Beautification and Improvement Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2022-12-01

Village of Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission

 Meeting Minutes
 December 1, 2022


Commissioners Present: Sherwin Ditlove, George Hubchak, Chuck Levine, Frederick Lisiewicz,
Bob Quane (Chair), Rachel Rosenberg, Mitchell Sandler (Vice Chair), Valerie Shuman, Brooke
Sprague, Anne VanOsdol

Commissioners Absent: Vernell Ellison-Smith, Ann Goldshaft, Joseph Hasten, Dalya Horowitz,
Bahram Khazni, Edward Potash, Joshua Shpayer,

Staff Present: Cathy Stevens, Staff Liaison

Staff Absent: James Johnson, Trustee Liaison

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Quane called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

Commissioner Hasten motioned to approve the meeting minutes of the Beautification &
Improvement Commission from November 3, 2022, and Commissioner Levine seconded the
motion. All Commissioners in attendance voted in favor of approving the minutes, and the
November 3, 2022 minutes were approved as drafted.

II. REPORT, BEAUTIFICATION EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE: CHAIR, RACHEL ROSENBERG AND
BROOKE SPRAGUE

Liaison Stevens requested that she be provided with the meeting minutes for the subcommittee
meetings after they’re held. Commissioner Rosenberg reported on the most recent education
subcommittee meeting, stating that the group reviewed a PowerPoint comparing sustainable
gardening resources provided by neighboring municipalities and that Commissioner Sprague
would share a couple of slides from that PPT. The subcommittee also reviewed the commission’s
current home page and how to update and improve the paragraph on the mission and purpose.
Commissioner Rosenberg informed the commission that there had been a discussion about
removing the language about hanging banners and designing parkway landscapes since that does
not seem to be in the commission’s purview. Liaison Stevens confirmed the parkway language
could be removed. Commissioner Rosenberg explained that the goal for the new website would
be to create a robust one-stop site for property improvement in Skokie, and existing resources
could be moved to this page as a holistic way of promoting sustainable landscaping. Liaison
Stevens said that it may be that the village creates a page on overall sustainability and
landscaping could be a part of that, with a link on the page that goes to the commission’s site.

A request was made for an email listserv coming from the village, using names collected from
the beautification awards nomination forms, to keep people apprised of updates; there would be
an option to unsubscribe. For example, the listserv could be used to bring together a “green
thumb crew” promoting gardening and community engagement and to let village members know
about commission events. An additional goal would be to drive people to the website to let them
know about the information available there. Liaison Stevens shared that the email addresses were
on the individual collected forms but not in a list. Chair Quane, Commissioner Hubchak, and
Commissioner Lisiewicz volunteered to put together an Excel list.

Chair Quane shared that he would be reaching out to Emily Oaks Nature Center to possibly join
in on their plant sale to do a plant giveaway (buy four plants, get one free, etc.). He raised the
possibility of handing out tree kits as well. Commissioner VanOsdol raised the concern that tree
kits provide delayed gratification. Liaison Stevens mentioned she also has a large quantity of
seed pots and seeds left over from previous purchases. The possibility of a farmer’s market seed-
planting event for kids was mentioned. Commissioner Ditlove mentioned the flea market as
another potential event site.

Commissioner Sprague presented a couple of PPT slides that included potential content sections
for the website redevelopment. Commissioner Shuman suggested that the commission’s website
should cater to a range of audience and five categories, from garden maniacs to people who don’t
know anything. Commissioner Rosenberg said that the group would like to write the whole front
page up and ask for comments from the group. Vice Chair Sandler said he would like to see a
sample of recommended native plants, and Commissioner VanOsdol advocated for having
information in a variety of different languages.

III. REPORT: BEAUTIFICATION NISC: CHAIR, VALERIE SHUMAN

Commissioner Shuman presented the updated scoring categories and tuned balances for the
percentages allotted to each category of the Beautification Awards that the NISC had worked on
at the previous meeting. She requested feedback on slides via email and said she would follow
up the meeting with an email to all commission members that included the slides. Liaison
Stevens mentioned that the village has already assembled a team of people for the sustainability
plan, and the village manager wants to have a one-year plan on January 1.

A concern was raised about whether some commission members would know whether or not
yards included native plants and perennials. Commissioner Rosenberg suggested putting
questions in the awards form relating to native plants so that the commission would have this
information; e.g., “list some of your perennials,” “tell us more about your garden,” etc. The
commission agreed that this would be a helpful addition.

Commissioner Shuman said that the NISC would review the nomination form and suggest some
edits back to the commission.

The awards timeline was discussed, with Liaison Stevens mentioning that the logistics would be
tricky, and perhaps the timeline could be altered the previous year. It was suggested that it would
make more sense to do the ceremony in the fall of the year the award is given out. Vice Chair
Sandler explained that it used to be done that way many years ago, but the Skokie Board changed
it to the winter. It was suggested that perhaps the ceremony and board meeting could be
separated, but Vice Chair Sandler explained that it was an opportunity for winners to meet the
mayor and have their picture taken, which both the board and the award winners liked. Chair
Quane and Liaison Stevens agreed that it was feasible to move the meeting to fall, but not to hold
it as a separate event from the board meeting.

IV. 2022 BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS 2ND TIER - RESULTS OF ALL JUDGING,
GEORGE HUBCHAK

The commission viewed several of the Beautification Awards property winners.

V. SKOKIE WEED CONTROL ORDINANCE – INITIAL REVIEW

Chair Quane shared the current Skokie weed ordinance as well as the one in Evanston for
comparison, requesting feedback and suggesting that the commission could take the lead on
revising the ordinance since several discussions have been held about potential changes. Liaison
Stevens said that the weed ordinance change was a high priority for the village staff. She said
that the staff was working on it and that it should be a staff initiative. She added that the
ordinance revision process takes a long time because there are many legal hoops to go through
(public readings and revisions, etc.). But she said that hopefully the staff would get the ordinance
done and the commission could review it. Chair Quane said that he would like the commission to
take a more active role in its advisory capacity and present initial suggestions for revisions since
it had already begun considering revisions.

Commissioner Lisiewicz said that the website where the ordinance can be found mentions native
grasses as an exception to the rule on grass length, but this needs to be integrated into the
ordinance itself. It was noted that the Evanston ordinance sites Illinois Noxious Weed Law and
specific weeds.

Vice Chair Sandler suggested a pilot program for people who would be an exception to the weed
ordinance by registering their native lawns. The commission decided to revisit the ordinance at
the next meeting and provide general recommendations to staff, with Chair Quane and
Commissioner Lisiewicz considering potential revisions in advance of the meeting.

VI. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Quane said that he would circulate the budget breakdowns to digest and comment on at the
next meeting.

Liaison Stevens asked about list of things the commission wanted to do. Commissioner Shuman
responded that the NISC has a list of items the subcommittee is interested in. Liaison Stevens
said that the staff would add the commission as a resource on greenspace items from the ESP.

It was reiterated that after each of the subcommittee meetings, the minutes should be shared with
Liaison Stevens.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00.

Village of Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission

 Meeting Minutes
 December 1, 2022


Commissioners Present: Sherwin Ditlove, George Hubchak, Chuck Levine, Frederick Lisiewicz,
Bob Quane (Chair), Rachel Rosenberg, Mitchell Sandler (Vice Chair), Valerie Shuman, Brooke
Sprague, Anne VanOsdol

Commissioners Absent: Vernell Ellison-Smith, Ann Goldshaft, Joseph Hasten, Dalya Horowitz,
Bahram Khazni, Edward Potash, Joshua Shpayer,

Staff Present: Cathy Stevens, Staff Liaison

Staff Absent: James Johnson, Trustee Liaison

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Quane called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.

Commissioner Hasten motioned to approve the meeting minutes of the Beautification &
Improvement Commission from November 3, 2022, and Commissioner Levine seconded the
motion. All Commissioners in attendance voted in favor of approving the minutes, and the
November 3, 2022 minutes were approved as drafted.

II. REPORT, BEAUTIFICATION EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE: CHAIR, RACHEL ROSENBERG AND
BROOKE SPRAGUE

Liaison Stevens requested that she be provided with the meeting minutes for the subcommittee
meetings after they’re held. Commissioner Rosenberg reported on the most recent education
subcommittee meeting, stating that the group reviewed a PowerPoint comparing sustainable
gardening resources provided by neighboring municipalities and that Commissioner Sprague
would share a couple of slides from that PPT. The subcommittee also reviewed the commission’s
current home page and how to update and improve the paragraph on the mission and purpose.
Commissioner Rosenberg informed the commission that there had been a discussion about
removing the language about hanging banners and designing parkway landscapes since that does
not seem to be in the commission’s purview. Liaison Stevens confirmed the parkway language
could be removed. Commissioner Rosenberg explained that the goal for the new website would
be to create a robust one-stop site for property improvement in Skokie, and existing resources
could be moved to this page as a holistic way of promoting sustainable landscaping. Liaison
Stevens said that it may be that the village creates a page on overall sustainability and
landscaping could be a part of that, with a link on the page that goes to the commission’s site.

A request was made for an email listserv coming from the village, using names collected from
the beautification awards nomination forms, to keep people apprised of updates; there would be
an option to unsubscribe. For example, the listserv could be used to bring together a “green
thumb crew” promoting gardening and community engagement and to let village members know
about commission events. An additional goal would be to drive people to the website to let them
know about the information available there. Liaison Stevens shared that the email addresses were
on the individual collected forms but not in a list. Chair Quane, Commissioner Hubchak, and
Commissioner Lisiewicz volunteered to put together an Excel list.

Chair Quane shared that he would be reaching out to Emily Oaks Nature Center to possibly join
in on their plant sale to do a plant giveaway (buy four plants, get one free, etc.). He raised the
possibility of handing out tree kits as well. Commissioner VanOsdol raised the concern that tree
kits provide delayed gratification. Liaison Stevens mentioned she also has a large quantity of
seed pots and seeds left over from previous purchases. The possibility of a farmer’s market seed-
planting event for kids was mentioned. Commissioner Ditlove mentioned the flea market as
another potential event site.

Commissioner Sprague presented a couple of PPT slides that included potential content sections
for the website redevelopment. Commissioner Shuman suggested that the commission’s website
should cater to a range of audience and five categories, from garden maniacs to people who don’t
know anything. Commissioner Rosenberg said that the group would like to write the whole front
page up and ask for comments from the group. Vice Chair Sandler said he would like to see a
sample of recommended native plants, and Commissioner VanOsdol advocated for having
information in a variety of different languages.

III. REPORT: BEAUTIFICATION NISC: CHAIR, VALERIE SHUMAN

Commissioner Shuman presented the updated scoring categories and tuned balances for the
percentages allotted to each category of the Beautification Awards that the NISC had worked on
at the previous meeting. She requested feedback on slides via email and said she would follow
up the meeting with an email to all commission members that included the slides. Liaison
Stevens mentioned that the village has already assembled a team of people for the sustainability
plan, and the village manager wants to have a one-year plan on January 1.

A concern was raised about whether some commission members would know whether or not
yards included native plants and perennials. Commissioner Rosenberg suggested putting
questions in the awards form relating to native plants so that the commission would have this
information; e.g., “list some of your perennials,” “tell us more about your garden,” etc. The
commission agreed that this would be a helpful addition.

Commissioner Shuman said that the NISC would review the nomination form and suggest some
edits back to the commission.

The awards timeline was discussed, with Liaison Stevens mentioning that the logistics would be
tricky, and perhaps the timeline could be altered the previous year. It was suggested that it would
make more sense to do the ceremony in the fall of the year the award is given out. Vice Chair
Sandler explained that it used to be done that way many years ago, but the Skokie Board changed
it to the winter. It was suggested that perhaps the ceremony and board meeting could be
separated, but Vice Chair Sandler explained that it was an opportunity for winners to meet the
mayor and have their picture taken, which both the board and the award winners liked. Chair
Quane and Liaison Stevens agreed that it was feasible to move the meeting to fall, but not to hold
it as a separate event from the board meeting.

IV. 2022 BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS 2ND TIER - RESULTS OF ALL JUDGING,
GEORGE HUBCHAK

The commission viewed several of the Beautification Awards property winners.

V. SKOKIE WEED CONTROL ORDINANCE – INITIAL REVIEW

Chair Quane shared the current Skokie weed ordinance as well as the one in Evanston for
comparison, requesting feedback and suggesting that the commission could take the lead on
revising the ordinance since several discussions have been held about potential changes. Liaison
Stevens said that the weed ordinance change was a high priority for the village staff. She said
that the staff was working on it and that it should be a staff initiative. She added that the
ordinance revision process takes a long time because there are many legal hoops to go through
(public readings and revisions, etc.). But she said that hopefully the staff would get the ordinance
done and the commission could review it. Chair Quane said that he would like the commission to
take a more active role in its advisory capacity and present initial suggestions for revisions since
it had already begun considering revisions.

Commissioner Lisiewicz said that the website where the ordinance can be found mentions native
grasses as an exception to the rule on grass length, but this needs to be integrated into the
ordinance itself. It was noted that the Evanston ordinance sites Illinois Noxious Weed Law and
specific weeds.

Vice Chair Sandler suggested a pilot program for people who would be an exception to the weed
ordinance by registering their native lawns. The commission decided to revisit the ordinance at
the next meeting and provide general recommendations to staff, with Chair Quane and
Commissioner Lisiewicz considering potential revisions in advance of the meeting.

VI. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Quane said that he would circulate the budget breakdowns to digest and comment on at the
next meeting.

Liaison Stevens asked about list of things the commission wanted to do. Commissioner Shuman
responded that the NISC has a list of items the subcommittee is interested in. Liaison Stevens
said that the staff would add the commission as a resource on greenspace items from the ESP.

It was reiterated that after each of the subcommittee meetings, the minutes should be shared with
Liaison Stevens.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00.