Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment Davis Hall, College Park Final - November 25, 2013 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X Gemma Evans X Alan Hew X Stephen Jascourt X Benjamin Mellman X Janis Oppelt X Kennis Termini X Donna Weene X Macrina Xavier X Guests Present: Terry Schum, City Liaison, Steve Beavers, Denise M. Palmer, Contract Secretary Ms. Evans called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. 1. Review & approve minutes from meeting 10/28/13 Ms. Evans inquired of the committee if everyone had an opportunity to review the minutes and make any revisions. It was agreed to wait for the next meeting scheduled in January to give everyone an opportunity to review the minutes. 2. Review Financial report Ms. Schum reported that CBE did not have any expenditures. 3. Overview on possible Solar legislation by Town of University Park solar group Ms. Balachandran gave an overview and has spoken to John Manson who is working with Dave Borsch on a community solar bill which would allow coop projects to buy solar panels and receive rewards. The District of Columbia has a similar bill and she is patterning our bill after theirs. The committee is Economic Matters. She recommended Mr. Mellman serve on the committee to have him assist in shepherding the bill through. Ms. Balachandran will set up a meeting in December before the session starts. 4. Items for discussion: a. Takoma Park pesticide ban Ms. Balachandran reported that Takoma Park has a pesticide regulation. She sent the information by email to the committee members. She would like to talk to Takoma Park and have a forum. She suggested a workshop on pesticide use and invite a speaker and approach the subject and possibly tie it in with another workshop. The ban in Takoma Park was started by two residents. She will gather more details from Takoma Park and will call other jurisdictions including the city of Greenbelt who is currently banning the use of shredded tires. b. New College Park website Ms. Schum gave a report on the CBE website which is moving along and will be ready for review shortly. c. Pay As You Throw – update Ms. Balachandran gave an update on this item. d. Possible Bottle Bill legislation Ms. Balachandran followed up with Bob Stump on the bottle bill legislation. Ms. Evans reported on the bottle bill – deposit on bottles -- was not successful. There is no actual legislation written as of yet. Ms. Evans discussed different ways to make the bottle bill more accepting. e. Rain Barrel workshops – follow up Ms. Balachandran spoke to a resident who may be a good contact to have and has experience with rain barrels. Ms. Evans discussed posting pictures of rain barrels on the CBE website. Ms. Schum offered to assist with that project. 5. Old business: a. Letter to Mayor and Council about hens Councilmember Patrick Wojahn wants to put hens on the council agenda. The letter was finalized. Ms. Evans will send the letter to council and also to the intern on hens at City Hall. b. Kill-a-Watt meters and thermal imaging – location of devices Mr. Hew reported the number of meters and devices that are available for use to residents and how they can be obtained. c. Film series – screening rights Ms. Oppelt discussed the film series and indicated there will be one film each month that will run from January to April. She wants to go with the first three films and has not seen the other four. The film “Dirt” should be seen before the spring to address 2 gardening and planting for residents. The film “Tapped”could be tied to a public issue or concern similar to the bottle bill. 6. New Business a. CBE recruitment Ms. Oppelt discussed a letter that she will draft for new members and will discuss having council members also assist in the recruiting efforts for new CBE members. b. Liaison to Tree and Landscape Board Ms. Evans received an email from Brenda Alexander asking if CBE would consider having one person commit to be the liaison for the Tree and Landscape Board or to consider rotating committee members to attend their meetings. The Tree and Landscape meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at City Hall. The next meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2013. Ms. Xavier agreed to attend December 11, 2013 at 7 pm. Ms. Oppelt offered to attend the January meeting and Ms. Evans will attend the February meeting. Ms. Oppelt will forward the Zero Waste brochure to Mr. Hew. The following tasks were summarized for follow-up items: Ms. Evans to send link for website edits from Ms. Schum; Ms. Schum will send the hen letter to council; Ms. Balachandran and Ms. Oppelt will work together on the recruitment letter for CBE and Ms. Evans and Ms. Oppelt to draft recruitment letter for the council; Mr. Hew to send Ms. Schum information on the rental and use of the Kill-a- watt and thermal imaging meters; Ms. Balachandran to send information on the community solar bill to CBE committee members; Ms. Oppelt to follow up on film rights and costs; and the CBE members listed above who have agreed to attend future Tree and Landscape meetings will report back to CBE at its future meetings. There being no further business for discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2013. Minutes prepared by Denise M. Palmer, Contract Secretary 3