Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 042516 M&C Somers Gardiner Committee for a Better Environment Davis Hall, College Park March 28, 2016 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X Matt Dernoga X Karen Garvin X Alan Hew X Susan Keller X Adam Killian X Todd Larsen X Janis Oppelt X Kennis Termini X Donna Weene X Guests Present: Steve Beavers, City Liaison; Cole McCarren, UMD; Justin Gallardo, UMD; Jay Deep Rao, UMD; Maya Spaur, UMD; Eric Marshall-Main, UMD; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by Ms. Oppelt. Please note that a quorum was not present for this meeting. 1. The UMD students representing the SGA’s Student Sustainable Committee gave a presentation to the group. In February they visited 14 restaurants, popular to students, in College Park to determine how sustainable and green they are. They had a questionnaire comprised of 14 questions that they either searched for the answers or discussed with the manager. The idea was to encourage the business community to become sustainable and recycle and to encourage students to patronize restaurants who are recycling and/or working towards recycling. They indicated they would share their survey results with CBE via Ms. Oppelt. The students also indicated that many business said they would like to recycle but do not have the room within their restaurants to recycle or the space for the dumpster. The group is looking into having a window sticker or a wall certificate for each restaurant that complies with sustainable usage so the students can easily identify them and patronize these places. They area also putting together a press release. CBE would be glad to share the press release at the farmers markets. Ms. Oppelt also suggested that the students could nominate these restaurants for a Green Award and she will email the application to Mr. Rao. Mr. Dernoga indicated he would send the Prince  Georges County recycling information to the students. The students indicated that there will be a large Earth Day celebration at the University on April 22 and will send a link to Ms. Oppelt. 2. We welcomed Todd Larsen to the CBE. 3. Mr. Cullen Brow from SolarCity wanted to discuss a fund-raising opportunity and potential partnership with College Park. CBE recommended that he contact the president of each civic association and potentially attend Good Neighbor Day, College Park Day, and the College Park farmers markets. 4. There is approximately $4500 left in the CBE budget. Trash cans have not yet been ordered. There is a request for $300 for an Italian spice, oil, vinegar work shop. Pending a quorum at the April meeting, this will be voted on at that time. 5. Approximately 20 students helped clean up the pond at the end of College Avenue. 6. Davis Hall is being for offices as the renovation takes place in the outer building, CBE will be meeting at the United Methodist Church, corner of Rhode Island and Hollywood, Room 5 and 8. This would be for April, May, June and July meetings. 7. Bike to Work Day is scheduled for May 20. Approximately $400 is being requested from CBE to use for this event. Pending a quorum at the April meeting, this will be voted on at that time. 8. Mr. Beavers will reach out to Ms. Brenda Alexander to inquire about wish list items for which CBE can assist. 9. Ms. Termini and Ms. Weene attended the most recent APC meeting. The suggestion was made that members of APC attend a CBE meeting to ensure that everyone is on the same page with regards to fencing, gardening, etc. 10. The composting workshop is scheduled for May 14 at 10:00am in Council Chambers. Ben Fischler will be conducting the workshop. There are 55 compost bins to give out that day. 11. Good Neighbor Day is April 2 from 8:00am-12:00Noon at the College Park Community Center. We will be working on the permaculture garden that day. 12. Tip for a Better Environment went out for March. April’s tip was submitted today.  13. Waiting on Green Award nominations. They have been added to the Municipal Scene. The awards will be handed out at College Park Day. 14. The litter logo contest has been approved by City Council. The contest will run from April 1-30. The meeting ended at 8:20pm.