Meeting Called to Order by Dick Menz at 7:05 P.M

Meeting called to order by Dick Menz at 7:05 p.m.

Present: Kaye Prime, Dick Menz, Jim Szatkowski.

Guests: Judith Haman, Cindy Ritchie, Janie Hawes and Karen Menz.

Discussed the median project. Sherry McKibben is retired. Leslie Blackburn from CWI will be contacted based on a recommendation. Also well suited for the landscape architecture program with U of I, but we are inclined to go with CWI. Judith’s husband took photos last week of the median area so the students have something to look at. A landscape designer, Dan Schults, was also recommended. Judith knows him and will contact him. A suggestion was to plant linden trees, assuming we have water. Would only have trees on the north side, there isn’t room on the south side. Would have the sculpture on the south side. Judith will find out who designed Kleiner Park because the sculpture there is really nice. The land on the south side of Ustick is going to be sold. We are only responsible for contacting residences/businesses within 500 feet of the project. The City should be able to give us a list of these addresses. May be able to get a nursery to donate some plants for some recognition. The City said the arborist, etc. won’t be available to work with us until February, and the concepts should be ready by May. Need to book the big room at the library now for the concept meeting, probably in early/mid April, although Judith would like it to be early May. Judith will contact CWI next week to determine what date would be appropriate for a meeting, will let Dick know and he will reserve the room. The City Arts Commission can put us in touch with people who could be considered for the sculptures. We need to talk to ACHD because they own the property. Dick will do this. Need to contact Leon first, how is Parks and Rec involved, do they have permission to control the development of the area. If CWI and U of I aren’t willing, could we hire a firm to do the design? Need to check with a few to see if we can afford them. Nature Company, Franz Witte, Edwards, etc. Cindy Ritchie will contact Ward Hooper about using his artwork. Need to ask Leon if we need two grants, one for the landscaping and a second for the artwork. The ladies will contact Gladys about the little house on the Ustick property; Gladys’ daughter owns the big house behind the little house.

All three of the ladies will be on the board, but don’t want to take on any action items other than the medians.

Board officer positions:

Collin Day – Treasurer

Secretary – Kaye Prime, Karen will take notes.

President – Dick Menz

Jim Szatkowski – Vice President

Dick will find out where the mail from the city goes, and will get the president and treasurer on the signature card for the bank account. Will make a decision in January on whether a post office box is needed.

Dick needs to tell whoever will get his check to make it out to us.