East English Village Neighborhood Association Board Minutes – Meeting held In Person and via Zoom Call
June 2, 2026
Present:
Greg Stolarski, President
Brad Dick, 1st Vice President
Tamika Webb, 2nd Vice President
Maureen Dritsan, Secretary
Willie Burton, Treasurer
Kathie Roddie, Street Rep Bishop
Lil Cortes, Street Rep Grayton
Priscilla Wilson, Street Rep Yorkshire
Judy Roth, Street Rep Harvard
Minutes of May 5, 2026 EEVNA Board Meeting reviewed. Motion to approve by Brad Dick, seconded by Kathie Roddie. All in favor.
President’s Report:
Reviewed Goals & Plans for 2026 to focus on:
· Build Community
· Improve Safety
· Neighborhood Improvement
· EEVNA Scholarship – The Board voted to award the $500 one-time scholarship to Brandon Jones. He will attend WSU School of Nursing. Greg is attempting to confirm his attendance at the June 16 General Meeting where Brandon will be recognized and awarded the check. There were only three applicants this year and Board agreed to identify more ways to market the scholarship for 2027.
· Increase Resident Participation – Continue to encourage participation and involvement via Facebook, Newsletter and Board Members’ direct invitation to attend General Meeting/Events. Goal: Each Board Member to invite/bring three new people over course of year. Grassroots “Knock On Doors” effort in the Spring may be coordinated w/Street Reps & Block Captains personally inviting residents to events.
· Events – Budgets need to be established for each and every event to be considered/approved and submitted to Willie:
o Neighborhood Cleanups – Motor City Cleanup was held on May 16 Mack/E Outer Drive from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Additional Cleanups will be held on July 11 (Chandler Park Dr/Cadieux) and Aug 8 (Cadieux/Harper Lot). We need to encourage additional resident participation. Greg has not heard back from Wayne State University regarding potential students to volunteer for cleanups. Will reach out to determine if this is still a possibility.
o Morningside Summer Sizzler – Saturday, July 18, from 1-4 PM at Three Mile-Munich Park. EEV is not officially participating this year (due to lack of a resident willing to represent EEV in planning phase. Per Susan Newell, volunteers are needed, and EEV residents are invited to attend the event. Post info on FB Page
o EEV Annual Garden Tour, Signage Landscaping– Garden Club to plan, coordinate and execute plans for these items. (See below)
o Warren Fest – September 12, 2026. Need to determine to what extent we will partner w/EWDC. EWDC lack of organization. Per Joe Rashid, no final decision has been made regarding closing E Warren and/or side streets for this event. Per DPD 5th Precinct, ninety days’ lead time is required to obtain authorization; however, to date no applications have been submitted by EWDC. Two event stages in EEV between Cadieux & E Outer Drive have been discussed.
o Trunk or Treat – Participation w/DPD 5th Precinct and EWDC on both events
o Holiday Event & Tree Lighting w/Alger Theater Establish date/budget w/Jackie Grant
o EEV Residents Holiday Association Party – Bettina Boyd to Chair. Looking for volunteers to assist. Also seeking input from residents as to the best day/date/time for event.
o 5th Precinct & EWDC – Active Participation throughout the year
· City Walls Mural on E Warren –Five murals are 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. Royal Auto (southeast corner E Outer Drive/E Warren) is the approved site and work has already begun by artist, Mila Lynn. Timeframe: Conclude in late July/August.
· Wayne County Street Maintenance – Terrible job grass cutting noted on the medians and no cleanup or edging. Neighbors have commented on Facebook page. Email documenting dissatisfaction with service has been sent to Commissioner Tim Killeen. Also, still waiting for update regarding status of dead tree removal, (17 out of original 27 remaining)
· Newsletter – Quarterly - Angela Colombo is the Editor and is seeking individuals to contribute articles for future editions. Summer edition is being finalized and will be sent to the printer and distributor soon.
· 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. Focus is on establishing Grden Buddy Program. Following events/dates established.
o EEV Garden Tour Sneak Preview – June 13
o EEV Annual Garden Tour – Garden Club to plan and coordinate. Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026 11 AM – 3 PM. Starting Point: 5060 Bishop Tickets: $15/Person Eight gardens anticipated to be featured on the tour. Effort to obtain media coverage for the event.
o EEV Signage Landscaping – Garden Club to plan/execute remaining sites
o Beautification Month –Garden Club made decision not to promote Beautification Month in August this year based on mixed resident reaction in 2025. Board agreed selling EEV Pride signs as a fundraiser should be considered.
Quarter Quts – Board voted to allocate a maximum of $1000 in 2026 to maintain neglected properties by again contracting w/Quarter Quts. Explore possible grant opportunities for reimbursement as no Land Bank or other City funding is available. David Weisman property (6014 Yorkshire/corner of Berden) is still problematic. Not maintaining. Greg to prepare list of homes in most need and submit to Quarter Quts for pricing/scheduling.
Home Plaque Fundraiser – Spring (Maureen & Justin Hewitt) Orders are coming in w/deadline June 1st. Order to be placed w/Whitehall Products. Justin & Maureen to distribute upon arrival.
T-Shirt/Hoodie Fundraiser – Spring
Other Event(s) – No additional social events are being considered at this time.
East Warren Development Corporation Concerns – Still 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 deadline. No representation at General Meeting. Biggest concern is the lack of updates provided and the need to improve appearance on E Warren Corridor – trash, weeds/tall grass, glass. Consider branding/art on corridor, brand/mask vacant buildings, clean sidewalks, snow removal, safe feeling surroundings. High level of concern has been expressed by EEVNA, Morningside and Alger Theater. Next EWDC Cultural & Arts Committee Meeting is scheduled for May 21. EEVNA Board to determine how to best proceed in future collaborations w/EWDC.
1st Vice President – Discussion on Grass Cutting and Tree Removal issues throughout neighborhood. Tree Planting Program – some neighbors’ objections.
2nd Vice President – New texting system seems to be successful in recent messaging. Will continue to monitor and evaluate.
Treasurer’s Report –May 2026 Financial Reports were reviewed. Motion by Greg to accept the April 2026 Financial Report as submitted. Seconded by Maureen. All in favor. It is critical budgets be submitted for all proposed events. We also need to investigate ways to encourage additional resident, local business/organizations financial contributions or grant opportunities in order to sustain the cost of these various expenses.
Smydra Foundation: $1,000 Donation received. David & Martha Smydra were invited but are unable to attend the June 16, 2026 General Meeting. EEV wants to publicly recognize their generous support of EEVNA. Consider awarding the “Spirit of Detroit” Award. Two other eastside organizations, The Friends of the Alger Theater and St. Matthew’s St. Vincent de Paul Society have also been included as recipients of the foundation.
Next General Meeting: June 16, 2026
Submitted: Maureen Dritsan, Secretary