Bee City USA

Bee City USA Committee October 11, 2023 7:00pm Term Exp. Members Present Absent 6/30/2026 Maria Ulloa-Bustos X 6/30/2025 Anahi Espindola X 6/30/2025 Ariela Haber X 6/30/2024 Marc Pound X 6/30/2025 Terra Virsilas X 6/30/2026 Jennifer Lindstrom X 6/30/2026 Frank Cifaldi X 6/30/2026 Sally Wood X Staff Liaison Brenda Alexander X Also present: Michel Ellis, UMD; Katie Little; Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary. The Bee City Committee meeting was called to order by Ms. Ulloa-Bustos at 7:12 pm. It was noted that a quorum was not present for this meeting. 1. Review and approval of agenda Ms. Haber accepted the agenda with changes and Mr. Pound seconded. Motion carries 5-0-0. 2. June, July, August, and September 2023 minutes June 2023 minutes – Mr. Pound motioned, and Ms. Virsilas seconded to accept the minutes. Motion carries 5-0-0. July 2023 minutes – Ms. Virsilas motioned to accept the minutes with amended changes, and Mr. Pound seconded. Motion carries 5-0-0. August 2023 minutes – Ms. Haber motioned to accept the minutes with amended changes and Mr. Cifaldi seconded. Motion carries 5-0-0. September 2023 – Mr. Pound motioned to accept the minutes with amended changes and Ms. Haber seconded. Motion carries 5-0-0. 3. City Activities:  In case the federal government shut down, Ms. Alexander made a trip to the Bee Lab and picked up all the plants needed for Good Neighbor Day projects. They are all at DPW and the DPW staff are handling their care.  Mr. Ellis asked if he could have a list of the plants and Ms. Alexander stated she would send it to him.  It was noted again that Ms. Alexander’s last day is November 30, 2023. There is a luncheon at the Parish House on November 30, and she invited the committee to attend. 4. Good Neighbor Day Scheduled for October 21. Sign up through the city website to volunteer for a project. 1 5. Municipal Scene For November – Ms. Haber will work on an article discussing replacing plants with native plants. Due by October 23 to Ms. Alexander. For December – Ms. Ulloa-Bustos will work on an article about beneficial native plants for pollinators that will work in the cold, winter season. Due by November 18 to Janet McCaslin. There was a brief discussion on the verbiage of “native plants.” Some residents are asking if the plants on the recommended list are just native to College Park. Discussion took place among the committee as to whether to use Eastern US or Mid-Atlantic area. Ms. Ulloa-Bustos stated that the plants are mostly native to the Mid-Atlantic area, but there are some specific to the eastern part of Maryland which would include College Park. College Park is in the Piedmont region of the Mid-Atlantic area. This qualifier will be added to the list of plants – “Native to the Mid-Atlantic area.” 6. College Park Day College Park Day, despite the weather, went well. There were many questions about the bee hotels. People seemed excited about the seed packets. Ms. Haber reported that there were some compliments about the Cherokee pollinator garden. The person who handles the Hollywood Farmer’s Market asked if Bee City would be willing to have a table in early Spring to showcase plants, pollinator information, etc. The committee agreed this would be a good idea. 7. No Mow April Ms. Alexander reminded the committee that No Mow April is an ongoing City initiative. It is completely voluntary for residents. There seems to be a misunderstanding regarding the infractions received. After April is over, residents may receive a warning notice indicating they have 10 days to mow their lawn. It’s only after the 10-day period that a monetary violation may be given. 9. Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for November 8, 2023, at 7:00pm as a Zoom meeting. Mr. Cifaldi motioned, and Ms. Ulloa-Bustos seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:18pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary. 2