[PAGE 1]
Village of Skokie Beautification and Improvement Commission
Meeting Minutes
March 4, 2026, 6:30 PM
Commission Members Present Commission Members Not Present
Valerie Shuman, Chair Will Oney-Paige
Mitchell Sandler, Vice Chair Ross Del Rosario
Katy Darr George Huback
Erin Maxen-Lewis Mike Madalinski
Charles Levine Brandon Munden
Edward Potash Vernell Ellison-Smith
Lucas Reczek Celeste Roy
Rachel Rosenberg Gary Schwarz
Ron Schrag
Tina Seville Velasco
Also present was Cathy Stevens, Village Forester; Vesna Zarros, community member; Daniel
Panico, Baxter and Woodman engineer
The meeting began at 6:32 PM.
I. Approval of February minutes
Vice Chair Sandler made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Levine.
Approved by voice vote.
II. Presentation - Village of Skokie Stormwater Quality Program (Daniel Panico, Baxter &
Woodman)
Mr. Panico provided an overview of all that the Village does to maintain its MS4 agreement with
the IEPA and keep stormwater clean. He commended the Village for including many excellent
educational resources on its website and for protecting stormwater quality.
III. Task Tracker Review
The Commission reviewed upcoming initiatives and heard from project leads:

[PAGE 2]
● April
○ Library speaker event at the library on 4/14
○ Arbor Day tree planting event on 4/24
■ Forester Stevens shared that three trees will be planted at Meyer School
at 1:15pm.
● May
○ Spring weeding event - TBD
○ Festival of Cultures - 5/16-17
■ Commissioner Seville Velasco will prepare a jotform for attendees to
share contact information with the Commission.
■ She also stated that she would like to distribute native seed packets from
the MWRD, as well as small oak tree saplings available from the MWRD.
■ Forester Stevens said she can obtain some oak tree saplings and bring
them as well.
■ Commissioner Seville Velasco requested $175 for plants and materials to
run the Commission’s table at the Festival of Cultures. Commissioner
Potash moved to approve, and this was seconded by Vice Chair Sandler.
The requested budget of $175 was approved.
● June
○ Awards scouting begins
■ Commissioner Darr volunteered to build a timeline for the awards
scouting and judging process
● July
○ 4th of July Parade
■ Commissioner Levine shared that the commission has a spot in the
parade and permission to include a vehicle.
■ Chair Shuman said that next, the Commission should identify the vehicle
to be used.
■ Commissioner Rosenberg recommended that the vehicle be electric.
■ Commissioner Levine explained that the team working on the parade next
needs to decide on what is being handed out at the parade – flyers,
stickers, candy, etc.
○ Garden Walk - 7/12, 10-2pm
● October
○ Awards Reception
■ The commission is hoping to solidify October 19th as the date for the
awards reception, and is waiting to hear of Village approval.
IV. Task Group Updates and Discussion, including:
● Library speaker event on 4/14
○ Commissioner Rosenberg asked the other commissioners to share news of this
upcoming speaker with their networks.

[PAGE 3]
○ Commissioner Seville Velasco stated she would create a poster to help promote
the event. Commissioner Reczek said he would help as well.
● Garden Walk - 7/12, 10-2pm
○ Forester Stevens shared that this event has been approved by the Village
Manager.
○ Commissioner Darr advised that communication to “Skokie’s Best” award
winners will be going out soon, informing them of their chance to participate in
the upcoming garden walk.
● Awards Criteria
○ Discussion on the awards criteria was tabled until the next meeting.
○ Commissioners were advised to read the proposed amendments brought by
Commissioner Darr, as decisions will be made at the Commission’s next meeting.
V. Report (optional) by Cathy Stevens, Assistant Director, Public Works
None.
VI. Report (optional), Trustee Liaison
The Trustee Liaison was not present.
VII. Old Business
None.
VIII. New Business
Due to upcoming holidays in April, the Commission’s next meeting has been moved to
Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 at 6:30 PM, at the Skokie Public Library.
IX. Public Comment
Ms. Zarros, Skokie resident who sat in on the Commission’s meeting, thanked the Commission
for its work.
X. Adjournment
Commissioner Darr made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Vice Chair Sandler. The meeting
ended at 7:56 PM.
Submitted by: Commissioner Ron Schrag