Beautification Commission

STERLING HEIGHTS BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, September 3, 2013 Chairman Aaron Wawrzyniak called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioner’s present: Henrietta Baczewski, Gary Isom, Darlene MacLeod, Sharon Mason, Ruthann Schinzing and Aaron Wawrzyniak. Commissioner’s absent: Janis Adams, Steve Duncan, Jazmine Early, Theodora Netza and Ann Williams Other present: Sue Giallombardo, Neighborhood Services Specialist Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve Beautification Commission meeting minutes from the May 6, 2013 meeting made by Mason. Seconded by: MacLeod Ayes: all Nays: none Agenda Items: A. Approval of 2013/2014 Meeting Dates (See attached)  Meeting dates were distributed by Giallombardo.  The meeting for October 7th will be cancelled due to the Beautification Award Ceremony at the City Council meeting on October 1st.  Wawrzyniak suggested that commission members meet somewhere for a holiday get together in leu of the meeting on December 2nd.  The place and time will be determined at the November meeting.  Isom made a motion to approve the meeting schedule for the fiscal year 2013/2014. Motion seconded by Baczewski. Ayes: all Nays: none B. BCSEM Luncheon Status  Giallombardo stated that donations are coming along nicely from the area garden centers. She added that they have donations from approximately 15 places.  Giallombardo said RSVP’s are coming in slowly so she will start calling the communities that she has not heard from.  Baczewski reminded commission members that Sterling Heights will be hosting the luncheon on September 26th. She added that each city/township will show a short video or powerpoint presentation, Sheriff Hackel and Gerry Santoro will be the guest speakers and will talk about the Clinton River Blue Water Initiative.  Baczewski asked members to please try and attend.   Members can RSVP to Giallombardo. C. Adopt-a-Road Clean-up Projects  Wawrzyniak stated that the commission members seem to have a hard time committing to dates and asked if they should resign from the project.  MacLeod asked if that was an option and Isom stated that he didn’t think so.  Mason asked if evening hours would work better for anyone.  Wawrzyniak stated that he could not attend evening clean-up dates and suggested that the commission team with another group.  The next clean-up date is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th. Early, Mason and Wawrzyniak will be in attendance. D. 2013 Beautification Awards Jurying  Members viewed the 60 award nominees and voted on their favorites.  The properties that will be awarded the best of the best are as follows: Multi-family: Sterling Lakes Apartments Business: Villa Penna Schools/Churches: St. Paul Lutheran School Single family residence: 14267 Lakeshore Drive  Giallombardo stated that the awards will be presented at the City Council meeting on October 1st. There will be a small reception in the lobby prior to the meeting. Old Business:  Wawrzyniak stated that a resident approached him at the plant exchange and asked if the city had a community garden. He stated that the city is under-staffed and could not commit at this time. The resident asked what the city had to do with it and maybe the beautification commission could start the project. Wawrzyniak stated that this topic could be addressed at a future meeting.  Baczewski suggested that the commission hold a plant exchange in the fall, and possibly alternate between spring and fall.  Isom suggested that Sterling Heights team with Shelby Twp. or Utica, in order to get a bigger turnout.  Wawrzyniak noted that a woman was selling her plants at the exchange, as opposed to exchanging them. He also noted that the newspaper said that pots weren’t allowed, which is inaccurate.  Giallombardo stated that the press release will be corrected for the next exchange and will also reflect that selling of plants is not allowed.  Wawrzyniak asked on the status of planting a tree as part of earning the Tree City Award.  Giallombardo will follow-up with DPW.  Mason asked why the commission was not handing out Beautification bags during Sterlingfest.   Giallombardo stated that she will check in the storage room and check into prices to order some for next year. New Business: None Adjournment: Motion to adjorn the Beautification Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. made by MacLeod; seconded by Mason. Ayes: All Nays: None