Beautification Commission

VILLAGE OF PALATINE PUBLIC WORKS 148 W ILLINOIS AVE PALATINE, IL 60067-5339 – (847) 359-9050 http://www.palatine.il.us BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 24, 2025 Regular Meeting 5:00 PM I. CALL TO ORDER Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Sue Fink Absent Patrica Fluhler Present Nancy Robinson Present Sue Albro Present Neal Sieroslawski Present Randy Spiess Absent Bob Herbst Present II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Beautification Commission - Regular Meeting - November 25, 2024 - Accepted RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Neal Sieroslawski SECONDER: Bob Herbst AYES: Fluhler, Robinson, Albro, Sieroslawski, Herbst ABSENT: Fink, Spiess III. OLD BUSINESS 1. 2025 Spring/Summer Planting Plan - The 2025 Spring/Summer Planting plans were approved at the November Beautification Commission meeting. Plants have been ordered and are scheduled to be delivered the week of May 12th with planting to begin shortly after. IV. NEW BUSINESS 1. Arbor Day - VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 1 Minutes March 24, 2025 The Palatine Park District is hosting this year's Arbor Day. Commissioners should have already received their invitations for the Arbor Day festivities which will take place on Friday, April 25th, 10am at Birchwood Park. 2. Daylily Planting Event - Staff recommended the Daylily Planting event take place on Saturdays April 26th or May 3rd from 9am to Noon. Commissioners found consensus to host the event on April 26th. The event will focus on planting daylilies, cleaning up planting beds and laying mulch in designated areas throughout downtown Palatine. Participants will meet in the Village parking lot at the northwest corner of Wilson and Bothwell. Staff will reach out to both Palatine and Fremd High Schools as well as local organizations seeking volunteers. 3. Farmers' Market - The Beautification Commission has the opportunity once again to host an informational tent at the Palatine Farmers' Market on Saturdays May 3rd or June 21st. Commissioners selected June 21st. Commissioners Fluhler, Sieroslawski and Herbst volunteered to work the 7-10am time slot and Commissioners Robinson and Albro volunteered to work the 10am-1pm time slot. As in years past, Beautification Commission information will be featured along with storm water/Public Works information. 4. 2025 Hometown Pride Awards - Consistent with previous years, Commissioners concurred that nominations for the Hometown Pride Award will be due by Friday, July 25th. Judging will take place at the Beautification Commission meeting on Monday, July 28th. Hometown Pride Awards will be promoted with flyers at the Palatine Farmers' Market, on the Village Website, in the weekly Palatine E-Newsletter, the Summer Newsletter as well as on the various social media platforms. 5. Consider the 50/50 Landscaping Program Application - Motion Carried by Voice Vote Staff presented the Cannongate Homeowners' Association 50/50 Landscape Program application for the cul-de-sac island on Borders Drive. The HOA would like to plant 1 red point maple tree, 3 spirea bushes and 1 golden vicary shrub. The landscape would be professionally installed by Teco Lawn Services for a total cost of $1,039.61. The HOA is requesting a reimbursement of $519.80. Staff explained, if approved, the HOA would submit paid receipts and Staff would inspect for completion according to the approved plans before approving the reimbursement. Commissioners discussed the need for mulching around the plantings to make the landscape plan more cohesive. Commissioner Herbst moved to approve the Cannongate HOA 50/50 Landscape Program application with the condition that they mulch around the plantings. VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 2 Minutes March 24, 2025 RESULT: MOTION CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bob Herbst SECONDER: Sue Albro AYES: Fluhler, Robinson, Albro, Sieroslawski, Herbst ABSENT: Fink, Spiess 6. Train Station Entry Island and Adjacent Landscaping/Interiors - Commissioners requested discussion of the condition of the planting beds surrounding and the interior of the Palatine Metra Station. Commissioners discussed the need to enhance the planting beds on the north and east side of the station turnaround lane. Staff and Commissioners discussed possible enhancements and challenges. Commissioners discussed the plants in the interior of the Palatine Metra Station and the need for enhancement to the interior green space. Staff and Commissioners will explore potential enhancements. V. ADJOURN VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 3  2.1 VILLAGE OF PALATINE PUBLIC WORKS 148 W ILLINOIS AVE PALATINE, IL 60067-5339 – (847) 359-9050 http://www.palatine.il.us BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 25, 2024 Regular Meeting 5:00 PM Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Nov 25, 2024 5:00 PM (Approval of Minutes) I. CALL TO ORDER Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Sue Fink Present Patrica Fluhler Present Nancy Robinson Present Sue Albro Present Neal Sieroslawski Absent Randy Spiess Present Bob Herbst Present Also in attendance are Jim Schwantz, Mayor; Reid Ottessen, Village Manager; and Matt Barry, Director of Public Works. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Beautification Commission - Regular Meeting - September 23, 2024 - Accepted RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Nancy Robinson SECONDER: Randy Spiess AYES: Fink, Fluhler, Robinson, Albro, Spiess, Herbst ABSENT: Sieroslawski III. OLD BUSINESS 1. 2025 Spring/Summer Planting Plan - Caleb Johnson, Forestry Team Leader, presented the 2025 Spring/Summer Planting Plans to the commission. Commissioners appreciated the changes incorporated into the plans and instructed Forestry to proceed with the plans as presented. 2. Capital Improvement Plan - VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 1 Packet Pg. 4  2.1 Minutes November 25, 2024 Katie Lapid introduced Matt Barry and Reid Ottesen who were in attendance to discuss the Beautification Commission's Operating Budget and the Commission's role in the Capital Funding projects. Mr. Barry provided a history of the Beautification Commission's operating budget, including funding changes and highlights. Mr. Barry drew attention to the improvements in the holiday lighting and holiday decorations around Towne Square which were made possible with operating budget funds. Mr. Barry also discussed the Art Amenity Program. This program provided the funding source for the sculpture installations in the downtown area. This program is still in place and is funded through the Downtown TIF district from residential developers seeking TIF assistance. Since 2010, there have been no residential Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Nov 25, 2024 5:00 PM (Approval of Minutes) development projects seeking TIF assistance. Mr. Barry also provided a history of The Beautification Commission's role in the Capital Improvement Program. The Entryway/Corridor Enhancements Project was the first to seek input from The Commission and was first funded in 2022 for the LED snowflakes. Due to durability issues with the purchased snowflakes, funding is paused in 2025 while staff evaluates alternative options. IV. NEW BUSINESS 1. Downtown Palatine Redevelopment Plan - Mr. Barry and Mr. Ottesen shared the Downtown Palatine Redevelopment plans with the Commission and they, along with Mayor Schwantz, answered questions and highlighted the Beautification Commission's role in the plan as it moves forward. V. ADJOURN VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 2 Packet Pg. 5