East English Village Neighborhood Association Board Minutes – Meeting held via Zoom Call
March 3, 2026
Present:
Greg Stolarski, President
Tamika Webb, 2nd Vice President
Maureen Dritsan, Secretary
Kathie Roddie, Street Rep Bishop
Lil Cortes, Street Rep Grayton
Judy Roth, Street Rep Harvard
Barbara Hamilton-Pitts, Street Rep Chandler Park Drive
M. L. Elrick, Street Rep E Outer Drive
Ron Otto, Garden Club Chair
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
· $500 Scholarship to High School Graduate (1)
· Newsletter – Quarterly - Angela Colombo to assume Editor position; will be working w/Carole Hoste during transition to produce the Spring Newsletter. Deadline is March 15, 2026.
· Increase 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 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 Try-Chair responsibilities. August Beautification Month – EEV Pride.
· Neighborhood Clean-Ups – 3 Scheduled: May 16 in conjunction w/Motor City Makeover; June and July dates to be finalized. Greg has received confirmation that Wayne State University Medical Students would be willing to volunteer (300 potential candidates) for cleanup event(s).
· Quarter Quts – To be determined
· 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)
· T-Shirt/Hoodie Fundraiser – Spring
· One additional social event to be considered.
East Warren Development Corporation Concerns – Review of EWDC Arts & Cultural Committee Meeting held on February 19. 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 presented goals with regard to community engagement, production, coordination and execution of the project. Mila will present at our next General Meeting on March 17. Potential businesses are currently being contacted that might support their building being utilized but no decisions have been made yet.
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. 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.
Next EWDC Arts & Culture Meeting is scheduled for March 19, 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 message and awaiting a response.
1st Vice President – Due to schedule conflict, Brad was unable to attend. (Previously 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 follow-up info to an email she sent relative to Textedly, the company EWDC uses for mass texting. Based on feedback from Board Members, there was a concern regarding the high cost of the service and whether EEVNA needed to contract for the high number of texts quoted. Tamika indicated there were some other plans available that might better fit EEVNA’s requirements. She will get back w/Textedly to further review as well as explore other possible options shared by Board Members.
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.
Treasurer’s Report – Willie was unable to attend meeting due to work demands. February 2026 Financial Reports were reviewed. Discussed outstanding payments from advertisers.
Greg motioned to accept the February 2026 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.
Garden Club Report: Ron Otto provided an update on the Garden Club’s plans and potential schedule of events for 2026. Seed Swap held on Valentine’s Day took place with lower than anticipated turnout. Dates for specific events and meetings are: April 18, May 16 and June 13 with specific details to follow. Annual Garden Tour is scheduled for July 25th. A possible tour of the Dow Gardens in Midland, MI was mentioned. Also, Diana Gomez, Director of EWDC Kitchen, had discussed a possible joint venture class teaching kids about gardening followed with a Harvest Dinner in September. Discussion and specific details to follow. Ron will prepare an article for the Spring Edition of newsletter inviting residents to participate and providing actual event dates.
New Business:
Smydra Foundation: David Smydra met w/Willie and Greg to finalize approval for EEVNA to be an annual financial recipient of the Smydra Foundation. 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.
Next General Meeting January 20, 2026. E Warren Mural Project to be focus.
Submitted w/Attachment (EEVNA Priorities/Plans 2025: 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