Bee City USA

Bee City USA Committee April 10, 2024 7:00pm Term Exp. Members Present Absent 6/30/2026 Maria Ulloa-Bustos X 6/30/2025 Anahi Espindola (maternity leave) X 6/30/2025 Ariela Haber X 6/30/2026 Valerie Novak X 6/30/2025 Terra Virsilas X 6/30/2026 Jennifer Lindstrom X 6/30/2026 Frank Cifaldi X Staff Liaison Janet McCaslin X Also present: UMD students: Nina Craven; Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary. The Bee City Committee meeting was called to order by Ms. Ulloa-Bustos at 7:08 pm. 1. Review and approval of agenda Mr. Cifaldi motioned to accept the agenda with an addition and Ms. Virsilas seconded. Motion carries 5-0-0. 2. March 2024 minutes Ms. Haber motioned to accept the March 13, 2024, minutes with one amended change and Ms. Virsilas seconded. Motion carries 5-0-0. 3. Seed Stratification Ms. Virsilas, Ms. Ulloa-Bustos and her husband planted 17 flats of seeds. Four additional flats were seeded at another event. Some of the plants are germinating, but too weak to transplant at the moment. 4. No Mow April Signs More residents are asking for signs and additional signs need to be ordered. Ms. Ulloa-Bustos motioned to spend up to $600.00 on more signs. Ms. Haber seconded. Motion carries 5-0-0. 5. Municipal Scene The May article will be done by Ms. Ulloa-Bustos. The June article on Importance of Pollinators will be done by Ms. DeWalt. 6. Bee City Certification Renewal The Xerces Society renewal had been completed, but unfortunately it was on the wrong form. An extension has been granted. The renewal fee, however, was paid. 7. Lake Artemesia planting Due to scheduling conflicts, the planting at Lake Artemesia on Saturday, April 27 must be rescheduled. Once a new date is chosen, the committee will be apprised. 1 8. Community Gardens Bee City will submit a letter of support to the Mayor and Council for support of the project. Ms. Haber and Ms. Virsilas volunteered to draft the letter. 9. Cherokee Pollinator Garden Ms. Ulloa-Bustos and her husband will be working on cleaning up the Cherokee Pollinator Garden. 10. College Park Parade The committee will participate in the College Park parade on May 4. The parade assembles at Mom’s Market. Bee City will be marching with CBE and TLB. 11. Pollinator Week. National Pollinator Week is June 17-23. The committee appreciated having UMD host the event last year, it was a bit stressful for the public and members with the limited parking and construction on the campus. The committee will look to see what other local jurisdictions are doing and perhaps partner with one of them. 12. Seed purchase Ms. Ulloa-Bustos made a motion to spend up to $400 to purchase seeds. Ms. Virsilas seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0-0. 13. May Meetings The April meeting will be on May 8, 2024, at 7:00pm at Davis Hall Members are encouraged to bring a plant to share with others. Ms. Novak motioned, and Mr. Cifaldi seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:03pm. Motion carries 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary. 2