Bee City USA

Bee City USA January 13, 2021 Via Teleconferencing through Zoom 7:00pm Term Exp. Members Present Absent Staff Brenda Alexander X 6/30/2022 Aubrey Batten X 6/30/2023 Craig Beatty X 6/30/2023 Maria Bustós X 6/30/2022 Anahi Espindola X 6/30/2022 Ariela Haber X 6/30/2021 Alan Hew, Chair X 6/30/2021 Ordom (Brian) Huot X 6/30/2021 Marc Pound X 6/30/2023 Jim Sauer X Also present: Ryna Quinones, College Park Communications Coordinator, Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary The meeting was called to order by Alan Hew, Chair, at 7:02pm. 1. Ms. Quinones spoke about the City of College Park website and the section on the website regarding committees. Under each committee, various information can be placed on the website providing it meets the City of College Park guidelines. Ms. Alexander stated that education is a big component of the committee and educational materials would be most helpful posted on the website. The committee would like a link to the Xerces Society web page; Ms. Quinones will need to research approval as no private or business links are permitted, just government body links. It was explained that when the application for College Park to become a Bee City USA affiliate, which was approved by Mayor and Council, all information comes from the Xerces Society. More information to follow on the Xerces Society link. The City does have a FaceBook, Twitter, Instragram, and NextDoor account and can be used for sharing information. Regardless of what information needs to be shared with the general public, all requests must come through the Staff Liaison and reviewed to ensure compliance with City policies. Ms. Quinones left the meeting at 7:25pm. 2. The agenda was reviewed. Ms. Espindola motioned, and Mr. Pound seconded. Motion carries for approval 9-0-0. 3. The December 11, 2020 minutes were reviewed. Mr. Beatty motioned, and Mr. Batten seconded. Motion carries for approval 9-0-0. 4. City Report. Ms. Alexander stated that she tried to complete the Bee City USA application on the Bee City website, but it is under construction. She will continue checking and once it is up, she will complete the application. 5. Discussed the committee purpose and charge. The resolution from Mayor and Council to create the Bee City USA Committee seems straightforward and can build from it. Suggestions were made: a. Adding the committee to support CBE and TLB. b. Ensure it is College Park specific. c. Ensure concentration of the committee meets the Bee City certification. d. Work with Office of Community Engagement at University of Maryland (for vounteers?). e. Reach out to other Bee Cities on their mission statements to use as a guideline. Mr. Batten stated he would take on this task and update at the February meeting. f. Create a Google doc and keep all information in one place. Ms. Espindola stated she would take on this task and email the google doc link to the committee. Ms. Alexander also suggested to the committee to sign up on the Bee City USA website to receive regular news information, news flashes, information, etc. 6. Discussed the idea of changing the committee name to really reflect the purpose. The following ideas were given and will be voted on at the February meeting: a. Bee City USA Committee b. Pollinator Committee c. PolliNATION d. PolliNATION: A City of College Park Initiative e. Pollinators Welcome in College Park f. Pollinator Park of College Park g. Pollinators of College Park h. Pollinesia 7. Discussed the various plants, availability in the local market and spots for a pollinator garden. The committee wants to use plants that are native to our area. Ms. Espindola has a spreadsheet, which was compiled by one of her students, and will share the spreadsheet with the committee; Ms. Alexander also will do some research and share with the committee. There is a suggestion to start with one garden, maybe two at the most. Mr. Hew suggested using a part of the Trolley Trail since the Permaculture Garden is already located there, which is near the intersection of Greenbelt and Rhode Island across from the 7-11 by the Village Pump. Ms. Bustos suggested Lake Artemesia, but Ms. Alexander reminded the committee the lands there belongs to MNCPPC. The question was posed about having one at the new City Hall  building. Other suggestions were the James Adams park, the Old Towne Community garden site, Calvert Hills park, Odessa, Duvall Field. Ms. Alexander will provide a summary of each area for review at the February meeting. Other items discussed were: a. Need for signage b. Need for fencing around the garden c. It could be a Good Neighbor Day project d. Pollinator week is June 21-28. The committee decided that there are a lot of great ideas, but they need to be consolidated into an Action Plan and conform with the Bee City USA requirements. 8. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 7:00pm. Mr. Hew made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Huot seconded. Motion carries 9- 0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.