Bee City USA

Bee City USA April 14, 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 Ulloa-Bustós (at 7:10pm) 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: Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary The meeting was called to order by Alan Hew, Chair, at 7:03pm. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Several items were tabled for a future meeting (Ms. Espindola motioned; Mr. Sauer seconded) and the addition of reviewing the Press Release was added (Mr. Beatty motioned; Mr. Batten seconded). Mr. Hew motioned to accept the agenda with all changes, and Mr. Pound seconded. Motion carries for approval 7-0-0. 2. The March 10, 2021 minutes were reviewed. There is a correction to Maria’s last name that will be made. Mr. Hew motioned to accept with the change, and Ms. Espindola seconded. Motion carries for approval 8-0-0. 3. City Report. Ms. Alexander reported the following: a. There is a tree giveaway on May 1 from 9:00am-1:00pm at the College Park Airport. They are 5-7 gallon trees – Black Gum, Flowering Dogwood, White Oak. 4. Discussed “No Mow May.” Ms. Alexander did speak to Bill Gardiner, Acting City Manager, and Bob Ryan, Director Public Services. Mayor and Council would have to approve at a work session. In order to be placed on the agenda, a concrete proposal of what the program would entail needs to be submitted to Ms. Alexander for submission to the City Clerk’s office by Friday, April 30. The next potential work session would be May 4. After discussion amongst the committee, it was decided to table the proposal for a future meeting and put forth for either Fall 2021 or Spring 2022. A sub-committee was created to focus on the No Mow May proposal with a motion by Mr. Hew and seconded by Ms. Espindola.  Motion carries 8-0-0. Sub-committee members are Ms. Haber, Ms. Ulloa- Bustos, Mr. Hew, and Mr. Batten. The sub-committee was reminded that they can work on the proposal to submit to the full committee for consideration before discussion with Council for approval. 5. Pollinator Week is the third week of June. Ms. Espindola has created a “Bingo” card that can be done via social media. Ms. Alexander reminded the committee that a City Event Application needs to be completed and submitted to the Communications Coordinator for approval. All information for the application should be submitted to Mr. Hew and Ms. Alexander. All information will be presented at the May 12, 2021 Bee City Committee meeting. Also discussed encouraging residents to create Insect Hotels. There is a possibility of partnering with the College Park Arts Exchange. Mr. Beatty volunteered to contact CPAE. Residents could send in pictures of their insect hotels and the pictures could be judged for an award. Further details will be discussed at the May 12, 2021 meeting. 6. Bee City USA requirements: a. Pollinator Plant List. It was suggested to add a column for the size of plants – S-M-L-XL. It was also suggested to translate it into Spanish and present it as a double-sided document. Once completed, the committee would like it posted on the Bee City Committee page on the College Park website. Ms. Alexander reminded the committee that any posting on the webpage must be approved by the City’s Communication Coordinator. All information should be emailed to Ms. Alexander and she will submit it for approval. Mr. Hew motioned to accept the Pollinator Plant List with the addition of the sizes of plants and Spanish translation for submission to the City for placement on the Bee City’s webpage. Mr. Beatty seconded. Motion carries 8-0-0. b. Native Plant Vendor List was submitted by Ms. Ulloa-Bustos. It was suggested to add Earth Sangha to the listing and also translate into Spanish. Mr. Hew made a motion that once the native plant vendor list is completed, it will be sent to Ms. Alexander for submission to the City Communication Coordinator for placement on the Bee City’s webpage. Ms. Espindola seconded. Motion carries 8-0-0. Ms. DeWalt agreed to re-format the vendor plant list into an Excel spreadsheet for convenience. 7. Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. Ms. Alexander sent the information to the committee via email. Mr. Hew made a motion to support the Monarch Pledge. Ms. Ulloa- Bustos seconded. Motion carries 8-0-0. 8. Discussed Press Release on creation of Bee City USA Committee for College Park. Although pictures were submitted with the draft press release, they may not be included in the final approved release. Ms. Alexander has submitted the draft press release to the City’s Communication Coordinator for review and release.  9. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 7:00pm. Mr. Hew made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Espindola seconded. Motion carries 8-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.