[PAGE 1] Village of Skokie BeauƟficaƟon and Improvement Commission MeeƟng Minutes February 4, 2026, 6:30 PM The meeƟng began at 6:30 PM I. Approval of January 8, 2026 Minutes Vice Chair Sandler idenƟfied an error in the January 8 Minutes in the “Fourth of July Parade” updates. The previous minutes stated Commissioner Madalinski made a moƟon to approve the minutes which was incorrect. This was amended to “Commissioner Madalinski made a moƟon to suspend purchasing a float for the 4th of July parade.” A moƟon was made to approve the January 8 Minutes as amended. Approved by voice vote. Chair Shuman informed the Commission that one of the Sustainability Commission’s objecƟves is to idenƟfy and improve pollinator and wildlife corridors. Mapping the Pollinator Pantry winners shows that we have made an excellent start on supporƟng this iniƟaƟve. II. 2026 Planning – Review & FinalizaƟon Chair Shuman reviewed the planned schedule of events for 2026 with which the BeauƟficaƟon and Improvement Commission will be involved. No changes were made to the list of events. III. Task Tracker Review Chair Shuman reviewed the list of events to confirm Task Leads, co-leads, and parƟcipants from the Commission, as well as their current status and the planned next steps for each task. These updates are noted below, divided between Events and AcƟviƟes. EVENTS Fourth of July Parade - Commissioner Levine confirmed that we are registered for a spot in the Skokie Fourth of July Parade, and that we will not be purchasing a float this year. We have a slot reserved for a vehicle as well as a walking group. There was a brief discussion on potenƟally decoraƟng a pickup truck as a display vehicle. The task team will evaluate opƟons and make a decision at a later date. - Vice Chair Sandler brought up a concern of making sure the provider of the float is informed that we will not be purchasing one this year, to avoid the possibility of the [PAGE 2] Commission having previously commiƩed to future purchases and a future conflict with the vendor. - Commission Del Rosario was added as a parƟcipant in the task list. Library Speaker (Spring) - Commission Rosenberg provided an update on the library speaker event and confirmed the correct date of April 14th, 2026. The next step is promoƟng the event through all available channels. Forester Stevens offered to help get space in the Skokie Village NewsleƩer to promote the event, with help from Commissioner Reczek to provide wriƩen copy for the newsleƩer. Arbor Day - Forester Stevens gave an update on planning for Arbor Day. A meeƟng is scheduled with Dr. Wei, Principal of Elizabeth Meyer School (District 73.5) to confirm interest in hosƟng the event and picking spots for tree planƟngs. Spring Weeding - No schedule updates yet as this is dependent on weather. FesƟval of Cultures - The next steps are to register with the FesƟval to reserve a booth and confirm the budget to purchasing plants to offer as giveaways to booth visitors. Commissioner Seville-Velasco agreed to draŌ a budget for review by the Commission. - Commissioner Seville-Velasco asked for volunteers to take shiŌs at the booth throughout the FesƟval. A sign-up sheet was passed around to get the contact informaƟon and preferred dates/Ɵmes for volunteers. Awards Judging - Chair Shuman confirmed a transfer meeƟng was completed to share informaƟon from previous years. - The Task Group will review the acƟon items and provide a plan. Awards RecepƟon - Commissioner Ellison-Smith confirmed her parƟcipaƟon as one lead. Another lead and addiƟonal parƟcipants are TBD. Library Speaker (Fall) - No updates [PAGE 3] ACTIVITIES Commission Reporters - Commissioner Reczek volunteered to be one of the Commission reporters and to take minutes. Commissioner Schrag (not present for this meeƟng) was tentaƟvely named as the second reporter and note-taker. Tools Management - Chair Shuman asked for volunteers who can manage all of the commission’s digital assets, files, and other soŌware applicaƟons. Chair Shuman volunteered as the temporary lead, and Commissioner Seville-Velasco volunteered as the co-lead. Corporate Outreach – Trees - Cathy Stevens confirmed grant funding for the planƟng of 100 trees in private, non- residenƟal areas is back. Volunteers are needed to help idenƟfy businesses which would be eligible for tree planƟngs and to reach out to business owners to confirm their interest and acceptance of new trees. - Chair Shuman and Commissioner Seville-Velasco were named as co-leads. - There was a discussion about whether to adverƟse this program through the Skokie NewsleƩer. Since this program is separate from the residenƟal parkway tree planƟngs, and promoƟon of this would need to be very clear on eligibility to avoid confusion from Skokie residents. Influencing Village Rules - Vice Chair Sandler and Chair Shuman confirmed as co-leads. - Next step is for the Commission to set prioriƟes and general direcƟon to the task group in a future meeƟng (March or April). Pollinator Pathway/Village CerƟficaƟon - Chair Shuman said she would reach out to the Sustainability Commission to learn more about their acƟviƟes and idenƟfy areas of synergy. Chair Shuman closed the Task Tracker Review by asking Task Leads to fill out a template for each event, in preparaƟon for the March meeƟng. The template includes a list of parƟcipants, general event info, acƟon items, and necessary materials. IV. Garden Walk Task Group Update [PAGE 4] Commissioner Darr gave a presentaƟon of updates for the 2026 Garden Walk. The walk will be a self-guided tour highlighƟng previous award winners, pending their parƟcipaƟon. A map of gardens to visit will be posted online and will be able to be accessed via QR code. There was a discussion about the need for Commission volunteers to be present at the gardens to aid homeowners in hosƟng visitors. Some homeowners may want to have a commissioner act as a co-host, or backup host if they are unavailable to parƟcipate themselves. No decision was made at this meeƟng as to whether the commission will offer, but the task group will consider surveying homeowners on their level of interest. Commissioner Rosenberg suggesƟng organizing the featured gardens in the walk to ensure a more curated experience featuring the best gardens with a narraƟve to share. The task group will be reaching out to the “Best Of” winners to confirm their parƟcipaƟon before deciding on how to organize the walk. The task group offered three potenƟal dates for the Garden Walk. The commission chose the date of Sunday, July 12th. Per the Village calendar, no conflicƟng Village events were idenƟfied with this date. AŌer a brief discussion, the Ɵmeframe of 10am-2pm was the preferred opƟon of the commission. V. Award Criteria Task Group Update Commissioner Darr gave a presentaƟon on proposed updates to the 2026 B&I Awards website, criteria, and nominaƟon forms. Proposed website changes include flipping the layout of the current website to feature informaƟon about the BeauƟficaƟon Awards at the top of the page, below the current scroll of 2025 winner photos, and moving general commission informaƟon such as the list of Commissioners lower on the page. Further proposed changes to the website include ediƟng the current language to be more clear and easy to read, adding a start date to accept submissions (June 15th), updaƟng broken hyperlinks, and adding a specific call out to show our alignment with the Village’s Sustainability AcƟon Plan. Proposed changes to the Awards Criteria included: In the Design secƟon, the Layout, ProporƟon, and Harmony categories may be combined into the category of “AestheƟc Balance”. Color was may be updated to “Color PaleƩe”. The Plant Choices secƟon may be updated to include trees and shrubs, and a link to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ list of naƟve plants. [PAGE 5] Removing Hardscaping as part of the judging criteria in the Maintenance category. Discussion included the exact definiƟon of hardscaping and whether it should be included in judging. Commissioner Roy asked for clarificaƟon on whether Award Judges would be evaluaƟng cement work and paƟos in addiƟon to the garden. Chair Shuman reminded the commission that the overall appearance of the property has typically been a factor in judging. Landscaping may be updated to “Plant Care” and “Upkeep”. In the Special Awards secƟon, specifying requirements for Pollinator Pathway consideraƟon, with updated links to online resources for further informaƟon on the benefits of pollinator friendly landscapes. Edible Garden may require a majority of plants in the garden to be edible. Proposed changes to the submission form included: Change the Ɵtle of the submission form to “Entry Form” instead of “NominaƟon Form”, to emphasize that property owners/residents should be the ones submiƫng gardens for consideraƟon, rather than nominaƟng other properƟes. Include updates to clearer language, QR codes for easier access to links, add a secƟon for addiƟonal details to provide by the submiƩer, a request to parƟcipate in future garden walks, and a request for addiƟonal photos. Forester Stevens suggested requiring at least one photo of the full property/garden. Commissioner Schrag has resigned from the Awards Judging task group due to other commitments. VI. Report by Cathy Stevens, Assistant Director, Public Works A guest speaker was invited by Public Works to speak at the next B&I Commission MeeƟng about stormwater management and rain gardens. The Commission was asked to allow for extra Ɵme to accommodate the speaker, which will take about 30 minutes including a Q&A session. Cathy Stevens also offered upcoming volunteer opportuniƟes through the Skokie Park District, and asked for any commissioners interested in volunteer events to contact her. VII. Report by Trustee Liaison The Trustee Liaison was not present. VIII. Old Business None. IX. New Business [PAGE 6] None. X. Public Comment None. XI. Adjournment A moƟon was made to adjourn, and was seconded. The meeƟng ended at 7:40pm. SubmiƩed by: Commissioner Lucas Reczek.