Bee City USA

Bee City USA February 8, 2023 Via Teleconferencing through Zoom 7:00pm Term Exp. Members Present Absent Staff Brenda Alexander X 6/30/2023 Maria Ulloa-Bustos X 6/30/2025 Anahi Espindola X 6/30/2025 Ariela Haber X 6/30/2024 Alan Hew, Chair X 6/30/2024 Marc Pound X 6/30/2023 Jim Sauer X 6/30/2025 Terra Virsilas X Also present: Lindsay Miller, UMD, Michael Ellis, UMD, Logan Barraco, UMD; Kathryn Kovarik, Girl Scout Troop 96; Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary The Bee City Committee meeting was called to order by Alan Hew, Chair, at 7:02pm. 1. The agenda was reviewed. Mr. Pound made a motion to accept. Ms. Virsilas seconded. Motion caries for approval 4-0-0. 2. The January 11, 2023, minutes were reviewed. Mr. Pound motioned to accept the minutes. Ms. Haber seconded. Motion carries for approval 4-0-0. 3. City activities: a. Updates to the Native Plant List were reviewed and made and it has been posted to the City website. b. Ms. Alexander is working on the renewal for Bee City USA status. It is due by February 28. 4. Girl Scout Troop 96 received the draft of the signage for their Bee Hotel. The College Park Bee City logo will be added to the sign. The troop appreciates all of the feedback regarding the verbiage. The troop is still working on the sign for their Pollinator Garden and will have it installed by the end of this school year. 5. Michael Ellis, Horticulturist with UMD and his associates Lindsay Miller and Logan Barraco, discussed with the committee on UMD becoming Bee City Campus. The university is committed to No Mow April of the grassy area by the chapel. There are pollinator gardens in several places on the UMD campus. They stated, like most people, when there is talk of bees, they are thinking of the bees that sting people and are located by trash cans. They want to get the word out about the types of bees that are good for pollination. They are hoping to partner with the City’s Bee City Committee and work in conjunction. Mr. Ellis also stated that they will be present at Maryland Day on April 29 and perhaps ideas/handouts could be shared. The UMD Sustainability Council gives out grants. Their website: https://sustainability.umd.edu/about/sustainabilitycouncil. Mr. Hew suggested that it is important for them to research what other Big 10 college campuses are doing with regards to  Bee Campus USA, sustainability, and pollinators. It seems to be very helpful if other Big 10 schools are broaching into these areas that UMD would be more receptive. 6. Bee Hotels. Ms. Alexander received clarification that the money bequeathed by City Council for five additional bee hotels can be placed through the City of College Park. Ms. Espindola sent in her comments on the locations and types of hotels via email. The committee will take recommendations from Ms. Alexander on where the hotels should be located. Also, several of the current hotels need to have the tubes replaced with fresh ones. Ms. Alexander will order replacement tubes. 7. A response has not yet been received from the City Communications Coordinator on the iNaturalist project. The committee discussed a possible back-up plan of having pictures emailed and then having all the pictures reviewed for a vote. 8. Municipal Scene – March – No Mow April. Ms. Alexander will share last year’s article and Ms. Haber has agreed to update it for the March 2023 Municipal Scene. 9. College Park has scheduled a parade for May 6. The Event Staff would appreciate having the committees represented. Bee City will most likely partner with CBE and perhaps TLB. This will be further discussed at the March Bee City meeting. 10. Mr. Hew is still working on scheduling a multi-city spring event. 11. The next meeting is scheduled for March 8, 2023, at 7:00pm. Mr. Pound made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Haber seconded. Motion carries 4-0-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:53pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.