City of Palos Heights Beautification Committee met Feb. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Call to Order
Chairman John Hanley called the meeting of the Beautification Committee to order at 7:04 p.m. in Room 104-106 at the Recreation Center. Present were: Chairman John Hanley, Bob Grossart, Eileen Lunter, Bob Starzyk, Anne Girzadas, Lynda Schiappa, Jan Collopy, Jeff Prestinario, and Recording Secretary Gina Marcotte.
Approval of Minutes
Anne Girzadas motioned to approve the minutes of the October 13, 2021 meeting, seconded by Bob Starzyk. All in favor. Motion carried.
Chairman’s Report
Chairman Hanley welcomed everyone. He started the meeting by reading a thank you letter he received from Vanessa Sunta, Lynda Schiappa, Kathy Peters, and Maria DeCaprio‐Sunta from the Public Arts Commission. The Public Arts Commission thanked the Beautification Committee for their generous donation for the Lights in the Heights event and for collaborating with the Public Arts Commission.
Chairman Hanley also thanked Jeff Prestinario for attending tonight’s meeting and noted that this year is the Beautification Committee’s 20th anniversary. Jeff Prestinario was one of the first members and had so many great visions for the Beautification Committee. John Hanley then asked Bob Grossart to present a PowerPoint he created for the committee’s 20th anniversary.
Beautification Committee 20th Anniversary PowerPoint: Bob Grossart
Bob Grossart presented a PowerPoint he created for the committee’s 20th anniversary. The committee was formed in 2002 and was led by Jeff Prestinario, Jean Gnap, and John Hanley. Other original members included Glen Kraemer, Joe McGee, and Dennis Hyker. The mission statement of the committee was, “Promote community economic development and pride and ownership. Enhance community beautification and aesthetic quality of life.” Bob Grossart discussed events that the committee started, such as Adopt-A-Pot, Classic Car Show, Farmer’s Market, and Keep Palos Heights Beautiful. Bob Grossart then presented all the projects the committee had funded throughout the past 20 years. A few of these included:
∙ In 2002, in honor of Dessert Storm, put yellow ribbons on trees in Palos Heights.
∙ After the first car show in 2004, returned a portion of the proceeds to Palos Heights.
∙ As part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration for Palos Heights, gave certificates to homeowners who lived in the same house since 1959.
∙ Donated to the Holiday on Harlem Ave. Christmas event.
∙ Donated to the Bauman fundraiser for family health issues.
∙ Donated to the Palos Heights Woman’s Club 74th Anniversary for the Lake Katherine Garden.
∙ Donated grants to local businesses who participated in the Fusion59 social media program with Trinity College.
∙ Donated funds to the Art Commission for a rotational sculpture in Memorial Park.
∙ Donated funds for a reward for the Art Garden vandalism.
Since inception, the Committee has funded projects in Palos Heights totaling $120,300. The committee has $66,006 in the bank as of December 31, 2021, to fund future projects.
Bob Grossart ended his presentation by thanking everyone in the committee for all of their hard work and commitment. (PowerPoint attached)
Bob Grossart then gave an update regarding the Fusion59 social media program with Trinity College. Fusion59 is a program that Trinity College offers where students can help local businesses promote their business through social media. The Beautification Committee donated $600 for each completed course for a total of $3,600. The six businesses that used the program were Royalberry Waffle House, Harvest Room, Prime Choice Market, Noral Jewelers & Mineral Art Gallery, Manhattan Firehouse Grill, and Palos Heights Public Library.
Bob Grossart then noted, after discussion with City Administrator David Strohl, it was decided to dissolve the Business/Economic Advisory Committee as of December. John Hanley asked that Bob Grossart stay on the Beautification Committee.
Committee Reports
Keep Palos Heights Beautiful: Eileen Lunter
Eileen Lunter gave an update on the program. More information will be advertised in the City’s Parks and Recreation Playbook. She discussed moving the event into November and including a special Halloween category. If you see a beautiful home or business, please contact Eileen with the address.
Adopt-A-Pot: Statement written by Denise Hyker (Read by Chairman Hanley)
∙ Our next Adopt-A-Pot planting day will be Sat. May 21st at 8AM at the Pool parking lot. Vince and I plan to meet in March with Katie Blood in Public Works to review this years AAP planting plans.
∙ Applications for the Adopt-A-Pot program are now on the city's website thanks to Gina Marcotte, thank you Gina!
∙ Our goal is to have 55 sponsors vs last years 50 sponsors which was a record year so please help spread the word.
∙ At our fall meeting a total of $2000 was approved to order additional pots. 4 additional large pots were ordered on Jan. 28th and should be ready in 4 weeks. The cost for each pot is $452 for a total of $1808.
∙ Please mark your calendars for May 21st 8AM to join in the AAP planting. Your help is greatly appreciated! All are welcome!
Car Classic Event: Bob Starzyk
Bob Starzyk reported this year’s event will take place on Thursday, July 21, 2022. The poster and all forms have been updated with the new information for this year. The information has also been posted to the City website and will be included in the upcoming newsletter. Anne Girzadas stated she had the list of last year’s sponsors and asked for each member to take a few of the names to contact them. Bob Starzyk also mentioned that he is using a new company for the dash plaques and has already picked them up if anyone was interested in seeing them. They discussed that the first Car Classic meeting will take place on March 16th at the Parks & Recreation Center.
Lake Katherine:
No report.
Public Arts Commission: Lynda Schiappa
Lynda Schiappa reported that they are working on doing an interactive book. The book will be located at Lake Katherine in the children’s garden area. The book is “The Little Turtle Gets Lost” by Jean Gnap. A copy of the book was sent to an artist to create a storyboard for the installation of the project.
John Hanley inquired about the Arts Commission working with Noral Jewelers to spruce up their wall. He also inquired about the butterfly artwork that was done on the wall of the dry cleaners that is now under new development.
Lynda Schiappa also gave an update on the basketball sculpture that had been vandalized in November. She stated the Parks and Recreation department paid for the repairs and the cost was $800.
Public Comment
None.
Old Business
Denise Hyker inquired through email, if a date had been decided on the Art Garden's dedication plaque for Ed Dombrowski? Lynda Schiappa stated that she will reach out to Public Works Director, Adam Jasinski to find out more information on when the dedication might take place.
Denise Hyker stated in email, that she just wanted to comment on Holiday in the Heights/Kris Kringle Market. She stated she was there on opening day and this year's turnout was very well received, very well organized and in my opinion the best yet and an event our city can be very proud of hosting! Combining the Chamber's Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa's arrival and the Kris Kringle market was a great idea. There was a very good variety of vendors as well. The market itself was packed and everyone seemed to have a very enjoyable time. Great Job to Bob Grossart and his team for making this happen!
New Business
Golf Outing
John Hanley mentioned that the Chamber is having a golf outing and they are looking for sponsors. He would be interested in the committee taking part in the sponsorship. After discussion it was agreed that the committee would vote on sponsoring the Chambers golf outing at their next meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Bob Starzyk moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Lynda Schiappa. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02092022-628
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