Beautification and Improvement Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-06-06

Village of Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission
 Meeting Agenda
June 6, 2024 from 6:30 to approx. 8 pm (okay if you need to leave at 7:30)
 Rooms D & E (upstairs)


 I. Approval of May 2, 2024 Minutes

 II. Festival of Cultures Recap and recommendations: Ed

 III. Tree Sale Recap and Recommendations: Fred

 IV. Awards Program Zones and Scouting Material: Vernell

 V. Fall Planting Update: Mike and Katy

 VI. Parade Update and Sign Up: Chuck

 VII. New Initiatives Committee, Tree Campaign Update: Valerie

 VIII. Education Committee: Rachel

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

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

 XI. Old Businesses

 XII. New Business

 XIII. 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

Beautification and Improvement Commission
 Meeting Minutes – June 6, 2024
Commissioners Present:
Vernell Ellison-Smith, Frederick Lisiewicz, Edward Potash, Mitchell Sandler, Valerie
Schuman, Brooke Sprague, Ross Del Rosario, Mike Madalinski, Katy Darr, Cathy
Stevens (Staff)
Commissioners Absent:
Sherwin Ditlove, George Hubchak, Rachel Rosenberg, Bob Quane, William (Tony)
Barney, William Oney-Paige, James Johnson (Trustee)
I. Meeting Called to Order-Mitchell Sandler
Mitchell Sandler, acting Chair of the Beautification and Improvement Commission, called
the Meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. Mitchell advised Edward Potash to add the words,
Submitted by Edward Potash at the end of the Meeting Minutes for each monthly session
of the Commission.
II. Approval of May 2, 2024, Meeting Minutes
The motion to accept the May Meeting minutes was passed. Copies of the June 6, 2024,
Meeting agenda and the May 2, 2024, Meeting minutes were distributed to the
Commission members.
III. Skokie Festival of Cultures Recap and Recommendations: Edward Potash
The Festival of Cultures ran from May 18-19, 2024. The winners of the raffles for the
Festival of Cultures were Michelle Horne, who won the $50 gift Card, and Nadia Caceri,
who won the tree planting. Mitch made two suggestions for next year’s Festival of
Cultures: The Commission should get a banner for the Commission Booth and the
Commission should also inquire about getting a stamp for the Festival of Cultures Stamp
Booklet.
IV. Tree sale Recap and Recommendations: Frederick Lisiewicz
Frederick Lisiewicz and Brooke Sprague had the Na�ve Plant Sale at the Emily Oaks Nature Center
on Sunday, May 19, 2024. The visitors to the Sale were posi�ve towards Fred and Brooke. There
were six to seven oak tree plan�ngs at the Sale. There was a purchase of seven trees. Most people
were there to buy milkweed. Fred said other plants might be preferable to large Oak trees. Cathy
Stevens said that Skokie s�ll needed more tall trees. Mitch said a beter mix of trees might be
helpful. Fred said that if we planned the Sale beter next �me, we might be able to sell more Oak
trees.

V. Awards Program Zones and Scouting Material: Vernell Ellison Smith
Vernell said members agreed to take zones not yet covered. William Oney-Paige was volunteered
to cover Zone 15. Vernell said she could hand out packets. She said anyone who needed a vest
could get one from her. Mitch said the quali�es of the criteria for a Beau�ﬁca�on award would
be in the packet.

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 Beautification and Improvement Commission
 Meeting Minutes – June 6, 2024



VI. Fall Planting and Update: Mike Madalinski and Katy Darr
Mike and Katy located a good spot on Main and Lincoln for the planting. They developed
a plant list and guidelines for planting. They talked about fall planting and spring clean-up
every year. Also, they would be doing a buffer zone. It was Village property, so they would
partner with the Village on this.
VII. Parade Update and Sign Up: Chuck Levine
Chuck said he contacted the float company for an invoice. The payment would be due on
June 26, 2024. Mitch said Bob would be told about this. There should be two banners on
the sides of the float. If the banners were strong enough, they could be used each year.
Bob would try to get us to the front of the Parade. Consumer Affairs representatives and
possibly “Go Green Skokie” representatives. Would be on the float. Brooke Sprague
designed the “Skokie Roots for Trees” banners.
VIII. New Initiatives Committee, Tree Campaign Update: Valerie Shuman
Valerie said the Beautification and Improvement Commission Website would be updated
to provide tools, promotion, and results as part of the Tree Campaign Update. There
would be a partnership with the Human Relations Committee to connect with block
captains. The Beautification Commission had all the computer links it needed.
IX. Report by Cathy Stevens, Assistant Director, Public Works
Cathy said that she was hoping to get a signed contract by August 2024 for a financial
grant. Public Works planted 226 trees this Spring. Public Works planted 204 trees were
planted last Spring.
X. New Business
The 2024 Beautification and Improvement Awards Night would be November 4, 2024.
The window of time for the nomination process would be June 15 to July 15, 2024. Mitch
said there would be no Commission Meeting in July 2024, as the 4th of July Parade would
take place that month.
XI. Adjournment
Mitch called for a motion to adjourn the Meeting. Brooke motioned to adjourn the meeting.
Vernell seconded the motion to adjourn the Meeting. The motion to adjourn the meeting
was passed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.


Submitted by Edward M. Potash
July 29, 2024

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