Beautification Commission

STERLING HEIGHTS BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, February 1, 2021 Chairperson Gary Isom called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Commissioner’s present: Henrietta Baczewski, Manny Gonzales, Sue Hobig, Gary Isom, Lisa Lane, Linda Meida, Joyce Tye Commissioner’s absent: Steve Duncan, Nancy Kijek, Gary Lusk, Sharon Mason, Matthew Smith Other present: Dawn Schultz, Citizens Services Specialist Melanie Davis, Community Relations Director Agenda Items: A. Potential Summer projects  Schultz went through all of our upcoming spring events. Schultz stated that Arbor Day is going to be April 20th at 6:30 p.m. and encouraged everyone to come for a photo op of the yearly tree planting with city council. Schultz also added that this year we have been a tree city for 36 years. Schultz stated the next event will be our May 3rd meeting where we plant flowers at the library children’s garden. Hobig added that she would really like to dedicate an area of the children’s garden to planting milkweed to attract Monarch butterflies. Schultz added that we also plant flowers at the upton house in the month of May and anyone is welcome to help. As time gets closer we will set up an exact date. Schultz stated that the annual Plant Exchange this year is May 8th at the Nature Center from 9:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. Schultz stated we will have our Adopt-a-Road cleanup in June. We will plan for June 5th, unless a later date in June is better for the commission. We will start at 16 mile and Dodge Park Rd and end at 17 Mile.  Davis announced that this year’s Memorial Day parade that the commission walks in will be virtual again this year. The parade will only include first responders and city vehicles. The city also plans to reveal the new mural in front of the police station during that virtual event. Old Business:  We currently have 7 entries sent in for our snowman contest. The commission will vote at the March meeting. This year’s prize will be a 25$ gift card. New Business:  Isom wanted to say how well both holiday contests went. This was the first year the commission had voted on a Halloween and December holiday decoration contest. He hopes this is something we continue each year. Isom suggested that we could give each winner a “best of the best” sign, similar to what we do for the  beautification awards. Lane suggested multiple categories for the Halloween contest. One fall category and one spooky category.  Tye suggested that we start a community garden at Schoenherr Towers. Hobig added that we could focus on a cutting garden, as the low income families could use these gardens for produce. Tye suggested possibly having rain barrels for watering. Davis said that Teresa Jarzab who works for the city has been in talks about this. More information to follow. Meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.