Beautification and Improvement Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2025-12-04

Village of Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission
 Meeting Agenda
 December 4, 2025 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
 Room D & E (upstairs)
 I. Approve November Minutes

 II. 2025 Achievements and Lessons Learned

 III. 2026 Planning – What’s Up Next?

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

 V. Report (optional), Trustee Liaison

 VI. Old Business

 VII. New Business

 VIII. Public Comment

 IX. Adjournment


NOTE:

If you have an agenda item you would like to have considered for a future meeting, please let
me know!

Valerie Shuman
vs@shumangroupllc.com
312-972-0220

Village of Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission
 Meeting Minutes
 December 4, 2025, 6:30 PM


 Commission Members Present Commission Members Not Present

 Valerie Shuman, Chair Sherwin Ditlove


 Mitchell Sandler, Vice Chair Charles Levine


 Katy Darr Brandon Munden


 Ross Del Rosario Celeste Roy


 Vernell Ellison-Smith Ron Schrag


 Mike Madalinski Tina Seville Velasco


 Edward Potash


 Lucas Reczek


 Rachel Rosenberg


 Gary Schwarz




Also present was Cathy Stevens, Village Forester.

The meeting began at 6:30 PM, without a quorum.

Commissioner Rosenberg discussed the next speaker series to be hosted at the library.
Although the speaker has been confirmed, there is still work to do on finalizing details.
Commissioner Rosenberg is in communication with the library coordinator regarding the session
and its date, which is currently set for April 22, 2026. Commissioner Rosenberg is working to
determine the scope and messaging, as well as to move the date. Commissioner Rosenberg
shared that there is a potential for bridging the fall speaker series into any continued fall planting
that the Commission works on.

Upon the arrival of Commissioner Potash, a quorum was established and the meeting was
called to order at 6:37 PM.

  I. Approval of November 6, 2025 Minutes

Commissioner Ellison-Smith made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Vice Chair
Sandler. Approved by voice vote.

  II. 2025 Achievements and Lessons Learned

Chair Shuman reviewed the achievements of the commission over the past year, including the
leaders of initiatives undertaken. The Commissioners reviewed the initiatives and discussed
which are providing the most value to the community as well as potential improvements to each
initiative.

 III. 2026 Planning – What’s Up Next?

Chair Shuman discussed potential initiatives for 2026 and asked the Commission for feedback
or modifications. The Commission agreed that the initiatives of 2026 will include “More Trees,
More Natives, More Wings”. Chair Shuman discussed ways that the Commission shares and
bolsters these initiatives, including showing, rewarding, promoting, certifying and influencing.
The Commission then reviewed a calendar of events for the upcoming year and discussed the
bandwidth needed by Commission members in order to ensure the initiatives are well supported
The Commission then reviewed what is needed to support each initiative, including task leads,
tools, event planning checklists and supplies.

IV. Report by Cathy Stevens, Village Forester, Public Works

Village Forester Stevens shared that training will be required for the Chair and Vice Chair and
that this will be coordinated by Village Staff.

 V. Report by Trustee Liaison

The Trustee Liaison was not present.

VI. Old Business

None.
VII. New Business

The Commission discussed the next meeting for the Beautification and Improvement
Commission. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 8 at 6:30 PM, pending
space.

VIII. Adjournment

Commissioner Rosenberg made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Madalinski.
The meeting ended at 7:32 PM.




Submitted by: Commissioner Katy Darr