West Cook News

Village of Brookfield Beautification Commission met June 11

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Called to Order at 6:35pm.

ROLL CALL

Rose Bottorff Present

April Hedlund Present

Elaine Jans Present

Jason Kaumeyer Absent

Sue Rohner Absent

Steve Sabourin Present

Katie Kaluzny, Trustee Liaison - Present

Bob Uphues, Staff Liaison - Present

A motion was made, seconded and approved for Commissioner Sabourin to be acting chair pro tem for the June meeting.

MINUTES

The May minutes were approved.

REPORTS

Chair Report

None

Staff Update

● It was nice to see everyone at the Brookie presentations.

● Garden Recognition Nomination form and flyer are both ready.

● See more about both of these in the Old Business portion of the meeting minutes.

Trustee Liaison Report

● The Conservation Commission is selling native plants this Saturday at the Farmers Market from 8:00-1:00.

OLD BUSINESS

Brookies

● Went well. All of the businesses were excited to be recognized.

● Liaison Uphues has posted pictures on the village website. There will also be mention of these in the village newsletter tomorrow.

● Liaison Uphues suggested that in the future we allow businesses to self nominate, similar to what we are doing for the Garden Recognition this year.

● Commissioner Sabourin asked about the commission’s budget and suggested that in the future businesses be awarded with engraved plaques rather than a certificate and decal.

Planters

● Planting went well. Commissioner Sabourin commented that he has noticed the plants and grasses in the bigger pots are growing well.

● Liaison Kaluzny noticed that Brookfield Breakfast has their own planters as well. It looks as though they may be used to border their outdoor seating during business hours. Then they are just left after the tables and chairs are put away each day. Liaison Uphues said he would check to see if the planters are part of their outdoor seating plans.

● Liaison Kaluzny also noted that Burger Antics keeps pushing the planters in front of their business further away.

● It was suggested that the commission discuss the planters and their placement with businesses in the future because it seems more businesses are putting decorative things out.

Garden Recognition

● Suggestions were made for changes to the flyer created by Commissioner Kaumeyer. Commissioner Bottorff will communicate those suggestions to him.

● Suggestions were made for changes to the nomination form. Commissioner Bottorff will make those changes.

● When the changes have been made to the flyer and nomination form, Liaison Uphues will post it so we can start getting nominations for June gardens.

NEW BUSINESS

Commission Objectives Review

Beautification Commissions in Illinois - Please take some time to review this link before the July meeting.

Commission Project Review and Goals Activity

● Commissioner Sabourin suggested that we discuss changing the meeting day if it will work better for the members of the commission. One suggestion was moving to the first Tuesday of the month.

● It was decided that the discussion would start with current projects that the commission does and work from there. Do we want to keep these projects? If so, do we need to make any changes?

● Liaison Kaluzny created a Jamboard for this discussion that she will share with the members of the commission. Feel free to “add sticky notes” with your thoughts once you receive it.

● The discussion will be continued next month when we hope to have all commissioners present.

● Today’s discussion included the following thoughts/ideas:

○ Spring Project NICE

■ Adjust locations - make sure that each location has something for volunteers to do.

■ Move the date later so planting can happen that day too.

■ Once the locations are determined, allow more people to sign up for them. The sign up genius only allowed for one person/group to sign up per location.

■ Add another option for people to clean up their block rather than sign up for a spot around town.

■ Provide volunteers with clear expectations.

○ Fall Project NICE

■ Does this need to continue? Is it needed? Maybe do an “Clean

Up Your Block” campaign instead on a designated weekend in the fall.

○ Social Media

■ The commission needs their own social media page.

■ It would be managed by staff liaison with content provided by members of the commission.

○ Adopt-a-Spot

■ If we decide to continue this, similar to Project NICE, the spots need to be revisited.

■ Adopters should be given parameters of what is expected.

■ Adopters could be highlighted on social media, which may get others in the community interested in helping.

■ Commissioner Sabourin suggested the village gateways with flower beds as possible Adopt-a-Spot locations. Adopters could be responsible for maintaining the beds.

● Commissioner Jans commented that in the past, Adopt-a-Spot was more of a general clean up, not gardening.

○ Other thoughts/ideas shared included:

■ The public should be more engaged with our commission.

■ Commissioner Hedlund suggested asking the public what they’d like to see our commission doing in the community.

■ The commission is still one person short and we currently do not have a leader.

● Commissioner Sabourin expressed that he may be interested if he knew the purview and goal of the commission.

○ His thought is that Economic Development would be better suited to award Brookies because of their involvement with the PIP. The Conservation Commission could be responsible for Project NICE. The Beautification Commission could be for visual improvements and be advocates for policy change that would beautify Brookfield. One example shared would be to make our streets less crowded/parking issues.

○ A question from Liaison Kaluzny to all of the commissioners: What would make you excited to be on the commission? Some thoughts shared this evening are below. Further thoughts can be shared at July’s meeting as well.

■ Commissioner Sabourin - being involved in improved streetscapes, especially along the Ogden corridor

■ Commissioner Hedlund - at this time is still getting to know the commission and doesn’t know enough about it to get excited. Was asked to join to be a liaison between the Beautification Commission and Women’s Club. She wants to know what our commission can do to make a difference.

■ Commissioner Bottorff - difficult to be excited after the May meeting when it was suggested that much of what we do is either obsolete or can be done by another commission. Would be happy to explore other ideas but continue some of what we already do as well. Community members and business owners that receive our awards are always happy to be recognized.

■ Commissioner Jans - She is all about Brookfield and is happy to help with anything in Brookfield. She loves her community and loves being involved in it.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting was adjourned at 7:51pm.

https://brookfieldil.civicweb.net/document/164547/