Board Meeting Minutes: 2025-07-20

by

Brookfield Heritage Neighborhood Association 

Board Meeting Minutes – DRAFT

Date: July 20, 2025

Board Members: Steve Beckman (Secretary), Nella Davis-Ray (Communications), John Hays, Elizabeth Hoffman, Matthew Kazmierski (President), Denise Moore, Pat Poli (Communications), Alice Schehr (Treasurer), Mark Warner (Vice President)

Call to order: Matt Kazmierski called to order this meeting of the Brookfield Heritage Neighborhood Association Executive Committee at 6:05 p.m. ET on July 20th, 2025 in a meeting at 252 Oakland Dr.

Roll Call:

  • Present: Steve Beckman, Nella Davis-Ray, John Hays, Matthew Kazmierski, Denise Moore, Alice Schehr, Mark Warner
  • Absent: Elizabeth Hoffman, Pat Poli
  • Others in attendance: Chelsea Beckman, Lily Beckman
  • Quorum present: Yes

Approval of Past Minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the Board meeting held on April 13th, 2025 as presented. The motion carried without objection.

Treasurer Updates:

  1. Alice stated the association’s current account balance is $2,257.12, up $1,023.61 from the previous board meeting
    • Recent expenses included $216 for brochures for the 2025 Garden Walk event, $38 for cups used for lemonade and water during the Garden Walk, $1,620 for four street tree replacements, and $68 for eight watering bags for new street trees

Old Business:

1. Environment Committee updates

    • Four Green Vase Zelkova trees were purchased from Van Attas and planted at 204 Maplewood, 228 Maplewood, 252 Maplewood, and 204 Oakland in April
    • The possibility of adding street trees to the Grand River side of the two houses on the corners of Maplewood and Grand River were discussed. A permit from the state would be required because Grand River is a state road. Property owners would not need a permit if the trees were planted away from the street and not on the causeway between the sidewalk and street, but the Board would be unlikely to approve funding for the purchase of trees that were planted on private property.
    • Replacement street trees could be considered for September or October of 2025 when prices might be reduced by up to 50% at Van Attas
    • City of East Lansing Arborist Andy Gordon recommended the Princeton American Elm as another species to consider when replacing street trees
    • Our neighborhood will be in rotation for street tree trimming and removals by the City in 2026

2. Social Committee updates

    • Garden Walk
      • Chelsea Beckman reported that a total of $1,791.50 was donated by neighborhood residents and visitors and deposited into the association’s account
      • Much higher turnout than the last Garden Walk in 2023, which was only one year after the initial event. Will only be held every two years going forward.
      • The board expressed their appreciation for the efforts Chelsea and other neighborhood residents put into making this year’s event a success
    • Winter Solstice Luminaries
      • Alice has the leftover materials from last year’s event at her house. Only additional candles need to be purchased.
      • Would like one or more residents to make their garage available for people to stop by and have light refreshments while walking through the neighborhood

 

New Business

  • 2025 Annual Meeting and Picnic
    • The City recently announced a $260 fee for barricading a road like has been done for previous annual meetings. To avoid the fee, this year’s meeting and picnic will be held in the front yard and driveway of Denise’s house at 252 Oakland.
    • Denise will ask Alex Bakken of 261 Oakland if he would be willing to cook pulled pork for sandwiches instead of purchasing and grilling hot dogs like has been done for previous annual meetings
    • A sign up sheet or online form will be used for other neighbors that are willing to bring food to avoid multiple people bringing the same thing
    • Mark will provide live music
    • Multiple neighbors will provide yard games
    • An additional board meeting will be held on Sunday, August 24th, to finalize the details of the annual meeting
  • New Board Members
    • Board terms for Mark, Matt, and Pat are ending this year. Mark and Matt will run for reelection.
    • Elizabeth has missed the last two consecutive board meetings and three of the last four without providing a reason to Matt or Mark in advance. Per Article VII Item 1.c.ii of the BHNA Constitution, Elizabeth’s board seat for the 2024-2027 term is now vacant.
      • Per Article VII Item 2, the Board is to appoint a replacement member that is in good standing with the BHNA to serve in the vacant seat until the next board elections at the 2025 annual meeting held on Sunday, September 14th.
    • Due to the vacancy of Elizabeth’s board seat, four members are to be elected to the Board during the 2025 annual meeting: three for terms running from 2025-2028 and one for the now-vacant term running from 2024-2027
      • Current board members will contact other BHNA members in good standing about running for the open board seats

 

Open Discussion:
● None

 

Action Items: 

Name Action Deadline
Environment Committee Determine if replacement street trees will be purchased in the fall 2025-10-01
Alice Purchase candles for the Winter Solstice Luminaries 2025-12-01
All Identify potential new board members 2025-09-13
Denise Contact Alex Bakken about cooking pulled pork for the annual meeting 2025-08-23
Nella and Pat Draft the latest BHNA newsletter to be distributed no later than August 31st 2025-08-23

Adjournment:

  • A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 pm. The motion carried without objection.

Next Meeting Date, Time, and Location: Sunday, August 24th, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Location to be determined.

Minutes submitted by: Steve Beckman
Minutes approved by: TBD