Beautification Commission

Regular Meeting

Palatine, IL · September 22, 2025

Minutes

BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 AT 5:00 PM PUBLIC WORKS 148 W ILLINOIS AVE PALATINE, IL 60067-6816 (847) 705-5200 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. July 28, 2025 Meeting Minutes RESULT: MOTION APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE MOVER: Nancy Robinson SECONDER: Bob Herbst AYES: Randy Spiess, Bob Herbst, Patricia Fluhler, Sue Albro, Nancy Robinson NAYS: None IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Hometown Pride Awards Recap Staff reported there were 40 Hometown Pride Award entries voted on at the July 28, 2025 meeting and thanked those who could attend the Village Council meeting on August 18th to present awards to the winners. Staff presented the slide show of the winners. Commissioner Spiess suggested adding a category in 2026 for pollinators/native plantings. B. Fall Decorating Event Recap The fall decorating event was a huge success on Saturday, September 6th with 29 volunteers from Fremd and Palatine High Schools and the Service Over Self club. VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 1 of 3 Minutes September 22, 2025 Staff thanked the Commissioners who could attend the event. Staff suggested using heavy duty zip ties in lieu of rope to make it easier to tighten sagging corn stalks through the season. Commissioners suggested switching the poles decorated at the intersection of Plum Grove and Palatine Roads to the skinnier light poles. C. Scarecrows on Parade Winners Staff reported the 18th Annual Scarecrows on Parade event was a huge success with 18 entries. Staff thanked the Commissioners and guests who judged the entries and presented a slide show of the participants and winners. Commissioners suggested adjusting the scarecrow drop off time earlier next due to some participants arriving late. D. Capital Improvement Plan Update Staff presented the parking sign concept that is part of the Downtown Capital Improvement Plan and sought feedback from the Commission. Commissioners liked the color coded lots and identifying parking lots by name rather than letter. They liked the sign color scheme and style. They appreciated the use of the unifying Village font and font style. While including a blue circle with a "P" as a locally recognized symbol indicating parking, Commissioners thought the color of the circle should reflect the color coding of the corresponding parking lot so visitors know the type of lot before entering. Commissioners also would like to see split-face stone at the bottom of the parking signs, another unifying feature recognized throughout the Village. They would like to reserve recommendations for plantings around the parking lot signs until after the signs are installed, but agree that signs should be installed leaving planting space. V. NEW BUSINESS A. 2026 Meeting Calendar Staff presented the 2026 Proposed Meeting Calendar. Commissioners suggested the March meeting be held on March 30th. Commissioners found consensus to adopt the 2026 meeting calendar with the March meeting change. All meetings will be held at Public Works, 148 W. Illinois Avenue. B. 2026 Spring/Summer Planting Theme Commissioners discussed the theme for the 2026 Spring/Summer Planting plan. Commissioners would like to replace the red whopper begonia with pink whopper begonia throughout the Village and keep the yellow, white and purple color theme throughout. Commissioners noted the train station plantings are lush and beautiful, but would like to see more blooms added to the planters and incorporate sweet potato vine where there was none for the draping foliage. At the Gateway and Volunteer plaza, Commissioners would like to see the ground level bed colors incorporated into the urns. Commissioners would like to maintain the continuity of variety and color through the VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 2 of 3 Minutes September 22, 2025 downtown corridor planting beds. Staff confirmed the Bothwell Street beds have irrigation and will be improved in 2026. Commissioners noted they would like the Brockway and Wilson Street planting beds adjacent to the improved parking lot be incorporated into the planting bed plans for the downtown corridor. Staff confirmed there is irrigation in the Village ROW planting beds. Forestry will present the preliminary 2026 Spring/Summer Planting plans at the November 24th Beautification Commission meeting. VI. PUBLIC COMMENT VII. ADJOURNMENT VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 3 of 3

Agenda

Packet

BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 AT 5:00 PM PUBLIC WORKS 148 W ILLINOIS AVE PALATINE, IL 60067-6816 (847) 705-5200 www.palatine.il.us AGENDA REGULAR MEETING 5:00 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. July 28, 2025 Meeting Minutes IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Hometown Pride Awards Recap B. Fall Decorating Event Recap C. Scarecrows on Parade Winners V. NEW BUSINESS A. 2026 Meeting Calendar B. 2026 Spring/Summer Planting Theme VI. PUBLIC COMMENT VII. ADJOURNMENT VILLAGE OF PALATINE Page 1 of 1 Page 1 of 4 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 Page 2 of 4 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 Page 3 of 4 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 Page 4 of 4