Committee for a Better Environment

Approved: 022717 Committee for a Better Environment United Methodist Church, College Park January 23, 2017 7:00 PM Members Present Absent Suchitra Balachandran X Matt Dernoga X Sarah D’Alexander X Alan Hew X (arrived 7:20pm) Susan Keller X Todd Larsen X Janis Oppelt X Kennis Termini X Daniel Walfield X Donna Weene X Guests Present: John Krouse, resident of College Park; Andrew Fellows, EFC, University of Maryland; Sara Spaur, University of Maryland; Erick Marshall-Main, University of Maryland; Steve Beavers, City Liaison; Sheryl DeWalt, Contract Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by co-chair, Mr. Larsen. 1. The agenda was reviewed and a few changes were noted: a. Date should say “2017” b. Room should be “Room 7” c. Ms. D’Alexander added Good Neighbor Day discussion. Ms. Weene made a motion to accept the agenda changes. Mr. Walfield second the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 2. The minutes from the November 28, 2016, meeting were reviewed. Ms. Weene made the motion to accept the minutes. Mr. Dernoga seconded the motion. All in favor; no opposed. 3. Mr. Krouse updated the committee on the impending pond with regards to the North College Park Woods Park. He shared plans and pictures with the committee of what is proposed to happen. Mr. Krouse is asking the committee to send a letter to everyone concerned opposing the idea of the pond. Mr. Fellows suggested a presentation needs to be made to both the Greenbelt City Council and the College Park City Council before a letter is sent by CBE. Mr. Dernoga shared that Mary Lehman’s office is also opposed to this idea and is willing to work with Greenbelt and College Park to deter this. Mr. Beavers stated that he is in the process of obtaining copies of the plans.  4. Mr. Dernoga shared the City Tree Canopy presentation by PEPCO. A tree canopy assessment was last done about 10 years ago for College Park. The Tree and Landscape Board would like to revisit the tree canopy program and give recommendations to City Council. A suggestion was made to ask for student assistance on where tress could be planted in College Park. 5. Dr. Balachandran briefly reviewed the SMART subcommittee meeting progression. Some highlights mentioned were: a. The subcommittee is beginning to work on the report which will be given to City Council. b. There should be a reduction in the property tax rate. c. There will be a fee to purchase bags; potentially proposing $1.00-$1.50 per bag. d. Code Enforcement needs to enforce the rules. e. The next meeting is February 1. 6. CBE needs to have their brochures and website updated. Ms. DeWalt volunteered to help type up the new brochures. Ms. Spaur indicated that the Student Sustainability group would be happy to assist with the website and brochures. 7. Ms. D’Alexander discussed that Good Neighbor Day will be on April 1 from 9:00am- 1:30pm. Headquarters will again be at the College Park Community Center. They will be working on 12 projects this year and those will be decided at the February 9 meeting from the list that have including the CBE suggestions. 8. It was noted that Ms. Termini has missed two meetings in a row. Mr. Larsen stated he would reach out to her via email. 9. The next meeting will be held on February 27, 2017, at the United Methodist Church at 7:00pm. Ms. Weene made a motion to end the meeting. Mr. Dernoga seconded the motion. The meeting ended at 8:27pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.