Beautification and Improvement Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2023-09-07

Village of Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission
 Meeting Agenda
 September 7, from 6:30 to approx. 8 pm (okay if you need to leave at 7:30)
 Rooms D & E (upstairs)
 I. Approval of August 3, 2023 Minutes

 II. 2023 Beautification Awards-Outcome of Judging, George Hubchak

 III. Beautification Awards Next Steps & Recognition/Reception at Board Meeting-Quane

 IV. Fall Planting Activity-Liz Zimmerman

 V. New Initiatives Committee, Tree Canopy Campaign-Valarie Shuman

 VI. Education Committee, Speaker in September (getting the word out)-Rachel Rosenburg-

 VII. Report (optional) by Liz Zimmerman, Assistant Director, Public Works

 VIII. Report (optional) by James Johnson, Trustee Liaison

 IX. Old Businesses

 X. New Business

 XI. Adjournment

Announcement: Awards recognition will be held on Monday, October 16, Board of Trustees Meeting. We will
not have a Commission meeting in October.

If you have an agenda item that you would like to be considered for a future meeting, just send me an email.
Thanks.

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

Minutes – 9/7/23 Beau�ﬁca�on and Improvement Commission

Roll Call:

Commissioners Present:

 Robert Quane (Chair)

 Sherwin Ditlove

 Dalya Horowitz

 George Hubchak

 Frederick Lisiewicz

 Edward Potash

 Rachel Rosenberg

 Mitchell Sandler (Vice Chair)

 Valerie Shuman

 Brooke Sprague

 Mike Madalinski

 Katy Darr

 Will Oney-Paige

Commissioners Absent:

 Vernell Ellison-Smith

 Ann Goldsha�

 Joseph Hasten

 Chuck Levine (excused)

 Ross Del Rosario (excused)

 William (Tony) Barney

 Bahram Khazni

Forester Cathy Stevens and Trustee James Johnson – absent

Guest – Assistant to the Public Works Director Liz Zimmerman

Mee�ng called to order by Chair Quane at 6:34PM

Chair Quane introduces (new) commissioner Katy Darr to commission

Minutes approved by commission.
Commissioner Hubchak provides updates/results on Beau�ﬁca�on & Improvement Commission Awards
highlights:

 1. 23 winners over 83 points
 2. All top 5 proper�es were ﬁrst �me winners
 3. 6 in top 23 were winners for last year too
 4. 63 proper�es were judged
 5. Consent was not received for 5 proper�es in �me, so only 58 proper�es qualiﬁed
 6. Some people were nomina�ng other peoples’ proper�es (need to adjust form)
 7. Other judging commissioners chimed in about their experiences judging
 8. Commissioner Shuman stated that we s�ll need to work on people with nice yards but maybe
 not pollinator friendly
 9. Commissioner Shuman would like to have a follow-up mee�ng to discuss what improvements
 can be made to the process


Chair Quanes shows signs for the award and explains the leters

 1. Meredith to publish winners in next enews + photos
 2. Chair Quane to dra� leter for others who didn’t win
 3. Volunteers to distribute envelopes: commissioners Madalinski, Darr, Ed, ONey-Paige


Chair Quane to contact everyone about roles for awards ceremony on 10/16/23 at 6:30PM



Assistant to the Public Works Director Liz Zimmerman reviewed tree plan�ng details:

 1. Tagged 210 trees for Fall + budget increase
 2. Hired consultant to look at SW area of Skokie by Village Crossing
 3. Consensus is that Village needs to updated landscape agreements
 4. SW industrial area – 251 loca�ons on private and parkway for trees
 a. Some businesses have landscape agreements
 b. Send leter to those businesses who do not have landscape agreements
 c. Provide watering contracts & quote for trees
 d. How many trees do they owe us and how many can we get them to plant or want them
 to plant?
 e. Cer�ﬁed arborist recommending trees to these businesses giving them automa�c plans
 for trees for the property
 5. Commissioner Shuman – explained what NI subcommission is doing
 6. Liz Zimmerman applied for grant – only for disadvantaged study areas – already knows where
 areas of high need are
 7. Chair Quane states that Appearance Commission/Plan Commission should look at this plan
 8. No species of trees listed in codes per Liz Zimmerman
 9. Upward development and “pocket” parks are also on the agenda to be discussed in public works
Commissioner Rosenberg talks to presenta�on at Library later in the month sponsored by B&I

 1. Encourages commissioners to reach out to various contacts via social media, websites, etc
 2. Sollicits ideas for ideas for Spring speakers, including an event for business owners regarding
 trees


Na�ve plan�ng at end of month addressed by Liz Zimmerman

Liz Zimmerman announces (new) sustainability coordinator – Lisa Sansenbacher and men�ons na�ve
plan�ng project on 9/26 in mul�use area behind Dempster Swi�

Brief discussion among commissioners regarding pros/cons of possible gas-powered leaf blower ban

Chair Quane men�ons Northshore plant site – neat tool on website

Mee�ng adjourned at 7:46PM