Beautification and Improvement Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2025-11-06

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

 II. Recap of Planting Activity Held on October 5 -Katy

 III. Recap of Speaker Series, Fall Speaker (Oct. 16) & Potential Topics for Spring-Rachel

 IV. Recap of Award Program Recognition Night-Quane

 V. 2026 Garden Walk -Group Discussion

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

 VII. Report (optional), Trustee Liaison

 VIII. Old Businesses

 IX. New Business

 X. Public Comment

 XI. 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
 November 6, 2025, 6:30 PM


 Commission Members Present Commission Members Not Present

 Bob Quane, Chair Will Oney-Paige

 Mitchell Sandler, Vice Chair Ross Del Rosario

 Katy Darr George Huback

 Sherwin Ditlove Mike Madalinski

 Vernell Ellison-Smith Brandon Munden

 Charles Levine Valerie Shuman

 Edward Potash

 Lucas Reczek

 Rachel Rosenberg

 Celeste Roy

 Ron Schrag

 Gary Schwarz

 Tina Seville Velasco


Also present was Cathy Stevens, Village Forester.

The meeting began at 6:32 PM.

  I.​ Approval of September minutes

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

 II.​ Recap of planting activity held on October 5

Commissioner Darr stated that the planting activity was a success and commented on the
helpful collaboration and enthusiasm provided by Village staff, particularly Matt. She said that
some plants had to be substituted and also recommended that in the future, the commission
order more than the calculated amount of plants. The planting team ran out of plants. At the
conclusion of the planting, a small fence was put up around the site to protect it from foot and
bike traffic. Commissioner Darr closed by proposing wondering if this native garden could be
named for Chair Quane.

Forester Stevens advised the commission that leaf mulch was recently spread over the planted
area in advance of winter.

 III.​ Recap of speaker series, fall speaker (Oct 16), and potential topics for spring

Commissioner Rosenberg shared that the October speaker event was well-attended. The
Skokie Public Library is happy with this partnership and wants to arrange more speakers in the
future. Commissioner Rosenberg observed that the speaker series has developed a good
culture of learning on this topic. Relating to the topic of the most recent speaker event,
Commissioner Rosenberg referenced a WSJ article about data on insects emerging from leaf
litter in the spring.

Commissioner Rosenberg shared potential next speakers, and then she advised the
commission about an upcoming Wild Ones event featuring Doug Tallamy.

 IV.​ Recap of Award Program Recognition Night

Chair Quane opened by thanking commissioners for helping facilitate this event.

Vice Chair Sandler expressed confusion and disappointment over award recipients changing
their RSVPs at the last minute or not showing up at all. He suggested stronger language around
the RSVP in future award letters.

Commissioner Ellison-Smith inquired if the award letter mentions limited seating at the
ceremony or an arrival cutoff time.

Chair Quane observed that the ceremony coincided with the police and fire fighter swearing-in
ceremony, and that in the future, the commission should work to avoid this scheduling conflict.

 V.​ 2026 Garden Walk

Commissioner Darr reminded the commission of this new endeavor and provided context. This
idea has been in process for several years. The commission’s current thinking is to plan a
garden walk for late spring / early summer of 2026. Commissioner Darr created a Google map
of the winners featured at the awards ceremony, and she also posed questions to the group:
 ●​ Should the walk include 2025 winners only, or both 2025 and 2024?
 ●​ Should the walk be guided or independent?

Commissioner Rosenberg opined that the walk should be selective and include only the “Best of
Skokie” winners from the last several years. She asked if residents could choose to share their
backyard gardens as well and went on to emphasize that owners would need to be made aware
that their property will be part of a garden walk.

Vice Chair Sandler expressed concern for the garden walk being too open-ended.

Commissioner Schrag proposed concurrent neighborhood-based garden walks, with the
benefits being building community and walkability.

Commissioner Darr asked for volunteers to join a taskforce to plan this garden walk, and four
commissioners volunteered: Commissioners Levine, Schrag, Schwarz, and Seville-Velasco.
This taskforce will meet over the next few months to begin planning the garden walk and will
bring back proposals and ideas to the group.

 VI.​ Report by Cathy Stevens, Assistant Director, Public Works

Forester Stevens stated her appreciation for the work that Chair Quane has done while being
part of the Beautification and Improvement Commission. She stated that Chair Quane has been
the reason the commission has been to accomplish so much over the last three years.

Forester Stevens shared that the tree planting grant is moving forward, and that she will be
planting 61 trees on private property this fall.

VII.​ Report by Trustee Liaison

None.

VIII.​ Old business

None

 IX.​ New business

Chair Quane asked for help with delivering plaques to award winners who did not attend the
ceremony.

Chair Quane also advised the commission that Commissioner Shuman will be the next Chair.

Vice Chair Sandler thanked Chair Quane for his work and for making a difference.

  X.​ Public Comment

Chair Quane addressed the commission, thanking the commissioners and parting from them.
Chair Quane shared that over the last three years, he faced a steep learning curve and learned
a lot. He stated that it has been a pleasure to support the passionate commissioners on the
Beautification and Improvement Commission. Chair Quane closed by reminding commissioners
to be excellent to native plants, pollinators, the environment, the Skokie community, and
themselves.

XI.​ Adjournment

Chair Quane made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Rosenberg. The meeting
ended at 7:25 PM.




Submitted by: Commissioner Ron Schrag