Beautification and Improvement Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2025-06-03

Village of Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission
 Meeting Agenda
 June 3, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
 Room D & E (upstairs)
 I. Motion to Approve May Minutes

 II. Festival of Cultures Recap-Tina

 III. 4th of July Parade-Chuck & Bob

 IV. Speaker Series, Fall Speaker and Topic-Rachel

 V. Garden Walk Discussion -Valarie

 VI. Potential Fall Planting Activity Discussion-Katy Darr

 VII. Awards Program, Selecting Zones, Packets, Calendar-Bob & George

 VIII. Report (optional) by Cathy Stevens, Assistant Director, Public Works

 IX. Report (optional), Trustee Liaison

 X. Old Businesses

 XI. New Business

 XII. Adjournment

Email me if you have an agenda item you would like to be considered for a future meeting.
Thanks.

Bob Quane, quane@siu.edu
847-271-3868

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