Beautification Commission

Regular Meeting

Palatine, IL · July 28, 2025

Minutes

BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION JULY 28, 2025 AT 5:00 PM PUBLIC WORKS 148 W ILLINOIS AVE PALATINE, IL 60067-5339 (847) 359-9050 www.palatine.il.us MINUTES REGULAR MEETING 5:00 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL PRESENT : Beautification Commissioner Randy Spiess, Beautification Commissioner Bob Herbst, Beautification Commission Chair Patricia Fluhler, Beautification Commissioner Sue Albro, Beautification Commissioner Nancy Robinson ABSENT : III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Beautification Commission - Regular Meeting - May 27, 2025 RESULT: MOTION APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE MOVER: Randy Spiess SECONDER: Nancy Robinson AYES: Randy Spiess, Bob Herbst, Patricia Fluhler, Sue Albro, Nancy Robinson NAYES: None IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Farmers' Market Recap Staff reported a successful turnout at the Palatine Farmers' Market. Commissioners handed out information about the Beautification Commission and Village services to patrons of the market. George Ruppert, the Village Engineer, joined the Commissioners in greeting patrons and answered any questions regarding Village water and stormwater. Staff thanked the Commissioners who were able to attend. B. Train Station Interior Plants Staff reported that the 6 new corn plants and planters have been installed at the train station. This is a great enhancement to the train station interior. Staff shared before and after pictures. VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 1 of 3 Minutes July 28, 2025 C. Scarecrows on Parade Participants can begin picking up scarecrow frames on Monday, August 11th at Public Works, 148 W. Illinois Avenue. There are 20 frames available to participants. Scarecrow installation will take place on Saturday, September 20th, between 10:30am and 11:30am with judging to begin at approximately 11am. All participants will be invited to the Rotary Club's Oktoberfest main stage where the winners will be announced at approximately 12:30pm. Scarecrows on Parade will be advertised in the weekly Palatine E-News, the Fall Newsletter, through the Village's social media channels, and Staff will invite past participants. D. Borders Drive Cul-de-Sac 50/50 Landscaping Program Update Staff reported the Borders Drive Cul-de-Sac 50/50 Landscaping project is complete. Staff reviewed the plan and shared pictures of the installed landscaping. Commissioners inquired about more 50/50 Landscaping Program projects. Staff reported there are no current applications and noted that applications are accepted each year until funds are exhausted. E. Snowflake Corridor Enhancements Update At the November 2024 Beautification Commission meeting, Staff discussed quality and durability concerns with the existing stock of snowflakes. Since then, Staff has researched different options and sought input from neighboring municipalities who have similarly lighted displays. Staff presented 3 snowflake options: Presidential, Prairie Crystal and Spiral. Commissioners found consensus on integrating the Presidential and Prairie Crystal styles into the existing Winterfest snowflake style. Currently, the Village has sixteen 6' and ten 4' snowflakes. Approximately 43 6' and 19 4' snowflakes will be purchased in the 2026 budget year. Commissioners expressed a desire to phase out the wreaths, replacing them with the new snowflakes. Wreaths will be phased out in winter 2026-2027. V. NEW BUSINESS A. Fall Decorating Event Staff advised possible dates for Fall Decorating as Saturdays, September 6th or 13th. Commissioners found consensus on hosting Fall Decorating on Saturday, September 6th. Staff will invite high school volunteers from Palatine and Fremd High Schools. B. 2025 Hometown Pride Awards Judging Staff reported 40 total entries for the 2025 Hometown Pride Awards, including 26 Single Family, 1 Multi Family, 3 Subdivision Entrance/Cul-de-Sac, 6 Business, and 4 Doors of Palatine. Commissioners viewed and judged the 2025 Hometown Pride Award nominees. Winners will be recognized at an upcoming Village Council VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 2 of 3 Minutes July 28, 2025 Meeting. Commissioners are invited to the recognition and will be notified of the meeting date selected. VI. PUBLIC COMMENT VII. ADJOURNMENT VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 3 of 3

Agenda

Packet

BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION JULY 28, 2025 AT 5:00 PM PUBLIC WORKS 148 W ILLINOIS AVE PALATINE, IL 60067-5339 (847) 359-9050 www.palatine.il.us AGENDA REGULAR MEETING 5:00 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Beautification Commission - Regular Meeting - May 27, 2025 IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Farmers' Market Recap B. Train Station Interior Plants C. Scarecrows on Parade D. Borders Drive Cul-de-Sac 50/50 Landscaping Program Update E. Snowflake Corridor Enhancements Update V. NEW BUSINESS A. Fall Decorating Event B. 2025 Hometown Pride Awards Judging VI. PUBLIC COMMENT VII. ADJOURNMENT VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 1 of 1 Page 1 of 3 VILLAGE OF PALATINE PUBLIC WORKS 148 W ILLINOIS AVE PALATINE, IL 60067-5339 – (847) 359-9050 http://www.palatine.il.us BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 27, 2025 Regular Meeting 5:00 PM I. CALL TO ORDER Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Patrica Fluhler Present Nancy Robinson Absent Sue Albro Present Randy Spiess Present Bob Herbst Present II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Beautification Commission - Regular Meeting – March 24, 2025 - Accepted RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: Fluhler, Albro, Spiess, Herbst ABSENT: Robinson III. OLD BUSINESS 1. Daylily Planting Event Recap - Staff thanked the members who were able to join the volunteers at the daylily planting event on Saturday, April 26th. There were 24 volunteers from Palatine and Fremd High Schools and the Neurorestorative Group. This year’s focus was Downtown Palatine at the 4 corners of Brockway and Wilson Streets and at the commuter lot beds at Bothwell and Wilson Streets. Volunteers weeded beds, split/transplanted existing daylilies and planted 190 new daylilies and rudbeckias. 2. Farmers’ Market - The Beautification Commission will host a tent at the Palatine Farmers’ Market on Saturday, June 21st. Commissioners Fluhler and Herbst volunteered for the 7- 10am time slot and Commissioners Robinson, Albro and Spiess volunteered for the 10am-1pm time slot. Beautification Commission information as well as storm water/Public Works information will be featured. VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 1 Page 2 of 3 Minutes May 27, 2025 3. 2025 Hometown Pride Awards - Consistent with previous years, Commissioners concurred that nominations for the Hometown Pride Awards will be due by Friday, July 25th with judging taking place at the Beautification Commission meeting on Monday, July 28th. Hometown Pride Awards will be promoted with flyers at the Palatine Farmers’ Market next to the HTPA winner banner as well as on the various social media platforms, the weekly Palatine E-Newsletter and the Summer Newsletter. 4. Train Station Interior Plants - Commissioner Herbst presented container options for the interior train station plants. Commissioners selected the green urn with the dark edge to coordinate best with the train station interior. Staff confirmed 6 urns will be purchased; new dracaena (corn plant) will be purchased to plant in the urns. IV. NEW BUSINESS 1. Commissioner Appointments - Staff congratulated Commissioners Fluhler and Spiess on their reappointment to the Beautification Commission for 2-year terms. Staff thanked Sue Fink for her 32 years of service as a Beautification Commissioner. Sue was appointed in October 1993. Commissioners also thanked Neal Sieroslawski for more than 4 years of service as a Beautification Commissioner. Neal was appointed in August 2020. 2. Scarecrows on Parade - Consistent with previous years, Commissioners concurred that the Scarecrows on Parade installation/judging will take place on Saturday, September 20th in coordination with the Rotary Club Oktoberfest. Participants will be able to pick up frames beginning Monday, August 11th. Scarecrows should be dropped off beginning at 10:30am on Saturday, September 20th; judging will commence between 11 & 11:30am. Winners will be announced at the Rotary Club Oktoberfest tent around 12:30pm. Staff will advertise to prior participants as well as in the Summer Newsletter and on the various social media platforms. V. ADJOURN VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 2 Page 3 of 3