Bee City USA

Bee City USA June 8, 2022 Via Teleconferencing through Zoom 7:00pm Term Exp. Members Present Absent Staff Brenda Alexander X 6/30/2023 Craig Beatty X 6/30/2024 Gail Brown X 6/30/2023 Maria Ulloa-Bustos X 6/30/2022 Anahi Espindola X 6/30/2022 Ariela Haber X 6/30/2024 Alan Hew, Chair X 6/30/2024 Ordom (Brian) Huot X 6/30/2024 Marc Pound (a 8:15pm) X 6/30/2023 Jim Sauer X Also present: Katie Little, Lead Community Engagement Specialist, UMD; Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary The Bee City Committee meeting was called to order by Alan Hew, Chair, at 7:03pm. 1. The agenda was reviewed, and additions were added to it. Ms. Brown motioned to accept the agenda with changes. Mr. Sauer seconded. Motion carries for approval 8-0-0. 2. The May 11, 2022, minutes were reviewed. Ms. Espindola motioned to accept the minutes with changes. Mr. Beatty seconded. Motion carries for approval 8-0-0. 3. Girl Scout Troop 96 presented their new plan via email. On Sunday, several members from the troop along with Mr. Hew completed the garden. Mr. Hew shared several pictures. It was noted that the common milkweed was not available and asters and echinacea were substituted; creeping phlox and fox glove were also added. 4. Reviewed survey questions to date; so far 127 people have responded. The survey closes on June 9. Once the survey has been completed, Ms. Alexander will email final results to the committee. 5. The Pollinator Week proclamation is on the Mayor and City Council agenda for June 21, 2022. A copy was shared with the committee. 6. The Bee Hotel design instructions, created by Mr. Beatty, will be translated into Spanish by Ms. Espindola and Ms. Ulloa-Bustos. The activity is scheduled for June 23 from 1:00pm- 4:00pm. People can register on the College Park Arts and Exchange website and the City of College Park website. 7. Partridge Pea seed distribution was completed by Mr. Sauer. Pictures were sent to Ms. Alexander to be used for re-certification. Mr. Huot had distributed milkweek seeds in May and June and shared his information with the committee. He will do another milkweed seed distribution in late June/July and has requested more labels.  8. Discussed Pollinator Garden at Cherokee Street. The border around it was mowed and it looks much better. It appears that Black-eyed Susan’s may bloom soon. The seed mix that was planted is shade tolerate. Ms. Alexander reminded the committee that it could take 2-3 years before everything could bloom. The committee discussed having a more informational sign about pollinator gardens to better educate the resident. Ms. Espindola volunteered to send information for the sign to Ms. Alexander. Ms. Ulloa-Bustos will also write an article for the July Municipal Scene about pollinator gardens. 9. Ms. Little discussed the Endangered Species Coalition. They have grants available to assist with pollinator protection programs that may assist with pollinator gardens at both UMD and the City of College Park. Mr. Hew, Mr. Huot, Mr. Sauer and Ms. Little will form a subcommittee to review the criteria for the grant. Ms. Alexander mentioned that the City does not have the staff capacity to handle a number of additional gardens. Volunteers would be needed, perhaps the neighborhood associations could assist. Ms. Espindola said she would reach out to the Green Team in Calvert Hills. Mr. Huot will talk to his community at Princeton. There was suggestion to reach out to the Friends of Guilford Run through Hope Lutheran Church. 10. Greenbelt’s Pollinator committee is hosting a webinar on June 21 at 7:00pm. Mr. Hew sent the email to the committee. 11. The next meeting is scheduled for July 13, 2022, at 7:00pm. Mr. Huot made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Espindola seconded. Motion carries 9-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.