ARTS COMMISSION REPORT Chris Woodard reported on several initiatives underway for the Arts Commission. They are currently considering an "Art" Pantry" similar to a little fee library but with exchangeable art. People are encouraged to come and take art, providing an educational component as well about the value of arts. Chris Woodard suggested that the Beautification Committee could help pick out plantings for the barrels at the bottom of the Art Pantries or could help purchase materials for one or more Art Pantry. She did not have a specific timeframe or price so Chair Ross suggested that we wait until she had more information The Arts Commission has also proposed a music themed Saturday for the Farmer's Market. Residents could give music lessons, professional music artists may perform, and a vinyl record exchange is being proposed. Page 4 of 9  Chris reported that the Lure had an arts garage sale, with community donations of arts and craft supplies. The Commission made over $1,000 in the last couple of years for the art fund. They are considering a similar sale for music. In future years, the Lure may hold a combined art and music garage sale. Chris reported that the 2026 Lure of the Local planning is already underway, with the hope of remaining at the Archer Business Center. The tentative opening date is October 16. ANNOUNCEMENTS Member Tierney reported that former member Cat Almanzo has offered to volunteer as needed for upcoming events. Chair Ross distributed a card from MCC thanking the group for its support of Santa's cottage. PROJECTS Gardens Member Jankowski reported on the Village Hall gardens; everything is looking healthy and will be monitored going into Spring. Member Jankowski reminded the committee that in November the members discussed the Village as a focus for improving these garden spaces. He is going to start looking at some of the shrubs that need replacements, some of the plant choices around this building. He anticipates in February he will have an idea of what could be replaced, including the big four trees in front of Village Hall; he will be speaking to the Village arborist. The group discussed Callery Pears as an invasive species and a strategy to replace them. While cutting down large trees (6–8 near the Village Hall parking lot) is always controversial, it could be a great educational initiative. Vice-Chair Tancredi asked about dates for a Spring cleanup of the Village gardens. Member Jankowski suggested the first week in April; three people for about an hour should suffice. He also suggested waiting to see the shape of the new garden in the spring before scheduling further clean-up schedules. The small pollinator square garden is not going to require as much maintenance. Once everything comes back, he will put identifying labels in front of plants. With an irrigation system, water maintenance will not be required. Vice-Chair Tancredi asked about dates for a Spring Clean up of the Village gardens. Member Jankowski suggested the first week in April; three people for about an hour should suffice. He also suggested waiting to see the shape of the new garden in the spring before scheduling further clean-up schedules. The small pollinator square garden is not going to require as much maintenance. Once everything comes back, he will put identifying labels in front of plants. With an irrigation system, water maintenance will not be required. Page 5 of 9 Bird City Congratulations were shared for the Bird City USA designation accomplishment. Member Mitchell reported continuing promotion of the bird count events.Newsltters will continually promote bird awareness on different education components. Member Mitchell will start planning with the Audobon Society for the Bird walk commemorating World Bird Migratory day. She hopes for a location without a limit on attendees. Chair Ross suggested promoting bird events at Spring into Summer and Bingo. Lynne mentioned the Village newsletter in April as another promotional opportunity before the walk. Vice-Chair Tancredi mentioned an email regarding help needed with a Grand Dominion nesting trail. The Audubon Society has responded to help them with proper connections for a bluebird trail program. Member Mitchell will reach out to ask if there's anything needed outside of the connection to Jack with the bluebird trail program. Member Mitchell mentioned that our website still has the Garden Awards listed. Vice- Chair Tancredi will update it with Bird City being awarded. Member Mitchell will request flyers for the Spring Bird walk before our April committee meeting. Member Mitchell will reach out to the Lake Country Audubon society for a date for our Bird Walk. Member Mitchell mentioned that our website still has the Garden Awards listed. Vice Chair Tancredi will update it with Bird City being awarded. Chair Ross added that the Audubon Society is going to participate in the Big Sit and encourages Bird Cities to join. It's an international day in October to encourage people to come and quietly sit to observe nature in areas where they might see birds. The committee could coordinate this at many places around the Village. Lynne reminded members that the designation for Bird City is an ongoing initiative and annual requirements need to be met, including the Bird Walk and educational efforts in newsletters. Member Mitchell will be tracking. Member Nunez and Member Tierney brought up the bird-city signs and where they would be placed. Lynne explained that they would likely be at the specific pollinator or Village Hall Gardens and not Village entry signs. Member Nunez also suggested a possible memorial placard with a bird-theme, but that is more difficult to manage and may require board approval. Community Events Page 6 of 9 Recap from 2025 Chair Ross provided a recap of the 2025 events. The committee was active and provided a great deal of community outreach at Farmer's Market, TigerTruck Fest, Tree Lighting and more. What do we want to do in 2026? • Farmers Market? • Bike Race? • Park on Park? • Santa's Cottage and Winter Tree Lighting? • Lure of the Local? For 2026, events. Chair Ross encouraged the group to think about where they would be involved. Presence at the Farmers Markets with a booth, or even asking for a Bird- themed Market day should be considered. Member Mitchell was in favor of a Bird- themed Market day, with everyone's support. Chair Ross planned to reach out to the market coordinator to secure a date. The group also agreed a butterfly release event at a market should be considered. Other events planned for 2026 include Tiger Truck fest, Tree Lighting with an alternative activity, Santa's Cottage, and the Bike Race. The committee all agreed they would not participate in Mundelein Days for 2026, primarily because the event had little exposure in the past. Clean Up Events / Adopt a Road Member Nunez explained roadway cleanups were on hold for the winter reason but plans to organize events around the Bike Race and after Halloween. The Commitee is still interested in Adopt-a-Roadway, and Chair Ross will discuss options with Member Nunez considering,time commitment and length of road, reporting back next month. Spring into Summer Chair Ross updated everyone on Spring into Summer, confirmed for May 30 at Tighthead from noon- 4PM. She has organized the same food vendors as last year. Vendors are very excited about returning as well.Chair Ross suggested a double booth this year for the committee to account for the prize wheel, literature and volunteer sign up. She has asked someone to create a script and plan the committee booth activities this year, as she will focus on the fest set-up. Those who cannot participate on the day Page 7 of 9  of the event can help with securing vendors, give-aways and other communication done in advance. Vice-Chair Tancredi volunteered to be in charge of what the booth looks like and will reach out to other members for assistance. OLD BUSINESS Budget Vice-Chair Tancredi provided a brief update on the budget, noting $1000 is earmarked for the Star currently being designed. She explained there was approximately $3500 to spend. Chair Ross noted we could have money for a tree replacement if necessary, and Spring into Summer items are typically purchased within this current budget year. Coordination with an artist for a "smural" was a consideration in the discussion of budget spending, yet an artist and payment is not likely to be secured by April. Committee Vacancy Chair Ross reported that candidates are still being sought to fill the current vacancy. The group discussed the process for a new member, being first interviewed by Chair Ross with potential candidates being reviewed by the Mayor and undergoing a soft background check. Chair Ross reported that candidates are still being sought to fill the current vacancy. The group discussed the process for a new member, being first interviewed by Chair Ross with potential candidates being reviewed by the Mayor and undergoing a soft background check. Brochure Vice-Chair Tancredi shared the committee's brochure and asked everyone to review for changes. Vice-Chair Tancredi recommended everyone keep some with them to hand out to anyone asking about the Beautification Committee as a helpful resource about the committee and its initiatives. She will be working on an updated version to have prior to Spring events. Once updated, they will also be ready for literature racks. NEW BUSINESS Lynne announced this year's Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting for Village Committee and Commission updates for February 23, 2026 at 6 PM. A Beautification Committee member will have 10 minutes to present committee updates and initiatives. Chair Ross asked Vice-Chair Tancredi to email her the presentation from last year. (Since the date of this committee meeting, the COW was changed to March 9, 2026) Page 8 of 9 OTHER BUSINESS Member Tierney asked if the committee or village would be participating in any events celebrating the 250th birthday of the nation. Chair Ross explained the county had many activities, but no one was aware of other initiatives. Chris Woodard mentioned a possible option if the leaf collection program is ever discontinued. She suggested the committee consider and discuss at a future meeting — the idea of educating the public on the benefits of keeping leaves in your yard — using them in garden beds and as mulch, for example. Members agreed this is a great future topic for discussion. ADJOURNMENT Motion to Adjourn the Regular Board Meeting made by Jill Mitchell, seconded by Peg Tierney. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 PM. _______________________ Jenny Ross, Chairman NEXT MEETING - February 18, 2025 Page 9 of 9