East English Village Neighborhood Association Board Minutes – Meeting held via Zoom Call
February 3, 2026
Present:
Greg Stolarski, President
Brad Dick, 1st Vice President
Tamika Webb, 2nd Vice President
Willie Burton, Treasurer
Maureen Dritsan, Secretary
Priscilla Wilson, Street Rep Yorkshire
Lil Cortes, Street Rep Grayton
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 events for 2026
· $500 Scholarship to High School Graduate (1)
· Newsletter – Quarterly - Angela Colombo to assume Editor position; will be working w/Carole Hoste during transition. Deadline for Spring edition is March 15, 2026.
· Increase Participation & Engagement – Grass Roots Door to
Door outreach in late Spring/Summer. Goal: Each Resident to invite one new resident to General Meeting. Board Member to Invite three new residents to General Meeting or special events in attempt to build community involvement.
· Holiday Event & Tree Lighting w/Alger Theater
· Garden Club – Ron Otto, Jeff Perry and Grace Simpson will joint-Chair. Garden Tour 2026 date to be announced. Seed Swap scheduled for 11 AM February 14 at Next Chapter Books. August Beautification Month – EEV Pride.
· Neighborhood Clean-Ups – 3 Scheduled: May in conjunction w/Motor City Makeover; June or July; August. Greg is working with Wayne State University School of Medicine to finalize volunteer cleanup schedule.
· Quarter Quts – To be determined
· Summer Sizzler w/Morningside – July 18 pending date. Seeking a volunteer to represent EEV in planning event. Priscilla may have a resident willing to volunteer for task.
· 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 location being researched. March 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)
· T-Shirt/Hoodie Fundraiser – Spring
· One additional social event to be considered.
Note: Garage Sale Event to be discontinued in 2026 due to both lack of resident participation and lack of volunteers to help w/event.
East Warren Development Corporation Concerns – Review of EWDC Arts & Cultural Committee Meeting held on January 15.
General feeling is there is a lack of response, involvement or support from EWDC especially with eight full-time employees. 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.
· 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 input for EEV Representative on EWDC Board, very happy that Jay is our Rep, but did not have input for nominees and past Reps.
Next EWDC Arts & Culture Meeting is scheduled for Feb 19, 2026.
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 to reach out to Commissioner Killeen to review how that might be accomplished.
1st Vice President – Brad reviewed City Spring Tree Planting Program. Outer Drive a priority. Planting maps loop in w/Morningside. Publicize program at meetings and in the April newsletter Land Bank Properties - Address the fact that EEVNA is maintaining these properties via Quarter Quts cutting the grass. Explore possible grant opportunities for reimbursement.
2nd Vice President – Tamika provided an email relative to her meeting w/Textedly, the company EWDC uses for mass texting. They provided some useful information about the system and its capabilities. A pre-recorded demo was available for review by the Board. Stressed importance of reviewing the info so vote can be taken by Board as to whether to proceed with implementation.
Discussion to determine guidelines as to how we 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 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.
Treasurer’s Report – Willie reviewed January 2026 Financial Reports. Discussed outstanding payments from advertisers.
Agreed that ads should not be included in April newsletter unless payment is received. Greg motioned to accept the January Financial Report as submitted. Seconded by Maureen. All in favor.
Secretary’s Report – Motion to approve EEVNA Board Revised Minutes of January 6, 2026 made by Brad, seconded by Lil. All in favor.
New Business:
Smydra Foundation:
· David Smydra sought Maureen's help to connect with EEV regarding establishing recurring funding from the Smydra Fund.
· Maureen connected David with Willie and Greg, providing contact details for the EEV Treasurer and President.
· David proposed an annual contribution of $1,000–$2,000 to Willie and Greg, requesting necessary information to proceed.
· Willie confirmed EEV's interest, and David scheduled a call with Willie for Wednesday, February 7, at 1:00 PM to discuss funding specifics.
Donor/Sponsorship Listing: Resident Jacquelyn James is upset that her name was not included in the Donor & Supporters Listing in the Winter Edition of newsletter. Agreed to acknowledge her contributions on front page of Spring newsletter. Willie, Maureen and Greg have each personally apologized to her. Prior to the next publishing of contributors, we will assist Willie in reviewing the names.
Next General Meeting January 20, 2026. Jackie Grant speaking on Hope Grant. 2026 Calendar of Events to be presented.
Submitted w/Attachments: Maureen Dritsan, Secretary