BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, April 15, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mark Gaffino called the meeting to order at 5:23 pm.
Attendance
Al Broholm, Rose Harding, Joel Unroe, Mayor Mark Gaffino, Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Public Works Director Brian Richter and Community Relations Coordinator Natalie Stevens | Not Present: Ann Hosler, Norma Yario, Colleta Hines-Newell, Edoardo Tabasso
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Al Broholm made a motion to approve the minutes dated January 15, 2024. Joel Unroe seconded. All were were in favor.
NEW BUSINESS
- Green Thumb Property Recognition Program
Community Relations Coordinator Natalie Stevens went over the new scoring rubric for the Green Thumb program, which clarified categories to overall appearance/aesthetic, creativity and color, and total points increased from 15 to 20 to allow for a greater range of scores. The Committee was in favor of the rubric and requested that the maps be printed larger for easier viewing. They also asked if there was a way to indicate where the property address was located and Stevens said she would make that information a requirement of the nomination.
- Entryway Sign Plantings
The Committee was presented with three different options for plantings to beautify the Village’s entryway signs. Public Works Director Brian Richter said things could shift slightly based on the general land area, but these were fairly accurate. Plants were picked for their hardiness to salt as well as drought. Committee members discussed the various designs as well as weeding and upkeep and ultimately selected design #3.
- Street Pole Banners
The Committee discussed the location of additional street pole banners and ultimately chose to keep it to the locations of Orchard and Randall (where there are eight poles existing) and also to set them up down the Orchard Gateway corridor. The Committee also discussed various seasonal designs to change the banners out more frequently.
- General Discussion / Project Updates
The Committee discussed North Aurora Riverfront Park again regarding having some sort of art displayed. Mayor Mark Gaffino said something needed to be done with the gears; if needed one could be kept and updated with sandblasting but noted that Sperry itself actually contaminated the soil and had poor working conditions and said most don’t even know what the mill is or was to keep showcasing it. The Committee liked the idea of some sort of sculpture garden and a rotating one of donated or rented pieces.
Director Richter noted that the Village had been contacted by two companies to try to sell flowers. He said he didn’t know if the Committee wanted to stick with Schaffer’s or look into another option if better pricing was available. He also updated the Committee that the Veterans Memorial was getting a throughout cleaning and the best attempt was going to be made to get the calcium off the fountain.
With no further business, Mark Gaffino made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:43 pm, which was seconded by Joel Unroe.
Motion to Adjourn: All in Favor
Respectfully submitted,
Natalie Stevens
