Committee for a Better Environment

Committee for a Better Environment United Methodist Church, College Park May 23, 2016 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Melissa Avery X 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 Daniel Walfield X Donna Weene X Guests Present: Steve Beavers, City Liaison; Anna Ubeda; Jaime Theilem; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by Ms. Oppelt. 1. The minutes from the April 25, 2016 meeting were reviewed. Mr. Walfield made the motion to accept the minutes with the changes discussed. Ms. Garvin seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 2. Mr. Beavers stated that the budgeted line item from which plantings are paid has been exhausted. CBE has monies available, but in different budgeted line items. He asked if CBE would be amenable to taking the monies needed from another line item. Ms. Oppelt made the motion to take the overage needed for plantings, approximately $830, from another budgeted line item. Ms. Weene seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. Mr. Hew requested monies to do a basic soil sample on the permaculture garden. Ms. Oppelt made a motion to dedicate $50 to do soil sample testing. Mr. Walfield seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. Ms. Termini asked for $250 for the June 18 Pollinators workshop to be held at City Hall, Council Chambers which will include a speaker, Ms. Christiane Williams. Ms. Weene made a motion to spend $250 for the Pollinators workshop on June 18. Ms. Walfield seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 3. There were 10 entries for the Litter Slogan contest and approximately 100 people voted. Mr. Beavers passed around the top three entries: University of Maryland winner; Elementary/High school winner; and Other Residents winner. After discussion, Ms. Oppelt made a motion for the placement of the entries and the winning amount of monies as follows: #1 – Other Resident winner - $250; #2 – Elementary/High school winner – $100; and #3 – University of Maryland winner – $50. Ms. Termini seconded the motion. Ms. Balachandran abstained from voting; all others voted in favor, no opposed. Motion carries. Further discussion took place on how to educate people on stopping the littering using the winning entry. Suggestions were made for T-shirts, signage, press releases, contacting University of Maryland to share with the students. Suggestions for signage were along the Trolley Trail, in Old Towne, on trash cans, at the metro stop – it has to be seen everywhere. The suggestion was made to also involve the University of Maryland Student Sustainability Committee for help in spreading the word. It was also announced that at the July 5 Council Session, the Litter campaign, Pay As You Throw, and Business Recycling is on the agenda. CBE should be present at this meeting. 4. Discussed attendance at committee meetings. Per the information received from the City, if an individual misses three meetings in a row, the recommendation can be made to have that individual removed from the committee. Mr. Killian has not attended the last four meetings. Mr. Hew stated that he has moved from College Park. Ms. Oppelt will write and submit a letter to the City Clerk asking for Mr. Killian to be removed from the committee. 5. Ms. Garvin discussed the Dandelion workshop she would like to host. She wants to do it at the Farmers Market in September. Ms. Termini stated that she needs to speak with Julie Beavers and Christiane Williams to set up at a workshop at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market. Ms. Garvin will come back to the committee with updated information and a specific September date. 6. Mr. Dernoga briefed the committee on the County Urban Agriculture legislation. He will send out an email with all of the information. Councilwoman Mary Lehman submitted CB-25-2016, which would amend the zoning ordinance and allow urban farms to operate in new areas of the county. It was submitted with Council members Glaros and Turner. It will provide tax credits for urban farming. Outside groups assisted in drafting the language of the bill. Currently, the definition for urban farms is limited to those run by nonprofit organizations. The bill would expand that definition to include any organization or individual who wishes to cultivate flowers, fruits, vegetables or beehives on their property and sell the products of that effort. It does not, however, permit the keeping of livestock, including chickens. The economic development and food benefits are only some of the positives expanded urban agriculture could bring to the county. An urban farmer would be required to get a permit from the county health department if fruits and/or vegetables are to be cut up and sold, or used in prepared foods that are sold, to the  public. Additionally, all urban farms must cooperate with the Soil Conservation District (SCD) and operate under a farm management plan approved by the SCD. 7. Ms. Termini requested a copy of the CBE Annual Report that was submitted to City Council. Mr. Beavers will send Ms. Termini an email with the requested information. 8. The composting workshop was well attended – 20 people. The speaker did an excellent job and people stayed after to speak with him directly. There are about 25 composting bins left if anyone is interested in having one. 9. Bike to Work Day had approximately 80 participants. Mom’s Organic Market supplied apples; coffee and bagels were supplied by the Bagel Place. 10. Ms. Balachandran noted that there will be a meeting at City Hall on Thursday, May 26 on Zero Waste. She will email out all of the pertinent information to CBE. 11. One of the park rangers from the MNCPPC came to West College Park and helped with the bamboo removal and other plant issues. 12. Mr. Hew shared a binder that was from a previous workshop that showed integrated pest management and different varieties of plants and grasses for the permaculture garden. 13. The next meeting is scheduled for June 27 at 7:00pm at the United Methodist Church. Ms. Weene made a motion to end the meeting. Ms, Termini seconded the motion. The meeting ended at 8:30pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.