Bee City USA

Bee City USA August 10, 2022 Via Teleconferencing through Zoom 7:00pm Term Exp. Members Present Absent Staff Brenda Alexander 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 X 6/30/2023 Jim Sauer (a 7:45pm) 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 approved without exception by the Chair. 2. The July 20, 2022, minutes were reviewed. Mr. Sauer motioned to accept the minutes. Ms. Haber seconded. Motion carries for approval 5-0-0. 3. City activities: a. The storm cleanup is continuing. The trees throughout the City are continuing to be observed for any more necessary maintenance. b. The Proclamation for Mayor’s Monarch Pledge has been submitted. c. The tree permitting issues has been resolved. d. The Pollinator Garden sign at Cherokee Street has been approved and will be charged to a DPW budget. Ms. Alexander will order the sign. 4. August Municipal Scene – Stocks and seed heads intact– Ms. Haber. This is due by August 25 to Ms. Alexander. 5. The approval has been given from DPW to paint pollinators on the curb at Lackawanna Street & 53rd Ave. The curbs should be painted prior to the pollinator pictures. Also discussed the half-moon area plantings and what to plant. Ms. Alexander stated that this is a direct route to the Greenbelt Metro and it is imperative to keep visibility and safety in mind not to mention that the area gets daily direct sunlight. It might be better to have ground covering type plants. There are drift roses there, but they will be removed.. Ms. Haber volunteered to handle this project. Ms. Little will send information to the committee about fall funding and guidelines from the Endangered Species Coalition to follow for the purchasing of native pollinator plants. Most grants are between $300 - $1000. Stencils and spray paint will be needed for this project. There will need to be a list of suggested pollinators to paint on the curb (butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, etc.).  6. Ms. Little has a group, called Live and Learn. They are life science scholars, and the students need a large amount of community service hours. They could prep the site for the curb painting. Ms. Little will send the director’s information to Ms. Alexander. 7. Good Neighbor Day. Councilmember Mackie is going to present the City projects to Mayor and Council. It was decided that building Bee Hotels would probably not be a feasible project. Other suggested projects were: a. Landscaping around the American Legion. b. Half-moon garden area at 53rd Street and Lackawanna Ave. c. Calvert Road at Rhode Island Avenue (where the girl scouts project is located) 8. The next meeting is scheduled for September 14, 2022, at 7:00pm. Mr. Sauer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Brown seconded. Motion carries 5-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:40pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.