Garden Village Commission

Public participation is invited. When called upon, please approach the microphone and state your name. Kindly limit your remarks to 3 minutes. VILLAGE OF VILLA PARK Village Hall, Board Chambers 20 South Ardmore Avenue Villa Park, IL 60181 Garden Village Commission June 18, 2026 7:00 PM Chairperson: Pete Soltesz Commissioners: Patrice Gallagher, Lynn Smith, Christopher Diederich, and Jane Wycoff Board Liaison: Trustee Tina Konstatos Staff Liaison: Tim Howe 1. Call to Order - Roll Call 2. Public Comments on Agenda Items 3. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items 4. Amendments to the Agenda 5. Consent Agenda a. Approval of Meeting Minutes from May 21, 2026 6. Business a. Discussion of Rain Barrel Initiative b. Rotary Park Native Planting Process Discussion c. Discussion of Sponsorship Levels for Picnic Table Initiative d. Review of prospective name recommendation for new Village Park at S. Villa Ave. and Julia e. Conversation on next steps for enhancement recommendations to Rotary Park and other areas of interest f. Follow-up evaluation of interest level regarding Conservation Foundation and DuPage Monarch Project 7. Chairman Comments 8. Commissioner Comments 9. Village Board Liaison Comments 10. Staff Liaison Comments 11. Adjournment Page 1 of 7 The Villa Park Village Hall is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. An elevator is operational at the north side entrance to the Village Hall during normal work hours and also during evenings. lndividuals with special needs are requested to contact the Village's Compliance Officer at (630) 834-8500 so that reasonable accommodations can be made for those persons. Page 2 of 7  VILLAGE OF VILLA PARK Village Hall, Board Chambers 20 South Ardmore Avenue Villa Park, IL 60181 Garden Village Commission Meeting Minutes May 21, 2026 7:00 PM Chair Person: Pete Soltesz Commissioners: Patrice Gallagher, Lynn Smith, Christopher Diederich, and Jane Wycoff Board Liaison: Trustee Tina Konstatos Staff Liaison: Tim Howe 1. Call to Order – Roll Call Present: Pete Soltesz,Patrice Gallagher, Lynn Smith, Christopher Diederich 2. Public Comments on Agenda Items None 3. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items None 4. Amendments to the Agenda Remove 6a 5. Consent Agenda a. Approval of meeting minutes from April 16, 2026 - Motion made by Commissioner Diederich and seconded by Commissioner Smith. Motion to approve passed. 6. Business a. Recommendation to Board; Code Enforcement eased until Mother's Day Removed from Agenda b. Discussion on Spring Spruce recommendations for all parks Discussion included obtaining bids and vendor information. Director Tim Howe will: • Obtain quotes/bids • Research vendors and costs • Coordinate with communication staff • Determine sponsorship levels and interest Discussion included: • Sponsorship opportunities and levels • Interest from local businesses • Procurement process • Purchases under $25,000 do not require public bids • Lynn discussed sponsorship levels. • Commission discussed preparing a formal list of sponsorship opportunities for local businesses to later present to the Village Board with recommended dollar amounts. Page 3 of 7  • Also Reviewed prospective name recommendation for new Village Park at S. Villa Ave. and Julia: Commissioner Gallagher suggested: • Contacting Village Park residents • Email feedback to Village officials including Manager Rivas, Public Works, Director Howe, and Director Salerno • Chair Soltesz formally requested resident feedback. Discussion included: • Garden Commission email outreach • Encouraging residents to attend future meetings • Initiative to name the park on Facebook • Pete read resident feedback Liaison Tina Konstatos stated residents could email comments or attend meetings. Timeline discussed: • Next meeting: June 18 • June 19: compile submitted names • Resident voting period: approximately two weeks • Groundbreaking planning to follow • Public participation to continue through design process • Discussion included eventual natural park design and continued public involvement. • Conversation on next steps for enhancement recommendations to Rotary Park; and other areas of interest Commissioner Chris discussed: • Seeding in October • Native pollinator options • Approximate cost of $300 for seed alternatives • Map references Commissioner Lynn discussed: • Incorporating Conservation Foundation and DuPage Monarch efforts • Tick considerations Chair Pete discussed: • Challenges involved in converting turf grass into pollinator prairie areas • Appropriate methods for removing existing turf Page 4 of 7  • Soil preparation and weed management Commissioner Chris noted: • State seed programs may be available, although quality may vary Chair Pete stated Rotary Park improvements should align with broader plans and include: • Appropriate native plants • Appropriate tree selection • Review of the Grand Plan Chair Pete stated he would bring a copy of the plan to a future meeting. Commissioner Chris will research and provide: • Dollar amounts • Tick considerations • Two recommended organizations • Donation opportunities • Maps To be presented at next meeting. Follow-up evaluation of interest level regarding Conservation Foundation and DuPage Monarch Project: • Commissioner Wycoff emailed to the Commission her research on rain barrel initiative research. • She requested consideration of a formal recommendation to the Village Board regarding pursuing the initiative. • Discussion was tabled until further communication. • Chair Pete will ask Commissioner Wycoff to reach out individually to members. Motion: Request Tim Howe obtain quotes and additional information. Motion by Commissioner Chris Diederich; seconded by Commissioner Smith 7. Chairman Comments Chair Pete stated calling him is often easier than using the Garden Commission email inbox. Discussion included creating recognition initiatives: Suggestions: • Recognition Person of the Month • Plaque or symbol of gratitude • "Green Champion Award" Page 5 of 7  • Garden Village Award Chairman Comments Pete stated calling him is often easier than using the Garden Commission email inbox. Discussion included creating recognition initiatives: Suggestions: • Recognition Person of the Month • Plaque or symbol of gratitude • "Green Champion Award" • Garden Village Award Commissioner Lynn highlighted volunteer efforts: • Creek cleanup completed by Bob and volunteers • 25 bags of biodegradable trash collected • 14 volunteers from Yorkfield Presbyterian Church participated Liasion Tina Konstatos suggested: • Certificates • Invitations to future meetings • Suggested Riley (Village social media coordinator) could use Facebook to identify community members performing notable service. Suggested process: 1. Receive nomination 2. Contact individual 3. Confirm willingness to be recognized 4. Invite to meeting Motion: Establish Garden Village Award Motion by Commissioner Patrice; seconded by CommissionerLynn. Commissioner Chris discussed: • Adopt-a-Tree initiative • Potential Landscape Award program • Quarterly recognition (4 awards per year) • Presentation at Village Board meetings Motion: Add Adopt-a-Tree program and Landscape Award discussion/rebranding to next agenda. Motion by Commissioner Chris.Can’t remember who seconded Page 6 of 7  • 8. Commissioner Comments None 9. Village Board Liaison Comments Liaison Tina shared positive comments regarding Commission work and thanked members. 10. Staff Liaison Comments Director Tim Howe stated: "Use me and abuse me. I'm here for you. Get the ball rolling." 11. Adjournment Gaveled at 8:12pm Page 7 of 7