Beautification and Improvement Commission — Skokie, IL
Date: 2024-05-02

Village of Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission
 Meeting Agenda
 May 2, 2024, from 6:30 to approx. 8 pm (okay if you need to leave at 7:30)
 Rooms D & E (upstairs)


 I. Approval of April 4, 2024, Minutes

 II. Arbor Day Recap, Bob

 III. Awards Program Zones, Vernell

 IV. Spring Planting, Update, Mike and Katy

 V. Festival of Cultures Update

 VI. Parade Update, Chuck

 VII. New Initiatives Committee, Tree Campaign Update, Valerie & Bob

 VIII. Education Committee, April Speaker, Edible Gardens Recap, 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
 Mee�ng Minutes - May 2, 2024

Commissioners Present:
George Hubchak, Vernell Ellison-Smith, Chuck Levine, Frederick Lisiewicz, Mitchell Sandler,
Valerie Shuman, Brooke Sprague, Ross Del Rosario, Bob Quane, Mike Madalinski, Katy Darr,
Edward Potash, Liz Zimmerman (Staﬀ), James Johnson (Trustee)

Commissioners Absent:
William (Tony) Barney, William Oney-Paige, Cathy Stevens (Staﬀ)

Commissioners Excused:
Rachel Rosenberg



I. Mee�ng Called to Order-Bob Quane
Bob Quane called the Mee�ng to order at 6:30 p.m. The minutes for the April Mee�ng were
approved by voice vote.

II. Arbor Day – Bob Quane
Bob Quane said he appreciated people coming out for Arbor Day. All Madison school classes came
to the observance. The Superintendent made nice remarks to the students. Meredith id extra
outreach to community to come out, but no residents came to the observance. The ceremony
ended at 10:30 a.m. The focus will be on the kids for the next Arbor Day.

III. Beau�ﬁca�on Awards Program Zones-Vernell Ellison-Smith
The Zone Sheet for The Beau�ﬁca�on Awards Program was distributed to members of the
commitee. Bob (Quane) encouraged everyone to pick a zone to pick nomina�ons. Valerie said
the earlier in June you could nominate front lawns the beter. Bob said the door hangers had all
the informa�on on them. The deadline is July 15. Bob wants the nomina�ons to be brought in a
week before the deadline. The deadline window is June 15-July 15.

IV. Spring Plan�ng Update-Mike Matalinski and Katy Darr
Mike and Katy did a survey for plan�ng. Liz Zimmerman said there were medians that needed to
be refreshed. Mike said Dempster Street was not a good place for plan�ng. Bob liked the idea of
the Triangle around Niles Center Road as a good place for plan�ng. Liz said we had $25,000 in our
budget for ﬁve years to do plan�ng for a given area. Valerie said if we could pick ﬁve plants to use
for decora�on, our planters would learn to plant with those ﬁve types of plants. Bob said Mike
and Katy would keep the Commitee apprised of their progress un�l the Fall.




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 BEAUTIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION
 Mee�ng Minutes - May 2, 2024

V. Emily Oaks Plant and Tree Sale-Frederick Lisiewicz
Fred has said it will be on Sunday, May 19, between 12 noon and 2:30 p.m. Two-foot trees would
be $35. Brooke would be there, too.

VI. Fes�val of Cultures Update-Edward Potash
Ed said we have enough people for each two-hour session on Saturday and Sunday for the
Beau�ﬁca�on and Improvement Booth at the Fes�val of Cultures. There would be no prize wheel;
a $50 raﬄe prize would be oﬀered. There would also be a drawing for a tree. Mitch Sandler said
a reminder should be sent out close to May 19 to remind people of their �me slots for being
representa�ves at the booth.

VII. Fourth of July Parade-Chuck Levine
Chuck said we were switching ﬂoat companies for this year’s parade. We would have a bucket
design which had a ﬂat pla�orm in front and a huge sign at the back. Bob said we would make
our own banner this year, as ABC charged too much to make a banner for us. Bob said this ﬂoat
was a “low rider.” It would be much easier to get on and oﬀ the ﬂoat. The Parade will be on
Thursday, July 4. Bob said we would be at the front of the Parade this year.

VIII. New Tools – Valerie Shuman
There were three types of tools to use in our beau�ﬁca�on campaign:

 1. Linktree
 2. Parkway Tree Request Form
 3. Tree Counter (In Review)

Valerie said a calendar was being maintained for anyone who wanted one. Bob suggested a Block
Party Captain Program for people who wanted to serve as a tree advocate for their block.

IX. Tools and Tracking – E-asset Management-Valerie Shuman
Valerie said we should do Public Rela�ons for Fes�val of Cultures and the Emily Oaks Plant Sale,
as it was already May. Liz Zimmerman said people should take a sec�on of their yard to plant
na�ve plants. That would be more eﬀec�ve for pollinators than not mowing in May. Liz said that
we should not worry about emerging cicadas. They would be gone around July.

James Johnson spoke about the Budget Hearing last night and how great it was to get so much
work done. The Mee�ng adjourned at 7:37 p.m.




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