East English Village Neighborhood Association Board Minutes – Meeting held In Person and via Zoom Call
April 14, 2026
Present:
Greg Stolarski, President
Brad Dick, 1st Vice President
Tamika Webb, 2nd Vice President
Maureen Dritsan, Secretary
Kathie Roddie, Street Rep Bishop
Barbara Hamilton-Pitts, Street Rep Chandler Park Drive
Lil Cortes, Street Rep Grayton
Judy Roth, Street Rep Harvard
Priscilla Wilson, Street Rep Yorkshire
Ron Otto, Garden Club Chair
Minutes of March 3, 2026 EEVNA Board Meeting reviewed. Motion to approve by Brad Dick, seconded by Tamika Webb. All in favor.
President’s Report:
Reviewed Goals & Plans for 2026 (Attached)
As previously determined, decision was made to limit the EEVNA-sponsored activities to fewer events unless an individual(s) volunteered to chair.
Goals for 2026
· Build Community
· Improve Safety
· Neighborhood Improvement
Priority Plans & Events for 2026
· Scholarship - $500 one-time scholarship to EEV Resident/High School Graduate (1) Non-renewable Deadline for Applications: June 1, 2026
· Events – Need to determine at next meeting: how many events/schedule. We already have Neighborhood Cleanups, Garden Tour, Holiday Party (Bettina Boyd to Chair, Date TBD), Alger Tree Lightening on calendar. Will we participate in Summer Sizzler w/Morningside? Budget to be established for each and every additional event to be considered
o Holiday Event & Tree Lighting w/Alger Theater – Establish date/budget w/Jackie Grant
o Summer Sizzler w/Morningside – July 18 pending date. Still seeking a volunteer to represent EEV in planning event.
o Warren Fest – September 12, 2026. Plan to partner w/EWDC
o 5th Precinct & EWDC – Active Participation
· City Walls Mural on E Warren – Five murals to be executed along E Warren w/one to be included within EEV. Cost of mural will be covered by the City Walls Mural Program. Site location still being considered – not finalized. March EEVNA General Meeting focused on community engagement and ideas for the mural. Timeframe: Begin in late May w/goal of completion in August.
· Newsletter – Quarterly - Angela Colombo has assumed Editor position; Working to determine future deadlines for article/ad submissions as well as newsletter door-to-door home distribution. Need to address advertising payments. Councilwoman Johnson & Jacquelyn James (missed in prior newsletter acknowledgement of supporters) will be thanked on front page of Spring Newsletter.
· Increase Resident Participation & Engagement – Grass Roots Door- to-Door outreach in late Spring/Summer. Goal: Each Resident asked to invite one new resident to General Meeting. Board Members asked to Invite three new residents to either a General Meeting or a special event in attempt to build and increase community involvement especially among new neighbors.
· Garden Club – Ron Otto, Jeff Perry and Grace Simpson Chairing. Calendar: Apr 19 Neighborhood Garden Kickoff Social/Garden Tour Planning May 16 Spring Plant Swap & EV Garden Buddies Assignments; June 13 – Garden Tour Sneak Peek Campaign Kickoff July 25 – Garden Tour. Discussion will be taken up w/Garden Club as to whether Beautification Month in August to continue or be redesigned based on mixed resident response. Consider selling EEV Pride signs as a fundraiser. Actively seeking participants to showcase Gardens
· Neighborhood Clean-Ups – 3 Scheduled: May 16 in conjunction w/Motor City Makeover (Mack/E Outer Drive); June and July dates to be finalized w/Chandler Park designated. Greg has received confirmation that Wayne State University Medical Students would be willing to volunteer (300 potential candidates) for cleanup event(s). We will work with their availability to determine next dates
· Quarter Quts – To be determined – Does EEV sponsor? If so, how many? TBD May Board Meeting
· Summer Sizzler w/Morningside – July 18 pending date. Still seeking a volunteer to represent EEV in planning event.
· Warren Fest – September 12, 2026. Plan to partner w/EWDC
· Trunk or Treat Events – Participate w/EWDC & 5th Precinct
· City Walls Mural on E Warren – Five murals to be executed along E Warren w/one to be included within EEV. Cost of mural will be covered by the City Walls Mural Program. Site locations along the corridor are being researched. March EEVNA General Meeting will be focused on community engagement and ideas for the mural. Timeframe: Begin in late May w/goal of completion in August.
· Home Plaque Fundraiser – Spring (Maureen & Justin Hewitt) Promote in Newsletter and online.
· T-Shirt/Hoodie Fundraiser – Spring
· Event - One additional social event may be considered.
East Warren Development Corporation Concerns – Review of EWDC Arts & Cultural Committee Meeting held on March 19. Maureen attended. Joe Rashid indicated goal is to request more involvement from the communities. Website is still being reworked. Goal is to be completely updated within a month w/clear definition of the role and responsibility of each staff member. Also, an interactive calendar is being designed so that each community association will be able to post events and/or share other pertinent information with the community. Mila, the artist involved with the E Warren Mural Project briefly spoke about the project. Pleased w/feedback from EEV & Morningside Association meetings. Potential corridor-area businesses have been contacted that might support their building being utilized but no final decisions have been made yet. Thinks there will be a decision w/regard to EEVNA site soon.
While some communication has been forthcoming, there has still been a lack of response, involvement or support from EWDC especially given EWDC now has a staff of eight full-time employees. No newsletter article submitted despite advising of the submission date. No representation at General Meeting. Previously requested the following from EWDC:
· What are EWDC’s Goals and Vision for 2026 and beyond?
· In an effort to build and improve relationships with EWDC Staff – outline each staff member’s title and responsibilities?
· Request EWDC provide quarterly article in EEV Newsletter. Deadlines: March 15, June 15, Sept 15, Dec 15
· Request EWDC representative attend EEV monthly meetings – Third Tuesday of each month at 7pm at Bethany Lutheran Church Gym 11475 E Outer Drive (No Meetings in July, August, December)
· Improve appearance on E Warren Corridor – trash, weeds/tall grass, branding/art on corridor, brand/mask vacant buildings, clean sidewalks, snow removal, safe feeling surroundings. High level of concern expressed by both EEVNA, Morningside and Alger Theater.
· Improve communication, marketing and awareness initiatives – share information, give notice, plan early, partner and ensure resources are as current as possible
· Improve participation at events and volunteerism
· EEVNA lack of input for EEV Representative on EWDC Board, While the EEVNA Board is extremely pleased that Jay Williams is our Rep, the concern is that EEVNA was not contacted and did not have any input for nominees and past Reps. Joe Rashid provided a copy of EWDC By-Laws for our review regarding representation on the Board. EEVNA Board to determine how to best proceed in future collaborations w/EWDC.
Next EWDC Arts & Culture Meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2026. Greg and Maureen plan to attend.
Wayne County Commission – Still waiting for update from Commissioner Tim Killeen regarding status of dead tree removal, (17 out of original 27 remaining (Brief discussions of possibility of some metal sculptures being incorporated along E Outer Drive and/or Chandler Park Medians (similar to Moross) Maureen has reached out to Commissioner Killeen to review how that might be accomplished. Left messages, emails and awaiting a response.
1st Vice President – Brad reported that City Tree Planting Program slated to begin April 20, 2026. Every effort has been made to inform residents of this program – postings on FB and website and newsletter. Most recent neighborhood drive indicates 16 properties of concern – significant blight issues. Yorkshire property – roof caving in. Bishop – two properties reported to listed realtors due to issues. Requesting BSEED ticket properties due to issues negatively impacting neighborhood and lack of response. Shall we continue to maintain neglected properties by hiring Quarter Quts? Explore possible grant opportunities for reimbursement as no Land Bank of other City funding appears to be available. David Weisman property (6014 Yorkshire/corner of Berden) is still problematic. Not maintaining.
2nd Vice President – Tamika provided follow-up after further investigation into the mass texting service “Textedly” after Board expressed concerns as to the cost and whether the bulk number of texts included was required. There is a Bronze Plan - $57/month; $684/Annual which provides 1000 messages (w/additional 50,000 w/annual payment) We will need to designate administrators. Brad made a motion to proceed with this plan, seconded by Kathie. All in favor.
Board needs to make some decisions as to how we best disseminate info via texting, emails, posting info relative to meeting and event reminders on both FB and website. Consider placing newsletter advertisers’ info on FB and/or website as an added incentive. We will also investigate best way to archive By-Laws, Minutes, Correspondence and other general info. (Google Drive)
Continued search for additional Block Captains. Board to reach out to individuals in an effort to secure representation on each block. Spring/Summer Door-to-Door canvassing might result in commitments. Greg to address at General Meeting as well as newsletter article.
Secretary’s Report – March 3, 2026 EEVNA Board Meeting Minutes reviewed. Motion to approve by Brad Dick, seconded by Tamika Webb. All in favor.
Treasurer’s Report – Willie was unable to attend meeting due to work demands. March 2026 Financial Reports were reviewed.
Greg motioned to accept the March 2026 Financial Report as submitted. Seconded by Maureen. All in favor.
New Business:
Smydra Foundation: Anticipating contribution to be forthcoming. Estimated contribution $1,000 to $2,000. David and Martha Smydra will be invited to attend a future EEVNA General Meeting to publicly thank and acknowledge them for their generosity and support.
Donor/Sponsorship Listing: Spring 2026 EEVNA newsletter to include resident Jacquelyn James and resident/D4 Councilwoman Latisha Johnson who were not included in the Donor & Supporters Listing published in the Winter Edition of the newsletter. Board agreed to acknowledge both contributions on the front page of Spring newsletter. As previously discussed, prior to the next publishing of contributors, we will assist Willie in reviewing the names.
New Business: Priscilla inquired as to EEV’s participation in Citizens Radio Program. Advised that EEV is part of MEC (Morningside/EEV/Cornerstone) Patrol and Judy Roth is actively involved in this community effort. Refer any questions/suggestions to Judy.
Next General Meeting: April 21, 2026 7PM Julie Jozwiak w/DTE Speaker.
Submitted w/Attachment (EEVNA Priorities/Plans 2026: Maureen Dritsan, Secretary
East English Village Neighborhood Association Priorities/Plans for 2026
Build participation/volunteerism – grass roots door to door campaign in Spring and ask all currently involved to get 1 new person involved
Increase fundraising efforts/maintain budget
Close out 501-c4
Quarterly Newsletter
Summer Garden Tour Event
Award $500 Scholarship to a graduating high school resident June
Summer Sizzler Event with Morningside Community, pending chairperson
Holiday Tree Lighting and Community Gathering Event
Continuing to build relationships within District 4, City of Detroit/Mayors Office and Police
3 Neighborhood Clean-up Events
Finish Signage Landscaping
Spring T-Shirt/Hoodie Fundraiser
Fall Historic Plaque Fundraiser
Branding initiatives
Build relationships with Commercial Corridor Businesses/Organizations
Lots and properties of concern initiatives continued