Beautification and Improvement Commission

Village of Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission Meeting Minutes June 3, 2025, 6:30 PM Commission Members Present Commission Members Not Present Bob Quane, Chair Mitchell Sandler, Vice Chair Katy Darr Sherwin Ditlove Ross Del Rosario Charles Levine Vernell Ellison-Smith Brandon Munden George Huback Fred Lisiewicz Mike Madalinski Will Oney-Paige Edward Potash Rachel Rosenberg Ron Schrag Tina Seville Velasco Valerie Shuman Also present was Cathy Stevens, Village Forester, and Kaylee, Village Intern. The meeting began at 6:38 PM. I. Approval of April 3, 2025 Minutes There was a brief discussion on the next minute taker. Commissioner Schrag volunteered. Commissioner Ellison-Smith made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Oney-Paige. Approved by voice vote. II. Festival of Cultures Recap Commissioner Seville Velasco stated that the Beautification and Improvement Commission had a great location right at the front which allowed the Commission to get a lot of sign ups on the mailing list. The plants were awarded to a winner chosen at random from that list. Chair Quane informed that the gift card would be mailed shortly. Commissioner Seville Velasco stated that having two people at the booth allowed for more interaction and the Plinko game drew people in. Commissioner Madalinski stated that having two people at the booth worked really well. Chair Quane stated that although there was a miscommunication on the location, it worked out well and allowed for the Commission to raise awareness and generate an email list. Commissioner Madalinski stated that the pot of perennial plants was a great draw to the booth. III. 4th of July Parade Chair Quane informed the Commission that the Commission’s float would be toward the front of the parade and candy and stickers would be handed out. Chair Quane collected the number of Commissioners who were interested in attending. Chair Quane informed the Commission that the Human Relations Commission had been invited and that Commissioner Levine would share communication with the Commission shortly. Chair Quane informed the Commission that they should be at the parade kick off by 11:00 AM. Commissioner Shuman requested that past winners and the email list be invited to “Bring Your Wings” and meet us at the start of the parade. There was a brief discussion on how to get the word out about the work of the Commission. Commissioner Oney-Paige stated that he would follow up with pictures and post to social media. IV. Speaker Series, Fall Speaker and Topic Commissioner Rosenberg shared that she secured a local garden designer from North Branch Naturals to speak on cultivating habitat and sustainable practices in the fall and spring. The speaker will shared ways to put the garden to sleep in fall and wake the garden up in spring as well as practices to create a sense of intention and give signals that a natural garden is being cared for. The speaker will present on October 16 at 7PM at the Skokie Public LIbrary. There was a brief discussion on aligning the tall grass ordinance with sustainable practices. V. Garden Walk Discussion Commissioner Shuman shared that with the awards going out in August, the Commission should begin planning the garden walk. The Commission should begin by deciding on a day for a guided walk to nearby gardens. Commissioner Shuman suggested individuals who sign up for the walk can meet at a location, such as the library and walk to nearby Award winners. Commissioner Rosenberg shared that a garden walk around Lorel Park is planned for June 21 by neighbors around the area. Commissioner Rosenberg shared that the Commissioners were invited and a flyer was emailed. A task team of Commissioners were assigned to help with planning the garden walk. The 2025 garden walk will be a pilot program. VI. Potential Fall Planting Commissioner Darr recapped the recent weeding event at the Main/Lincoln triangle pollinator garden and thanked those who were able to attend. Commissioner Darr noted that it would need several weddings throughout the season and asked that Commissioners stop by to weed the plot on occasion. Chair Quane reminded the Commissioners to wear their vests while weeding. Commissioner Darr asked Village Forester Stevens if the Village was still supportive of the area on Gross Point and Lockwood. Village Forester Stevens shared that another area was identified and would be shared with Commissioner Darr. A task team of Commissioners were assigned to help with planning the 2025 native pollinator planting. VII. Awards Program, Selecting Zones, Packets, Calendars Chair Quane asked for volunteers to assist with judging the entries for the Beautification awards. Chair Quane noted that packets were prepared for scouting and that Commissioners should sign up for an area to scout for possible nominations. Commissioner Shuman shared that the application process opens June 15th and are due by July 15th so scouting should be done with plenty of time for homeowners to submit their applications. Chair Quane shared that judges will need to submit their scores by August 15th and that yard signs and 2025 stickers will be distributed by early September. Commissioner Shuman will send a criteria guidebook to all Commissioners on point assignment and that the Commission should begin reviewing criteria for 2026 if they would like to update point assignments. Chair Quane shared that the awards ceremony is expected to be presented the October Village Board meeting and to wear vests when scouting properties. Chair Quane explained that there is a door hanger in the scouting packet which can be hung on properties that have potential for nomination. Chair Quane shared that the application form was updated with previous suggestions by the Commission and include how to nominate a friend's property. Commissioner Rosenberg suggested biking when scouting. Commissioner Huback asked for volunteers to assist with judging in the month of August. A task team of Commissioners volunteered. Commissioner Oney-Paige and Village Intern Kaylee will coordinate to set up a google drive with all spreadsheets and images necessary for the judging. VIII. Report by Cathy Stevens, Village Forester, Public Works Village Forester Stevens did not have an update for this item. IX. Report by Trustee Liaison None. X. Old Business None. XI. New Business Chair Quane shared that the Village Board approved the Beautification Commission’s budget, half of which can be spent on Commission activities and half of which is used by Public Works for plantings throughout the Village. XII. Adjournment Commissioner Madalinski made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Lisiewicz. The meeting ended at 7:42 PM. Submitted by: Commissioner Katy Darr