Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 092616 Committee for a Better Environment United Methodist Church, College Park July 25, 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 Todd Larsen X Janis Oppelt X Kennis Termini X Daniel Walfield X Donna Weene X Guests Present: Andrew Fellows, EFC, University of Maryland; Steve Beavers, City Liaison; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Ms. Oppelt. 1. The minutes from the June 27 meeting were reviewed. Mr. Walfield made the motion to accept the minutes. Ms. Termini seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 2. The new fiscal year 2017 began July 1; CBE has $11,000 in their budget. 3. Ms. Oppelt briefly discussed attending the Pay as You Throw committee meeting on July 20. The committee is headed by Councilmember Christine Nagle. She stated that the committee would like to rename it “SMART” (Save money and reduce trash). She will circulate the minutes to the CBE member when she receives them from Councilmember Nagle. 4. Mr. Beavers reported that the Tree and Landscape Board is asking CBE for monetary assistance to help enhance a citywide tree canopy program. They will be working in conjunction with Brenda Alexander, the city’s horticulturist. City Council has funded $1000 towards the program. Mr. Dernoga brought up several outreach programs connected with trees that he is suggesting the committee and residents of College Park leverage for this program. The committee felt these were viable suggestions and they would be offered to the Tree and Landscape Board via letter written by Ms. Oppelt. It was suggested that Mr. Dernoga attend the next Tree and Landscape Board meeting to go  into further detail with them on the outreach programs. Ms. Weene made a motion to fund $1000 to the tree canopy program for the Tree and Landscape Board along with a letter outlining the different outreach programs that should be utilized. Ms. Oppelt seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 5. Neighborhood Sun would like to host a fall presentation on community solar. They are requesting CBE to reserve Council Chambers and advertise the date and time of the presentation. Ms. Oppelt mentioned that perhaps CBE might want to host some refreshments. Once a date has been determined, she will inform CBE. 6. Mr. Walfield again suggested the idea of having a Residential Energy Efficiency workshop. He suggested that if the workshop could be limited to 12-14 people, he could give a tour of his home to show all of the various energy efficiencies. The committee suggested that perhaps several other companies may want to offer their services and do a larger workshop. Mr. Walfield and Mr. Hew volunteered to research and get back to the committee at the September meeting. 7. Mr. Hew mentioned that additional testing needs to be done on the soil and has requested funding up to $100. Mr. Dernoga made a motion to spend up to $100 on further soil testing. Ms. Weene seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 8. Andrew Fellows who works with the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland is looking for idea on sustainability projects from College Park, Riverdale Park, University Park and Hyattsville. The students will be working on these projects for college credit. After discussing many ideas and suggestions with Mr. Fellows, he departed the meeting. The committee went through the ideas and will be making the following recommendations to Mr. Fellows for sustainability projects for College Park: a. Storm Water Management i. Motion made by Ms. Termini and seconded by Ms. Weene b. Zero Waste i. Motion made by Ms. Weene and seconded by Mr. Walfield  Educational  Marketing  Composting  Rain Barrels c. Energy Efficiency/LED conversion i. Motion made by Ms. Oppelt and seconded by Mr. Walfield. The committee members were all in favor of these three items as made by the motions noted above.  9. Reminder that the August meeting has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for September 26 at 7:00pm, location TBD. 10. Ms. DeWalt reminded the committee as of October 1, agendas will have to be submitted at least 48 hours in advance for posting on the College Park website. Ms. Weene made a motion to end the meeting. Mr, Dernoga seconded the motion. The meeting ended at 8:50pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.