BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, January 15, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Village Administrator Steve Bosco called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm.
Attendance
Al Broholm, Norma Yario, Colleta Hines-Newell, Edoardo Tabasso, Joel Unroe, Mayor Mark Gaffino, Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Public Works Director Brian Richter and Community and Board Relations Coordinator Natalie Stevens | Not Present: Ann Hosler, Rose Harding
Introductions
The Beautification Committee welcomed newly appointed member Joel Unroe and did a round of introductions sharing a fun fact about themselves.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Coletta Hines-Newell made a motion to approve the minutes dated October 16, 2023. Norma Yario seconded. All others were in favor.
NEW BUSINESS
- Green Thumb Property Recognition Program
The Committee discussed the Green Thumb program, which will be entering its third year. The Committee opted this year to move the program to the end of June, previously in mid-August and late July. They noted that it can be difficult to find houses as some do not have clearly displayed addresses and asked for that to be addressed in the application form. Previously the Committee had discussed a garden walk, but ultimately decided not to pursue that. They did ask for staff to reach out to the North Aurora Garden Club to see if they would be interested in assisting the promotion/nomination of the program to get more entries.
The Committee also discussed updating the rubric used for scoring to make categories more clear.
- General Discussion / Project Updates
Community Sign and Entryway Signs
Administrator Bosco updated the Committee that staff has been looking into a secondary location for a community sign. The intersection of Randall and Oak was discussed as the best location and now it is determine easements.
The entryway signs – 10 in number – are in the process of being lit by solar power to illuminate them in the evening. Staff is looking at options for landscaping the signs in spring. Public Works Director Brian Richter explained some of the items to keep in mind including maximum heights and salt resistant plants due to the close proximity of the roadways. He said Public Works would put together several options for the Committee to discuss at their next meeting.
Banners
The Committee discussed the addition of banners in other locations throughout the Village rather than just on the State Street Bridge to beautify the town. Community and Board Relations Coordinator Natalie Stevens said she would work on putting together several designs and review possible intersections or corridors that may be a good fit.
Art in North Aurora Riverfront Park
The Committee expressed interest in having an art feature of some sort put into North Aurora Riverfront Park. One idea suggested was a sculpture garden provided by local artists that could then be purchased after being displayed. Bosco suggested the Committee think of some ideas and bring them to the next meeting. The location of the old Sperry Mill gears positioned around the park were also discussed and Bosco said he would check with the Park District to see if they would be interested in having them at the Sperry lot they purchased and are turning into a green space.
Flowers
The Committee discussed the annual flower plantings that take place in the hanging baskets and towers on State Street and at Village Hall. Several members of the Committee said they’d like to see something different for this year and members were instructed to email any ideas to staff. Flowers would need to be ordered by early-mid February to arrive in time for an early May planting.
With no further business, Edoardo Tabasso made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:44 pm, which was seconded by Norma Yario.
Motion to Adjourn: All in Favor
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Stevens
